'Just How Did She Know?'

The group traversed the forest for half a day, before arriving at Florin Valley. This time to their greatest delight, they didn't encounter any danger or vicious beast like they had before. After their arrival, each member of the group quickly dispersed into various directions without a word, it was like they never had anything to do with each other in the first place. One would infer from the looks of things that despite their successful return, they were still gravely discontented because the mission had turned out to be a failure.

 

At this time, Doran who was heading to the Sword Academy had an ugly expression. He could somehow feel that someone had been following him stealthily for some time, but he hadn't paid any attention to it, after all, what would anyone find of interest from a supposed trash like himself?.

 

Just before a turning junction that led to the gate of the Academy, he glanced back with a cold temperament and said:

 

"Why trail me for so long? If you have any business with me, isn't now the right time to show up?"

 

Just then the figure of the person emerged from behind him, it was like it had popped out of nowhere. It was none other than the young girl who had brought out the Spirit Stone, that was used earlier. Doran was shocked speechless.

 

"You? Just How... What do you want?"

 

He was surprised by the way she had appeared. Just how had she concealed her existence? Such feat could only be achieved by someone with high cultivation, or perhaps she might have used some sort of artifact.

 

Anya revealed a similar stunned expression, it was obvious from her looks, that she hadn't anticipated that he would be able to detect her presence.

 

"W-what do you mean?" She stuttered.

 

"Hey, don't play dumb with me, why would you follow me all the way here? What do you want from me?" Doran said with a frown as he glared at her suspiciously. For her to have concealed her presence while tailing him, was enough proof that she could have been scheming something.

 

"I... I wasn't tailing you I'm a disciple of the Academy, so I was just on my way there as well " Florin Valley Academy could also be considered a sub-sect, so students were also referred to as disciples

 

Doran eyed her as though his bullshit meter was ticking in the red zone. Florin Valley Academy was quite large after all, and it won't be possible to recognize everyone, save some distinctive persons with great achievements. 

 

"Why did you conceal your presence? Were you scared that I would bite you?" He said with a sarcastic tone. Although he hadn't seen her at the Academy before and had only met her during the expedition, would that explain why she was tailing him stealthily? 

 

"That... I wasn't doing it because of you, It was for the sake of absolute safety, who knows... there could be a lot of danger around" Anya spoke with an awkward smile.

 

Doran had a look of indifference, it was obvious that he didn't buy any of her words, he took a step closer to her and said:

 

"You know your problem?... Why bother lying, when you're very bad at it? I'm not a fool, you know? If I were a three-year-old child, maybe I could have believed you then"

 

After hearing his words, she had a sudden change in demeanor, from awestruck to a calm and cold glare with a hint of uncertainty.

 

"Then what if I did? You're the one who looks suspicious, First, you appear out of nowhere after you were taken into the water by that strange creature. I even lost my Spirit Jade for the sake of helping you, not even getting a simple thanks for that "

 

"Eh... Is that so? You didn't seem to me like someone who had lost something of much importance.  In my opinion, you must have a lot of them, and that's why you could toss it out casually" Doran said tracing his nose with his fingers. In a world where treasures are highly sought after with sweat and blood, who would do something absurd as giving a Spirit Jade for someone you don't even know?

 

"Think whatever you want. Besides... How could you detect my presence?" She asked with a furrowed brow.

 

"Anything special about that? Although I don't know what concealing technique you must have used, it's not like you're a peerless master or something, you're just a young girl, why won't I detect your presence? Doran said with a look of great indifference in his squinted eyes.

 

" I didn't use any concealing technique"

 

"Then what did you use?"

 

"An artifact! Mid Epic grade!" Anya Blurted, pointing to the yellow bracelet she wore. There were five grades of weapons and artifacts which were Normal, Rare, Epic, Unique, and Transcendent. A transcendent grade had two different ratings, it was either Normal transcendent or Legendary transcendent. Technically speaking, although they were under the same grade, the disparity between them was like the sky and the mud.

 

Doran tilted his head thoughtfully, Epic was the highest grade of an artifact that could be seen in Florid valley. Ever since he became a disciple of the Academy, he had only heard of three epic weapons, which were located in the treasury. "Why ask me? who knows if the artifact is faulty?... Besides, where could you have gotten an epic-rated artifact? You didn't pick it up, right? He said as he thought of the excuse she gave for the Spirit Jade. 

 

"Oh! you seem to have adverse intentions, are you thinking of stealing it?" Anya questioned with a sarcastic tone.

 

"Dismiss such thoughts, I'm not as unreasonable as you think" Although he would be delighted to have such a treasure, he wasn't as foolish to think of taking it from her. They say an ordinary man is innocent, but treasures make him guilty. Since she dared to expose such an artifact, then naturally she should have the backing of some master.

 

"Since there's nothing else to discuss, I guess I'll be going then,"  Doran said, making use of the opportunity to escape from her presence. He turned around to continue on the path.

 

Anya bore a confused expression before she hurriedly cried out:

 

 "Wait! why did you have that reaction when you held the spirit jade?"

 

"...."

 

Doran's face whitened at the sound of her voice. Turning around, he gave her a bewildered look. He felt like he wasn't staring at a human anymore, but rather a monster.

 

'Just how did she know?' 

 

Whatever happened to him back then was going on within, it wouldn't have been possible for a normal person to know.

 

"Why are you staring at me so intensely? I just asked a simple question, it's not like I'm implying anything. If you feel I'm asking too much,  just ignore me and pretend I never asked.

 

"Then I'll be on my way," Doran said with a smile and hurried away from her presence with an increased pace.

Chapter end