The cadets returned to the academy without any problems. Of course, no one was really calm on the way back.
Being attacked by the Demon King himself, they would not be able to feel safe for a long time.
Thankfully, they were all sent to healing capsules.
As they floated in the healing liquid, deprived of all senses, their anxious mind slowly settled.
By the time they woke up, they were already at the academy.
Varian stepped out of the capsule and sighed in nostalgia.
At the entrance test, Abyss Duke attacked, taking everyone by surprise. He ended up in a healing capsule and woke up only after reaching the academy.
Now, during this mission, Demon King attacked defying all expectations. Varian once again ended up in a healing capsule and only woke up after reaching the academy.
It seemed like nothing changed—
"Varian!" Sarah and William waved at him from the corridor. With them were the members of the military and adventurers faction.
"Sup!" Varian smiled and joined the group.
"We'll be having a light meeting before dispersing." Sarah said as they headed to a hall.
William turned to him and scanned him from the tip to toe. He nodded several times with a smile, and shook his head with a frown.
'Does this count as ogling?' Varian raised an eyebrow. He repeated that he was straight to William on multiple occasions. But alas, William doesn't seem to be willing to give up.
Varian leaned closer to Sarah and whispered. "He doesn't like guys, right?"
"Ahem." William coughed violently. He looked around and saw everyone looking at him with a smile.
"Junior Varian, everyone can hear what you're saying." He said with a wry smile. It was obvious given that everyone was at least a Level 5 Awakener.
Varian showed a look of surprise and patted his chest. "My bad, my bad. I'll speak in a lower volume."
William hurriedly grabbed Varian's shoulder and looked at him with a pitiful face. "The last time you said those words, I was on the trending news. I lost so many fan girls and instead gained fan boys. Now I get at least five love letters from boys every day."
Varian's mouth twitched. Before this mission, such an incident did happen.
#Support Senior William's True Love was a trending topic.
"Take responsibility." William said.
"Eh?" Varian and Sarah flinched. They looked at each other and their gaze turned to William.
Their expression implied 'Isn't that what a woman would say?'
The crowd also shifted their gazes between William and Varian. Some hyper active brains were already spinning stories with scenes unsuitable for children.
Varian realized the imminent catastrophe. If he didn't do anything, the next trending news would be the non-existent secrets of Varian and Williamson.
To protect his reputation, Varian gritted his teeth and held Sarah's hand.
"Before you write your dirty fantasies, see this." He raised their hands and said.
The crowd stared at their interlocked fingers and gaped. The gossip boiled and William's topic was soon forgotten.
Sarah maintained a cold face as they walked down the corridor and entered the meeting hall.
But Varian could feel her shivering lightly.
He realized the reason.
'Crap! I made her angry. She's going to beat me up. But being beaten is better than going to headlines with William.'
Deciding that, Varian walked with an expression of sacrifice.
Sarah on the other hand was shivering as she was trying not to blush.'I'm sure he did this to protect himself from those nasty news. But…what is he feeling now?'
She looked at Varian's expression that contained a mix of pain and helplessness.
'Y-You! Why are you putting on that expression for? I'm being taken advantage of! Not you! Varian, you need a beating or what?' Sarah tightened the grip on his hand.
"Ouch." Varian felt the pain from his hand and looked at Sarah. Seeing her smiling face, and angry eyes, he confirmed that he was in trouble.
So he did the one thing he needed to do.
'Boo, write on my tomb: Varian died because he rejected Sarah's advances and she beat him up.'
'M-Master, that's too shameless.'
'Tsk! You don't understand. I am a master at reading women's emotions.' Varian said with a sagely expression showing 'I am the pick up artist'.
'Master, I don't believe it.' As a clever little ghost, Boo, of course wasn't convinced. 'Give me evidence. Tangible evidence.'
Varian's face was tangled as he tried to think of something.
Sarah saw Varian was ignoring her and gritted her teeth. 'At least ask me why I increased my grip! You wood!'
