"Ugh..."

I rubbed my eyes. They were somewhat puffy now. I hadn't expected my memories to affect me like that. Or maybe I did...

Still...

"Nothing."

There had been no reaction from Delilah when I used my skill. Even as I put everything in it, she remained expressionless and unfazed.

It was a bit disappointing but understandable.

She was the closest to the Zenith. For her to be unaffected by me didn't come to me as a surprise. Disappointing, but expected.

'I wonder when I will be able to affect someone like her...'

Emotions could affect anyone regardless of their tier and strength. That much I was aware of. Unfortunately, the stronger one was, the more powerful their mind was.

It became a lot harder to affect the emotions of someone like that.

And the fact that she seemed unguarded when I used my spell and was still unaffected spoke volumes of her mental resistance.

"Haaa..."

The reality of my situation became more glaring to me.

I still had a long way to go.

*

In the two weeks that I had been at the institute, I had never really paid any particular attention to my surroundings.

It was with such thoughts that I looked at my surroundings for once. It was beautiful. The place looked stunning with greenery everywhere and intricately designed buildings that seemed unfit for this 'setting'.

Cadets walked around the campus talking with one another and enjoying their life.

There was also a strange scene in the distance. A middle-aged man with a thick mustache and round glasses sat by a stone stool, playing checkers alone.

"What sort of..."

Yes. He was alone, but...

He still seemed to be having fun.

.....I felt a little envious staring at the scene.

Had my circumstances been a bit different, perhaps I would've enjoyed my time here more thoroughly, but...

'I can't.'

There were things that I needed to prioritize.

I needed to remain consistent with my mindset.

"Hm?"

As I walked the campus, I suddenly paused. In the distance, a particular scene caught my attention. Four cadets were circling over a single person.

'It's her...'

I recognized her in an instant.

With her platinum long hair, sour expression, and red eyes, she easily stood out.

It was one of the top-ranked cadets.

Kiera Mylne.

'Why is she...?'

***

"Think about our offer. If you join us, we'll be able to have more power over the first year. You'll be able to do whatever you want... Even smoke."

The offer seemed rather tempting.

Smoking... Smoking...

"Hmm."

Yeah.

"....I'll have to decline."

"Hm?"

"What do you...?"

Kiera rummaged through her pockets and took out a cigarette which she quickly lit up with her finger.

*Puff*

She then proceeded to blow the smoke toward the four people surrounding her.

"Akh!"

"What are you....!"

Kiera smirked as she looked at their faces.

"I can smoke regardless. The fuck do I care about joining a faction? It's bothersome."

They had been pestering for the past week or so. Something about joining their faction. Each time she refused them. However, their persistence never ceased. It was starting to get on her nerves.

"If you have nothing else better to do, why don't you do something more productive like breathing water? Trust me. You'll do me a service."

The faces of the four cadets surrounding her flushed. They seemed unsure of what to say which Kiera found hilarious as she smacked her thigh.

"Pfttt, you should take a look at your expressions. Fucking ridiculous."

And proceeded to laugh to herself.

"Kakaka."

Only that... Her laugh wasn't the most pleasing to the ears. Eventually, though, the four cadets snapped out of it.

A tall cadet with blonde hair cut in a bowl cut, and sunken cheeks stepped forward. He frowned while looking at Kiera.

It was obvious from their body language that they were all wary of her. It was probably why they hadn't resorted to any violence or threats.

".....I'll ask again, do you want to join our faction or not? It will be very beneficial for you in the long run. We'll make you the Vice-Leader if you want to. Anders is adamant about wanting you in our group. If you say the wo"

*Puff*

Smoke blew on his face, forcing him to halt mid-sentence.

When he looked up, he saw a middle finger pointed at his face.

"Kindly... Fuck off."

"Ah..."

The cadet opened his mouth and then closed it as his teeth ground together.

"Do yo"

"You there."

A cold voice pierced through the surroundings as all heads turned.

"Who...!"

The expressions of all present stiffened at the sight of the figure headed their way. A mere glance into his eyes compelled them to avert their gaze, finding the intensity within them too overwhelming.

With his well-maintained uniform and intimidating expression, the four cadets struggled to keep themselves composed.

He was someone an enigma and someone nobody wanted to associate with.

Tok.

He stood tall in front of the cadet. His gaze lowered to meet his eyes.

"....Are you the ones I've been hearing about?"

Even his voice sounded intimidating.

"Yes?"

"That faction thing."

"Ah..."

The cadet secretly gulped. He found it hard to remain composed under Julien's intense gaze.

He was still able to force a small nod.

"Yes."

".....I see."

Julien calmly closed his eyes before muttering.

"Your leader, or whoever is in charge..."

"....!"

