Chapter 337: Maybe you don’t actually hate these rumors

===STATUS===

Name: Lyria Sunweave

Race: Human

Age: 19 Years

Strength: 602

Speed: 597

Stamina: 599

Endurance: 590

Charm: 811

Mana: 6083

Core Rank: Condensed (Mid)

Potential: Sovereign Core (High)

Profession: [Spearmanship Lv.3], [Priestess Lv.3]

Technique: [Radiant Spear Art], [Mana Fist Art]

Affinity: Light

Spells: [Light Bullet],[Sphere of light], [Light Lance], [Heal], [Light Cannon], [Augmentation Buffer], [Cleansing Light], [Healing Touch], [Aegis of Light], [Flash Burst],[Light Prison]

Innate Ability: [Purification]

Passive Abilities: [Light of Hope], [Divine Resistance]

======

Classes had ended for the day.

Lyria walked through the academy corridors alongside Arisha and Emma, her footsteps quiet against the polished floor.

While the three girls made their way toward the dormitory area, Lyria’s attention was focused elsewhere. A translucent status window floated before her.

She quietly examined her current abilities and statistics, comparing them to what they had been before.

Her strength had increased. Her mana had grown considerably. Her techniques had improved.

’I’m getting stronger...but still it’s slow compare to Noah or Damien... I need to work more hard!’

Lyria stared at her status but not for long.

"I am really excited to visit the Elven Kingdom!"

Emma’s cheerful voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

Lyria blinked and closed the status window.

Emma’s face was glowing with excitement. "I’ve never been there before."

"Neither have I," Arisha replied casually.

She walked between Emma and Lyria, her long violet hair swaying smoothly with every step.

"This will be my first time as well."

Emma’s excitement grew even more. "Hey, Lyria. What about you? Have you ever been to the Elven Kingdom?"

Lyria nodded. "Yes. I’ve been there a few times."

Her expression became slightly nostalgic. "But the last time I visited was when I was twelve."

"Oh!"

Emma’s eyes widened. "Were you there on vacation?"

"No." Lyria shook her head. "My family is devoted to the Sun God, as you know. My father occasionally travels to the Elven Kingdom for religious visits."

"Is that because of the World Tree?"

"Yes."

Lyria nodded.

"The World Tree is said to contain the essence of prosperity and life. According to the legends, it protects the elves from many dangers."

Her voice became slightly softer as she explained. "It is also said to have been a gift from the Sun God to the elves. And according to their beliefs, a deity of life resides within the tree—a daughter of the Sun God. So many consider the world tree as daughter of Sun God."

"Wow~"

Emma’s eyes sparkled. "So the World Tree really has a deity living inside it?"

"That’s what the legends say." Lyria smiled faintly. "Because of that, my family also visits the tree to pray whenever we travel there."

She paused. "Unfortunately, I don’t remember much from my first visit. I was very young and didn’t even understand how to properly speak with others."

Emma chuckled. "And you visited again when you were twelve?"

"Yes."

"So it’s been quite a while since you’ve been there."

"Indeed."

Lyria nodded.

"Why didn’t you visit again?" Arisha asked.

"It was mostly because it wasn’t compulsory." Lyria shrugged slightly. "My family considers the pilgrimage important, but I wasn’t required to accompany my father every time. After that, I became more focused on training and studying."

Arisha nodded in understanding. "Then I’m more than ready to go."

She glanced ahead. "And as for danger... well, we joined the academy to become stronger. We can’t spend our entire lives playing it safe."

"I think the same!" Emma enthusiastically bumped her fist into her palm.

"Besides, we’re going to another country! How could I not be excited?"

Lyria smiled at their enthusiasm. But their peaceful conversation was soon interrupted.

"That’s Lyria, isn’t it?"

A voice came from behind them. "I heard she’s in a relationship with Noah."

"What? Really?"

"I thought that was just a rumor."

The voices were quiet, but the academy corridor was relatively calm, allowing the words to reach Lyria’s ears clearly.

Her footsteps slowed. A faint blush immediately appeared across her cheeks.

Arisha noticed. "Are you alright, Lyria?" She glanced at her friend. "Are those rumors bothering you?"

"No." Lyria quickly shook her head. "They aren’t. I’m not worried about them at all."

Emma smiled. "That’s good. Hopefully, the rumors haven’t reached your father yet."

Lyria smiled gently. "It’s alright. In the end, they’re only rumors."

She wasn’t particularly worried. "My father trusts me. Even if he heard them and had doubts, he would simply ask me about it, and I could tell him the truth."

Arisha suddenly gave her a teasing look. "Hmm..."

Lyria immediately became suspicious. "What?"

"Maybe you don’t actually hate these rumors." Arisha’s lips curled into a mischievous smile. "Perhaps you secretly like being called Noah’s lover."

"What?!" Lyria’s face instantly turned red.

"Of course that’s not the case, Arisha!"

She covered part of her burning face. "You know that! Stop making fun of me!"

Emma laughed. "Yeah, there’s no way Lyria would actually like Noah."

Arisha raised one eyebrow. "And why is that?"

She looked at Lyria with an amused expression.

"He’s the second-ranked student, talented, strong for his age, and considerably more handsome than he used to be. Not forgetting how many times he got in danger and survived them."

Lyria’s face became even redder.

Arisha continued mercilessly. "He has also changed quite a lot since returning to the academy. And he has shown some interest in her several times."

"W-Well..." Lyria hesitated. "I mean... you’re not wrong."

Emma’s eyebrows rose. "Wait, you’re actually agreeing with her?"

"N-No! That’s not what I meant!" Lyria hurriedly defended herself.

Arisha chuckled. "There’s also the matter of Ophelia."

Lyria and Emma both looked at her. "It seems the bitterness between her and Noah has decreased considerably. I’ve seen her talking to him and greeting him several times."

Arisha shrugged. "Perhaps it’s because of her mother."

"Now that you mention it..." Emma placed a finger against her chin.

"They don’t seem to be on bad terms anymore."

She glanced at Lyria. "So maybe Noah isn’t such a bad choice for you."

"H-Hey!" Lyria’s face turned completely crimson. "You two are going too far!"

She finally raised her voice, clearly losing her patience with their constant teasing. "Why are the two of you deciding things for me?!"

Arisha and Emma exchanged amused glances. "Hehe."

"Lyria is cute when she’s flustered."

"Very cute."

Neither girl showed any intention of stopping.

Lyria’s cheeks puffed slightly. Then she pointed a trembling finger directly at Arisha.

"Y-You!"

Arisha blinked innocently. "He has shown more interest in you than he has in me!"

Lyria’s accusation left Emma momentarily speechless.

Arisha, however, remained completely unfazed. She casually ran a hand through her long violet hair.

"I don’t mind."

"What?"

"If he wants to flirt with me, then he can." Arisha gave a small shrug. "Perhaps he might even manage to win my heart."

Lyria’s pink eyes widened.

She had expected her words to embarrass Arisha or at least make her deny it. Instead, Arisha had calmly accepted the possibility.

Even Emma looked slightly surprised. Perhaps she was only teasing Lyria and deliberately turning the tables on her.

But judging by Arisha’s calm expression, it was impossible to tell.

Lyria stared at her for several seconds.

"You... you are a terrible woman!" She turned around and marched ahead.

"Hey! Wait for us!" Emma hurried after her.

"Hey, Lyria! I’m sorry!" Arisha followed as well, laughing softly.

The three girls continued down the corridor together, their voices gradually fading into the bustling academy halls.