Chapter 158: Ring (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 158: Ring (4)
Dorothy’s thoughts remained a mystery.
No matter how much I racked my brain, any guess as to why she was acting this way today was mere speculation. For now, I just wanted to break the awkward silence.
“Senior.”
“Hmm…”
As expected, she didn’t even turn her head toward me.
Dorothy was an expert at wearing a smile like a mask, but it seemed she was no match for her own sense of shame. I figured telling a joke wouldn't grab her attention; it would probably just make things even more uncomfortable.
Then…
Operating on the assumption that Dorothy liked me, there was one surefire way to ease the mood.
It was a bold move, but equally effective.
I set my book down beside me and leaned toward her.
“Huh? President…? Wait, huh?!”
Without a word, I leaned in and gently nipped Dorothy’s earlobe.
Her entire body shivered. That trembling sensation was transmitted directly to my lips. As I pulled away, a soft, wet smack echoed in the quiet air.
For the first time, I heard Dorothy gasp, her mouth hanging open in shock.
Noticing her reaction, I finally fully detached my lips from her ear. Dorothy whipped her head around to face me, clutching her bitten ear. Her eyes were wide with surprise.
Finally, our eyes meet.
Her face flushed even brighter than before. We sat there, staring at each other while she continued to shield her ear.
My own face began to heat up from embarrassment, but I understood why she was reacting this way.
“Now we’re even,” I said with a chuckle, bringing the interaction to a close.
Dorothy seemed to struggle for words for a moment before she suddenly burst into a giggle.
“Nyahaha! President, is this what you call ‘revenge’?”
Finally, the atmosphere softened.
“It’s unfair if I’m the only one suffering. It feels weird, you know?”
“Yeah, it really does. It felt… quite strange…”
But somehow, the mood shifted in a slightly different direction.
To be entirely honest, as a man, I didn't mind this kind of atmosphere. It was that ticklish feeling deep inside—simply put, I was excited. I wanted to keep staring at my favorite character’s face like this, but I knew I wouldn’t get any studying done if I did. I had to restrain myself.
I couldn't afford to spend my entire day indulging in this "healing time."
“Senior, I’m going to study now, so don’t distract me too much.”
“Okay… I won’t.”
“…”
Normally, she would have teased me with something like, “I’m gonna distract you anyway! Try and stop me! Nyahaha!”
For Dorothy, this unusually obedient attitude felt… strangely awkward.
Still, it wasn't bad. I preferred the lack of disturbance. Dorothy pulled a small book out of her witch hat and rested it on her lap. It looked like a novel.
Silence.
While reading, I stole a quick glance at Dorothy. The plan was to take one more look at her face and then really focus on my work.
But…
She must have been glancing at me too, because our eyes met even as she kept her head pointed toward her book. She wore a sly, knowing smile.
“Not focusing, President? Do you want to see this Big Sis that much~?”
“…I just got distracted for a second.”
Satisfied, I turned my attention back to the pages.
*
“Senior Isaac and Senior Luce will probably end up dating later, won’t they?”
In a quiet corner of the Hydrangea Garden, Snow White was training, even though it was a holiday.
After hearing that Isaac never took a single day off unless he literally fainted, she had resolved to follow suit. She called it the “Isaac Imitation Method.” Of course, she couldn't actually match his grueling schedule; White simply didn't have the physical stamina for it.
During a break, White sat on a flat rock and posed the question to Merlin, who was standing beside her.
At the mention of romance, Merlin’s head snapped up, and she leaned in close with graceful, fluid movements. Her eyes sparkled with intense interest.
“In my opinion, it’s a definite yes.”
“Huh…?!”
Merlin answered without a moment’s hesitation. She didn't even ask why White was curious; she just dove straight into the topic she loved. White was taken aback by the sheer enthusiasm.
“Hmm, I didn't realize you liked this kind of thing. Relationships, I mean. It doesn't really match your usual image…”
“It’s refreshing. Romance at your age, Princess White, has the power to make an observer happy just by watching. Especially between Sir Isaac and Lady Luce Eltania—there’s a certain flow of feelings that I adore. That thrilling sensation just before they start dating…!”
“I’ve never seen Merlin this excited before…” White let out a hollow laugh. “I wonder when Kaya will experience a romance like that…”
“Oh, you mean your younger sister? Senior Kaya Astrea.”
“Yes. I’ve intended to greet her whenever we cross paths, but it’s been difficult to run into her. I can’t even enter the classroom building.”
“Why don’t you just invite Senior Kaya over to our side? I’m fine with it.”
“No. Like Sir Isaac, she’s very ambitious and usually focuses entirely on her training. Since I’m also on a mission to escort you, Princess White, calling her over would just be a nuisance to both of us.”
“I see… Well, it can’t be helped then. I’d like to meet her sometime, though. She is the Wizard of the Emerald Fairy, after all.”
