After a glass of juice was unceremoniously spilled on my clothes, I stood up, grumbling. It certainly didn't go unnoticed, with a mix of pity, laughter, mockery, and John scoffing with a slightly smirking face.
I couldn't believe this guy was my brother-in-law.
Shaking my head in exasperation, Victor approached me with a conflicted expression, glaring disapprovingly at Jiren's back.
"Are you okay, Amael?" he asked in a cold tone. He didn't mind them cursing him, but when it came to his friends, he was quick-tempered.
"No problem," I shrugged.
"I will talk to them," Victor said, determined.
I smiled and patted his shoulders. "Thanks, Victor, but it's okay."
"I will call you if I can't handle it," I gently cut him off.
Putting aside John, who was trolling me, I was quite moved by Victor's approach. Everyone else was just looking from the side. I couldn't blame them; they didn't even know me. Celeste was standing, though. As for my acquaintances, I expected at least Sirius to help me, but he was at his table, gazing at us with an unreadable expression.
Was he awkward since Victor came first?
"Thanks anyway," I said while wiping my shirt with a tissue.
Let's first deal with this exam.
With that thought in mind, I headed to the library of the castle. I wasn't the only one; there might be information about mana beasts, and hopefully, we could find the mana beast assigned to us. The library was in the eastern aisle of the palace, so it took quite a bit of time for me to reach this place.
There were guards there, but they didn't try to stop us, as expected. As I entered, I found the place already filled with students.
"Excuse me, I'm looking for a book about mana beasts," I asked one of the workers. "Probably wingless and with a greenish skin? No feathers nor hair, I suppose," I added.
The woman nodded with a smile and led me toward one of the rows of books. "These rows are listed with mana beasts corresponding to the characteristics you have told me, sir," she said and left like that.
"Thanks, I guess," I grimaced, seeing dozens of rows in front of me filled to the brim with books.
I picked a few books and took a seat on a nearby chair.
"Huh?" I snapped awake, the book sliding off my face.
Before me stood the same woman who had guided me here. She smiled and pointed at her watch. "It's past 2 a.m., sir. You should head to your room."
I'd dozed off after hours of reading with nothing to show for it.
"I'll take care of them. Don't worry," she assured.
I nodded my thanks and left. "Appreciate it."
Suppressing a yawn, I stepped out of the library. I was the last one left. Glancing at my phone, I noticed a message from John with our room number.
"How considerate," I muttered, making my way back to the room. After entering the code on the door panel, I stepped inside to find my roommates sound asleep.
Two bunk beds. Sirius was on the top of one, legs threatening to spill over the edge, head buried in his pillow. Below him, Victor slept peacefully, but his snoring could rival a monster's.
On the other bed, John mirrored Sirius's sleeping position and added some snores for harmony. With his pajama he looked ridiculous, contrasting his cold and neat image he showed everyone.
I couldn't resist snapping a quick picture of John, then slumped onto the bed below his with a sigh.
There's no way I'm sleeping tonight.
"Amael? You're already up?" Sirius descended and asked, surprised to find me seated in front of a desk.
Not like I managed to sleep anyway.
"What are you doing?" Victor also woke up and asked curiously, leaning his head.
After writing the final words: "I love you wifey.", I folded the letters.
I had nothing else to do, so I wrote down the usual letters I'd send to Layla, Miranda, and Aunt Belle.
"I love you wifey?" Sirius muttered aloud.
It was embarrassing to hear my words, honestly.
"Who could that be?" Victor asked with a grin.
"His imaginary girlfriend, don't pay him any attention, guys."
I winced hearing John's voice.
"At least I have one," I snorted and put the three letters in my spatial bracelet. "You are the only one without one, Johnny."
"Fuck off, Sirius doesn't have either," John retorted with a glare.
"No, he has Sephira," I shrugged.
"W-what?! W-Wait, guys!" Sirius was visibly embarrassed by my words.
"What about me then?" Victor, confused, pointed at himself.
"You have a harem of Selene, Celeste, and Cylien," John said.
"Huh?!" Victor's brain short-circuited.
Well, he wasn't entirely wrong.
"No way…" Sirius looked at his half-brother with an impressed expression.
Victor felt even more embarrassed by Sirius' gaze. "There is a misunderstanding, guys…"
"I was pretty sure you loved only one girl though?" Sirius said with a thoughtful expression.
"Well, yes…that's what I'm saying that I don't have any harem…" Victor said.
"You like a girl?" I couldn't hold back a question.
I thought he liked no one at this stage, or at least he wasn't aware of his own feelings.
Victor fidgeted, scratching his cheeks nervously. "Y-Yeah... But she probably doesn't like me… ahaha."
"Who is she?" John's gaze turned serious and determined.
We all held our breath, waiting for Victor to speak, but he eventually shook his head. "I-I can't say it… it's hard… I can't…"
"Come on," I took a step closer. "Sirius told us, right? It's your turn now."
"W-Wait! I never said Sephira was my girlfriend!" Sirius objected, but I ignored him.
Victor gulped, meeting my serious gaze. He then pointed at John. "John d-didn't say anything though?!"
Clicking my tongue, I looked at John for a moment. "It's Amelia for him."
"What?!" Victor and Sirius were dumbfounded.
"You are dead," John suddenly jumped at me.
I struggled to push him away. "Piss off! We need to know who is Victor-"
"Why are you spouting bullshit about me then?!" John snapped.
"I'm just trying to convince him, fucker!" I glared at him.
"Calm down, guys!" Victor and Sirius quickly separated us. After that, we headed together for breakfast awkwardly. Sirius wasn't even daring to make eye contact with his brother and me, hanging next to John while I stayed with Victor, ignoring John's glare. Victor was certainly even more awkward, so I chose not to force the identity of his crush right now.