"Is there a difference between a naked girl and a girl wearing a white button-up shirt and a teddy bear printed panties in terms of attraction?" from chapter 22 said Guest.

I think this stems from personal fetishes. In my personal opinion, I think that a naked girl has become rather boring unless they assume a certain position. Almost distasteful. A girl wearing a white button-up shirt and teddy bear printed panties would just seem a bit more humorous, but more arousing in a way. White shirts can be all ruffled and seem very sloppy. Seems alluring to me. The bear printed panties is just a little funny to me that would lighten the mood a little bit more. Can also be a symbol of innocence which adds a certain touch to it.

Other people may have different opinions on this, but you can't please everyone right?

I awake. I look everywhere. There wasn't a speck of light. I couldn't see anything. Pure darkness. Nothing happened. I sit there for a time. Nothing happened. I close my eyes.

Saturday, September 26th, 2014. 8:00 am

Elsword's POV

"Hey guys, come on!"

Aisha calls out to me and Rena. In front of her was Ara, Raven, Chung, and Eve. We were all going on a picnic. It was a rather nice change of pace. Only two more days until the start of the tournament. A lot of us have done immense training over the past few days, so we wanted to celebrate a little and relax. Rena was in charge of the food. Aisha brought a bunch of blankets and candles. Eve had some music for better atmosphere. Everyone else didn't really have to do anything. I think Chung brought dessert from his family.

"So, did you decide on a spot?" Raven asked Aisha.

"Right! So apparently there's a place where you can view all of the city! It's a little far off up on a cliff, but it's supposed to have an amazing view!" Aisha was hyped up.

"Alright. I'm game." Raven replied.

Ara slows down a little to be next to me and Rena. She smiles at me and Rena. Rena looked slightly annoyed and pulled me a few steps away. Ara chuckles and looks ahead.

Has Conwell started talking to you yet?

No. I haven't heard from him the day Elesis sparred with me.

I see... I hope things work out eventually.

Yeah. I can't wield the sword if he doesn't really respond to me at all.

Well. You could just not be bad at swordsmanship.

That kind of hurts you know. I've still been training really hard.

Do not dare complain then. If you truly have been working hard, then you should be confident enough already.

Wait... that's an awfully sharp, but very nice thing for you to say.

Oh please. Are you saying I am not naturally such a benevolent being?

Uh...

Suppress your answer.

It seems you two are getting along fairly well now. It is nice to see.

Well. It's not like we hated each other in the first place.

I for one would rather prefer this boy over a certain someone.

Eh?

Ara's face looked as if she was about to cry.

What? I was talking about Conwell.

Oh!

Her face changed to relief.

All the while, I felt an uneasy gaze on me. Rena was pouting.

"Aha... Hey Aisha! How much longer?" I asked Aisha.

"Maybe 10 more minutes?" She responded without turning.

For twenty minutes, I had a loving smile and a pouting gaze at me.

Saturday, September 26th, 2014. 8:23 am

"Alright! Time to eat!" Raven exclaimed.

We all set up our blankets and baskets. As Aisha said, we were on top of a cliff and had a beautiful view of the entire city.

"It really is an elegant place here." Ara commented on the spot.

"Isn't it? I heard this from one of the students in class, so I wanted to try going here once." Aisha replied.

We all look out at the city. We could see the school from here. It really was a mystical moment. To be in such a quiet area, looking out into the distance of where we live. All the while, Eve was passing out plates and preparing the food and music.

In front of us were some simple sandwiches with lettuce, tomato, ham, and cheese. There were also some cream bread that are hand-made. We all took some food and ate. We talked about our training the past few days and whatever other miscellaneous things we did.

"So, what are you guys planning to do the rest of today and tomorrow?" Chung asked.

"Sleep." Raven answered almost immediately.

"That's not a very productive way to use your weekend." Aisha sighed.

"Hey. I think it's productive. I can rest." Raven responded.

"I will probably spend my time at the library." Eve said.

"I see. I will be visiting my parents soon today." Chung said.

