Vol3 Chapter 28 Honest

The final bell of the afternoon echoed through Arianne Academy, and students spilled out of classrooms in an instant. Lively voices filled the corridors—some chatting about the day’s lessons, others grumbling over homework, and a few already making dinner plans. Amos stepped out with his bag slung casually over one shoulder.

He stretched.

"Finally."

The corridor bustled with students, but Amos barely noticed. He’d made it through another day of classes—and, more importantly, had avoided getting caught up in anything troublesome. That was progress. He walked a few steps before stopping. At the far end stood someone with long black hair, flawless posture, and a calm expression, hands folded neatly in front of her. She seemed entirely out of place amid the noisy crowd hurrying past.

Amos blinked.

"...Elena?"

Elena looked toward him.

"Young Master."

Amos walked over.

"What are you doing here?"

"I was waiting for you."

He tilted his head.

"Why?"

Elena remained silent for a moment. Then answered in her usual deadpan tone.

"A problem is waiting for you."

Amos stared at her.

"A problem?"

"Yes."

"Did I do something?"

"No."

"Did I break something?"

"No."

"Did someone accuse me of breaking something?"

"No."

Amos relaxed slightly.

"Then how is it my problem?"

Elena looked past him.

Amos followed her gaze.

The students in the corridor began shifting aside, not because anyone told them to, but as if by instinct. A girl was approaching, her long grey hair falling past her shoulders and swaying lightly with each step, her bright eyes filled with unmistakable excitement. There was something unusual in her movements—almost eager, like she’d just stumbled upon something fascinating. She stopped a few meters away, her gaze locking immediately on Amos.

Then—

She smiled.

A genuine, almost childlike excitement appeared across her face.

"So, you're him."

Amos blinked.

"Me?"

The girl nodded.

"Amos."

"That's me."

Her smile widened.

"Interesting."

Elena stepped slightly forward. The girl's gaze shifted toward her.

"Oh."

Her eyes lit up.

"You're here too."

Elena stared at her.

"..."

The girl's smile became even wider.

"It's been a while."

"Yes."

Amos looked between them.

"You two know each other?"

Neither answered immediately. The girl tilted her head.

"You haven't told him?"

Elena calmly replied.

"There was no reason to."

"How cold."

Elena ignored the comment. The girl stepped closer.

"I've wanted to see you again."

Elena's expression didn't change.

"I didn't."

The girl's eyes sparkled.

"Still as mean as ever."

"I consider it an honesty."

"I prefer your honesty."

Elena glanced aside, the girl chuckled, and Amos grew more and more baffled.

"Wait."

He pointed between them.

"You've fought before?"

The girl answered immediately.

"Yes."

Elena nodded.

"Few times."

Amos looked at Elena.

"You lost?"

"Yes."

The girl suddenly looked delighted.

"She remembers!"

"Of course I remember."

"Good."

The girl's smile became almost nostalgic.

"That was one of the best fights I've had in this academy."

Elena's expression remained completely emotionless.

"It was a year ago."

"I know."

"Then there is no reason to repeat it."

The girl's eyes widened.

"Of course there is."

Elena looked at her.

"Why?"

"Because you've gotten stronger."

There was a brief silence as Elena studied her, then she calmly shook her head.

"No."

The girl's expression fell.

"Come on."

"No."

"Just one rematch."

"No."

"Half a match."

"No."

"Ten minutes."

"No."

"Five."

"No."

"One?"

"No."

The girl sighed dramatically.

"You're cruel."

"I have heard that before."

Amos watched the exchange in silence, a realization dawning on him. This girl wasn’t just full of energy—she was obsessed. Not with victory, but with the fight itself. Every mention of strength lit up her eyes, and every strong opponent was a challenge she couldn’t resist. From the way she looked at Elena, it was clear that their earlier fight had made quite an impression.

The girl suddenly turned toward Amos.

Her eyes sharpened.

"But then..."

She smiled.

"There is another person here."

Amos pointed at himself.

"Me?"

"Yes."

She took a step forward.

"I heard about your fight."

"With Andrew?"

"Yes."

Her smile grew.

"You defeated him."

"I did."

"Good."

She looked genuinely thrilled.

"Then fight me."

Amos stared.

"...What?"

The girl stood directly in front of him now.

"Let's spar."

Amos blinked.

"Right now?"

"Preferably."

"You don't even know me."

"I know enough."

"That's concerning."

She laughed.

"I like strong people."

Amos looked at Elena. Elena gave him no help whatsoever.

"Elena."

"Yes?"

"Who is this?"

The girl raised an eyebrow.

"Who am I?"

Amos nodded.

"You walked up to me, challenged me to a fight, and somehow skipped the part where you introduce yourself."

The girl paused for a moment, and then she laughed.

"You're right."

She straightened. Her playful expression became slightly more dignified.

"My apologies."

She extended her hand.

