Chapter 25 - 25: Differences

"It's… it's not like that!"

Gemma quickly waved her hands around as the other students were looking at her like she was some kind of pervert. She couldn't help but lower her face as she tried to hide it unless a classmate recognizes her and tells it to the whole class.

"C… come with me!", Gemma then hastily pulled Van by his sleeves to the side. Which garnered the attention of the students again.

"Is she confessing?"

"A sophomore confessing to a freshman!?"

"Ooohh"

Of course, the students once again misunderstood what was happening. So Gemma quickened her steps before any more bad rumors spread around. Van tried to get away from Gemma, but he couldn't even budge his hand, maybe due to the difference of level between the two. He was going to use his speed to get away, but he was afraid that it might rip off his uniform, and so, with a sigh, he just let himself get dragged away.

"This… this isn't really about your boots is it?", Van stuttered as Gemma finally stopped dragging her, "If so, I think… I could pay for it now if it is damaged"

"What?", Gemma raised her eyebrows, "No. I wish to talk about what happened to you when I saw you in the arena about a week ago!"

"...Why?"

"What do you mean why!?", Gemma waved her hands, "If someone did that to you, then you should report it to the school!"

Hearing Gemma's tone filled with concern, Van could not help but reveal a slight smile. Gemma reminded him of Andrea, that is if Andrea had red hair and had the strength of a minotaur. But like Andrea… Gemma won't be able to help him with his situation.

Reporting it to the school will only make things worse. There's also the fact that Gerald was Harvey's brother and that from the things he has heard so far, their family is one of the richest in the country.

And so, Van could only shake his head, "Thank you for your concern, miss Gemma", he breathed, "But… as you can see, I am fine now"

"Even so!", Gemma quickly waved her hand, "Justice won't be served if you keep quiet!"

"...Justice?", hearing the word 'justice', Van could not help but lightly chuckle, "Really, thank you for your concern. But I truly am fine now", Van then bowed as he started walking away.

"Where are you going!?"

"I am going to be late in class if I don't move soon", Van said as he slightly glanced back, "It was nice meeting you again, miss Gemma"

"Wait!", Gemma tried to chase Van, but she was unable to do so, "Wait! At least tell me your name and class so we can talk more about this later!"

"Woh! Did she get rejected!?"

"Why is she so clingy?"

"Ugh, so jealous"

Once again, the students started whispering to each other as soon as Gemma and Van were out in the open.

"W...what, no no!"

Van, hearing Gemma's determined tone, could not help but walk back to her. "My name is Nathan, from Mrs. Moriarty's class"

"I… I see", Gemma was flustered as Van looked her straight in the eye. Van then once again bid farewell to her as he disappeared into the distance.

"Ooh, he gave her another chance!"

"So good to be young!"

Before the rumors started again, Gemma quickly ran away and proceeded to her class. But then, after a few seconds, she could not help but stop as she realized something.

"...Mrs. Moriarty?", she placed her hand on her chin,

"...Did we have an instructor with a name like that?"

***

"Ah! You traitor, we waited for you!"

As soon as Van entered the classroom, Harvey rushed towards him. If it wasn't for him instinctively activating [Time Perception], Van would have surely been hit by Harvey's whole body. Sure, he felt dizzy after, but at least he wasn't planted on the floor. His skinny body would surely shatter from Harvey's rock-like muscles.

"Sorry", Van immediately apologized towards Beatrice and Harvey, "Something… came up yesterday"

Harvey clicked his tongue several times, "We were supposed to sneak in together to Beatrice's room, man. Because of that, I had to sneak in alone", he then sighed.

"Wait… what!?", Beatrice instantly backed away from Harvey's words as gusts of wind surrounded her body.

"I'm joking, I'm joking!", Harvey quickly raised his hands in defeat. He then looked towards Van, "So, do we look at a dorm for you later?"

"Uhmm…", Van shook his head in response, "I... already have a house near here", Van said, his face slightly blushing. Why did it feel so weird saying that? He thought.

"What?", Beatrice slightly raised her eyebrows, "Is that why you didn't have a dorm in the first place?"

"W… well", Van didn't really know how to answer Beatrice's question.

"It's decided then!", Harvey interrupted, "We have a new objective for today, raiding Van's house after class!"

"Eh!?"

"Since you didn't come back yesterday, you owe us", Harvey pointed at Van, his finger almost planted on Van's nose, "Isn't that right, Bea!?"

Beatrice only fixed her glasses in response. But she too was curious as to what kind of house Viel has. Maybe she would unlock the secrets of his powers there, and maybe even find out how to surpass him and be number 1.

Seeing his two new friends seemingly in agreement, he could only nod his head.

"It's decided then!"

The three talked until Mr. Jacobs arrived in the class. Today was the official start of lectures and lessons.

Once again, the day felt fleeting-- but only for Van.

The instructors kept on writing things on the chalkboard. It would seem they were explaining some important things about the System Window.

Of course, the instructors were also saying stuff, but he could not really understand it as he was too busy trying to figure out what they wrote.

The only thing Van could do was grab his head in frustration as he silently cried,

"I need to learn how to read!"

***

"I would like to move to the academy dorms"

Gerald was currently inside a spacious office and was talking to an old man. The old man, however, was not even looking at him. The only sound that Gerald could hear from the old man was the scratching of a pen as the old man signed the mountain of papers seated on his desk.

"I would like to move to the academy dorms, please", Gerald once again repeated his words. This time, the sound of the pen hitting on top of the desk echoed through the office, making Gerald slightly flinch in response.

"What are you doing here, should you not be in the academy?", the old man said as he released a deep sigh.

"As I said, I would like to--"

"I heard you the 2nd time", the old man stood up, supported by a cane as he slowly walked towards Gerald, "My question is, why are you not in the academy? Don't you have classes?"

"Harvey would be living in the dorm for a while", Gerald muttered, "So there is no use for me to be here anymo-- kuk!"

Before Gerald could finish his words, a loud snapping noise resounded in the office as his face was suddenly struck by the old man's cane.

"I do not want to hear this nonsense again!", the old man said, "Now go to the academy and try not to embarrass me!"

Gerald's jaw could not help but tremble as his face turned into a scowl.

'I could snap your neck right now', he thought as he looked at the old man. But after a few seconds, he let out a tiny breath.

He then bowed towards the old man, slightly biting his lips to calm himself down.

"Okay…", he said with his head down, "I will take my leave now…

… father"