Stuck as a Villain!

Chapter 37: Blunt rejection!

It's been two hours since the group led by Seth started marching toward the Temple, situated near the hilltop.

On the journey, the group didn't come across a single resident of the place. Only soldiers greeted the crew at every check post as they proceeded further.

Despite being a high-altitude region, the Southern Post had a wide market popular for vacation lodging and hot skewers. Witnessing the place being abandoned felt odd to say the least.

Whenever a Temple emerges on the surface, the nearby civilians get evacuated by the soldiers stationed and several units keep patrolling around the vicinity.

There's a reason behind it.

The Soul Energy near a Temple gets condensed and affects the flora and fauna around. If caught by such energy, even a small rat could become a dangerous predator.

The patrolling units keep their eyes on such possible dangers and subdue them in the time they can.

Every Temple regardless of Crowns increases the reach of their foul energy with time. The difference is the initial stage and the rate of increments.

One-crowned Temple can extend its condensed energy up to fifty meters approximately and increase the radius by fifty meters within twenty-four hours.

However, the Six-crowned Temple starts with a reach of five hundred meters and the rate of accrual reaches up to a hundred meters per day.

Temples below Crown 4 generally erupt now and then which the elite soldiers tackle without much trouble. But from Rank 4, it gets extremely grotesque.

Seth has no plan to face anything that dangerous until he doesn't get a hold of his own abilities. And for that, he was going to skip over 'that' event which might threaten his future.

_._._

"We will be entering inside in thirty minutes."

As Seth spoke in his usual tone, most of the students collapsed in their spots due to the exhaustion of non-stop trekking all the way.

Despite possessing Soul Energy, the journey through the heavy snowfall and bone-chilling blizzards made the students quite worn out.

Except for Anabelle, everyone was sticking together on the surface of thick white snow in order to keep the warmth in between.

Anabelle had her eyes focused on Seth without any sign of being tired whatsoever. She was trying to eavesdrop on his conversation with the professors.

"If they can't follow up within half an hour then it's best to just enter the Temple."

Seth's words seemed absolute that even the older ones couldn't propose any second opinion. Since it was true that waiting for team B much longer would be unnecessary, they just nodded in affirmation.

"I heard the report and it doesn't show any irregularities nearby. Should we get a look at the Temple first?"

Professor Cedric proposed the idea since neither he nor the other two seemed tired at all.

Seth, who was extremely curious about the Temple, nodded after pretending to be in contemplation.

Anabelle, who was standing some meters apart and hearing all this chat, instantly walked up to the trio surprising Seth all of a sudden.

"Are you all going to check on the Temple? Can I also come?"

Innocently blinking her eyes which might have melted even the thickest snow around, Anabelle asked while trying to be genuinely curious about the Temple. However, her intentions were otherwise.

The two older men didn't find any problem allowing the girl to tag along but Seth's interjection sealed their lips.

"Rather than that, Miss Anabelle. You are a Third Tier Healing and Wood Summoner mage right? I think it should be your friends who require your assistance at the moment, right?"

The group from behind who heard Seth's query, nodded in unison since they couldn't find anything to get relief from this weather.

Anabelle squinted her eyes in evident displeasure, before she stomped her feet on the ice and turned with a huff.

"Hmph!"

Due to the twirl, her long back hair brushed Seth's face before she walked away. Each of her steps was heavy as she tried her best to display her anger.

Seth stood there for a few moments before he also turned abort and along with the professors walked toward the Temple.

Anabelle didn't walk back to the group but just lifted her hand before a small woody shrub without a single leaf, erupted in between the group of students.

"Thank you, Anna."

Serena thanked the girl who clearly had no mood of conversing. But that doesn't change the fact that Anabelle provided a much-needed resource at the moment.

Someone took out a small Red stone from their bag and started scratching it with a knife to produce a spark. Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long before the shrub caught fire and the warmth made everyone around, quite relieved.

"Muah~ It feels so good."

"Camping like this in the wild doesn't feel so bad for a change, no?"

"Yup. Just some hot coffee and marshmallows were missing from the frame."

"Well, I can fulfill that wish."

Students started chatting among themselves as soon as comfort enveloped them.

Serena offered everyone coffee and another student who brought marshmallows shared the treat as well.

Despite being in different academic years and different social standings, they pretty much got closer in very less time.

It was majorly because of Serena's behavior who despite being a high noble, always remains casual and approachable. People admire her nature and follow her steps without even realizing it.

Arata was enjoying himself as well, since these kinds of moments always provide the peace of mind he needs in order to face what is to come.

Making new friends while being close to his childhood friend, was something Arata welcomed wholeheartedly.

But what bothered him was Anabelle's temperament

Glancing at the raven-haired beauty standing all alone, a thought emerged in his mind.

'I have to break the wall between us…

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A/N: - Drop a comment if you are liking the story so far~