"I will be as well." I hear Rena say softly. She had a sad expression.

"I will be exploring the town today. Then maybe I will play in the forest." Ara said happily.

"I'm not exactly sure what I'll do." I put my hand to my chest. I was still a bit worried about Conwell.

"I will probably be reading some magic tomes. I'm still not set for the tournament." Aisha said.

The picnic went on. We started talking about more stupid things. Joked around. Had good laughs. A few hours past.

Saturday, September 26th, 2014. 12:56 pm.

We all had separated from the cliff, on to do our own things. Not knowing what to do, I went back to my room and laid on my bed. In two more days, the tournament would begin. I would have to face against the top ten students in our school and test my abilities against them. I could take one of their spots. It was a time to prove myself as a knight.

Yet... why did it feel like since that day that everything has started to go wrong. Conwell is pretty much just gone. Elesis hasn't talked to me since. Ara and Rena are often sad now while the others seem to not care.

Having a little bit of problem, huh partner?

Conwell?

I was startled by the familiar voice.

It has been a while.

Yeah it has! Where were you this entire time?

Hey. I have been doing some thinking on my own you know? ...Elsword, I have something to tell you.

Huh? What is it?

I need you to forget about Rena.

What?

Like I said. I have been doing some thinking on my own. I thought extremely hard about what I want the future to be. Therefore, Elsword, you need to forget about Rena. And if the time comes for it, you need to identify her as an enemy.

Wait wait. What is going on? Why are you saying this? Why would I do that to Rena? We're lovers!

I would not expect you to believe or understand why I am saying this. You can do as you please honestly, but just remember what I told you... on another note, you should spend the next two days with Ara.

... Okay, now I am just completely confused.

I will not answer your questions. Just go be with Ara now.

This is insane. First you disappear without saying anything. Now you come back with some random, insane notions?

Go be with Ara.

Conwell. I am not going anywhere without a proper answer.

Go be with Ara.

Conwell.

Go be with Ara.

Conwell, I swear...

Go be with Ara.

UGGGHHHHH.

It took about twenty minutes of him repeating that one line before I finally gave up. I really have no idea why he is telling me this. But, I suppose there is a reason. I guess for now I will just trust him like usual.

Ara should be exploring the town as she said before. I'll find her somewhere.

Well then. God speed!

What is up with you Conwell...

I exit my room and made my way towards Hamel.

Saturday, September 26th, 2014. 1:36 pm.

"Ah! Elsword! What are you doing in town?" I found Ara after thirty minutes of walking around. She was eating a parfait in a small café.

"Hey Ara. I just thought since I didn't really have much to do I'd join you." I smile and walk over to sit with her.

"I see. That is great!" She smiles brightly at me. I chuckle a little.

"Do you want some?" She says, holding out the spoon with some of the parfait.

"Nah. I'm good. I'm still full from the picnic earlier." I said slightly shaking my head.

"I see. Okay." She ate her parfait quite happily.

Hmph.

Eh?

Hm?

Uh... is something wrong Eun?

Mmm...

Uh...

Pay no attention to me.

Okay?

Eun seemed to be a bit off. Although, she was very off the past few days.

"So then, what would you like to do?" Ara asked me.

"Well, I'll just follow whatever you want to do Ara." I replied.

"Ah. Well, that might be a little bit of a problem for me." She blushed greatly.

"Why is that?" I asked. She started fidgeting.

She is gonna shop for underwear

Ara's face started steaming.

"Oh! Uh. Yeah, that might be a bit awkward for me to join in on then." I laughed it off a little. Ara was completely drained already.

Well. She could ask for your opinion on what she should buy at least.

Eun! That is not acceptable!

Yeah, that might be a bit too awkward for Ara.

Tch.

You guys should be using your youth more. Not everyday you get to see such a ripe flower in front of you Elsword.

That's just a horrible thing to say Conwell.

Hey, it's true you know. Might be better than a certain flower you're holding now.

You...

Conwell was pushing on the matter again. Why was he acting like this? Why does he seem to dislike Rena all of a sudden?

