Professor Havi was vehement about Aida breaking the rules, and how that should automatically disqualify her from victory on her last match. Rumors went around saying Professors Kozu and Lloyd were arguing in favor of allowing her victory, while Professors Bruce and Gemma were more neutral on how to handle the situation.

“Does it really require that much debate?” Aida asked when everyone sat down to dinner that night. “I’m already top fifteen. I don’t think we have too many differences in opportunities at this point, right?”

“You’re right, you’re pretty solid in your position,” Lily chimed in. “These kinds of fine details are probably more important for when we meet with the Affiliates. They won’t know you, after all, so they’ll be judging us based on our final preliminary rankings.”

Aida pursed her lips. She didn’t look forward to the recruitment process. What did interviews even look like in this world? How could she suck up to the hiring managers when she didn’t even know the culture?

“Isn’t it such a relief that you’re in Class 2?” Vanita asked Aida, smiling. “You get more opportunities to meet with the Affiliates for mentorship than Class 3 does.”

“Not as much as us in Class 1, though,” Levi interjected snidely. Lily blew a raspberry at him.

“Be nice, Levi! Aida was on track to be in Class 3. We should be celebrating her!” Lily said indignantly. Sue nodded primly at Lily’s words.

“Don’t worry, Aida. I’ll tell you exactly who the top Affiliates are, and if any of them interest you I’ll make sure to hold a torch for you.”

Aida smiled gratefully at Sue’s offer, but shook her head. “Thank you, but I’m sure I’ll be able to find an Affiliate who I can work well with.”

“Do you guys have a company in mind?” Lily asked. She was positively vibrating with excitement. “I hope the Border Stronghold sends a recruiter to Class 3. I’ve heard they have facilities everywhere, so I can experiment with plant growth in every biome if they’ll offer me a contract.”

“I think I would like to join the Naval Stronghold, to help protect the coastal villages from ocean storms and better help them rebuild,” Vanita said thoughtfully. “Of course, I wouldn’t mind joining the Agriculturalists as well.”

“If I can’t find a top tier Adventuring corp to contract with me, I think I’ll join the Border Stronghold,” Sue said thoughtfully. She glanced at Aida. “I just need something that can help me improve my skills…”

“I myself am likely to enter my family’s business,” Levi said nonchalantly. “I’m banking on using my family’s safety net as a negotiating chip. If the Affiliates really want to contract with me, they’d better offer me amazing terms.”

Aida wrinkled her nose at his blatant mercenary attitude, but she also couldn’t blame him for using what he had. Screw big businesses, however you can.

Caleb was the next to speak. “I think,” he said carefully, keeping his eyes on his spoon, “I may join an Adventuring group, just so I can make some connections with other people, and be able to return home occasionally to help my parents with their bathhouse.”

“Oh, but Caleb, that’s such a waste of your abilities,” Vanita said earnestly. “You could be so much more secure joining a Stronghold.”

Caleb shook his head. “All the Stronghold facilities are too far from home, and I won’t be able to get leave to visit my parents as often as I wish.”

Caleb is such a sweet boy, Aida thought fondly. She hoped he was able to successfully juggle his own career and help his parents. She became aware that all eyes were on her now, waiting for her to share her future career hopes and dreams.

“Oh.” Aida looked at Levi, panicked. He looked equally alarmed, but gave her a small nod to encourage her to speak. “…I was thinking…maybe a Healer, or…it might be neat to join a shipping company, to travel,” she said lamely. Levi relaxed at her answer; clearly she hadn’t said anything too out of character. Lily nodded avidly.

“That’s right, travel would be nice. Your family isn’t really well off enough for you to have traveled too much, right?”

“Right,” Aida agreed, relieved. She would accept the small blessings that came from sharing similar backgrounds. She caught sight of Ezra leaving the dining hall. Should she do it? Caleb’s reaction to her question about Sue should have been plenty of warning for her today, but she reasoned with herself that Ezra was the best at controlling his mana. And besides, I need to figure out the flow of the game.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Excusing herself, Aida hurriedly dumped her dinner tray before she hurried after Ezra.

Ezra seemed to anticipate her, waiting for her in the hallway outside the dining hall.

“Hey,” she greeted him, going for a perfectly normal smile. “What are you up to now?”

“Not much,” he said lowly. “I was going to do some reading before bed.”

