Chapter 4 - First Day of School (3)

"Welcome back, you two," said our teacher. "You guys are the first ones back, as I expected." 

Erica let me down and placed the golem Core in front of our teacher. 

"You guys must've encountered quite a big golem. Nice job, you guys."

"It wasn't anything special," said Erica. 

I didn't say anything as I basically did nothing compared to Erica. 

"Just sit down, you two. There's about 25 minutes left." 

Erica and I then sat down in the class seats. Since we were partners, at least for today, I decided to sit next to her, and she didn't seem to mind. 

Since there wasn't anything in sight, I just focused on Erica. 

Besides that haughty attitude of hers, she truly was a beautiful person. Her long white hair was well-kept, and her skin was clear and looked soft. I almost wanted to pinch her cheek. 

"What? Were you captivated by my beauty?" Erica smirked. 

"Well, I can't lie. You are quite beautiful," I admitted. I'm not sure where I got the confidence to say that. 

"Oh? Sorry, but you're not really my type." 

"As if I was gonna ask you out," I said, looking away. 

"Is that so?" 

She was definitely bored, seeing how she was playing with me like this. 

I took a look at our teacher and suddenly he disappeared. 

"Hey, Erica. What's teacher Conrad's trait?" 

"Huh? Teacher Conrad? His trait is [Shift]. His ability allows him to shift himself to different locations, and if he laces his mana on things like the class seats and tables, he can even take them with him."

"He can even take people?" 

"Well, when he was releasing his mana back at the academy, he put his mana on us as well. Unfortunately, we're still weaker than him, so his ability takes priority against us, which is why he can take us. Soon enough, he won't be able to force shift me, though." 

"I see. It was back then. By the way, Erica, did you really mean what you said back at the entrance ceremony?" I asked out of curiosity. 

"What kind of question is that? Of course, I meant it. I wouldn't have said it if I didn't. I'm going to be number one this year, next year, and the next, until I graduate." 

I don't know if that was purely arrogance or true confidence. 

Just then, teacher Conrad came back with a bag in hand, although he wasn't alone. He was with two other students. 

"You guys, go sit down and rest," said teacher Conrad. 

The students sat down on the seats at the table next to me and Erica. They looked quite frustrated, having to come back early, it seems. I didn't see a golem core when they came back, so I'm guessing that's why they didn't look too happy. They must've had trouble fighting a golem and needed saving. 

As time passed, more and more students came back. Every group that came back with a core came back by themselves while the ones who didn't need the saving from our teacher. 

It was time. 

After teacher Conrad confirmed that everyone was present, he took us back to LSA. 

His ability to shift us back and forth was truly amazing. Everything shifted back to the academy in an instant as if we never moved. 

"Alright, class," teacher Conrad started. "Not all of you may have been able to kill a golem, but all of you were able to at least kill 10 goblins. All I have to say is that you all pass!" 

I was shocked to hear that. It seems some of the other students were shocked as well. 

"To begin with, most of you guys still don't have the power to kill a golem just yet, especially if you stumbled upon a fully grown golem. Also, your abilities may just not be suited for killing things like golems. Maybe smaller monsters like goblins are more suited for your abilities. Either way, don't get discouraged. There may be possibilities with your abilities that you just haven't unlocked yet." 

That's true. There are many traits in the game that evolve and become super powerful. Now that I'm in this world, I'll have many chances to see traits I haven't seen before evolve into super powerful abilities. 

"With all of that said, class is dismissed for today. Good job, everyone. Get some good rest for tomorrow." 

It seems we were getting an early release for today. It makes sense since we immediately went to fighting monsters as soon as we started class. 

I started walking to the cafeteria to have an early lunch, and it seems like a few of my fellow classmates had the same idea. 

I got my lunch and sat down at a table. Soon after, Erica came and sat down with her own lunch. 

I was surprised she decided to sit with me for lunch. Did she perhaps fall for my good looks? 

"What? I can't sit here or something?" 

"It's not that. I'm just surprised you wanted to sit with me."

"Well, you and I are friends, right?" 

"When did that happen?" I asked. 

"Don't ask. It's going to be a pain having to find friends after making a statement like that during the entrance ceremony."

"And what makes you think I won't be one of your challengers?" 

"You don't seem like that type of guy. A woman's instinct, you could say." 

"Uh huh." 

We ate together but didn't attempt to create conversation. 

I finished my lunch and left first, leaving Erica behind. 

"Hey, wait for me," said Erica. 

I wasn't going to wait just because she told me to. 

That's what I thought until she kept pulling me back using her wind magic. I knew I wouldn't stand a chance against her even if I tried, so I sat back down. 

"What do you want?" I asked. 

"What are you talking about? Shouldn't friends wait for each other before leaving?" 

I sat there eyeing her while she ate her lunch. 

"You really are captivated by my beauty, aren't you? You can just be honest," said Erica. 

"I see you can be quite talkative. Why did you treat me so coldly at the beginning of class?" 

"Well, at first I thought you'd be the same as everyone else, but something about you interested me. Usually, people look at me with jealousy and envy or admiration. But you don't look at me that way. When you look at me, I see sadness in your eyes. Mind telling me about that?" 

"It's nothing too crazy. I just think it's sad that everyone is expecting so much of you at such a young age. Doesn't it get tiring?"

Erica went silent but continued eating her food. 

Did I perhaps touch on something sensitive? 

"It's not that big of a deal," said Erica. "No need to worry about things like that. Anyway, I'm done eating, so let's go."

She got up from her seat and started walking to put away her tray. 

I looked at her lonely figure walking from behind.

"Aren't you going to come?" 

"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming," I said. 

I told her that I was sad about all of the expectations put on her. That much was true, but that wasn't the real reason as to why I was sad for her. 

How could I tell her that the real reason I'm sad for her is because she was going to die soon?