Chapter 78 Bringing The First-Years Together.

After a brief discussion of his plan, Ares came to a conclusion.

"Sure, I can play whatever part you give me, Ares," Livia stated.

"Count me in as well; I've always wanted to fight some tough opponents," Ziona said.

"Yeah, I like my role, too, so I approve of this," Diana replied.

"I'm not sure why you're incorporating us in your plans at all. Since you are the first-year representative, you should handle this on your own," Claude stated.

"Yeah, I agree with Claude," Kevin agreed.

After hearing Claude and Kevin's statements, Ares shifted his focus to Ayla and Lucas to hear their opinions as well.

"...I don't have any issues with your plan either, so I'm in," Ayla concurred.

"I understand involving everyone else, but why should we bring Ayla to this meeting in the first place? It will be risky for her because she is only a support," Lucas expressed his displeasure.

'You should ask your sister why she wanted to come along,' I thought to myself because I devised this strategy with Ayla, and Ayla herself volunteered to tag along.

And I'm not sure why she wanted to come along since there would be no work for her there.

As things will be a shambles since we already know it's a trap.

"...She'll be a good addition to this meeting because she's smart," I came out of my thoughts and replied casually to Lucas.

"So, at the very least, let me stay with her so I can protect her," Lucas replied.

"Alright," I answered readily.

"...."

"Thank you, brother," Ayla responded brightly.

"I guess this is what she wanted all along," Irethiel remarked.

I didn't object to Irethiel's assertions, because during the first year, Lucas was nothing more than Ayla's pawn, whom she could deploy anytime she pleased.

But, of course, Ayla would never do anything that may endanger Lucas as well.

"So you'll all be attending the reported trap meeting as well?" Claude inquired displeased.

"What exactly are you worried about? All of them can be dealt with by Ares and me on our own. Just so you might learn something that can benefit us in the tournament, we're taking you guys as well," Diana boasted.

"...."

We just stared at Diana, wowed, without saying anything.

"...No one needs you, potato," Livia mocked.

"Oh, we also have Livia with us,...ah wait, I'm not a potato," Diana clarified.

Livia disregarded Diana and moved her attention to Claude and Kevin.

"And you two, we're not asking if you wanted to come along or not; take that as a command from our first-year representative that you must obey, or you know what will happen to you, right?" With a cheeky grin, Livia stated.

"...."

Everyone was silent for a brief while after hearing Livia's admonition.

'What happened to the words, 'I will respect your status as a prince and princess?' Claude thought to himself, but couldn't speak it aloud for fear of offending Livia.

Kevin gulped as he saw Claude keep his mouth shut in front of Livia.

Gulp*

"Can you tell me when that meeting is?" Kevin questioned.

"It's on Sunday," Ayla replied.

"So, we still have a day, don't we?" Livia stated.

"...Yes," Ares answered.

"There's still plenty of time, let's go get something to eat," Livia abruptly said and got up from her seat.

"...."

"You're surrounded by all kinds of peculiar characters, human," Irethiel said and giggled.

Ares couldn't say anything and just sat there staring at Livia, who was fixated on wanting to eat and didn't give a damn about anything else.

"I'm sure she didn't even pay any attention to my plan, since I observed her yawning with boredom at the moment," Ares muttered to himself.

"Yes, Livia is right, let's go eat something, I'm hungry as well," Ziona answered as she stood up as well.

"...Well then, let's conclude our meeting here," Ares sighed and affirmed.

"Oh, I'm hungry as well, let's eat together," Diana suggested.

"OK, anyone else who is hungry can come along too," Ares stated and proceeded to leave the classroom.

"Hey, Ayla, what about you? Aren't you hungry, too? Why don't you come along with us?" Ziona invited Ayla.

"Should we go too, brother?" Ayla asked Lucas.

"...Sure," responded Lucas.

"Hey, Ares, why are you inviting everyone; I just wanted us two to eat together," Livia grumbled as she chased after Ares out of the classroom.

"Who is paying for the meal?" Ziona inquired as we were leaving the classroom, ignoring Livia's statement.

"Of course, it's on our Benevolent Elven Princess," Ares answered.

"H-Huh, Why me?... Okay, fine. After all, I have more money than anyone else here," Diana concurred.

***

We were seated in an extravagant café outside the Academy premises that Diana recommended and took us to.

"Aggh, why are you all here with us?" Livia expressed her frustration, as she chew her sandwich.

"Well, it's good to get along with your peers, right?" Ziona responded while her gaze was fixed on her chicken.

"Oh Lucas, could you pass that sauce to me?" Kevin asked.

"...Here," Lucas said as he handed him the sauce, staring at him blankly.

"I had no idea you guys would join as well," Ayla stated as she sipped her orange juice while glancing at Claude and Kevin.

"Haha, who can say no to food?" Kevin said, his mouth full of spaghetti.

"Don't get any ideas, I was dragged here by this jerk," Claude said, pointing to Kevin.

"...."

Diana soon chimed in, unconcerned about the discussion going on around her.

"How is the food? I frequently order food from here because it is among the best on the entire floating island," Diana said as she finished her steak.

"Well, I can eat anything as long as someone else is buying," Kevin said while still gobbling his spaghetti.

"Who said I was paying for your food?" Diana abruptly stated.

"Huh?" Kevin came to a halt in his chewing when he heard Diana.

"...."

He then turned to face us all, but we all ignored him.

"...seriously?" Kevin exclaimed.

"H-Hey, Claude, could you lend me some money because I left my wallet in my dorm room?" Kevin asked.

"...Who are you again?" Claude replied, his face puzzled as if he was viewing a stranger.

"...."

"E-Eh, don't be like that, I was a member of your faction—" Kevin said to Claude.

"Pfft, Hahahahaha," We all burst out laughing when we saw Kevin's reaction.

"W-why are you guys laughing?" Kevin asked, embarrassed.

"Idiot, Because Diana already paid for everyone's food," Claude clarified.

"Hahaha, so it was a joke, huh, I'm not going to lie, you guys got me there," Kevin said while laughing awkwardly.

"Yeah, you were simply too busy devouring your food to notice," Claude remarked.

***

Boooom!

As we were relaxing, a loud explosion could be heard in the distance, drawing our attention.

Additionally, the explosion's shockwave triggered an earthquake that also shook the cafe where we were sitting.

"What the fuck!" Kevin screamed.

"Don't worry, it's only a shockwave caused by an explosion," Livia said casually and added.

"I'd have a chocolate milkshake," Livia remarked, turning to summon the waitress.

But she noticed that everyone was cowering under the tables, terrified by the earthquake.

"...."

We all stared at Livia after regaining our composure, observing her unfazed demeanor in the face of the explosion.

"L-Livia you—," Diana started, but Livia interrupted her.

"What?" Livia inquired her gaze fixed on Diana.

We were also watching Diana to see how she would respond to her.

"O-Oh, I think you should try the strawberry milkshake; it's their specialty and they're renowned for it," Diana suggested.

"...."

"They've got their priorities straight," Irethiel commented.

"For Goodness sake," I exclaimed as I dashed toward the explosion.

Lucas, Ziona, and Claude nodded and followed behind me.

"Is this Dine and dash? But I already paid though," Diana expressed her confusion.

"...."

"I wish you a prosperous future, Elven Kingdom," Ayla remarked as she followed Ares.

"They're heading toward an explosion," Livia said as she walked out of the cafe followed by Kevin.

"...Oh, I see... hold on! the explosion," Diana finally understood and hurried toward it as well.

***