Chapter 17: An Interrupted Slacker II

The bustle of Academy City was as vibrant as ever, with many powerful figures moving with their own goals.

On this day, the Blessed moving around the Blessed Academy received shocking news that the personage that descended unto Academy City a few days ago...the 5th Ethereal Princess was visiting the Blessed Academy today!

She had wandered across many establishments and Organizations in the past two days as she gave many big bosses that thought of themselves as kings of their domain a huge fright.

Each of them knew of the inviolable power of the Ethereal Emperor and exactly what Royalty such as the 5th Ethereal Princess represented.

So when the Chiefs of the Blessed Academy received this information, they moved frightfully to get the Blessed moving around the Academy in order as the fairy-like 5th Ethereal Princess came in while surrounded by Silver Ranked Guards.

"Princess…it's an honor to have you visit our humble academy…"

A bright smile that pushed away any and all darkness could be seen on the 5th Princess as she nodded and spoke.

"I had to come see the Academy that gets the next generations of Blessed ready for the dangerous Rifts. I won't bother you guys for too long."

THUMP!

The Silver Rank Blessed that was in charge of the Academy along with a few other chiefs could feel sweat forming on his head as he nodded while trying to keep a smile on his face.

"Please, take all the time you need…"

The 5th Princess moved with her guards as the surrounding Blessed looked towards her with shining eyes and amazement.

The demeanor of this personage was truly too grand!

The Chiefs of the Academy began to work hard as they cleared the halls of the different departments to make sure no incidents occurred, the Blessed that normally permeated throughout actually being moved out as the Chiefs observed the path of the Princess.

The Armament Department was visited as the workers stood like statues, the Learning Halls that Noah never stepped into also being visited as while the Princess was on the second floor of the Learning Halls, she looked out the window to see a beautiful expanse of greenery in the back of the Academy.

It gradually melded with thick foliage and vibrant trees as it formed into a thick forest that was a known site for Academy City- The Vibrant Forest that had a myriad of unique harmless animals!

Her eyes lit up at the beautiful sight of the grassland as it seemed extremely peaceful, making her way from the second floor and going towards the back of the Academy.

There was a single archway entrance that led to the back, the Chiefs having already moved to clear out Blessed and make way as the Princess strolled in with her Silver Guards.

She looked around the archway and their surroundings that seemed devoid of people, voicing out calmly to her guards.

"Keep a look out here, I wish for some alone time."

The lead Silver Ranked Guards nodded as his eyes scanned the surroundings while the line of guards stood to protect the archway that led to the back of the Academy.

The 5th Princess strolled in alone as her hands passed over the vibrant grass that rose to her knees, enjoying this peaceful feeling she couldn't get from the Imperial City as she stared out toward the expansive greenery around her.

The Silver Guards behind her kept a close look as they saw her walk further in, the Princess stopping at a certain point as she breathed in deeply and...sat down.

Coincidences and chance meetings rarely happen.

But when they do, one would find themselves wondering- was it truly by chance, or something else?

---

Noah's body was lying down among the tall grasses as always, his figure barely discernible among the waving plants as he felt extremely comfortable.

He had been relaxing for the past few hours as many plans flowed in and out of his mind, occasionally falling asleep while enjoying the peace this place brought him.

This time, he was taken out of his relaxation as he felt a change in the surroundings, the smell of verdant greenery replaced by a whiff of...perfume?

It was an extremely enticing smell as he opened his eyes groggily while raising his head.

When he did, he found his eyes landing on a ridiculously beautiful girl a few meters away, the silver hair on her head vibrantly cascading down to her shoulders as he was immediately woken out of his grogginess.

His mind worked fast as he seemed to recall seeing this figure from far away before, his heart beginning to beat faster as he felt a foreboding sensation!

What was most shocking when he raised his head was the fact that on the face of this peerless beauty...he could see a line of tears seamlessly dropping from her eyes!

"..."

When his head rose, so did hers as her colorful blue eyes locked with his own vibrant blue eyes.

The tears on her face stopped flowing.

They immediately disappeared from her cheeks as if they never existed.

Her eyes locked on the being that was seemingly coming out of a groggy sleep and trying to get up as she spoke silently.

"Do not raise your head any further if you wish to keep it on your shoulders."

Her voice clearly and silently rang in Noah's ears as it didn't travel far, not alerting the guards that were lined up on the archway and watching their surroundings carefully!

She did not want this poor boy who was most likely just resting here to be mistaken for an enemy or assassin, hey blue eyes sparkling with light as she kept her voice low.

"There are 10 Silver Ranked Blessed behind me that are just waiting for an excuse to prove their power."

Noah heard her voice again as his heart shook, his head sinking back right where it was as he breathed out slowly.

He really liked that his head was still attached to his body.

He did not want that to change.

His breath quieted down as he calmed his beating heart, understanding the stupid situation he had found himself in as he cursed multiple times in his mind.

All he wanted to do was relax and Idle as he collected Loot, why the hell did this Princess choose to interrupt his time like this?!