“Elementals are emotional beings. Maybe even more so than humans!”
A white gown draped over a brown blouse.
A voluptuous figure contrasting with her small stature and milky-white skin.
A vibrant type of girl with bright red hair tied up.
Her crimson eyes shone with a dazzling luster, like they held starlight.
Carlotta Epic, the Elemental Studies professor for Class C.
Elementals of various colors clung to different parts of Carlotta’s body.
On each shoulder clung a light green and purple slime, while a red slime rested gently on her outstretched hand. On the podium, a yellow and blue slime jumped around energetically.
“Therefore, you must always be careful not to hurt the elementals.”
The cute slimes seemed to give off a pleasant vibe.
Because of the deep intimacy and trust flowing between them and their owner, Carlotta.
“That way, the elementals will consider you a friend and willingly make a contract with you.”
One female student raised her hand to ask a question.
“What should we do if elementals get angry?”
“That’s a good question! Shall I give you a demonstration?”
Carlotta picked up the light green slime from her left shoulder and dropped it on the floor.
Of course, as elementals, slimes suffer no damage from falling.
The slime on the floor looked around confused before realizing the situation and began bouncing angrily at Carlotta.
So upset was it that the light green slime jumped around like a fish out of water.
“When an elemental is angry like this, you must prepare a gift to soothe its feelings.”
Carlotta knelt down and took a small candy from her pocket, offering it to the slime.
As if its anger subsided, the slime immediately calmed down, then happily bounced back and stuck to Carlotta’s shoulder.
“See? It’s very simple!”
Straightening up again, Carlotta smiled at the students.
“Since slimes are lower elementals, it’s relatively easy to calm them down, but the higher the grade of the elemental, the harder it is to soothe its anger. So it’s important to avoid making them angry in the first place!”
The same applies to humans.
Giving a gift to soothe someone’s feelings can resolve things much more easily.
Having detected her mate’s location by scent, Shirai turned her head in that direction.
A man sitting in a seat far to the left.
A week had passed since that day, and still, Shirai had not exchanged a single word with her mate.
Not wanting to be disliked further, Shirai had avoided speaking to him, and he showed no particular interest in speaking either.
As time passed, they ended up not exchanging a single word.
But Shirai wasn’t giving up easily. She was preparing a reason to earn her mate’s forgiveness.
“Don’t worry, Mate.”
A week ago, Shirai had an unexpected meeting with Nipia.
And she learned all of Princess Nipia’s schemes to drive away her mate.
“If you make the elementals angry and can’t control them, be sure! Be sure to prepare a thoughtful gift!”
Shirai nodded unconsciously.
Carlotta’s words were a hundred, a thousand times true.
It’s important to prepare a sincere gift to receive forgiveness.
“I will definitely, absolutely save you.”
Just imagining returning by her mate’s side filled Shirai with happiness.
As soon as the Elemental Studies class ended, she rushed to the Class B lecture room.
The Class B lecture room was about half the size of Class C’s, with neatly arranged desks and chairs placed at regular intervals.
Some students were quietly chatting in the back rows or lost in thought while looking out the window.
The professor left the lecture room first.
About twenty students followed, tidying up their textbooks before leaving one by one.
I was leaning against the wall outside the lecture room.
Other students passed by, glancing at me.
Apparently, because I had become a renowned figure in the academy.
After accompanying Shirai for two days, all sorts of titles stuck to me: Holy Maiden’s attendant, the man who’s infatuated with the Holy Maiden, etc.
Moreover, I even engaged in a bidding competition with Princess Nipia in broad daylight.
“Deservedly famous.”
Among the twenty-odd students, one woman stood out.
A girl with tied-down fiery red hair, exuding a fox-like aura.
Muse Fairfield, President of Playfair Corporation.
After all the students had left, she was the last to exit the lecture room.
“My, what’s this I see in broad daylight?”
Muse noticed me and looked at me with a slightly surprised expression.
“I need to talk to you.”
As expected, Muse nodded casually.
“Sure, I was waiting for Mate anyway.”
Muse’s friendly smile greeted me, graceful and beautiful like a fox from a fairy tale.
There was still time before the next class. Knowing this, I spoke out what I intended to say.
“Shall we go to the lounge?”
Floor 2 of Lumere Hall.
The student lounge of Lumere Academy.
It is a cafe installed on campus.
With unlimited usage time, it can also be used as a study cafe. Its 24-hour operation is a significant advantage.
For that reason, aside from the dormitory, it is the place with the most thorough security. It has surveillance cameras installed and various locking mechanisms in place: security keys, keypads, fingerprint, iris recognition, etc.
“Isn’t that Muse Fairfield?”
