"Ugh... I'm beat..."
"You're already tired, mortal...?"
Noah and Evangeline walked out—well, floated out in the latter's case—from the auditorium hall.
The young man had his shoulders slumped in exhaustion, while his ghostly companion looked at him with a mix of exasperation... but also faint worry for her vessel.
"I mean, yeah, I'm freaking drained! I can't believe they held us hostage for five hours straight!" he groaned, throwing his hands up before his mood began to drain again by the second. "...And they were all just talking, and talking, and talkiiing..."
"Good grief... I thought this was supposed to be the most exciting event of your life by how you acted this morning," Evangeline remarked with a sigh and a hint of smugness, "so... where is that excitement of yours now~?"
Noah only grumbled in response, earning another sigh from Evangeline herself.
However, her attention soon shifted toward their surroundings—to everyone else around Noah, who had also just come out from the orientation...
"...On the contrary, everyone seems to have had the time of their life," she murmured, narrowing her eyes slightly, "...a bit too much, even."
All of the other college freshmen walked out with dazed smiles and light steps, as if they were still basking in some kind of pleasant dream...
"...Yeah, I bet they do," Noah glanced toward his peers... a weary smile tugging at his lips, "guess I couldn't enjoy it like them—I've been on guard this whole time, half-expecting another attack from our dear president..."
"...Understandable. However, that cursed vixen of a woman..."
Evangeline clicked her tongue; clearly irritated from being reminded of the SGA President and what she had 'supposedly' done toward not just all of the mortals in the auditorium—
But even toward her vessel...
Noah could only let out a defeated sigh, sharing a bit of sentiment toward her frustration... albeit not entirely.
"Though I wonder... what's with her deal anyway? ...She's still a human... right?"
"She might not be one... many beings have learned to mask themselves from the eyes of mere mortals," Evangeline explained calmly, though her tone carried a faint trace of disdain. "It would not surprise me if she used that power to manipulate influence within your society."
"But why, though...? Someone with that amount of spiritual power probably wouldn't need to hide... right?"
Evangeline only sighed at his naivety.
"...Did you forget again about last night, mortal?"
"...Oh. Ohhhh, right..."
He was reminded once again of the attack that had taken place the night before.
"That's right, mortal—while you humans are generally weaker than us beings with higher spiritual prowess... many of you not only band together in dire times, but also find ways to be on equal footing with us!"
"Huh... guess that explains a lot."
"Indeed... You mortals are quite the impressive bunch when cornered like vermin!"
"Pfft—ahaha~, what the heck? Is that supposed to be a compliment or an insult~?" Noah chuckled heartily, finding amusement in her smug tone.
But... his expression then sobered for a moment.
"Still... should I still be wary of 'her'? That dear Madam President of ours?"
"...I did not sense any more of those similar mental spells as before, so you can relax for now, mortal."
"Sure, I guess, but... what about them then?" He gestured toward his fellow freshmen again. "Think they're all still under that 'charm' thing...?"
"I cannot say for certain. The trace of it is somewhat faint now..." Evangeline remarked, her gaze still wandering among the crowd. "...but even so, I doubt she could maintain a charm spell for that long—especially over such a large number of mortals."
"...Welp, I guess the mood was just right, huh."
"...What do you mean, mortal?"
"I mean..."
Noah stretched his arms above his head, letting out a tired groan as his joints cracked softly, before slouching forward and turning back to her once more...
A wistful expression crossed his face.
"I mean, I would've enjoyed this whole thing myself. Like... getting to meet new people, attending college classes, joining clubs, getting a part-time job, and especially hanging out and partying all night long~!"
He gestured idly as if imagining all the 'fun' things he could do now that he was out of high school—his eyes distant with hopeful daydreams.
Evangeline, however, looked at him with a mix of mild irritation and disbelief; annoyed by his carefree fantasies. "Ugh... you mortals and your loud, pointless leisure activities..."
But Noah paid her no mind, his enthusiasm only growing stronger along with his imagination!
"But... most importantly..." he continued with a grin as his eyes gleamed with excitement, "...this is the chance for me to finally find a girlfriend...!"
"G-girlfriend—!?!"
Evangeline froze—her crimson eyes widened, her ghostly form flickering in shock!
She'd read the term before in her novels... a modern mortal word referring to a female lover!
"Y-you want a l-l-l-lover, mortal?!?"
"Why, of course~!" he declared proudly, puffing out his chest without shame. "I've always wanted a girlfriend since middle school! But unfortunately, girls seemed to avoid me like the plague..."
His mood deflated just as quickly as it rose, his shoulders slumping as the painful memories hit him. Evangeline's expression softened—part sympathy, part... something else.
A chance.
After all, this might be her chance...!
"...W-well, mortal, i-i-if you want to have a g-g-girlfriend so much... m-maybe—"
"Yes! That's right!!!"
"Wha—?!"
He suddenly burst with energy—! His outburst startled her so much that her already-dead heart nearly leapt out of her chest!
"Which is why this is my chance to start a new chapter in my life!" Noah announced with renewed vigor, completely oblivious to her flustered state. "I'm going to become a Casanova who'll make all the chicks flock to me!"
Evangeline just stared at him deadpan, utterly dumbfounded by his shameless proclamation... before her expression twisted into disgust.
"...You womanizer..."
"What was that, Eva?"
"You cursed womanizer—!"
"Ow—!!"
She suddenly kicked him out of sheer frustration!
"The hell—!? What was that for?!"
"Hmph!"
She only huffed in response, crossing her arms and turning her head away—avoiding his confused gaze.
Eventually... he just gave up on trying to understand her temper tantrum.
"Sigh, whatever... anyway—"
Reigniting his excitement, he reminded himself again of all the plans he'd made for this day—!
"First thing first—meeting new people!"
He turned his attention away from his grumpy ghost companion toward a nearby group of male freshmen—
His peers!
From the looks of it, they were still chatting about the orientation from before.
"This is my chance...!"
Clearing his throat, he straightened his posture and approached them with renewed determination.
"H-hey, guys~! Mind if I join you—"
However, upon being approached by Noah...
They immediately ran away.
"...What?"