Chapter 46 - Quiz Game

The moment was still with Dalia mesmerized by his crimson eyes instead of golden eyes due to casting an illusion to hide his true eye color. Caelum could feel her heart beating until she woke up from her daze and let herself fall forcing him to lean forward allowing Dalia to use the center of gravity to kick Caelum to the door where he lay then hit his head but didn't feel any pain beside emotional ones.

"Don't you dare talk to me, pervert!!!"

'Guess that's for being too greedy. Though, I must say she did have an amazing body having a relatively toned physique unlike Penny who's more voluptuous and sexy.'

Caelum laid on the ground while thinking about how beautiful the sight was even though it cost him to be labeled as a pervert. He doesn't deny since it is just how a man is but not someone who is senseless and only thinks with his dick. 

Regardless it was a sight to behold and much better seeing a person than just using Mana sense. Caelum decided to look at his reward after perverting on Dalia.

[ Saintly Hands ]

[ Description: Bring energy into a patient to bring immense benefits to cure or increase physical realm.

Able to set bones, increase the accuracy and dexterity of the hands' movements, and increase the user's speed and agility. ]

Caelum could be beneficial if somehow his other abilities were locked from being used. It was always better to have back up when needed which reminds him to reach a certain level where he is able to permanently place the skills and everything he had acquired into his being.

He then notices Penelope looking at him strangely since he's still on the ground deeply thinking about the future. 

"Oh hi penny."

"Fffuu what are you doing in the ground?"

"Nothing, I just found out the floor is made out of floor, that's all."

Penelope giggled hearing his reasoning before her expression turned gloomy that made Caelum worried.

"Anyway, you seem bummed down?"

Caelum stood up from the ground dusting himself while looking at Penelope who seemed deep in her thoughts. He can clearly see that there is something bothering her. 

"Uhmm….well…this is embarrassing…"

"Relax, I won't judge if I can help you."

"I...I want to ask if I could bring on a photoshoot on Sunday afternoon? A friend of mine let me use his studio to have experience in modelling and wanted to see if I could make you the male model like I told you before…"

"Is that it? What are you embarrassed about!? Of course I'll go!"

"Well….we might have to get really close in our undergarments and…"

"Stop, you don't need to worry it would make things awkward. If it makes you happy then I'll do anything."

Caelum words made her fidgety unlike her usual self. He smiled since it was obvious that she wanted to spend more time with him. 

"Thank you, Caelum. I really appreciate what you said."

"I mean what I said. Oh right sorry to ask this but are you willing to come with me to Loco's cafe for the competition? Annie and Liliena seem busy while Dalia…let's say I did something bad."

"Like what? Peeking on her?"

"...."

"Fufufhahaha really!?  Guess she'll be grumpy at the dinner table later."

"I might apologize but…"

"Yeah, let her cool off."

"Right, so are you going to join?"

"I guess I owe you one."

"Great and I know you're worried about what you're going to post on your Instagram but it's the perfect opportunity to show that you've started doing some Eternum stuff."

"Wait, you've seen my Instagram post?"

"Yeah I've been liking your post under the name "Silver Sky." Not simping or anything but those photos were phenomenal." 

"I'm flattered and I guess you're right. It's been the talk of the century and I've seen many eternum cosplayers rising to fame. Alright, you convince me."

"Great! Now I have to call another friend."

Caelum heard her mumbling on what she needed to dress while he headed to his room to get dressed and called Nova to invite her in the game. 

"Oh hi Caelum! I was wondering if you had forgotten about me. We still haven't binged jujutsu kaisen!"

"Ah, sorry I was busy but I'm free on Sunday morning."

"Great! Then tell me why you suddenly called? Also what kind of security does your phone have!?"

"...did you try to hack me?"

"...Maybe but I just want to ask if I could get that security into my devices since I don't want to get caught like last time. I tried my best but yours is just impossible to crack!? Like it's magic!"

"Sure I could do that when I visit. Anyway, the reason I called is if you want to join in a little game competition from the Loco's cafe, the one we previously met."

"Oh I remember that place. Sure, I don't have much things to do anyways."

"Excellent, see you there!"

Caelum hung up and went to his closet and browsed some clothes, finding a simple buttoned up dark green shirt that had its sleeves rolled up into his elbows with an inner white shirt and ripped black jeans accompanied by a leather shoe. His hair had grown longer, tying it up into a ponytail. 

He checked on Penelope only to find her with only her underwear while looking at the mirror as Caelum could hear her talk to herself.

"I wonder what Caelum thinks wearing this? Maybe he prefers this?"

Caelum didn't mind what she wore but let her have fun and waited for her to finish getting change since it would be ideal for them to head together. Before long, Penelope arrived with her hair changed into a braid and clothes that match the hairstyle. 

"Oh I thought you already left."

"I thought it's best we head there together. You look more beautiful and the braid gives off a different aesthetic."

"I'm glad to hear that. Well, let's go." 

