More credits?
Farao wondered if he'd misheard.
Did that stodgy old man Gust really just say that?
So the school rules only apply to me now?!
As if sensing his indignation, Gust turned to Linen with a slight smile and said:
"The school regulations clearly state that Arcane magic is prohibited within the teaching buildings. Technically, Classmate Linen used his spell outside the building, and therefore did not violate the rules."
"In fact, one could say this is one of Eden Academy's unspoken lessons."
"Because for a true Arcane Mage, rules… exist to be broken."
"The Arcane Weave favors those who are bold enough to defy convention."
"Linen, I'm looking forward to seeing what you'll do next."
"You flatter me, Professor Gust. It's all thanks to the guidance of my teachers," Linen replied smoothly, not sparing even a glance at Farao.
Top-tier villains are meant to utterly crush small-fry antagonists. That's just how it works.
And what they should really be crushing… are the protagonist's dreams.
He cast a sideways glance at the two girls now standing together, and knew that from here on out, every step mattered. This was where the real operation began.
With Gust leading Farao and his lackeys away for punishment, only the three of them remained on the rooftop.
"Shia, thank goodness you're okay!"
Elena rushed over and scanned Hysteria from head to toe, finally relaxing once she confirmed her friend was unharmed.
"Was it you who called for Professor Gust? Thank you," Hysteria said seriously, clasping Elena's hands in return.
"No need to thank me," Elena waved her hand dismissively, then tilted her head and added with a mischievous smile, "Actually, it was Linen who told me to go. He said he'd stall for time while I got help."
So it really was him…
Seeing the teasing smile on Elena's face, Hysteria's cheeks flushed red.
She'd already suspected it. But now that everything had calmed down and they were safe, the realization hit even harder.
Subjectively, she didn't like Linen.
But objectively… he had saved her. Again.
If she couldn't even properly thank him, then that was going too far.
She took a deep breath and gathered her courage, about to speak—
But just then, Linen raised an arm and cut her off, turning his back with a scoff.
"No need to thank me. Don't tell me you actually thought I wanted to help you?"
"Maybe you should reflect a bit on why you got caught off guard so easily. Next time, I might not make it in time."
Of course, he turned around just to hide the grin spreading across his face.
Hero saves damsel in distress? Great.
But of course, after the save, you had to hit her with the ultimate emotional humiliation. And since he had just saved her, she couldn't even talk back.
With Hysteria's prideful personality, she was probably grinding her teeth in frustration by now.
Three lines, full aggro. This should completely negate any goodwill gain from earlier—maybe even push it negative. She definitely won't agree to anything I ask next time.
As expected, Hysteria's mouth twitched, her eyes full of wounded pride and irritation.
This bastard—he really can't just accept a proper thank-you, can he?!
But before she could dwell too long, Elena leaned over and whispered in her ear:
"I heard it, you know. He was super happy that he got to save you~"
"Eh?!"
And before Hysteria could react, Elena turned to Linen and chirped, "I'm going to go thank Professor Gust. In the meantime, could you stay with Shia for a bit?"
She gave Hysteria a wink, then left through the rooftop door, leaving the two of them alone.
Just before the door shut, Elena gave Hysteria a small fist-pump and another wink.
Good luck! Bond properly, okay~
"Wait—Elena!"
No reply. The rooftop was once again reduced to just the two of them.
Now what?! I still don't know how to thank him properly!
Hysteria was practically clawing at her thoughts in frustration.
As she hesitated, Linen beat her to the punch.
"Let's go. We should head back. I doubt you've got anything left to say to me, anyway."
He probably meant it as a throwaway line—but in Hysteria's ears, it sounded like something else entirely.
Is he warning me that if I don't say it now, I won't get another chance?
When she really thought about it—despite how annoying he was—he had protected both her and Elena from Ken's poison earlier, and again just now.
Even her conscience couldn't ignore what he'd done.
As Linen's back drew closer to the exit, Hysteria finally summoned all the courage she had left and called out:
"Wait—! Please wait a moment!"
"Hm? What is it?"
Linen turned, brow raised.
Hysteria avoided his gaze, eyes drifting away, voice shrinking by the word.
"Thank you… for helping me this time. I mean, even though your mouth is disgusting and you're super annoying… I owe you one. I'll… repay you."
Linen froze.
She still managed to thank me?!
How?! How did my flawless plan still fail?!
He was on the verge of losing it.
No. Impossible. Absolutely not. That flushed face—she's just forcing herself, right? She couldn't even look me in the eyes!
She must be holding back a scream. Probably afraid that if she stares too long, she'll lose it and curse me out.
Linen quickly rationalized it.
Elena must've told her to say that. No way Hysteria would do this on her own. And that "repay" line—just polite nonsense. If I push her even a little more, she'll snap.
Wait... if I reverse this… isn't this a golden opportunity to farm rejection points?
If even a loser like Farao could make her explode, then I—surely—can too.
Linen smirked.
"Why's your face red? And what's with the tears? Saying thanks to me really that painful for you?"
"I—I'm not!" Hysteria stammered, stung by the implication.
Is that really how he sees me?
"Oh, I don't believe you."
Linen licked his lips slowly, letting his gaze deliberately trace her slim silhouette—lingering on the tight black stockings and short academy skirt.
Then, with a smirk and a voice dripping with malice:
"Still denying it, huh…"
"Say, Hysteria. If you really want to repay me, there is something you could do—right here, right now."
"Lift your skirt. Let me take a peek. Just once, and we're even. Deal?"
"You—! Don't push it!!"
Hysteria's head shot up, her entire mind blank with fury.
Never in her wildest imagination had she expected that kind of request from him.
And Linen?
He just chuckled.
"Oh, where I'm from—in the Far East—lifting your skirt as part of an apology is totally normal, you know? I just happen to like the culture."
"But hey, if you can't do it, I get it. I always knew your whole 'I'll repay you' line was just lip service."
"You're a pampered little princess, after all. You don't even know what gratitu—HOLY—?!"
A beautiful girl, face full of disdain, lifts her skirt in front of you.JPG