Waking up early and starting training at midnight, I started my daily routine. First, I was running around the academy campus with weighted bracelets to increase my endurance.
And then, it was polishing my art and combat skills, increasing my understanding of [Lunar Enigma] as well as [Shadowborne]. That was normally the case. However, I planned a change now.
With the restrictions of my body raised, I started eating a lot more.
Gaining so muscle and weight was necessary for the future, though gaining too much would not be optimal. Thus, I started lifting weights and doing full-body workouts in my program.
Though I was already doing it, my focus was shifted a little more to that.
In any case, things were going in the sa direction until it was noon. Around 12.30, I left the general combat area to get the second al of the day. There, I t soone I was not expecting.
"Yo….."
The wavy blue hair, slightly bulky body, insanely handso face, innocent smile revealing the teeth, and clear hazel eyes. Looking from the side, you could see his broad shoulders, clearly resulting from intense training. His body was a little sweaty, indicating that he had just co out from an intense session. His t-shirt was tucked in, slightly showing his defined abs.
"What do you want?"
Yet, none of those gave the reason for him to be there.
"Cold as usual." He replied, widening his smile. It seed that he had sohow already gotten used to my attitude. Well, even a turtle would end up adapting to the environnt, so no wonder he was able to do too.
My stomach was already bulging, urging to eat sothing to fill the calories the body desperately needed. And now, I was stopped by this guy before , so I couldn't help but get a bit angry.
"Don't waste my ti." The words ca out instantly, showing how I felt. But I already knew that this guy was too slow in taking hints like these.
"I know, I know. How about we grab lunch together? It had been a while since we talked."
"Why do you have the impression that we are close?"
"We are not?"
"Of course not."
"…..Hmm…..Then, if I say it is on ?"
Hearing him saying that he was going to buy the lunch, the bulging stomach growled, reminding of how delicious eating a free al right now would be.
"Just to remind. I have high standards." I deliberately made the expression, showing that eating with wouldn't be cheap. If a guy wants to ask out, he needs to satisfy so conditions!
"Haha....I am already used to those high standards…."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, so you are coming?"
"I won't refuse your grace."
As Ethan and I walked towards the most opulent restaurant on campus, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of irritation at his persistent invitation.
Nevertheless, I begrudgingly accepted, knowing that declining a free al would be foolish, especially considering my heightened calorie intake for training purposes.
"How are the things going on your side recently?"
As we were walking, he suddenly tried to strike up a conversation, albeit more awkwardly than the silence itself.
"It's none of your business."
Ethan simply chuckled in response, his easygoing deanor contrasting sharply with my own aloofness. "Ah, figured you'd say sothing like that," he remarked casually, undeterred by my dismissive attitude.
'I guess this is his strength?' Considering how he had been behaving in the past, Ethan certainly possessed the necessary lack of pride against such answers.
In a sense, this was what made him Ethan. Well, if he were to be going to beco the ga's protagonist, those kinds of traits were necessary.
"Well, you are probably wondering why I called you out of nowhere, right?"
"I figured you would be spilling the beans while eating."
"Yeah, I guess so."
As we entered the grandiose restaurant, the opulent decor and elegant ambiance enveloped us, creating an atmosphere of sophistication and luxury.
'This reminds of that ti. I guess I should ask Senior Maya out next ti.'
Returning the grace received is sothing that was necessary for interpersonal relationships, and I disliked the idea of constantly receiving help from Senior Maya one-sidedly.
Seated comfortably, I looked around and noticed Ethan and the others seed right at ho, his easy smile never faltering as he scanned the nu.
Before we could delve into the conversation, the waiter approached our table, his polished deanor exuding professionalism. As he greeted us, his eyes lit up with recognition upon seeing Ethan.
"Ah, Mister Ethan Hartley! It's a pleasure to have you dine with us again," the waiter exclaid with genuine enthusiasm as he approached our table.
Ethan's smile widened in response to the waiter's recognition. "Good to see you too," he replied warmly, his easy deanor never faltering.
'Well, the na Hartley alone should be enough to stir an enthusiasm. I guess he is trying to impress Ethan, knowing his good-natured personality. Out of all the people coming here, Ethan certainly has the highest possibility of talking about a random waiter.'
"Please take a look at our nu. As you know, once you determine the order, you may press the keys right beside the food you choose, and we will receive your order. You may customize it if you wish on the box that will appear here."
Saying that the waiter had shown us the integrated nu.
'Interesting. They assigned so mana circuits to the nu and used it as an interactive ordering device. Last ti we ca here, this thing wasn't her; I guess it is a new product.'
I thought, looking at the nu.
"Of course, if you don't wish to use the nu, you may directly call as well. I will happily take your order."
The waiter nodded in acknowledgnt, his expression grateful for Ethan's generosity. With a bow of respect, he excused himself, leaving Ethan and to peruse the interactive nu.
"As I promised, you can order whatever you want," Ethan said with a smile directed at , fulfilling his earlier commitnt to treat to lunch.
'Let empty your pockets.'
