Reincarnated With A Glitched System: Why Is My MP Not Running Out?

Chapter 2205: Aquarina Has Ran Out Of Patience...

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"I... I really... I really want... to go with you," Ruby confessed.

"Oh?!" I opened my eyes wide. Our friends standing nearby looked just as surprised when they heard her answer. Celica’s mouth parted a little, and Mist tilted her head as if she had not expected such a direct reply.

"I want to go with everyone else..." she nodded more firmly this time, her voice growing steadier. "I’d love to stay here longer, but I feel like... really, if I just stay here forever I’m going to go insane. I need to see the world outside these mountains already. I want to see all these places you guys always describe... a world that’s not just mountains, caves, and snow... it must be really exciting. I’ve spent so many years looking at the same peaks and listening to the same wind. I think I’ve reached my limit."

"I’m so glad you’ve decided to come along, Ruby!" Celica said with a bright smile, stepping a little closer. "Let’s go on adventures together and explore the world...! I wanna visit some places before school starts... I’ve been wanting to see new cities and markets for so long."

"Me too," Mist added with a small nod. "Aquarina keeps talking about Everstone. I really want to see those deserts...! And the jungles around the Crater Oasis! I keep imagining what the heat must feel like after living in the cold for so long."

"Oh, you’re going to love it!" Aquarina said, sounding more energetic as she crossed her arms. "You’ll get to meet all the friends I made there! They’re a bit rough around the edges, but they treat people fairly once they get to know you."

"I still can’t believe you made that many friends," Celeste said, raising an eyebrow and leaning her weight on one leg. "I feel like it still sounds like a lie... You never struck me as the type who gathers people easily."

"It’s not a lie!" Aquarina answered, clearly irritated as her shoulders tensed. "You think I’m not capable of socializing or something?! I’ve spent months there, Celeste. People don’t just stick around if they hate you."

"Well, with that attitude..." Celeste muttered, still teasing her with a half-smirk.

"W-What’s wrong with my attitude?!" Aquarina growled back, her voice rising a notch. "My friends don’t mind it! They’re nice to me, at least nicer than you, Celeste. They don’t pick at me every single time I open my mouth."

"Okay, okay, let’s not fight," I said quickly, stepping slightly between them. "Celeste, that was uncalled for..."

"Meh," Celeste rolled her eyes and did not apologize. "Anyway, I’m glad you’re coming along, Ruby... At least someone here is making a proper decision."

"Hey, don’t evade what I said," I sighed, keeping my tone even. "Look, I’m being nice because you’re my friend, but don’t treat my girlfriend like that, okay? She’s been patient with you for a long time."

"Like what? I’m just talking," Celeste sighed and looked away for a second. "Fine, fine, sorry? Okay? Sorryyyy..."

"You don’t seem that sorry about it," Aquarina muttered, still glaring.

"Why are you so sensitive anyway, Aquarina? You’re like the strongest here besides Sylphy, but you lack thicker skin sometimes..." Celeste said, her voice carrying that same sharp edge she always used when she felt cornered.

"It’s because you’re my friend. Hearing that from someone I thought was my friend is really hurtful, you know?" Aquarina answered, her voice tighter now as her hands curled into fists. "I really thought we were getting along, but it seems it’s not working I guess... Every time I try to share something good that happened to me, you find a way to cut it down."

"What’s not working?" Celeste asked, her expression stiffening. "We’re fine now."

"No, we’re not fine, and you thinking the world revolves around you is really annoying," Aquarina said, her tone sharper as she took a step forward. "You think I don’t know why you’re the way you are with me, Celeste? I’ve known for YEARS that you love Sylphy and you’re fucking JEALOUS we’re together. All these years and you’ve NEVER moved on from it! And you lash out at me because you can’t even bring yourself to be rude to Sylphy! Isn’t it? Isn’t that right?!"

"T-That’s...!" Celeste gasped and stepped back, her face turning a shade paler.

"Aquarina, you’re making things worse!" I said, reaching for her arm. "Please calm down."

"No, I’m not going to calm down if she keeps talking shit about me. I’m going to give her a few words, okay?" Aquarina replied, her breathing growing heavier. "I hate that everyone thinks I have a bad temperament and I can’t control myself, that I’m aggressive and... that’s not who I am! I made friends... they love me and I love them... it’s true... I don’t know why you wouldn’t believe that, Celeste... I’ve been trying for so long to be better, and you still look at me like I’m the same angry kid from years ago."

"..." Celeste stayed quiet for a moment, then started walking away, her shoulders slightly hunched. "I-I... sorry... I just make things worse... that’s all I do... sorry... bye."

"Wait, Celeste!" I called after her, but she quickly disappeared into the crowd before I could take more than a few steps. "Uughh..." I facepalmed, then looked at my girlfriend. She looked a little sad, her earlier anger already fading into something quieter. "Don’t worry..." I said, hugging her. "It’s okay. She didn’t mean it. Celeste sometimes just talks for the sake of it. She has a hard time expressing how she feels sometimes. She’s always been like that."

"..." Aquarina nodded lightly, hugging me back and resting her head on my shoulder. Her grip was firm, as if she did not want me to leave. "Don’t go after her. Stay with me..."

"Yeah, I won’t," I said, hugging her tighter and kissing her forehead. "Don’t worry, okay? It’ll be okay. We’ll talk to her later when things settle."

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