“There she is again. After being discarded by the Holy Maiden, she finally switched to another woman, huh.”
Students have given this place the nickname “National Rule Lounge” because it’s always crowded. Thus, it’s a great environment to notice things.
“This place is always air-conditioned and cool. It gets cold enough to freeze at night, though.”
This point is easily solved if you come with someone who knows how to use elemental magic. Just summon a fire elemental and use it like a heater.
Muse was seated at a table, and I returned after briefly fetching drinks.
“So, what’s the matter?”
Muse Fairfield’s favorite drink.
I handed her an orange-flavored smoothie topped with whipped cream. You can make any dessert by just selecting options from the drink vending machine and inserting money.
Before asking for anything, it’s always proper to show appropriate sincerity.
“Taking care of such small things, aren’t you?”
Though she says that, she shows a hint of happiness as she sucks the smoothie through the straw.
“Erfin is going to withdraw.”
I thought, at this point, Muse would have spit out the smoothie.
However, strangely, she remained calm, as if she’d already known Erfin would withdraw.
“How many pairs of eyes and ears do you think I have inside the campus?”
That timid Erfin wouldn’t have said it herself, implying she deduced it from Erfin’s behavior.
Since all the staff under Erfin’s command are competent, it’s quite plausible.
“Are you asking me to keep an eye on Princess Nipia? If the first-year students’ positions get shaken, it’ll be hard for Mate to exert influence.”
“No, I’ll handle that myself.”
“Hmm, then what is it?”
“While I’d like to ask you to transfer me to Class A, I know you wouldn’t agree to that. So I just have a small favor to ask.”
Muse casually shrugged, as if she didn’t know anything.
Certainly, if I really asked, she’d probably refuse with a sneer. Muse, who excels in manipulating people’s hearts, could easily do that.
“Just help Erfin and me skip class for one day.”
“Should I assume you’re going on a date?”
“Something like that.”
Erfin must never withdraw from the academy.
Not only is she a crucial character in future scenarios, but also the key to wiping out Asura.
If Erfin withdraws, the annihilation of Asura will fail, and then Shirai’s sight won’t be restored.
“Definitely, Erfin is essential for wiping out Asura.”
Muse was aware of that fact. Therefore, I thought she’d readily help.
“I can help you, sure. It’s not much for me to just give a few dollars from my position.”
“That’s expected. You’ve more money than you can spend.”
“Dear, money doesn’t rot. As long as this world doesn’t end, the value of money will be preserved.”
“Anyway, what do you want in return?”
She can help but won’t do it right away.
That means Muse also wants something from me.
“I’m not foolish enough to ask you to make Cia and Shirai be on my side.”
“Why do you think they’d follow your orders?”
“Well, because they both like you.”
I kept quiet, unsure how to respond. Anyway, Muse enjoys leading conversations, and she tends to listen better when put in such situations.
“I just want you to help me out once when I request it.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes, very simple, right? And straightforward.”
However, one thing must be clarified. Muse seemed to know this well and waved her hand again.
“I’m not asking for help with a revolution, worry not.”
I nodded. This signified the conclusion of the conversation and the establishment of the deal.
Before I realized it, Muse had finished her smoothie and slowly stood up, looking curiously toward the windows behind me at the study cafe.
“Sometimes, you seem quite oblivious?”
I also followed Muse’s gaze instinctively and just briefly caught a glimpse.
Shirai’s representative assistant, I-Hwa Cloudrain, who was hastily hiding behind the wall.
Her gold-embroidered uniform glittering like a meteor and her brown hair that seemed to exist solely to highlight Shirai. Her sapphire-like blue eyes were always cold.
‘Were you trailing me all along?’
This was somewhat shocking.
I pressed my face against the window and adjusted the angle to the side to get a better view of I-Hwa.
Thanks to her luxurious uniform, I-Hwa was not at all hidden. Despite her meticulous nature, she occasionally shows such clumsiness.
Tapping on the window would be bothersome.
I walked out of the study cafe and approached I-Hwa directly.
I-Hwa didn’t seem like the type to run away. After all, there’s probably no reason for Shirai’s assistant to be here.
She must definitely have something to tell me.
“What is the matter?”
I-Hwa cleared her throat again, trying to hide her embarrassment. Then she readjusted her posture and tidied up her clothes, preparing for the conversation.
Seeing I-Hwa fumbling, I furrowed my brows. This wasn’t her usual character at all.
When I sighed, assuming this manner and started to head back to the cafe, I-Hwa grabbed my arm and spoke.
Uncharacteristically, sweat was dripping from her face.
“…The Holy Maiden is acting strange.”
“Excuse me?”
“She keeps talking to herself!”
