215 Chapter 215: Complicated Relationship (1/2)

The moment Shun Yin stepped out of the laboratory, the first person he saw was none other than Angelica.

”Lady Angelica.” He bowed his head slightly. Trying to find something to talk about, he blurted out, ”thank you for saving the girl earlier today.”

”That was a really unsightly match,” Angelica replied with a scowl. ”Charles is letting the arrogance get to his head and now thinks he can do anything he wants. If I didn't do anything, he'll destroy the image of the Porter family.”

Shun Yin said nothing. He was in no position to criticize the Porter family, given their status and background.

”Even so…why are you thanking me? It has nothing to do with you.”

”No. But we commoners appreciate the fact that you will defend us when necessary.”

Angelica's lip curled. ”…commoners, huh? Is that how it is?”

Again, Shun Yin remained silent, his head bowed to avoid her gaze. Angelica's expression darkened as she stared at him for a moment, and then she turned to glance at the laboratory. The door was closed, so she couldn't see inside the lab, but being the heiress to the Porter clan, she probably had a good idea of what was going on inside the room.

”You seem to have gotten close to the research students here.”

”They are very intelligent,” Shun Yin responded with a nod. ”They've earned my respect. In the beginning, I was just here to help out with their research…for my own purposes, but now I'm beginning to see why the principal created an environment conducive to their research. If they succeed, they might be able to change the world.”

”I wouldn't go that far…but that's not what I meant.” Angelica bit her lip for just a second. ”What's her name…Seinagi Tenshi, was she? The two of you seem awfully close.”

Shun Yin started at that. ”Huh? Tenshi? I'm close to her?”

Angelica merely stared at him coldly, and then she turned away in her usual dignified manner. ”Does it not appear like that to you?”

”No, not really.” Shun Yin was being honest. ”I'm only helping out with their research, and she's the leader. To be honest, I don't understand half of what she's saying. She's incredibly smart…all three of them are. The stuff they are doing goes completely over my head. It's…not for me, you know? I only know how to fight. I don't know how to…research stuff or come up with theories or run experiments. Yet, without the research division, I would never be able to…”

”I'm not talking about the research division or the team. I'm talking about Seinagi Tenshi in particular.” Angelica's voice was frosty.

”What about her?” Shun Yin was completely confused. ”She's the leader of the research team regarding summoning.” He raised a hand and clenched it, and then stared at his fist. ”I hope they succeed. If we can come up with a new summoning spell, I might be able to fight on par with Glen.”

”You're already strong enough as you are now.” Angelica's face softened a little as she glanced back. ”You don't need summoning spells or anything else. I've seen you fight…I was there, at your match, you know?”

”Ah…thank you.” Shun Yin felt a little embarrassed. Especially when he didn't watch Angelica's match. Actually, he tried to search for her match, but was unable to find it at all. Glen had scoffed at him, reminding him that Angelica was the heiress to the Porter clan…and therefore she had automatic entry into the finals.

Seeing how Charles utterly dominated the other girl, Shun Yin could understand why. It wouldn't do to break the other students' confidence by allowing her to crush them in the opening, preliminary rounds of the tournament.

”But I lost to Glen…to his Soul Beast. That White Tiger is ridiculously strong. I don't know how I can fight against it without a spirit…a Soul Beast of my own.”

Angelica closed her eyes for a second, and then smiled mysteriously. ”You don't have to worry about that. Starting tomorrow, everything will change.”

The ominous tone of her words caused Shun Yin to look at her sharply. ”What do you mean by that?”

”You'll find out tomorrow.” for a moment, that familiar mischievous smile of Angelica's was back on her beautiful face, and then it was gone. Shun Yin was reminded of why he had fallen for her back when they were both kids. That forgotten innocence…the nostalgia for a time when everything was so much simpler…pure and untainted.

Until the adults came.

Angelica would say no more, and she disappeared down the corridor, leaving Shun Yin to continue brooding by himself, uncomfortable over her words.

*

The next day, the tournament resumed. To the side, Shun Yin stood and watched as two guys battled to the death. They were using swords, which were the favored weapon for mages for some reason. Bladed and melee weapons were more effective against monsters than ranged weapons such as guns and missiles, particularly powerful monsters…but of course there were exceptions. Besides, swords and melee weapons could still be utilized to cast long-ranged spells, and doubled as protection when the monsters came up close, which explained their popularity among most mages.

”Argh!”

”UWOOOH!”

The two guys continued to clash, but one of them finally got the upper hand and forced his opponent's sword away before slashing him across the chest. The victim gave a cry before falling over and lying motionlessly on the ground.

”Ha ha ha! I did it! I won!” the guy who slashed his opponent crowed triumphantly, waving his sword in celebration.

”Match over!” the teacher quickly ended the match, and several of the medics rushed over to check on the fallen guy.

”Damn it!” one of the medics cursed when he saw the extent of the wound. ”I was hoping that nobody would die this year.”

”He's not dead yet. We can save him.” his partner glared at him, annoyed. ”Stop being so dramatic. Do you think this is Owari no Seraph: Ichinose Guren 16-sai no Catastrophe or something?”

”…never mind.” The other medic sighed and relented. The two of them bundled the wounded guy onto a stretcher and carried him off. His worried girlfriend accompanied them, holding the guy's hand and praying desperately for him to survive.

Shun Yin shook his head and glanced upward at the clear skies. Despite such good weather and such a beautiful blue, there were death-matches taking place under the bright, sunny heavens. It was almost incongruous.

But he didn't care. Taking a deep breath, he prepared for his own match.