I still can't understand what Master Obrone is planning.
Day and night, he's researching some random girl. One day he's digging through her background, the next he's practically stalking her.
What's so special about her?
Don't tell me… he's in love? With someone a hundred and thirty-four years younger than him? Well, I suppose he doesn't age, so he could pull it off. Ugh, what the hell am I even thinking? No—there has to be another reason. Still, my curiosity is killing me.
"Master Obrone, what are you planning to do with this girl you're researching?"
He glanced up at me with that cryptic smile. "What do you think, Rein?"
What does that even mean? My head is spinning with possibilities, and none of them sound good.
"I can't think of a single good reason. From what you've told me, she's of no use."
"Exactly. Which is why," his smile widened, "I'm going to make her of use."
His words threw me off. How?
"While she's here, I'll research her, draw out her hidden potential."
"…So you're basically betting on the smallest chance imaginable."
"Yes. And you know me—I love to bet on small chances… and make them real."
This guy's insane. But the scary part is, he always does what he says.
---
Today, according to his prediction, the "test subject" would arrive.
I felt it before I saw her—the aura entering the house. Chilling, familiar. It was the same presence I had sensed in the academy garden not long ago.
Sure enough, I heard Master Obrone's smooth greeting from the hall.
"Welcome, young lady. I didn't expect you to arrive so soon, taking my advice."
Liar. He'd been waiting for this exact day, preparing everything down to the last detail.
Her reply was sharp, confident. "I came here taking your advice,indeed, but that doesn't mean I trust you."
Not bad. She's not spineless, at least.
Obrone chuckled. "Good. If you trusted me too quickly, I'd be disappointed. Now, once you've settled in, your training will begin after lunch. Don't say I didn't warn you—it won't be easy."
"I don't expect it to be, considering where I stand."
I'll admit it—her answers weren't bad.
Then Obrone said, "Since you'll be staying here, it's best you meet the others. Rein, come here."
At the mention of my name, she thought: Wait… isn't that—
I stepped out of my room. And there she was.
She looked at me—and instantly glared, like I'd committed some mortal crime against her. What's her problem?
"This is Rein Regulus, my student," Obrone said. "He's your senior."
Her expression flipped in an instant—cold glare to warm politeness. "Nice to meet you, senior. I'm Elvira Visbon."
…Wow. Two-faced wench?
"Yeah. I hope we'll get along," I muttered. But from the look of things, we definitely won't.
"Elvira, you can rest in the living room until training starts," Obrone instructed, before disappearing into his chambers.
She obeyed, settling near the glass doors that overlooked the training grounds. I watched her for a while, wondering why she was so hostile toward me.
Then she turned her head, catching me staring. "What are you looking at?"
Annoying.
"Do we know each other?" I asked.
Her eyes widened. "What?! You seriously don't remember me?"
"…No?"
"Unbelievable. Such an arrogant brat."
Oh, she's really pushing it now.
"How does not remembering you make me arrogant?"
"If you weren't, you wouldn't have glared at me that day after bumping into me."
Wait—so she's that girl?
"I didn't glare. I was just looking at the person who wasn't paying attention to her surroundings."
"Says the one running around in the garden like a maniac."
"You know what? Just shut up."
"Don't act like you didn't start it."
I sighed. Great. Of all the people Obrone could drag into this house, it had to be her.
How the hell am I supposed to survive living with this annoying girl for years?
---