My moments of confusion were short as I regained composure and my frown deepened.
"Why should I like you?" I countered.
I expected Ralph to be bewildered by my counter, but to my surprise, the boy just froze and began pondering. A few seconds passed and he glanced at me, shaking his head.
"No reason," he answered honestly. "But I want to be your teammate. So our friendship can start from there," he added.
To be honest, I had never felt so helpless. Everyone I had spoken to until now had a hidden tone filled with intent. Some malicious, others sinister, and some even outright nasty—but this boy's words lacked any hidden tone.
It felt like he was spitting out everything as it came to mind.
[Innocence of a child. It's interesting to see someone of noble birth with such a transparent personality.]
Even Lyxor couldn't help but comment.
Pa! Pa!
My gaze shifted to Miss Joanne, who wore a look of annoyance—but it wasn't fixated on me.
It was Ralph.
"The academy will assign a partner to Lord Blackwater," Miss Joanne's voice oozed with hostility. "One that can match up to his capabilities. Not a D-rated potential student like yourself."
D-rated?
My gaze shifted to Ralph, whose face was burning red with embarrassment. It was clear he was fighting to hold back tears.
I wasn't sure what was more surprising—Miss Joanne's sudden involvement in my private discussion, or her clear display of hostility toward a ten-year-old.
Isn't he a noble?
I'm just an honorary baron, but she dares not speak to me in this manner. The fact that Ralph has a last name means he is from nobility.
So how could she speak to him this way?
'Am I missing something important?' I blinked in confusion.
[I believe so,] Lyxor affirmed my suspicion.
"But students get to pick on their own. It's his decision who becomes his partner, not you." Ralph didn't back down easily.
His voice was shaky, but he still voiced his thoughts. This, I could respect.
Miss Joanne froze and glanced at me with an expression that screamed 'shit, I just got caught' before shifting her attention back to Ralph.
"You brat!"
"Talking to nobility will get you killed, Madam Joanne."
My head snapped toward the entrance, only to see four figures blocking the doors while several other students waited behind them obediently.
The person that spoke was no more than thirteen years old, but he had this air of maturity that could be seen in elderly men. His unique white hair, brows, and eyes reminded me of Doctor Bruce Ainsworth.
[Silver Ainsworth… He is the youngest and arguably the most talented member of the Ainsworth family and the leader of the God Sect. Rumor has it that he is the most likely to succeed the patriarch of the Ainsworth family, even though he has uncles, siblings, and cousins thrice his age,] Lyxor explained, and I nodded absentmindedly.
My eyes were on Miss Joanne, who quickly fell to her knees and lowered her head. This left me even more shaken, because how can a homeroom teacher kneel to her student?
In what world does this make sense?
"I was just—"
"Even if the Ashford family are fallen nobility, they are still nobles regardless. A position you have failed to attain in all your years of service." Silver was ruthless, and his voice was cold and emotionless. "Apologize."
Miss Joanne's face snapped up in shock, glancing directly at Silver before shifting to Ralph, who was just as stunned as myself.
"I apologize for my harsh words, Master Ralph," she said in a solemn voice.
For a moment, I wondered if my brain was playing tricks on me. If I were to tell someone a thirteen-year-old boy made a woman in her mid-thirties kneel and apologize, people would probably call me a liar.
My gaze snapped back to Silver, and this time his eyes were on me—cold and calculating. But the next moment, a playful smile bloomed on his face, and the presence of an elderly man was replaced with that of a child.
'What the hell is this kid?'
My instincts were on overdrive, screaming danger. Silver waved at me before walking toward a random seat. Alex Briggs, who stood beside him, nodded in my direction and followed Silver, but the last two people stood there.
The first was a boy with long black hair tied back into a ponytail. He was dressed in dark clothes, and even his eyes were a ball of darkness. His gaze seemed haunting, like it was looking past me and not at me—it was truly disturbing to look at.
[Dean Hall, or popularly known as Zero. He is rumored to be the strongest member of the Big Four new generation,] Lyxor explained while my eyes drifted to the last person.
Beside him was a girl with unique sand-colored hair and slightly pale skin. She seemed a bit more fragile in comparison, but her eyes were calculating and mischievous.
Her gaze met mine, but her figure was soon blocked by Dean, who frowned at me before leading the girl away.
'Are they dating or something?' I couldn't help but wonder. 'Are thirteen-year-olds allowed to date here?'
[The last person is Maya Walker,] Lyxor said plainly, and I raised an eyebrow.
'What's this?' I couldn't help but wonder. 'Don't tell me you don't know anything about her?'
[My means of gathering information is very limited. It's only natural I don't know everything.] Lyxor seemed unbothered by my question.
Soon, other students began pouring into the class. I noticed many glances thrown my way—longing to associate with the kid who whooped Alex Briggs' ass—but when they saw Ralph seated beside me, they could only sigh and walk away.
It didn't matter to me, though. In fact, I felt thankful Ralph was seated next to me. He was like a people repellant, and I was curious to know why.
'A lot is going on. I guess my stay here won't be as boring as I thought.' The edges of my lips curled at the thought.