After I woke up, I had breakfast quickly and went to school with Lily. I was looking forward to talking to Mary as I decided to accept her proposal.

Lily and I were walking to school, and again was full of guards on the streets.

'I have to ask dad what's going on'

After a while we got back to school. And again Mary was at the school entrance waiting for us.

After we greeted each other, we went into the classroom.

When the break came, I went to Mary's desk and decided to talk about the tournament with her.

"Mary" (Endl)

Mary, her head lowered, jerked her head up with a start.

'She was sleeping?'

It's okay if she's sleeping, even I sometimes feel like sleeping with this boring class.

"Oh hi Endl" (Mary)

Mary answered me shyly when she saw that I called her, apparently she was ashamed of the fright she took. She was avoiding looking straight at me, but what a rude girl.

"So, about me being your tournament partner" (Endl)

"But wasn't it supposed to be tomorrow?" (Mary)

Yes, tomorrow would be the 3 day limit she gave me, but as I was too rushed to respond, I decided to talk to her today. She must be thinking that I will refuse, because I decided to respond too early?

After a while talking, I realized that the break was ending.

'Damn I forgot'

"Mary, meet me at the same cafe, after class" (Endl)

After making the proposal, I left without even hearing Mary's answer, I think she will go there, since she is waiting for my answer. I hope she hasn't given up on pairing with me, as someone else may have asked her to be your match.

____________________________________

After class, I said Lily could go to the inn. I told her I was meeting Mary at the coffee shop. After I told Lily that, she laughed at me again and left..

'This girl has strange thoughts'

After saying goodbye to Lily I headed toward the coffee shop.

When I got there, Mary was already sitting waiting for me. She was already eating a piece of cake and drinking coffee too.

'Did I take so long?'

I guess it didn't take long, how did she have time to ask for it all?

When I saw Mary eating, I noticed that the cafe was practically empty, not many people, like the first day I came here.

'It has to do with the guards in the street?'

I didn't know if that was the reason, but I think that's most likely.

"Hello" (Endl)

Mary who was eating absently looked at me with her fork in her mouth.

"Oh hello" (Mary)

Mary didn't care much and kept eating her cake. This cake must be very tasty hahaha.

"So, about the proposal to be your partner" (Endl)

"Will you refuse?" (Mary)

Mary asked a direct question. I also thought she would find that, since I wanted to meet her before the scheduled time.

"Well, I decided to pair up with you" (Endl)

"R-Really?" (Mary)

Mary who was sitting, jumped out of the chair and took my hand, apparently she was very happy with my answer.

Realizing she was holding my hand, her face turned red and she sat down again.

"Yes, since Lily has already paired with a friend, I don't think I need to worry about her" (Endl)

"So now we are officially a pair for the right tournament?" (Mary)

Mary was very happy about that, she really wanted me to be her match, right?

"But why pair up so early?" (Endl)

I decided to ask, as it is still too early, we are still far from the tournament.

"Well, we have to train a lot, so most people form their pairs at the beginning of the year" (Mary)

"So that's it" (Endl)

After that we keep talking. We decided to train every day after class. Let's train in the school training camp. It seems like a lot of people train there after class.

After we finished our conversation, I said goodbye to Mary and went to the inn.

_____________________________________

After I arrived at the inn I found Lily and my father sitting at a table.

As it was a little late, my father was already here.

"So how was your date? Fufufu" (Lily)

"It wasn't a date" (Endl)

Wasn't this a date, right? I wasn't thinking that way since I just wanted to answer your proposal.

"So you have reached this age Endl" (Helbert)

"I already said it wasn't a date" (Endl)

"Okay, I know fufufu" (Lily)

Lily was making me angry about this, so I didn't even get to dinner, just showered and went to sleep. I don't want Lily to think of weird things.

I think that was not a date.

'It wasn't, right?'

____________________

Mary's Status

Name: Mary

Level: 4

Race: Human

Age: 12

Strength: 22

Agility: 17

Intelligence: 29

Mana: 214/214

Skills

Wind Magic - Level 1

Weapon Abilities

Sword Talent - Level 1/10