All four cadets looked at Julien with wide-open eyes. He cared nothing for the gaze as he flatly continued.

"Get him to meet me tomorrow."

His words...

They seemed more like a command than a request.

"I'll talk with him tomorrow."

It was as if they had no right to refuse. And it was the intensity at which he looked at them that made them unable to refute. Forcing them to quietly nod before leaving.

"....."

Only once they left did silence fall on the surroundings.

Kiera, who had been watching the entire time, frowned and blew her smoke away.

*Puff*

"What was that for? Were you trying to help me or something?"

Julien turned his head and their eyes met.

'It's that expression again...'

The one filled with nothing but pity as he looked at her. Kiera silently clenched her teeth. Why are you looking at me like that...? Just as she was about to say something, he beat her to it.

"I didn't do it for you."

Julien said, his voice sounding rather quiet.

".....I'm just taking responsibility for once. I'd rather handle it now than wait before it gets harder to handle."

He glanced at her once again, his eyes falling on the cigarette in her hand.

Kiera frowned, expecting him to do something similar to last time.

"What?"

But....

"Stop smoking."

Much to her surprise, he didn't pursue the matter and turned around to leave.

".....It isn't good for you."

His back slowly faded from her sight.

Staring at it, Kiera looked at her hand where the cigarette was and mumbled,

"You think I don't know?"

***

It was nighttime by the time Aoife was done with her outing at the library. She normally wouldn't have spent such a long time there, but thinking back at the situation from before, she had no choice but to stay there.

.....Had she left in her previous mood, she was afraid she'd kill someone by accident.

The moon hung in the night sky, illuminating the world beneath.

Lost in her thoughts, Aoife followed the path back to the dorm. It was a beautiful path.

The cobblestone path was embraced by all sorts of flowers as a gentle breeze gracefully swept through the air.

It felt strangely nice.

"...."

And then, a figure appeared in the distance. They seemed to be all sweaty, and haggard.

"Leon...?"

His identity became clear as he stopped under the light from a lampost. How could it not when his appearance stood out so much?

"Hm?"

He turned his head, finally noticing her.

"Aoife?"

"....Are you coming back from training?"

"Ah, yes."

Leon nodded his head. Then, lowering his head and focusing his gaze on the books in her hand, he tilted his head.

"Library?"

"Yes."

"So late?"

"Could ask the same of you."

"Right..."

Leon scratched the side of his head. Glancing at the books, he hesitantly asked.

"Do you need help?"

"No."

A flat-out refusal.

"I can carry this much."

They were only like, one... two... three.... eight books?

"Oh."

Though he didn't show it with his face, he seemed a little doubtful. But he still relented and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Aoife quietly picked up her pace to catch up to him, when...

"Oh."

Thud.

One of the books fell due to her carelessness. Or more like, she was just not paying attention. With her reflexes, she could've easily avoided such a situation.

"I'll get it."

Leon offered to help and bent down to pick up the book.

"An English book...?"

"Uh? Ah, yes..."

It was one of the books that Julien had left on his desk. She was curious about it. For him to be so good at English, surely there must've been reason. Therefore, after thinking about it, she decided to pick up that book.

Though she didn't particularly like him, she had to admit that he was competent. Her goal was to become the best.

Therefore, she needed to pick up things from the best.

"Tough language."

Leon casually glanced at the cover of the book, his eyes squinting slightly as he tried to decipher the meaning of the title. Only for his entire body to freeze the next second.

"Leon...?

Noticing a change in his demeanor, Aoife cocked her head. What's wrong with him?

"....Where did you get this?"

His voice came out even. Strangely so.

"Where did I get this? I got it from the library..."

"Oh. I see."

He nodded calmly.

Then, he handed it back to her.

"Burn it."

"....?"

Was this a joke?

Aoife thought so at first, but when she looked at his face, she couldn't help but be taken aback.

He seemed serious. Almost desperate.

"Just..."

His eyes trembled. He seemed shaken.

The stupefied Aoife narrowed her eyes and carefully looked at Leon.

'What is....'

".....Don't ever give this to Julien."

"Yes?"

Yet again, Aoife was taken aback.

But I got it from him...

"Never."

He made sure to emphasize before excusing himself, leaving her standing dumbly. As he left, she ended up overhearing his mutters, 'Cursed book...'

"What kind of situation is this...?"

Aoife frowned and finally paid attention to the book. She hadn't paid attention to the title before since she just took it for the sake of it, but now she was intrigued.

Just what kind of book could get Leon so shaken up?

Her eyes squinted as she translated the title.

"....!"

Soon, the title became clear to her. And her expression changed.

: 145 Jokes that will have you rolling on the floor.

It was a book about jokes.

"What sort of"