Gibnen cautioned her with a serious face.

“You don’t know how dangerous a handsome man is. They always cash in on their looks, like me.”

“I got it, I’ll be careful. But I know nothing about that man and I don’t think I’ll meet him again.”

“Not just him, don’t even associate with men. They are all beasts.”

“You too?”

“…….”

“You too…….”

“I’m an exception.”

Gibnen rubbed his forehead. It was a habit that seemed to occur when he felt unpleasant, but Riley was still naive. Gibnen didn’t like her naive face.

It was as if anyone could take her, fall in love with her, just by giving her candy.

Honestly, she was not so much dumb as that, if one would metaphorize.

She seemed to lack the ability to distinguish those who approached with evil intentions. Very likely.

“Don’t let men approach at all. What if you catch each other’s eyes?”

“…Me?”

“No, him.”

As Riley made a dumbfounded expression, Gibnen warned her seriously.

“People are more vulnerable to visual stimuli than you think. They prioritize everything that looks good to the eyes. Dresses, jewels, handsome men, beautiful women, dogs, cats, anything that looks pretty or beautiful, or cute.”

“That’s true. But what does that have to do with me? Your examples don’t apply to me. I’m not in the category of visually pleasing things like jewels, dresses, dogs, or cats.”

“Who says such nonsense?”

“…….”

“You’re beautiful. Are you unaware of being beautiful?”

“I’ve never heard such a thing in my life. I don’t think so either. I think I’m very… ordinary.”

“Ordinary is all dead.”

Gibnen spat out a laugh, as perplexed as Riley.

They were both misunderstanding each other, but Riley nodded in agreement.

“There probably won’t be any men coming to me anyway, but I’ll never give myself to a man.”

“Tell me if any weirdo hangs around. I’ll handle it with my hands.”

It seemed ridiculous to handle it, but Riley nodded and changed the subject.

“By the way, there’s a huge genius at our school. Someone who broke the magic measurement device. I hear it’s your disciple?”

“…My disciple?”

“Yes, the person you personally brought. It’s amazing. That person and I are attending the same academy. The lectures are so hard I’m about to die from headaches, but for that person, these lectures must be easier than cold rice? I have to work hard not to fall behind. If this goes on, I’m definitely last. Can I keep up with the lectures…….?”

“…….”
“But if you have a disciple, speak up. Who is it? I’m curious, what kind of person is your disciple? Since they’re a freshman, they must be around the same age, maybe we can become friends?”

The candidate with Grand Magelevel talent, capable of breaking the magic measuring device, was now seriously pondering whether they could keep up with the lecture.

The sight was so comical that Gibnen, male, quietly covered his face with his hand, barely holding back the laughter that was bubbling out.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Just thought it was a little cute.”

“……What is?”

“You, sister.”

What’s cute? As Riley, female, became confused, Gibnen burst into tears of laughter. After laughing for a long while, he seemed to calm down a bit, letting out a deep breath and slowly blinking his eyes.

“Ah, this is fun. So fun, I could die.”

“?”

“Just try your best. And that disciple thing is just a rumor. I don’t have anything like a disciple.”

“Really? Good… I would have been upset if you had a disciple and didn’t tell me.”

“Just try your best. Who knows? You might be a Grand Magelevel talent.”

At Gibnen’s words, Riley shook her head firmly.

“No way, I might not even graduate… But I find the learning process fun. So, I’m trying hard. You’re even paying the expensive tuition… I can’t be lazy.”

That meager tuition, practically pocket change, but now, who’s worrying about whose money? Gibnen thought, holding back his laughter.

Why is she so cute?

The more he looked at her, the more adorable she seemed.

Perhaps the cutest creature in the world, Gibnen thought, completely absorbed in his joy.

(This is a time separator.)

“Hi, Riley. I saved a seat for you.”

She met with Hila almost every day. They had more overlapping lectures than expected.

When the lectures did not overlap with Hila, Riley attended them alone, but Hila always saved a seat for the classes they took together.

Riley thought it was a real blessing to have Hila around. She was such a cute, lively, and cheerful friend that just looking at her made her feel happy and uplifted.

“Did I tell you about my suitor yesterday?”

At Hila’s words, Riley cocked her head.

“Suitor?”

“Yes, my mother introduced me to a man through an acquaintance. He’s from Asland. He’s a student at the Eldras Academy.”

“Eldras? Isn’t that Horizon’s rival magic tower?”

“Yes, that academy is quite good too. Not as good as Horizon though.”

“So did you like him?”

Hila vehemently shook her head.