The Strongest Student of the Weakest Academy - Chapter 370

Chapter 370: The Beginning Of The End [XXXII]

Her lips were warm, despite her mechanical personality, and she pressed them to his with a tenderness she didn’t know she could express.

Her fingers curled slightly against his cheek, as if memorizing his shape. Aestrea lifted his other hand and placed it behind her head, his thumb brushing the edge of her jaw.

Lunara shivered at the touch.

“Mhm…♡”

When they finally parted, only by a fraction, her lips hovered near his, still trembling slightly.

“…Aestrea,” she whispered again, her voice coming out almost breathless, “don’t… ever doubt how much I want you.”

He smiled softly and brushed his thumb under her eye.

“I won’t,” he murmured.

They remained beneath the shade of the tall tree for quite a long time after the kiss… three full hours, to be exact.

Lunara didn’t urge him to move, didn’t mention schedules, didn’t even tighten her grip to remind him of the time. She simply let him rest, his head still in her lap, while her fingers idly brushed through his hair.

Their conversation wandered from topic to topic.

Aestrea talked the most: about silly experiences in his childhood, the strange students he met on campus, and the trouble he constantly found himself in without trying.

Lunara listened quietly, sometimes adding short replies, sometimes raising an eyebrow at his more outrageous stories, and occasionally giving an unexpectedly sharp comment that made him laugh.

She wasn’t good at talking for long, but she listened attentively. She reacted to every story, even if her reactions were subtle, her fingers pausing for a second, her eyes widening slightly, her lips pressing together to hold back a smile.

Time drifted softly around them.

By the time the third hour came to a close, the sunlight had shifted across the park, stretching longer shadows over the stone paths.

And right as the clock struck the exact minute… Lunara suddenly straightened her back.

Her eyes regained their usual, precise focus.

“Aestrea,” she said with calm firmness, “the three-hour resting period is complete.”

Aestrea blinked up at her from her lap.

“You timed it that perfectly?”

He was still surprised at how PRECISE she was.

‘Is she counting in her head or something…?’ he couldn’t help but wonder.

“Of course,” she replied as if it were obvious. “Resting beyond the calculated limit would interfere with the next phase of our date.”

He sat up slowly, rolling his shoulders.

“Alright, alright… what’s the next phase?”

Lunara stood up, dusting off her skirt. Then she offered her hand to him, not to drag him, but simply to hold.

“It is now time for us to eat.”

“Where to? Another park? A street stall? Something simple?” Aestrea raised an eyebrow.

“No,” Lunara replied, her lips curving into a small, satisfied smile. “I have already made a reservation.”

“A reservation?” He blinked.

“For what kind of place?”

She looked ahead, eyes gleaming with unmistakable pride.

“The most luxurious and romantic restaurant in the entire region.”

Aestrea choked on his breath.

“Lunara, what? When did you even—?”

“I booked it the day I confessed to you,” she answered without hesitation. “I predicted that our relationship would progress to this point by now.”

He stared at her with a completely stunned expression.

“You predicted? Lunara, I didn’t even know we would be dating a few days ago!”

“I did,” she replied simply.

“Of course you did…” he sighed, defeated.

“Come,” she uttered, squeezing his hand.

“Our reservation is precise. We must arrive exactly on time.”

Aestrea let himself be pulled to his feet this time, but not by force, but by her excitement.

“Where is this place, anyway?”

Lunara lifted her chin slightly, her voice carrying a hint of pride mixed with something softer.

“It is the Celestial Rose Pavilion,” she explained. “A restaurant suspended above the city, known for its divine-made dishes and starlight dining hall.”

“Suspended… above the city?” Aestrea blinked.

“Yes.”

“We’re eating in the sky?”

“Yes.”

“…Lunara, that sounds expensive.”

“It was.” She replied it with such calm honesty that he didn’t know whether to laugh or groan.

“Lunara… you really didn’t have to go that far.”

She turned to him, her mechanical eyes softening.

“I wanted our first date to be perfect.”

At her words, Aestrea shook his head with a faint smile.

“Then lead the way,” he uttered, squeezing her hand gently.

“I’ll follow you anywhere.”

Lunara’s cheeks warmed slightly, barely noticeable, but definitely there.

“Good,” she whispered.

“Then let us go.”

Lunara led him through the busy streets with a confidence that made people instinctively step aside.

As they approached the academy’s outer district, Aestrea finally saw it: a shining silver platform floating high above the city, connected to the ground by an elegant bridge made of shimmering, enchanted glass.

The Celestial Rose Pavilion.

The most luxurious restaurant in the region, some claimed, in the entire divine realm.

People looked up at it with awe.

Aestrea looked up at it with panic.

“…Lunara,” he whispered, “please tell me this is an illusion.”

“It is not,” she replied calmly, tugging his hand as they stepped onto the crystal bridge.

“Please tell me you used a discount.”

“I did not.”

“Please tell me someone else paid.”

“No.”

“Lunara, do you know how expensive this place is?!” He groaned.

“Yes.” She lifted her chin. “But the quality of an experience is measured by the effort one invests into it.”

“…You memorized that from somewhere, didn’t you?”

“Yes. From a romance book.”

“I can’t believe you’re using book quotes now.” Aestrea sighed helplessly.

“I only use the accurate ones,” she replied proudly.

“Besides, it was only… 100 Perfect Divine Crystals.”

