Chapter 92: Group Stages [3]

*Ring~ring*

*Ring~ring*

My head aching with pain and my ears ringing, I rolled out of bed, messing with my alarm clock until I finally managed to mute it.

"ahhh..."

As the memories from yesterday slowly flooded through my head, I wiggled around in my bed, clutching my forehead and closing my eyes again.

Most of it consisted of me just laughing.

Pulling the blanket back over me, I stretched my arms out and groaned.

Sleep...I wanted to sleep so badly.

However...

*Ring~ring*

*Ring~ring*

My alarm clock began blaring again, forcing me to sit up for a moment to unplug it.

Rubbing my head, I glanced through the windows and at the clear light-blue sky, an occasional bird passing by.

Then...I stood up and slammed the curtains closed before falling back into bed.

...

...

...

*BZZT*

*BZZT*

Feeling my smartwatch vibrate constantly, I reluctantly sat up in my bed and opened it.

[Ren: Class is about to start; where are you?]

[Ren: You coming?]

[Ren: Should I tell her you’re late!?]

[Ash: I’m sick.]

After closing my smartwatch and lying back down, I tried to go back to sleep, but, unfortunately, I couldn’t.

Leaving the bed, I wanted to tell myself that today was going to be a terrible day...but I had said the same thing yesterday.

After showering and putting on my academy uniform, I headed to the ground floor and ate alone in the dining hall, my head aching at every slightest sound.

Honestly...there wasn’t much to do for the next few weeks.

It was mostly filled with small moments of progress as the main cast trained to grow stronger and became even closer.

Until the grand finales of the tournament, which weren’t for another two weeks, I was done.

Stepping outside, feeling a slight breeze rush against my face, I glanced down at the sheathed Dao hanging around my waist.

Movement and perfecting my slash.

Those were the two things I had to get done.

Additionally, I had to figure out some way to help Ren grow stronger.

If he was weaker than he was in the novel, then things could dramatically change.

...

...

...

The next three days passed by quickly as I watched the occasional group-stage match on my smartwatch, not bothering to head into the crowded coliseum.

Not much really changed with the way people viewed me...but elves were a different story.

I couldn’t count how many times, when walking through the hallways, elves from the first, second, and third years high-fived me or invited me to eat with their families back in the elven territories.

Even during lunches, Grayson and Reed sat beside me as if it were normal, while during class, Charlotte and Angel always asked me questions about the lessons.

Every morning, I also got into the habit of waking up extra early to run, always ending up in that exact park when I finished.

And so did Evangel.

Thus, at the end of each of our runs, we did our stretches together on the grass, under the shade of the trees, while occasionally talking about the plans for the day.

Attempting to touch my toes while sitting down, I looked at Evangel sitting on the grass beside me and asked.

"Do I look like or act like an elf?"

Her usual calm expression distorted for a moment as she raised her brows in astonishment, Evangel eventually answered confusedly.

"No...?"

Nodding my head in relief, I continued.

"I thought they were starting to rub off on me..."

Pausing for a moment, her eyes then suddenly lighting up as an imaginary lightbulb turned on beside her, Evangel asked.

"Do I look like a book?"

"*PFFT*"

Unable to hold back my laughter, I halted mid-stretch and answered.

"You look like a human, don’t worry."

Wiping the sweat off my forehead, I stood up, finishing my last stretch, and said as Evangel looked up at me.

"Good luck on your match."

Evangel hesitated for a moment before nodding her head and replying.

"You’re not playing in the elf match today."

Nodding my head, I answered.

"I was just a temporary substitute for that match. Their main guy should be feeling better."

After getting ready and having breakfast, I headed to the classroom building, managing to arrive early for the first time in ages.

Sliding behind Angel and Charlotte, I sat down as Charlotte suddenly asked.

"You’re watching our game today, right?"

Nodding my head, I pulled out my notebook and responded.

"If you lose without me, imagine how bad that’ll lo-"

Angel burst in from beside Charlotte.

"We won’t lose. Just watch."

With there being no tests until the midterms after the inter-academy tournament’s conclusion, most students slept through class or whispered.

But, wanting to save wasted time in the library before tests, I reluctantly took notes, much to the surprise of Charlotte, who did the same.

Seeing her glance over at my notebook, I scoffed and whispered.

"They didn’t tell you the drunkard scored third in the entire class, did they?"

"...you cheated somehow, didn’t you?"

"...I didn’t."

"Then, why is your face red?"

"Because you’re accusing me!?"

*Ring~ring*

As the bell finally rang, signaling the start of the weekend, I stood up and headed to the dining hall, grabbing a plate of food before sitting beside Grayson and Reed.

"Hey, who’s the smartest in your class?"

Looking at me with surprise, Grayson answered.

"Probably...Charlotte and then Angel. Why do you car-"

Before Grayson could finish his sentence, Reed grabbed my shoulders with a serious expression and asked.

"Are you planning to transfer to our acade-"

Shrugging his hands off, I said while eating.

"I was just curious."

*BZZT*

*BZZT*

As both of their smartwatches buzzed simultaneously, I knowingly nodded my head and said while watching them stand up.

"If you lose today, people will think I was the sole reason behind the victory, you know?"

"We won’t lose."

Seeing the two of them leave to head to their training, I finished up my food and stood up, but at that exact moment, a familiar face passed by the table.