The Devil Withinn - Chapter 253

Before Solomon could ask any more, Ingrid hurriedly grabbed her armor. She tried her best to grab everything, draping them over her shoulders, elbows, and even her head. But every time she did, one item falls on the ground instead. And so, her actions became a cycle of her draping, dropping, and picking the armor up.

Seeing her comical display, Solomon chuckled softly. Amusement reflected in his eyes as he observed her trying so hard to try and grab everything hurriedly. He knew that she didn’t want to be asked further questions about her name nor her family hence the obvious desperation she held to gather all her armor in one fell swoop. She was most likely planning to grab then run away.

Solomon snickered, reveling the ridiculous display for a few moments before finally casting a spell to help her.

The armor glowed and floated around Ingrid, making her jump in surprise as she whipped her head to look at Solomon in confusion.

“It’ll keep floating and following you for ten moments. Within the tenth moment, the spell would gradually disappear and soon after, they would crash to the ground. But no worries, I don’t think it would take you more than ten moments to go to your room from here.”

Inna furrowed her brows as she stared at Solomon.

“I’m not going back to that room. I’m leaving.”

Solomon raised an eyebrow at her unexpected statement.

“Leaving? Why?”

Ingrid gave him an obvious look as she made her way to the door.

“Why else? I am one of the adventurers that live in Tarnil hence I’ll obviously be going back to Tarnil, where I rightfully belong. Being in Anemoly, much more in this prestigious Eldora Academy, gives me the impression that I’m trespassing into somewhere I shouldn’t be. Though, for all the effort you’ve done in taking care of me, I can only give you my thanks.”

Ingrid tilted her head as a makeshift bow before opening the door before her. But just as she took one step out of the room, Solomon suddenly spoke up.

“I… uhh… I do suggest you stay longer. I mean, aren’t you curious as to what the academy would look like? How the classes are? Don’t you want to learn some combat secrets from our Combat department? I’m sure Azai would love to take you in or, show you around at least.”

Ingrid immediately stopped at her tracks after hearing his tempting offer.

Truly, it is a once in a lifetime experience for her to ever enter such a place!

But… was she willing to sacrifice her safety for the sake of her curiosity?

Solomon saw her hesitation and couldn’t help but smirk.

“Tell you what, if you rest here for about three days, I’d personally tour you around this academy on the third day. The preceding two days would be allotted for your recovery and also because I have piled up work to be finished on those days. Well, within the two days, I’d allow for you to roam anywhere, but not inside the rooms of the Academy just yet. Just… take the time to take in the outer scenery for now, okay? Who knows what you’ll find?”

Ingrid turned around to face him as she furrowed her brows.

“I don’t need the two days of recovery. Just let me go roam around tomorrow and get what information I could hope to get so that I can leave after.”

Solomon sighed at her stubbornness.

“Young lady, it was just moments ago that you’ve just woken up from your three-day slumber. You’re still undernourished because you’ve barely eaten and drunk anything for the past days you were asleep. And I recall you’ve barely eaten the meal earlier too with you wanting to follow Granny Zai here…”

Solomon sighed as he peered at her stubborn face.

“Trust me, you’re in no condition to roam around, much less doing it alone. You’d most likely end up getting dizzy and faint which would make us worry too much for you, y’know? So, just stay put for now and enjoy the following days that’ll pass. I’d inform the guards to leave you to your own devices but just make sure to stay within the school’s direct premises and not wander off too much.”

Ingrid began to consider such an offer but then again, could he really trust them enough to actually stay with them longer?

What if they had other things planned and she’d end up being the clueless prey in the predator’s habitat?

Solomon could already figure out what she was thinking when he saw that usual distrusting glint in her eyes. And so, before she could question him further about it, he decided to address it first.

“And if safety is your issue, I assure you by my duty as the Headmaster of this academy and by my word as a man, I would see to it that no harm would come your way. If you need anything, tell the guards you see or the maids around her and I’ll see to it, as long as its reasonable, that I would do whatever it takes to get it, okay? So, are you willing to stay?”

Ingrid furrowed her brows as she thought it over deeply. Recalling all his words until now, he’s been nothing but cautious and considerate with her. He doesn’t seem like such a bad guy. After all, if he really wanted her to die, he wouldn’t have spent so much effort saving her from that forest.

Then again, there are some people who’d take living beings hostage to be their blood or organ farm…

Ingrid sighed. She really had problems with trusting people. She was tricked far too many times through seemingly impossible means that she could say she’s lucky she was still alive. And so, afraid to be tricked once more, her mind would try to consider every possible event that would happen.

But after living like that for years, it only made her more isolated than ever.

Maybe this was the time where she could just live freely for once. In these three days, she could try and just enjoy each passing day without the fear of being stabbed in her sleep by thieves or being kidnapped and sold somewhere.

Maybe she could restore that comfort she had years ago when things weren’t that complicated and her mind was still untainted from the evils of the world.

But before she could do that, she still needed an answer for the question that’s been bugging her earlier.

“Why do you do all this for me?”