"That gray-curled girl—what a majestic figure! No wonder she's a Divine Maiden. Her physique is impeccable, except for that one area being a bit disappointing. Her aura is truly extraordinary! I wonder which family's Divine Maiden she is. Hmm, due to that flaw, I'll only give her 85 points!"

"Oh! That brown-straight-haired lady is great too! That part isn't too big or small, but her height and perfect legs make up for it. Such tall stature must be from a northern noble family. Solid choice—I'll give her 90 points!"

"Hey, Dilin, look! That's the young lady from House Kellerbess. She's been famous in the kingdom for ages. Tsk tsk, no wonder—a Divine Maiden from such a renowned family, fair-skinned and gorgeous. No surprise she made the 'Coleman Golden Blossom Ranking.' Her posture and presence outshine ordinary Divine Maidens. A perfect 100!"

"...............First, what even is this Coleman Golden Blossom Ranking?" Unable to endure the spiky-haired guy chattering nonstop beside him, Dilin silently lifted his gaze from his book.

"Huh? You don't know this? Seriously, are you even a normal male student?" John shot Dilin a disdainful look. Truthfully, watching his old friend sit quietly absorbed in a book, he sensed Dilin had changed these past few days.

He'd grown quieter.

While curiosity was common among Divine Children, Dilin hadn't been this obsessed with reading every spare moment.

Still, John wasn't surprised.

Men change after painful transformations and tough choices.

Astrid's affair must have hit him hard.

John sighed inwardly.

Dilin showed nothing, but John knew he couldn't let it go.

How could any man stay indifferent to such things? Especially at this age—young men who haven't learned nonchalance yet.

Dilin had fallen for Astrid at first sight; John saw it clearly. Honestly, with that Elf princess's charm, what man wouldn't be smitten? If there was one, he'd have to be a eunuch.

John understood Dilin's pain. He couldn't do much—just crack jokes to cheer up his wounded friend. But this silent type wouldn't even respond.

Playing the wise elder, huh?

"The Golden Blossom Ranking? Obviously, it's Coleman Academy's campus beauty contest!" John wagged a finger. "Are you even a hot-blooded young man?"

"What's the point of knowing this?" Dilin tilted his head.

"Of course it matters! Why did we bust our asses to get into Coleman Academy?"

"To gain knowledge and improve ourselves."

"My friend.........." John stared at Dilin, stunned.

"? What's wrong?"

"Did some unclean spirit possess you?" John gaped. "How can you say that with such a straight face?"

"What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing—but it's too perfect. Too serious for a student."

Dilin stayed silent.

"Seriously, after getting dumped, did you switch personas? From a chain-smoking slacker to an upright bookworm?"

"Go ogle your Divine Maidens." Knowing John's mouth only spewed nonsense, Dilin ignored him and buried his nose in his book.

"Hey, be real—coming to Coleman is about finding your ideal Divine Maiden! Obsessing over studies leads nowhere. Don't give up after one setback. Three-legged frogs are rare, but two-legged people are everywhere. Why hang yourself on one tree?"

"You should check the Golden Blossom Ranking. Who knows? Your future partner might be on it."

"Sounds like you're here to pick consorts," Dilin deadpanned.

"Exactly! And I bet most Divine Children think the same. Coleman, as the top academy, gathers Divine Maidens from noble families—many future heirs. Get noticed by one, and you skip thirty years of struggle!"

"............So you're here hoping some rich widow picks you?" Dilin gave John a flat look.

"Not just waiting! These are high-born ladies—you gotta take bold action to win their hearts!"

"Right?"

"I doubt it." Dilin glanced at the spiky hair. "Eighty percent chance of failure."

"Huh? Why?"

"Let's be honest—Divine Maidens usually look down on commoner Divine Children." Dilin stated firmly.

"..........Ah, you still can't let go. Must be deeply hurt." John patted Dilin's shoulder, his eyes full of pity.

"?" What nonsense was this spiky-haired idiot spewing now?

"Picking consorts can wait. No need to rush to the arena today, right?" Dilin kept his eyes on his book.

"True, but today's special. Hey, why is this arena packed?"

"No idea." Dilin scanned the Roman-style colosseum arena, indifferent.

"Come on, don't act clueless!"

"? Why would I know?" Dilin was baffled. "You dragged me here this morning. Without you, I'd be reading in my dorm."

"Please. You couldn't possibly stay calm knowing Astrid's match is today."

"Oh, she's competing today?" Dilin nodded. "Where?"

"Where do you think?"

"In this Arena 23?"

"Ha! Stop pretending. You checked her schedule the moment it dropped. Be grateful—I snagged two seats early. Otherwise, we wouldn't see your old flame........."

"Say that nonsense again, and I'll punch you." Dilin grinned coldly, fists tightening.

"Okay, okay—my bad. Ex-flame.........Ow!" John rubbed his spiky head, deciding to shut up before upsetting Dilin further.

*Sigh, he still hasn't moved on. Why else get so worked up?*

But John didn't know Dilin's reaction came from instinct.

Even Dilin hadn't noticed—he now hated baseless rumors linking him to others.

"Things like this—there's nothing if there's nothing. Don't call anyone my sweetheart without proof. It makes others uncomfortable, and me too. A lifelong partner in love isn't a joke." Dilin's cold words surprised even himself.