Chapter 377: That, I Doubt
After 7 days of going through the grueling training set out by the Drill Instructor, Azmodeus managed to get his cultivation base to the Grade 5 Celestial Immortal Realm. Moreover, his Battle Power also achieved the very peak of the Grade 9 Celestial Immortal Realm, only a step away from breaking into the Prime Immortal Realm!
However, it was also during this period of time that a certain silver-haired beauty 'coincidentally' encountered him whenever he was not in the midst of training or studies. In fact, even during studies, Sylvia always seemed to find her way right beside him, chiding him about how friends should study and help each other.
Just like today…
"Hey, Azzy!"
"Don't call me that," Azmodeus retorted as he put a hand up to the face of the girl trying to jump on him. "I've already told you to just call me Azmodeus," he added while pushing her face further away from him.
They were both in the huge, expansive Omega Library, so they whispered throughout their entire exchange. And contrary to the studying or reading that one would normally do in a library, Sylvia only seemed to want to play around.
"Weren't friends supposed to 'help each other study'?" Azmodeus asked while his nose was still in a book on practical Immortal Energy applications.
Sylvia flailed her slender arms up and down, trying her best to break past his grip and give him a big ol hug. "This and that are different things," she insisted with puppy dog eyes.
"That, I doubt," Azmodeus said as he gripped her head a little tighter. Careful not to harm her, he set her down in the seat right beside him, keeping her at least arm's length at all times.
"You're no fun!" Sylvia quietly grumbled. "What's so wrong with wanting to get a little closer to you…" she murmured underneath her breath.
"What was that?"
"N-Nothing at all, you big jerk!"
Sylvia harrumphed before turning her head away from Azmodeus. She then pulled out a study book of her own and read its contents, trying her best to look anywhere but where that big jerk was situated.
After a few minutes of Azmodeus studying and Sylvia pretending to study while stealing glances at the oblivious man beside her, she could no longer take it anymore.
Bam!
She rose from her desk and slammed it, then she looked at him and fervently shouted, "Let's go out somewhere this afternoon!"
Azmodeus turned to look at the flustered girl, then, with a face as straight as could be, he said, "No."
"Whyyy!?" Sylvia asked with her chipmunk cheeks puffed up on one side.
"Because I have more training to do this afternoon," Azmodeus said calmly. To which Sylvia shortened the gap between them and got right up in his face. "That isn't a good enough excuse, you jerk!" She complained. "Just come out with me, as friends!"
Her sparkly blue eyes emphasized just how ambiguous the word 'friend' meant to her. It was highly likely that she was expecting more from him than what two friends would normally do on a day out.
"Still not going," Azmodeus said evenly. "I have better things to do than gallivant around campus—"
"I will bring you to that Campus Restaurant with the Prime Immortal meat plates!"
"I will consider it," Azmodeus said with a sigh.
"You can order whatever you want! It's all on me!"
With those sickly sweet words from Sylvia, Azmodeus's previous resolve was no more. He immediately folded under the pressure and got the time for their 'meeting', which she termed a 'date.'
"Friends don't go on dates," Azmodeus said with a twitching smile. "Have you ever seen two friends go to an expensive restaurant with a romantic atmosphere?"
Sylvia's eyes became erratic. "N-No… But we are the bestest of friends, so it's fine!" She said as she reassured herself of her intentions.
"...Sure," Azmodeus said with a tinge of helplessness. 'I always was a sucker for benefits,' he thought. 'But that is all; I will not go further down this path with Sylvia. She is simply an acquaintance.'
As with all people or things in his life, he pushed them away before even having the chance to get close to them. Yang Hua and Nao Long were two such examples, and this girl would be no different.
—----------
After more than a month since arriving at the Omega Dome, Azmodeus had assumed that Sylvia would tire of him, just as all the girls before her had done. However, something was different about her. It was almost like she could see through his facade and peer into his true nature.
And for him, that was scarier than any apocalyptic disaster could be…
With her staying by his hip almost all the time, he was brought to the most extravagant and luxurious places on campus. And with this extravagance came large boosts to his cultivation.
During this month, and with Sylvia's help, he managed to reach the Stage 9 Celestial Immortal Realm, whereas his Battle Power passed the Grade 3 Prime Immortal Realm!
Now, on this seemingly ordinary day, Azmodeus left his dorm room in the late afternoon, planning to meet up with Sylvia by a large stone fountain.
Arriving at their meetup location, there she stood, dazzling and beautiful, like a radiant sun on a dimly lit day. She wore a flattering yellow sundress with a pair of matching earrings and shoes, as well as a light orange sun hut.
"At a loss for words, my dear romeo~?" Sylvia teased as she stared at Azmodeus's slightly enamored expression. "Have you finally fallen for my charms?" She asked while tipping her body over in a playful, seductive way.
"...No, I'm just blinded by your narcissism, is all," Azmodeus retorted as he snapped out of his stupor. Changing the subject, he said, "I haven't noticed till now, but you always have a hat on your head. Is there a reason for that?" He asked, curious.
"Uhmm, well…"
...