I smell good?
Via was startled by Lucy’s sudden statement.
Was the other girl planning to eat her?
She immediately remembered the savage barbarians she’d met during her time as the Demon King, those crazy people who not only ate their own kind but also enjoyed preying on other races.
“You…?”
The pink-haired girl stood up and quickly put some distance between herself and Lucy.
“Why are you so scared, Via? I was complimenting you. I rarely say that to other girls.”
Lucy stared at Via with interest. Her eyes held a strange mix of admiration and a predatory gleam.
“Lucy, what you said was too strange.”
Via felt something was off.
Lucy was the daughter of a noble family—she shouldn’t have a habit of eating people. Maybe her odd compliment had another meaning.
But what was it?
No matter how she looked at it, getting close to her brought no benefit.
What the other girls said wasn’t wrong. Being too close to her would definitely damage one’s reputation.
And it wasn’t like Lucy could gain anything from her either.
“Via, has no one ever complimented you like this before?” Lucy asked curiously.
“Compliment me… on what?”
“For example, that you’re cuter than all the people around you.”
“Uh?”
Via seemed to understand something.
She’d noticed that Lucy was always surrounded by many pretty girls. But if a boy tried to get close, he’d be beaten up.
There were also rumors at Avalon Academy—at night, Lucy would take different girls back to her dorm, and a few days later, you’d see a different pretty face by her side.
Wasn’t that…
“Lucy, I heard a rumor… that you take different girls back to your dorm at night… is that true?”
“Oh? There’s such a rumor?”
“Is it true?”
“Of course it’s fake.”
“You scared me…”
Via let out a sigh of relief. It seemed she was just overthinking it.
However, Lucy’s next sentence made her tense up again.
“Because I don’t just bring girls back at night. I bring them back during the day, too,” Lucy smiled.
“Then what do you do with them!?”
“What else? We play games, talk about life, discuss the future. There are lots of things to talk about slowly.”
Lucy admired her polished nails with a small smile.
Honestly, Via wanted to leave already.
Her instincts told her that if Lucy got attached to her, nothing good would come of it.
“I have something to do. I’ll be going now…”
“Wait, Via.”
Lucy stood up and blocked her path.
“I’ve seen it. You get excluded all the time at school. You’ve run into many problems even while studying, haven’t you?”
“So what?”
“I can help you deal with those problems. Just like I helped when that idiot Owen caused trouble for you.”
“Lucy, are you really that kind, to care about me?”
“Of course. As long as you stay by my side and hang out with me, no one at Avalon Academy will dare bully you as long as I’m here.”
“That’s a bit exaggerated, Lucy…”
“Not at all. From your very first day at school, I’ve had my eye on you.”
Lucy moved even closer and pinned Via against the wall.
She’d long been interested in Via.
The other girls were pretty, sure—but Via still stood out.
After all, she was the daughter of the perfect saintess, Sylvia.
She might not have the talent or personality of Sylvia, but she inherited her beauty and figure.
Lucy really wanted to dress Via up in a Sylvia cosplay outfit, bring her back to her dorm, and then… chat.
Others doing a cosplay just didn’t have the same charm. The daughter of the real thing—that would make the experience special.
Everyone admired Sylvia. Sylvia, who was now gone forever from the world. Sophie, who resembled her mother, was protected heavily by the Holy Land.
But if you settled for second best… Via, the rejected daughter, was the easiest to get.
“The allowance you get from the Holy Land must be barely enough to live on, right? I’ve never seen you wear casual clothes. Other than dealing with troublesome people for you, I can also give you pocket money. Whether it’s pretty clothes or toys you like, it’s no problem.”
“Pocket… money?”
For a brief moment, Via’s heart was moved.
Her monthly allowance was pitiful, barely enough.
Lucy, with her noble status, definitely had the means to back up her promise.
When she thought about the magic workshop she wanted to build, she knew she needed a lot of money. She needed to fill in the gaps.
How could she grow stronger without money?
All she had to do was follow Lucy back to her dorm like the others…
No.
She wouldn’t do that kind of thing. Relying on others and acting meekly—it was too unpleasant.
“Sorry, Lucy. That’s not something I plan on doing. But thank you for the kind offer.”
Via lifted her arm and held it in front of her, expressing her refusal clearly. She didn’t want Lucy to approach anymore.
“Without my help, you can’t deal with others—especially Owen. You pissed him off in the last assessment. He won’t swallow his pride. He’ll definitely take action.”
Lucy grabbed Via’s wrist, using a pressuring tone.
She knew a bit of intimidation worked on someone like Via. Just a little scare, and she’d turn soft and easy to handle.
Via wouldn’t be able to refuse.
This young lady from the Favi family was determined to make Via hers.
“If you stick with me, trash like Owen will never dare bother you again. In all of Avalon Academy, I’m the only one willing to help you. So you’d better let me help.”
“…”
Via fell silent and lowered her head.
Lucy smiled. She’d done it. This soft pink-haired girl was easy to control. She was already planning the fun conversations they’d have in her dorm.
But then, unexpectedly, Via shook off her grip.
“You really think highly of yourself.”
Via raised her head and met Lucy’s eyes—unlike before, there was no trace of fear or retreat.
“You’re rejecting me?”
Lucy was genuinely surprised. She had been turned down?
“Without me, how will you deal with everyone else?”
“I don’t need your concern—”
Via walked away from Lucy, leaving her with a sentence that made her stance unmistakable.
The weak version of me has already died.