Chapter 18
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Club
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After basking in that sense of omnipotence for a while, Veronica finally snapped back to reality when Aren's face came right up to hers.
A distance so close that their lips might brush with the slightest mistake—like they were about to kiss.
It was a proximity impossible for an unrelated outsider, let alone a man, to share with a noble lady like her...
"..."
She clamped her mouth shut.
Because that sensation from moments ago refused to fade from her mind.
This man... lives every day feeling something like that? For the first time, she started to see him as truly remarkable.
Just sharing a simple sensation had this much impact.
Then what must Aren himself experience?
What on earth did he feel to live like this?
"How was it?"
"..."
Veronica's eyes met Aren's.
Her gaze, looking up at him, trembled like there was an earthquake.
She had completely forgotten she was nestled in his arms.
"...Incredibly... amazing."
Honestly, she had no idea.
How could someone reach the level Aren had attained? How was it even possible for him to be this strong?
Was it because he used those Shu Arts?
But...
"...I also see now just how incredible you are."
In the end, it was possible because Aren himself was an extraordinary person.
No matter how good the tool or method, if the user wielding it was lacking, it was useless. Even if it stemmed from innate talent rather than acquired skill.
"So, will you accept my proposal?"
What Aren had shared today was merely a taste.
But if she accepted? What could she learn then?
Would the day come when she could feel that sensation on her own, through her own power?
Her heart pounded for the first time in her life. The feeling was so unfamiliar that Veronica forgot to speak.
Aren sensed her racing heartbeat and chuckled softly.
"If you accept, I swear on my honor that I'll take you to an even higher level."
"...And the price?"
"As I said earlier, just one hug each time I teach you."
"...That's."
...Way too cheap a price.
...
To teach something like this for just a hug? It didn't feel great, like she was selling her body, but even so, it was far too modest a compensation.
A hug. Just one hug...
If it were any other woman hearing this proposal instead of Veronica, she'd accept it in a heartbeat.
...She might even go for that initial 'kiss' offer.
Veronica knew her own worth.
That's why suspicion crept in.
"...Why make this offer to me? It's too... one-sided. You get nothing out of it."
"Nothing? Won't I have you?"
...
"...I could learn everything and then run off."
"I don't think you will."
"Why not?"
Aren pretended to ponder, then chuckled and stroked Veronica's hair.
It was absurd for a mere commoner to touch a noble's hair like that, but right now, neither cared.
"Hmm... just a hunch?"
"A... hunch?"
"Yeah. Just a gut feeling."
"..."
This was the first pure goodwill she'd encountered in her life.
So, it was only natural that even someone as cold as her would nod dazedly.
After Veronica accepted the proposal, the two left the training grounds and parted ways.
"We'll hold lessons three times a week, whenever it's convenient for you, Veronica."
"...Okay."
"See you next time, Veronica."
With that, Veronica and Aren headed to their respective dorms.
Both reflected on the eventful day as they drifted off to sleep... and woke refreshed the next morning.
"Aren!"
"Ah, Lydia."
"Hehe. Sleep well?"
"Yes, I slept great."
Aren chuckled at Lydia giggling in front of him.
She had that effect—making people grin like proud parents.
Lydia's a total pixie, but not a pixie, right? How can someone so harmless and cute like her have such a bad rep?
"You seem extra excited today. Something up?"
"Ah! It's club touring day!"
"...Club touring?"
...Today was club touring day?
"Yep!"
"...I had no idea."
"Oh come on... The professor mentioned it during orientation on the first day. Forgot already?"
"I see..."
He hadn't known.
Really hadn't.
He'd half-listened through orientation anyway, so he never imagined today was club day.
"That's why you're so hyped."
"Hehe..."
He stroked Lydia's laughing head. Her soft hair wrapped around his fingers.
Lydia seemed to enjoy it, subtly leaning in more.
Ignoring the jealous stares around them, he kept petting her until Lydia came to her senses and cleared her throat.
"Ahem! Anyway, are you joining a club too, Aren?"
"A club... Honestly, I'm interested, but it's a hassle."
Curious, but lazy.
Clubs were probably just members hanging out now... and carving out time for it sounded annoying.
