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"Dean, could you please overlook what happened? This is our issue. We hope for your understanding."
"Prince... The academy's problems are ours as well. But since you ask so sincerely, of course we can't refuse."
"Really? Thank you! I'm glad you accepted my request!"
For a mont, as I lowered my head, the dean in front of gave a small smile.
From his perspective, he didn't know that I'm a man who values respect.
If he were to recall the hero's behavior, he'd realize that Ash is no different from other youths.
But ? I didn't show a single trace of fear before him.
From that alone, the dean could tell I was one of the golden generation of the Actrid Continent.
'Hermit... You did well. Your gamble on this boy was worth it. Maybe I should let him et with the Grand Mage rlin? No. Lord rlin hates being disturbed. Forget it,' the dean thought to himself before turning to give orders to those behind him.
Initially, the dean intended to deal with the issue between Eric and .
But who would've thought? He had no idea I wasn't anything like he had imagined.
"Elders, summon a few experts to repair this room. Forget about what happened."
"Understood."
Step— Step— Step—
It's true. Even I showed a hint of curiosity on my face.
If the dean hadn't agreed to my request, I don't know if I could've escaped the consequences.
"Anyway... You two, are you alright? I'm sorry for dragging you into this. I didn't know what would happen once you got involved with the hero."
"It's alright. We already chose to take this risk. So this isn't your fault."
"Daphne's right. We'll take responsibility for anything related to the hero. Don't worry."
You two... I understand.
If that's your decision, then I won't stop you.
I'll leave the hero's matter to you. Let's hope nothing terrible happens.
"So, Eris. What will you do from now on? I don't think the hero likes you anymore."
"Who knows? I think I'll stay by your side?"
"You... Alright. You can do whatever you want."
Honestly...
Deep down, I knew I couldn't possibly refuse Eris's presence.
The mont she chose to leave Ash, I realized this was her path.
Of course, as the one closest to Eris, I was her only option.
If Eris didn't trust , she would never have chosen to stay near .
But now? Eris knew I was the only man she could truly trust.
For a mont, I felt one of my hands being wrapped by Eris's arms.
At first, I wondered if it was okay for Eris to act so clingy with .
But I didn't mind, rembering how close we had beco.
"You really are... Never mind. Daphne, thank you. If you hadn't told what happened, I might not have been able to save Eris. I'm truly grateful," I said, bowing in gratitude to Daphne without hesitation.
Deep in my heart, I was thankful that Daphne had inford of what was going on.
If it weren't for her, I'm not sure Eris would've survived.
Unfortunately, from Daphne's expression, I noticed a slight blush on her cheeks.
Fortunately, her reaction didn't last long.
Instead, she nodded to my thanks without hesitation.
Still, in Daphne's mind, she couldn't forget the mont I embraced her.
It was the first ti in her life she had been hugged by a man.
And that hug had co from .
At first, she thought the first man to embrace her would be the hero.
But she didn't expect that I would be the only one allowed to touch her.
Badump!
"Ahem. Don't worry. This is my duty as Eris's friend. I also wanted to help her from the start. But I knew I couldn't fight Eric. That's why I asked for your help."
"Even so, I'm really grateful for the information. If anything ever happens, feel free to co to for help."
"Of course. I won't refuse your offer."
...
Night passed, and now we were in the hero's eting room.
Judging from Ash's expression, he hadn't expected any of this to happen.
From his point of view, he didn't know what to do about Eris.
She hadn't shown up to the hero's eting room.
Instead, Daphne and Alicia had co, obeying his orders.
With that alone, Ash realized that Eris no longer cared about their friendship.
"She didn't co? That's rare. I wonder if sothing happened to her?" Alicia comnted, clearly unaware of the situation.
Had Alicia not been busy managing Class A, she wouldn't have left Eris alone.
But now? It was impossible for her to pull Eris back to their side.
"Miss Alicia, don't you know what happened earlier today? Where were you?"
"What? I don't know anything about what happened. Can you explain?"
"Of course. Here's what happened... Eris and Eric... Then Mr. Noah arrived and—"
As Daphne explained, Alicia's expression gradually changed.
She couldn't hide her disbelief.
In her mind, she never expected her childhood friend would choose to leave them.
If it hadn't been for Eric, Eris would never have made that decision.
But sadly, Alicia knew she had no chance of convincing Eris to return.
"This... Ash! How can you stay so calm?! Eris is your friend! Why are you ignoring her?!"
"..."
Still, Ash couldn't respond to Alicia's outburst.
He didn't know why, but he understood that what had happened couldn't be undone.
"Ash! Don't just stay silent! Go get Eris back! She's our friend!"
For a mont, Alicia's voice rose sharply.
She could no longer contain the emotions swelling in her heart.
Unexpectedly, fragnts of Alicia's past began to resurface in her mind.
"Eris! Don't go! Please co back to us! Why are you leaving?!"
"I'm sorry, Alicia. But this is my path. You and I were never ant to be. We must choose our own roads."
"Eris! You can't! Co back to us! No!!!"
Hah, ha... This can't be happening!
mories from my previous life... and about Eris leaving...
I am a regressor.
That's right. Alicia's identity is none other than herself from the future.
Judging from her actions, it's as if she could see what was going to happen.
Originally, Alicia's intention was to preserve the foundation of the hero's companions.
In the future, the world where Alicia and her friends lived...
There was no way people like Ash and the others could face serious trouble.
But who knew? Even Eris eventually chose to walk away from them.
When Alicia recalled the bloodthirsty red aura around Eris, she knew the ti had co.
But why? What was the reason Eris left so suddenly?
If she rembered correctly, it was supposed to happen five years later.
But now, Alicia suspected that I was the only reason Eris left early.
If it weren't for , there's no way Eris would've gone so soon.
'Is this one of your regrets too? You haven't changed, neither in the past nor the future. Do you really love Noah?'
Even when Eris tried to reach Ash's heart, she knew he would never accept her.
Maybe that's why she believed it was ti to leave them behind.
"Ash! Please answer ! Why didn't you try to stop her?!"
Within seconds, the sound of a slap echoed through the hero's eting room.
Ash, without hesitation, had slapped Alicia across the face.
From her expression, Alicia hadn't expected to be hurt—especially by Ash.
"Ash... I understand. I'm sorry. I'd like to step out for a while."
At first, Alicia intended to retaliate.
But she stopped herself. She saw the look on Ash's face.
'You regret it? It's too late for that... You even brought Eric back. You've really disappointed .'
Kreeak—
As Alicia left the room, she walked away quickly, without a second thought.
As for Daphne, she chose to stay and observe the hero's condition.
After all, her job from the beginning was to watch over the hero's actions.
If he dared to act recklessly, there was no way Daphne would let him do as he pleased.
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