Chapter 22 Courtney After A Month (1)

Chapter 22 Courtney After A Month (1)

"There is nothing to worry about."

"Goddess Khione," greeted the Emperor and Empress in unison, rising from their thrones as a mark of reverence upon Khione's entrance.

"As I have stated before, there is no cause for concern regarding Hero Nathan," Khione reiterated, her voice carrying the weight of authority.

"But Goddess Khione, despite the King's and your benevolence, he continues to flout our values," interjected Oscar, his frustration palpable.

"I concur, Goddess Khione. I have personally witnessed his disrespectful conduct on multiple occasions," added Samuel, Khione's loyal bodyguard. "He even had the audacity to address you directly and impertinently inquire about your whereabouts."

Samuel's distaste for Nathan was evident, and he struggled to comprehend Khione's apparent leniency towards him. For someone who could be ruthless in her judgments, Nathan's transgressions seemed deserving of retribution. Yet, Khione remained reticent, seemingly unmoved by his disrespectful behavior.

"Despite his actions, he remains a chosen Hero. As per the agreement with Amelia Carter, he is entitled to protection and exempt from mandatory combat," Khione reminded them, her gaze piercing. "And it is true, isn't it, Oscar? You have confirmed his lack of progress and weakness."

"Yes, indeed! He is unequivocally the weakest among them, often sequestering himself in the library or his quarters," Oscar affirmed.

"Then let him be," decreed Khione, her tone indifferent. "The last thing we need is to undermine the trust of our Heroes. Allow him his freedom. We have no need of him, after all."

Khione's words masked a deeper concern; she understood the precariousness of Nathan's situation. To cast him out or worse, condemn him, would only expose him to grave danger beyond the capital's walls, endangering not only his life but hers as well.

"As you wish, Goddess Khione," the Emperor fortunately nodded. He couldn't just refuse a Goddess' words easily even though truthfully he wanted to get rid of nuisances like Nathan but rather he had better plans to get rid of Nathan and even the Goddess could only accept it. Khione didn't miss the Empress' sigh of relief.

"Are the preparations ready for this training trip?" Khione asked Cecilia.

"Yes, lady Khione. Following a quick morning training we will head to the deeper part of the forest," Cecilia said.

"Good." Khione nodded and left.

°°°°°°

He was seated on a table reading a book.

The title of the book was: [B-Rank Assassins Skills]

As Courtney's gaze fell upon Nathan engrossed in a tome of skill-related information, she couldn't help but wonder about his motivations. After all, she had long perceived Nathan as lacking in prowess, both physically and in terms of his training regimen. It seemed improbable, if not outright impossible, for him to acquire new skills without putting in the requisite effort.

Yet, there he sat, his expression serious and focused, delving into the information of skills he clearly didn't possess. It was just a book of information about various skills.

Reflecting on their initial encounters, Courtney recalled her initial dismissal of Nathan as just another unremarkable classmate. Despite Aiden's attempts to label him as a nerd, Nathan displayed none of the stereotypical traits associated with such a designation. He exhibited a confidence that defied easy categorization, engaging with classmates, including girls like herself, without hesitation despite being a mob in every other ways.

In hindsight, Courtney acknowledged her own role in perpetuating the false narrative surrounding Nathan. Her decision to fabricate rumors about his supposed penchant for hentai manga contributed to his ostracization by their peers. There wasn't a clear reason for her to do that.

It was just the way he spoke to her like any random girls and one day he even snapped at her even though not harshly. A simple matter of broken pencil. Any boy would have told her to not mind just for her beauty but Nathan asked for another new pencil without even thinking.

A simple matter for Nathan but Courtney as a girl of the high caste of her school, it hurts a bit of her pride so she framed him a bit.

Yet, despite the social stigma attached to him, Nathan didn't alter his demeanor or attitude towards her, despite her conviction that he was aware of her complicity in his marginalization. It was like he didn't care about it.

Summoning her courage, Courtney approached Nathan.

"Nathan."

/

/

/

If you like it and want to support me and want more chapters, please support my work with powerstones, comments and REVIEWS.

It will motivate me to write more! Thanks!