Chapter 106: An Unfathomable Mood

The sky was blue, the clouds drifting lazily, a tranquil scene that made people feel intoxicated.

A cool breeze blew in waves—it was the perfect time for a cup of coffee.

Siloque bought a MAX Coffee from the vending machine.

They said it was loaded with milk and sugar—just right for now.

He watched an airplane trail cut across the sky, sitting on a bench in the School.

First, he opened the Notebook on the Ring Chart and crossed out Cliff’s name.

One less annoying thing to worry about.

He pulled the tab on the can and took a sip of icy coffee, exhaling with satisfaction.

He looked into the distance and saw that although there were baseball and track club activities on campus, people were scarce; there were barely a few on the playground.

At this time, most had probably gone Dungeon-diving for their studies.

Sipping coffee alone, feeling the breeze under the shade, and enjoying the School scenery—it had its own charm.

“Feels so relaxing…”

So many things had happened lately.

With Cass defeating Cliff, all those matters had come to an end.

The Cass he raised had instantly defeated Cliff.

Thinking of this, Siloque curved his lips and took a big gulp of the syrupy-sweet coffee, filled with satisfaction.

Cliff was probably sent to the Hospital, but chances were he wouldn’t recover; the blessing of Izabilis within his body would likely vanish soon after the Host’s death.

No one would covet Cliff’s Ability to Absorb Others’ Power so much that they’d rip off his head while the corpse was still warm and replace it with their own, right?

No way, right?

No way?

With this Incident as a starting point, Cass would rise among the first-years.

According to the story’s development, Lorin would tell Parenoa about it, and those present would gossip about Cass defeating an Upper Class member, spreading the tale far and wide, drawing the attention of many Major Figures.

Besides, it was an instant kill—the impact would be even greater.

“Parenoa… huh.”

The next Incident that determined whether she would become an Insect Mother would begin on June 2.

But Siloque thought the sooner, the better; in mid-May, he and his Sister would receive a Dungeon mission, and then it would be time to act.

Tomorrow, he’d take his Sister to a Leveling Spot on the second floor to practice a New Skill.

No Dungeon on Sunday—he’d give himself a day off.

He’d relax his nerves a bit and plan the Victory Date for the day after.

So looking forward to it.

What would Beiren wear?

What style and color of underwear?

Skirt or tight pants?

Straight hair or princess braids?

Black stockings or white stockings?

With lace or plain?

“Hehehe.”

From an outsider’s perspective, it was a black-haired girl holding coffee in one hand, bent over with a twisted smile, her cheeks flushed red with evil delight.

“Siloque? So you’re here. Finally found you.”

Hearing that all-too-familiar voice, Siloque looked up:

“Cass, huh… What do you want? Aren’t you busy playing ‘lift up’ with your classmates?”

“Siloque, do you have to sound so disappointed…?”

Siloque walked toward the vending machine.

“What do you want to drink? Today’s on me.”

It felt weird to say that, being someone who owed Cass over a million, but business was business.

“Thanks. Afternoon Black Tea is fine.”

“I get it. Because this brand is collaborating with Ailulu, right?”

“Haha… yeah, I’m collecting the bottle illustrations.”

After scanning to pay, the vending machine spit out a 300ml pink PET-bottled tea, printed with Ailulu in a summer outfit beating up an Octopus Monster.

Siloque handed it to Cass, and the two sat on the bench.

They clinked their drinks in silent celebration, Siloque sipping his beverage.

“Any thoughts on killing Cliff?”

Siloque got straight to the point.

Cass took a relaxed sip of tea, tracing the bottle’s edge with slender fingers, and answered softly.

“Nothing special.”

Cass’s expression looked as if he remembered something beautiful and bittersweet.

“Siloque, you told me before not to show mercy to enemies. He and his companions did so many terrible things to us—it had to end completely. The loser should leave the stage.”

“Yeah, not bad. Bullheads deserve to die.”

“Bullheads? Cliff’s human, isn’t he.”

“By the way, your finishing move was really strong. Did you practice it in secret?”

“Ah, well, sort of. I wanted to surprise you, Siloque.”

