Chapter 21 : Mica [ 2 ]

Lo was shocked about the revelation, although he couldn't sense her proper rank, his instincts told him that the girl standing before him was likely in the early stages of the 3rd star rank.

Mica tilts her head as she was confused on why Lo was shocked about her being a intermediate 2nd star rank.

"Is everything alright, Lo?" Mica asked as her voice filled with genuine concern.

Lo just shook his head and thought that it was strange for him to think that the cute blue haired beauty in front of him as a low 3rd star ranker.

"What about you, Lo?" she inquired curiously. "What's your rank? Based on your uniform, I'm guessing you're at low 1st star rank?"

Lo smiled wryly at her assumption. "I wish I were that skilled," he sighed in her response. "Unfortunately, I'm only a intermediate 0th mortal rank. But I'm working hard to improve my abilities and move up through the ranks. and someday I'll catch up to you."

Mica chuckled, as her mesmerizing blue eyes gaze intently at Lo. "I'm sure you will. With your determination, you'll go far. Very far in fact."

The two of them proceeded to order their meals, as they waited for their food to arrive, they continued to chat, exchanging stories and sharing their dreams and aspirations. Lo couldn't believe how comfortable he felt around her, as if they had known each other for years.

"Hey Lo, what is your next subject by the way?"

Lo groaned in response. "Ugh, don't even get me started on that subject," he grumbled.

Mica chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "What's the matter? Is it related to Weapon Mastery or Energy Mastery?"

"If you have any academic troubles, you can always rely on this big sister's of yours."

"Since when did I became your younger brother," Lo shakes his head as he sigh deeply, "Haaah.. my next subject is actually Fundamentals of Mana and Magic."

Mica tilts her head, "Aren't those subjects, basic?"

Lo narrowed his eyes in response, as though he has heard the biggest bullshit in his life, "Just because they're called 'fundamentals' doesn't mean they're easy," he retorted, his tone slightly defensive. "Besides, magic has always been a struggle for me."

Mica pondered for a moment before smacking her forehead with her palm, as if she had just realized something. "Sorry about that, Lo. I didn't mean to come off as dismissive. It's just that I've always had a knack for magic, so I forget that it doesn't come as easily to others."

Upon seeing Mica facepalm, Lo's initial defensive reaction subsided. He realized that Mica didn't mean to belittle his struggles, but rather it was just her natural tendency to excel in academic pursuits.

He let out a small chuckle and shook his head, "Don't worry about it, Mica. I know you didn't mean it that way."

Mica lifted her head and gave Lo a reassuring smile, "I'm sorry if it came off that way. But if you ever need any help, I'm always here for you, okay?"

Lo's hesitation was noticeable as he muttered his response. "Well, I might actually need help." It was obvious to Mica that the fundamentals of magic and mana posed a challenge for him.

While other students in his class might find the subject a piece of cake, Lo struggled due to his lack of prior knowledge.

Mica's mind raced with possibilities as she tried to think of ways to help Lo with his struggles. She briefly considered using her skill to assist him, but the mere thought of completely scrambling his brain sent shivers down her spine. It was clear that she needed to come up with another solution to help him.

While they continued their conversation on the matter, their food materialized before them in a dazzling display of magical prowess. Deciding to set the topic aside for the time being, they both dug into their meals with satisfaction, savoring the delicious flavors and aromas that wafted up from their plates. Despite their worries, they found comfort in the simple pleasure of sharing a meal together.

As they ate, Lo couldn't help but wonder who Mica really was. She wasn't a character shown inside the novel and he felt a strange connection to her, as though she was his caretaker in a way. It was strange to him how he could show his worries to someone he had just met, and yet feel such a sense of comfort. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but there was something about Mica that drew him to her.

Mica stares intently at Lo before breaking the silence with a question that caught Lo off guard. "Lo, do you have a girlfriend?" Her voice, though barely audible, carried a subtle hint of killing intent.

