Chapter 81: A Deal with Alicia

After the lively morning bickering finally died down, the professor entered the classroom. It was Professor Veniya, the instructor who had taught the Summoning class since the very start of the semester.

She had a sharp bob of gray hair and piercing gray eyes that scanned the room like a hungry predator. In fact, as her snake-like gaze swept through the classroom, the room fell into utter silence. No one dared to open their mouth and disturb her. She was famous across the academy for her strict nature. If any student became her target, she wouldn’t let them go until she fixed their spine and sorted out their attitude.

But even though she was strict, her teaching methods brought real results. Almost every single student in the class had managed to get their summon. Well, everyone except a lucky guy named Alden.

More than two months had passed, and he still had not managed to summon a single magical beast or spirit.

He didn’t know the exact reason. He tried his best during every practical lesson, but the results always left him disappointed. It seemed he just wasn’t compatible with summoning any kind of being. He had practically given up and decided to drop the course entirely by the end of the year.

As Professor Veniya entered, she placed her thick textbook on the front desk, folded her arms, and spoke.

“Hello everyone. Today, we are not going to learn the theory behind summoning. Instead, I decided to arrange a small challenge for all of you.”

Her intense gaze swept through the rows of students, meeting everyone’s eyes directly before she continued.

The students’ expressions brightened up after hearing the word challenge. To be honest, they were mostly just excited that they didn’t have to sit through another boring theory lecture today.

“The challenge is a race. Both the summoner and the summon must participate together. You will cross the dense forest and reach the top of the mountain located right behind the academy.”

Everyone nodded eagerly as they listened. Ultimately, they had to run alongside their beast to reach the finish line. They could either run on their own two feet, which was the slower method, or they could use their beast’s help to scale the rough mountain terrain.

“This challenge is arranged to increase the compatibility with your beast,” “Everyone is required to participate with their summon, even if it is a low-rank creature and you lag behind the others. This race will not affect your academic grades, so you do not have to worry about failing.”

She pointed a stern finger toward the door. “So get ready! Reach the edge of the forest behind the academy within fifteen minutes.”

The moment her words ended, everyone scrambled up from their seats, shoved their books back into their bags, and rushed out of the class. They buzzed like a swarm of bees eager to reach the starting line.

Professor Veniya watched the room empty out, her snake-like gaze finally landing on Alden, who was still sitting quietly in the back row.

“Student Alden, have you been able to get your summon yet?”

Alden snapped his attention to her and shook his head in denial.

“No, I tried many times, but the summoning spell just failed.”

The professor narrowed her eyes at his answer. She had personally called him into her office before to check what was going wrong with his summoning spell. She found nothing wrong at all. The spell structure was perfect, which meant he simply lacked the compatibility to pull a being into this world.

She nodded slightly, deep in thought, and then looked at the two remaining students in the back row.

“Okay, that is fine. Since you do not have a summon, you do not need to participate in today’s race. You can do your own training as you see fit. I will call you later to discuss your spell again.”

Alden nodded, gladly accepting her offer. He stood up, ready to head over to the training ground instead.

“Student Alicia, you also do not need to participate in the race. I suggest you go do your own thing as well.”

After those final words fell, the professor turned around and walked out of the classroom, leaving the two students all alone.

Alden couldn’t help but look at the silver-haired girl sitting silently beside him.

“Wait, were you able to summon someone?”

Alicia sat there calmly. She stood up, smoothed out the wrinkles in her skirt, and smiled.

“Yeah, on the very first day.”

Alden couldn’t help but twitch his lips.

‘Damn, she is talented. I am starting to feel a little jealous of her.’

“So why did the professor tell you that you don’t need to participate? What kind of being did you actually summon?”

Alicia ignored his questions and started walking away with light, graceful steps.

“Hey, where are you going? I am asking you something!”

Alden followed right behind her. He couldn’t help but feel incredibly curious about her summon. Rumors had spread around the academy claiming she got a weak, useless creature, which was why she always avoided bringing it out in front of others.

But Alden didn’t think that was the real reason. He knew her well enough by now. She wasn’t the type of person to feel embarrassed about a weak beast. Even if she had the weakest slime in the world, no one would dare to comment on it. Who would actually dare to badmouth the daughter of an SS-ranker, unless they wanted their family to exiled them just like Alden’s?

“Well, my summon is not compatible to participate in a race,” she answered smoothly.

Alden tilted his head as he walked beside her, feeling even more curious about what type of magical beast she held.

“Then tell me about your summon.”

Alicia kept walking toward the training ground, not even turning her head to look at him.

“My summon is strong, just like me.”

Alden clicked his tongue at her vague, obvious answer.

“I am asking what kind of being you managed to pull!”

Alicia’s steps finally halted right as they reached the grand doors of the training facility. She turned toward him completely, moving closer to meet his eyes. A smug, playful smile appeared on her face, revealing a single cute dimple on her cheek that made her look even more endearing.

“Do you really want to know?”

Alden met her lavender eyes and nodded involuntarily. Of course he wanted to know. He was practically dying of curiosity.

“Well then, let’s make a deal.”

Alden felt a sudden wave of surprise at her words. He narrowed his eyes in suspicion. He knew that whatever deal she offered would always lean heavily toward her own benefits. Still, his curiosity was already piqued, and he couldn’t bring himself to reject her.

“What kind of deal?”

Alicia looked at him with a sweet, dangerous smile.

“Come to my room tonight.”

Alden’s face turned pale in an instant. The redness from his neck quickly climbed up, turning his entire face bright red.

“Wait, not again!”

He immediately clutched the collar of his turtleneck, remembering the wild events of the last time he visited her room. The marks on his skin hadn’t even faded yet. He couldn’t go there again just to become her prey.

Alicia blinked her eyes, acting as innocent as a little lamb, as if she hadn’t done anything wrong.

“Do not worry, we are just going to watch a movie. So, are you joining me or not?”

Alden stared at her blankly, weighing the deal and the dangerous consequences of getting stuck in a room alone with her. But he couldn’t ignore his growing curiosity. He either had to sacrifice his personal safety to satisfy his thirst for knowledge, or he had to swallow his curiosity and ignore her all day.

After thinking about the pros and cons for a moment, he finally came to a decision. He accepted her risky deal.

“Fine, let’s do that. I will come over. Now, can you tell me what your summon is?”

Alicia’s smile widened at his reply. She stepped back a little, wearing a deeply satisfied expression.

“Well, I will tell you after you come to meet me tonight!”

Alden’s expression fell. He stood there, unable to speak for a solid few seconds.

“Wait, this is wrong! You told me you would tell me after we made the deal!”

“Hmm, yeah. But I actually meant I will tell you after the deal is completed.”

“No, you didn’t say that!”

“Then when did I ever say I would tell you right after making the deal?”

Alden pursed his lips, unable to find a good retort to her twisted logic.

“Sigh… Okay, fine.”

Alicia giggled. She stepped closer to him and planted a quick, soft kiss on his cheek.

“Hey—!”

“Let’s not waste our time, I am going to train now!”

Without waiting for his reply, she pushed open the door of the training ground and disappeared inside the massive hall.

Alden stood there staring at the open doorway as her figure vanished into the distance. He raised a hand and gently touched his cheek, still feeling the lingering warmth of her sudden kiss.

‘Sigh… It seems the night is going to be very difficult today.’

Without waiting for anyone else, he also entered the training ground, walking toward his own designated spot to begin his daily physical training.