"My name is Alanna Rose."

Amos glanced at her hand, then met her gaze. He didn’t take it. Instead, he said—

"No."

Alanna blinked.

"...No?"

"No."

She lowered her hand.

"You're refusing?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I don't feel like fighting."

Alanna stared at him as though he had just said something incomprehensible.

"You don't feel like fighting?"

"Correct."

"But you're strong."

"Probably."

"And I'm strong."

"I'll take your word for it."

"We could have an amazing fight."

"Maybe."

Alanna's eyes narrowed.

"Then why refuse?"

Amos shrugged.

"Because I don't know you."

A pause.

"Also, I just finished class."

He pointed down the corridor.

"I'm hungry."

Alanna stared.

"...You're hungry."

"Very."

"You would rather eat than fight me?"

"Yes."

Alanna looked genuinely offended.

"You two are strange."

Elena replied immediately.

"I have been told."

Alanna sighed. Then she smiled again.

"Fine."

She wasn't discouraged. If anything, she seemed more interested.

"Then I'll wait."

Amos frowned.

"Wait for what?"

"For you to become interested."

Alanna laughed.

Then her expression became more serious.

"Still..."

She looked at Elena.

"You really won't fight me again?"

"No."

"Why?"

"We already fought."

"That's the reason?"

"Yes."

Alanna folded her arms.

"You haven't changed."

"Neither have you."

"I've become stronger."

"So have I."

The two locked eyes, not with hostility, but with the calm recognition of those whose paths had once intersected.

Amos looked at Elena.

"You never told me about this."

"There was no reason."

"How strong is she?"

Elena was silent for a moment.

Then answered.

"Strong."

"That's vague."

"She is one of the strongest students in the academy."

Amos shot a quick glance at Alanna, who seemed pleased, while Elena carried on.

"She is a fourth-year."

Amos nodded.

"That explains why I haven't seen her."

"She is also a member of the Student Council."

Amos raised an eyebrow.

"And..."

"She is currently the second strongest fourth-year."

Alanna grinned.

"Only after Andrea."

Amos's expression changed slightly.

"Darkhan?"

Alanna's grin widened.

"You've heard of her?"

"Andrew mentioned her."

"Good."

She leaned closer.

"Then you know who I am talking about."

Amos thought for a moment.

"So, you're number two."

"Yup."

"Is that so?"

"Andrea is number one."

Alanna shrugged.

"Everyone knows that."

There was no trace of jealousy in her voice—only excitement, the kind Amos had only ever seen in those who truly thrived on competition. Elena spoke softly.

"Alanna has challenged Andrea more times than I can count."

"And I have lost each time." Alanna said with a proud look.

"How many?"

"I stopped counting."

Alanna laughed.

"She's exaggerating."

"She is not."

Amos looked at Alanna.

"You really like fighting."

"Very much."

"Why?"

Alanna paused to think. For once, her answer didn’t come right away. She glanced toward the windows, where sunlight streamed across the corridor. Then she smiled.

"Because there's nothing more honest than a fight."

Amos became quiet.

Alanna continued.

"People lies."

"Families lies."

"Nobles lies."

"Everyone lies."

"Even friends sometimes lie."

She looked back at him.

"But when two people cross swords..."

Her eyes sparkled.

"That's when people are at their most honest—the pure intent to win."

Amos stared at her.

That answer was considerably more serious than he had expected.

Alanna smiled again.

"So."

She pointed at him.

"Fight me."

Amos shook his head.

"No."

Alanna's smile twitched.

"You really are stubborn."

"So I've been told."

"Tomorrow?"

"No."

"Next week?"

"No."

"Next month?"

"I'll think about it."

Alanna's face brightened immediately.

"That's not a no."

Amos sighed.

"I knew saying that was a mistake."

Elena quietly looked at Alanna.

"Young Master."

"Hm?"

"You have made a mistake."

"I noticed."

Alanna laughed.

"Then I'll see you around, Junior."

She turned and walked away.

After several steps, she suddenly stopped.

"Amos."

He looked over. She glanced back with a wide grin.

"Don't get weaker."

Amos smiled faintly.

"I wasn't planning to."

Alanna's eyes lit up.

"Good."

Then she disappeared into the crowd.

Amos watched her go.

"She's troublesome."

Elena nodded.

"Yes."

"Very troublesome."

"Yes."

Amos turned toward Elena.

"You knew this was coming?"

"Yes."

"And you waited here just to warn me?"

"Yes."

He smiled.

"Thanks."

Elena looked at him.

"You're welcome."

Amos began walking beside her. After a few steps, he glanced back toward the corridor where Alanna had disappeared.

"Second strongest fourth-year."

"Yes."

"After Andrea."

"Yes."

Amos thought about that for a moment.

Then smiled.

"Academy life really is interesting."

Elena looked at him silently.

"I was afraid you would say that."

Amos laughed.