Aethernea : Soulbound [Book 1]

Episode 42 - Mana Control Exam Start!

In the previous Episode:

After finishing the exam, Elaru and Arion meet Kiel. Kiel doesn't like Arion while Arion seems clueless of the fact and acts overly friendly with the duo.

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Elaru smirked and retorted with: "That's a secret. Let's just say...I know Kiel better than anyone." She winked again. This time, Kiel wasn't sure whether it was to him or Arion.

Either way, her statement left him speechless. Unfortunate but true.

Only then did he realize how wrong it was for a person who he met 3 days ago to actually be the closest one to him. He didn't even like the girl, and she was already the closest thing to a friend or family he had.

This was...miserable...wasn't it?

He quickly turned around and asked in hopes of interrupting the barrage of questions. "Shall we go?" He motioned towards the staircase. They had no reason to continue chatting in front of the classroom.

Elaru and Arion nodded, and the three of them started walking towards the exit. To steer the conversation off of his relationship with Elaru, Kiel spoke up. "Did you do well on your first test?"

Luckily, Arion seemed to bite: "Not as well as Elaru. But I guess it was fine." He shrugged.

"Don't let his easygoing manner fool you. Other than me, his score was the highest in our group." Elaru added.

"Oh?" Kiel smiled. "Congratulations."

Arion smiled widely and spoke humbly. "I'm not that good really. I should be able to pass the exams, but I'll probably be somewhere in the middle. Nothing to brag about."

"Passing the exams is already something to brag about." Kiel smiled warmly, while inside he was cursing. It wouldn't be good if he passed. He is obviously overly friendly and doesn't know when to take a hike. What would I do if he used us knowing each other as an excuse to associate with me in the future?

I don't know if he is ignorant or thick-skinned.

"Oy, Elaru. You brought him along. Now find a way to get rid of him."

Elaru chuckled telepathically. "What? You don't like him? I think he is amusing."

"He is a chatterbox that keeps asking endless questions and acting too familiar. He is also an Urwin. Enough said."

Kiel expected Elaru to ask him what he meant by that. However, surprisingly, it looked like she actually knew what kind of business the Urwins ran.

"I thought you wouldn't make hasty judgments on someone's personality based on their family name. Would you want people to group you together with your grandfather or brother?"

Touché. Inwardly, Kiel frowned, however, his outwards expression didn't change in the slightest. "Him being an Urwin is just an additional minus point. His behavior is the main issue."

"Why is being friendly a bad thing? Afraid you'd actually gain a friend for the first time?" Kiel sent her a glare when Arion wasn't looking. Elaru chuckled silently. "I hate to break it to you Kiel, but based on what I've seen, he will most certainly pass the exams. Since we'll be attending the same university, making friends early would be beneficial."

"We've already made friends. Now is the time to part ways."

Kiel looked at Arion, who was clueless to their inner communication. "How about you Kiel? Do you mind me calling you Kiel? How did your exam go?" Arion steered the conversation back to Kiel.