For the next three days, Selena was very moody. Of course, she didn't say anything out of anger or behaved strangely. In fact, she continued teaching him.
However, Nathan could feel her gaze was much more intense, as if she were wary of Noelle, who might come again.
While looking at the mission detail Noelle gave, Fenrir asked, "What are you thinking? It seems that you haven't been happy in the last few days? Is it related to that lass? Why? I feel like you two have been pretty close."
"Mhmm…" Nathan mumbled while staring outside the window.
"From the way I see it, that girl seems to have a feeling for you." Anubis expressed his opinion with a solemn face.
"I don't know. If I think about it logically, the fact that she doesn't have the support of her family despite being so talented means her relationship with her family is bad, right? I don't know what happens between them, I'm just thinking…" Nathan let out a long sigh.
"…she switches her dependency from her family to you? Are you worried that it's not a genuine feeling, but fear?" Anubis squinted his eyes.
"Something like that. I know yours truly is a charming man, but I don't like to take advantage of a person like that." Nathan shrugged. "That's just me though."
"If…" Anubis paused for a moment as Fenrir also tilted his head to the door.
Confused, Nathan turned to the door and heard several knocks on the door. When he opened it, he found Alisha holding a piece of cloth in her arms.
"Alisha?" Nathan raised his eyebrows and opened the door. "Please come in."
"It's fine. It's not going to take long. I've heard that you are going on a mission tomorrow. The mission should be quite easy for Noelle, but it's extremely dangerous for you.
"I'm not planning to stop you or anything because this will be a great experience. Mistress might not come, but she entrusted this coat to me." Alisha handed the black coat that stretched to his knee.
"Thank you. What is this coat? I feel like it's not something ordinary." Nathan inspected the coat.
"Indeed. It's extremely durable and the springiness will reduce the impact a lot. After seeing how you are always beaten up, the mistress thinks this coat will be perfect for you."
"Alisha. You know that your words are actually sharper than a sword from time to time, right?"
"Oh my. How careless of me." Alisha chuckled but had no intention of fixing it. "Anyway, please wear this coat with you. Even though the mistress wants you to be independent, she won't leave you alone either."
"Thank you. I'll definitely wear it." Nathan nodded.
"I believe I don't have to tell you anything about how to perform on a mission since you are such a smart, young master. I just hope that you come back fine."
"I will." Nathan smiled, assuring her.
"In that case, I'll take my leave." Alisha politely bowed. As she was about to turn, she remembered another thing. "That's right. The item you requested is a bit hard to get. The mistress and others are discussing it since it's a sacred item. Please wait until they make a decision."
"Don't worry." Nathan waved his hand as he watched Alisha leave.
The next morning, Nathan actually found Selena waiting for him near the dorm's entrance.
"Selena?" Nathan frowned.
Seeing the new coat Nathan was wearing, Selena was able to confirm what she was planning to say.
At first, she wanted to tell him not to go, but she realized that Nathan would definitely not miss this opportunity. Instead, her request just might distract him during the mission.
That was why Selena said, "Please be careful."
Nathan looked startled for a moment before smiling. "I will. Thank you."
She thought about giving something, but she had sold all her items just to escape from her family.
It was actually Nathan that took out an item. "Take this."
Selena tilted her head in confusion. "A crystal?"
"If you pour your Ena into it, you will roughly see the number of Ena you have. Remember my test answers, right?"
"Oh!" Selena nodded. "Are you sure it's fine to give this to me?"
"Yeah. The person who gave it to me surely wouldn't mind either." Nathan could at least trust Selena that much. In fact, he expected a great thing for her since he didn't even bother saying what she could do with it.
"Thank you. I'll use this to get stronger."
"We both need not only cores, but also materials for the next summoning. After this, let's go on a mission together. You help me, and I help you."
"!!!" Selena was taken aback by Nathan's suggestion. Just like when she got Lilitu, Selena smiled for the second time. "Yes."
"…" Nathan rubbed his cheek embarrassedly. "Anyway, I'll be leaving."
Seeing the awkward back steeled her resolve. She summoned Risa and Sasha.
"Are you sure about this? He might go forever, you know."
"If you want to learn the art of seduction, I can teach you a thing or two, even though it's not my specialty."
Selena's expression turned solemn. "When my father was missing, my mother couldn't do anything. And it ended up making my life miserable. He is strong and unique. Even the student council has approved him.
"If he ends up missing, what happens to my family will repeat again. That's why it has to be both ways.
"For the next few days, I want you to fight me. There is something I would like to try."
Risa frowned. "Are you sure? I won't hold back, you know."
"You? I want both of you to fight me at the same time." Selena tied her hair into a ponytail. "Before meeting Sasha, I don't know what I'm supposed to do. But this time, I have a clear goal in mind. That's why I hope both of you can accompany me."
Risa smiled while Sasha nodded her head.