Chapter 14: Between Fire and Ice

"Like I’ll care," Lydia muttered.

Bothering about it would only make her head hurt. With a quick beep on her bracelet, Lydia clicked on the mail and deleted it right away.

"One less headache. Poof."

With or without the mail, Brother Sylvain would be furious anyway. Like always.

Brother Sylvain is such a jerk, after all. I can always deal with him later.

The Imperial Authority uploaded her newly awakened Spirit Animal’s data into its central system.

Blue holographic lines swept across the registration terminal as her information was verified and recorded. Moments later, a small insignia patch bearing the symbol of a white deer was issued to Lydia.

At least something good has come out of today. Unlike her previous life, her uniform wasn’t empty anymore!

Rishe glanced at Lydia’s bracelet with an uneasy look.

"You’re really not going to reply? What if Duke Valendorf sends another message?"

"I’ll delete that one too."

After closing her purple rose fan, Rishe reached over and gently took Lydia’s hand.

"Worried about me? You’re so kind, Rishe. It’s not like I’m going to die just because my brother is angry."

"I hope you’re right."

Rishe’s smile faltered slightly, but she soon brightened again.

"How about we grab something to eat at the cafeteria before heading back to the dorm?" Rishe suggested, giving Lydia an encouraging smile. "Come on, my treat! A good meal might make you feel a little better."

Free food.

That did sound much better than thinking about Brother Sylvain.

"Fine."

As they walked down the corridor, Lydia’s mood gradually improved. She was still annoyed about the reevaluation, but at least she had Rishe with her.

Lydia checked the cafeteria’s holographic menu and selected pork chops with mushroom soup.

However, the moment the menu displayed a preview of the soup, she changed her mind. She quickly canceled the soup and looked for something else to replace it.

Why was the mushroom soup has such a suspicious shade of blue? Regular Dormitory sure had it rough.

It was almost glowing and groaning. Worse, its swirling surface looked like something that could murder her in her sleep.

Lydia silently deleted the soup from her order. Risking her life over a scandalous bowl of mushroom soup was the last thing she wanted to do.

She replaced it with steamed salmon and added a glass of apple juice. Once she had confirmed her selection, the order was transmitted to the cafeteria’s automated kitchen system.

I’ll have the same thing as you!"

Leaning closer to peek at Lydia’s menu, Rishe casually brushed her shoulder against Lydia’s and flashed her a sweet smile.

"Hmm?" Lydia glanced at her. "You don’t have to order the same food as me."

"But I want to!" Rishe beamed as she clasped her hands together. "I think food tastes better when you eat the same thing with someone you like."

She flashed Lydia an innocent smile, as if she hadn’t just made a very deliberate decision to copy her entire order.

Oh my goodness. That’s actually kind of sweet. How could anyone say no to that?

Before she could ask, the cafeteria’s ordering system chimed, confirming Rishe’s identical selection.

Well, it wasn’t as if Lydia minded having company.

A small silver delivery robot rolled up to their table, its blue display flashing as it delivered their meals one by one.

Besides, at least Rishe had enough sense to avoid the suspicious blue soup.

Once they had finished their meal, Lydia finally gave in to her curiosity.

"Oh, by the way, Rishe! Can I scan your Resonance? I saw the Head Principal give you that badge earlier, and now I’m curious!"

"Go ahead."

A translucent display appeared before Lydia as she activated her Guide ability and scanned Rishe.

[Sentinel: Rishe Arestionne]

[Sentinel Rank: SS-Rank]

[Spirit Animal: Moon Wolf]

[Element: Ice]

[Resonance Stress: 24%]

Sure, Rishe was indeed an SS-Rank Sentinel. But, seeing it through her own scan somehow made it feel even more impressive.

Then she noticed the element.

"Ice."

She realized something funny.

"Now I get why I kept feeling like I was burning one second and freezing the next whenever you two argued. You really are polar opposites, huh?"

"I suppose we are."

Unlike her, Ephraim’s Resonance had always felt intense and forceful. While Rishe’s, on the other hand, carried a completely different sensation.

Cold and sharp, yet somehow distant, as if she were keeping everyone at arm’s length.

Before Lydia could make sense of that impression, Rishe’s sudden words pulled her out of her thoughts.

"You deserve someone much better than that indecisive man, Lydia."

Lydia nearly choked on her apple juice.

"Rishe—"

"One moment, the Crown Prince wanted to annul your engagement. And now that you’ve agreed to it, he suddenly wants to take it back?" Rishe sighed softly. "Honestly, Lydia, I don’t think you should have to put up with someone who can’t even make up his mind about you."

It was difficult to read Rishe’s expression with her fan hiding the lower half of her face.

"Honestly, anyone would be confused by his behavior, wouldn’t they?"

Every word Rishe said made sense. Lydia wasn’t sure whether to defend Ephraim, agree with Rishe, or pretend she hadn’t heard anything.

Unfortunately, Lydia never got the chance to decide. A familiar voice came from behind them.

"You have blessed us with your unwanted opinion, Lady Arestionne."

Speak of the devil.

Of all the people who could have overheard their conversation, it just had to be Ephraim.

Instead, Rishe calmly continued sipping her apple juice as if she hadn’t just been badmouthing the Crown Prince.

"Eavesdropping is an uncouth behavior, Your Highness."

Ephraim’s expression remained pleasant.

"So does slandering someone."

See? This is what I meant. I felt like standing between a blazing furnace and a freezer just from their Resonance here!

Heat clashed with cold as the two forces pushed against each other. Neither Sentinel was willing to back down.

Ephraim’s crimson eyes sharpened as his Fire Resonance burned in response. Rishe’s expression remained calm, but the cold surrounding her grew stronger.

Caught between an SS-Rank Sentinel and an S-Rank Sentinel, Lydia was beginning to regret staying in the middle of their argument.

Before things could get any worse, Ephraim gently took Lydia’s hand and led her away toward a quieter corner.

"Where are we going, Ephraim?"

"Somewhere quieter. Preferably somewhere Lady Arestionne isn’t stalking us like a wolf hunting its prey."