Alex walked down the academy hallway after the vice principal dismissed the assembly, sending everyone back to their classes.
Right now he was walking alone, with no one beside him, and he hoped it would stay that way until he reached his own classroom. As his mind was busy working through his next plan, he didn't want any disturbance.
The fact that most of the first years, and even some senior years, were keeping their distance from him today helped him a great deal in focusing on his thoughts while he walked. He wasn't too worried about bumping into anyone because of it, though he still kept track of his path and the students around him, in case he ran into one of the senior years with a nasty temper.
It was a miracle that he had finally gotten rid of Eldric for a time being. And though he was confident now that he could defend himself even if punches came his way, he was sure he could at least stand a chance of fighting back, unlike before. However, the same couldn't be said for the senior years, though. Those students were higher level, with more fighting experience and combat ability than him.
Aelx quickly shook away unnecessary thoughts from his mind, and decided to focus on his next course of life.
Now that I can level up, I should focus on raising my level. If I remember correctly, Eldric is level 38. And I'm level 25. That's a difference of thirteen levels.
But since we're both at the Apprentice rank, which starts at level 10 and ends at level 50 when one reaches an Expert rank, there's still a chance I could beat him if I reach level 35. I might even manage a tie if I cross level 30, or at least if I reach level 33.
The books Alex had read mentioned that each rank created a gap as wide as the one between earth and sky, and that a higher level Apprentice might not even be able to tie a battle against a lower level Expert.
However, those same books also said the gap between levels within a single rank could be quite large. Still, with enough skill and fighting experience, one could win a battle even after falling behind by a few levels, though only a few.
If the difference grew past five levels, the chances of winning would become slim, almost nonexistent. And the best choice would be to force a tie or run from the fight altogether. So I have to at least reach level 33, and level 35 if possible for a better winning chance. However, the best option for Alex would be to reach level 38 or more to completely have a higher winning chance against Eldric who stood at level 38.
Can I really reach level 38 in a month? Even level 33 would be dauntingly difficult to reach, let alone level 35 or beyond.
Alex heaved a long sigh and shook his head. First of all, I need to come up with a good plan to increase my levels. If only Father and Mother had stayed until morning, I could have asked them, but since they'd already gone back, I could only rely on myself.
Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him. Maybe Old Wan would have the answer. Yes, he might be able to help me level up quickly. After all, the old man did nothing but read books from sunrise to sunset, and often well into the dark of night.
Finally, a small smile bloomed on Alex's face as he came to a conclusion. He would have to wait until the end of the academy day, when he'd go to the library for his volunteer work. He still had a few days left on that duty, and he would use the time to look through more books and ask Old Wan for help.
While he was still savoring how clever he'd been to find an answer that might help him level up quickly, a hand grabbed his shoulder from behind. Alex instinctively bent his knees, seized the person's forearm, and thrust the person forward with force.
"Wai-" A feminine shriek rang out across the hallway as the girl was thrown forward, but she twisted her body in midair and landed on her feet instead of slamming into the ground, which was what Alex had expected. He hadn't held back his strength, and since the attack had come so suddenly, he'd used more force than he normally would have.
Alex blinked rapidly, staring at the girl now standing before him, the one he had almost slammed to the floor.
Bella. It was Bella.
"Sorry," Alex blurted out. He hadn't thought before acting, and since Bella had never given him any bad remarks or taunts, it felt wrong to have almost slammed her to the floor. She had come at him so suddenly and without warning that he doubted he could really be blamed, but the fact remained that he'd nearly thrown her down.
Still, he doubted it hurt her at all. She was far higher level than him, and being bashed against the floor probably wouldn't have hurt her nearly as much as it would have hurt him.
"Hehe, so you've finally leveled up." Bella only giggled in response. "So the rumors were true after all."
She completely dismissed his apology and looked like she had forgotten that she had shrieked like a child and was almost thrown to the floor.
She walked toward him in a slow and small stride. Her long black hair, scattered loosely around her front, swayed as she laughed happily. Her white eyes held a mischievous joy, as though she were already planning something new, the same way she had before, when she'd pretended to act close with him and Alex had gone along with it, back when his mind hadn't been in a good place.
Alex's cheeks turned red as he remembered how she'd acted and how he'd gone along with her plan. He wanted to find somewhere to hide and bury his face. He'd felt embarrassed thinking about it before, but now, standing in front of her, the memories grew even more vivid in his mind.
Their arms looped together. Bella resting her head on his shoulder. The image of her calling him darling and then running off with a flustered face, all of it flashed through his mind as though it were happening all over again.
He wanted to disappear right now and bury his embarrassment along with himself. He wanted to punch himself for acting that way, for going along with Bella's scheme just to find out whether the princess had feelings for him. Oh god, why did I act like that.
Alex had to find a way to erase those memories from his mind, no matter the cost, if he wanted to stop feeling this cringe in the future. I have to ask Old Wan about it.
"Oh, are you busy reliving our wonderful moments together?" Bella nudged her elbow into Alex's stomach, snapping him out of his endless thoughts.
Alex had completely missed her reaching near him and nudging her elbow to him, otherwise he would have avoided it.
"Huh?" Alex was dumbfounded by her question. How did she know what I was thinking? He wanted to ask her out loud, but he kept it to himself to not allow her to make him think any longer into his past act.
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Alex frowned, forcing his expression to change and calming himself with long, deep breaths. He hoped, dearly hoped, that she hadn't seen his cheeks turn red, and he prayed they'd returned to normal by now.
Bella smirked, and Alex felt a shudder run down his spine as her face twisted into what looked like the very image of a devil incarnate.
Bella craned her neck toward him and rose onto her tiptoes, since she was slightly shorter than him, until her face hovered mere inches from his.
She slid a finger down his cheek. "Do you know how much trouble our little act caused Eva? She acted like a child around me afterward. She wouldn't even talk to me." A small, sadistic smile curved her lips, then fell into a sullen pout within the span of a heartbeat. "I would have loved to keep playing lovey-dovy with you, and you seemed to enjoy it thoroughly, but since she clearly has feelings for you, I'll stop teasing you from now on."
With a giggle, Bella pulled her hand back and drew her head away from Alex, stepping back with a face that made it clear she'd thoroughly enjoyed every second of playing with Alex.
"I didn't enjoy it," Alex shot back. Honestly, he hadn't liked it one bit. "I only went along with your plan on a whim."
Bella tilted her head. "Yes, I know, that's why you were just thinking about our lovely moments together, weren't you?" She teased him once again.
Alex flustered, opening and closing his mouth several times to argue back, but no words came out. Can she read my mind like the goddess?
Bella proudly set one hand on her waist and the other on her chin, tilting her head as she smirked. "I know you want to know how I figured it out, but I'm not telling." She zipped her lips shut, then, with a wink and a wave of her hand, turned to walk away. "You're fun to talk to, Alex. See you next time."
Alex stood rooted to the spot, his face flustered with everything that happened within such a small time.
He shook his head and turned to see a few students watching him. He glared at them with his azure eyes, and they all quickly walked away.
Does this girl want to start a scandal or something? Alex released the breath he'd been holding, his shoulders sagged with it. His eyes followed Bella's back as she walked away down the hallway, turning off in her own direction without ever looking back.
***
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