In an attempt to knock some sense into him, she increased the grip on his hand.
Varian felt the increasing force on his hand and snapped his fingers in realization.
Sarah looked at his expression and smiled. 'Not bad. At least you realized that I was feeling embarrassed. Now tell me you're also feeling embarrassed or something.'
Varian, however, ignored Sarah and rubbed his chin with a wise expression. It was like he realized the truth of life.
'Boo, she doesn't want to leave me forever. Look at how tightly she is clutching my hand, even if I—ouch!'
Before he could finish his bragging, he flinched. He turned to Sarah to say she could beat him up later.
But looking at her beautiful smile, he gulped down and turned away. Usually, the more she smiled in such situations, the greater the trouble.
Sarah was mad inside. 'Varian, I must be crazy for thinking you could pick up some cues.'
Varian didn't know there was a drama going inside Sarah's head. he was busy talking to Boo.
'Once I reach Level 6, let's see what you will do.' He thought.
Even though he was feeling the pain from Sarah's grip, he needed to maintain his impeccable impression in front of Boo. As for Sarah beating him up later, he could cover it up as 'Practice.'
Varian smiled at Sarah and she smiled back while increasing the grip.
Pretending as if the pain didn't exist, he smiled smugly. 'See Boo, look at how happy she is. She can't even stop smiling. You have a lot to learn from me. But don't worry, one day, you will find the ghost made for you.'
'Yes. Yes.' Boo nodded as it browsed the meta net.
The article titles had something in common.
'How to serve a delusional master?'
'Help! My Master thinks he knows how to pick up women, but in truth, his EQ is in the negatives!'
'How to help your master pick up girls!'
Inside the ghost ship, Boo patted its chest and muttered with a serious expression. "A great man once said, 'If you grew up as a virgin, it's not your fault. But if you died a virgin, it's definitely your fault'. Don't worry, master, Boo will teach you the perfect skills."
Varian didn't know Boo's actions.
After they sat down in the meeting hall, a teacher announced the achievements of each faction and each student.
Charles was absent from the meeting. Apparently, he was summoned by his father.
So, Varian's achievements drew the most attention.
Killing a high level 5 and many mid level 5s!
It was unprecedented for a first year!
Besides, this meant Varian's actual ranking was likely in the top 100 of Honor List! He was one of the top 100 of the academy!
It was not even two months since he was enrolled!
Varian's standing suddenly elevated. Even though they didn't say it out loud, everyone agreed that Varian's potential was a notch above Charles.
After the meeting, everyone thanked Varian.
Varian responded calmly and exchanged contacts with a few important individuals. The problem came when a few girls looked at him thirsty eyes.
Thankfully, Sarah's presence deterred them from pouncing on him. So they settled for a few pics and opened 'Varian's fanclub'.
Dhruv and Mia also expressed their gratitude.
"Junior Varian, I was worried about our faction's future. But with you here, no one can shake our position." Mia said with a cheerful smile.
"Yes. You will be in the academy for three years anyway." Dhruv added calmly.
'Wait, don't raise any flags!' Varian's face twitched.
"We'll keep going. Varian has an important thing to do." Sarah abruptly said.
Dhruv and Mia looked at each other before they smiled at him. "We understand. We understand. Just don't let your personal affairs interfere with your professional life."
Varian felt the force on his hand increase as he nodded with an awkward smile.
"Varian, let's go." Sarah said and walked out of the building.
Anna was waiting for them outside. She was about to ask about their experiences, but looking at Sarah's expression, she stayed silent and took them to the combat room in Sarah's home.
Varian didn't resist the inevitable.
He sighed deeply and looked into the beauty's eyes. "Sarah."
"Yes?" Sarah raised an eyebrow as she stood in her white combat clothes.
If it was at normal times, he would have praised her beauty and slipped out of the situation. But now, he only feared for his little life.
"Don't beat me too hard." Varian said slowly.
"Hehe!" Sarah smiled and raised her fist
"Argghhh!" His shouts resounded throughout the residence.