Chapter 48: Bet

Examination week has finally arrived. With the first day being spent on written exams, the students all gathered in their classrooms.

The whole room is quiet, with only sound of the pen scratching on the surface of the paper can be heard as the clock is ticking on the background.

There is also the occasional sound of heels clicking as the red-haired haired teacher roam around. Everytime she was near them, the students would hear their own heart beating quickly.

"You there, stop whispering to each other!" Himeko scolded a pair of student as she caught them cheating. Luckily, they were only given a warning. However, now that they have already caught the teacher's attention, they will have a harder time doing anything suspicious. This has only added another pressure on themselves.

Even so, the other students didn't give any sympathy since they are either busy with the exam or just thinking that they deserve it.

The exam proceeded without any problem after that.., well, for about thirty minutes. As soon as some reached halfway point at their test papers. They noticed the questions getting harder.

The room soon became full of groans as the students held their head in hopes to help them in recalling about the particular lesson asked in the papers. They just wanted to do their best not to skip any question unanswered before the time limit.

The most conspicuous among them all belong to a boy with black hair and a girl with white hair. Unfortunately for them, the first exam is History, a subject both of them aren't good at.

As the time limit draws closer, they unconsciously glance at each other. Noticing that their eyes met, he smirked as if he was taunting her. Kiana quickly fell for it as her face turned red from anger and quickly returned back to answering her test paper.

Glynne let out a sigh. Scratching the back of his head, the memory of last night flashed in his mind.

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"A bet?" Kiana asked, repeating the words that she heard. She paused her game and put down her controller as she stared at the black-haired boy who sat down beside her.

"Yep, a bet." Glynne said for the second time as he raised his index finger. "I figured we should make a bet which of the two of us would get a higher grade in the exam."

"I don't know..." Kiana felt reluctant with the boy's suggestion. She is aware that she is not that bright when it comes to studying. Although she is confident in her abilities when it comes to the practicals, she isn't sure if that will be enough to beat him.

"What, you afraid to lose?" Glynne taunted.

However, Kiana saw through it and didn't fell for it. She crossed her arms and glared at him to show that she is not amused at him belittling her.

"That's unfortunate..." Glynne had a wry smile seeing this. What he is doing right now is trecking on a field full of landmine. One wrong move, he will be at risked of the girl the exploding in anger at his face. He took a deep breath, hopefully this one would make her bite the bait. "You know, I'm even willing to treat to any food you like until your satisfied."

"Heh~, is that so..." the boy noticed Kiana's hand twitching. It was already been known that Glynne has a surplus of money in his bank so it was really hard to determine if he really serious with his offer or just joking. One thing for sure though, that he is at the right path. "Hmph, if your thinking that would be enough, then you're clearly wrong, Mister."

"Oh," Glynne was amused that his plan didn't worked. Knowing how much Kiana loves to eat, her turning down his offer was something quite admirable since she knows how to hold herself back. Even so, he know that just needed one more push. "Then how about this. I'll do anything that you want."

"Eh, really?!" Kiana asked as she grabbed both of the boy's hands while looking at him in the eyes. He flinched because of it since he really didn't expect her reaction to be like that. He had this gut feeling that he may regret this decision later on.

"Yes, I'm serious." Glynne replied while having a wry smile. "Well, that is if you WIN. " he said while putting an emphasis on the last word.

"Hmph, of course I would win! So you better not back down on your words!" Kiana declared as she pointed at him. Maybe because she felt motivated by the bet, she quickly run out of the living room in order to study.

Glynne smiled seeing how his plan worked. He looked up on the ceiling and lean on the sofa, hoping that the girl would do her best on the exam.

"Are you sure about this, Glynne." the boy look to his side to see Mei approaching him from the kitchen. Since the kitchen and living room only has partial wall separating between them, she can't help but to overhear their conversation. She knows that the boy was not that open about his secrets, but knowing Kiana, she would definitely ask about that.

"No worries, it isn't like she could beat me though." Glynne said with confidence.

"Ah " Mei got a realization as the boy reminded her about Kiana's weakness. That said, he didn't expect her next words. "I.... I thought you are better than this."

