The next day, Theo quickly went toward the meeting spot, finding Alea, who seemed to have been waiting for a while.
She tied her blonde hair into a ponytail, so it wasn't in the way when she fought. She wore a white shirt coupled with a black vest. However, what he couldn't comprehend was her choice to use a skirt.
"Ah, you are here." She smiled and waved her hand.
"Ehm… Before we go, can I ask you something first?"
"Sure. Ask me anything."
"Why do you wear a skirt? If I am not wrong, you have been wearing pants this whole time, and if we are moving around, isn't pants better?" Theo frowned, becoming worried about her well-being.
"Eh? Are you…" She stepped back while looking at him with a weird smile.
"I'm just worried about your IQ," Theo waved her hand and said with a poker face.
"IQ…" Alea's eyebrows twitched. "You really don't hold back after I give you permission to talk casually, eh? Anyway, to answer your question, I have two reasons."
"I'm listening. Though, I will start questioning whether I should ask Major Sam to renounce—"
"Wait, wait. You don't need to finish that sentence. I'm going to tell you right now!" She hurriedly closed his mouth, panicking. "It's training."
"Do you think I'm dumb?"
"I can see that your skill is increasing by leaps and bounds, especially in Breathing and Control. What I am practicing right now is Control. I don't know if your mentor has taught you this, but you can envelop your body with Magic Power. It's like you are wearing invisible full-body armor.
"But if I wear pants like usual, I would end up not being conscious about it. So, if I show a bit of my skin, I am forced to focus on protecting my skin from thorns or something, so it won't graze my skin.
"Of course, I only do it when we are going to a low-level area because I don't mind spending my Magic Power to maintain this ability for a whole day. If I need to go to a dangerous area, I will wear proper clothes."
Theo closed his eyes, contemplating her answer. "Well, I can accept this reason. And?"
"And?"
"You said you have two reasons."
"Oh! The second reason is for you. I heard that boys like to take a glance over this…" She smiled and slightly raised her skirt as if tempting him.
Theo, on the other hand, opened his Skylink and took a note, typing "50" and "-1" on it.
"What is that number, Theo? Ah, since I allow you to call me Alea, you don't mind me calling you Theo, right?"
"I don't mind. As for your question, it's the point to see if I should continue being your partner. In other words, this is my mental number." Theo answered.
"What will happen if it reaches 0?"
"Obviously, I will ask Major Sam to break this pair up."
"Eh?" Her face became pale as she asked. "But a part of your word was a lie. Let's see… I think you have another intention of keeping a tab on this number. You want to see how much I am going to be annoyed with your cold attitude, right? This way, you can see my seriousness in being your partner."
"…" Although he wanted to show no expression, he knew that it was impossible to hide from Alea. Instead of fussing about it, he added another "-1" out of spite.
"Oops." Alea gently rubbed her cheek. "Fine, fine. I won't say anything useless, alright? Can you just be nicer to a girl?"
"But you will become more annoying later, thinking I will do anything for you." Theo shook her head. "Besides, I don't care that much. The moment you step here, you are not a female or male anymore. You are a fighter. If I need to kill, I will kill even you."
"With this attitude, no girls will like you, you know." She pouted.
Hearing this, Theo made a gentle smile and said without a care. "You don't need to worry about it. Not only girls, but guys also don't like me, saying I'm incompetent and bullying me."
Alea froze as she recalled the incident in school. With Laust confronting him, Theo must have experienced worse. "Ehm, I'm sorry."
Instead of replying to her, Theo walked forward while waving his hand. His eyes were glaring at her as if telling her, "If you keep spouting those useless things, I'm going to leave you behind."
"Wait for me." Alea turned around and chased him as they ran forward.
"So, what is our plan? Your level is far above me, so I believe you have more say in this, considering this place relies on power, not rationality," asked Theo when she caught up as if nothing happened earlier.
Alea really couldn't handle Theo in this part as she answered honestly. "For now, let's go to Art Beats Castle. I want to buy some spices. I know that it's going to take us two hours of running, but this is important."
"Don't tell me you are planning to camp…" Theo narrowed his eyes.
"Nope. I mean, we still need to make our lunch and dinner ourselves. I don't want military ration or canned food, so I will be cooking for both of us. Of course, this included the other weeks."
"Well, if that's your intention. Should I pay half of it as well?"
"No need. I will buy everything. How about buying a better spear for you? It's a Normal Rank Spear, right?"
Theo looked at the spear in his hand and nodded. "Yes, I think I will buy an Elite Rank Spear."
"Then, I—"
"No need. I will buy it with my own money." Theo shook his head.
"Eh, but you…" She looked at him with a worried expression before she suddenly realized, thinking. 'Wait a minute. He could level up so much during the past few days. He must have hidden so many things and built his own secret this whole time. He probably won't lose against Laust…'
She drew a gasp as she stared at Theo dumbfoundedly. Suddenly, a smile appeared on her face. "It seems I've chosen the right person. You are truly the most interesting one in our group. I am looking forward to working with you."
Theo ignored her remark as they continued their journey.