Chapter 68：Learning Artificial Runes (2/2)

”Of course, we're just studying!” Markus threw a friendly handshake that Ellen didn't take, and he awkwardly retracted it. After a simple cough, the group took out their books.

One of their core subjects was history, and the group started reading some books. Arthur was seriously reading, asking questions, or any doubts he had, but Markus kept diverting the topic into their training schedules and the like.

Arthur's mood was slowly turning sour as he realized what they were after. They wanted to know he got stronger suddenly, throwing hints here and there about his training and the like. After a while, Arthur stood up.

”I think we need to go back home, there's a project we've been working on.” Leaving the two with these two, or Markus only since Amelia didn't say anything the whole time, Arthur and Ellen left the school.

”Is there a reason you don't like him?” Arthur asked, remembering Ellen's attitude toward Markus. Ellen, as usual, was as silent as a rock but Arthur knew she would answer eventually. He was right.

”I,” She paused, her expression as voided out as ever. ”Get a hunch when people don't like my presence. He didn't, just faking that he did.” Arthur couldn't help but nod in agreement.

Arthur wanted to ask other things, but he knew it would be a stretch to get an answer from her. He decided to keep the silence, that was as thick as a concert wall, for the remainder of their trip home. Ellen seemed to prefer it that way too.

The routes they took by him following Ellen started getting familiar, and soon they were at the district that wasn't poor but was of struggling families. It was his. Their place didn't stand out like a hunted house, but it would be among the candidates to be one. Ellen's house was the same.

It was then that Arthur remembered Ori's words about her financial situation. More than sympathy, Arthur felt empathy toward Ellen. Dropping her box next to the doorway, Arthur nodded toward Ellen and turned around to leave.

It was then that Arthur saw a fragile-looking and cadaverous man that looked like a skeleton with skin in front of him. He meant no disrespect for the man, but he was that sickly looking. He held into a grocery bag in his hand as he stood in front of Arthur like he was about to go into the house.

”Ellen? Is this your friend?” The man smiled thinly, taking a few weak strides toward them. The way he walked made Arthur worry the man would collapse at any minute.

”Yes,” Came her immediate but meek reply. It was the fastest Arthur saw Ellen answer a question.

”I see, thank you for helping Ellen.” The man reached out his hand, to which Arthur shook.

”She's the one helping me, Sir.”

”Ah, that's great as well. It's the first time one of her friends came over. Would you like to stay for a meal? Take it as an early dinner.”

Arthur tried to refuse, but the man, looking to be Ellen's dad, insisted. He didn't want to flatly reject him and go away, so he decided to eat here since his home was quite close.

They placed the boxes in the entryway before taking off their shoe. Ellen's father left them in the living room and headed to the kitchen, starting to make some food.

If the silence on their way home was as thick as a wall, then now it was a wide river. Fearing her father to find it awkward, Arthur started to chat with Ellen. Weirdly enough, she was quite social.

Before the food was ready, Arthur decided to use the bathroom. Following Ellen's directions, he entered the hallway where the bathroom was at. In his way, he found a room with an open door.

Quite frankly, it was a reflexive gesture from him to glance inside. However, once he did, he immediately regretted it.

Inside the bedroom where the light gently seeped into, was a single bed with flowered nightstands on the side. A woman with tubes so many that it looked like a blooming flower, a single woman slept on the bed.