Chapter 106: Whispers of Romance
Having slipped out of the student council room, the two headed straight to class. Thinking about it, it had been quite a while since they'd last attended a proper lecture. They'd spent the past week buried in exams, and now rumors of the upcoming Adem Festa were swirling around too. Students were starting to dread classes. They weren't focusing at all. Even those whose exam results had just dropped like a bomb on their feet were the same…… They would probably let lectures go in one ear and out the other for the time being.
The silver lining was that Sione Solenute, who was teaching the current class, knew full well that first-years slacked off around this time every year, so she wasn't saying much. Of course, this didn't apply to Ludenberg Lavante. He was always diligent in his efforts, earning positive reviews from the professors. With Ludenberg setting the example, Ashytara had no choice but to follow suit naturally.
Sione, sighing amid the lax students, could only console herself by watching the two of them. She knew how impressive it was that they were concentrating on the lesson even when Mion Altis and Eden Asta couldn't. She herself desperately wanted a break…… but as a professor, she couldn't afford to.
Still, being a professor had its perks—she'd reached a sort of compromise. She'd chosen relatively unimportant material for today's lesson, to ease the burden on the students later. They bowed their heads in infinite gratitude for her mercy. Of course, they still weren't paying attention at all.
Solem theology class finally ended, and the students let out sighs of relief. Next up was saint law studies—a subject too demanding to follow properly with their scattered minds. Professor Rohan Heywards was kind enough to explain things gently, but saint laws were notoriously complex…… The students resolved to just take diligent notes.
As Professor Rohan entered the White Pavilion classroom, the students lifted their heavy heads. But they looked ready to drop again any second, prompting him to say:
"My, my. The first midterm must have been tough, huh? And with those Adem Festa rumors on top…… No wonder it's hard to focus."
"N-no, sir!"
The students shook their heads desperately, but Professor Rohan had been standing at that podium for decades. First-years slacking after midterms was an annual ritual at Solemnute Adem, so he nodded knowingly.
"It's fine, it's fine. I don't plan to push you hard in this state, so let's keep it light today."
"Thank you, sir……."
Only then did the students exhale in relief. They couldn't help it—they wanted to focus, but the post-exam liberation and festival hype left their minds in chaos.
The theoretical class dragged on slowly amid the slacking and anticipation…… Until Professor Rohan finally called an end, at which point students collapsed onto their desks.
"Ugh, I'm dying. At least it's over…… No training after exams, so we're done for today……."
Evelyn Ansis muttered with a half-dead expression, turning to her friends.
"Hey, what are you guys doing for the festival?"
"What do you mean, what?"
"Who're you hanging out with?"
Granias shot her a look like why ask something so obvious.
"Duh, you and the guys."
She gestured to Brian and Jerome, who stood blankly nearby.
"Yeah…… We're not the type to split off, and none of us have partners anyway."
"Hey, don't say it so sadly. And how many first-years are even dating?"
"There's some in White Pavilion, right? And you just don't know—there's a ton now."
"Huh? Who? Can't help not knowing other pavilions, but White Pavilion too?"
Evelyn's eyes narrowed in envy-fueled anger. Some people hung out with dull types day in, day out, while others got to enjoy lovey-dovey bliss?
"Them."
Granias pointed at Ludenberg Lavante and Ashytara Solenute, who were packing up and heading out.
Evelyn tilted her head.
"Huh? Are they dating?"
Granias gave Evelyn a weary look.
"Evelyn, you're great and all, but sometimes use your eyes. It's obvious. You can tell just from their faces."
"Their faces?"
"Have you ever seen them together and not smiling? That stoic, intimidating Ludenberg always grinning like that gives me chills. What saint law did Ashytara cast on him?"
"Eh…… That's a bit much to call a saint law."
"It is. Turning a rock into a person."
At that moment, Evelyn recalled Ludenberg complimenting her after midterms.
"Oh. Yeah, he did seem friendlier. Last time we were in a group for exams, he said I did well and had good skills."
"Whoa, really?"
"Yeah, I was shocked too."
"But when did they start?"
Romance rumors always drew crowds. With Ludenberg and Ashytara gone, the Innocence students sprawled in White Pavilion buzzed about when it began—even Mion and Eden tuned in, despite their rocky history with the pair.
"Dunno exactly, but around Origin Festival? Ashytara's been brighter since, and they're always glued together."
"They were the engagement rumor kids, so it's weird they just now started. Guess some grudge cleared up."
"Yeah, early semester they were tense. Ludenberg ignored her outright, she was icy back."
"Good thing he's loosened up. He was so rigid—made it hard to breathe around him."
"Saw today? They were stuck together, all chummy in class. And studying at Wisdom Pavilion before exams, debating ideas…… Total new-couple vibes."
"Wow…… The last people you'd expect to date are White Pavilion's first couple?"
"Quiet ones marry first, like they say. Adults are never wrong."
"Who confessed first?"
Brian's question made Evelyn tilt her head.
"Dunno……."
"Not Ludenberg, right?"
"Yeah. If anyone, Ashytara."
"Nah, you never know. Ashytara went all out for him before. Remember?"
"Oh yeah. The dorm duel too……."
"You fought Mion then?"
"Yeah."
"'Cause you trashed Ludenberg?"
"Yep."
Mion grimaced but nodded. The Innocence kids just gasped lightly—none of their business anyway.
"Wow, Ashytara's a real pure-love type. Switches roommates over trash-talk?"
"Hey, Granias."
"Yeah?"
"Sorry, but drop it? Getting mad."
Mion spoke uncomfortably.
"Oh right. Chill out."
"Doesn't matter if you gossip—they're definitely together."
Mion relaxed at Granias's quick apology, eyeing the fussing Innocence pitifully.
"Oh…… Is this what dating intuition feels like?"
Evelyn muttered, and Mion nodded.
"Pretty much."
Suddenly, glares turned fierce on Mion and Eden.
"Huh? Why the looks?"
"Wait, Ashytara and Ludenberg aren't first. These two were engaged before enrollment!"
"Wha……?"
"Traitors here!"
"Grab 'em!"
Jealousy toward couples was as ugly as it got. Eden and Mion fled the chaos, laughing in disbelief.
"What's with them?"
"No idea……."
"Anyway, Eden—training grounds now?"
"Yeah. Gotta train. You in?"
"Let's go. Time to crush those pests."
"Good. We'll go long—brace yourself."
"Already am."
While the classroom buzzed with talk of Ludenberg and Ashytara, Ludenberg was walking her back to the dorm.
"Student council, huh…… Sounds like a hassle."
"Don't sweat it. They said we won't have much to do anyway."
"Still, if we've taken the role, we should do it properly. It'll be a bit annoying…… but it's time that helps later."
"Yeah, good mindset."
"Wonder what we'll do starting tomorrow."
"Who knows? We'll see when it comes. As newbies, they won't pile it on."
"True. No point guessing till we see it."
Ludenberg nodded at Ashytara's words, pondering student council duties.
"Ah, dorm. Good work today, Rud. If you're training later, come to the grounds after dinner. I'll be there."
"Got it. Night, Tara."
Ludenberg waved off the beaming Ashytara and headed to his dorm. Student council—who knew till it hit—but he'd take it seriously now that it was his. A real stroke of luck for Dalia Retiu.