The Only Son Amongst The Daughters Of Eros

After a few more minutes, the lesson came to an end, a loud, vibrant chime signaling this, echoed through the room, prompting Lady Savana to summarise with her final words and telling the students to attempt Essence Condensation more during their cultivation exercise.

After that was the collective rustling of books and papers. Aeric rose from his seat, followed by Celestia. He made way for her to pass first, before shoving both hands into his pockets and sauntering toward the exit.

Unbeknownst to him, Lady Savana was watching from her desk. She had taken note of his particularly interesting questions which had only increased her existing curiosity of him.

Even though Aeric could feel that he was being watched, he wasn't new to the feeling and so carried on with his unhurried strides and casual posture. However, his mind was restless.

'That wasn't a bad class,' he thought, glancing at the departing Daughters. 'Insightful, sure, but I hope the next one is a little more exciting. Maybe something hands-on. I'm really tired of sitting in one place.'

"Mhm?" His gaze shifted to Celestia walking quietly beside him. Her head was tilted slightly downward, but he could see that her cheeks had a faint shade of pink. Her hands clutched her books tightly, which pressed on the softness of her round breasts as though they were a shield for her heart.

If there was ever a time to throw his apology to her, it was now. Aeric exhaled, his confidence battling against his apprehension. 'You can do this,' he told himself. 'Just apologize. Don't overthink it. Just be honest.'

Clearing his throat, he tilted his head slightly and bent to catch her gaze. "Hey," he began, his voice softer than usual. "Would it be okay if I apologized now?"

Celestia's steps faltered, and she lifted her head to look at him, her wide eyes betraying her surprise.

But she quickly lowered her gaze once again, her expression turning shy.

'Hmm. Is she avoiding eye contact with me?' Aeric thought.

"I can see you're trying," Celestia admitted after a pause, her voice quiet. "And I appreciate it. But…" She hesitated. "You'll have to try harder, Aeric. I still expect you to run off sooner or later, leaving to go do something that you can't even tell me."

Thankfully, her words didn't sting this time, he could see the sincerity behind them and he just saw it as a foot in the race and a permission to go on forward.

He let out a short, awkward laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright, fair enough," he said. "How about this? I'll prove it to you today."

Celestia raised a skeptical brow but didn't interrupt as he continued.

"I'll spend the entire school day with you — every lesson, every break. Nothing else takes priority over you today."

Her lips parted as if to protest, but Aeric quickly added, "And if I do, you have to do something for me."

Celestia's expression shifted to one of slight irritation. That worried Aeric and he kind of carefully recoiled his head as it seemed like she was going to punch him.

Her brows knit together, and she stopped walking, planting her feet firmly. "Of course," she said with a sharp, disappointed tone. "Of course, you want something in return. I'm not desperate, Aeric. I'm not going to pay for your company."

Aeric held up his hands defensively, an honest, sheepish frown spreading across his face. "Whoa, whoa, slow down," he said quickly. "You don't even know what it is."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Ehh?" She crossed her arms, showing him an unyielding stance. "What, then?"

Aeric leaned in slightly, finding a courageous smile which softened into something more genuine. "I want you to agree to that walk. After school."

Her defenses crumbled almost visibly. Celestia's gaze dropped again, her fingers clutching the edges of her books. Her cheeks reddened once more and she shifted uncomfortably, voice dropping to a nervous whisper.

"Well... well, you should've just said that." She glanced at him briefly, her face even pinker than before. "Why'd you have to make me act all hostile toward you?"

Aeric couldn't help the amused smile that stretched beneath his nose. "So, you don't like being angry at me?"

Celestia refused to meet his gaze. "Let's just… go to the next lesson," she muttered, stepping forward briskly.

Aeric followed her, breathing out a sigh of relief and fist bumping as they approached their next destination.

That destination was another classroom of course. But this one was nothing like he had anticipated. The space was vast, excessively soz almost like the hall where they had done the Declarations of Divinity.

It was resembling a grand cathedral with an arched ceiling high above, decorated with intricate patterns of squares and diamonds and interlocking circles, all gold, milk and silver colored.

At the far end of the room stood a massive stage, but it wasn't just a stage.

Aeric furrowed his brows at it as they got closer. If he wasn't mistaken, that was a Dungeon Entrance.

His mind exclaimed. Was there really a Dungeon Entrance inside the Institution itself? The answer was no.

There was a mountain and a cave, yes, but it was an elaborate setup depicting a real life Dungeon Entrance not an actual one.

In fact, it was very well done and that was why Aeric was almost convinced. There were the jagged stone walls looming around a darkened archway, adorned with ancient carvings and glowing crystals. Vines crept up the faux structure, having leaves that sort of shimmered as though they were enchanted.

Then that smoke that usually fogged around the ominous entrance. It was a perfect mimic of a real Dungeon.

Aeric stopped in his tracks once he was directly opposite it, his eyes studying the structure. 'Really reminds me of Alzera and the crew,' he muttered. "I wonder what it's for."

Celestia glanced at him, the corner of her mouth twitching upward, though she said nothing but continued to a seat, hoping silently that he would follow.

The murmurs of the other Daughters echoed through the hall as they took their seats, the anticipation for the lesson palpable.

Aryanne and her cohorts of course occupied the back seats, looking down at everyone else. Aeric followed Celestia to a pair of chairs near the middle, unaware that he had just granted himself a few forgiveness points for doing that.

'Alright,' he thought once he'd settled down. 'This class seems like it'll be interesting enough.'