Line Hunters

4. More Surprises

When the second person came, because of the blue-haired boy's high scores, his scores seemed rather low. Then the third person made her way up and there were cheers from the students.

"I'm so lucky! I get to witness Goddess Lucil's spiritual, physical, and mental strength!"

"Isn't she a second year? I heard she got high scores last year."

"Still popular as ever, Lucil," Connie teased.

The girl tucked her long, red hair behind her ears and grinned. "You're more popular than me, Mr. LaCrow. Does it matter what order I do these? I remember we had to last year."

"Nope, just do as you want."

Putting her hand over the mental stone, it read 53 out of 100. The strength stone revealed Lucil's was 80 out of 200.

"Wow! Lucil sure is awesome! Last year, when I checked my physical strength, it was 47. But Lucil is only 30 points behind that blue-haired kid!"

"Isn't thirty points a big difference?" Ian mumbled.

The girl standing next to him heard him and was furious. "She's a girl so it's expected! Men are blessed to be born with more strength but Goddess Lucil is not far behind! I bet you're not even stronger than her. You look too skinny and weak!"

The girl was so loud many students heard her, including Connie who was displeased with the girl's attitude. The gentle-looking boy wasn't wrong at all. Thirty points was indeed a huge difference. Even one point was enough of a difference. The girl's shouting caught the students' attention, but they also heard Ian's response.

"You're comparing a cat to an elephant. Why do you call her a goddess when she's much weaker than a human?"

Although Ian's voice was soft, those around him could hear his words and erupted into a roar of laughter, repeating the words to their peers who missed the fun. Connie tried not to laugh but it was obvious he too found it funny. They thought this kid was too cute! He truly sounded innocent and meant no harm, but the contrast made it so hilarious! Lucil was upset by Ian's words, but she remembered she was in front of everyone and couldn't show her anger over something that was depressingly true. Plus, when Lucil saw who spoke, some of her anger went away. His appearance was the kind that reminded you of a cool gentle breeze on a sunny day, with a fresh fragrance around him. The boy had light green hair in a straight bowl style—much like bangs—and two strands of hair tied by a small band that ended near his chin. His brown eyes made him look kind.

The students' uncontrolled laughter and meaningful glances upset Lucil. The person who caused this was calm and expressionless, which led Lucil to believe he meant it for the other girl who was completely red in the face, and not directed at her.

Lucil placed her over the last stone, and when the blue color rose to 955, everyone quieted down.

"Are my eyes deceiving me? Wasn't it 885 last time?"

"Lucil improved so much in less than a year!"

"Lucil, what did you do to grow so much? Please share your secret with us!"

"Eh? This means she's stronger than Mr. LaCrow! Don't worry Mr. LaCrow, you'll always be my favorite! It's just that Lucil's a close second and I'm afraid she may overtake my heart soon!"

Connie, "..."

Once Lucil walked away, Connie called for the next number, which was Ian. Because of Ian's earlier comment, he got more attention and was cheered on by people who just knew of his existence a few minutes ago. Even Lucil decided to stay behind to watch. She was interested in his strengths.