10. Proposal.

"…And with that, I'll bring today's lecture to a close."

The moment the professor's unhurried voice trailed off, the bell rang out as if on cue.

"Anyone with questions, ask them separately. That's all."

The sound of chalk tapping against the board filled the room as the complex formulas were erased, and students began rising from their seats one by one, gathering their things.

Elline, seated by the window, finished her notes, tucked her book away, and stood.

*12:20.*

The large clock outside the window read that time.

He always arrived at the library first and waited for her—so today, at least, she wanted to get there before him. With that thought, Elline stepped out of the lecture hall and started down the corridor.

She felt a little guilty for making him wait.

And if she hurried, she could see him just a little longer.

Step. Step.

She decided to pick up her pace, just slightly.

"H-hey, Elline!"

She stopped.

At the unexpected call, she turned slowly. Two girls stood there, watching her with anxious expressions.

"What."

Familiar faces—but not people she was close to.

They'd never spoken to her before. Why now, of all times?

"U-um, hi, do you know us? Ha-ha, this is Ian, and I'm—"

"I know. You're Rui."

The moment Elline said her name, the girl with light green hair startled visibly.

"You… you know me?"

Having her name spoken by someone she'd looked up to sent the girl nearly bouncing with delight—but Elline didn't pay that much mind.

"Where are you headed?"

"The library."

"O-oh, you're busy?"

"…"

Elline continued to watch them with the same blank expression, and Rui's face fell again, her earlier excitement deflating.

"Rui."

Ian, standing beside her, muttered impatiently, and Rui quickly lifted her head.

"Oh, right, yeah…"

Rui took a slow, deep breath, then began to speak.

"At the end of next month—the Spring Festival Tournament. You know about it, right?"

The Spring Festival Tournament.

A festival hosted by the academy.

Over three days, it featured a variety of events, one of which was the tournament itself. Unlike the regular assessment exams, it was more of an exhibition competition—its prestige wasn't particularly high—but since it did factor into grades to some degree, plenty of students took it seriously.

"So?"

"This time, Sereen and Tirion both said they're entering. They've already put together their own teams."

She already knew.

News of the two rising stars entering the tournament—both often mentioned in the same breath as Elline—had stirred up excitement around the competition. But for Elline herself, it had barely registered.

"I know."

At that flat reply, the two girls exchanged a glance before looking back at Elline.

"…You might not know this about us, but I—and Ian too—we really need this. We have to place in the upper rankings this time."

Rui fidgeted with her fingers as she spoke, and Elline could already see where this was going.

"So… would you be willing to enter with us? We won't hold you back—we're Alpha Class too…!"

Elline studied their eyes for a moment.

Rui's gaze, trembling with nerves. Ian's expression, feigning indifference but betraying a quiet anxiety. Both spoke plainly of how much this meant to them.

Unlike the top-ranked students whose positions rarely shifted, those in the murky middle of the rankings fought fiercely to hold onto their spots in Alpha Class.

But still.

"Sorry."

"…Oh."

Elline simply wasn't interested.

Partly because she hadn't entered in the past two years to begin with—so it was only natural. And partly because, at a time when things were only going to get busier, there was no real reason to take part in a competition like this. She declined, politely.

"O-okay… I'm sorry, Elline."

Rui's shoulders drooped with disappointment, but she managed a faint smile and nodded.

"Thank you for hearing us out."

Ian patted Rui on the back, shot Elline one brief glance, then looked away.

"See? I told you."

"Hey, you're seriously—!"

Elline watched the two of them bicker for a moment, then quietly turned and walked on.

*The Spring Festival Tournament.*

The thought surfaced in her mind once more—and she let it go.

* * *

An Alpha Class student I'd never spoken a word to came up to me.

The reason: they wanted me to arrange a chance for them to talk with Elline.

"Why come to me just to talk to Elline…?"

Rui, fidgeting with a strand of her light green hair, forced herself to speak.