Plus, he'd done college clubs in his past life.
But this was another world's academy, so maybe it'd be different. Kinda intriguing.
"I wanna freeloader it."
"Freeloader...?"
"Ah, means coasting without effort."
"Oh...?"
Lydia nodded.
"What about you, Lydia? Most clubs here seem noble-heavy."
Wrong club, and she'd be stuck eating side-eye from nobles all year.
Could be hell for a whole year if unlucky.
Sure, there were indifferent ones like Veronica or nice nobles, but that guy from the entrance exam...
Who was it again?
Couldn't recall the name, but snobby types who looked down on commoners existed.
"I don't want you suffering like that."
"Ah..."
Her cheeks flushed faintly.
His concern made her heart skip inexplicably.
Is this what friends worrying for each other feels like...?
"Th-then, how about you check clubs with me?"
"?"
"If you're by my side, you can stop me from picking a weird one... Can't you?"
"Hmm..."
As he pondered, Lydia timidly added,
"I-If not, I can go alone. You've got your own stuff..."
He gently stroked her suddenly shrinking form.
"No, it's fine. Should be okay."
"...Really?"
"Yeah."
Honestly, he was worried too.
Can't let his future wife ruin herself in some shady club, right?
Of course, he didn't say that. Lydia was shy; push too hard(?), and she'd bolt.
Key was gradual escalation with her type.
Anyway.
"Let's check out clubs today then."
"Yay!"
Muttering a joke about ear clubs existing here, he set off with Lydia.
.
.
.
.
.
And then.
"...They have it."
"Huh?"
"Nothing."
It existed.
An ear club.
More precisely, a Book Club that looked ear-clubby.
"Shall we go deeper in?"
"Sure."
Aren led Lydia further into the Book Club. Note: it wasn't in the library.
They had a spacious clubroom designed like one inside.
As they cautiously looked around...
"Hm? Here for Book Club sign-ups?"
A woman popped out from a corner.
Startled, Lydia waved her hands frantically.
"Ah, no, not signing up, just browsing..."
"Oh, got it. Feel free to look around then. Read any books if you want."
"Th-thanks..."
The woman smiled brightly.
Her eyes shifted from Lydia to Aren.
"And this one... here to browse too?"
"Yes."
"Alright. Take your time, top freshman."
"Yes... top?"
He paused.
"Did I get it wrong?"
"No, but..."
Just, how'd she know?
"Oh, that? Hehe... No one at the academy doesn't know the top freshman now."
She covered her mouth laughing.
...No need to wonder why; one thing came to mind instantly.
"The duel, right."
"Exactly. Your name's Aren, right, top freshman?"
He nodded.
"And you, senpai?"
"I'm Sarah Clement, second-year Magic Department. Nice to meet you, junior."
"Sarah Senpai, huh."
Magic Department too.
Might see her often.
Sarah smiled kindly at him, then turned to Lydia.
"And you, junior?"
"L-Lydia..."
"Lydia Junior. Feel free to browse, both of you."
She flashed Aren another smile and walked back to her corner. Watching her go, Aren started touring the Book Club with Lydia.
As they lightly scanned the shelves...
"Haaah... A-Aren..."
"Hm?"
Lydia, face beet red, called him. She held a book.
Title: 101 Ways to Satisfy a Man?
"I-It's a dirty book..."
"Oh my."
Sarah suddenly appeared behind and took the book from Lydia.
She hid it slyly and said,
"Junior, how about reading one from over there instead?"
"Y-Yes..."
"Hehe."
Unlike the embarrassed, compliant Lydia, Aren grew curious.
"Why's that book here?"
101 Positions to Satisfy a Man
It didn't fit a Book Club. You'd expect poetry, novels, educational stuff.
Didn't even seem Academy-appropriate...
"Curious?"
"Doesn't seem like it belongs here."
Sarah smiled at him.
"Oh, does Aren Junior picky about books? Everything's useful to someone, that's why it's here."
"Useful... you mean..."
He stared at Sarah.
Did second-year Sarah Senpai need a book like that?
Sensing his silent question, Sarah stepped closer instead.
"Hehe. Who knows? If there's a man like you, Aren Junior... even I might find it useful someday."
