I Killed The Main Characters

Chapter 140: Double Down [3]

I sat across from Noah, eyeing the assortment of materials Professor Sharon had placed before us.

We had to devise something innovative.

A magical device of practical value that would showcase both our magical aptitude and creativity.

A simple assignment, at first glance, but the stakes had shifted when Professor Sharon announced that this project would contribute twenty percent of our exam grade.

I knew without question that if I wanted to succeed, I couldn't rely on Noah to carry his weight.

The smirk that crept across his face when she said it only confirmed as much.

Noah leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his gaze absent as if he had already lost interest.

I pressed my lips together, willing my annoyance to stay buried.

It didn't matter what he thought.

I had no intention of letting his negligence affect my performance.

"Fine."

I muttered, mostly to myself, keeping my voice neutral.

"I'll make a magic detection device."

It was a basic concept but versatile and valuable in a variety of applications.

With careful planning, it could detect various magical signatures in the environment and distinguish between them—a useful tool for scouting or combat.

Noah said nothing.

He just tilted his head, looking at me with mild amusement as I began sketching out the framework of the device.

The silence between us was thick, almost oppressive.

I could feel his eyes on me, that familiar smugness radiating off him.

I ignored it.

Focusing on the calculations for the detection range and the amplification of magical signals.

As I worked, Noah continued his silent observation.

Occasionally letting out a quiet chuckle that grated on my nerves.

He hadn't lifted a single finger.

Not to pick up a pen, nor to even pretend he was considering how he could contribute.

He just sat there, content to watch me take on the brunt of the work.

Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, he broke the silence.

"You know, Maya, this is all so… simple.

Not exactly the kind of ingenuity Professor Sharon expects, is it?"

I didn't look up.

I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

"It's practical."

I replied, keeping my tone even.

"And effective."

He scoffed, the sound laced with barely veiled condescension.

"Effective?

Experience more tales on ???

Maybe for an average mage.

But we're supposed to be elite students in Class A.

Don't you think something a bit… grander would be more fitting?"

My hand tightened on the pen.

And I forced myself to take a calming breath.

I wouldn't let him get under my skin.

"Sometimes, the most complex problems require the simplest solutions."

Noah leaned forward, smirking.

"But where's the challenge in that, Maya?

Isn't it beneath someone with your 'brilliance' to stick to the basics?"

The mockery in his voice was unmistakable.

And for a split second, I felt the urge to retaliate, to lash out.

But I swallowed it down, keeping my expression carefully neutral.

I couldn't let him get to me.

This was what he did—poke and prod, finding weak points to exploit until he unraveled the people around him.

With a calmness I didn't feel, I looked up and met his gaze.

"Perhaps I prefer a solution that works rather than something needlessly complicated."

He raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement sparking in his eyes.

"Ah, but see, that's your problem...

You're so concerned with the practical that you lose sight of the potential.

Where's the ambition?"

Ambition?

That word, coming from him, almost made me laugh.

As if he'd ever shown any ambition beyond reveling in his own ego.

I didn't reply, turning my attention back to the schematic and adjusting a few parameters.

He could mock all he wanted.

I was here to get this done, not to engage in his games.

Noah leaned closer, voice dropping to a low, almost mocking murmur.

"Tell me, how does it feel to be so… meticulous?

So perfectly average, I mean.

Is it comforting, being so predictable?"

A flare of anger shot through me, but I quelled it with a practiced ease.

My hands continued working, steady and unshaken.

"At least I don't need to rely on arrogance to make myself feel capable."

I replied, my tone measured and polite.

I glanced at him with a carefully controlled smile, keeping the anger from my eyes.

"It must be exhausting, keeping up the facade."

To my frustration, he only laughed, the sound grating on my nerves.

My hands stilled, fingers clenching around the pen as I took a deep breath.

Noah's words had hit a nerve, but I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing it.

I could feel his gaze on me, scrutinizing, as if he could see right through my mask.

"At least I'm willing to put in the effort."

He leaned back, looking almost bored.

"Effort? Please, you make it sound as though you're achieving something extraordinary."

His tone was dismissive, taunting.

"This little project is hardly groundbreaking."

I clenched my jaw, ignoring him and continuing to work.

I could feel the weight of his scrutiny, that irritating smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he watched me toil.

In the silence, the ticking of the clock seemed louder, each second stretching out, reminding me of just how insufferable he could be.

Finally, he spoke again, a mocking lilt in his voice.

"You know, you should be grateful.

You have a partner who's willing to let you take the lead.

I could just take over, but I'm being generous."

The audacity of this man.

Instead, I gave him a bland look, keeping my voice level.

"Yes, I'm sure letting me do all the work is a great sacrifice on your part."

He chuckled, unfazed by my sarcasm.

"Well, someone has to allow you to experience success, however minor it might be."

The urge to tell him exactly where he could put his condescension was overwhelming.

But I forced myself to stay calm.

I'd been in enough of these interactions with him to know that reacting only fueled his smug satisfaction.

Silence fell between us once more.

The only sounds in the room coming from the soft scratching of my pen against paper as I made notes and adjustments.

I couldn't stop the flicker of rage from boiling beneath the surface.

But I kept my expression cool, serene.

If this was what it took to complete the project, so be it.

I'd endure his arrogance without complaint.

As I worked, Noah continued his verbal jabs, each one more infuriating than the last.

His words were like needles, pricking at every bit of patience I had left, yet I stayed composed.

I knew he wanted a reaction, a sign that he was getting to me.

But I wouldn't give him that.

It was only when I adjusted a key component of the device that he leaned in, his smirk growing wider.

"You're doing it wrong, you know.

That alignment's going to throw off the entire structure."

I kept my eyes on the device, refusing to look up at him.

"I'm aware of what I'm doing, Noah."

"Oh, I'm sure you think you are."

He said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"But really, if you're going to rely on such… crude methods, it's almost embarrassing to watch."

My fingers tightened on the tool, every muscle in my body straining to keep my composure.

Inwardly, I was seething.

To snap, to tell him exactly what I thought of his arrogance and entitlement.

But I kept my voice steady, neutral.

"If you have a better idea, feel free to contribute."

He laughed, that irritating, mocking sound that grated on every nerve.

"Oh, no...

I wouldn't dream of stepping in.

I'm just here to offer guidance."

It took every ounce of restraint I had not to respond.

Instead, I continued my work, letting his words wash over me like water off a stone.

But beneath my calm exterior, the anger burned hotter, sharper.

I could feel it seething within me, a dark, pulsing rage that I kept hidden behind a polite smile.

By the time I completed the main framework of the device, my hands were trembling from the tension I'd held back.

Noah leaned in, glancing over my work with a smirk.

"Well, I suppose that's… adequate.

For someone of your abilities, at least."

I forced a smile, keeping my voice sweet, even as my teeth clenched.

"Thank you, Noah.

Your approval means the world to me."

He chuckled, unfazed by my sarcasm.

"I thought it might.

After all, I am the top student here."

I didn't respond, letting the silence stretch between us once more.

If he wanted to bask in his own self-importance, I wouldn't stop him.

I'd finish the project, pass the exam, and keep my distance from him as much as possible.

As I worked on the final adjustments, his voice cut through the silence once more.

That familiar mocking tone grating on my nerves.

"You know, Maya, this little act of yours is almost endearing.

Trying so hard to be competent… it's almost admirable."

I kept my gaze focused on the device, willing myself not to react.

The class was coming to an end after all.