"Anyways, it doesn't matter. I can just wait if you want to go... er. Shopping." I scratch my cheek and look away.

"No. That would be a bit rude of me. I can always go later. We should do something together." She smiles once more.

"Well, if that's what you want." I replied with a smile.

"Alright! Then, let's go!" She fist bumps in the air and starts getting up. Somehow, her skirt gets caught on the chair and she trips in a rather spectacular fashion.

"Ara, are you oka- eh?" Her skirt tore a little. It was enough to make it too loose for her to wear it again.

"Ouch... I apologize. I am quite all right." She slowly got up. The skirt fell down. Ara stood there frozen.

"... Teddy-bear." Was the only thing I could get out.

The other customers seemed to notice what happened. Some of them looked in concern. Others looked away. One in particular though...

"What a view!" He whistled at her.

Tears started to form in Ara's eyes.

I immediately took Ara out of the café, throwing down the money to pay for the parfait. I covered her uh... lower area with a jacket I wrapped around her. We got a far distance away from the café. We were in a little walkway of a forest and sat on a bench. No one was near us.

"Ara, are you okay?" I looked over to check. She was trying to tough it out.

"I... I am fine. This is nothing. It is not a big deal." She was trying so hard, but it's hardly convincing with a crying face and baby tone.

Um. Ara. It's okay. People make mistakes all the time.

Even Eun was feeling sad for her.

"Um..." She looked at me with teary eyes.

"What is it?"

"D...U... Were my panties too childish?" She asked quietly.

"That's what you're concerned about?" I actually couldn't believe that she was more worried that I saw her teddy-bear printed panties over the fact that a bunch of others saw it.

"Well. I mean... everyone has their own tastes." I scratch my head.

"Eh?" She looked at me a little surprised.

"Elsword... do you prefer these panties?" She asked.

Wait... did I just step on some kind of landmine? Why do I feel so wrong about that question.

Elsword... where did I go wrong with you?

Boy... don't tell me you actually prefer...?

Wait wait wait. How did it come to this?

"Um... if you'd like. I have a lot of different underwear like this." Ara bashfully stated.

Wait, she had more? No wait, that isn't the issue here!

"No wait. You're misunderstanding. It's not like I like those kinds of panties myself. It isn't really my taste." I tried to deny whatever misunderstanding was taking place.

"Then... my panties are not to your liking?" Ara sounded a little sad.

"I mean. Those panties look great on you Ara!" I don't know why I just said that somewhat boldly.

"Then... it looks good because they are on me?"

"Y...Yeah." I felt sweat dropping like crazy from my face.

"So... why do they look good on me?" I am so glad that no one is near us. I feel like I just trapped myself into answering all of her questions now.

"Well. Because you have a nice body." The more this goes on, the less shame I feel.

Wow. No hesitation.

He's probably experiencing a drastic increase in hormones. I think he might be close to swapping lovers.

It is a plausible route.

Both of you please!

Ara started fidgeting a lot. She was steaming and her entire face was beet red.

Man, your face is the same color as your hair now Elsword buddy!

I'd rather not. But my face really is red.

"Then... would you like to see more?" Ara started to slowly remove the jacket a little.

"Wait! There might be people coming here. You can't do that now!" I panicked and stopped her.

"How about we find someplace where no one will come then?" She started playing with her fingers.

"Okay! Let's just stop this entire conversation now!" Things were getting out of hand.

"But..." Ara looked sad again.

"Please spare me. I can't take much more of this." I kneel down and put my hands together. I hear a laughter right after.

"I am sorry. I guess I might have taken it a bit too far." She was smiling once again.

Well... at least she wasn't really that serious.

Ara reacted to that thought a little.

Oh god no...

"Well... would you like to visit some shops with me then?" Ara asked me.

"Sure. That sounds good!" I sounded a little excited.

"Okay then. Shall we?" Ara starts to stand. As soon as she tries to take a step forward, she trips on the jacket that was still a little loose from earlier. She trips again. And like before, her panties were on full display.

Well... here we go again.

