Chapter 2: Red

Well, what can I say? The promise of a girlfriend was more than enough of an incentive for this sixteen year old boy. Unfortunately, what came after was the most grueling effort I’ve ever had to go through.
‘Talk to that girl.’ Ahros whispered.
“No! Shut up! Shit! She’s looking at me!” I shouted and the girl ran. My eyes downcast as I shouted back, “See! She doesn’t want to talk to me!”
‘It because you keep shouting! Use your inside voice!’
“Yeah, right.”

A sigh then escaped my lips, “Yeah, I think we should do this, next time.”
I yawned, “The Imperial Examination starts tomorrow. Best we get ready, yeah?”
‘Ready, my ass! You’re not going to leave this fucking plaza until you talk to a girl. The God of Love and War demands it!’
“Bullshit! I don’t care!” I then stood up, hands on my ears.
Only to fall down, as a wall struck my face. Slamming my ass back down as I yelped, “Hey! Watch where you’re going!”
“I think you’re the one that should watch where you’re going.”

I rubbed my nose in pain as my eyes locked with red rage filled orbs. And to see a tall girl behind it, a weapon on her side as she glared in my direction.
“Uhhh….” I gaped.
Her nose crinkled in contempt. “What?”
My eyes roamed her form. Just to see sculpted arms, beauty without comparison and what I could only assume to be abs I wished to rub my face on.
Ahros whispered in my head. ‘Nice job!’
I snapped my head up to the girl’s eyes, to see her face, red. Whether it was rage or embarrassment it might have been irrelevant, since I was already running.

“I’m sorry Hot Lady!” I shouted as I ran away, never once looking back.
‘Why are you running!? Don’t just retreat when a girl talks to you.’
“What retreat? I’m just running very fast in a specific direction.”
‘Dammit, that might have been your last chance.’
“No, it wasn’t.”
‘What?’

With a quick turn, I hid from her line of sight as I spoke. “She’s wearing an Imperial Academy uniform. Her body was built for battle, she held herself up with practiced grace and emitted danger. She’s probably an incoming second year magician in the Imperial Academy. Also, probably part of a noble house.”

“Holy shit. You got all that from just giving me a look over?”
The sudden question shocked me upright, the said girl gave me a cheeky grin. And I waved my hand at her, “Hey.”

“Hey.” The girl grinned, a grin that left me feeling like prey.
So, I did the only thing I needed to do, I started running, only for my collar to get grabbed and left to be hanging, raised up like a doll. She has strong arms.
“So… Uh… Why are you holding unto me?”
“To stop you from running, obviously.”
“And why is that?”
“I’m asking you to go with me on a date.”
My mind grinded to a halt. “Date, date? Uh… Why?”
“You like me, right? So… Why shouldn’t I try to date you?”

“Huh? I guess you’re right. Why the hell not!” I nodded in approval, “Your logic is sound and foolproof, so may I ask if you could let me down?”
She grinned, her red eyes ablaze in excitement. “Sure, just don’t run.”
“Don’t plan to. Hot Lady.”
“The name is Carmine Redgrave.” She let me go.
We shook hands as I dusted myself off. “Mine is Michael, no last name.”
I grinned, “Nice to meet you.”
Ahros pumped his fist. ‘Yes! Finally! A ship has sailed!’

It has been a few minutes now, whatever sense of excitement and bravado I first had has dissipated. I am now stuck here, panicking.
I glanced at the supposed God of Love. But this useless God just keeps grinning in my face, his smile wide as he speaks. ‘I can’t help you, you just need to be yourself and see how it works out.
‘That’s not helping me!” I glanced at the girl beside me, her eyes forward, her body stiff as she remained unexpressive. ‘She looks bored as hell!”

“So… Where do you want to go?” I asked. Might as well try.
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?” I raised my eyebrow, confused.
“I’ve never left my house. The three places I’ve ever gone to are the mansion, the academy and the weekly hunting trips.”

