POV: Thalia Arken
"W-what exactly do you think you're doing?" Thalia asked, her voice more breathy than intended. She didn't even know the student's name yet. But she was almost certain he'd hit his head in some place.
What kind of boy -young and handsome- would dare to approach her like this?
"You're beautiful. Too beautiful to be true."
She froze.
No one had ever spoken to her like that. Her breathing changed a bit as her hands instinctively went to her chest. As if that would somehow protect her body, and her mind.
But instead of stopping, the boy took one more fearless step forward and gently raised his hand toward her hair.
Silky and crimson strands spilled over her shoulders, long enough to fall to her wrists.
"So soft," he murmured, fingers threading carefully through her locks.
"Touching your beautiful hair feels amazing. They really made a good job while making you."
Did he praise my parents?
A boy-no, a young and handsome man was stroking her hair while standing this close. It was like time slowed and a slow motion effects started for her.
A stunned Thalia found her attention slipping from his words to the other little details.
His hands were so gentle. No calluses. No roughness.
Long fingers. Why are his fingers so smooth and silky
Before she realized it, her breathing deepened. Her chest rose and fell more visibly now.
"I'm Orion, by the way," he asked her name a second time with a lopsided grin.
"And you, gorgeous?"
Thalia heard the words, but her brain stalled.
He just called me gorgeous.
Doesn't he really know who I am. Or how old I am?
He thinks I'm beautiful!? What do I say?
I hope he didn't realize my age already.What if my voice gives my age away?
Should I pitch it higher, like a young girl?
In that moment, she forgot everything about the maze or the exam. She deleted the reasons she was there and all of her responsibilities from her mind in a quick second.
She even damned the details like this boy wasn't even twenty yet.
Who cares!
Not me!
It was the first time someone had ever treated her like this!
"I'm Thalia," she said with sparkling eyes. "Have you really never seen me before?"
Still toying with her hair, Orion tilted his head. He was clearly trying to recall something.
"Trust me, Thalia. If I'd seen someone as stunning as you before, I'd never forget."
Stunning?
I'm fifty-five! What age does he think I am?!
Better not ask..
But he really thinks I'm his age.
And he truly doesn't know who I am?
I could feel if he was lying. My abilities are working fine..
She didn't say anything as Orion finally let go of her hair and began inspecting her armor. His expression a mix of awe and curiosity as if seeing armor for the first time in his life.
Such long eyelashes...
Even with her heart thundering in her chest, Thalia managed to lift her wrist and activate the slim bracelet she wore. It was a personal artifact soul bound to her from her teenage years.
A projection only she can see flared to life as she hurriedly typed "Orion." Dozens of results came up, but none matched the boy in front of her.
Scrolling faster, she reached a restricted personnel list.
Orion Vale: Academic Support and Civilian Quota - Accepted
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
Accepted to the school already. And only through the written exam?
Then why is he here?
She opened the files with her maximum access level on student information. Everything about him would show itself.
Midka Academy - Full Registry:
Name: Orion Vale
Date of Birth: 11th Nuvareon, Year 861 (19 years old)
Appearance: Black Hair, Dark-Blue Eyes.
Height: 179 cm / 5'9"
Weight: 71 kg / 156.5 lbs
Background: Firstborn of Vale Family, has a mother and a sister
Specialization: Advanced Academic Support / Civil Services
Mana Value: 0 – No Mana Training
Combat Rating: Not Measured
Written Exam Score: 880/1000
Written Exam Rank: 191 / 440,000
"191.."
RANK 191!
What the hell is someone like him doing here!Also who was dumb enough to let him into a battlefield.
How did he make it this far in this hell maze?
I have too many questions.
But one thing I am certain is he must be really smart apart from being this handsome.
He is awesome!
..
As she spiraled into questions, Thalia felt Orion's long fingers slowly reach out again. This time, touching her right hand.
"Even your hand is beautiful Thalia. Why is it so smooth and soft?"
Thalia Arken, the most powerful human on the planet took an emotional hit. A critical hit to her heart.
Her brain stopped. Literally.
She gave up being rational and mature.
She wanted to have this moment and have fun.
She forgot how to breathe. She just stared at the boy's - Orion's face. His eyes looked kind, innocent and curious.
He's holding my hand.
A young and handsome man was holding her hand!
With cheeks flushing deep red, Thalia the almighty headmistress locked eyes with the boy.
He was admiring her like she was some rare precious treasure.
Then Thalia seriously imagined a weird possibility.
"What if I became selfish?"
Can I act like a new-student for a while?
Also, does Orion realise that he is naked right now? I can see everything!!!
It is big—I mean he is my type! Yeah..
Is he single?
Doesn't matter.
No one can take him away from me anyways.
I saw him first.
He is mine!