Maybe it's because she was from the same clan or maybe, it's because they were from the same timeline.
Or maybe, it's because when they return to their timeline, she would be the only one to remember him.
For whatever reason, Azzy felt more comfortable with her than with either Claire or Gideon, although they were nothing more than strangers if one excludes their distant cousin relationship.
On top of that, as he was the reason she was stranded in this timeline, Azzy also felt guilty for her situation.
He decided to fulfill her demands as long as it doesn't cross his bottom line.
So, when she asked to talk after lunch, he agreed without hesitation. When she asked to eat lunch together with her, he complied.
And when she asked to sit with him, Azzy abandoned Gideon to sit with her but he didn't expect it would be comfortable despite eating in a crowd.
"So, what do you mean by you didn't register?" Barbara didn't waste any time asking him as soon as he sat down. "Isn't it mandatory for everyone to participate in it? I heard that all the academies have the same system.
Even for the students who study in the academies of Arcana world, the annual tournament is important. Don't tell me you are throwing away the practical score for the final exams…"
Just now she claimed that Azzy will even win the tournament. Now, she heard that he doesn't even participate? Not only she was embarrassed but also got worried about his recruitment.
"No." Azzy shook his head and explained, "Due to the lack of control over my strength, I was banned from sparring with others to prevent any deaths."
Along with Gideon who was sitting behind him, Claire was also surprised to see this strange behavior of Azzy. As long as they knew him, he was never polite to anyone that he needed to explain his reasons.
Right then, Prince Vann spoke, "how about sparring with me? I'm a rank-6. Surely, you don't need to hold back yourself and can fight everything with you got."
"Hmm?" Azzy looked at him. Only then did he realize Vann's presence. When tried to sense his rank, Azzy indeed felt that he was stronger than any other person of similar ages.
However, Azzy felt he's also weaker than the Assassin that tried to abduct him, back then. So, he judged that he's at most mid-rank-6 below 5 million soul power.
"Do you have a life-saving treasure?" Azzy suddenly dropped an unexpected question in response.
"Eh?" This time, even Barbara was surprised. On the other hand, the students from the Moon Academy frowned.
Only Vann smiled among them, "You are an interesting character. Anyway, don't worry. I have a life-saving treasure that lets me defend against even a rank-9 expert and also I have perfect control. So, you don't need to worry about getting injured too."
If it was someone with a huge ego like Leonard, they would have thought that he was mocking them. However, Azzy finds his tone appeared very calm as if he was quite confident about himself.
"I also need to get permission from the principal. If not, at least, someone from our faculty." Azzy further pointed out his other condition. "At the same time, I also need confirmation from your instructor. I don't want our academy to be blamed later."
His conditions stunned the people around him. Claire sighed thinking that the good ol' Azzy is back. He was the same as ever.
Meanwhile, Barbara felt that Azzy got himself into trouble.
Just like she feared, the students of Moon Academy were indeed offended by his words.
"Don't think highly of yourself, commoner…" A teammate exploded in anger as he slammed the table. "You should be grateful enough to get the chance to spar against our leader. If not for Barbara, you won't even have the qualifications to sit with us. How dare you look down on the crown prince of Hildegard…"
Due to using soul power unknowingly, the table has turned to dust while all the dishes fell on the floor, causing a disturbance.
Almost everyone in the cafeteria stopped what they are doing and turned their attention towards Azzy and others.
They wondered whether there's a fight going on.
Azzy raised his head and looked at the boy, "You are neither a student of our Academy nor are we standing in your Academy's premises.
Whether you are a student of a top academy or a prince of some kingdom, all of you have equal standing here. So, what qualifications are you talking about?
If your leader is interested to battle me that badly, then, tell him to get permission from my principal and your team's instructor or else, get lost. I don't have time to play with you all…"
Vann was taken aback as he found Azzy's expression and tone didn't change a bit. It wasn't a calm and confident tone like his. He felt it's more like Azzy was devoid of emotions.
It made him remember certain people he met when he was a child. Those mysterious experts were just like Azzy with no emotions and certainly have disregard for the people's life.
After voicing his opinion, Azzy glanced at Barbara and said, "Let's talk, right now. I'll treat you to lunch, outside. Follow me."
He then turns around and walked towards the exit without waiting for Barbara's response.
She apologized to her senior brother and ran after him.
Feeling everyone's eyes on them, the students of Moon Academy felt ashamed and at the same time, became angry at the guy who was exploded.
Coming back to his senses, Vann bowed, "I apologize for the ruckus caused by my teammate."
While bowing, he placed his hand behind the guy's head and forced him to bow along with him.
As the representatives of a well-known academy, they should keep their reputation, after all.
As the atmosphere turned normal and Claire left towards the counter to take the dishes, Vann glared at the teammate and glared, "Rufus, the next time you embarrass us by doing something like this…"
Vann didn't even finish his sentence; however, Rufus found himself shaking in fear.
Meanwhile, Azzy and Barbara exited the building, continuing to walk towards the exit.
"So, how long has it been since that incident? 11 months?" Barbara was the first to talk now that they were by themselves.
She then sighed, "I wanted to go back home and see my parents but I don't even know the location. Even if I know the location of our clan, I wouldn't be able to get back. What about you? Don't you want to see your parents? They should be alive, right?"
"Barbara…" Suddenly, Azzy raised his voice slightly making her flinch.
As she turned her head and looked at his eyes, Azzy spoke sternly, "this is not the place for you to spout out those words." He then looked around and then, breathes out a sigh of relief, "thank goodness. No one is there."
"What happened?" Barbara asked him as her eyes started to shake in worry. She wondered whether she said something wrong that ticked off Azzy.
"First, be silent until we leave the academy." Azzy continued to walk, leaving her speechless for a second before she followed him.
After they left the academy, both of them took public transport. Barbara didn't know where Azzy is taking her but she just followed him as she has no choice.
Azzy then opened his mouth slowly, "Barbara... there are rank-6 and rank-7 experts in the academy. What if someone hears it? I'm an orphan to everyone and I want to keep it that way."
"Ah!" Barbara finally realized what she had done wrong. "I'm sorry." She immediately apologized and said it wasn't her intention.
Within a few minutes, they exited the bus at the first stop and continued to walk until they reached a mansion.
Looking at the big house, she asked, "Where are we?"
"Used to be my home. Now, no one lives here. Anyway, let's get inside." Azzy opened the gate and invited her inside.
As they walked through the gate, Azzy activated his aura sensing and scanned a one-kilometer radius around him.
After finding there's no higher rank expert nearby them, Azzy then asked the Reaper whether there is anyone hiding.
Only then did he start the topic, "okay. Now, it's safe to talk. Tell me, what happened? How are you in this timeline? And where were you until now?"
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