He Really Is Different Now!

"W-What am I thinking?!"

The moment the thought crossed her mind, Yelena felt as if she had been burned. She jerked her head down, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson that spread all the way to the tips of her ears.

She frantically questioned and scolded herself in her mind: "Yelena Furst! What kind of nonsense are you dreaming up?! Greg is just a junior who needs my guidance! How could I... how could I have such... such strange thoughts about him!"

While Yelena was locked in a state of inner turmoil, her face shifting between red and pale as she lost herself in her own world, the students nearby who had witnessed the terrifying scene couldn't help but start whispering. Their voices were filled with disbelief and lingering fear.

"Hey! D-Did you see that?!"

"I saw it! My God! That pillar of fire almost hit them!"

"That blonde guy... that's Greg Sass, isn't it?! His reflexes were so fast! He intercepted it with water magic in an instant!"

"That was a Mid-tier fire magic spell out of control!"

"What spell did he use just now? It looked a bit familiar..."

"It looked like... just a basic Water Gun? But I've never seen a Water Gun with that much power and speed!"

"His proficiency must be incredibly high!"

"But how is that possible? Isn't he... lacking in magic talent?"

Greg had long been labeled a magic failure within the academy. For him to successfully intercept an out-of-control Mid-tier spell with such clean, decisive movements in a moment of crisis—and to actively protect his companion—was a shock.

The impact of this scene was no less than the academy news from earlier.

Shock, confusion, and a newfound sense of scrutiny regarding Greg's strength were written on everyone's faces.

Just then, the third-year girl who had caused the accident rushed over. Her face was deathly pale, and she looked like she was on the verge of tears. She bowed repeatedly to Greg and Yelena, her voice trembling with a sob.

"I-I'm sorry! I'm so incredibly sorry! I-I didn't mean to! The magic practice suddenly went out of control! I couldn't contain it at all! I almost hurt you! Please, please forgive me! I'm willing to take full responsibility!"

Seeing how sincere the girl was, Greg couldn't help but curl his lip, thinking back to those bastards from the Department of Alchemy who had almost blown him up and acted like it was nothing.

Their attitudes were worlds apart.

He hadn't sustained any serious injuries, just some superficial scrapes.

Since she hadn't done it on purpose and her attitude was so apologetic, he didn't feel like making a fuss. After all, if he really looked for the root cause, his own -10 Luck stat probably deserved more than half the blame for this accident.

"Alright, alright, just be more careful next time."

Greg waved his hand, cutting off the girl's endless stream of apologies. His tone was flat.

"Practice your magic in a proper enclosed practice field, or find a professor to supervise you. Practicing unstable magic in an open area like this is dangerous for everyone. You're lucky nothing serious happened this time. Got it?"

"Y-Yes! I understand! Thank you! Thank you for forgiving me!"

The girl looked as if she had been granted a divine pardon, and tears actually began to fall. She never expected Greg Sass to let her off so easily. Recalling the academy news she'd heard, she began to wonder: Had he really turned over a new leaf?

After offering another round of profuse thanks, she wiped her tears and hurried away.

Greg watched her leave and then glanced at the growing crowd of onlookers, his brow furrowing slightly.

He had no desire to stay here and be gawked at like a monkey in a zoo.

"Break it up, everyone! There's nothing to see here! If you have class, go to class. If you have practice, go back and practice properly! Don't block the path!"

He raised his voice, adopting the authoritative air of a Disciplinary Committee member to disperse the crowd.

Perhaps it was the strength he had just displayed or his unquestionable tone, but the surrounding students, though still full of curiosity, gradually began to scatter. They glanced back over their shoulders as they walked, whispering among themselves.

Once the onlookers had mostly cleared out, Yelena, who had been lost in her internal world, finally seemed to snap out of the shock and her chaotic thoughts.

She looked up at Greg's slightly disheveled but still upright back, then at the obvious burns and scrapes on the back of his hand. A powerful wave of guilt surged in her heart once more.

It's happening again... my bad luck... dragging others down with me again...

He protected me and got hurt because of it...

And yet, just now... I was thinking about all those inappropriate things... I'm a terrible senior!

"I-I'm sorry, Greg..."

Yelena's voice was thick with congestion and a sob. Her round eyes quickly turned red, filling with tears of self-reproach.

"It's all because of me... It's because of me that you were put in danger... and even got hurt... I'm so, so sorry..."

Wait, what does this have to do with you?

Greg was momentarily stunned.

He was confused, but he couldn't exactly explain that this incident was almost certainly caused by his own -10 Luck stat. He spoke up:

"It's not your fault, Senior Yelena. Who can predict things like this? Sometimes luck is just a mysterious thing."

He paused, looking at her still-red eyes, and added:

"So, don't take everything on yourself. This was just a coincidence, an accident. Look, aren't I perfectly fine? If you really feel that bad about it..."

Greg rubbed his chin, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

"...then next time the student council gives out the meal allowance, your portion of the snacks belongs to me. How about that? We'll call it compensation for my mental distress."

He tried to use this half-joking manner to dissolve her guilt and steer the conversation away.

Hearing Greg's words and seeing the relaxed expression on his face, along with that smile as he asked for her snacks, Yelena felt her guilt lighten. Though it didn't vanish completely, the heavy emotion was somehow washed away.

He really is... completely different from the old Greg Sass.

The current him is strong, reliable, kind, and considerate... he's a total... wonderful person!

In her heart, Yelena once again firmly labeled Greg as a 'good person.' Because of the classic 'hero saving the damsel' moment and his gentle comforting, the brightness of that label increased by several levels.

"Mhm... okay!"

Yelena nodded vigorously and sniffled, holding back her tears as she gave him a teary smile.

"I understand, Greg! Thank you! I'll definitely save all my snacks for you next time!"

Seeing Yelena finally smile through her tears, Greg let out a sigh of relief.

He stretched his slightly aching shoulders and began to tidy up his uniform jacket, which had become quite a mess during the impact. He brushed off the ash and tried to straighten the collar that had been wrinkled by the steam.

As he looked down to adjust his collar, his gaze aimlessly drifted across the campus scene that was returning to normal. Suddenly, his eyes caught a familiar red figure near the teaching building.

That long hair, as brilliant as a burning flame; that perfectly tailored academy uniform; and even from a distance, that aura that mixed confidence with a unique charm...

He quickly realized that his chance for revenge had arrived.

That's what you get for playing me earlier, hehehe.

Out of everyone's sight, Greg's face twisted into a wicked grin.