"Huh... Amon Vale surrendered. The winner is Marcus Lionheart," Adelia announced, confusion etched clearly on her face.

"What just happened?"

"Don't know… it's not even two minutes yet, and that guy surrendered. If he wanted to give up, why did he even accept the challenge?"

"Hah, it was such a waste of time," some students who were present expressed their dissatisfaction. They came here to enjoy a good match or see a commoner lose with humiliation.

But this… this was no fun!

One by one, those few students started to leave. Their mood was sour now.

Seraphina and Eliana were both speechless.

While on the sparring floor, Amon, who was smiling, put his finger on the blade of the spear that was close to his chest.

He lightly pushed the spear downward.

"That was amazing, Marcus… hah, I was wrong. You are too strong and talented. I can't handle you for a few minutes. You are great." Amon continued to speak with an honest face.

But for some reason, it looked… dramatic. It didn't look like someone was praising Marcus; rather, it looked like sarcasm.

Marcus remained silent, shocked.

"Now, as per our deal… give me money, hehehe~" Amon rubbed his palms together excitedly. The smile never left his face. It was a greedy one.

Adelia strode toward the two boys.

"Marcus… as per what you two decided… you need to pay him the price," Adelia said. Whatever happened, it didn't matter. A deal was a deal. He can't back down.

Marcus, with a ridiculous face, nodded.

Amon took out his pager from his storage ring. Marcus did the same.

He transferred the one thousand golds to Amon's account.

"Money~ hehe~ sweet~" Amon continued to giggle.

Adelia observed him with her gentle eyes.

She understood it now. All Amon cared about was money, not the battle itself. So he just exchanged a few moves and accepted defeat. That didn't break their deal at all.

She shook her head. She didn't know whether she should be amused by Amon or not. Because it was a greedy move.

Seraphina and Eliana also came beside them.

"What the heck, Amon? You gave up so easily. So money was all you wanted, huh?" Eliana asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Amon, that was… not a good way to do things." Seraphina didn't like what Amon did. She felt like Amon just used Marcus. Which was actually the truth.

"Ohh, come on, no~ I got money. How about we go and have something nice to eat? The treat will be mine~ Oh, Professor Adelia, why don't you join, please?" Amon asked them.

"Well, I would love it. Let's go~" Eliana agreed easily.

"Sigh." Seraphina sighed but didn't reject the idea.

"Sorry, I have to go back to the infirmary. Maybe some time later," she said warmly.

"It's alright, Professor Adelia. I will treat you to something special next time. Of course, only to you." His voice was cheerful.

"What about you, Marcus? Wanna come?" Amon asked Marcus. The one who had just sent him money.

Marcus was silent. "No."

He refused simply.

"Why? ... Well, I won't force you this time. You must be happy to win the battle. Anyway, see you later."

The four of them left the Training Arena.

Leaving Marcus alone there.

He won the match. He defeated the commoner. The commoner boy himself accepted that Marcus was strong. Amazing.

Yet he felt wrong. It was as if the victory was just in name. Was what Eliana said true? Did Amon just want money?

The more he thought, the clearer the picture became.

He clenched his teeth in anger.

"Amon!" He yelled in the empty Training Arena.

His angry voice echoed through the hall.

---

After having a nice time with Eliana and Seraphina at the café,

Amon walked through the empty hallways of the Academy.

"Humm~"

He was humming delightfully. A bag was held in his right hand.

He treated Seraphina and Eliana quite nicely. Damn, those desserts were amazing.

Slowly, the scent of herbs mixed in the air touched his nose.

Amon's feet ceased to move in front of one particular door. It was already night time, around eight o'clock.

And here he came to meet his professor, Adelia, again.

As he entered, the familiar white-green room came into view.

There, in her usual spot near the window, where her desk was also situated,

She sat elegantly.

No matter how many times Amon saw her, he couldn't help but stare at her beauty.

Those green flowing hair. Those warm and gentle yellow eyes. Those cherry lips and fair skin.

Those two huge, round-

Amon stopped mid-thought, shaking his head.

'Bad thoughts, Amon!'

"Cough! Professor Adelia, sorry to interrupt you." Amon strode toward her sitting form.

Adelia, who was reading some documents, raised her head.

A small smile bloomed on her face seeing Amon.

"Hey there~ What brings you here? … Don't tell me you came for dinner again?" she asked. Though at the end her expression turned teasing, Amon could clearly feel it.

"Well… if you allow, I won't mind it. I mean, it's a whole week since we've eaten together. Don't find anything wrong to do it again.

Not like we do it every day." Amon said, trying to sound logical. Which he was, but at the same time, wasn't.

"Hehehe," Adelia broke into laughter. Her voice was melodic to the ear.

"You really are unique. Come here and have a seat. I'll order something for us."

Just like before, she ordered the food from the cafeteria.

Amon sat comfortably across from her at her desk, just like last time.

"Oh, Professor, I brought some dessert for you. You remember that I wanted to treat you to something? Thought I'd just give it to you."

"How sweet of you," she accepted the bag of dessert.

Amon sat quietly.

"I am so lucky to have dinner with you, Professor Adelia." Amon was being honest. No, he was not acting this time. He was truly being honest.

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