We took another three minutes for Ara to calm down once more and we were on our way.

Saturday, September 26th, 2014. 5:52 pm.

Aisha's POV

"Hello? Is anyone there?" No one responded.

Jeez. What's going on around here? I got a random letter addressed to me saying that I need to come to the lake east of Hamel. It took me quite a while to get here! It's twelve minutes past the meeting time. I've been prepping for an hour already!

"Sorry for being a little late." I hear a voice creep from behind me. I turn around. My eyes grew wide.

"I hope you didn't wait too long." The same black suit with purple linings and a purple crystal on his chest. The white hair. Those eyes. That bastard who trapped us in that prison.

"Hey... it looks like you've seen a ghost. What's wrong?" He smiled at me. I took a few steps back.

"What do you want." I put a hand behind my back.

"Sigh. Alright look, I don't know what I seemed to have done here, but I am not the same as him. I'm one of the three Add that isn't an idiot douche." He put his hands up and smiled.

"What... one of three? Add? What are you talking about?"

"Oh. Okay, I guess he didn't even bother sharing his name. Whatever then. Okay, anyways. Not important. I need to tell you something important. It involves your Elsword. He is in grave danger." He sounded very serious all of a sudden.

"What do you mean?" I got a bit concerned.

"On the day of the tournament, Elsword will go through all of the knights and face off against Elesis. It is a rigged tournament. As long as he can first make it to the knights. Once he gets there, Elesis will kill herself."

"Wait what? Elesis is going to kill herself? Okay, you're just insane." I tighten my hand. I move back a bit. He sighs.

"Whether you believe me or not is up to you. I won't interfere anymore after this. But also know, on the day of, there will be another group lurking around, planning an attack. If the attack is successful, Elsword will die along with Elesis. Furthermore, they will take control of Conwell. I'd advise you all to be weary and prepares yourself." He turns his back and waves his hand. A crack appears in the middle of the air. The crack opens a hole and I could see a portal.

"Oh, and also, I wouldn't trust Rena if I were you." Before I could ask anymore, he jumped in the hole and disappeared. The hole cleared up. I fell to my knees.

What the hell was that. Why did that guy come back. Three Adds? Is that his name? And there's three of them? Elsword and Elesis... wait. Why would I not trust Rena? What's going on?

I look around. No one is within vision.

I... I have to tell everyone. If what that guy said is true... then. Actually... I guess everyone hasn't really been acting themselves. Elesis especially. Chung is gonna be with his parents. I should tell him later. I'll start with Eve.

Saturday, September 26th, 2014. 2:01 pm.

Elsword's POV

"La la la..." Ara sings happily.

We've been walking around the shopping area, just looking at different things. Ara seemed to really enjoy a lot of the products here.

Isn't this just splendid? You guys are spending time together, having great laughs and tons of fun! A lot more than you would with Rena.

Seriously, why are you insisting so hard on that? What is wrong with you Conwell?

I'm just saying dude.

Sigh...

"Hey Elsword. Let's go to the park now." Ara turned around to look at me.

"Huh? The park?" I responded.

"Yeah." She nodded her head.

"Okay. If you want to." She smiled and started walking. I followed her.

We walked for a few minutes to reach the park. We sat down on a bench. It was a pretty nice park. There was a big fountain here and it was refreshing to watch.

"Mmm! It feels great here!" She stretched out her arms. She puts her hand on mine.

"Just spending the day like is nice, is it not?" Her smile was somehow very... interesting. I couldn't take my eyes off of it.

"Yeah. It is." I agreed. Everything did feel very warm right now.

We sat there silent for a while, admiring the scenery. It was extremely quiet. You could only hear the sound of the leaves, wind, and birds chirping.

"Hey Elsword." Ara called my name.

"What's up?" I responded. Her grip on my hand tightened slightly.

"If..." I look over to her. Her eyes were pointing downwards.

"If?" I ask.

"Nevermind." She moves her face closer to mine. I felt a peck on my cheek.

"I love you Elsword." Once again, she gave such an amazing smile. But this time, I felt like she was sad.

