If They Get Obsessed, I’m Doomed - Chapter 89

Chapter 45.2

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「 Wednesday
10:00 AM — Advanced Magic Warfare ( Academy Building 12, Training Room 5 ). 」

The Advanced Magic Warfare class, infamous for its difficulty, didn’t seem to have any freshmen attending, but the number of students gathered was by no means small. In fact, it was more crowded than any class Ariel had attended so far.

Ariel quietly took a seat in the corner, surrounded by a sea of students filling the large classroom. It seemed that more than half of the attendees were retaking the course. The room was filled with students holding the same documents she had seen in Magic Engineering.

‘Just how difficult is this class…’

Since it was a practical class, her anxiety was twice as bad as it had been for her previous courses. Her fingers fidgeted restlessly, playing with the corner of the thin textbook for the practical session.

‘If it gets to the point where I really can’t keep up…’

Ariel pondered with a troubled expression and pulled out the temporary schedule she had tucked between the pages of her textbook.

“Maybe I should just drop it.”

“Drop what?”

A familiar voice suddenly asked as someone plopped down in the seat next to her. The voice was so recognizable that she didn’t even need to look.

It was undoubtedly Lexius.

“Are you taking this class too, Your Highness?”

Since there were many people around, Ariel addressed him formally.

“I’m just sitting in.”

“I see.”

Ariel kept her eyes fixed on the schedule as she responded. By now, she was used to his intrusions like this, so she wasn’t surprised by his sudden appearance. Maybe it was because she had already anticipated they might run into each other today and mentally prepared herself for it.

Lexius narrowed his eyes at her indifferent reaction.

“You’re not even bothering to look at me while you talk.”

“I just have some things to think about.”

“You’re not tired of me, are you?”

His teasing tone finally made Ariel turn her head. The schedule in her hand reflected all the worries she had been mulling over.

Noticing it, Lexius glanced at the paper and asked.

“Are you thinking about dropping Advanced Magic Warfare?”

“I’m worried I won’t be able to keep up.”

“Why are you worrying about that already?”

“The reason so many people seem to be retaking the course is because it doesn’t seem like the kind of class a freshman should be taking.”

“You’re worrying over nothing.”

Even though her concerns were based on a serious observation, Lexius brushed them off like they were insignificant. And before she could react, he quickly snatched the schedule from her hands.

“…Please return it.”

“No. Someone made this for you, and you’re just going to change it carelessly?”

Lexius playfully waved the schedule between his fingers, teasing her.

Ariel, with a slightly sulky expression, watched him for a moment before quietly asking, “If it gets too difficult for me to handle, will Your Highness take responsibility for that?”

“Of course, I’ll take responsibility.”

Lexius answered readily, his gaze carrying a hint of a mischievous smile. Ariel felt an inexplicable sense of unease, but curiosity tugged at her.

“How exactly would you take responsibility?”

“I’ll train you properly. After just a month of dealing with me, Advanced Magic Warfare will feel like nothing.”

“…And what if I collapse?”

“I’ll heal you before that happens.”

“….”

“What? You don’t think I can do it?”

The problem was, she knew he probably could do it all too well. Ariel quietly shook her head.

“You don’t need to take responsibility. I’ll figure it out myself.”

“Where did the determination from a week ago go? You were rushing to the library at dawn.”

“I must’ve used it all up that week.”

At her refusal, Lexius let out a puff of breath and tossed the schedule. The thin paper fluttered down and landed on top of her textbook.

“Fine, have it your way.”

He responded curtly before slumping back in his chair, tilting his head back.

Ariel slipped the schedule back between the pages of her textbook and glanced at Lexius. He was sprawled in his chair as if he were about to take a nap, his sharp jawline, long neck, prominent Adam’s apple, and deep collarbones filling her view. Her eyes unintentionally traced the elegant lines of his body until they caught sight of the bare skin peeking out from his open shirt.

She quickly averted her gaze.

‘Doesn’t he realize that actions like that only draw more attention?’

“If you’re going to stare, at least don’t make it obvious.”

“I-It was an accident. I’m sorry. I won’t look again.”

As Ariel stammered out an apology, Lexius chuckled softly. She expected him to tease her more, but that was all he said.

After a quick glance at him, Ariel turned her attention to the front of the room where the professor’s desk was. Though the professor hadn’t arrived yet, most of the seats had already been taken.

Lectures with large numbers of students were usually held in tiered, semicircular classrooms. All four of her classes were in rooms like this. Sitting in the back gave her a good view of the entire room, but it wasn’t exactly the best seat because of how far it was from the professor.

Ariel, seated in the middle row, was content with her spot.

That was, until she felt a prickling gaze on the back of her head, making her turn around.