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“Hunting trips?”
“Oh? Do you not have that in your school?”
“No, I don’t think so.” Who the fuck has hunting trips? Wait, right! Premier magical academy.
“Well, that’s a shame then. I would have thought you'd be at least capable of fighting. Since you’re joining the Imperial Academy and all.”
“Well, I am! I think. Well, I just started learning about magical beasts and fighting against them.” I gestured to myself, “I consider myself an expert already.”
“Oh really? Then what mana level do you have?”

Ah, shit. I should’ve known this question would come up. What the fuck do I even tell her? That, I just got magic, a few months ago? And I have the lowest possible mana levels in this world and the next.
“Huh? I never once thought, so many words could be muttered in so little time.”
I facepalmed. “Dammit, I really have to get that under control.”
She laughed, slapping my back as she spoke. “It’s fine.”
“The mana levels or the muttering?”
She giggled, arm coming over my shoulders. “Both.” She grinned at me, the feeling of a predator coming over me as she grabbed my chin.
Her breath, tickling my neck as she whispered into my ears, her hand rubbing my cheeks. “I came here for your handsome face.”

There has never been a time I have ever felt more aroused in my life. Am I the weird one here? Is this a new fetish I’ve learned about myself?
‘No, no.’ Ahros shook his head from behind her. ‘I can totally see where you’re coming from. Also, get your head back in there! Don’t let her take the initiative!’
And so with whatever courage I scrounged up, I chuckled, a smile bloomed in my face. “Then, I’ll try to change your mind.”
Her red eyes locked onto mine, an emotion bubbled within them, before she turned away, hiding whatever reaction she had.
The moment was interrupted as the ground trembled beneath her, as a giant magical worm exploded from under the street. Its wide open mouth was filled with sharp and vicious teeth.

“Is that what I think it is?” I asked, both of us turned towards the sight.
“Yes, that is most likely, a magical beast.” She nodded.
“A magical beast? Huh… Would you look at that?”
“I am, and it is quite a shock to see one this far in the cities.”
Our head then snapped to a shout, a young girl screamed her head off as she stood there, petrified in fear, gaining the attention of the beast before us

“I’ll take care of her.” I jumped out from her and dashed.

It took a few seconds before I arrived at the girl’s location, grabbing her off of the ground, as the worm smashed against the street, concrete and steel exploded around us. I looked at the little girl and smiled.
“Wow, this is terrifying!” I exclaimed, hoping to alleviate whatever terror she felt.
The girl in my arms nodded, “Mmm. This is very bad.”
“Right? What do you think is happening?” I glanced at Ahros who shrugged.
‘I’m a God of Love and War, not schemes and knowledge.”
Well you’re fucking useless. ‘Hey!’

“I don’t know and… Uh… Mister, is that Lady going to be ok?” The girl in my arms spoke, her finger pointed up the sky.
“What Lady?” I turned to where she was pointing at, to see a beautiful and bloody sight. Carmine floated up like a picture of elegance. Magic circles around her fist as it drew blood, carving out a sight of blood and violence as she punched and kicked.
Like a dance, which every step left for a gory sight.
“Holy shit. She looks awesome.”
“She does.” She nodded, her eyes filled with stars.
“Right!?” I then felt the urge to brag. “You know, we’re dating.”

The girl then snapped her head to me and back at Carmine.
She sighed and patted my back. “It’s ok, sometimes they’re just not that into you.”
My eyes twitched at the implied insult. “You know, she’s the one that asked.”
“It’s ok, you saved me. And your character is what matters.” She nodded to herself.
“That’s…. You know what. You should be glad you’re cute.”
“She’s just way out of your league though.”
“Where are you learning this kind of stuff?”

A soft tap then made our head turn, Carmine stood there covered in blood and elegance, like a bloody fairy of violence, she wiped her fists. A large bloody smile on her face as she stretched her muscles, the uniform accentuating her figure, one that I drank in at every opportunity.
‘You know, she might really be out of your league.’ Ahros muttered behind me.
The girl patted my arms, “I’m sorry, sir. She’s way out of your league.”
“I hate the fact that you might be right.”

Carmine raised an eyebrow. “Did I miss something?”

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