Felyn sat by the window in the classroom, elbow propped on the desk, chin resting in his palm, his gaze absentmindedly drifting out the window.
If he had known things would turn out like this, he would have followed Viloti last night. He really wanted to see what kind of advice Sophia had given her.
Today, Viloti was like a completely different person, as if she'd been bewitched by some demon.
She even said something like "Do you want to touch my feet?" Of course, he had firmly refused.
In her eyes, did he really seem like some kind of pervert?
Although, to be fair, her feet were pretty.
Sunlight poured through the window, outlining the lazy contour of his face.
The spire of the clock tower gleamed metallically under the sunlight, and a few white pigeons flitted past it, their wings stirring someone's youth along with the breeze.
"Did you hear? A super, super, super beautiful girl just transferred into the class next door!"
"No way! For real? I was already sick of looking at the same bunch of girls in our class—" The student promptly shut his mouth to preserve his own life.
"I saw her this morning at Teacher Sophia’s office. She’s seriously adorable, with the tiniest little face!"
Beautiful girl.
Felyn felt a headache coming on the moment he heard that term.
He spread open the book on his desk, trying to shut himself off from the world and focus on studying.
"According to the Treaty of the Sivius Empire, the Empire is allowed to have only one city, Seiwa. Seiwa is currently the largest city in the world, with the royal district at its center housing the Imperial Family and numerous academies."
He didn't notice that the figure he had seen last night had now appeared at the school gates.
"You’re looking for Felyn?"
"Ugh, not again!"
"Quick, slap me! Tell me this isn’t real!"
The commotion at the door shattered Felyn’s study bubble.
Seriously, don’t these noble kids have any manners? Don’t they know you're not supposed to yell in a classroom?
Felyn lifted his head and saw Bernice standing awkwardly by the school gates.
Today, Bernice wore the academy's white uniform, her jacket tied around her waist, and the collar of her shirt slightly open.
The black stockings under her skirt highlighted her slender legs, and she wore black combat boots on her feet.
Her black-and-red-dyed short hair was pinned with an adorable strawberry clip.
This pure-yet-sultry beauty lingered at the entrance, her hesitant, bashful expression the very picture of an ideal eighteen-year-old girl.
"I want to see Senior Felyn," Bernice said. "After what happened last night, I still have some things I want to ask him."
The classroom exploded.
Viloti's situation had already shaken up the noble sons and daughters enough.
But now—again?! Another beautiful girl seeking out Felyn?
And she even said, "after last night..."
What the hell happened last night?!
"Felyn was with that beauty last night, huh."
"Wait, I thought he liked Viloti? And Viloti liked him?"
"Is he two-timing Viloti with this cute underclassman? What a scumbag!"
"Maybe... maybe Felyn knows some kind of mind control magic that charms all the beautiful girls!"
"I heard he’s actually an evil god in disguise, hypnotizing women to become his slaves!"
Hey!
How were these rumors getting worse and worse?!
Felyn stood up. If he didn’t go out there now, he was going to become humanity’s number-one public enemy.
"Um, Senior Felyn, I’m sorry for coming here without warning. I just…" Bernice’s expression shifted from delight to shyness as she saw him.
"I just wanted to ask you about last night."
The two of them walked to a quieter corner.
"Nothing happened last night. Viloti wasn’t feeling well, so she went home early."
"I’m sorry too, for leaving early."
"It’s fine. Anything else?"
Felyn turned to leave immediately. He hoped this girl wouldn't keep bothering him.
"Senior Felyn, I still feel really bad about it. As an apology, let me treat you to a meal?"
Bernice once again showed the ad advantage of her figure. She leaned forward slightly, placing her hands near her chest—which, honestly, did nothing to hide anything. If anything, it drew even more attention.
"No need. Being around me will only bring you trouble."
"That’s not true!"
Bernice naturally clung to his arm, her face tilting up toward him.
"I heard all kinds of rumors about you this morning," she whispered, "but I don’t believe a word of them. I believe senior isn't like that."
You really should believe them. Because those rumors were mostly true.
"From the moment I met you yesterday, I thought—how could someone as gentle as senior be hated? It’s not fair at all. I don’t care what the others think. Come on, let’s eat together?"
Bernice tugged at his arm like a little girl begging for candy.
"Felyn, there you are."
Viloti’s voice floated lazily from behind.
Felyn immediately smelled gunpowder in the air.
But Viloti didn’t charge over. She stood politely a few steps away, keeping her distance, her gaze firmly locked on him.
"Good afternoon, Senior Viloti! Why are you standing so far away?" Bernice asked, puzzled.
Wasn’t she supposed to storm over and fight for him?
"I’m waiting in line," Viloti said.
"In line? In line for what?"
"In line to talk to Felyn."
Bernice and Felyn both froze.
Was she seriously applying weird noble etiquette rules to this situation?
"Senior Felyn, would you… would you go eat with me?"
Bernice looked a little awkward, uncomfortable being watched so openly.
"No, Bernice. I’m used to eating alone."
Bernice’s eyes dimmed slightly at his reply, but she quickly forced a smile back onto her face.
"I see… But, um, I accidentally made too much food this morning. I can’t finish it by myself. Would you help me eat some?"
Before Felyn could refuse, Bernice shoved a bento box into his arms.
She hopped down the stairs, pausing halfway to glance back at him.
"Senior, make sure you return my lunchbox, okay~?" she said sweetly, winking at him.
After Bernice left, Viloti finally walked up to Felyn’s side.
"Do you want something too, Viloti?"
Felyn couldn’t help but sigh. Being surrounded by pretty girls was exhausting.
"Felyn, let’s eat together."
"You can eat by yourself."
Viloti suddenly lowered her head, biting her lip, looking pitiful like she’d been bullied.
"You touched my foot... and now you want to run away?"
"I did not touch your foot! Don’t make stuff up!"
Of course Felyn hadn’t done anything weird on the field yesterday—he had clearly refused.
He never expected someone like Viloti, who usually seemed cold, to pull this kind of dirty trick.
Who said she wasn’t clever? She was way too clever!
"You’re just trying to run away from responsibility..." Viloti repeated, her voice a little louder this time.
If she kept this up, the crowd of onlookers would definitely hear it.
At that point, he really would never be able to clear his name.
"Alright, alright! We’ll eat together! But just this once, okay?!"
Viloti tiptoed up happily, her usually icy expression softening into a smile. Her pink hair shimmered brilliantly under the sun.
(End of Chapter)