Though I knew Ethan was the heir of a high-ranking family like the Hartleys, money was still money.
Taking a mont to familiarize myself with the enchanted device, I scanned through the array of tantalizing options available. Each dish was described in intricate detail, highlighting the exotic ingredients and elaborate cooking techniques used to create them.
After a brief mont of consideration, I made my selections, customizing each dish to my liking with the touch of a button.
As I pressed the third dish, I saw Ethan's mouth twitching.
"Do you wish to say sothing?" I asked, knowing that he didn't have the personality to tell what he thought.
"No, no. Nothing."
With the press of a key, my order was submitted, and I handed the nu back to the waiter as he returned to our table.
With a gracious smile, the waiter accepted the nu and bowed once again before disappearing into the bustling kitchen. anwhile, Ethan leaned back in his chair, his easy smile slightly turning stiff, yet after a bunch of seconds, it returned to normal. It seed like he had already strengthened his resolve.
True to form, the waiter returned shortly thereafter, carrying a tray laden with four exquisite dishes. Each plate was a masterpiece in its own right, showcasing the culinary prowess of the chefs who had crafted them.
As I dug into my al, savoring the delectable flavors and unique textures, I couldn't help but marvel at the ingenuity of this fantasy world. In this realm, even the simplest of als were transford into extraordinary culinary experiences, thanks to the use of mutated animals and enchanted ingredients.
"How is it?"
"It is certainly on the top of the spectrum."
"Isn't it? The chefs here are all Awakened people."
"I know."
"I see."
As we were eating, I noticed that Ethan was having a little hard ti asking what was on his mind.
"Now, what did you want to talk about?"
Since we were now in the restaurant, I decided to not beat the bush no longer and asked directly.
"Actually, I wanted your opinion on sothing," Ethan replied, his expression turning serious as he raised his head to et my gaze.
Intrigued by his sudden change in deanor, I set down my fork and gave him my full attention. "Elaborate," I prompted, eager to hear what was on his mind.
Ethan cleared his throat, his hazel eyes clouded with uncertainty as he began to speak. "Imagine you're in a situation where you want to help soone. At first, it seems like a simple matter, sothing you can handle without much trouble. But as you get involved, you realize it's not as straightforward as you thought. Suddenly, you're caught in a web of complications and uncertainties, unsure of how to proceed."
I nodded, understanding what he ant by that.
'I guess he noticed that Emily's situation is not as simple as it was before.'
"Go on," I urged.
Ethan hesitated for a mont, his gaze flickering away before returning to et mine. "You try to do what you believe is right, but at every turn, you're faced with obstacles and dilemmas. And no matter how hard you try to untangle yourself from the ss, it only seems to grow more tangled."
"It sounds like you're facing quite the challenge," I remarked, my tone sympathetic.
Ethan nodded, a weary sigh escaping his lips. "Yeah, you could say that. It's like... no matter what I do, I can't seem to find a solution that could solve the case. And now, I'm stuck in a position where I don't know what the right thing to do is."
At that mont, he stopped looking at clearly. "I wonder, how would you deal with such situations?" Then he asked.
This whole progress wasn't in my mind before, as I didn't expect Ethan to consult directly on the matter regarding Emily. But it is also understandable that he feels lost. After all, Ethan, no matter how talented he is, is still a naïve guy who has yet to see how the world works.
'But you will see it soon. Your father won't be able to stay idle any longer, as he can't tolerate any threat made to his family.'
"I see." Leaning forward slightly, I t Ethan's gaze. "Though from your words, it is difficult to infer the exact situation you're facing, in general, there is a clear way to deal with such cases," I began, speaking with conviction.
"When you find yourself entangled in a web from all sides, what you just need to do is to burn those webs," I advised, drawing on a taphorical analogy to illustrate my point. "And if you find yourself unable to deal with the spider that is weaving those webs, then you simply need to bring a bigger one."
Ethan listened intently to my words, his brow furrowing slightly as he processed my advice.
"Sotis, you won't be able to deal with the enemy alone. In those tis, you will need your allies, soone you can trust."
After a mont of contemplation, he nodded in understanding, a sense of determination flickering in his hazel eyes.
"I see what you an," he replied, his voice tinged with newfound resolve. "But, can I take you as one of those allies too?"
"Allies to trust?"
"Yeah."
Hearing this, I shook my head inwardly. He was still too naïve, but gaining the trust of the protagonist would never be bad.
This was precisely why I had directed this conversation like this, after all.
"As long as you pay enough, you can expect my trust."
"…..Certainly, an answer like this is expected from you…." He said, his face a bit deadpanned. Yet, he seed more reassured.
"But….Thanks…I feel a lot more at ease now."
"Is that so?"
Just like that, we continued to eat, but suddenly sothing bugged .
'Considering Lucas is Ethan's best friend, it is weird that he ca to . Is there a reason for him not to look for Lucas?'
I thought and decided to ask.
"But, why did you not ask Lucas this? Aren't you guys best friends?"
"Ah….About that….I don't know why, but sothing about Lucas is off recently…."
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