"So this is the level of battle between second circles? It's incredible to imagine the users of higher circles."
"Yes, the circles above are completely absurd."
Valença watched Kai and Giulio talking excitedly. After the battle, Enrico and Danyana had been transferred to the infirmary to be treated by the mages. Everyone was there, and Elian, Caelan, and Liam had dark clouds over their heads, repeating that they had been the only ones eliminated and that they would have to ask for harder training.
"My subordinates, and my hus— my precious subordinate as second-in-command, that's good."
Were you about to say your husband?
"Yes, but since I'm surrounded by rivals, I was being careful."
Looking at her like she was an idiot, Valença turned her gaze to where Enrico was. Aoi and Rina were together discussing something about rewarding Enrico with something.
Reward?
She immediately gave a look to Yumeha, who was at the door, and as if receiving a signal, she looked toward Rina and waved. The two of them made a good pair even though it had formed very recently.
Since Yumeha had already received the message, she went back to worrying about her master. There was no way not to be worried after he collapsed unconscious. When she touched his hand, she saw that he was tense.
My master pushed himself too hard, so I have to find a way for him to rest well.
"He really evolved twice, and it wasn't an evolution like Danyana's, because it seemed like he got much stronger."
"I can hardly believe it. He must be a prodigy at the level of rank 1, right?"
"I don't know—if he were, why would he have joined Class D?"
"Maybe he awakened his potential later."
Seeing some students behind the wall and looking into the room, Seraphina, who was sitting, tried to understand how different things had been since Enrico started evolving. To them, he was a new rising gem, and they were surely thinking of getting close to take advantage.
I won't allow it.
That's right, kill them all.
With a flame around her, she glared threateningly at the students, who backed away at her intimidating aura. From the room, Virelle came out with a healing mage and, saying goodbye, headed toward them. She stopped with a certain look of pride for having become stronger than before. She was quite satisfied with everything she had seen and was in a good mood because now that Enrico had managed to defeat Danyana, he was one step away from becoming her disciple—the only problem being a monster who could surpass her in prodigy level, the one with rank 1 of the academy.
"You all did very well, and I'm very proud. I'd like to say that I will soon challenge a professor from Class S to accompany the students who have raised their rank above 31."
"Yes, professor."
She saw some students looking sad, like the boys who had just passed to Class A, but she smiled, repeating that she was proud and that surely Professors Borem and Sir Drenholm would accompany them, which made them happier.
"And Serenya, from what I heard, your mother will also challenge someone from Class S."
"Thanks for letting me know."
Waving and leaving, Virelle went away. Serenya touched her neck—her training with her mother would continue even harder now, especially after seeing how much stronger Enrico had become.
If I don't get stronger, how will his family accept me?
The door opened, and Enrico came in with Danyana right behind, stretching. Everyone gathered. Danyana, seeing that the girls seemed to look at her as a threat, smiled back, expecting a challenge since they seemed like they wanted to attack.
She's strong and beautiful.
That was their thought. Enrico looked at Danyana, and she nodded before leaving. They had a conversation inside about her being his companion; at first, she had doubts but quickly accepted. Seeing his friends, he waved, coming closer to exchange a few words before going to rest in his room. He had to answer many questions, and after saying goodbye, Rina and Aoi offered their rooms for him to sleep in, but they were interrupted by Yumeha and Valença.
"Master, let's go."
Enrico nodded, but before going far, he looked back at the two disappointed girls and raised his hand.
"Girls, next time I'll accept."
"Master."
Yumeha got jealous and lightly tugged at his clothes. Aoi and Rina seemed happy and ran to their rooms, while Valença began muttering that she should have done the same thing but in a less obvious way. Before leaving, she waved goodbye, which Enrico returned, and they parted ways.
"Master, didn't you say you'd tell me how you seem to have awakened a second magic?"
"Of course—it's simply magic I have in the future, and I managed to do something to speed up my development."
They whispered so quietly it was impossible to hear. This excuse that Enrico was someone from the future was perfect, so he used it well.
[Lying to such a good follower, you're a disappointment.]
Here comes the system and its jealousy.
[I'm not!]
Arriving at his room, he went in and lay down. Yumeha closed the door and knelt beside his bed, offering him a massage to relax his shoulders. Wanting to rest well, he accepted calmly, enjoying the moment.
"Master, can I sleep here from now on? I've already talked to Professor Virelle, and she allowed it, so everything's fine."
"But doesn't the director have to allow it?"
"The professor allowed it."
He didn't expect this turn of events, but since he was enjoying the massage, he allowed her to sleep in the room—as long as he continued receiving that massage, everything would be fine. As he began to close his eyes, he started drifting off, enjoying the moment. Having a wife like Yumeha really wasn't bad—in fact, it was very good. Yumeha gave a shy smile, remembering the letter her mother had sent with a bunch of massage instructions.
'Mom's technique to win a man over is working…'
Since Enrico had chosen her, her mother seemed to worry more and more about her.