Chapter 197: Determination and Result (2/2)

”Good job Cole! Way to go! I knew you could do it!” Aiden gave words of praise, honestly happy for his friend's success.

Seeing how his friend remained unresponsive with his wide-open eyes, still trying to come to terms with this new unbelievable reality, he shook his head with a smile as he arrived next to Cole. Lightly patting his back, Aiden continued, while gently tugging, pulling his friend towards the door.

”Come, let's leave, I'm sure Mary is worried about you! Let's tell her the good news before we head back and take a well-earned rest back at the inn!”

”Y-yeah…” Cole managed to blurt out only a meek, faint response, still lost in his thoughts, as they left the arena.

---

As soon as their figures appeared in the Hall, they heard the familiar sound of a cheerful feminine voice coming from the registration desk.

”Cole! Aiden! You guys are finally back!” Mary quickly put on the ”Away for Lunch!” sign in front of her desk and rushed towards her friends.

Not a full moment later she arrived in front of them and started to take a closer, more detailed scrutinizing look at Cole. Seeing no visible injuries and blemishes on him, she heaved a sigh of relief before she turned her attention back to Aiden.

”What happened? Why is he acting like this?” She asked with a slightly worried tone. Although there were no physical injuries, there could be mental or psychological damages, or he may have been lost in his own despair because of a potential failing result.

”He…” Aiden began with a serious expression, stopping after the very first word. He took a long look at his friend, and sighed, lowering his head, as if trying to avoid Mary's stare. ”He…” He 'tried' again, but once again, stopped after the first word.

Thinking that Cole had, unfortunately, didn't make it, she gave a compassionate smile to the brown-haired boy, as she put her left hand on his right shoulder, gently gripping it.

”Don't worry, Cole! I'm sure you will make it next time!”

As if just waking up, Cole looked at Mary with a questioning stare.

”What are you talking about?” He asked, not understanding the meaning behind her words.

”Don't worry Cole, most who try it the first time don't succeed either. Think of it this way, you are completely fine, so you can freely try again once you have the credits saved up on your account!” Mary tried to console, not surprised by Cole's first reaction of denial. She thought it was completely a natural first reaction.

”What are you saying? I did not fail, I succeeded. Weren't you already informed?!” Cole looked at the girl suspiciously, not knowing what play she was making here. However, as he glanced at Aiden and saw the cheeky glint in his eyes, he knew what had happened immediately.

”W-what? Y-you did? B-but Aiden said-” Looking at Aiden and seeing the increasingly widening grin on his face, she realized she was fooled. The worry vanishing quickly from her face, she pouted with a hurt expression.

She looked at Aiden accusingly.

”T-that wasn't nice you know! I was really worried about you two!” She harrumphed and turned around ready to bolt off due to her embarrassment. ”If that is how you two plan to play then I guess I won't be bothering neither of you anymore. Good by-”

But, before she could bolt off, she felt Aiden's hands on her shoulder, lightly grabbing and pulling her back.

”Stop, I am sorry, okay? It was just fun.” He spoke in an honest, friendly voice, however, the cheeky tone soon resurfaced as he continued. ”But I have to add, I haven't said anything…”