The Goddess Is Obsessed With Me Chapter 67

"Wow...!"

Spread out before was a feast, mostly made up of various ats, but each dish was prepared with different ingredients and thods. Just looking at them made my mouth water.

"How is it? Isn't it generous for the price?! Of course, most of the students from our school are regulars at this restaurant."

Seeing my satisfied reaction, she smiled brightly.

It certainly slled good enough to make one wonder, "Is this really the price?"

"Try it!"

I couldn't find a reason to refuse, so I grabbed a piece of at in front of and put it in my mouth.

With every bite, the juices flowed, and the flavors of the at and seasonings harmoniously danced on my taste buds. The taste was so exquisite that it felt like I was eating a high-end dish.

The atmosphere of the restaurant felt sowhat like a pub. The food looked delicious but wasn't overly fancy, giving it an affordable feel. Yet it felt more comfortable for than an aristocratic ambiance.

"It's delicious, definitely the best I've had recently among the restaurants I've been to."

She smiled proudly at my review.

"I feel rewarded introducing you to this place!"

She smiled at and then took a bite of her own food with a fork.

As we chatted and enjoyed our al...

"By the way, Aris, I have sothing to ask..."

About halfway through our al, I turned to her with a more serious tone. She seed to catch on and looked back with a focused gaze.

I had several questions about why I had set up this eting today.

"What is it? I'll tell you everything I know."

Aris smiled confidently.

Originally, Marika should have been here too. I thought it would be better to hear from both of them, but since Marika had unexpectedly left, I had to ask Aris.

"I heard so bad rumors about the academy... Do you know anything?"

The reason I ca to this academy, sothing related to the Order...

According to the letter I received from Lady Morione, they believe that the souls of ancient gods reside in the academy's shadows.

Their objective was to resurrect their ancient god, and for that, they needed a young, strong body.

And there's no better place than an academy full of vibrant youths.

Recently, there have been rumors of students disappearing and sightings of strange villains.

Most shockingly, the academy's principal, Ms. Arsia, is alleged to be aiding them.

"Um..."

Aris gave a vague smile in response to my question. Did she know sothing?

"Well... I don't know for sure, but the mood in the class hasn't been great lately. There are rumors of a suspicious organization within, and the biggest issue might be the change in the principal..."

From her precise description, she might have more information than I do.

"Should I ask about Ms. Arsia?"

"Regarding her, I know better than anyone."

I felt like I was onto sothing big. It seed she knew sothing about her...

"But I don't know why she changed like that."

My hopes were shattered.

However, sothing felt off. If it were just a simple student-principal relationship, there would be no need for such words. Her usage of the term "she" suggested a closer relationship than just a student and principal. "Why did you say you know the principal best?"

As I asked that, her smiling face shifted to one tinged with sadness.

"Most people don't know the principal's surna. Her full na is Arsia Vil Her..."

Vil Her?

That surna... it was Aris's surna...

"....?!"

A realization crossed my mind.

The sa surna...?

Wait... does that an...?

"She's your mother?!"

I asked with a mix of shock and speculation.

"Uhm..."

But she slightly shook her head, implying that wasn't the case.

It was a relief, in a way. If the principal had indeed been her mother, that would've been shocking on its own.

Now that I think about it, they do look similar...

"I guess most people would think that way, right?"

Aris's expression turned even sadder, as if she had anticipated my reaction.

"I was a part of her that broke off and saw the light of the world. Maybe I'm a sort of split spirit... She existed before , the main body. So, she might be like a mother figure...?"

At first, I didn't understand what she ant.

Ordinary people wouldn't describe their birth in the way Aris did.

What she was saying sounded as if... she wasn't human, but a different species...

Aris is a split spirit of Principal Arsia?

Seeing her after knowing that fact, I noticed similarities between her and Principal Arsia.

"Can you explain in more detail?"

"If it were anyone else, I would've refused... but since it's you, Harold, I'll tell you."

With that, the atmosphere between us grew heavier.

