Amidst the celebrations and toasts honoring Jonah, the man in question was anything but calm. He looked at the person who gave him the cores and asked him for this favor.
"Alexie, I know you don't like attention. However, too much attention to myself will make me a target!" Jonah's heart was filled with worries.
Lately, he hasn't been able to sleep at night because he kept training. He was always waiting for the day that people knew he was a sham, nothing more than an impostor.
"Jonah," Alexie turned to him, confident just like Jonah had always known him. "The moment that you ranked first on the second exam; you have already become a target."
"But now, the Nightfall dorm will target me directly." Jonah paced around the balcony, refusing to stay still. The sound of music rang in their ear, but their mood was anything but joyful.
"You think that those noblemen like Arlo and the others would leave you alone even though you ranked higher than them? You're a commoner."
"Stop looking down on me!" Jonah snapped before calming down. "I'm sorry, I just..." Jonah allowed his voice to trail. He knew Alexie didn't mean to, but his words reminded him of the fact that one day, no one would treat him with respect in this place.
As soon as they knew he was a weakling, they would look down on him too. At least at the moment, he wasn't treated as a weak commoner.
"It's alright." Alexie stood up and patted him on his shoulder. Jonah looked into his eyes and was again reminded of how unnatural they seemed; he never saw them reveal any emotions. "I considered the fact that you'd be targeted too, so don't worry."
"Hah, and you still asked me to do it?"
"You could've said no."
"I can't say no after everything you've done to me!" Jonah sighed. "Alexie, I'm just scared. These people... they're abnormal. They are willing to hurt others as long as it retains their reputation."
"That's exactly why they won't lay a hand on you in the time being," Alexie explained with a smile. "I know these people; they care too much about how others view them."
"That's why..." Jonah wanted to explain but Alexie interrupted him.
"That's why they won't challenge a person who can take down three peak-high-tier monsters." Alexie turned toward the hall. "They won't challenge a commoner that has a high chance of taking them down. That would ruin their reputation and endanger their status as the heirs of whatever the hell they were born into."
"You know this won't last for long." Jonah reminded. "They'll take me down one day and I'll never see the end of it."
"Until that time, we just need to make you grow stronger." Alexie smiled. "You want that, don't you?"
Jonah smiled and nodded. The curtains that separated them from the hall opened, allowing light to cover his back and Alexie's face. Jonah didn't know if he was imagining it, but he saw Alexie's eyebrows twitch slightly.
Turning to see who it was, Jonah saw a girl with hair that was light azure. It was an unnatural color, but it worked perfectly with her beautiful features.
"Mr. Linan," The girl smiled. "I think Miss Alice is looking for you, maybe you should head inside." Jonah then saw Alexie furrow his brows and nod.
"Thank you, Miss Amelia." With another pat, Alexie left the balcony. Jonah turned to return as well but found that the girl, Amelia, was still standing there, smiling at him.
"What you did there was amazing," Amelia said with a tint of admiration. "I'm Amelia Cameron." She reached out her hand. "A commoner like you."
"Nice to meet you, Miss Amelia." Jonah shook her hand with a smile. He was curious why would Alexie be bothered by her. "It's nice to meet someone who isn't so different."
"You looked like you were close friends with Mr. Linan, though," Amelia asked with curiosity.
"He's different." Jonah shook his head.
"Is he also a commoner?" Amelia took a step forward with her glass in hand.
"In the past, he also..."
"I understand, I've seen his character." Amelia took a step forward. Suddenly, she placed her small hand on Jonah's chest. "But I admire you more, you strived against all odds and accomplished something."
Jonah's heart was beating rapidly as he looked into her eyes. It's not like he has never been approached by girls, his appearance was like a magnet. This time, it wasn't his appearance.
He saw Amelia tiptoe to reach him but he didn't stop it. At that time, his mind was blank as he just allowed her to kiss him.
***
Arthur drank from his glass while leaning in his chair. He had talked to Alice earlier and all she did was apologize for Sebastian's behavior. However, he was bothered by the fact that Jonah and Amelia stayed on the balcony alone.
He stopped using his detection rune when Jonah left the balcony in a hurry. With a sigh, Arthur stood up and headed toward the balcony.
As he stepped out of the curtains, it just so happened that Amelia was about to go to the party. She flinched and took a step back.
"Mr. Linan, you've startled me." Amelia assumed her polite smile as soon as she saw Arthur. On the other hand, Arthur simply stared at her coldly.
"What, am I not getting a kiss too? Should I abandon my nobility to get one?" Arthur asked sarcastically.
"I... have no idea what you're talking about." Amelia furrowed her brows. "Please refrain from saying such things."
"Oh, shut up." Arthur shook his glass as he watched the Champaign twirl inside of it. "I know what just did with Jonah, so don't try to fool me."
"That's none of your business." Amelia's expression was icy cold.
"It is, he is my friend. I don't care who he associates with, but I certainly wouldn't want him to be manipulated."
"Manipulated, hah?" Amelia chuckled. "You have strange fantasies, that is..."
"I'm a commoner, you told him. Your father has received his nobility title, a Baron, one month ago. Since you're not a part of his family at the moment, you're still merely a commoner." Alexie stepped away from the door but Amelia was frozen still.
"That doesn't mean I'm manipulating him."
"In a college such as Jerano, the nobility is not a necessity, but a luxury. Society is a cruel thing. How would a disgraced daughter fit in such a place?" Alexie stood beside the balcony. "It's better to get the protection of someone powerful, a one-digit ranker at least, who is also easy to manipulate. Let's say... a commoner?"
"Is that wrong?" Amelia bit her lower lip as her hand tightened around her glass. "Everyone seeks protection here."
"I didn't say it was wrong, but there is something low about manipulating a person's feelings, even for you."
"Ah, look who's talking. A nobility educating me about what honorable paths I should take to look after myself. Do you not know how privileged you are?" Amelia laughed coldly. "You have no say in what I do to survive."
"I'm nothing like a nobility, heh." Arthur smiled. "But I'm better than you are."
"You look at the world with eyes of doubt, always assuming the worst. Maybe the reason for that is you would do these things yourself."
With that, Amelia also headed back toward the party. Arthur sighed as he heard footsteps from behind him.
'One in, one out. Is this a play?' Arthur was amused as he looked at Jonah, who was panting.
"Brother, I'm sorry. I didn't know that you like her. I... I didn't think straight." Jonah said as he raffled through his hair. Arthur blinked thrice as he carried a blank face.
'What should I say to this himbo?' Arthur had no idea.
***
After the party was over, Arthur headed back to his room. There, he found Reece still sleeping. He made sure to 'accidentally' step on his tail.
"Meow!" The cat meowed and Arthur thought he might have made a mistake. "How dare you step on my lovely tail?" The cat spoke, making Arthur sigh in relief.
"I've found something, this." Arthur showed him the picture of the mark on the tree. "Do you know anything about it?"
"How would I know?" Reece lied down on the ground again. "Look for it in the library or something."
"I will," Arthur checked the picture again and saw that the mark was fading a bit. "I guess Jaran didn't want anyone to find it in time." Arthur smiled.
"You should try to live a little," Reece glanced his way. "You're obsessed with uncovering this mystery. How about you try to live like a college student?"
"And do what?"
"I don't know, drink a lot of alcohol and make love," Reece said while licking his paws.
"I don't have time for that." Arthur started taking off his clothes to take a bath. "I have things to do."
"That's how it was before you awakened too," Reece said, making Arthur pause.