As someone who bore ill feelings against Azzy because of her sister, she certainly remembered him.
No, it's not just because of her sister. It's also because of her pride. A couple of months after Azzy's encounter with Sapphire, during a special week that was allotted to only the Elite division, Azzy and his fellow schoolmates went to Myelin city.
There, by coincidence or by deliberate planning, he once again encountered Sapphire. This time, her sister was also with her because of the last time.
But, what both of them faced is a blatant rejection as soon she offered him the position of Royal knight and nobility.
Sapphire even compromised by offering him a chance to be one of the disciples of a high-rank-9 expert but Azzy didn't even give a thought and directly rejected the offer one more time.
Due to the presence of the black wolf and his rank-5 strength, Sapphire felt that she might not able to force him through the strength and silently retreated from there.
On the other hand, Iphi, who felt like she was humiliated because of the rejection, bore a grudge against Azzy.
As time passed away, eventually, she forgot about it. However, after a little over six months, she saw him once again.
As one of the representatives of the Phoenix Academy, she felt the need to show her manners.
So, swallowing her anger, she greeted him with a smile while expecting the same. However, she didn't know that Azzy never greets anyone that he doesn't acknowledge.
Naturally, she received the unexpected line.
Compared to the past, she felt he grew a bit taller and more handsome.
Other than those two irrelevant things, she felt nothing changed whether it's his expression or his behavior.
Her anger rose as she thought he was feigning ignorance. But, she quickly calmed down herself and replied, "Iphi Magnolis of the Phoenix Academy."
Azzy plainly nodded, implying that he got it. Not paying attention to her any longer, he then looked at Emelia, "Teacher, do you need anything?"
"Eh?" She was taken aback.
"Earlier, you called us." Azzy clarified his question.
"Ah! Yes…" Emelia became a little flustered upon his sudden question. She didn't expect that he would respond like this. After all, she was with her friend who volunteered with the team so that she gets to see her.
But, now, Azzy's behavior caused her disappointment.
Calming down herself, she said, "Nothing… I wanted to introduce you to the guests. This is the team from the Phoenix Academy. It is one of the top 3 academies in the Arcana world.
As they will be staying here for the next three weeks, it would be better if the two of you get to acquaint with each other."
Gideon had a big smile on his face as he greeted them, "Hello, I'm Gideon. Grade-8."
On the other hand, Azzy kept silent as he looked at them. He plainly nodded to them before turning towards the teacher. "Teacher, I appreciate your goodwill but you don't need to bother yourself. I don't socialize, either way. If there's nothing, I have to go to the class and prepare for the exams. Excuse me…"
Giving a slight bow, Azzy walked away from there, not intending to wait for the reply.
Meanwhile, Gideon also followed him from behind reluctantly even though he wanted to stay there. After all, every one of those girls can be considered a beauty, well except for Iphi who is too young.
As the both of them left, a frown appeared on everyone from the Phoenix Academy. Meanwhile, Emelia helplessly smiled and cursed herself inside as to why didn't she expect something like this.
Azzy's character was known to the entire academy. She felt that she should have talked with them, somewhere else.
The instructor who was accompanying them, complained in a serious tone, "Princess Emelia, who is that brat? How dare he talk to us like this… Is he a member of your family or something?"
She was clearly angered by Azzy's earlier behavior.
The girls from the phoenix academy nodded as if they were agreeing with their instructor.
Emelia let out a sigh, "Miss Vella, he's like that from the start. Don't mind him. He's just devoid of emotions. So, he often stays away from the crowd. We can't do anything about it."
"I see…" Vella nodded in understanding. Since she trusts her friend, she put away her anger and then comments, "Rank-5 at such early age, not bad…"
Emelia wanted to brag that he's just 13 years old. However, remembering that Azzy wasn't going to participate in the tournament, she kept silent and then, lead them towards the other places, acting as a tour guide.
Meanwhile, Iphi had a strange feeling upon hearing Emelia's explanation. She didn't know how to feel, right then.
On one side, she thought Azzy doesn't intend to humiliate them. On the other side, she thought he might just be taking advantage of his condition and behaving rudely.
Even if he isn't what she thought he was… Iphi felt she doesn't need to understand his condition. After all, they are strangers.
"Ugh…" She slightly grabbed her forehead as her head was aching while thinking about it deeply.
For now, she decided to ignore the matter for her inner peace.
Meanwhile, Azzy and Gideon arrived at the class and found it empty as usual.
As they took their seats, Gideon asked, "Azzy, how did you know that princess of Evenor?"
"Not sure…" Azzy shook his head as he failed to recall her face. In both of the times, she doesn't leave much impression on him.
"Did you forget her surname?" The Reaper who was silent until now chipped in. "Surely you must remember the girl with griffin."
"Eh?" Azzy was taken aback. As he tried to recall, a beautiful image of Sapphire and her griffin appeared in her mind. "Ah!"
Azzy shouts out loud as he stood up from the seat.
"Hmm… What happened?" Gideon looked at him, curiously.
"Nothing, I just remembered her," Azzy answered him as he sat down.
He then recounted his experience at the grasslands of Myelin. How he was battling a group of rank-4 orcs and how Sapphire tried to scout him, etc…
He left out the encounter at the whale island as he was too embarrassed to admit that he was the one that caused the island to shut down for a while.
Upon listening to everything, Gideon was left in a daze for a while before he returns to reality by almost screaming at him, "Are you serious? You rejected being the disciple of a high-rank-9 expert?"
"Is it that great?" Azzy blinked at him a few times as if he was stating that it isn't a big deal.
Gideon didn't know how to react and in the end, he simply laughed to brush off the awkward atmosphere.
After a while, the class became full. Everyone else arrived with excitement. As they started to discuss, regarding the students of the other academies that arrived early, Gideon left his seat and joined the group.
Azzy, who had nothing to do with the discussion, simply continued to go through the book. Compared to the other subjects, Azzy felt the grade-8 mathematics was slightly difficult for him. After all, he jumped five grades. So, it's no wonder he struggles with it.
Fifteen minutes past nine, the homeroom teacher finally arrived. However, he didn't come alone. Along with him, three boys stepped inside the class.
Everyone looked at them, curiously. Naturally, Azzy also observed them. All of them looked cheerful and have big smiles on their faces as they looked around the classroom.
As for the attire, they wore the same kind of uniform as them. White shirt, grey pants with a navy blue blazer, and a striped tie.
The only difference is that there's a patch on the blazer, at the left chest. On it, a maple leaf was drawn.
"Maple leaf?" Azzy mumbled, finding it familiar. He tried to recall where he heard.
"Oh my God… they are from the Maple Academy of Maple city." Gideon gasped in realization.
Only did then Azzy remembered where he saw it. During their visit to the Springwood forest, which is located outskirts of Maple city, he helped a group of students from a mutated gold grade beast of peak-rank-4.
On the other hand, Gideon almost turned into a fanboy with his eyes lit up in excitement, "It's the Maple Academy. The Academy produced the most number of winners in the world league. I can't believe their students arrive at our academy, this early. Surely, they wanted to check out our strengths…"
"World league?" Azzy was taken aback as he heard Gideon's mumbling. He didn't know that they were that famous. He took a look at them, once again.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