Hals looked at Ain with a mix of annoyance and amusement.
Sitting casually on a chair, he observed Ain, who seemed to be cowering in her seat as if she were kneeling.
“You really came prepared, didn’t you? You even brought your luggage.”
Hals glanced at the small bag beside Ain, which contained her toiletries and some clothes.
“Hehe.”
Ain awkwardly scratched her head and smiled, her eyes filled with fear and embarrassment.
She was probably scared of being sent back.
“People don’t like being alone. When you get to Impel Down, you’ll have no one familiar around. You’ll feel… bored, lonely, and isolated, right?”
“Negative emotions from Ain +2000”
Ain stammered, then suddenly blurted out a long string of words.
“Haha.”
Hals’ eyes were filled with mockery and a hint of disdain.
“Is that so?”
Ain immediately started acting cute. Hals was a training fanatic, spending all his free time training, so having company wasn’t particularly important to him.
But Ain was different.
Children play with other children, adults with other adults, and people generally seek out those close to their age.
Ain didn’t have many friends. In the original story, she might have had Binz as a friend, but now, with Hals’ presence, Ain only had him as a friend.
Ain moved closer, hugging Hals’ arm and rubbing it against her chest.
Hals remained expressionless.
If Ain were older, Hals might have been a bit surprised and blushed, but Ain hadn’t developed yet, her chest flat as a runway. Recently, she had started to develop a bit, moving up to an A-.
Hals just felt her chest bone pressing against his arm, which was uncomfortable.
“Boru Boru Boru Boru, Boru Boru Boru Boru.”
The sound of a Transponder Snail rang out. Hals placed a hand on Ain’s face, pushing her away with a look of disdain, and took out the snail.
“Moshi Moshi, is Hals there?”
Teacher Zephyr’s voice came through.
“Yes.”
“Oh, Hals, I wanted to ask, is Ain with you?”
Hals glanced at Ain, who was giving him a pitiful look, using her puppy eyes attack.
Hals was unmoved.
“Yes, she’s here. Do you want to talk to her?”
“Hals, you jerk!”
“Negative emotions from Ain +4000”
Ain shouted and started punching and kicking Hals, who ignored her.
“She’s here. That’s good to know. She didn’t come to class today, so I figured she went to you. Such a troublesome girl.”
Teacher Zephyr sighed.
Ain paused her attacks, looking embarrassed.
Hals grabbed Ain’s ear and twisted it.
“It’s going to fall off! My ear is going to fall off! Stop twisting it!”
“Negative emotions from Ain +5000”
“Hals.” Teacher Zephyr’s urgent voice called out, sensing Hals was disciplining Ain. Zephyr heard Ain’s cries and grew anxious.
“No big deal.”
Hals released her ear.
“Hmph~”
Ain retreated to a corner, clutching her red ear, tears welling up.
Hals is such a jerk, no compassion at all. He’ll never find a girlfriend and will die alone. I’ll watch him die alone and then he’ll beg me for…
Wait, beg me for what? Is he planning to… with me…
I won’t let this jerk succeed, humph.
Ain’s face turned red, but Hals was focused on the call. If he had seen her blush, he would have given her a disdainful look.
Ain’s character was different from her serious portrayal in the movies. Here, she seemed a bit foolish, possibly influenced by Hals.
Of course, Hals wouldn’t admit that.
I, Lord Hals, am the epitome of integrity. How could I possibly lead someone astray?
“Um, Ain is okay, right?”
Teacher Zephyr, not as extreme as in the movies, was a kind old man.
“She’s fine. She’s reflecting deeply on her mistakes.”
Hals glanced at Ain, her blush fading as she held her aching ear.
“Well… don’t be too harsh on her. You know what to do.”
“Understood, Teacher Zephyr.”
“As for Ain, let her stay with you for now. No need for her to attend classes.”
Ain, who heard this, was stunned, thinking Zephyr was disappointed in her. She was about to speak when Zephyr continued.
“Her practical training is sufficient. For physical training, she needs to persist on her own. Keep an eye on her. You can teach her the Rokushiki techniques and Haki if you’ve mastered them.”
“I’ll inform Sengoku. He’ll agree. It’s not a big deal.”
“Thank you, Teacher Zephyr.”
“Thank you, Teacher Zephyr.”
Ain added.
“You two, take care of yourselves at Impel Down…”
Teacher Zephyr seemed at a loss for words.
“Alright, I have to get to class. Goodbye.”
“Click.”
After hanging up, Hals looked at Ain, who seemed nervous.
Ain took a few steps back, crossing her arms over her chest, her face anxious.
“Wh-what is it, Hals? Is something wrong?”
“Don’t do this again. You worried Teacher Zephyr.”
“Yes, I’m sorry.”
“Sigh~”
Hals sighed.
He patted Ain’s head and left the room, Ain following closely.
Hals found a room for himself, and Ain stayed in the adjacent one.
Hals decided not to continue writing novels, at least for now. The system update was almost complete.
What new features would the system bring?
He had spent 5 million negative emotions on it.
Would it need more updates in the future? He didn’t know.
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