Chapter 48: Attention (1/2)

I couldn't help but pat Elijah on the shoulder, as it looked like his soul was about to escape from his mouth There were shadows underneath his lifeless eyes, his sunken cheekshihed Even Sylvie took pity on hi the crown of his head to stir hihastly eyes bore into me as he turned his head "… Not fair," he mumbled

"What?" I leaned in closer to better hear what he hispering

He leaned in closer tomy ears "IT'S NOT FAIR, GodDAMMIT!"

"AHH!" I ju "What the hell! Don't shout in my ear!" I stirred my pinky inside my ear canal to wipe away the stray spit that had been launched inside by my bitter friend

"Looks, talent, and even luck with girls! Why do you have everything?" He placed both of his hands on my arm, a concentrated expression across his face

Confused by this see?"

"…Trying to see if I can absorb so

"Are you du his hands off ofhall a bit down from the dorms, I explained briefly to Elijah how I met Tess—he really hated how I called her that—inside the Forest of Elshi+re The whole tido mana manipulation froh him as his life slowly drained from him

"Do you kno attractive dwarves are, Art?" He leaned in a bit too close for co

"H-How much?" I peeled my head back from my overly emotional companion

"NOT AT ALL," he said matter-of-factly "The sense of beauty that dwarves hold is the complete opposite of hudom but there will never come a day when I can empathize with their definition of 'attractive'"

I laughed, unable to wrap my head around what an attractive female would look like to the dwarves, but I asked anyway "Haha! Elaborate foryour life was"

"When I turned eight, randfather, the elder who took care of me, introduced me to whom he hoped would beon and on about how beautiful and elegant she was When she showed up, I swear I thought I was looking at ahis past nightarth, and I swear she made me fear for my chastity Her square jaw, her trunk-like, veiny li, thick nose…She had a s-stubble on her upper lip, Art She had FACIAL HAIR at the age of nine, Art!" Elijah was shaking

"Okay, okay, I get it! You were a very deprived young boy who started going through puberty ed with hter

"You spend your childhood filled witharirls" He shook his head, returning back to his lifeless self

"Well… You are in the e student, and you're probably at least a full stage ahead of anyone in our class, so just show off your skills You're bound to land someone, somehow," I said, opti h

"I personally like your new uniform better," Elijahand unapproachable soreement at his own statement

The new uniform I received from Director Cynthia wasn't too different in tere uniform

It was cole black stripe on the ray vest Both the new vest and dark gray pants were s on the inside thatqualities to it In place of my pocket watch on the breast pocket, however, was a strap that went acrossreplaced the red string that I had tied around, underneathmy whole attire a h I had to adaudy clothes like this There was also an outerwear piece that I was supposed to receive later when it was properly fitted forto do about the disciplinary committee?" Elijah asked me a bitwhat he was i his shoulders, he looked forward, realizing ere al hall "I mean, I know you're already part of this new co to really take it seriously and stuff? It sounds like a lot of work"

True The director wanted me to be a part of this new committee but didn't really specify what exactly I had to do "I'll try ive it ht? Besides, Ellie is going to be attending this academy in a few years I need to do my best to pave a path for her so when she does come, it'll be easier on her" I opened the door, welcouishable conversations and the hearty aroma of meat and herbs

As the both of us stepped in, the hall turned quiet and I could feel the stares of the students as they studied us Ignoring the glares and the occasional curious glances, weourselves in a back corner

"Looks like you're already popular, Art" Elijah smirked as he picked up a piece of roasted ave an arrogant hair flip and the both of us started laughing

"Ah! Don't forget that we have the club rush to!" Elijah said, his h at this "Oh yeah… I have to go to the auditoriu officially announced before the club rush starts toetables before trying to give them to Sylvie, who promptly rejected them

Director Cynthia had leftwith the new unifor to ! Wake me up before you leave then"

"Will do" I picked up a piece of roasted meat for myself but Sylvie stole it before it reached my mouth