"She is of the Spirit Clan. And I am sothing like a byproduct that separated from her for so reason..."

The Spirit Clan.

From what I knew, the Spirit Clan was one of the longest-lived races, created by ancient gods and considered as a sort of demigod. They were so rare that I had only heard about them. They are beings of pure magic and are said to possess powerful magic that can pierce mountains.

When I first t Principal Arsia, she ntioned that she appeared young due to her race's characteristics... Was she referring to this?

Thinking about it, a spirit being alive for such a long ti, accumulating knowledge and wielding powerful magic, and rising to the position of principal of the academy, it all made sense.

And if Aris is derived from Arsia, who is of the Spirit Clan, is Aris also a spirit?

"Why did you separate? What was the reason?"

I overlooked the minor details and focused on her statent about being separated for so reason. Her response was a bit vague.

"I'm not sure... but I think it might have sothing to do with the suspicious organization that's causing the rumors in the school."

So, I have to either investigate the heretics or directly find out from Principal Arsia...

But this was enough information.

It felt like pieces of a puzzle were coming together.

The Spirit Clan created by the ancient gods and the Order worshiping the ancient gods... There was no evidence, but it felt right.

"Thanks for telling . I feel like I ruined the mood... haha..."

Realizing that our conversation had made the atmosphere heavy and the food had gone cold...

But contrary to my awkward tone, she acted as if nothing happened.

"It's okay! Let's eat before it gets completely cold!"

I tried to match her and returned to the previous mood. We resud our al, and due to ordering excessively, we struggled to finish.

"It feels like I overate after such a long ti..."

I managed to finish all the food.

I felt so full that it seed like my stomach was about to burst.

At first, I thought of leaving so food, but since it was so tasty even when cold, I ended up eating more than usual...

"Was it good?"

In contrast to my discomfort from overeating, she smiled comfortably.

Aris, who eats much more than she looks... Next ti I eat with her, I'll have to be more considerate. "Alright! Now that we're full, let's head over there!"

Before I could even respond, she excitedly took my hand, pulling along like a child leading their parent. We ended up wandering around the main street, doing various activities.

We watched a play, strolled through a flower-filled park, and browsed various general and accessory stores.

Now, we were in a jewelry store, looking at various adornnts...

"Wow! This is beautiful!"

Aris exclaid, looking at a stunning silver pendant with more enthusiasm than she had for any other item. She seed utterly captivated, not taking her eyes off the pendant as she picked it up with a gleam in her eye.

"How much is this?!"

She eagerly asked the shopkeeper about the price, but...

"5,000 Luins."

"Ugh... that's expensive!"

She muttered, taken aback by the price. She quickly covered her mouth, looking embarrassed. She glanced at and awkwardly laughed before hastily leaving the store.

5,000 Luins... indeed, it was a steep price.

But thanks to the endless wealth bestowed upon by Morione, it wasn't too burdenso for . Recalling Aris's reaction earlier...

"I'll take this pendant for 5,000 Luins, please."

I decided to buy it as a gift for her, thinking she'd love it.

The shopkeeper, having received the correct paynt, smirked mysteriously.

"Thank you, young man! She's your girlfriend, right?"

The shopkeeper jumped to quite the conclusion.

"Uh? No, she's not—"

"Ah, youth! It's a beautiful thing!"

Before I could correct him, he continued speaking, not giving a chance to clarify.

"I'll give you another one for free!"

With that, he handed two identical pendants.

"May your relationship last long!"

The shopkeeper, clearly under a major misconception, but since I got a free item, I decided to let it slide.

"Thank you."

After expressing my gratitude, I looked around for Aris, who had already moved quite a distance away. I sprinted after her, managing to catch up after an exhausting chase.

"Haha... I must be crazy..."

As I approached her, she was murmuring sothing, seemingly lost in thought.

"Going off and asking for the price of such an expensive item..."

It seed she was talking about the pendant. Was the price that shocking to her? She looked more anxious than necessary for such a simple mistake.

