Chapter 165 - I’m Being Followed

Two weeks of classes had passed, and we were already used to the new routine. I pulled a strand of hair from my head, and the color surprised me.

“My hair color is silver-white,” I noted with a sigh.

The magical dye was fading faster than I’d expected. I had been pulling out a few stray hairs, but as the dye wore off, more were revealing themselves.

“Nate! Were you listening to what I said?” Chloe asked.

“Of course.”

We were eating at a café downtown. We had been granted permission to visit the city now that the adjustment period had passed, and I took the opportunity to pick up a new supply of dye. When my cousin found out I was going for a 'stroll,' she insisted on coming along.

“This flavor is really good,” she said, placing a bit of her ice cream on my plate.

“You convinced me, this ‘ice cream’ really is good. The colors change the flavor, which is amazing. How did you find out about this place?”

Chloe blushed.

“Some girls recommended it to me. They said it’s a good place to bring someone...”

Looking around, I noticed that most of the people here were couples.

I think I understand what’s going on… is this some kind of ‘date’?

“And the dye problem, were you able to fix it?” she asked, changing the subject.

“I got more dye, but I’ll ask my mom to help me apply it. I still don’t fully understand how to do it, and it’s pretty complicated,” I explained.

An odd feeling lingered in the air and had been following me since I left the academy.

Is someone following me?

Every now and then, I felt someone’s gaze on me, but it would quickly vanish. It was fleeting, but unsettling.

It’s the same strange feeling as before… this can’t be a coincidence. I’m definitely being watched.

I continued chatting with my cousin, and from there, we went to browse some clothing stores. I had to tag along and serve as the evaluator. Chloe kept asking for my opinion, wondering how she looked.

I’ve learned that a man should always compliment a woman when she asks if she looks good; it’s saved my life a few times.

I even complimented Cylla in her dragon form when she asked me if she looked nice.

“How do I look now, Nate?” Chloe asked.

She looks beautiful…

“That outfit has a bit of a revealing neckline… maybe it’s not quite appropriate for you…” I replied, turning my face away.

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“Hmm… got it,” she said, laughing as she headed back to the fitting room.

Chloe had been asking for my opinion every time she tried on something new… I have a feeling she’s picking the more daring outfits.

Is this some kind of torture... it’s getting harder to compliment her without feeling embarrassed. Being human is complicated...

“I’ll be outside. I just remembered I need to check on something,” I said, attempting to escape.

“All right, I’m almost done here.”

I made it out!

Part of me felt relieved. I stepped outside, pretending to be an aimless tourist, glancing at the shop windows. I needed to confirm who was watching me.

There’s that weird feeling again…

I started walking, pretending to browse around, while keeping part of my attention on the store where Chloe was, to ensure her safety. I continued in the direction of the strange sensation.

I’m Getting Closer!

I quickened my pace, but then realized that the gaze watching me, causing that strange feeling, had vanished.

An imitation of killing intent? Or some variation?

The presence was fading, and I began to run through the crowd in the direction where I’d sensed it before.

“Nathan?” a voice pulled me from my thoughts, and a hand on my shoulder stopped me.

“Your Highness, Alice?” I responded, recognizing one of my dorm mates.

She stepped closer with a smile. “You seem to be in a hurry, haha. Just call me Alice.”

“I just thought I saw someone I knew,” I replied, trying to mask my unease.

Whoever was following me has already disappeared.

“You’re not in uniform,” I joked.

“That’s because you only ever see me in class,” she replied, laughing.

I looked around, but the presence I’d felt had truly disappeared.

“Are you enjoying your day off? I see you’ve bought a few things,” Alice commented, eyeing the small bag I was carrying.

“They’re just my—” I stopped myself, realizing I’d almost revealed they were ‘dyes.’

Oops!

“They’re just… guy things…” I said, trying to cover it up.

Alice seemed to examine my bag with curiosity.

Damn… these dyes are so delicate to mana that they can’t be stored in a bracelet…

“It must be something special from an expensive shop. Maybe a gift for a girlfriend, hehe,” she teased, laughing.

Before I could respond, a figure appeared in my line of sight, approaching quickly.

“It seems like everyone decided to go out on the first day off,” Edmund said, joining us.

During these two weeks, I’d noticed that Edmund was a popular guy who enjoyed taking on the leader role.

Unlike Viktor, he has a natural charisma.

“Are you two together?” he asked.

“No. I just ran into Nathan here. What about you? Also out enjoying the city?” Alice replied.

“I’m accompanying a… future knight… she asked me for combat tips, even though she’s a year older,” Edmund said, with a confident smile.

“Hehe,” Alice laughed. “Only two weeks in and you’re already going on dates?” She nudged him playfully.

Edmund was a talented swordsman from a renowned family of warriors, specializing in the mana transmitter category. He perfectly fit what they call a ‘military duchy.’ While my duchy is known as the ‘farmer’s duchy’ for its excellence in agricultural production, Edmund’s father is a famous knight, leading a special squad of Combat Mages.

“Nate!” a voice called out.

Chloe was walking towards us, now dressed in a new outfit she’d just bought.

“Ah, everyone. Looks like we’re finally seeing each other out of uniform,” my cousin remarked.

“Nathan said the same thing,” Alice joked. “You look really nice, Chloe.”

Chloe laughed, and soon we were all gathered, heading to a nearby café.

Chloe and I ordered tea, while Alice and Edmund went for sweets.

“Are you enjoying the classes? Even though it’s basic content, it’s kind of fun,” Edmund asked.

“Of course!” Chloe replied. “For us, who’ve had advanced education since childhood, it’s a bit repetitive, but at least we’re learning about culture and new ways to use mana.”

“My cousin Elara said even the minimum learning makes a big difference. She learned to manage her mana better and said they teach powerful spells in the later years,” Alice commented.

“I can’t wait to start the dungeon excursions,” Edmund said, excited.

I kept my thoughts hidden while I made my analysis.

Someone was definitely watching me. I get this strange feeling every time I leave the Academy. Every time I’m out on the street since my first day in Apsalon.

I took a deep breath.

Next time I feel that sensation… I’ll use the Celestial Eyes. I’ll catch this bastard with the Aspect of Time and the Aspect of Soul.