Chapter 132. Festival (3)
"Uh, uh... magic?"
"Yeah. You suddenly got insanely strong yesterday."
I wasn't planning to scold her now for it. Not with the kind of relationship we had.
I was just curious about the spell that had enough power to override the contract.
"To be honest, um..."
Liliana put the takoyaki she'd speared back onto the plate and scratched her cheek.
"I don't really know either."
"You don't know?"
"It was just... suddenly, I couldn't control my lust anymore. I kept struggling with it, and then you walked in, and I just instinctively... couldn't stop myself."
"Hmm... do you remember anything about the horns or wings that popped out?"
"I had horns and wings?!"
"Yeah. They looked super cool."
"Gasp. Should've taken a photo or something."
So even Liliana didn't know... What am I supposed to do? I can't exactly drag her to Professor Im Sol for analysis.
I mean, it's not that serious, but I'm worried she might cause trouble in a situation I can't cover.
"Now that you mention it, my mom always told me to be careful around men."
"Say more about that."
Liliana had just dropped what was clearly a major flag.
We're probably about to get some secret-origin lore.
I leaned in, ready to listen closely.
"Um... she said a whole bunch of stuff, but I was gaming and didn't really pay attention, so that's all I remember."
"Wow."
What a goddamn menace.
Come to think of it, the heroine system had assigned Liliana quite a high score.
There's definitely something there. I'll have to dig into it if I get the chance.
Not that I know how. Just saying I'll do it if the opportunity comes.
"Whatever. Let's eat some more takoyaki."
"Roger."
Munch.
Liliana seemed to have no recollection of what she'd done and casually ate her takoyaki.
I left her to it and looked around at the other cadets enjoying the Celestia Festival.
It was starting to get dark.
More and more first-years were emerging, having recovered from the survival exam.
Even those who dropped out early must've felt cooped up in their cramped dorms for days.
'So peaceful.'
Lately, the demon cult Pandemic has been quiet.
They should be getting ready for their next attack, but there's no sign.
Though, terrorist attacks rarely come with warning.
In the original, depending on the route, terrorist incidents usually occurred on the 3rd or 4th day of the festival.
So starting on day 3, I need to keep watch.
"Liliana. Is there anything else you want to eat? I'll be busy starting tomorrow, so if you want to hang out, you'll have to wait a bit. Let's do everything you want today."
"Hmm, then... want to go back to the dorm?"
"Huh? Already?"
Well, with the number of first-years increasing, I wouldn't mind heading in early either.
"...Just cuz."
Liliana poked her takoyaki and lowered her head.
"...Alright, let's go."
I could tell just by looking at her face.
Sigh. Alright, guess we're doing this again tonight.
*
"Aagh..."
Morning pain hit hard.
My back was seriously killing me.
I'd already been drained yesterday and pushed myself too far.
Right after the survival exam, I got caught by Liliana and ended up having sex with her all night. Sure, I took the lead later, but it was still exhausting.
After that, I fought the vice president, collapsed in the dorm, and as soon as I woke up, got dragged into another round with Liliana.
She must've had a great time last night, because she was still sleeping with a smile on her face.
I toyed with her squished chest for a bit, then stretched and got out of bed.
"The more I think about it, that warning was definitely for the guy."
Her mom must've sensed this succubus lust ahead of time.
It wasn't a warning to her, it was a warning about her to any man who might get involved.
That's the only way it makes sense.
"Tch. Time to wash up."
It was already noon.
Time to meet up with the twins, Lucy and Lumi.
I washed my face to wake up my sluggish body.
Thank god I drank the Elf's Essence. If I hadn't, I probably wouldn't even be up right now.
Leaving the still-sleeping Liliana behind, I stepped outside.
We were supposed to meet at the central fountain, so I strolled in that direction.
It was still noisy out there.
The whole week would probably be like this, since the festival was meant to help people relieve exam stress.
"Tomorrow I gotta see Professor Im Sol... need to check in with A-Young too. Also gotta meet Surin noona, and maybe Elise will reach out... Argh, my head."
I don't even know how I got this many things on my plate.
I focused on today's plan and headed quickly toward the central fountain.
Student clubs had set up booths and were selling stuff, but nothing looked particularly tasty.
"Hey heyy."
When I arrived at the fountain, the twins Lucy and Lumi were already there.
"Hello, Hoyeon."
"...Hey."
I tried to greet Lucy and Lumi with energy, but Lucy didn't seem thrilled.
What's up with her?
★ Heroine Status Window
[Lucy]
- [Affection: 88]
- [Lust: 40]
- [Appetite: 60]
- [Fatigue: 55]
Current Status: Maybe we're just getting in Hoyeon's way...
'...Huh?'
What's with her now?
I wish the status window showed everything they were thinking. Since it only shows what's on their mind right now, it's pretty inconvenient.
"So what should we do today?"
Would've been nice if I had something fun planned, but I'd been too busy enjoying sex with Liliana to prepare anything.
"I-I want to check out the arcade."
