Chapter 37 Cursed Staircase
Multiple hours passed since Nami entered the Soul Art Library and she was slowly getting bored. She already memorized three high-ranked Soul Arts that she thought would help Number One, so she was only left with practice. It was dark outside so she decided to return early and use the Training Grounds the next day.
'I wonder if my baby is done already…' Nami thought as she put the Soul Art scrolls on their spots and walked towards the exit. She couldn't help but smile whenever she imagined Number One's face and that scared her a bit.
It wasn't even a full day yet she was crushing on Number One so badly and even became a bit obsessive. 'Is that the side effect of Heavenly Feathers that Auntie warned us about? Falling madly in love?'
Nami thought about it for a moment and only shrugged in the end. She didn't mind it one bit and even enjoyed this warm feeling in her chest. Her family made it sound as if love was scary and painful but it was the opposite experience for her. Number One only made her happier with each minute they spent together.
The Academy was still filled with people even though it was late, but any student who saw Nami would immediately change paths just to avoid her. It was understandable knowing the circumstances so she simply ignored everything as she walked towards Number One's room.
At least that was Nami's plan until she overheard two female students talking casually on the staircase.
"Gosh, I still can't understand it. Her sister almost killed Number One yet he still chose her. Did you see them in the cafeteria today? That slut is all over him and acts like she is his girlfriend already."
"Shhh, be quieter. Do you want to get killed too?"
"Killing is forbidden in the Academy and that Inner World expert is gone. Besides, do you think that puppy can raise her hand on anyone?"
The smile on Nami's face disappeared completely as she listened to the conversation and her gaze sharpened. She always looked similar to her sister but when she turned cold, she was like her exact copy.
"I don't think she can. She looks too innocent to fight anyone but maybe that's his type."
"Are we really talking about type here? They almost killed him so it doesn't make sense. I'm guessing she must be either threatening him or simply spreading her legs and using her body to get him interested."
Nami had already heard enough and decided to walk up to stop them but she paused at their next words.
"I doubt Number One would be seduced this easily. Have you seen Miss Luna's body? She is like a goddess and Number One didn't care much about her."
"That's true… I actually forgot those two fought in the morning. They came to the Academy together and they were covered in blood. She must have stabbed him in the thigh by how she reacted."
"That only leaves the first option. What if she uses her sister to pressure him? We should report it to the Headmaster tomo—"
The female student wasn't able to finish as Nami resumed walking up the stairs and they stopped talking at the sound of sudden footsteps. The two girls tried to play it cool by turning around to look out of the window but then they saw who it actually was.
"I'm too innocent to fight, right?" Nami repeated coldly as she approached step by step. "I'm also a slut that spreads legs and threatens people, right? Is there anything else I forgot to mention?"
The two girls paled at Nami's words and immediately shook their heads. "We never said anything like that. You must have heard wrong."
"Oh, really?" Nami asked casually as she walked in front of the closest girl and her arm moved on its own.
Pa!
A powerful slap landed on the girl's face and she stumbled back while covering the red imprint with widened eyes. "Y-you…! You are breaking the Academy rules!"
"Do you think I care about rules?" Nami questioned back coldly and spun in place with her foot kicking straight at the girl's stomach. This time she wasn't able to stand and fell down on the floor while desperately gasping for breath.
"P-please… I didn't insult you," the other girl begged as soon as Nami gazed at her but that didn't save her.
Pa!
Another slap landed on the target and the second girl joined her friend on the floor. Nami rarely got angry but when she did, no amount of begging could stop her from venting her anger.
"You didn't leave after the shit that came from your friend's mouth which makes you equally guilty," Nami sentenced like a judge and her palms burst out with black Soul Energy. "Now, you only have two choices and you can only pick one. Either I beat you up until you can't move or we will have a small talk and you answer all my questions."
The girls trembled at the sight of the black color and the second girl immediately chose the latter. "Please, we will answer anything!"
Nami nodded and interrogated sharply, "Tell me everything that happened between Miss Luna and Number One. Especially about the fight they had in the morning. I want to know everything you saw."
***
"I'm back," Nami announced her entry just in case Number One was already done but she wasn't this lucky. Her man was laying down on the bed with his eyes closed and he didn't even react to her arrival.
Nami walked up to the bed and finally smiled again while looking at Number One's handsome face. It was the first time that Nami has ever lost her composure and it was all because of him. She wasn't mad at being insulted but rather at the claims that she wasn't the right woman for him.
"You can do it baby. I believe in you," Nami wished with a soft voice full of love and caressed Number One on the cheek. She was about to lay down by his side when she recalled the two girls' confessions.
Luna tried to feed him a healing pill after injuring him but after ripping his pants, she found no wound on his leg. If Nami didn't know about her sister's killing skills, she would probably believe the story about healing pills but it slowly began to sound too far-fetched.
Firstly, Nami didn't know of any pills that could resurrect from the dead. Secondly, Number One recovered too quickly even if he really had a set of Legendary Healing Pills. Even the best pills would take time to show any results with such heavy injuries.
Knowing all those facts, Nami actually thought of an explanation that only needed a simple test to confirm. She glanced at the spotless skin that she could cut with her nail to prove her theory but that thought caused her to feel disgusted.
"I would rather live in the unknown than hurt you…" Nami muttered gently and finally cuddled into his body to sleep in his arms.