"Hum? The princess is our study partner?" asked Theos curiously.
Alicia nodded frantically in confirmation. "Yes, she is our study partner. She arrived a few days ago, she's quite...", she paused, thinking how best to express what she was thinking.
"Hm, she's quite peculiar... She's quite talented and intelligent, she's also quite elegant, but there's something about her that I don't know how to explain... She's shy and somewhat awkward, I think that's the best way to describe her."
At such a comment, Theos smiled, eating a sandwich to fill the hunger in his stomach.
'Hm, the little princess of Hydronia... Russe Hydronia would be my cousin in this case; in the novel, she is like that, a character who, despite being royalty, is somewhat shy, especially because of the accident at the Rasforh family banquet.' suddenly, Theos remembered something crucial.
'True, the son of the Rasforh family was never found... Something happened to him and possibly something quite bad.'
Theos' eyes grew weary. How many more problems will he have to solve? Undoubtedly quite a few.
He decided to briefly forget about all this, deciding to eat in peace.
However, he again turned to Alice who was looking at him with curious eyes.
"What, why are you staring at me so intently?" asked Alice, lowering her head shyly as she blushed.
"I want to tell you something important...", he replied, opting for a serious expression.
"Oh... What do you want to talk about?", she also put on a serious expression under the two red clouds on her face.
Seeing that Alice is taking the situation seriously, he continued, "Tomorrow I will fight Camila, the most powerful student in all of The Academy."
At such a revelation, Alice's previously serious face turned into a face full of surprise and shock.
"What, you're going up against Camilla, the most powerful in the entire Academy?!" she raised her voice a little more than naturally, sounding exasperated.
Theos nodded, confirming her words.
Alice's face filled with concern and exasperation. Rising from the chair, she moved closer to Theos until, with both of her hands, she grabbed his face and made him stare at her.
"You know what it means to fight the most powerful in the Academy, don't you?" asked Luna, her eyes narrowed.
However, he only nodded. Knowing full well the risks and what it meant to take on that duel/challenge.
"...", Alice couldn't believe her eyes.
'He knows what he's up against, why doesn't he refuse that confrontation? Or is it the two of them must compulsorily face each other?', she thought, wondering several things in her head.
She did not know much about the power of every person. However, the most powerful student in the entire Academy is very title truly terrifying and coveted by more than one.
'There are even rumors that she has defeated several teachers, she is truly terrifying,' she concluded.
She was confident in Theos' power, in his abilities, but against such an imposing opponent, what could she do?
Seeing Alice's intense concern, Theos raised his hand again, stroking her face gently.
"Don't worry, it won't be a battle to the death; I won't lose my life; at most, I will be badly injured," he reassured her with his caresses and serene voice.
This seemed to affect Alice; her narrowed eyes returned to normal while her body softened.
She sighed. "Okay, explain everything to me: why you're going to fight her, what for, and how you plan to win."
At this suggestion, Theos proceeded to explain everything to Alice, everything in great detail.
Strength is everything in this world; in such a short time, she understood that. However, she also wanted to add something...
'Love and strength is everything in this world,' she concluded.
Without love, she could not be stronger. Possibly this is why she thought that way.
Strength would be the flame, and love the fuel that constantly makes the flame grow; for her, it was like that.
If Theos knew what she thought, he would possibly be throwing up rainbows now.
"Promise?" she asked, wanting Theos' promise.
He smiled. "Sure, I promise."
Hearing his confirmation, she smiled broadly, a rather cheerful smile.
It wasn't what she wanted to achieve. She wanted Theos to be free of danger, but, knowing that he couldn't do this, she would settle for what he said.
After all, she didn't think she was capable of clipping Theos' "wings," of destroying his ambitions and dreams.
Theos' smile also became happy to know that Alice was content with what he said.
He didn't want to see Alice sad, so seeing her so cheerful, he couldn't help but feel relieved.
"Uh, you're done eating," she warned, looking at Theos' empty plate.
"Yes, actually, I'm quite satisfied," he said, grabbing the glass with orange juice and drinking it in one gulp.
"The meal was simple but quite delicious," Theos said.
Alice nodded, agreeing with his words.
They had already finished eating.
'I think I'd better go train now, I should get back to Luna later,' Theos thought.
He wanted to be for Luna that day; after all, she had just lost her chastity.
Thinking about this, Theos got up. 'I'm going to train; tomorrow is the duel.'
Alice nodded. But suddenly, her eyes flashed with a bit of lust and excitement. "Let's both go together, so we both go in ~"
Seeing Alice's expression, Theos didn't know whether to laugh or cry. However, how to refuse such an obvious offer?
"Sure, but we're going to train; I don't think I'll win easily," Theos warned.
However, his words had another meaning that Alice caught: let's train after "that."
With a smile, she, too, rose from her seat.
Looking at Alice beside him, Theos recalled. 'She should have things to tell too; in the Novel, they didn't go into much depth about her. I love her intensely for Theos' soul and myself, but I don't know much about her,' he thought.
He didn't want to give favoritism, so, he decided to talk to Alice later about it.
For now, pay for the food and go train...
~