"Arcade sounds good."
I saw earlier that the gaming club had set up a big area. That should be perfect.
"..."
Lucy still didn't look happy.
She seemed a bit sulky.
"Lucy, something wrong? You look a little down."
I asked her with concern.
"...Is it really okay for you to hang out with us? What if your girlfriend finds out?"
"...?"
"Hic!"
At Lucy's bombshell, Lumi slapped a hand over her own mouth.
Her wide-eyed stare told me she was seriously shocked.
And I was even more shocked. What the hell was she talking about?
"Wait, what? I don't have a girlfriend."
I quickly racked my brain, trying to figure out where she got that idea.
There was only one possibility.
She must've seen me out with Liliana last night.
Didn't she ever get tired? She should've taken a day off.
Still, there's no point in denying the truth, so I'd better act confident.
"B-but last night..."
"That was a senior from the student council. She had a rough time because of me, so I treated her to some food."
It was an excuse I made up on the spot, but it would do.
Just in case, I said she was student council-related, so even if Lucy checked, I had wiggle room.
"Ah, I see... I misunderstood... Sorry."
Lucy lowered her head, her cheeks flushed.
She seemed relieved that I wasn't taken.
"Hic... I-I never believed it from the start. Hic."
Lumi was so shaken she couldn't stop hiccupping.
"I was surprised too. Hey, you could've just asked."
"Sorry..."
Realizing she'd misunderstood everything, Lucy apologized.
"It's fine. Really."
'Now what am I supposed to do with her...'
Her sudden outburst caught me completely off guard.
Lucy had ended up in a weird spot.
Honestly, if I could just fully claim her like I did with Liliana, it'd be easier. But since I hadn't finished her route and was getting involved with other girls, she was getting harder to manage.
With her social personality and tendency to gossip with friends, I figured misunderstandings like this would keep popping up.
Not that this was exactly a misunderstanding.
'I'll just have to keep watching for the right moment.'
Eventually, I'd get the chance to finish her route.
Ideally with Lumi too, but let's not get greedy.
"Alright, let's head to the game club booth. Looked fun."
"Let's go!"
"Sounds good."
Today, I'd enjoy the festival with the twin sisters Lucy and Lumi.
*
"Heh, heh... heheheh."
A wide room in a massive mansion.
A man at a luxurious desk was clutching his hair.
"The disgrace of the third-years, huh? Yeah? Let's find out who's the real disgrace."
Shin Dongmin glared at his smartwatch as he read the hateful comments, then swept all the books off his desk onto the floor.
"I'll kill them all. Every single one..."
"You worthless brat."
But standing silently behind him was a middle-aged man.
"F-Father..."
"Losing to a first-year and tarnishing the Shin-Young Guild's name wasn't bad enough, and now you're falling apart over this?"
It was Shin Dongmin's father—the strongest man in the Shin-Young Guild—come in person.
The guild master looked down at his son with cold eyes.
"I'm sorry... Father."
Step, step.
The middle-aged man walked over and grabbed Shin Dongmin's face, forcing him to look up.
His eyes were dull and dirty, but there was still a raging fire within.
A flame called "desire."
"Everyone fails at some point. If this was your first real failure, of course it'll hurt. But get up. Shin-Young is behind you."
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
"Father, these are...?"
Shin Dongmin looked through the documents his father handed him.
"They're all people who will support you. You've tarnished our guild's image—now raise it back up yourself."
"Father...!"
"Never fall again... You are my son. You will succeed."
"Yes. No matter what it takes... I will have my revenge...!"
Shin Dongmin clenched his fists and stared at his father.
The middle-aged man nodded and walked out of the room.
After returning to his own quarters, the Shin-Young Guild Master sat at his desk and hung his head.
"Sigh... How did he turn out like this?"
The bright, intelligent boy he remembered was gone, replaced by something ugly and monstrous.
But as a father, he couldn't give up. Even knowing his son was on the wrong path, he had no choice but to support him.
"Dongmin... please find your way back."
The guild master folded his hands and prayed to the heavens.
Meanwhile, Shin Dongmin looked over the documents his father gave him, a twisted smile on his face.
"I won't fall like this... never."
Calmer now, he began to reflect on everything that had happened.
Then he remembered what Lee Hoyeon had said at the end.
[You said you'd do anything if I won, right? Don't come near the president again. If I catch you next time, I will kill you.]
"Heh. So that's it. It was all planned from the start! Ignoring my feelings and giving herself to that bastard? What a whore..."
Slam!
His mana-infused fist slammed into the desk, splitting it in two.
Breathing heavily, Shin Dongmin bit his lip.
"It's all because of that bitch... Moon Surin."
Everything started because of her. If she had just returned his feelings, none of this would've happened.
He wouldn't have fought Lee Hoyeon. No—Hoyeon wouldn't have even joined the student council if she hadn't recommended him.
'You'll feel the pain I went through too.'
Blinded by petty jealousy, Shin Dongmin, still lost in delusion, began plotting his revenge with his father's help.