Refrain from Obsession - Chapter 6

Aer headed to the dormitory to change her clothes.

She changed into the riding outfit prepared in advance from the Marquis’ residence and securely fastened the magic tools she had bought for any unexpected situations in a small spatial bag around her waist.

The first place she visited after receiving activity funds from her father before entering the academy wasn’t a clothing store, but a magic tool shop.

There, she purchased various magic tools.

It was a kind of preparation to protect her own life.

In the original story, it was mentioned that she died after belatedly manifesting as a Healer and not finding her match, but in many ways, she needed to prepare for self-defense.

Aer and her family had many enemies because they were so hated.

“Phew… Let’s not cross the line.”

After muttering like a spell, Aer left the room. The place she hurried to was already crowded with students.

It was because it was a class that all first-year students attended. Aer moved to a corner inconspicuously and then looked for Louis.

Louis was easier to find than expected. He was a head shorter than the other boys.

He was just a little taller than Aer, so she unknowingly thought of him as a younger brother.

She was in the midst of forming a lot of internal closeness all by herself.

“If I add my age from my past life, I’m definitely the older sister, right.”

As she was muttering quietly, the professor appeared.

“Now, I’m going to pass around boxes to the Awakened class, Healer class, and regular class, so take out one slip of paper each. People with the same number will form a group.”

Aer took out a slip from the box and unfolded it. The number 3 was written on the paper.

As she was looking around to find group 3, someone called out to Ian loudly.

“Ian, are you in group 3 too? So am I!”

Aer sighed involuntarily. Of all the groups to be in, why did it have to be the same as Ian’s.

Aren’t supporting characters who are with the protagonist or the protagonist’s family usually exposed to danger?

Moreover, if she went near Ian, he might misunderstand again. Not just him, but other kids would think the same.

As that thought occurred to her, Aer felt disgusted. She resented her past self.

“What? Is she in the same group too?”

The young lady who had shouted loudly earlier muttered towards someone.

Although they were supposed to be formal with each other at the academy, it was irritating that she was breaking the rules and speaking informally, so Aer looked at her.

A familiar figure was standing quietly next to the young lady who was clinging to Ian’s side.

She could guess what number might be written on the slip of paper tightly held in those small, delicate fingers.

Then a good idea occurred to her.

Rather than openly changing groups, it would be better to continue the class as is since Louis was in the same group.

If she stayed away from Ian and stuck close to Louis, wouldn’t she avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and also be able to naturally converse with Louis?

Aer went to the front of group 3 and naturally stood next to Louis. Then, he who had been looking down slightly raised his head to look at Aer.

“Hello.”

“…Yes, hello.”

As soon as Louis finished his reply, Anna, who had been speaking informally since earlier, said in a voice full of irritation.

“Why did the shameless Bestia and the gloomy commoner have to join in of all people? It’s annoying. Don’t you think so too, Ian?”

Ian, standing next to her, wanted to remove Anna’s arm that kept clinging to him, but he endured it.

If he rebuked a Healer in public, strange rumors might spread.

Ian was irritated by Aer standing there with a calm expression. He had felt something strange since the first day they met at the academy.

Although not often, whenever they met at parties or tea gatherings, she was busy glancing at him repeatedly.

Ian, being sensitive due to being an Awakened, couldn’t help but notice that she had good feelings towards him.

In the end, he even received a confession from her.

He was extremely displeased that she dared to harbor feelings for him.

So he cruelly rejected her in front of everyone. To make sure she would never have such presumptuous thoughts again.

Now, that same girl was glancing at a commoner, and it seemed ridiculous to him.

Ian recalled the Viscount Bestia who still boldly visited his mother, and spoke without hiding his unpleasant expression.

“It is unpleasant indeed. Those nicknames aren’t given for no reason, after all.”

At his response, Anna’s cheeks turned red and her eyes sparkled brightly.

“Come on, if you’ve all drawn, hurry and find your groups.”

At the professor’s urging, the children watching them also hurried to move.

One group consisted of two Awakened, one Healer, and two regular students.

Group 3, which Aer belonged to, had Ian and Dylan as Awakened, and Anna as the Healer.

“Now, I’ll explain the class method and rules.”

The professor took out a large map and pointed to a marked area.

“From here to here is your exclusive hunting ground. Only low-level magical beasts have been gathered, so there’s no need to be afraid, but still, a magical beast is a magical beast. Don’t let your guard down.”

“Yes!”

