Stone Mage: Revenge of the Villain System

"Not yet." Ronin said, eyes furrowing.

Why did she suddenly ask him of all people?

It could not be a coincidence. It must have something to do with the intended plot, this whole bullying and her 'saving' him then asking him to be her partner.

Not that he needed saving in the first place. Not from anyone, he can perfectly handle himself.

She then said. "Then you should team up with me a Klio. There's an odd number of students and so it could not be divided into pairs equally."

Klio was the girl beside her, and she waved nervously, "H-Hello."

Ronin can hear that Klio was thinking in her mind that it was her first time partnering in a project with a boy and she was still not used to them. After all, she was raised as the only child in her family of botanists.

Meanwhile, Edelweiss had much simpler thoughts in her head.

(Is he going to agree or not? It would benefit him as well, as he's just a newcomer and if he doesn't team with us, he'll be doing the project alone.)

She does raise a point, and Ronin felt inclined to follow the plot's script in case his hunch was correct.

"Alright then, I'll join you two if you don't mind."

Edelweiss raised her hand. "Professor, we'll be pairing up with Ronin too."

Their History Professor nodded. "Alright then, it seemed that everyone is paired up. Open your books to Page 153, I will be discussing our lesson for Cultural Influences before I introduce your next project."

She turned to Ronin as she opened her textbook. "From now on, just use your Mage Focus or report them if they keep on bothering you. They won't stop if you just ignore them."

He definitely doesn't need the reminder, but maintained a non-sarcastic look as he said. "Thank you, I'll keep that in mind."

She stared at him for a long time, before saying.

"You reminded me of something important before I arrived here in the Academy, Ronin."

"And what is that?" He asked.

"The average people prey on the great, and so the greats must stick together."

Ronin just raised an eyebrow. "You don't say?"

Klio added, fixing her glasses nervously. "Well, the average people outnumber the exceptional, so we don't really have a choice but to team up when faced with the mob. N-Not that I'm saying I'm exceptional or anything, only you two are exceptional, haha."

"You are exceptional too, Klio. Much more than these knuckleheaded pomps, at least." Edelweiss consoled her.

Klio bashfully shook her head. "Ah, but you two got the first and the third highest score in the entrance examination, and I only got an average one. It's no big deal, I accept my role as an average person already."

Ronin remembered that he did saw the name Edelweiss Iridice on the ranking, but it was hard for him to tell with these fantasy names whether it was a masculine or feminine name.

What he could discern that because of her Opal Heartstone, her white skin gives the illusion of different colors that were the result of its iridescence. So that must be what her last name was for.

It also made sense that her Mage Focus was related to the sea, because opals were hydrated amorphous silica with water content.

While thinking of this, the History Professor had finished his discussion of a lesson Ronin had already studied, and began to discuss how the partner project will work.

They needed to make a study and presentation about their chosen cultural influencers. It could be anything, as long as they can prove that this field influences society's culture and has a major impact.

Plus points if they can have a demonstration, or a person that represents said culture to come along with them. They had three weeks to prepare.

As they were sent out to look for any potential leads they can have for the culture presentation, Edelweiss seemed to already have an idea in mind and went out of the room with a brisk on her step.

Klio ran after her. "Where are we going, Edel?"

"I already know what we can present. I have a senior friend at the Spire of Artisans that works in theatrical performance."

Ronin followed after them quietly, hands behind his back and just anticipating something. The feeling he had about this being the plot turning its own wheels was stronger than ever.

"So we can have this senior friend perform for us too as a demonstration!" Klio clapped her hand. "It's perfect!"

"I already anticipate that many would go for the Artisans as art has very close ties with culture, so we have to move fast." Edelweiss said. "Unless you and Ronin had other ideas."

"It works for me." Ronin just said with a shrug. "This senior of yours..... what year was she?"

"4th year, Rigel Class."

The same year as Rabuka, but from the A-class instead of the B-class. Ronin felt this was also not a coincidence.

"They must be currently rehearsing for the Grand Festival of Arts in the Amphitheater." Klio pointed out. "I saw papers and postings saying that Lovushka's troupe would be performing once again. Is she on the same troupe?"

"My friend is a solo performer, usually for one-man shows or monologues. It works best for her skills." Edelweiss said.

They soon reached the Amphitheater, and it really was packed with several Artisan students and supporters rehearsing on individual spots for the big festival.

Sure enough, Ronin spotted Rabuka there, but not just her.

Cermin was also there. His classes were suspended after all, but he could still roam around the Academy if he so wishes.

Ronin raised up his cloak, as usual, he always wears it for times like this.

Klio blinked, "Are you suddenly feeling cold, Ronin?"

He just answered with a smile focused on Rabuka and Cermin.

Rabuka must have been the one who pushed him to go to her rehearsals, as Cermin still looked distraught and uneasy, with dark bags under his eyes.

"Come on! I'll sing you a nice song to cheer you up!" He overheard them.

He wondered how Pavone would have reacted if he found his girlfriend 'cheering up' this boy suspected of assaulting his other friend.

Edelweiss also turned around from the loudness of Rabuka's voice, and she saw Cermin.....

And their eyes locked for a few seconds.

Edelweiss quickly looked away, holding her chest with her face turning red.

(What was that just now? My heart rate became abnormal. Did I suddenly have arrhythmia?)

Ronin rolled his eyes. 'I knew it.'

"Yep, you called it. " Kai appeared beside him once more, unheard and unseen by anyone else.

His guess was right. Edelweiss was a harem member.

The partner project was just one big excuse for the plot to let these two meet.