I had bought quite a few useful items, but I didn't tell Lucy or Sachi,I wanted to surprise them.
---
The next morning.
Professor Baldric announced that the whole class would be teleported using an advanced magic spell to the academy's training island. The special part was… on that island, students were allowed to do anything.
Professor Baldric, with his shiny bald head, said:
"Alright, this evaluation is very important. It will test your overall abilities. Don't worry about monsters or anything dangerous. Now, each of you will wear this badge. If it disappears or gets stolen, you're eliminated. Oh, and to add some motivation… the one who takes down the most people will get a reward."
As we were preparing for the teleportation, I noticed Dan staring at me. Clearly, I had caught his attention.
"Okay, get ready: 5… 4… 3… 2…"
Just before the spell activated, a sudden idea came to me. I reached out and grabbed Lucy's hand.
"1."
My vision turned completely white. Five seconds later, the scene before me changed to a dense forest and right next to me stood Lucy, her hand still in mine.
"W-What are you doing…!?"
Her face flushed red as she looked at our joined hands but she didn't pull away.
"I just thought... what would happen if two people touched while teleporting. And, well, it looks like we ended up in the same place."
I could feel Lucy's small, smooth hand. My heart thumped uncontrollably. But… it was time to let go.
I slowly released her hand. Her face was still red as she turned away and muttered:
"You should at least warn a girl before grabbing her hand like that…"
She said it so softly, but I heard every word.
Immediately after, she quickly changed the subject to the forest, probably trying to hide her embarrassment.
We started walking along a moss-covered path lit by streaks of sunlight filtering through the leaves.
Lucy walked slightly ahead, holding a small staff in her hand and glancing around cautiously. From time to time, I caught her sneaking glances at me but she always looked away just as quickly.
"Don't you think this place is too quiet?" I asked as I stepped over a large tree root.
"Yeah… it's kind of suspicious. But at least nothing or no one's jumped out at us yet."
Her reply sounded a little forced.
We continued for about ten more minutes. I was just about to say something when—
"Ah!"
Lucy's scream made my heart leap. I spun around and saw her being yanked upward, one leg caught in a magical rope trap. She was suspended mid-air, completely upside down.
"Lucy!" I rushed over.
She hung awkwardly in the air, her golden hair falling freely and her skirt fluttering in the wind. Her face burned with a mix of embarrassment and irritation.
"D-Don't look! Just… help me down already!"
I didn't hesitate. The trap was cleverly hidden and reinforced with anti-magic thorns. It couldn't be undone with magic, and touching it with bare hands would cause injury.
I gritted my teeth and grabbed the rope with my bare hands. Instantly, the thorns cut into my skin, and blood began to drip down.
"Y-Your hand! You're bleeding! Stop it, you idiot!"
Lucy's voice trembled with obvious concern.
"It's fine… If I don't break the trap, you'll be hurt even worse."
I gripped the rope tighter, pain shooting up my arm. With one strong pull, the mechanism snapped and Lucy fell. I caught her just in time.
"You're seriously such an idiot…"
She whispered in my arms, her crimson eyes filled with worry and something else I couldn't quite name.
I smiled, even as blood still trickled from my hand. "But I'm an idiot who's willing to get hurt for you."
She stayed silent for a moment before lowering her head.
"Give me your hand."
Lucy gently pulled my hand toward her and began chanting a healing spell.
Warm light spread through my palm, but the warmth from her small hands… was even more comforting.
Just as she finished healing, a voice called out from the bushes ahead.
"Oh my, what a lovey-dovey couple~ Hahaha~"
Both Lucy and I turned toward the sound. A girl with vibrant green hair stepped out from behind the trees, her playful eyes gleaming like she'd just witnessed the punchline of a joke. It was Ruka, one of our classmates.
Lucy immediately turned red. "W-What couple!?"
Then she turned to the girl, voice rising: "So you're the one who set that trap!? I'll make you pay for messing with me!"
"Whoa whoa, calm down."
Ruka laughed nervously and took a step back. "I was only trying to trap loners and steal their badges. I didn't expect to find a pair stuck together like glue. I know I don't stand a chance against both of you, so…"
Without another word, she spun around and bolted into the forest. Her green hair shimmered as she disappeared into the trees.
Lucy let out a sigh, still looking annoyed.
"Tch… what a pain."
She turned back to me.
"…You can put me down now."
That's when I realized—I was still holding her in my arms. Her face flushed even deeper, and she looked away, but… she didn't struggle.
"O-Oh, right."
I gently set her down.
As soon as her feet touched the ground, she quickly straightened her skirt and turned her back to me, mumbling just loud enough for me to hear:
"…I guess it wasn't that bad."
I let out a quiet chuckle.
Looks like I'd made a bit more progress with this tsundere today.