‘…What?! 100?! I COULD MAKE ANOTHER ARMY WITH THAT KIND OF MONEY!’ Aestrea wanted to complain, but he couldn’t.

The bridge sparkled beneath them as they walked, glowing softly with each step.

The world below looked small and distant, and the wind carried a faint scent of roses that drifted from the pavilion above.

When they arrived at the entrance, two elegantly dressed staff members bowed.

“Welcome, Miss Lunara,” one said politely.

“Your private sky-suite is ready.”

Aestrea nearly slipped off the bridge.

“Private sky-suite?! Lunara!”

‘No wonder it was that fucking expensive!’

She tilted her head. “The normal dining hall is too crowded. And statistically, private areas improve romantic comfort by fifty-two percent.”

“You’re quoting statistics again?!”

“Yes.”

He covered his face with both hands.

“I’m never letting you plan a second date.”

“You will,” she assured.

“What makes you so sure?”

“Because this one will be perfect.”

Aestrea peeked at her from between his fingers.

…She was blushing.

The staff escorted them inside, guiding them through a hallway lined with floating lanterns shaped like roses.

Each lantern glowed with a gentle color, drifting slowly as if dancing in the air.

Finally, they reached a tall silver door.

One staff member opened it with a graceful motion.

“Please enjoy your evening.”

Aestrea stepped into the private suite and stopped.

He understood the price now.

The room was open on three sides, protected only by transparent magical barriers that let in the breeze.

Beyond them stretched the entire view of the city, with countless glittering lights, distant roofs, and the slowly setting sun painting the sky orange and gold.

A floating table stood in the center, surrounded by petals drifting lazily in the air.

It was breathtaking.

Even Aestrea couldn’t hide his awe.

“…Lunara,” he whispered, “you’ve really outdone yourself.”

She didn’t look at the room, but kept looking at him.

“If it impresses you,” she said softly, “then the effort was worth it.”

One of the rose-shaped lanterns drifted near her face, catching the gentle red tint on her cheeks.

She walked toward the table and turned back to him with a small, almost shy smile.

“Sit with me.”

Aestrea stepped forward, sitting across from her, but before he could say anything, Lunara leaned forward slightly.

“I love you, Aestrea.”

He froze slighly as his breath was entirely caught by her beauty. The glow from the setting sun framed her face so perfectly that, for a moment, he forgot that gods existed.

He only saw her.

“Lunara… I…” He swallowed hard.

‘…Fucking hell… It’s just a small lie! There’s no need to have bad premonitions about it!’ he exclaimed inwardly.

“…I love you too.”

A smile blossomed on her face instantly, and her eyes softened in a way he had never seen before.

Like she had been waiting to hear those words far longer than she wanted to admit.

This had stunned him once again!

She was practically making him act like a damn virgin!

“Good,” she murmured quietly.

“I… wanted to say it properly.”

They held each other’s gaze for a long moment. Then Lunara seated herself properly and reached for a small silver bell.

“Let’s order, shall we?”

Ring, ring~

A soft ring echoed, and just then, a waiter floated into the room on a small disk of light.

“Good evening, honored guests. Are you ready to place your order?”

“Yes. We will begin with the Couple’s Celestial Special.” Lunara nodded with dignified calm.

“…The… the what?” Aestrea whispered, leaning toward her.

She turned to him. “The specialty set for lovers. I thought it was appropriate.”

The waiter continued as if announcing divine scripture.

“The Couple’s Celestial Special consists of five courses infused with Perfect-Grade Essence. The full price is—”

Aestrea held his breath.

“—three Perfect-Grade Divine Crystals.”

He choked on his own spit.

The waiter paused politely, pretending not to notice Aestrea dying internally.

“That is for the full set, of course. We also have simpler options beginning at fifty High-Grade Divine Crystals for a standard meal—”

“Fifty?!” Aestrea croaked.

Lunara blinked.

“…Is that too little?”

“Too little!?” He clutched his chest.

“Lunara, do you know what fifty High-Grade Crystals can do? I could raise an entire battalion’s rank! Even the weakest soldiers would gain three breakthroughs! That’s… that’s—”

“—That’s a meal price,” Lunara stated calmly.

Aestrea slumped forward.

‘…Ah… I’d prefer you to give me that kind of money instead of wasting it on a single meal!’

“Would you like a moment?”

The waiter smiled politely.

“No,” Lunara said. “Bring the couple’s special. Both of us.”

“…Both…?” Aestrea squeaked.

She nodded. “Of course. I want us to enjoy this together.”

“As you wish.”

The waiter bowed.

When he left, Aestrea covered his face with both hands again.

“Lunara… do you know how much three Perfect-Grades are worth…?”

“Yes,” she answered simply.

“And you still…?”

“Yes.”

“Lunara! My finances, my future army, my entire–!”

She gently reached across the floating table and placed her hand on his.

“Aestrea.”

His complaining died instantly.

She looked straight at him, her expression calm yet soft.

“I planned this date for three days straight. I saved for it. Prepared for it. Earned every Divine Crystal myself. I wanted this experience with you.”

He swallowed.

“This money was… for us?”

“Yes. And only for us.”

She squeezed his hand lightly.

“And besides… I am your girlfriend. It is statistically normal for a girlfriend to invest in her loved one.”

“…That’s not a statistic,” he muttered weakly.

“It is now.”