Penelope nodded and the two left their home heading to the cafe where there weren't many people beside the competitor. He feigns ignorance until someone tries to scare him causing Penelope to cling to him in fright.

"Nova, you shouldn't just scare someone out of the blue."

"Sorry it was just too tempting but I guess it didn't work as I intended. Sorry for scaring you."

"Haa….no it's fine. I was just a little surprised, that's all. So your Caelum friend?"

"Yeah and ain't you Penelope from Krendon college? I've seen you on campus, I didn't expect to meet here. Are you Caelum's girlfriend?" 

"W-What? No, of course not! He's my cousin."

"Is that so? Hope it isn't the wincest scenario."

"*Cough* girls I think we should head inside."

Caelum knew how straightforward and airhead Nova can be which is why he stopped their conversation from getting too weird. They went inside and looked around to see people eating while others seemed to be their competitors. Moments later, he heard someone excitedly squeal and glance at some guy who approached Penelope excitedly. 

He seems to recognize Penelope and guess that she is as popular as ever. His cousin always talked in their middle school days. 

"Does Penny always get this kind of attention on your campus, Nova?"

"She does and is always social around people but personally I haven't met her till now since I don't really stand out."

"Is that so? Hope she doesn't get too much attention….like that. Hey get your hands off her."

Caelum noticed how the nerdy guy tried wrapping his hands around her waist which didn't sit well with him. His voice scared the guy since being a higher race made his presence more dominating than normal humans.  

"Does that always happen?"

"Sometimes but thanks for doing that."

"No problem, I'll be your personal bodyguard from now on and if anyone gets the idea they need to get through me first."

"Fffuu stop acting like your my boyfriend or something. You're my cousin, people might get the wrong idea."

"Like hell I care. It's my job as man to protect you in things you can't handle. Anyway, I've said enough I'll go ahead and register."

Caelum turned around while noticing her emotion flared up seemingly growing closer to her and decided to feign ignorance before going  to the counter to register.

"Oh if it isn't my favorite customer, Caelum! Are you going to participate?"

Caelum, who had been coming into his shop every day for the past week and had helped Mr.Hernandez with various things. He did enjoy the food in his shop and made it his place where he would relax. Furthermore, he enjoyed the company of Mr. Hernandez reminded him when his father was alive. 

"Yeah, I have free time and if I'm not wrong, Luna is your daughter right?"

"She's my little princess! And I'm glad you're here since you've given me quite the help in the shop but I can't exactly just hand over the prize."

"Out of curiosity, what is the prize?"

"What? Didn't my princess tell you? It's the next Eternum gear."

"Oh, I didn't since I was only here to have fun and thought that it would be bad to reject Luna's invitation. I mean she's the first person I've talked to at Krendon high School because most people are stuck up."

"Hahaha I've only known you for a week but I can see you're a good man! Hey, do you have a girlfriend? Maybe you can to know my prince-" 

"What are you talking about dad?"

Caelum glances to see Luna walk towards them looking at her father who chuckled embarrassingly. 

"Nothing much. Anyway, are you sure you want to participate? I mean you still have things to do."

"Don't worry I still have time to spare." 

"If you say so. Anyway, do you want anything, Caelum?"

"Yeah the usual."

"Black coffee and croissant, coming right up!"

Before long the group sat in their designated seat while the girls introduced themself to each other. 

"I'm surprised to see you're here, Nova."

"Caelum invited me and thought this is the best way to kill time."

"Also it's nice to meet you, Penelope. Are you, Caelum's girlfriend?"

"Why does everyone assume that? No, he's my cousin."

"Oh? Sorry, I didn't know."

"It's fine and if I was in your shoes then I would assume the same thing."

"Wait, does that mean you don't have a boyfriend?"

"Y-Yeah? Why did you ask?"

"Nothing much, I just thought if you had one then I need to prepare where to hide the body."

"What the hell are you saying!?"

"Hahahaha I'm just kidding…or not hahaha."

Caelum laughed looking at Penelope seemingly pouting and enjoyed seeing her expression while the other two could see that they had a great bond. Soon enough, Mr.Hernandez finally announced the start of the game and told the rules of the games. 

'That guys are really cocky huh?'

He crossed his arms leaning back looking at the other team and noticed a guy named Jerry who's overconfidence annoyed him but not enough compared to axel. 

"Negative50whosayswhat."

"What?"

"Woah, well there goes your point, team Jerry."

Caelum laughed and the girls giggled at the misfortune of the other team. After a while, Mr.Hernandez asked simple questions and answered them quite easily while letting the other answer. He was quite impressed when Penelope was able to get the right answer in one question.

"Expect no less from a future journalist."

"Ah, thank you, Caelum. People often assume I'm some sort of blonde bimbo who doesn't know anything."

"Stereotype much? Though, I can't lie that I wasn't the same."

"That's how it is, Nova but Like an old quote, "someone's opinion does have to become your reality" which I lived by."

His words strike their heart especially Luna who had been haunted by her past and people's words regarding the ability that she kept hidden. Caelum noticed this but didn't say anything and continued to play the game.