NOVEL NEXT Chapter 192: Lorraine's Suggestion
'That wasn't so hard,' Azel thought as he stretched his arms above his head, feeling the tension finally leave his body.
His shoulders cracked lightly, and he let out a long sigh. With all the studying and knowledge he had absorbed, the exam wasn't as terrifying as others made it out to be.
If anything, it almost felt easy.
He could say with confidence that he had aced it, sure it was with a skill but it counted as effort too .
Surprisingly enough, Reinhardt was the one who usually topped the exam in the original story.
The guy was a study freak , someone who practically lived with his nose buried in books since a Hero must be well-versed in everything.
Azel had to push himself and ensure he outdid him.
But he did.
He was certain of it.
'There are a lot of perks that come with being Number One,' he thought, his lips curving into a faint smile.
It wasn't just about bragging rights. The academy ID card of the first-ranked student wasn't some simple badge — it carried weight across the whole empire, even beyond.
With it, he could walk into any shop across the Starbloom Empire, and even in the black markets, and get a ninety-nine percent discount.
Ninety-nine percent!
That was as close to free as it got.
The empire really spoiled their best students.
He could get fish for 99% of their original value!!!
His eyes drifted across the courtyard until they landed on a familiar figure.
Sitting on a bench close to the testing hall was Lorraine, a cup of soda in hand. She was tilting it back, sipping slowly as though she'd been waiting there for a while.
Azel's throat felt dry.
He didn't realize until now just how thirsty he was.
Exams had a way of draining the body in strange ways, even when it was all theory and writing.
He walked toward her and sat beside her, his eyes falling on the second cup resting on the bench.
"Mind if I take one?" he asked casually.
Lorraine shook her head without hesitation, a small smile tugging at her lips as she handed it over.
Azel twisted the cap open and took a long gulp.
The fizzy sweetness exploded across his tongue, washing down his parched throat.
He let out a small sound of satisfaction. "Ah, that hit the spot. I didn't see any soda shops on the way here."
"That's because I got them from the academy shops," Lorraine replied although her face had a small frown.
Azel glanced sideways at her, his lips quirking up.
"You really became the Student Council President, huh?" he said, and took another sip.
Lorraine's chest warmed at his words.
He remembered.
He hadn't forgotten about her after all. Her smile grew wider, and before she could stop herself, she leaned forward, arms wrapping tightly around his waist.
She buried her face against him, hugging him as if she could lock him in place.
"I thought you forgot about me," she whispered.
She tried so hard to keep her composure, but the tears she had held back for so long spilled freely, streaking down her cheeks. Her heart ached with relief and longing.
'Eh? She's crying?' Azel blinked, completely caught off guard.
He tilted his head down at the girl clinging to him. 'Did something happen?'
He wasn't good with tears.
He never had been.
But instinctively, his hand lifted and gently settled on her head. He stroked her hair slowly, letting his fingers slide through the silky black strands.
Her hair shone under the faint afternoon light, smooth like fine silk.
"Why are you crying?" he asked softly, his voice carrying both curiosity and concern.
Lorraine sniffed, wiping at her eyes quickly, though the redness in them gave her away.
"I thought you forgot me. You didn't even show that you recognized me," she said, her tone trembling between a pout and a confession.
Then she paused, tilting her head with curiosity. "Or is that nun your girlfriend?"
Azel blinked once, twice. "…Rain?"
The image formed in his mind for a split second. Rain, as his girlfriend?
The only thing he could see was Rain standing above another woman, dominant as always.
No.
Rain hated men.
She didn't even like standing near them, much less holding affection for one.
The very idea was absurd.
"She could never," Azel said with a small sigh.
His tone carried finality, like he couldn't even imagine how such a thing could happen.
Honestly, who would even want that kind of girl?
Lorraine let out a soft laugh, her tears finally drying up.
Relief filled her chest, She still had a chance… the woman was beautiful but she wasn't his, so it was good.
"Hey, want a tour of the academy?" she asked suddenly, her voice lighter, almost playful.
Inside, she was fully intent on abusing her position as Student Council President to give him what other entrants could only dream of.
Azel raised an eyebrow. "Is that allowed?"
Of course, he wanted a tour.
Who wouldn't?
But as far as he knew, academy rules were strict. New students weren't given tours until after their admission was confirmed.
The day before the entrance ceremony, they'd be guided by designated seniors through the sprawling grounds. Until then, the academy was careful about limiting access.
"I'm Student Council President. Tis but a minor inconvenience," Lorraine said with exaggerated drama, trying to mimic the slang one of her friends liked to use.
Azel froze, soda still halfway to his lips.
His eyes widened slightly.
'Does that exist in this world too?' he thought with a mix of surprise and disbelief.
Lorraine tilted her head, puzzled at his expression, but Azel shook it off.
He wasn't about to dive into the strangeness of parallel cultural slang at a time like this.
"Alright, let's go then," he said, setting the empty soda aside.
His stomach gave a small rumble. "I hope there are some stalls for food. I'm hungry."
Lorraine giggled, a bright sound that echoed faintly in the open courtyard.
She lifted her hand and lightly punched his arm.
"Of course there are. This is Astralis Academy," She said, "Besides I made sure they set up some meat and fish skewer stalls. I didn't know if you would like them."
Azel nearly picked her up…. She was amazing.
'I doubt they would be as good as Alani's though,' He thought with an inward sigh, he missed the Winter region already.
Nevertheless he let her take his hand and drag him to the Inner gate.