Kaya Astrea. The second-year, second-seat student of the Märchen Academy Magic Department. She was the youngest daughter of the Astrea Duchy, a wielder of the plant element, and famously known as the Wizard of the Emerald Fairy.
“Senior Kaya is known for her upright character. The professors praise her for having the best attitude among the second-year Class A students. She has the most credits, too! And on top of all that, she’s the second seat…! How wonderful must she be? Excellent character, upright, and sharp… She must be the exact ideal I dream of.”
“She may not be exactly like that, but it’s an honor that you think so highly of my sister.”
“Ehehe.”
The two exchanged pleasant smiles.
“With a senior like Kaya, there’s no need to worry. She’ll surely meet someone cool and great in the future. Just like Senior Isaac.”
“She should…”
“…Yes?”
Merlin turned her head toward the lake, her hand gripping the scabbard at her waist.
“If Kaya were to meet some ruffian who flirts with every woman he comes across…”
Merlin’s eyes transformed, becoming like those of a predatory beast. As a chilling aura emanated from her, White involuntarily shuddered.
“That man will not escape my sword.”
The daughter of the Sword Saint. A swordsmanship prodigy. Merlin Astrea. How many people in this world could face her blade and remain unscathed?
White swallowed hard. Instinctive terror took hold, and a cold sweat ran down her cheek.
“…Anyway.”
Merlin slowly blinked, composing her expression. The heavy, suffocating atmosphere dissipated instantly.
“Kaya can be a bit naive, so I worry. I hope she doesn’t develop feelings for the wrong guy.”
“Ehe, he… M-Merlin, you’re such a wonderful sister! It’s, uh, very nice of you to worry about your sibling!”
“Ah, thank you.”
Only then could White wipe away her sweat. It was uncertain what kind of man Kaya Astrea would eventually meet, but would he even be able to meet the standards of the Sword Saint and Merlin?
No, wait…
The real question was whether he would even stay alive.
*
“Isaac, I’m here.”
“Ah, Luce. Welcome.”
The sky was now tinged with the deep colors of the sunset. In a corner of the Butterfly Garden, I was deep in training, constructing a spell based on my studies and manipulating my mana. I could already use 6-star magic, but I wasn't yet at the level where I could utilize it effectively in combat.
Standing on the frost-covered grass, a girl with rose-gold hair appeared with a smile, holding a basket in both hands. It was Luce Eltania. I collapsed the magic circle and turned toward her.
“Hello~!”
“…”
Luce ignored Dorothy’s lively greeting as if it were nothing. Pretending she hadn't heard a thing, she looked only at me. She approached me with a giggle.
“I brought some bread in case you were hungry. How is the 6-star magic coming along?”
“Still a long way to go. But I think I’ll reach my target in about two weeks.”
“Hehe. That’s impressive, Isaac. Two weeks for that is incredibly fast.”
Ever since Luce and I became friends, she had gradually become brighter. After I gave her the ring, her expressions had become as radiant as any other cheerful student—a level of warmth incomparable to her old self.
In romance comics, characters were often depicted with flowers blossoming around them; Luce had that exact same aura now. A radiant, glowing smile. Of course, I was still the only one who ever saw it.
“Isaac, it seems your talent is growing. I feel like you’re being rewarded for your efforts, which makes me even happi—Hmm?”
“Hmm?”
It seemed like she was about to say something heartwarming, so I prepared to respond with a smile. However, Luce suddenly placed her hand on my shoulder, rose onto her tiptoes, and leaned her head close to my left ear.
It was a swift, fluid movement.
Sniff, sniff.
Luce was smelling my ear.
“What are you doing, Lu—”
“Isaac.”
Luce’s eyes locked onto mine. Her expression was filled with silent questions.
“What is this scent?”
“…What scent?”
Surely not.
There was no way she could smell the saliva Dorothy had left on my ear. That was utterly absurd. Hours had passed since then… but even putting time aside, how could she possibly distinguish that?
Just then, Dorothy approached to check the basket.
“Nyahaha! Of course, you brought some for me too, right…? Huh?”
Luce moved instantly, closing the distance to Dorothy. She placed a hand on the back of Dorothy’s head…
…And sniffed around both of her ears.
Luce’s head stopped in front of Dorothy’s right ear.
“Hey, Junior? What are you doing all of a sudden…?” Dorothy asked, looking flustered.
“Why…”
Suddenly, a grim aura erupted from Luce. Even from a distance, I involuntarily shuddered. Luce glared at Dorothy from a distance close enough for their breaths to mingle.
Shadows fell under her rose-gold bangs. Her aquamarine eyes turned dull, like ashy gray. There wasn't a hint of life left in those cold eyes. Her expression was frozen—blank and frigid. She looked like a cynical doll devoid of emotion.
Yet, her voice, laced with pure murderous intent, weighed heavily on the garden.
“…Why does your ear smell like Isaac’s saliva?”