Ain could hardly imagine that anyone would invite a shut-in like him to join a team.
And the one inviting him was Erylin Lorenz, the person he had offended just recently?
For real?
In his memory, there was no such plot point in the game.
“Hey, hey, come look! It’s that Ain guy, and Erylin!”
“The Ain who attacked Senior Erylin the other day? Heavens, should we call the people from the Titan Prosecution Office? Is there going to be another incident with taboo magic?”
“What are you afraid of? Senior Erylin is a member of the Typhon Chain! You didn't see the commotion last time. That Ain guy charged at her shouting something about love and bonds, but the taboo magic he unleashed was blown away by Senior Erylin in an instant!”
Many students gathered around with the mindset of watching a spectacle, chirping away as they gossiped.
Looking around at his surroundings, Ain finally fixed his gaze on Erylin, who stood before him.
This beautiful young girl with stunning silver hair, ice-blue eyes, and the deep blue uniform of the Typhon Chain was the main heroine of the original story.
Erylin Lorenz.
She was also his favorite character in the game he had played in his previous life.
In Ain’s memory, Erylin’s personality was gentle and considerate, and she often helped other students with trivial matters.
But what made everyone love her the most was undoubtedly the fact that she could call out everyone’s name.
Imagine a beautiful senior with a sweet voice clearly calling out your name and greeting you; it would undoubtedly lead to all sorts of fantasies.
“Does she care about me that much?”
One could say that Erylin was the super-popular idol of this academy.
But why did she want to team up with him?
Ain was a bit confused.
“Student Ain, in light of your public violation of academy rules by using taboo magic, I hope you have learned your lesson from the academy’s punishment.”
“Regarding the zeroing of your Daily Points and your demotion to a provisional student, I represent the Typhon Chain in stating that we have no objections to this verdict.”
“However, regarding the permanent loss of mana in your body afterward... I am very sorry.”
“If I hadn't exhausted your mana to the point of depletion back then, perhaps...”
As if feeling guilty toward Ain, Erylin’s voice gradually grew lower, and her eyes couldn't help but flicker, finding it difficult to look Ain in the eye.
“Perhaps you wouldn't have lost all your mana.”
Fearing that these words would trigger him, Erylin did not say them out loud.
“Therefore, for the practical exam in the Echo Forest, the teams are mixed from first to third year, with a maximum of five people.”
“Team up with me. I can guarantee you a perfect score in the practical portion.”
Erylin spoke very seriously.
“My reason is simple. Even if you have committed a sin, now that you have already been punished, I will not leave you in a position where no one is willing to accept you.”
“So, I will help you.”
After listening to Erylin, Ain instantly understood her intention.
In short: “Just sit back, and I’ll carry you.”
As long as he didn't make mistakes in the future, everything would be fine.
My god, what a saint!
Ain knew Erylin’s personality all too well.
When facing an evildoer, Erylin would often try to understand the other person’s past and put herself in their shoes to understand their actions.
In her view, an evildoer should be punished, but she would not let them rot away while sitting alone in a dark corner.
She believed in guiding them back onto the right track.
This was also what made Ain love this character.
“It was the backlash from the taboo magic that caused this Ain guy to lose his mana. Senior Erylin has absolutely no reason to take responsibility for that.”
“Senior Erylin is just too kind. Is she really going to help even someone like Ain?”
“Senior Erylin wants to team up with that gloomy guy? How disgusting...”
“What is a guy with no mana even doing in the academy anymore?”
“Ain isn't actually going to agree, is he?”
The discussions flooded into Ain’s mind. Just as he was about to respond, a young girl with long purple hair and a deep purple school uniform ran up to Erylin’s side. Shouting, she tried to pull Erylin away by the hand.
“Erylin! How could you ask this guy to join your team? Have you forgotten what he said to you last time?”
The girl looked both angry and flustered.
“‘Erylin, you stole what should have been mine! You ruined my life! Looking at those pretentious eyes of yours makes me sick!’”
The girl pinched her throat, mimicking Ain’s voice. She looked both cute and somewhat hilarious.
“He’s just jealous of your massive mana capacity!”
“You still want to team up with someone who blames others for his own incompetence?”
“Your brain must have been melted by Erosion Magic!”
Seeing the girl’s appearance, Ain immediately realized that she was Erylin’s best friend.
Lillian Knight.
A second-year student at the academy.
“What are you looking at! Don't even think about clinging to my Erylin!”
Lillian met Ain’s gaze with a fierce look and hugged Erylin tightly with both arms, as if signaling that she was her property. The sight was truly adorable.
“Wait, Lillian! Don’t... don’t pull me!”
Faced with Lillian’s interference, Erylin’s somewhat dignified image instantly collapsed.
Confronted by Lillian’s accusations, Ain sighed helplessly. He was about to speak when a thought flashed through his mind.
Wait, what did that girl just say?
Massive mana storage capacity?
A method for Ain to use magic suddenly occurred to him.
The cluttered thoughts in Ain’s mind were instantly cleared, and his eyes revealed an unbelievable excitement.
“...Senior Erylin.”
Ain first gave a bow, then spoke sincerely.
“I am very sorry for my previous offense. Using taboo magic not only violated the school’s order but also caused you so much trouble.”
Ain bent down slightly, lowering his head, and took her hand, placing it against his forehead.
“I am deeply grateful that you would come to help me, so I accept your invitation, Miss Erylin.”
Faced with Ain’s actions, both Erylin and Lillian were visibly stunned. Soon after, Lillian impatiently tried to push Ain away.
“You, you, you! What are you doing! Take your hand off her!”
Just as Lillian was about to make contact with Ain, he quickly stood up, dodged Lillian’s assault, and released Erylin’s hand.
Erylin was somewhat surprised.
He actually knew about this magic ritual?
Ain’s action was exactly the Judgment Ritual of the Typhon Chain.
Members of the Typhon Chain could use this ritual to release holy magic representing the Goddess of Life. If the other person’s heart was still clouded and corrupt, they would be rejected by the magic. At best, they would be blown back; at worst, they would bleed from every orifice.
Being more than familiar with this ritual, she had activated the magic the moment he took her hand.
Evidently, Ain had not been rejected by the magic.
“He actually knew about this magic ritual?”
Although Erylin was surprised, she didn't think too much of it. After all, this wasn't a secret ritual of the Typhon Chain.
She was also very relieved by Ain’s change in attitude.
Promptly, she held back Lillian, who was about to swing her small fists to “beat up” Ain.
“Alright, Ain, Lillian. That’s settled. Let the three of us be a team.”
“Thank you very much.”
Ain showed a satisfied smile.
Of course, he wasn't happy just because he was being carried by a powerhouse like Erylin.
Even though he hadn't fused with the magic wolf as a puppet, in the original plot, Erylin and Lillian were absolutely no match for that magic wolf.
The magic wolf Mordred, as the final boss of the first act, was a scripted loss that could not be defeated.
What truly made Ain happy was that he had thought of a way to use magic!
And the key person in this method was Erylin!
Rate on N.U.
