Chapter 268: Angry
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 268: Angry
"Ah, it's snowing."
Muen didn't know how long he had been tormented in the Flower Sea, but as he stepped out of the Great Clock Tower, he happened to see the first snowflake drifting down from the vast, white sky.
Winter had arrived.
Muen felt a sudden pang of nostalgia.
Without realizing it, he had already experienced the changing of three seasons here. It didn't sound like a long time, but Muen felt as if a lifetime had passed.
"Come to think of it, it feels like forever since I've attended classes regularly."
In front of the Great Clock Tower, students full of youthful energy hurried past. When they spotted Muen standing to the side, their eyes filled with surprise.
However, Muen rarely saw the old fear and loathing in their gazes anymore. Now, it was mostly just the shock and curiosity one felt when someone who had been missing for a long time suddenly reappeared.
A particularly bold first-year girl even giggled as she approached him. "Senior Muen, you've been gone for so long. Did you run off to seduce another dreadnought?"
"What do you think?" Muen winked, playing along with the joke.
"I heard the date for your engagement ceremony with the Student Council President has already been set. If you keep flirting like this, aren't you afraid of the President's judgment?"
"She wouldn't dare."
Muen straightened his face. "Do you have any idea who calls the shots in the Campbell family?"
"Hee-hee, I recorded that! I'm going to tell the President."
"Wait, wait, wait—"
"..."
After a bit of banter, Muen abandoned the idea of going to class.
He had played truant for so long anyway; one more day wouldn't hurt.
Besides, ever since he became Teacher Mela’s disciple, the academy's professors seemed to have tacitly accepted his long-term absences.
It really was good to have a powerful backer. Back when he wanted to take a single month off, he’d had to pester Teacher Kade for ages.
"Anyway, time to relax a bit."
He had been ravaged back and forth by Teacher Mela between the Flower Sea and the Mercury Well for a long time. Although his physical injuries and exhaustion had been completely healed, his mind still needed some proper relaxation.
A balance of work and play was the only way to maximize efficiency.
As for the method of relaxation...
Muen’s eyes darted around before landing on a nearby junior.
"Excuse me, do you know anyone who specializes in Botany magic?"
*
Ancient Potions Classroom.
In the quiet room, a rhythmic knocking suddenly sounded at the door.
"Little rabbit, little rabbit, open the door. The big bad wolf is here."
"..."
"Huh? Is the little white rabbit not in?"
The classroom door was suddenly pushed open, and a golden head peeked inside.
Muen scanned the room and saw Anna sitting quietly by the window.
She was at her usual desk, leaning her head on her hand as she gazed silently at the falling snow outside.
Her silver uniform traced the devilish perfection of her curves. Beneath her pale red pleated skirt, two long legs clad in black stockings were crossed, dangling naturally from the desk as her polished small leather boots lightly tapped the floor.
She seemed to be humming a song, keeping time with her feet.
"Eh? Didn't hear me?"
Muen blinked and raised his voice. "Little white rabbit? Senior?"
Anna still didn't turn around, acting as if she hadn't noticed another person entering the room at all.
Something's wrong...
Muen knew the situation was dire. His expression instantly turned serious.
He tiptoed into the classroom, hooked the door shut with his foot, and locked it.
Then, he scurried over to Anna’s side.
"Senior?"
"..."
"My dear Senior?"
"..."
"My dearest, dearest, dearest Senior Anna?"
"..."
"Oh? Could it be... you're angry?"
Muen leaned down, trying to catch Anna’s eyes.
But she kept her head turned toward the window, refusing to look at him no matter what.
Muen could only see her profile.
The beauty mark at the corner of her eye still lent her an air of sultry charm. Her exquisite face was perfectly calm, devoid of any emotional fluctuation.
But she was definitely angry.
"That's strange. I don't think I've done anything to upset you, Senior."
Muen scratched his head in confusion.
He had been suffering in the Flower Sea this whole time. There was no way he could have done anything to make her mad.
Could it be that she was angry just because he hadn't come to see her for a few days?
Since when did Senior become so clingy?
"Senior, are you really going to keep ignoring me?"
"..." Still no response.
"It's fine if you ignore me..."
Muen leaned in closer, his voice turning tender.
"But surely you can't ignore this bouquet of flowers? I went to great lengths to find the most beautiful flowers in the entire academy for you in this bleak winter."
As he spoke, Muen suddenly produced a bouquet from behind his back.
The bright red petals were lush and dewy, looking even more vibrant against the backdrop of the shimmering white snow outside. A faint fragrance wafted out, mingling with Anna’s own scent, creating an exceptionally intoxicating atmosphere.
Seemingly drawn by the flowers, Anna finally turned her head.
"The most beautiful flowers in the academy?"
Anna looked down, a faint, shimmering smile appearing on her stunning face.
"Yes, yes, yes! The most beautiful!"
Seeing the icy facade melt, Muen was overjoyed and hurried to say, "Look, Senior, the whole academy is a world of white. Where else could you find such beautiful flowers? I put in a lot of effort to get these from—"
"But since they're the most beautiful flowers, why aren't you giving them to your fiancée? Why bring them to me?"
The smile remained on her face.
Muen’s expression froze instantly.
"Se... Senior?"
Muen stared blankly at the girl before him. She wasn't radiating even a hint of a dangerous aura, yet his teeth began to chatter uncontrollably.
"You... you aren't still angry about what happened that day, are you?"
"That day? I have no idea which day you're talking about, Student Muen."
Anna tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and chuckled softly.
"Do you mean the day you were taken away by Her Highness the Princess? How could that be? Am I the kind of person who gets angry over such trivial matters?"
Like hell you aren't!
She's definitely angry!
Muen shuddered and immediately began to explain. "Senior, let me explain. I had no choice in that situation! You know how forceful Celicia is. I'm no match for her. I couldn't help being dragged away!"
"Is that so? I suppose you're right. After all, you are so weak, Junior. It's only natural that you couldn't stop her from dragging you off."
Anna’s tone shifted as she suddenly asked, "Then, if we set aside the factor of strength... if I gave you another chance to choose..."
Hearing those soft words in his ear and watching her red lips move, Muen’s eyes suddenly widened.
The Death Premonition began to scream frantically in his mind once again.
No.
This was bad.
He couldn't let her finish that sentence, or he would definitely fall into another one of those terrifying "death trap" questions!
"If I gave you another chance to choose, would you—mph!"
Anna’s question was cut short.
Because Muen had suddenly leaned in, choosing to fiercely kiss those lips that were more delicate than any flower.