"Eh?" Glynne was perplexed when the girl started glaring at him as if he was her number one enemy. He didn't know the reason why. He about to asked it but he missed his chance as Mei immediately walked out of the room, leaving only the boy alone.

Why is this happening? - he thought. He only wanted to help motivate Kiana to study.

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For the nth time, Glynne let out a sigh. He stared at his lunch as he was still bothered at what happened last night. However, his thoughts were interrupted when he noticed a piece of chicken karaage being shove onto his face. Naturally, he tried to dodge it as he traced the arm to see a white-haired girl being the culprit.

"Ah, he's back." Kiana said while she retracted her arm and ate the karaage.

"Are you alright, Glynne?" the silver-haired girl by his side asked. She was worried since the boy has been quite unresponsive for quite a while. She isn't the only one though, when he looked around he saw that the rest of the girls are looking at him worryingly. Well, except for Mei though. She seems to be still angry about last night as she is just eating her lunch, not giving any care about him.

"Yeah, just thinking about something." Glynne said to try to reassure them

"Ah, did you perhaps messed up your test?!" Kiana exclaimed. He could see her eyes lit up as she thought that her chances of winning had gone up. She begun to laugh confidently while puffing her chest out. "Fufufu, at this rate, I'll will win our bet!"

"What bet?" Fu Hua questioned, curious at the white-haired girl's words.

"Ah, you see..." Kiana begun to narrate what happened last night. About their bet who would get a higher grade and her getting a chance make Glynne do one thing she would like if she won. After hearing this, the others also glared at him.

""Glynne.... "" they called out his name with a bit of disgust. Once again, the boy was confused as he has no clue why.

"Eh? W-what is happening?" even Kiana was confused by the sudden change of atmosphere and look around repeated between her friends.

Letting out a big sigh, Mei put down her lunch box and begun to explain. "Kiana, don't you think you are being taken advantage of? I mean, no offense, but compared to Glynne, he is only struggling on two subjects. Not only does you have a low chance of winning, you didn't even know what he will ask of you if he win."

"Ah" Kiana realized what her friend was getting as he glared at the boy while hugging herself. "Perv... "

"WAIT, that's a misunderstanding!!" Glynne shouted as he tries to quickly deny the accusation. "I'm not planning any of that! That didn't even crossed my mind!"

"Oh, then will happen if you win." Fu Hua interrogated with a condensing tone.

"That..." Glynne look away as he fidgets on his seat. He then scratches his chin as he was embarrassed about something. "Actually, I don't have any in mind.., Or should I say, I was planning to do nothing. The truth is, my only intention was to help motivate Kiana to study."

This was how Siegfried would always do to him back then. Using the innate competitive spirit of people, he would bait it using bets and promise high rewards when they win. Of course if he won, he wouldn't do anything and would just say 'Better luck next time'.

Maybe sensing that Glynne was telling the truth, their faces begun to soften. "Geez, if that was the case, don't you think there are better ways of approach."

Glynne let out a dry smile. He agrees with what Mei said but this is just how he was raised.

"Eh, then isn't that unfair?!" Kiana complained as she slammed her hands on the table. Everyone was surprised by it and look over at her direction. "If I win I get something, but if you win you get nothing!"

"Well..," Glynne was loss for words as he scratch the back of his head. This is why he didn't want to tell them his intention.

Kiana stared at the boy for a few seconds. She then put a hand on her chest as she clenches it into a fist. "Aright, if you win I will agree to do one thing you asked me to."

"Wait, wait, wait! Ain't that too reckless?!" Glynne quickly retorted. He had just escape the misunderstanding, now it seems like the situation just becoming into a reality.

"Glynne's right, a girl shouldn't say those words." Mei said and tries to change her friend's mind.

"What? Are you both saying I would lose?" at Kiana's question, the two of them shut their mouths. Perhaps her competitive spirit was stirred a bit too much.

Glynne was troubled by this. He didn't want to resort to it but he got no choice. However, his thoughts will be cut short by Kiana's next words.

"Oh, and by the way, if I found out you held back. I will go all out with my wish." Glynne freezes as it seems like the girl is reading his mind. There was an audible gulp as he was afraid about her threat.

