Chapter 85: The storm is comming? (1/2)
Sitting at the window, Layn stared at the streets outside. With the greenery still making the most of the entire inner academy just like in the outer academy, the archmage could just stare at the trees and vast patches of grass for eternity.
'I wonder why we didn't have anything like it back in the academy…' Now that Layn thought about it, outside the time when he wandered the world with his teammates, the moment he joined the magic academy was the day when he last saw the beauty of nature.
From the countryside estate of a lesser noble encompassing just three villages and a small town, he moved to what was considered the center of the civilized world and magic research. But as great as the academy was to pursue his interests and grow his talents, as it was located in the very middle of the second district of the capital city, even when standing at the very roof of the massive building of the magic university one couldn't see any undeveloped land.
”Humans are always at odds with nature. For our own comfort, we destroy the place that cradled our race.” Muttering to himself, Layn felt a strange sting of melancholy. 'I know that my coming to this time was nothing but an accident… I don't think it would be too bad to just remain here for the rest of my days.'
Looking to the side, Layn saw Irea sitting cross-legged on the bed and diligently cultivating. With her rope being the only thing that covered her body right now, she would look like a girl who failed to obtain a thin, red wrap for Love Holiday (A/N Valentine's day, but its not earth sooooo) and covered herself in a crude string instead. Yet, just the sheer amount of focus reflected on her tightened jaws and eyelids made it impossible for Layn to feel attracted to her at all.
'I guess old habits die hard.' With his thoughts already oscillating around his past in the academy, it wasn't that hard for Layn's memories to force one of the least enjoyable memories he had of that time.
Yet, as strange as anyone else could take it to be, the memory of being surrounded by oiled beauties all sticking their bodies to his naked skin, wasn't something that Layn liked to recall. Because contrary to what others would make of such memory, it was actually one of the greatest tortures Layn ever suffered in his life.
'Yuck.' A shiver traveled down Layn's spine. Just this single memory was enough to bring forth all the agony he was going through whenever he allowed his mind to wander from the wonders of magic to the wonders of the flesh that surrounded the young him. Yet, as devastating as that experience was back then, there was no denying how effective it was for everyone who went through it.
”Are you okay?” Most likely sensing the changes in the atmosphere caused by swings in Layn's mood, Irea opened her eyes and sent him a worried glance. Yet, rather than just lamenting over her partner's thoughts getting darker, she raised the corners of her lips in a mischievous smile before lowering the wraps of rope that covered a part of her chest. ”Won't this make you happier?”
Casting a glance at the mischievous actions of the girl, Layn only sighed when yet another bout of extreme pain resurfaced in his brain.
”Don't try to tempt me when either one of us is working. It will only work in the opposite way to what you would expect.” Shaking his head, Layn stood up from his seat before turning around. Yet, before he could even make a single step away from the window, his head turned to the side so fast, that it seemed as if Layn was keen on snapping his own neck.
”Irea…” With his eyes glued to the dim outside on the other side of the window, Layn's voice turned grim. ”It's starting. Dress up.” Spotting the dark shadows flying by the streets and merging with the darkness of the several spots shielded from the setting sun, Layn didn't even need to guess who they were.
'But I can't let them stare at my girl while she's naked, can I?' Asking himself, Layn stopped his absorption of energy from his own rope, before using all its potential to refill his aura. 'In the end, I still can't put myself to rely on this cultivation thing…' Slowly applying all sorts of reinforcement on himself that his now increased pool of mana allowed, Layn tightened his fists. 'I guess it's just a matter of getting used to it. Let's just hope I won't be forced to rely on it.'
Back in Layn's time, there was a certain saying that was born from the records of the life of the greatest swordsman to live at the dawn of the age of cold weapons. His form was pathetic, his moves were slow and anyone was more than capable to kill him. Yet, the saying went in a slightly different way.
”Even a child with a mascot in its hand could kill him… If it killed as many men as he did beforehand!”