CHAPTER 184: CHAPTER 184 - TEAM FORMATION (2)

The classroom still buzzed with an energy of its own—students shifting in their seats, chairs scraping faintly against the floor, and the rustle of papers and robes filling the air. Yet around Luca, it felt unnaturally still. His gaze locked on the figure settling gracefully into the chair beside him, and his breath hitched. His eyes widened, disbelief twisting through his chest.

Why is she here? The thought slammed against his mind like a hammer. It makes no sense... she should be in the main party. Not... not here.

His lips moved almost on their own, the words slipping out in a low mutter.

"Ahh... Saintess?"

She turned her head slightly, her movements as fluid as water, her long lashes lowering as she smiled at him. Her posture remained perfectly composed, back straight, hands folded lightly on her lap. Then, tilting her chin in quiet grace, she spoke with a serene warmth.

"Ah, thank you for agreeing. I didn’t think it would be this easy."

Luca blinked hard, his chest tightening. His hand twitched on the edge of his desk as if he’d misheard, and he quickly leaned forward.

"W–wait!"

The Saintess tilted her head in response, the strands of her silken hair sliding gently over her shoulder. Her expression was soft, her voice airy and calm, as though they were discussing something trivial.

"Hmm? Didn’t you agree just now?"

From the side, Eric leaned back in his chair with a careless grin. He raised a finger, pointing toward Luca, and nodded with exaggerated certainty.

"Yeah, he said it. I heard it."

Luca’s eyes narrowed immediately, shooting Eric a glare sharp enough to cut. Eric only shrugged, smirking, as if amused at the whole scene.

Look at her smile, Luca thought bitterly, forcing himself not to stare too long at the Saintess’s delicate composure. Anyone would think she’s kind and innocent. But... His brows furrowed, and he exhaled through his nose, shaking his head faintly. She definitely has some alternate motive.

He straightened slowly in his chair, tapping his fingers against the desk before asking, tone cautious.

"But... why our team?"

The Saintess’s smile didn’t falter in the slightest. She shifted ever so slightly closer, her hands resting over each other on her knees, her expression serene and ready—as though she had rehearsed her answer long ago.

"I want to be a teammate. Others would treat me specially or will be overwhelmed by it... and you are one of the closer people to me compared to others who wouldn’t do it "

Luca studied her, his eyes narrowing, his body tense as though her calm presence only unsettled him further. Still, he pushed, asking the question that burned most sharply in his chest.

"Then why didn’t you join Aiden’s team?"

Her smile deepened, the corners of her lips curving like sunlight breaking through clouds. Without hesitation, she leaned in ever so slightly, her voice ringing with gentle finality.

"Because I want to join yours."

A silence stretched, and Luca could only drag a hand down his face, sighing. His shoulders sagged as though all the energy had been drained from him. There’s no point... she already has all the answers, once she decides on something, she won’t change her mind.But she can at least be trusted... for now. She won’t at least harm others who haven’t wronged her.

Finally, he lowered his hand, forcing himself to meet her eyes.

"Welcome to the team."

The Saintess clasped her hands together, tilting her head cheerfully as she made a soft, adorable gesture, almost like a playful cheer.

"Yeh!"

Luca groaned inwardly, resisting the urge to rub his temples. Hell difficulty... I thought maybe with a normal team, I could at least challenge hard. But with me and the Saintess together... sigh.

From the side, Eric stretched his arms behind his head with a lazy grin.

"Well, looks like it’ll be tough for us."

Both Luca and the Saintess turned their attention to him. He raised his brows and continued, tone casual but edged with practicality.

"With Luca and the Saintess, we’ll definitely have to challenge hell difficulty. But right now, we only have Luca as a fighter. I can’t fight, and the Saintess won’t fight."

The Saintess inclined her head slightly in acknowledgement, her serene expression unchanged, while Luca let out another tired breath. He pressed a hand against his chest, fingers brushing against his uniform. That’s right... she has more divine power than anyone, but only for healing. Why does priesthood have to be so complicated?

"Fine," he said at last, straightening again. His tone held the weight of reluctant leadership. "Let’s first gather the teammates. Then we’ll see how to deal with this."

Both nodded at his words. The scrape of chairs followed as they rose from their seats. Luca smoothed down his robes and gestured lightly toward the door.

"Let’s find people separately. We’ll be able to approach more people that way."

Eric scratched the back of his neck, his grin fading into something more uneasy.

"It’s still going to be difficult. With our team, anyone can guess it’ll be hell difficulty."

The Saintess placed a hand lightly against her chest, her smile as calm as ever.

"It looks like I’ve caused you some problems."

Eric laughed, waving dismissively.

"Nah, don’t worry. It would’ve been the same with only Luca as well."

Luca turned his eyes toward her once more, his jaw tightening faintly. Why don’t I feel like she’s apologetic at all...

Without another word, they went their separate ways, each heading toward the crowded halls in search of their future teammates.

Luca walked through the corridors, his hands slipping into his pockets as his footsteps echoed faintly against the stone floor. Well, it’s not like I’m completely clueless... he mused, lips pressing together in thought. I definitely know some people who are good, but... they should already be picked by now, or they may have already formed their own teams.

A quiet sigh escaped him, his shoulders lowering as he shook his head. Still, there should be at least one hidden gem left. Someone overlooked... someone who could fit. Think Luca think, there were so many quests you completed, can’t you think of two more members.

His pace slowed, thoughts pulling him deeper into his own head until he realized he was wandering aimlessly again. He gave a small, crooked smile. Figures. I’m walking without a destination.

Then, the soft plop of water reached his ears. He blinked, lifted his head, and found himself at the edge of a familiar lake. The ripples stretched across the surface, disturbed by small stones that skipped once, twice, before sinking.

Standing by the water’s edge was that violet-haired woman, her posture relaxed but her expression utterly bored as she flicked another pebble into the lake. Her hand moved with a lazy precision, almost mechanical, as though it was the only thing keeping her occupied.

Luca let out a soft chuckle under his breath, running a hand through his hair. Is this place magical or what? I always end up here whenever I’m lost in thought.

With a slight smile tugging at the corner of his lips, he stepped closer, boots crunching against the grass. "What are you doing?" he asked lightly, thinking isn’t she always here, she doesn’t go home or what.

She flinched, shoulders jerking as the pebble slipped from her fingers and fell straight into the lake without a skip. Her head snapped back toward him, violet strands swaying across her cheek as her eyes narrowed.

"Hmph, don’t talk to me." She turned sharply, crossing her arms as if building a wall between them.

Luca’s eyes widened at the sudden hostility, his brows furrowing. Now what’s with her...? Did I do something? But I haven’t even seen her for more than a month.