Chapter 37: The Third Member

They left the lecture hall together while the rest of the class descended into the noise of negotiation.

Ethan closed the door as voices overlapped behind them — people calling names, rejecting others, some already promising to get the top spot and highest grade...

Ethan walked beside Lila without speaking as he adjusted the customized uniform. It still felt unfamiliar on his body, but he knew that the new fit was going to be the least of his problems for the next 72 hours.

He glanced at Lila. She was an A rank student with a flame ability and was popular enough that half the class would make space for her if she asked.

There were better options for her than attaching herself to a restricted class Necromancer whose presence alone made people hesitate.

She could join a balanced combat group, a team with a healer or a strong defender. Something that would not drag her evaluation down or worse, put her in harm’s way.

"Alright," he spoke causing Lila to turn. "You’re pretty strong, so you’ll have to join a group that can keep up. I was thinking a team that had a strong defender or something that would help you all and minimize injury."

He paused, rubbing his chin. "You could join Marcus’ group. I doubt he would be full by now, and even if he was, he could make a spot free for you or give you an incomplete group that’s competent."

"Aria is also an option. Though I don’t really like her, she is the strongest in our grade. I’d advice we meet up with her as soon as we can before anyone else does. Then again, her group’s probably already full by now judging by how she was surrounded the moment Professor Crane left."

He hummed thoughtfully. "This is going to be harder than I thought. Maybe we should—"

"I’m with you."

Ethan glanced at her. "Uhh what?"

"I’m with you" she repeated without taking her eyes off the path.

Ethan blinked. "You shouldn’t decide that fast."

"I just did."

"Lila." He slowed his pace. "Finding a third member will be harder if I’m in the group. Most of the students already didn’t want to work with a Necromancer to begin with, and Professor Grant’s lesson only made things worse. You’re different. You can get into a stronger team easier."

"I don’t care."

"You should. Group and individual scores affects standing. If the third member is weak because no one better will join us, that would affect on you too."

"I already decided. I’m not joining some random group just because you think it’ll be ’easier’ for me. I don’t care about any of that Ethan. I want to be with you."

She said this while still walking down the path. She didn’t even bother looking at him. Her face had this serious expression and Ethan knew that trying to talk her out of this would be nearly impossible.

He just sighed and turned back towards the path "...All right."

Lila nodded. "Good. Now who are we taking for the third member?"

Ethan deadpanned. "Asking me that immediately I JUST said that finding a third member would be harder makes me think you weren’t listening at all."

He exhaled tiredly. He had already known what to say. There were not many realistic options anyway.

Neutral students would avoid him, stronger ones had no reason to accept the risk. That left the one person who had a practical interest in staying close and who would not flinch at the thought of getting a restricted class partner.

"Nora."

Lila’s expression flattened immediately. "No."

"We don’t have much of a choice."

"There are thirty people in the year group."

"And most of them would rather take a lower score than walk into a dungeon with a Necromancer. Nora already knows how I fight. She’s Rank A, and she probably won’t freeze when things get ugly." Ethan pulled his phone from his pocket. "It’s the cleanest option that doesn’t leave us in a tight spot or dead weight."

Lila stared at the phone and furrowed her eyebrows. "What are you doing?"

"I’m texting her." He replied.

"You’re texting her?"

"Yes."

"You have her number."

Ethan paused with his thumb over the screen, genuinely thrown by the shift in her tone. "Yes?"

"Since when?"

"This morning, on the walk back from the uniform office." He said it plainly, still not seeing the problem. "We exchanged contacts in case either of us needed information under the arrangement. It’s a very practical decision."

Lila’s jaw tightened. She couldn’t believe her eyes. Ethan was texting another girl right in front of her.

Matter of fact, that wasn’t even the problem. She more pissed at the fact that even she didn’t have Ethan’s number and they’ve been roommates for the better part of the month.

They even had sex for crying at loud!

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"No reason." Her said in a dry tone. "Text her."

He looked at her for a moment and typed a short message.

"You heard about the Dungeon test. We need a third member. You free?"

The reply came faster than he expected.

"Meet me in the East grounds. Then we can talk."

Ethan put the phone away and turned to Lila. "She’s meeting us at the east grounds."

Lila scoffed. "Of course she is."

"You coming?"

"Obviously." She replied without looking at him. "Someone has to make sure she doesn’t talk you into doing something stupid."

Ethan stayed silent and walked besides her. The campus paths were busier now with students moving between buildings, a few already walking in groups of three as it was clear that various teams has already been formed.

They reached the edge of the east grounds without saying another word and when Nora walked over, Lila’s eyes narrowed.

Nora didn’t notice. When she saw Ethan, she began speaking.

"Got your message," she said, "what about the Dungeon test?"

Ethan walked forward. "I’ll go straight to the point. We want you to join our group..."