Maria straightened the ribbon on her wrist as she walked down the corridor silently . Her brown dress whirled around her thighs. The fabric caught the morning light just so, and her elegantly arranged, shiny crimson hair made her extra glow in the sunlight. Eyes followed as she walked by like goddess of beauty proceeding to the hall .
Every male student passing by froze, struck silent by her beauty. Even some girls flushed red, whispering in envy.
She stopped before a certain door, knocked twice, waited…
No answer.
Maria's lips drawing a cute pout. she murmured, " Figures,"
She thoughtfully placed her hand on the door pushing slightly, and it creaked open
Screech!
Revealing what looked like a disaster zone. The room looked less like a normal room a teenage year old guy should have and more like the aftermath of a war. Books lay spread throughout the floor as if someone dancing and reading at the same time with books, mixing with displaced clothes almirah one door is slightly open . The curtains were closed, covering the last source of light to illuminate the room, making it seem like he was trying to avoid the sun as if he is some vampire.
low light barely visible the room, Abraham was lying on his bed, shirtless and dressed in only a black pants, asleep. He was sleeping into some weird position, both leg twisted and two arms wide open like he's hugging someone in his dream, even gravity didn't want to deal with him anymore. His pale, muscular body glowed softly in the dark, and his face was calm, no scar or mark of the battle he have yesterday, lips a little open.
Maria stopped and stared for a second.. Then—
"Wah—!"
Her face went bright sweet red like tomato in an instant. She jumped back, hands flying up to hide her face, which was now the same color as her cheeks. "I shouldn't see this, I shouldn't see " she blurted out it, spinning around like doll.
The sound made Abraham stir. He grumbled, rubbed the sleep from his eyes, and slowly stood up from bed laziness still in his eyes. Not really caring about Maria's presence, he just yanked open the left side door of closet, snagged a fresh, clean shirt, and wore it quickly.
He asked in even tone "Why are you here, this too early in the morning, Maria?" voice still heavy with sleep.
Maria peeked between her fingers. "I—I just came to check if you're okay! Joel said they found you beaten up in the courtyard last night. After the infirmary treated you, they moved you here. So I came to see if you're alive or… you know, still in one piece!"
Abraham stretched his arms, cracking his neck. "I'm fine. One night's all I need to get my strength back."
"I see…" she murmured, still red.
He glanced at her. "You know, I'm not naked anymore. You can move your hands now."
"N-no I'm fine this way, don't mind me" she said her voice is shaking. "Actually, I was, I wanted to ask you something, Lik.."
"Hey, do you know where Jennifer is? Is she still in infirmary ?" Abraham asked
"You don't know? Yesterday, right after you left in a hurry, a group of nobles came for her. About ten carriages — just to take her home. They even brought a doctor along."
"I see… indeed, a noble should receive a noble's treatment."
Maria's blush deepened. "Well… if your body's okay, then… will you… will you—"
He blinked. "Will I what?"
"Will.. will you go out with me ?" she shouted suddenly out of the blue, voice loud enough to shake the curtains.
Abraham tilted his head. "What?"
For a second, silence. Then Abraham blinked again, utterly calm.
"Heck yeah, I know what you mean."
Maria's face turned redder than a fire ruby. She looked like she might faint.
"You… you know what I mean?" she stammered.
"Of course. Every man knows what 'go out with me' means."
"Y-you do?"
"Heck yeah. You mean sparring, right? So where are we sparring today? In the dorm courtyard?"
Before Maria could respond, the familiar yellow system screen blinked into existence.
[You are dying single.]
Abraham stared blankly. "…What the hell, System? Did I say something stupid again?"
Maria sighed in relief, lowering her hands. Then she looked at him softly. "We're going to the garden. And you'll be walking with me."
He scratched his head still in confusion why garden to choose over dorm. "So… we're sparring in the garden?"
Maria smiled sweetly. "Yeah. Something like that."
Few minutes later Abraham take a coat that spread in the floor, and then they walked side by side under the warm sunlight morning. Whispers followed them through the academy paths—everyone staring at the unlikely pair.
Abraham, tall and broad, in his black coat. Maria, glowing like spring incarnate beside him. Together, they looked almost… perfect.
"So," Abraham said, trying to sound casual. "Hey, I was thinking since you know lot about beast, hollow cry and stuff so you know anything about the thing like "Beast God"?"
Maria tilted her head, surprised from the sudden question. "The Beast God? A little. After seeing Lucias Hiemer that day, I did some research." Her tone turned more serious. "He's said to be the master of one of the Beast Gods."
Abraham's gaze flickered. Of course. What else could I expect from the strongest?
Maria continued, brushing her hair behind her ear. "There are three Beast Gods known to be under mortal control. The number of corrupted ones, though… is unknown. One of the masters died, and with him, his Beast perished. Another one—the 'Blaming Sand God' is tied to someone from the "Private Society." No one outside their circle knows who."
Abraham hummed, thoughtful. "And the last?"
Her lips curved slightly. "The one the world knows best. 'The human god' Lucias Hiemer. His Beast is Trakon Titan Loope."
Abraham's steps slowed. The title lingered in his mind. The human god.
Maria looked at him with a glorious look, and smiled gently. "Let me guess you are thinking about like fighting him one day, aren't you?"
He's corner of mouth curled up in a soft smile. "Maybe. But not yet."
They stopped at the garden. The scent wet blossom and wet leaf surrounding the air and even though the morning is set but still the weather is foggy in wind. Flower petals were reflecting in the golden glow of sunlight.
Maria turned to him, her cheeks still faintly pink, in embarrassing tone "You know… this is nice."
Abraham shrugged. "Yeah. Better than fighting monsters, at least."
She giggled softly. "You can be sweet sometimes."
He looked genuinely puzzled by her reaction. "Sweet? how am I sweet."
She shook her head, laughing like she heard the history best joke. "You really don't get it, how cute?"
The System popped up again, yellow screen.
[New title unlocked: Oblivious Hero – Dense Beyond Redemption.]
Abraham groaned. "And why the heck this yellow screen popping up today too much."