As Mica's question hung in the air, Lo's heart sank. He couldn't help but feel perplexed by her sudden interest in his love life. He searched her face for any clues to her intentions, but all he could see was a slight furrow of her brow.

Memories of a white-haired girl flooded his mind, and he muttered the words as if he was reliving the heartache all over again.

"Used to," his heavy voice filled with sorrow and melancholy. His once lively eyes now appeared dull and lifeless, revealing the depth of his pain.

Mica's heart broke as she saw the anguish etched on Lo's face. She could feel the weight of his sadness, and it pained her to see him in such a state. She reached out to him, her voice gentle as she spoke, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

Mica reached out to him for a hug, but Lo instinctively wanted to push her away. However, as her warm embrace enveloped him, he found himself unable to resist. He surrendered to her comforting hold and allowed himself to cry silently, his heart aching with sadness.

Mica felt a rush of emotions as she held Lo in her arms. Though they had just met, to her, it felt like seeing an old crush once again. The Lo she remembered wasn't as cold and distant as the one before her now, which made her wonder what could have happened to him in the time they were apart.

The memory of Lo being taken away from her filled her with a fiery rage, and she swore to herself that she would hunt down and make the one responsible pay. But she knew she couldn't act impulsively.

"Good thing I cast [ Disruption ] before coming here," she muttered to herself. The skill was incredibly useful in situations like this, where nobody would be able to see them together. She was willing to bet that even Lo hadn't noticed that she had cast the skill, but it was necessary. If anyone saw them together, it would cause chaos throughout the entire academy.

Her thoughts drifted to a memory from the distant past, one she had always kept to herself and cherished.

...

She found herself transported to a dark alley, the air thick with the scent of rot and decay. Countless wooden buildings loomed over her, casting deep shadows that obscured her surroundings. It was a place she never wanted to be, yet here she was, cornered by a group of boys with cruel grins on their faces.

They had taunted and ridiculed at her, their words biting like knives. She had been scared, but she refused to show it. Instead, she stood her ground, using all her strength to fight back. But her efforts were in vain; the group of boys seemed invincible. They didn't even flinch when she landed blows on them, and instead, they taunted her even more, relishing in her desperation.

Just as she thought all hope was lost, a figure appeared out of nowhere, cutting the arm that held her hair with ease. He was a white haired young man, with piercing scarlet eyes and a commanding presence. Standing at 164cm, he cut an imposing figure with his stark white shirt and black shorts. In his hand was a knife, a weapon he wielded with skill and precision. Though he appeared emotionless and cold on the surface, his anger simmered just beneath the surface, threatening to boil over at any moment.

As the boy who had grabbed Mica's hair screamed in pain, blood began to gush out from the wound. The other boys around him moved back, their faces etched with fear as they witnessed the white haired young man's wrath. The young man showed no mercy, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity.

This was the slums, an area where there were no governors or enforcers. It was a place where only the strong were right, and only the strong survived. The cruelty of the slums was unforgiving and unyielding, leaving no room for weakness.

The white haired young man had lived in the slums ever since he was kicked out from the orphanage. He had discovered his talent for killing and had become a ruthless, cold-blooded killer. He felt no remorse for his actions, and his reputation preceded him. People called him the White Reaper, and even the bravest of souls dared not cross his path.

Mica watched in awe as the young man effortlessly dispatched the boys who had been taunting her. She could see the anger in his eyes, yet she felt a strange sense of comfort in his presence. Despite his fearsome reputation, she sensed that he was not as cold and emotionless as he appeared.

As the last of the boys retreated, the young man turned to Mica, his red scarlet eyes searching hers. For a moment, they stood there in silence, their eyes locked in a silent exchange. Then, with a swift movement, he sheathed his knife and turned to leave.

"Wait," Mica called out, the young man paused, his back still facing her. "Thank you," she said softly.

For a moment, he said nothing. Then, without turning back, he muttered, "Don't let your guard down in this place," before disappearing into the darkness of the slums.