"Wait, she's number three?!"
He said with wide eyes.
"How's she number three?"
Aegon asked.
Eli brought back his hands, seemingly searching for something before moving it back in Aegon's direction.
• · ─ ·✶· ─ · •
Number three, Mira Stark.
Under the Faculty of Elemental, wielding the affinity of Ice, and Aether Control of 'Peak' and a percentage chance of survival at 94.5%.
• · ─ ·✶· ─ · •
Aegon blinked as he saw the stats before him.
The same girl who froze up in the face of danger, who I had to save— was leading him by almost...
The gap between them was another thing entirely.
Eli lightly shoved him.
"How the hell did you bag the Number 3?"
"Hold up," Aegon retorted, "I didn't bag her. I just saw her in trouble and I didn't want her to get decapitated."
"Awww."
Eli said mockingly.
"I'm serious, I didn't mean anything by it—"
"Sure," Eli didn't let him finish, turning to Quinn, "You, what do you think about Romeo here?"
She scoffed. Genuinely surprised they asked her.
"I think? I THINK I don't care, I KNOW I have better things to worry about but I HOPE you don't ask me to weigh in again."
With that she sprawled back onto her bed, face buried in her pillow.
They ignored her.
Eli tapped Aegon, drawing his attention back to the phone.
"Have you even seen the comments?"
• · ─ ·✶· ─ · •
[Wow, Number 3 and Number 2,235— odd.]
[Seems like the shy girl found herself a zaddy.]
[Had anyone check the guy's stat yet? Haha.]
[Why won't anyone tackle me to save MY life?]
[The cafeteria was on fire and the couple's out here shooting a porno.]
[Excellent save man.]
"..."
• · ─ ·✶· ─ · •
The comments continued in that order.
"Dude, whatever man," Aegon waved the phone away, "it doesn't even matter."
Eli, weirdly invested in this, moved closer to him and zoomed in on the picture.
Aegon and Mira face— inches away from each other, the chemistry and tension practically palpable.
"And you're telling me there's nothing here."
Eli asked already knowing the answer.
"No," he lied, "There's nothing there."
That was one of biggest lies he'd told anyone or himself, immediately he landed on top her he felt it.
The pull, like gravity turned on it's head and she was the only thing anchoring him to the earth anymore.
But he couldn't feel like this— it wasn't real, this was at the end of the day all just a novel... Right?
"...?"
Regardless, there were already way more important things in mind that the matters of the heart... Or any organ lower than that.
Firstly, there was the fact that he still hadn't been able to draw on even the tiniest bit of Aether since being in this world.
And others— Eli was summoning succubus, Quinn and Eli could toss him around like a ragdoll whenever they felt like it.
Which bode the very valid question of— if he was this low then how low was the person... Whoever it was, at the bottom.
His train of thought was interrupted by Eli's death glare, he clasped his hands in a begging gesture, eyes widened and doed... And somehow he pouted.
"What do you even want me to do here Eli?"
Aegon asked finally.
"Fuck her."
He blurted out.
"What?!"
Aegon turned to him.
"Yeah, what?"
Even Quinn raised her head to Eli.
"Shit, I forgot I lived with a girl now," he straightened his posture "... What I meant was, talk to her, there might be something there."
"And how's that supposed to help him with anything?"
Quinn inserted herself in the conversation.
"Hmm..." Eli had no instant rebuttal, "Quinn, why are we here?"
"To train, cultivate and pass the next trial."
She answered flaty.
"Yes," he nodded, "But most importantly, to fuck."
"Ewww."
Quinn face contorted as she lost interest.
"Do you realize you're a ho."
Aegon added.
"No," he defended himself, "I'm a... Casanova."
"That's just a male ho."
Quinn pointed out.
~Knock-Knock-Knock.~
Before Eli could provide a come back a knock tuned the door making them all whip their heads in it's direction.
Then stared at each other blanky. This was the first time someone had knocked on the door other than the three in the room currently.
Eli finally moved to answer the door. Sliding it lightly to reveal—
Mia. Oversized hoodie that practically swallowed her, strands of hair tucked behind her ear, face downcasted and finger fidgeting on the hem of her sweater.
Eli smirked before swinging the door fully open. Voice dripping with mockery.
"Oh Aegon, look who it is?"
The all froze immediately they saw for— Aegon turned to Quinn— who for a second smirked lightly before burying her head again.
"Uhm," Mia spoke in a voice so squeaky it was almost inaudible, "can I speak to you for a second?"
Eli, enjoying this too much and beaming from ear to ear, decided to push it a little further, "Speak to who exactly?"
Mia stretched out her hand, finger trembling but she raised it nonetheless— towards Aegon.
Eli's smile stretched unendingly.
Aegon scrowled at him before stepping out the door with Mia but not before raising a finger to flip Eli off behind him.
They moved through the corridor as Aegon guided her for the rooftop of the dorm.
Moving past other awakened, numerous murmurs and stares.
They finally made it to the rooftop as Aegon shut the door behind them to silence the world— even if it was just for a second.
The wind whistled around them, the trees far away bent under its will and the sun dipped slowly.
The light hit her face just right, illuminating her blue eyes— enough for Aegon to really appreciate them.
"So, we're here, what's up?"
Aegon asked awkwardly.
Immediately her eyes met his she would always bring her face down which raised the question...
How was she number three?
He ignored it as she stared to speak.
"S-Sorry," she stuttered like it was hard to get her words out, "sorry I caused you so much trouble."
"Trouble? Oh you're talking about the video, it's no bother at all, just hope you're good."
Aegon scratched the back of his head.
She finally raised her eyes to meet his.
"You're not mad at me?"
'This is weird.'
"No?" He hesitated, "you didn't do anything wrong."
She moved.
Closed the distance between them. Stood on her toes as she pressed her lips against Aegon's.
The weird part— he let her.