The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

"DID you call someone for help?" Astrid asked.

Seeing as how the other first said 'stop' the moment he opened the door, it's safe to assume that the other probably saw him being dragged in this utility room and therefore decided to help rescue him. Assuming that he's not stupid, he would have definitely called someone before rushing here.

"Yes," Snow answered unknowingly.

"Did you call the staffs of the academy?"

"No, my bodyguards."

Snow stopped. He realized that he just answered the other's questions so naturally. Clearly, he was being dragged into the other's pace. So naturally even. A small crease appeared on his smooth forehead.

Astrid smiled. It's good that the other didn't call the staffs. It would be easier to deal with the aftermath of this situation.

"May I ask what happened here?" Snow asked, trying to take control of the conversation.

Astrid glanced at the other. Since this kid's cooperation would be needed in the next step he thought, he might as well have a proper talk with the other.

"As you may have already seen, I was dragged here by one of these four. What else could I do but defend myself?"

Snow once again glanced at the unconscious men and then back to the black-haired youth. The other was slim and not that very tall. Even he was a bit taller than the other. It's hard to believe that this guy could take on these four people. And in such a short time too.

The only possibility he could think of was that the other used his mental strength. But to be able to incapacitate four people at the same time, his mental strength should be very strong. An SS level perhaps?

"Did you use your mental strength?" he asked to make sure.

"Yes," Astrid answered, he didn't think that there's a reason for him to hide that.

Saying that he fought these four with his high martial arts prowess was simply too preposterous. He's not worried that the other would think that he had SSS level mental strength. That's definitely not the first thing that would enter anyone's mind. They would think that he had an SS level instead.

That kind of misunderstanding was not unacceptable. Although SS level was not so common, it's also not so rare. Not like SSS level ones who were really hard to find in this Empire.

He walked towards the other. "Would you be so kind as to help me?"

"If it's to report these people, then I see no reason not to."

It was clear to Snow that the one at the wrong here were these people. So, really, there's no reason to refuse.

"Thank you. But I hope we could tweak the details of what happened a bit."

"What do you mean?" Snow asked, curious as to what the other was planning.

"It's very important that I would be seen as the victim in this situation. And seeing as how quick I dealt with these four, that would be a bit too hard."

"So, you want me to lie?" Snow asked, that little crease on his forehead was back again.

"Not really lie. Just try not to mention what really transpired here. I will do all the talking, so you don't have to worry," Astrid said. "And also, I will need your bodyguards to cooperate."

"Don't you think you're asking too much?" Snow couldn't help but say.

Although he went here with the idea of helping the other, asking him to cooperate in lying was just a bit too much. Especially since the other wasn't really properly explaining things to him.

"Yeah, I think so too," the black-haired teenager said with a smile. "But you can just think of this as you repaying a favor."

This time, Snow felt a bit annoyed. "Can you just make sense for once?"

Astrid felt a bit amused, seeing the other's annoyed expression. He actually didn't want to tell the other that he was the one who saved him from being kidnapped last week. After all, he already decided not to get involve with that affair. But because of the mess did by that Jesse Norris and this guy accidentally discovering him here, it couldn't be help.

The fact that this kid rushed here when he saw him being dragged meant that he would be type to return the kindness that was given to him. But what really made him decide to reveal his participation in what happened last week was when the other said that he called his bodyguards for help.

The fact that this kid was allowed to bring bodyguards to school was definitely related to what happened last week. After all, the other was almost kidnapped while still on the school grounds. But this also meant that he didn't belong to an ordinary family. No ordinary family could force Redwood to allow bodyguards to freely roam here.

This would definitely help in adding credibility to the play he was planning to act on later.

"Last week, you were almost kidnapped by two men here at Redwood. I took care of the two men, just like how I took care of these four. I can't give the exact detail on how you ended up with the Fenris Squad. But I think what I had said is already enough evidence," Astrid said. "If you don't believe me, you can ask any question of what happened that day and I will do my best to answer."

It took a while for Snow to register what the other had said. He was just thinking earlier how he wanted to find the person who saved him and now, here he was, standing in front of the other.

Yes, he did not doubt that the black-haired youth was the really the one who saved him that day. If the other didn't mention the Fenris Squad, he might be suspicious and even think that this guy might be in cahoots with his half-brother. The fact that he ended up in the military base together with the Fenris Squad should not be known to just anyone.

Anyone except the one who saved him.

He took a deep breath and asked, "How can I be of help?"