Bab 48: Getting a Teammate

"No, you are going to hear it." She smiled as she managed to tag Theo out, but in a more "forceful" way.

She sat on his back and stopped him from escaping. "Anyway, since we have limited time, I will cut to the chase. If you join my group, I will let you set the conditions of our group. You can say that I can't go near you while we are here. I believe this is what you want, right?"

"…" Theo gritted his teeth and fell silent. This news was like that of a sweet candy in his mouth. Alea wouldn't bother him again, meaning that his exposure wouldn't increase and he would become a public enemy. At the same time, he would get the most powerful teammate he could hope for. Even Theo, who didn't want trouble, was tempted by this offer.

Seeing a bit of hesitation remained in Theo's eyes, she released one more shot right to his heart. "And if you agree, I can understand your power level and give you something like a skill or weapon to train. How about it?"

Theo thought for a moment and nodded. "I understand. But I want to set the conditions first before I agree to become your partner. If I see that it's impossible, I won't accept."

"Find." She pouted as she released him. "You're a hard man to get, aren't you? There are twenty minutes left, so let's make it fast."

Theo shrugged and asked. "Although the answer is obvious, I really want to confirm it first. Are you sure it's alright with me?"

"Yes." She smiled. "Besides, I believe you already know the real meaning behind this training camp, right?"

"I realized it once I heard we have free time on Sunday," Theo admitted and explained. "The sooner you form a group, the better. After all, you can bring your partner to hunt some monsters, allowing you to understand each other's fighting style better. In other words, your teamwork will be better than most of the guys out there."

"Exactly. Unfortunately, I can't train with you because of what I think you want, but I don't want to push it either. Hence, I will be satisfied with just four Sundays. That's the only condition I want to set."

"I don't mind as long as we can meet up in another place." He might have said that, but inwardly, he asked himself. 'Will Master be angry if I do this? I will tell her tonight.'

"Sure."

"As for the condition, I don't want you to get close to me during the training."

"I understand. I won't bother you anymore as long as you agree to be my partner."

"Alright. That's the only condition I have. Or at least for now."

"Then, I think I will tell you the reason why I choose you over the others. Actually, I only have one reason."

"One reason?" Theo narrowed his eyes as he was afraid she knew about his other identity.

"Yes. I may have the ability to read someone, but I don't have the confidence to make a great plan and think about the aftereffect. From what I can see, you are the calmest guy among the first-year students."

"So, you want me to plan everything for you?"

"No. I want you to stop me if I'm too reckless. I'm sure you can do that, considering how you can actually talk to me this whole time."

"…" Theo felt like he was trapped the moment he met this woman.

"Anyway, I will give you some benefit since I personally choose you. However, I need to see your ability first this Sunday to know what to give, alright?"

"I understand. I don't expect much from the gift anyway." Theo shrugged.

"Fine, fine. Anyway, I will inform Major Sam about this, so he could register our names. Is that fine?"

Theo nodded and stretched his hand.

Alea shook his hand with a big smile. "Good. I'm counting on you, Partner."

"Likewise." Theo let out a long sigh, knowing that he was defeated in this battle.

"That's right. I think I have enough right to ask about your status, right? I don't mean your real status, but the status that the Fighter Temple issues." Alea then activated her Skylink and showed her status.

Name: Alea Eilric

Level: 148

Job: Magic Warrior

Attributes: Strength A, Endurance A, Agility B, Vitality C, Magic Power C

"This is my status. I updated it yesterday, so it's accurate."

Theo thought for a moment and opened his Skylink to open the ID Card, showing it to her.

Name: Theodore Griffith

Level: 24

Job: Fighter

Attributes: Strength B, Endurance D, Agility C, Vitality D, Magic Power C

"Hmm…" She narrowed her eyes, feeling that something wasn't right. "Your status… Are you sure it's like this? When was the last time you updated your status? I feel like your power is much higher than that of a Level 24 fighter."

"Two days ago." Seeing that they would form a group, he decided to disclose his level…Only his level. "I am Level 46 right now."

"!!!" Alea dropped her jaw, staring at him with an empty gaze.

"Now I can see why Laust lost against you. Ahaha, to think everything turns into my favor. What did they say again…" Alea recalled the thing she read not long ago and smiled. "I came looking for copper, but I found gold."

"Ehm. That's already so outdated." Theo shook his head helplessly.

"But isn't that funny? I mean, people are literally laughing at it."

"They must be your subordinates or someone lower than you." Theo shrugged."

That statement literally shut her up as she flinched and looked away before changing the topic. "Anyway, I believe that in this training camp, you can raise your Strength to A and Endurance to C naturally. So, you better not slack, okay?"

"I am going to take one of the spots, so you don't need to worry about it," said Theo with a serious expression.

"Alright then." She nodded as they finally came to an agreement.

Theo also felt happy since he managed to acquire the best teammate without exposing himself… Or that was what he thought…

One hour later, Major Sam wanted to finish their first day of training with running. And surprisingly, Alea came to him again.

"What are you doing here?"

"Sorry. When I told him about our group, he asked me for your signature so as to show that I have your consent. Don't worry. This will be the last time… I think."

"Really? I will trust you in this, alright?" Theo sighed and signed the document before saying, "To be honest, you can just ask me on Sunday since there is no need to rush because of our agreement."

"Ahaha, I have told you the reason I chose you, right? Bye!" Realizing what she had done, she grabbed the document and ran as fast as possible, escaping from him before Theo changed his mind. She realized that she might be able to read him, but she wouldn't win even once in terms of argument.