Chapter 15
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Veronica (2)
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"Just because Veronica's pretty."
"..."
Veronica's gaze seemed to ask if he was serious.
The classroom was already empty, with the other students gone and only the two of them left, so he felt even bolder.
Even if the other students had been there, it wouldn't have made much difference anyway.
"...If you're going to pull pointless pranks like that, I'll be going."
"It's not really a prank."
He meant it.
Anyone would naturally notice pretty people walking by on the street.
The same went for the opposite.
Feeling Aren's sincerity, Veronica let out another small sigh.
"Why on earth are you doing this to me? A guy like you... Haah, you could snag any girl you wanted, even if it wasn't me."
In Veronica's mind, Aren had no reason to cling to someone like her.
As much as she hated to admit it... Honestly speaking, Aren had everything except status.
And even that status would sort itself out eventually, given his power and potential.
So she couldn't understand why a guy like Aren would cling to her—that was Veronica's judgment.
Aren gave Veronica a bright smile.
"Like I said when we first met, you're my type."
A pretty face, a compassionate personality that pretended not to care while looking out for him, big breasts, and a great figure.
Everything matched Veronica perfectly.
For the record, wealth didn't matter. He could earn the money himself.
Honestly, with Veronica's looks alone, he could live happily just coasting off her face. If she did the housework too, it'd be perfect.
"More pointless wordplay."
"Not a joke, though?"
Veronica fell silent for a moment.
"...Then, would you do something for my sake?"
"Of course. Got a request?"
She hesitated.
After a brief pause, she muttered in a tiny voice. It was so faint that even Aren almost missed it without focusing.
"......You're probably lying anyway."
Then she stared straight at him. And contrary to that mutter, she spoke words that opposed it.
"Just said it to test you."
"Hmm..."
'Doesn't seem like it.'
But she didn't look like she planned to say more.
She must have some backstory.
Well, no one in this world was without a story, noble or not. Nobles in a world like this might even have messier, dirtier ones.
'Whatever... Doesn't concern me.'
If she opened up and asked for something, he could help then.
To lighten the mood, Aren leaned in close to her neck. The sweet, distinctive scent of Veronica tickled his nose.
Did nobles rub honey on their skin? Or was it just her natural body fragrance?
As he sniffed around her neckline, Veronica startled and pulled away in a fluster.
Whoosh—!
"Eut..."
"Embarrassed?"
"Embarrassed or not, it's rude. And you think I'd be embarrassed because of a guy like you?"
"Yeah."
Her ear tips were bright red, plain as day.
"...It's just hot, so don't mind it."
"Is it? It's still early spring—not exactly hot season..."
"..."
-Had she caught a cold?
As he leaned in close like he was going to touch her forehead, Veronica quickly put distance between them.
"It was a joke, so don't make that face."
"..."
Her face looked extremely displeased.
'Cute.'
Excluding his master, she was the woman who matched his ideal type the most. Lydia and Student Council President Agnes the princess were similar too, but...
'Princess is off-limits.'
No connection there anyway.
Aren hoped someday one would appear.
"Fine. If you're just gonna keep saying nonsense, I'm leaving now."
"Where to?"
"...What do you care?"
Her response was ice cold.
"Is it weird to want more time with my ideal type?"
"...Yes."
Chill seeped from her voice.
'Strict.'
Well, that just made him want to cling harder.
He dreamed of the day relentless courtship would conquer her. The desire to dye a lofty woman, untouched by any man, in his own colors.
It was a greed he couldn't easily suppress.
Like wanting to pluck a flower on a cliffside.
"So, where you headed? Next class?"
"........."
Veronica no longer answered Aren. She just gathered her things and walked off somewhere.
Having shaken off Aren, Veronica arrived alone at the training grounds. Not for anything else—for magic training.
Suddenly, magic circles spread thick in the air, along with various targets. Using her specialty, Multi-Casting, she began swiftly eliminating them.
Outwardly, she looked deadly serious, like she could kill anyone, but her inner thoughts were different.
Unlike her tough exterior, her mind was a total mess.
'...I just don't get it.'
Aren.
The way he said things in front of everyone that could cause misunderstandings, the way he kept getting too close at random times.
And he already had that pretty girl Lydia by his side—one who stuck close like lovers in others' eyes.
It was all utterly baffling.
But what was even more baffling?
Normally, his rude behavior should disgust her... but oddly, it didn't.
'...That's the weird part.'
The fact that it didn't disgust her only weighed heavier on her heart.
Like she'd opened her heart too easily to a frivolous guy.
Like she'd permitted herself to a type of man she should despise.
The idea that she was becoming as light as Aren... It disgusted her immensely.
'No way we're the same.'
No way.
Being the same as a frivolous guy like Aren meant being the same as 'that man'—the very origin of her hatred for frivolous people.
...Her father.
Was she too lost in thought?
One of the spells she'd deployed with Multi-Casting slipped her control.
"...!"
The uncontrolled magic turned back toward her, the caster, Veronica.
She tried to deploy a defensive spell quickly—but
'Too late...!'
One step too slow.
The magic was too fast.
Imagining the explosion and pain to come, she squeezed her eyes shut—and
—nothing happened.
".....?"
As she felt puzzled by the magic's sudden dissipation without warning, she realized there was only one person capable of such a feat and hurriedly turned around.
And there.
"...You."
Aren stood there.
"Did you follow me?"
"Nah? Coincidence."
"Coincidence... You expect me to believe that?"
A cold gaze fixed on Aren.
But this time, Aren felt a bit wronged. He'd been bored heading back to his dorm room, so he wandered around and happened to come here—he hadn't expected Veronica.
"I'll believe you for now."
"Told you it's true."
He shrugged.
"...I'm training, so don't interfere."
"Of course."
And so, under Aren's watchful eyes, the training resumed.
But... his gaze, staring straight at her, bothered her.
In the end, she spoke up.
"...How are you so strong?"
It was a genuine question.
But.
"Dunno. 'Cause I'm awesome?"
"..."
"Guess it's my superior talent."
"...My mistake for asking you."
She whipped her head away.
Pfft—
"Veronica. Jealous?"
He caught a glint of longing in her eyes—not jealousy, but the faint envy she'd shown before.
After a pause, she admitted honestly, uncharacteristically.
"...Yeah. I envy you. Your strength, your confidence... I envy it all."
...Ironically contradicting her dislike for men like Aren.
"...I must look ridiculous to you, huh?"
The woman who nitpicked and got annoyed at him was actually envying him.
'Pathetic.'
She found her own state pathetic.
However—
"—Nah? You don't look ridiculous."
"..."
He denied it casually. Then, with a chuckle, he added,
"If you want."
"...?"
"If Veronica wants it, I can tell you. Why I'm so strong, and I can help you get strong too."
"...You serious?"
"Yeah."
"..."
At least, to her, it seemed sincere. Like he always only spoke the truth.
...She briefly recalled him calling her his type and asking her to bear his kids, but barely ignoring that, she considered his offer.
"What's the price?"
"?"
"There has to be one. Nothing's free in this world."
—Especially if it involved passing on his strength.
"Price... Yeah, I do want something."
"What?"
"A kiss."
...
What... did he say?
"One kiss per help. Sound good?"
"...Are you insane?"
"Nope?"
...So that was serious?
Her heart went cold.
"...Forget it. I'm the idiot for even telling you."
Veronica didn't want to stay with Aren anymore.
As she turned to head back to her dorm room—
"Then how about a hug instead? Nothing more, nothing less—just a light hug."
"..."
A much lighter proposal came.
...Compared to a kiss, it was something she could seriously consider.