l held her chin. The bold question from the Swordsman, Elowen, ca as expected, yet the excitent in his voice was a little unusual.
Despite her doubt, she nodded with a broad, proud smile. "Take a guess. Maybe we’re just really, really close friends, you know?"
Another student approached from the side, the first mage l had hypnotized. She had a long brown ponytail and trembling brown eyes.
"But..." The mage, Kaelen, fidgeted, as if afraid this topic would bring discomfort. "I... we heard from the leaked audio in the school. Uhm... have you not been here last night?"
l widened her eyes slightly. "What audio?"
She noticed the students around them gulping, so even glancing away in guilt.
Sitting beside her, Lila let out a high-pitched wl, her ears reddening like sweet apples.
l tilted her head, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. From Elowen’s question, l guessed it had to do with the intimate bond she shared with Lila.
And if it were audio, l could only think of one answer.
"You an the audio during the Third exams?"
A collective nod. And Lila wled harder.
l frowned. "Just to be clear, how was it leaked?"
"Um... you see..."
The blue-haired swordsman sighed. "It wasn’t exactly leaked. Many of us were curious about the earthquake not long ago, and when we asked the staff, so accidentally overheard the Third Exam’s recordings and..."
The brown-haired mage, clearly less composed, chid in. "So, we kinda heard you two flirting. Don’t worry! We didn’t believe all the rumors about you kissing or doing it at the venue. Hahaha..."
l blinked and smiled as the two chatted, then glanced at the other students who quickly averted their eyes.
She chuckled, her hand sliding down Lila’s back slowly. "I hope you enjoy our little sessions, then?"
Before the mage could excitedly respond, another voice ca from behind.
"Well, it would be better if we were not forced to commit arson while doing it."
l’s lips curled into a soft smile before she glanced over her shoulder. A girl with fiery red, tomboyish hair stood beside a boy with curly locks.
Twins, both with striking pairs of clear azure eyes.
She waved her hand, a flicker of nostalgia crossing her face. "Hello, my arsonist Twin! Thanks for the assist in the end!"
The girl, Seraphine Emberstone, shuddered in fear. "Ugh, do you have to talk out loud like that?"
"Aw..." l clasped her hands together in mock prayer. "I was overwheld with gratitude and camaraderie, and the words slipped out. Sorry if I bothered you..."
Seraphine froze, eying the others who glared at her. She was rely speaking facts here! Why was everyone suddenly against her when l terrorized them with mind-bending and arson just recently?!
No matter. A flash of determination lit her eyes as she reached into her pocket and stretched out her palm.
l glanced at the ring resting there, as she heard Seraphine muttering hesitantly, "Here. You forgot this."
l’s eyes curved in amusent as she t the clear azure gaze. "I have clearly said from before not to return them?"
The fire mage scowled. "I don’t know which rich household you co from, but the House of Emberstone had better artifacts than this. I don’t need your puny gift."
Oh... l tapped her cheek with a finger, smirking. "Then why didn’t you wear any artifact back in the exam?"
System.
[ Oh, got it, Host! The Emberstone family was a proud noble household that had no financial issues! ]
She raised her brows and t Seraphine’s questioning glare head-on. "Ah... I think I get it. Like Rosana Winterscourge, you disliked relying on other artifacts when casting magic and such, right?"
The twin brother, Vesta, sighed. "Specifically, it’s only her who was fangirling and mimicking Rosana—"
"Shut it," Seraphine huffed, glancing around with an unashad face. "What’s wrong with a little admiration or two?"
"The last ti you said that, you almost cried happy tears when you got axed in the burning forest during the last exam..."
A vein popped from Seraphine’s forehead before she ruffled her brother’s hair. "It should be considered an honour. It isn’t every day you get to taste a strike from the Northern Heiress, you dunce."
"What’s so good about being hit? Are you a masochist?"
"Hah? Are you picking a fight now, my brother?"
"No...?"
As l watched the twins’ bickering with amusent, completely forgetting the ring matter, her eyes drifted to Lila’s puffed, reddening cheeks.
Lila clutched her skirt tightly. Just last night, she’d been asked the sa question, ’Are you dating?’ back in the library before scurrying away in a panic.
As she silently scolded herself for not claiming l as hers, soft lips gently pressed against her cheek.
She yelped before holding the spot where she was kissed, her misty eyes locking with l’s sly, golden gaze.
Everyone around them gasped, as if they had t an unexpected sight.
"Well." She stood, holding a hand for Lila. "I’ll leave all of you to guess, for now."
Lila swallowed her nervousness, steadying her breath as she took l’s hand and pulled herself up.
l admired the embarrassed little creature before announcing to everyone, "One thing’s for sure, though: Lila won’t be dating anyone anyti soon."
They left the stadium together, their steps perfectly in sync despite the shocked stares of everyone around them.
"Ugh..." Kaelin the Mage held her chest. "Why does this make feel things?"
Her remark was ignored, and an uproar erupted monts after l and Lila left the scene.
l didn’t realize it then, but her small boast from earlier had sparked the beginning of Lila’s .
-------------------
In the west of the Academy stood a tall, slanted building, its windows overlooking the central hall. The structure housed six floors filled with nurous classrooms alongside multiple facilities, serving students for all four years of their studies.
l and Lila walked on the second floor, their hands clutching each other like before. At this point, there is nothing to hide after l’s little stunt back in the hall.
Lila, with reluctance, asked. "l. Is it alright if you... Well, do it openly like just now?"
The Witch of Lust nodded with a smirk. "I don’t plan to hide anything. Though a little tease here and there would flare up the rumours more."
Her mind relaxed. She knew that this incident was no mistake from the academy staff. She even asked the system to confirm, but she would ensure it personally after the ho session.
For a mont, she paused and gently cupped Lila’s cheek. "Are you... Perhaps not feeling comfortable because of them, Lila?"
l believed the rumors needed to spread, judging by the positive reactions in the hall. But if her Lila felt even the slightest discomfort, she was ready to negotiate.
Not only with Lila, but with ’her’.
Yet, Lila shook her head hurriedly. "No. Just... just that..."
The Witch of Envy breathed out. "I’m a little... too happy. I’m proud even, just that I’m too ek to show."
Lila wasn’t as social as l. Though not easily flustered, she struggled to care about anything or anyone she wasn’t deeply connected to.
Yet, as everyone admired her and l’s relationship, that connection ford instantly, and she found herself caring more than she ever expected.
l, with a knowing glint in her eyes, nodded. She knew Lila was a little confused, but she trusted her lover with all the ti she needed.
Don’t hurry things. Allow her to change at her own pace.
And so, she whispered softly, "Then... want another kiss?"
Lila hiccupped again, then summoned all her strength to et l’s eyes with a shy, approving smile.
Without a word, l leaned in to press her lips against Lila.
[ Envy was overwheld with fulfillnt...ah, it broke again. ]
[ Envy favourability: 99 -> 103 ]
l pulled back, her palms squeezing Lila’s cheeks to face her dazed, startled eyes.
"l..."
Lila let out a hushed whisper. In truth, she has been holding back since l told her they would shower together last night.
Even now, she desired more. Wished to be violated more.
The Witch of Lust observed the lust building up in Lila’s expression, then went back to the favorability number.
Then, she let go of Lila, as a soft whimper escaped her lover’s lips.
l giggled softly. "Let’s go now."
Hearing Lila’s muffled, flustered ’mmm’ like always, she was almost tempted to pamper her more.
She felt the upcoming horoom session would be a disaster, especially with Lila’s pent-up feelings ready to burst, but she welcod it wholeheartedly.
After all, these were happy mories, not angsty regrets, not like the original tiline.
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