"Hey, who is that guy?"
"No clue, but he's seriously amazing."
"Damn, he's so handsome."
"Can someone please ask his name? Is he a transfer student??"
"Isn't that Kim Sang-hyuk? He's with Henna, after all."
"Wait, that's Kim Sang-hyuk? What on earth happened to him?"
The 2-F girls' group chat at Ethol Academy was buzzing with excitement. Sang-hyuk's transformation was such a hot topic among the female students that they thought he might be a new transfer student. Girls from the neighboring classes and even further away came to catch a glimpse of Sang-hyuk's face. Though they pretended not to be interested, wearing innocent expressions, their eyes had already scanned him from head to toe.
"Ugh, I really want to touch him from his forehead all the way down to his collarbone."
"Isn't he a Grade D No-Awakening? That guy?"
"I don't know, but I'd totally be his 'fangirl' if he'd let me."
"Like he would let you! Looks like an SS-rank Huntress will snatch him up like a stray dog."
Yuuna sighed as she read through the group chat's content. It didn't seem like a proper conversation one would expect among female students from a prestigious academy. Young men and women, full of vigor, receiving hunter education at the academy. Beautiful and handsome individuals always draw attention, no matter where they go. Yuuna didn't speak crudely, but still. It was undeniable that the presence of a male student who had entered without wearing the uniform was capturing her attention.
He was handsome. Incredibly handsome. She felt as if she might have a heart attack if they were to lock eyes. He had dressed carelessly, but his well-toned body was evident at a glance.
'Ah, no. Don't steal glances. I'm not a pervert.'
Everyone was merely waiting for an opportunity. A chance to brush past Sang-hyuk, a chance to speak with Sang-hyuk, a chance to become entwined with Sang-hyuk. If she were a transfer student, she would at least try to strike up a conversation. He was so handsome that it was difficult to approach him. Only Henna, who appeared to be talking to him as if they were close, seemed to be the most special individual in this classroom.
'Is he dating Henna?'
Although she felt that Sang-hyuk was looking after Henna, it didn't seem like they were a couple. Yuuna already imagined herself standing by his side, caring for him. Sang-hyuk had already become everyone's imaginary boyfriend.
'Hmm.'
It was at that moment. During class, the "Light of Awakening" enveloped Sang-hyuk. The awakening of talents often happens abruptly. It was a significant event. The teacher paused the class for a moment and looked on.
"Congratulations, Sang-hyuk."
'Is it happening now?'
At the moment Yuuna thought that, the academy students swarmed around Sang-hyuk. It was astounding how many of them had been eagerly waiting.
"Wow! Congratulations!"
"What kind of talent do you have? I'm curious."
"Tell us!"
'I want to leave my mark on his face too…'
Yuuna could only feel regret. Their seats were far apart. Yuuna's seat was the first one by the window, but Sang-hyuk's was the second from the back, near the right-side classroom entrance. It was right in front of Henna.
"An Eros Collector?"
"What kind of talent is being an Eros Collector?"
"Does such talent actually exist?"
"That's amazing. Damn!"
"Eros man! Eros man!"
Suddenly, the chatter about Sang-hyuk's talent grew loud and animated.
'Eros? What is an Eros?'
"That's such a ludicrous talent. Are you destined to be a future adult shop owner?"
Deherit Ade, who attended the same class, laughed mockingly. Sang-hyuk smiled awkwardly, but the atmosphere suddenly grew tense.
"Hey, what's with that… there's no need to go that far."
"Ah, I'm sorry if I offended you? I tend to speak my mind without a filter."
Deherit Ade was a magical aristocrat, possessing "Fire," one of the top elemental talents, and was highly regarded among his peers. He continued to sneer, smiling with snake-like eyes as if he did not like Sang-hyuk.
"You must be really struggling, huh? D-class, non-combat type. On top of that, some kind of Eros Collector. Wow, your life must be completely ruined."
"Hey!"
Yuuna couldn't hold back any longer. Although she had been sitting far away, listening to the conversation, she was the first to step forward.
"Who are you to belittle someone's non-combat talent? He could become a great craftsman, you know?"
"A great Eros craftsman?"
"Yeah! So what? What's wrong with that?"
"Yuuna…"
The other female students tried to stop Yuuna, but she wouldn't be deterred. It was clear who the real villain was in this situation! During moments like this, Yuuna Nakamori, the class representative of Class F, could not bear it any longer.
"A B-class hunter gal shouldn't join us on this mission."
"You know, a hunter who disrespects a B-class hunter's expertise is likely to die early."
"Then, can you use it if he makes you an Eros?"
Right now, there was only one thing Yuuna knew for certain. She didn't want to lose an argument to this guy!
"Absolutely!"
Yuuna puffed out her ample chest and declared proudly.
"If Sang-hyuk makes an amazing Eros, then I'll use it! What's there that I can't use?"
"Pfft, haha!"
Deherit and her gang started laughing uproariously.
"Hahaha!"
"Ugh, seriously. What an incredible couple they make."
"Is she the Eros Princess after the Eros Man?"
"She said she'd use the Eros herself. Wow. That's impressive."
"Well, it would be quite a sight if a woman used it."
…Was it impossible for a woman to use it?
"Anyway, the topic of Eros is not a laughing matter! Teacher, please say something."
Yuuna's tone was growing weaker. Her eyes met Sang-hyuk's. Had she made a mistake?
"Yuuna, Sang-hyuk. Do you both know what an Eros is?"
"Yes."
Sang-hyuk replied calmly.
"It's an art of love and desire."
Yuuna held her breath. The Deherit gang was on the verge of fainting from laughter. Realizing the truth, Yuuna stepped back.
"Oh, that sort of thing."
A talent, an Eros Collector.
"Why would you collect such a thing!"
Yuuna ran out of the classroom with her cheeks flushed red.
"Hahaha!"
"The Eros Princess exits."
It was the moment when Yuuna's nickname became the Eros Princess.
===
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