Take My Hand [Wuthering Waves x Reader]

[3] To The Academy

It's still so weird to be here for real. I thought to myself as I walked beside Rover, taking in the sights around me. On top of that, witnessing all of this firsthand sure is a different experience from seeing it in-game. It really makes you appreciate the scenery of this world so much more than you would when looking at it through a screen...

"Do you want me to show you around Jinzhou after we're done with whatever we need to do in the Academy?" Rover asked with a smile as he glanced at me. "After all, although you haven't said anything, you've been eagerly eyeing everything around us, taking in every detail you can find."

I couldn't help but laugh at that as I rubbed the back of my neck nervously. "It's that obvious, huh...?" I remarked, returning the grin with one of my own. "Well, if you don't mind, then pretty please. If I go alone, I'm worried that I might get lost..."

Not only that, knowing me, I would find it difficult to ask for help from anyone nearby if that happens. I thought to myself with an internal sigh. Even if I could bring myself to do so, it would take a lot of time and effort to approach them. ...and it'd be super awkward... However, I didn't voice that out loud, too embarrassed to openly admit that.

"Sure, I don't mind," he replied with a nod of his head. "We could also get some snacks along the way if you're hungry by then."

I silently nodded and opened my mouth to say something. However, I stopped myself upon realizing that I have no idea what time it was and instead looked up at the sky out of curiosity. From what I could see, the sun was still high up in the sky, which meant that it should be either noonish or afternoon right now.

"It's currently afternoon," Rover answered and I looked at him in surprise, my (color) eyes gazing into his gentle golden ones.

When he smiled back at me, all I could do was blush and avert my eyes elsewhere as I mumble out an "I see". Well, I suppose that spares me from asking him about that. Still too embarrassing to have someone pay close attention to me like this though. I mean, I'm happy and all but...I can't help but get self-conscious...

I hurriedly changed the topic, wanting to divert his attention to something else. "Now that I think about it, won't they have me go through some simulation of some sort and fight against simulated TDs?" I asked, desperately trying to will away the burning sensation in my cheeks. "If so, I wonder if they would let me beat up some stationary monsters when I tell them that I lack fighting experience..."

"Yeah, I can definitely see them doing that," he answered. "...though, they'll want to test you for abilities that affect your own body like increased durability so you'll have to do a proper fight right after beating up the training dummy."

A strong sense of dread immediately overwhelmed me, chasing away the feeling of embarrassment instantly. "...you've got a point there..." I lamented with a sigh. "Well, at the very least, I won't be thrown in at the deep end. When the actual fight starts, I'll just have to endure it and give it my all."

That said, if I'm fighting, what weapons should I use? I thought to myself with a frown as we went up the stairs. Of course, I have no intentions of restricting myself to one but I shouldn't be too ambitious. Keeping it to two weapons seems doable, right? ...then if possible, I'd like to have one for close combat and another for ranged combat, just to be safe. From what I remember, there were dual pistols, swords, broadblades, gauntlets, and rectifiers. With those in mind, the only possible combination is...

"...Rover, do you think it would be possible for me to be using both a sword and a one-handed pistol...?" I questioned as I peeked at the black-haired male, curious on how he'll react to it.