When a person’s emotions change, the scent they give off shifts as well.
As a member of the Blood Clan, and at such close proximity, Hill naturally noticed something was off with her friend beside her.
Otis… didn’t seem as happy as she’d imagined?
Clearly, just moments ago, when she heard that Hill could independently create a new spell, she was so surprised. Aren’t they supposed to be good friends? So, was she just overestimating their closeness?
Hill had to admit, due to her inferiority complex in her previous life, she was more sensitive about such things than most. Not to mention, now that she was living as a girl, her thoughts were even more delicate, and her heart even more fragile.
But when faced with these kinds of problems, she was used to silence, just as she was now.
Yet suddenly, the uncomfortable aura coming from Otis seemed to dissipate quite a bit, replaced by a forcibly upheld, yet heartfelt joy. Hill was caught off guard by this change, feeling as if she’d just experienced a rollercoaster of life’s highs and lows.
Otis couldn’t tell a companion’s mood just by scent alone. She’d only just realized that Hill was sharing this secret not just to ask for her help, but more so to receive her recognition.
This was something her mother had taught her: the best way to maintain a friendship was to let the other person receive praise and affirmation from you. Sincere or not, a friend who knows how to say the right words will always hold a unique place in someone’s heart. Like many nobles, their status dictated they learn to flatter and fawn, so as to build up useful connections for the present or the future.
From a young age, Otis was repulsed by this. In her innocence, she believed only relationships built on sincerity were worth maintaining—fake bonds would crumble sooner or later. But now, she seemed to understand a bit of her mother’s meaning.
Even though she was afraid the other would one day leave, even though she wanted to question her directly about her thoughts, Otis put aside those somewhat dirty and selfish feelings.
So, she gave a smile befitting her status, just as she had in the past. Gentle, elegant, and responding to the girl beside her seriously as a listener and a friend.
“Didn’t you seek Teacher Inks’s help, Hill?”
“Of course not!” Hill puffed out her chest with pride at the mention, though the academy uniform made that area seem rather empty: “The advancement ritual for the [Apprentice] pathway Sequence One is, after making sure you’re prepared, to pray to the Goddess of Magic. Once you catch her attention, you have to prove your qualifications for this sequence under her witness.”
“I developed those two spells alone as preparation for this, just in case the Goddess thought I relied on a teacher’s help and refused to let me proceed on this path.”
Hill’s words were as shocking as ever. Though it felt a bit deliberate, Otis was truly stunned once again.
The elegant young noble girl covered her mouth and blurted out, “You actually developed two spells by yourself?”
“One of them wasn’t actually that difficult.” Hill grinned and stuck out a finger, magical energy gathering at the tip, rapidly sketching a glowing magic circle.
Otis, who had been meticulously tutored by Hill for several months, recognized at a glance that this was the magic circle for Luminescence.
But halfway through, Otis suddenly couldn’t follow anymore. Based on Luminescence, Hill had added so many new elements that the spell became utterly unrecognizable. Just as she was about to finish the last stroke, Hill stopped channeling magic, and her chanting abruptly ended.
Otis, who had been entranced, snapped back and said with a trace of grievance, “Why didn’t you finish casting it?”
Hill suppressed a laugh, feigning helplessness, “If dear Miss Otis doesn’t mind getting her eyes hurt by this spell, I’d be happy to show it off.”
“So what does this spell do?” Otis couldn’t help but lean in even closer. The two girls were already side by side, but now the distance was completely reduced to zero!
The fragrance of the young girl was overwhelming Hill’s senses, accompanied by the scent of noble-exclusive perfumes. The girl favored a fresh and elegant lily fragrance—at a distance, it was a subtle hint, but this close, it was a pheromone that could drive one to crime.
Hill suddenly turned her awareness to her abdomen. Although she had replenished her nutrition not long ago and could last a few more days, Otis’s current behavior was practically like throwing herself into the net, eager to offer herself up as Hill’s food.
Gurgle～
Suddenly, a sound that was oddly jarring in the carriage echoed from Hill’s stomach, making Otis pause her movements. Her cheeks flushed as she realized it might have been her own actions that triggered Hill’s reaction.
Both girls fell silent for a while, their eyes meeting, as if some intangible tension was rising in the air. The sweltering heat outside seemed to raise the temperature inside as well, causing both girls to react in their own ways.
Hill felt uncomfortable, as her Blood Clan nature made her dislike heat and sunlight.
But for Otis, it was her earlier excitement that caused a light sheen of fragrant sweat to break out on her porcelain skin. The problem was, strictly speaking, the Blood Clan were creatures of scent and taste, making it impossible for Hill to resist the temptation of someone covered in “fragrance” and throwing herself into her arms.
At last, Otis broke the stifling silence first. She didn’t bring up magic again, but tentatively asked, “Hill… are you hungry?”
Am I hungry?
Hill asked herself this over and over. She could clearly feel that the nutrition in her body would last a few more days; logically, she shouldn’t feel hungry. But just like how she used to crave snacks after watching food videos late at night in her previous life, now, Otis’s inadvertent “teasing” and “temptation” sparked her hunger.
She had intended to refuse. At this frequency, it was just right for a young girl whose body was not yet fully matured. Only a few hundred milliliters of blood a week, and as a noble, Otis could easily replenish that with her luxurious daily diet.
But once you break precedent, Hill wasn’t sure she could control herself in the future after tasting the sweetness.
“I… I’m not hungry.” Heaven knows how much courage it took for Hill to say those words.
After all, the Blood Clan are abominations contrary to human nature, and as such, their instincts are far harder to control than humans’.
Hill figured that the reason she could suppress these instincts so well was probably due to the dual memories and consciousness from both worlds in her soul.
Who in the world could resist such reckless temptation?
Otis gazed at her friend, seemingly searching for any trace of a lie or forced bravado in Hill’s eyes.
But unfortunately, she found none.
She could only express her thoughts with words: “You really don’t have to force yourself. If you’re hungry, just say it. We’re best friends, and more than that… we’re the same kind. Shouldn’t those of the same kind help each other?”
“I just think it’s not fair to you…” Hill’s voice was a little soft and sticky, “This isn’t a joke. If you spoil me too much, even I can’t guarantee what I might do to you in the future. Otis, haven’t you experienced it too? Didn’t Madam Anna ever warn you about the consequences of gluttony?”
“But I’ve never tasted hunger. I can’t say I understand, but I know you must feel terrible.” Otis’s eyes were nearly brimming with tears, her voice tinged with grievance, “Aren’t I your best friend? Friends should help each other!”
“Otis, listen to me. Help between friends shouldn’t be so limitless…”
“But I want to feed my friend. I don’t want her to go hungry!”
Otis’s voice was hoarse and suppressed, breaking out along with all the previous worry and fear.