"What if you'd left alone, Aris?"

I tried to console her, but...

"Oh! What was I thinking? I'm sorry for leaving you behind!"

She finally snapped back to reality, looking surprised and genuinely remorseful. She gazed at with puppy eyes, making feel guilty for so reason.

"It's okay... But, here..."

I handed her the pendant I had bought earlier.

"It's a gift for you."

Seeing the shimring silver pendant in my hand, she gasped.

"O...?!"

She stared at the pendant for a mont, seemingly trying to understand the situation.

"This...?!"

"Seeing how much you liked it, I bought it for you."

Her eyes welled up with tears, moved by the gesture.

"Really... for ?"

Although she double-checked, my answer was already clear.

"It's okay, just accept it."

"Harold..."

Overwheld with joy, she tightly gripped my hands, shaking them enthusiastically.

"Thank you! I was inexplicably drawn to it! I'm really, really grateful!"

Her reaction was even more enthusiastic than I expected, making feel proud of my choice.

"Listen... I already got a gift and I feel a bit guilty... but I have a favor to ask."

Suddenly, she beca serious and sat down, swallowing nervously before asking for a favor. "A favor...?"

As I mumbled, she let go of my hand and leaned in a little closer, tilting her head.

"Could you... put it on for ?"

She looked at with a slightly tense face.

"Alright."

Her pleading eyes made it hard to refuse, so I hung the pendant around her neck.

"I'm happy... I'll treasure this pendant."

At her words, I nodded and admired how the pendant looked even better on her than I imagined. It complented her so well that I felt even more satisfied with my gift choice.

Hmm... It suits her well.

Just as I was about to continue our journey...

"Harold...!"

Aris, who had been silent for a mont, called with a serious tone.

"Hmm?"

I tilted my head, curious about what she wanted to say, when suddenly...

Whoomph!

I felt a warm and weighty embrace.

Aris hugged .

"Aris?!"

Her sudden action took by surprise, and I hesitated, unsure of how to react as she held even tighter.

"Thank you so much... You saved and took care of ... And instead of repaying you, I even accepted a gift... I'll never forget this kindness..."

She poured out her feelings toward .

"Ever since you saved , I've felt strange... My heart races when I see you... It's like I'm going crazy...!"

Aris's mood shifted unexpectedly, and my instincts began to warn of potential danger. It felt like my gift had inadvertently triggered a switch in her.

"Can you let go of for a mont?"

I politely asked her to release , but she continued to cling to . I noticed her eyes were unfocused, as if she had lost her senses. Her pupils were slightly dilated, and I could sense a hint of madness in them.

"Being with Harold, who's so kind and warm... I think I fell for your kind heart at first sight...!"

She confessed, holding onto even tighter.

Excuse , Miss Aris?!

For so reason, Aris's breathing beca ragged, and I instinctively knew I needed to get away quickly. She was dangerous now!

But even as I tried to escape, she held firmly in place.

"Harold... You sll so good... It's intoxicating..."

Aris, in a daze, rubbed her face against my chest.

"Aris?!"

I called her na in shock, but it seed she couldn't hear .

A fleeting mory crossed my mind...

From what I knew, the spirit race had a particular vulnerability to intense emotions...

Was this the reason for Aris's behavior?

"Alright, just let go for a-"

I tried to resist, but for so reason, I couldn't overpower her.

Smack!

Suddenly, I felt a soft sensation on my cheek. It happened so fast I barely registered it.

"?!?!"

Aris was kissing my cheek. I was so stunned that for a mont, my mind went blank.

Her sudden surprise attack left in such shock that I montarily doubted reality.

But then...

Thud!

A heavy sound, like a tal tool falling, snapped back to reality. As I regained my focus...

"Harold...?"

An unfamiliar voice murmured my na.

Who is it?

I turned towards the direction of the voice and...

"Huh...?"

A red-haired girl I'd never seen before was staring at us with a shocked expression.