There was an awkward pause. “Do you have any plans for the rest days?” Aida asked.

“No, I was just going to enjoy the remaining free time before school starts up again.”

Another awkward pause. Finally, Ezra said, hesitantly, “Would you like to go for a walk?”

“Ah, yes, a walk sounds great,” Aida said brightly. She facepalmed internally. Why was she acting like she was sixteen again?

Ezra turned down the corridor that led to the girls’ wing, exiting the door that took them to the lake. They walked in silence, meandering around the lake as the sun began to dip below the landscape. The Lake, as usual, was calm. Aida reached out to it, seeking the same stability it had offered before. But for some reason, the Lake refused to indulge her this time. Is it because it’s not a life or death situation? Aida thought, annoyed. A ripple spread along the glass surface, almost as if the Lake was laughing. At her.

“Was there something you wanted to talk about?”

Aida startled, pulling her attention back from the lake. Ezra was looking down at her, silver eyes staring unwaveringly at her as they walked. She quailed under the attention, before finally pulling herself together. Come on, put on your big girl pants. It’s a simple question.

“What do you think of Sue?”

Ezra stopped. His eyes dilated, and he seemed to be looking past her. Aida waited on tenterhooks, apprehensively probing at him with her mana, but careful not to probe too hard to distract him. His mana was utterly still, almost congealed around him like armor. Aida took it as a good sign that he didn’t seem to have a meltdown the way Caleb did.

“You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to,” Aida reassured him. “I was…just curious. As a friend!”

“Why are you asking?” Ezra asked, his tone stiff. “It must be something other than curiosity.”

Aida squirmed. “What if…it really was just curiosity?”

His pupils closed, the silver coming back. “Where is this ‘curiosity’ coming from?”

Aida fumbled. This nonanswer is answer enough…how to disengage? “I mean, right before your match with her,” she teased. She was pleased to hear that her voice was steady and confident. “When you caught Sue as she fell - that was literally some sort of romance trope!” she batted her eyelashes at him. “Are you telling me your heart didn’t flutter at all?”

Ezra’s cheeks slowly tinged with pink at her words. He pressed his lips together in a tight line. “It was merely an accident. There was nothing special about it.”

“If you say so,” Aida agreed merrily. She began walking again, skipping at intervals as she maintained her cheery facade. “You don’t have to worry I’ll say anything! I’m your friend, and I’ll keep your secret.” She spun around, putting her hands on her hips. “I just want you to be happy, after all.” She nodded confidently at Ezra, a smile fixed on her face. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help!”

Without actually looking to see what effect her words had on Ezra, she swung back around, swinging her arms in long arcs as she continued to march around the lake. When Ezra didn’t follow her, she paused, peeking over her shoulder. Ezra was looking down at his shoes, his silver hair orange in the sun’s last rays. He must have felt her looking at him, because he looked up, meeting her gaze. With an inscrutable expression, he strolled toward her, catching up to her in just a few strides. Aida walked normally, dropping her excessive movements.

Aida contemplated the information she had. Caleb and Ezra were the only ones who refused to admit their feelings, though their mana and body language gave sufficient indication that they did feel something. So Sue was making good progress with Caleb and Ezra, but not with Levi. But does it matter? Levi didn’t seem all that upset about the prospect of not being able to win Sue’s heart. As Aida churned through these thoughts, one question floated to the top: Why do I care?

Offended by her own question, Aida struggled to come up with a respectable rationale. I want Sue to be happy. But Sue could be happy regardless; she had loving parents, great talent, good friends, a bright future. I promised Levi I would help him get Sue. But Levi already professed he didn’t want to engage in any manipulative behavior. What else is left?

“Please don’t help.”

Aida blinked. “Excuse me?”

“I don’t want your help…with Sue.” The words came out as a struggle.

“Oh.” Aida stared up at him. His bangs covered his eyes, so she couldn’t even tell what he was thinking. His jaw was tense, though. “Are you sure?”

“I’m certain.” The words came out more forcefully. Ezra’s eyes lifted, and he stared ahead. “It’s not worth it.”

“What’s not worth it?” Aida asked, confused. It was like they were having two separate conversations.

Ezra shook his head. “Never mind. It’s better to keep friendships as they are.”

Relieved that Ezra at least admitted to something - wanting to “remain” friends, so he’s probably in between Levi and Caleb - Aida nodded reassuringly. “Keeping the friendship.”