“Yes, understood.”

The Awakened couldn’t hide their excitement and answered loudly. After all, it would be the first day they properly use their abilities.

“Dealing with magical beasts is important, but the most crucial thing is to evacuate the Healer to a safe place and then protect them. The more you use your abilities, the more impurities will accumulate in your body and trouble you. We’ve formed these groups so you can immediately release those impurities, so you should get used to this system.”

“Yes!”

“Also, regular students should take the weapons we’re about to distribute and protect the Healer while the Awakened are catching magical beasts.”

“…Yes, understood.”

Aer was dissatisfied. Could they really counter magical beasts with just these weapons?

Aer didn’t quite understand, but she chose a dagger she could handle from among the displayed weapons.

After all, she had already prepared magical weapons to protect her body, so there was no need to carry around a heavy longsword unnecessarily.

Aer watched Louis picking up a longsword beside her. She was worried because he seemed to have chosen the heaviest-looking sword despite his thin wrists.

“Can you handle it?”

She asked without thinking. Louis immediately looked at her. His violet eyes visible through his glasses shone mysteriously.

“There’s no need to worry.”

“…Ah, I’m sorry.”

Noticing his brow furrowing slightly, Aer quickly apologized.

She felt upset, thinking she might have offended a classmate she wanted to befriend.

“Hmm, you get along well with commoners.”

As they returned to their places, Anna muttered while looking Aer up and down.

It was an extremely unpleasant behavior. Aer’s mouth itched to respond, but after checking on Ian once, she let out a long sigh.

Be patient, be patient. Don’t cross the line.

She muttered the words she had firmly resolved like a motto while following the guidance of the professor and instructors.

They traveled for about 30 minutes to the training site in carriages prepared for each group. After arriving and getting off the carriage, Aer looked around the mountain.

It didn’t look much different from the mountains she usually saw, but there was an inexplicably gloomy atmosphere.

“Well then, group 1 will enter first.”

At the professor’s words, group 1 entered the mountain. After exactly 20 minutes, the professor sent the next group.

“Is it group 3’s turn now?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The professor smiled gently towards Ian.

“I have high expectations for you, Ian.”

“Thank you, professor.”

“Is the Duke still the same?”

“Yes, he is.”

“Haha, just thinking about the Duke’s abilities makes me dizzy. To think you’ve inherited those abilities… I truly have high expectations.”

“I’ll work hard not to disappoint you.”

“Mm, that’s right.”

Only after their conversation ended could group 3 enter the mountain. Even at the entrance, the sunlight was intense, but just a few steps into the mountain, it was dim.

Coming to a place where the presence of magical beasts, which they had only heard about and seen in books, could be felt on their skin, their hearts started beating faster.

“I can smell it.”

At that moment, Dylan, who was next to Ian, muttered. He spoke while flaring his nostrils, seeming to have a keen sense of smell.

“There’s a rotten smell coming from inside. I think magical beasts are gathered there.”

“Then let’s find a place for the Healer after we reach that area.”

“You mean it’s better to be in plain sight?”

“I suppose so.”

“What’s with ‘Healer’? Call me Anna, Ian.”

“Ugh, it’s tiresome. So tiresome. You should consider Ian’s feelings too. Why are you forcing your way?”

“Hey, Dylan. Don’t butt in.”

“To think you’re our group’s Healer.”

Although Dylan also scolded Anna, the atmosphere was completely different from when he had berated Aer earlier.

His playful tone and mischievous expression seemed light-hearted. Aer frowned at the scene that looked more like a picnic than training.

Turning her gaze away from the frustrating sight, Aer glanced sideways at Louis, who was quietly following beside her.

With his head slightly bowed, his face was hidden by his hair, making it impossible to tell what expression he was wearing.

“Please wait a moment.”

At that time, Ian, who was leading the way, spoke while slightly raising his hand. With his eyelids slightly lowered, he seemed to be concentrating on sounds.

“What is it? A magical beast? Great. I’ll show you my abilities.”

“Ian, I’m scared. You have to protect me!”

Dylan and Anna raised their voices in turn. At that moment, Ian’s face crumpled, but quickly returned to his usual expression.

But Aer had been watching everything.

“Even you can see there’s no hope, right?”

She muttered quietly and snorted. Through the side story and the attitude she had observed so far, she could roughly understand Ian’s personality.

He was just staying quiet to maintain his dignity, but in reality, Ian was an extremely arrogant character.