A surprise that left Cliff’s head rolling? That’s a bit much.

“But the side effect of that move is that I can’t use magic for a day or even two. It’s an all-out attack… but I still have the strength to run. By the way, I gave the move a really cool name.”

“You named your Finishing Move? What’s it called?”

Siloque asked casually.

“Called .”

“Pu—!!”

Siloque spat coffee.

“Change it right now! Why would you name a skill after someone else? If you don’t change it, I’ll never speak to you again.”

Imagine Cass shouting “Shilo Slash!” while taking down the final Boss—everyone would be asking “Who’s Shilo?” and the Media would spread the story everywhere, dragging Siloque into it… Too embarrassing to even live.

“Eh eh eh… It sounds cool, doesn’t it? When Ailulu uses a skill, she shouts ‘Ailulu Beam’ too.”

“She’s a virtual character. I’m a real person. You can’t compare the two. Anyway, change it.”

“All right…”

Cass looked disappointed.

No matter what.

Siloque drank his coffee and observed Cass.

Even if his tastes were odd.

Compared to the first time they met, he’d lost his naivety—Cass now had a sharp aura.

He could probably worry a bit less about him from now on.

“By the way, Siloque, the class wants to throw a victory party…”

“I’m not going.”

“I wasn’t finished!”

“Those kinds of youth parties and hook-up scenes aren’t for me. Those girls are only interested in handsome guys and popular types. They’re probably setting up to capture a promising target like you.”

“Siloque, that’s a dark prejudice…”

Hoh, no denial about being handsome.

Seriously, Cass was the one who won, so why were the girls all getting excited?

They probably just wanted an excuse to vent their youth without having to go into the Dungeon.

Students should focus on studying.

Thinking about partying all the time—is that right? (prejudice)

“What about Bried and Kersey? Are they going?”

“If they go, you’ll go?”

“Even if they go, I’m not going.”

“Uh, oh… Bried said she didn’t care, and Kersey said too many girls made her not want to go. The girls are still discussing where to have it.”

Kersey, huh…

If Bried raised her favorability through battle, Kersey’s was deepened through daily Incidents.

Last time, Cass unlocked Kersey’s workplace—wonder if he often showed up to raise her favorability.

“What about you? Do you want to go?”

Cass thought for a moment.

“I don’t care. They mean well. Actually, I wanted to ask you…”

“What?”

“Stop pretending… I took down Cliff, perfectly.”

Cass straightened his back, almost sticking his nose in the air.

Siloque, of course, understood.

Cass meant their promise.

“Fine, I’m in. Let’s hang out together.”

When Siloque agreed, Cass’s joy was hard to hide.

“Then Sunday! The new Light Pretty Cure Ailulu movie is out—go with me—”

“Sunday’s no good. I have a Victory Date. But Saturday is fine.”

“Eh? Wha… Victory Date?”

Cass froze.

“With your Sister, you mean?”

“Why would I have a Victory Date with my Sister?”

“Ah? No? Then… with Cohen?”

“Don’t say scary things. My dad would kill me for real. Can’t you just imagine me going out with a girl normally?”

“Gi…rl?”

Cass clenched the PET bottle, crushing it easily.

“Siloque… likes… girls?”

Seeing Cass’s dumbfounded face, Siloque felt like he’d won.

“Keheheh, that’s right!”

Siloque closed his eyes and crossed his arms, a true ‘superior being’ pose.

The moment Cass’s brain processed the words, she almost floated into space from shock.

An answer she didn’t want to hear.

Cass pressed a hand to her chest.

Maybe she was calcium-deficient. It hurt a little.

It hurt a lot.

“Wha… what kind of person?”

She bit her words in shock.

But she didn’t care anymore.

“Someone super beautiful.”

Siloque’s eyes sparkled like Orion’s triple stars.

“Oh right, Cass, let me be clear—you absolutely cannot follow. That pretty face of yours is a dangerous time bomb. The other person is going to be my wife, and if you interfere, I’ll kill you…”

Cass = Cassia.

The girl’s eyes descended into chaos.

Her mood plummeted to rock bottom—she didn’t hear another word.