"...Fine," Glynne let out a sigh and agreed with Kiana's suggestion after a few seconds. He then stood up as it seems he was preparing to go somewhere.

"Where are you going?" Bronya asked the boy. "Bronya will also go with you."

"Ah, my drink run out so I'm just going to get some. Don't worry, it wouldn't take too much time so wait for me here." Glynne said, declining the silver-haired girl's offer.

"Then can you get me a cola?"

"Apple juice for me please."

"I would also like to request an oolong tea."

"Girls... " Glynne narrowed his eyes as he look at Kiana, Mei, and Fu Hua. Just when did he became an errand boy. He let out sigh of defeat as he face Bronya. "What would you like?"

"Limited edition deluxe Hum-"

"Like hell those exist in a vending machine!" Glynne quickly retorted and cut off Bronya by gently hand chopping her on the forehead.

Bronya pretented to be hurt as she held her head. She look up with puppy dog eyes at Glynne while pouting. Well, at least that what it looks like. "Then, Bronya would like to request strawberry milk."

"Got it." Glynne nodded and then left the room.

It was at this moment that the girls was suddenly surrounded. It was like they were waiting for this chance with the boy now out of the way.

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They say that when people sigh, they would also let out their good luck along with it. Glynne don't how much left he has but can't help but let out another one again. "Just how desperate are these people?" He muttered.

He hasn't left yet. As soon as he walk out of the classroom, he quickly hid his presence and lean behind the door. He was aware of the stares he was getting. Knowing what is inside their minds, he intentionally left and baited them.

Right now, he is leaning on the wall while crossing his arms as he is listening at the conversation inside.

"For the last time, we don't plan on kicking out Glynne on our team!" Kiana shouted at the them.

"Huh? Did you really trust that parasite's words? He's just manipulating you to get what he wants. Didn't you almost fell for it?" Glynne scoffed at the unknown girl's words. Some people just always like to read deeply into people's mistakes.

"Glynne is not like that." this time, it was Bronya's turn to defend the boy. "He is more hardworking than all of you."

"Hmph, like we care about his lover's opinion. You're already a hopeless case so don't try infecting others." Glynne clenched his fist as he tries to hold back his anger. However, he will not let anyone insulting his friends pass. As of now, he took note of the girl's voice.

(*AN:It's really hard to maintain this PG-13)

"Just what is you aim?" Fu Hua questioned. "Last time I checked, the deadline for team registry was last friday."

"W-we're just trying to warn you that's all. Don't you think a boy would fit to become an official Valkryja?" it seems like the other girl's opposition is waning judging by them stuttering their words.

"And who are you to judge?" the whole room freeze by a chilly voice. Even Glynne who is outside has his spine shiver. Mei was known to be always kind to everyone. That is why it came as a surprise when she showed anger. Their last words might have been the last coffin to get in her bad side.

Glynne laughed bitterly. It was no doubt that it was going out of hand. Before everything would get messy, he decided to step in.

"Eh, what's happening?" the boy entered the room, acting bewildered by the atmosphere. Everyone look over at him as his mouth twitched with how many attention he was getting.

"That, was quick." Kiana commented as he isn't even out by at least a few minutes.

"Well, I forgot about by phone so decided to come back to get it." Glynne told an excuse as he walk over them. The girls surrounding Kiana's group move to the side to give him a way.., or just don't want to get near him. Whatever their reason might be, he didn't care and got near his desk.

Everyone was suspicious of him as his entry seems to be timed perfectly. However, it seems like he was telling the truth as Glynne put a hand under his desk and had retrieved a phone. "Alright, I should be going now." he said and turned around.

"Ah, by the way," however, Glynne suddenly stop when he was in front the door. He turned his head to the side and look behind him. "I would appreciate if you watch tomorrow's performance."

His tone wasn't as friendly as his words. Rather, it was heavy as it seems like it was laced with his blood lust.

Everyone felt their lives flashing through their eyes. The whole room became silent with only the sound of something dropping on the floor. Their face was pale, particularly to the girl that have insulted Bronya. A puddle formed under her as her eyes was in verge of tears. Glynne smirked at the sight and continued on his way.

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Thanks for reading!!