"Yeah..." I didn't know how to respond honestly.

"I... will support anything that you want to do. I will help with whatever you believe is right." I was at a loss of words.

"Right..." At this point, I don't know what kind of face I was making. But, I felt really sad.

Ara really does love me. But I love Rena right now. Ara probably doesn't even mind. She did say before she would be my mistress or concubine... although that's not really what I would like. What am I supposed to say or do about Ara?

Forget about Rena.

I think back to what Conwell said. Is there an actual reason why this is happening? Rena is starting to seem more distant, yet Ara is coming closer. Is this what should happen? No... I'm just being stupid now. I'm in love with Rena. I'm fine... right?

I think these thoughts as I sit quietly with Ara. An hour passes by. Ara stands up and says she wants to try going somewhere again. I stand up and follow her once more.

Our day goes on just like this.

Saturday September 26th, 2014. 8:30 pm.

Katsuragi's POV

"So... we all ready?" Lucas asked.

Everyone was gathered once more. We all met in Atsuko's room since she was still recovering from the other day.

"Are you joking with me right now? Who would be ready for that?" Beom-seok responded angrily.

"Alright, no need to get heated over this. We've already had our fill I believe." Ivan said.

Atsuko was still looking lifeless.

"Atsuko it's okay. Things will be better." Eva tried to comfort her.

"Right, when the strongest of all of us is now a dead puppet who is a sacrifice for her bratty brother. Man, things are gonna go up to a hundred real quick." Lucas sarcastically said.

"Lucas, that's enough!" Eva got agitated.

"Face reality sweet-heart! There's something huge going on with this school. Something that's probably gonna be on a large scale. We can't stop it, can't do anything. Hell, at this rate, we're gonna have another great war on our hands!"

A loud sound filled the room.

"That is quite enough Lucas. There is no reason to say such words in such a way." Mia went up and slapped him.

"Although you are not wrong, there does not give you the right to start venting out at any of us."

"Hey, just gotta make sure we all are on the same page right?" Lucas brushed off the slap as nothing and looked away.

"Well... we do not have any obligation to really follow this plan." I tried to suggest a point.

"What are you talking about? We can't possibly disobey the principal can we?" Jacob countered.

"Oh please, there's still nine of us. It is not like he is so powerful that he can take us down alone. We are not your common knight." Meiying said.

"But we have no idea what the ritual really is and what will happen in the end." Eva stated.

"I am appalled to think that you all would even dare of having the thought to disobey the principal." Mia stood up.

"You can't possibly think that any of this is okay. We are letting one of our comrades die!" Beom-seok was yelling.

"That does not give us the right to have any say. We are knights who serve the country. If a higher authority such as the principal himself request of us to follow his plan, it must have a good reason. I do not intend to interfere in any way. In fact, I should be reporting you all to him right now." Mia was dead serious. She was the most loyal to the principal out of all of us.

"So ironic, coming from the lowest ranked of us all. I guess that fact that you aren't worth shit is really hurting you a lot right now!" Lucas commented.

"My ranking has no part in how I act. I only act for the good of the school and my country. Principal Xerath has proven his methods to be most effective. Therefore, there is no reason to doubt him at all." Mia retaliated.

"Guys just shut up! You aren't making the situation any better... please. Just calm down." Eva was showing concern. I think our conversation was scaring Atsuko more. I could hear quiet sobs.

Our gathering became silent after a few more banters. It seems that there was a huge split in what we wanted to do. Me, Eva, Ivan, Beom-seok, and Meiying all agreed that there must be something we could do in order to stop the ritual. Mia was going to go through no matter what. We couldn't get a word out of Atsuko. Lucas didn't care either way. Jacob was too scared to try.

I was very worried for the future. Like Lucas said, something big is going to happen. I also don't doubt, that what will occur may bring upon another Great War. There were too many uncertainties. In a time of peace, why would a forbidden ritual be called for? My only hope is that we could figure out a way to make sure nothing happens. And that we get to the bottom of this.