Chapter 12: Shopping Mall

“Teacher…”

Leaving the Heixi behind, Ingrid found herself in a narrow alley after following Ange through another teleportation array.

She had thought her Teacher would at least communicate with her, maybe share their upcoming plan of attack, but Ange walked away without so much as a backward glance.

Ingrid could only scurry after her.

Ange Teacher… looks really angry…

The most fitting word Ingrid could think of was predatory. Yes, right now Ange looked just like an enraged beast.

Even her gait had grown heavy, and she was baring her fangs, clearly ready to hunt.

And as for why she was so angry, Ingrid could figure it out even with her eyes closed.

The one who had originally turned Ange Teacher into the current Angelina Teacher was also a Succubus.

That one must have already been dealt with by Teacher; after all, Ingrid couldn’t imagine Ange letting her go for even a second.

But because of that, Ange had nowhere to vent her anger. Now, here came another—also a Succubus, also a criminal.

How could Ange possibly let such a perfect target for her wrath slip by?

“Teacher, please slow down…”

“Keep up, Ingrid. If you fall behind, go back to the Academy on your own.”

Ange didn’t even look back; all Ingrid could see was the cascade of silver hair down her back.

Go back to the Academy by myself? Oh no, Ange Teacher is completely enraged. That Succubus is absolutely doomed.

Trailing behind Ange, Ingrid did her best to keep up, already bracing herself for what awaited at the scene.

But just moments later, she found herself staring at the Shopping Mall ahead, her little face beneath golden bangs full of bafflement.

“Teacher, why are we here?”

“Since we’re hunting a Succubus, of course we need someone who can attract her.”

“Huh? We’re looking for someone here? Will there be anyone suitable?”

“I’m talking about myself, obviously.”

“What?! Teacher, you yourself?!”

Ingrid began to imagine what Ange Teacher might look like if she changed out of her shorts-and-black-stockings combo into something more masculine, maybe tying up that silver hair as well.

Uh… Still doesn’t seem right. No matter what, Teacher’s face is that of a stunning beauty.

No Succubus would be dumb enough to mistake her for a man, right?

“Hey, give me some of that.”

Trailing behind Ange, Ingrid was utterly lost as to what her Teacher was doing.

Why was she chatting with a clerk at a cosmetics store? Was she going to buy makeup? Was Teacher about to doll herself up?

“Don’t just say ‘that’—Ange, we’re a legitimate business here, no code words. Don’t bring your underworld lingo in.”

“Tch, fine.”

Ange was talking to a middle-aged woman with long, deep-purple hair. She looked to be in her thirties—maybe a clerk, or possibly the owner.

Ingrid could tell Ange wanted to buy something to deal with the Succubus.

“Make it cheaper.”

“Can’t go any lower, do you want me to lose my business?”

“Come on, you know how rare Succubi are. How many times do you think I can use a whole batch of this stuff?”

“Not my problem. And who’s this?”

Suddenly under the owner’s scrutiny, Ingrid adjusted her collar, maintaining her noble composure.

“Hello, I’m Ingrid Beltans. Pleased to meet you, I look forward to your guidance.”

“Beltans?!”

The owner was visibly startled by Ingrid’s surname. Ingrid blinked, not quite sure what to make of it.

“Well, well, Ange, you finally found a rich lady to keep you?”

“Get lost. She’s my student.”

“Oh, a student, huh? So, a proper young lady.”

Feeling the woman’s assessing gaze, Ingrid tensed a little, her body stiffening.

“Hello, Miss Ingrid. I’m Martha Rea. Just call me Martha.”

“Martha? Pleased to meet you, ma’am.”

“Hehe, what a cute girl.”

“Er, hehe…”

After a strained laugh, Ingrid straightened her face again.

“You’re Ange’s student? Perfect, want to hear some of your Teacher’s embarrassing stories?”

“Hey! Martha! Don’t go too far!”

“Oh, come on, what’s the harm? Let me share a little, and I’ll give you a discount.”

“No need.”

At that moment, Ingrid seized a golden opportunity to win some points with her Teacher.

She pulled out another of her bank cards and swiped it without even checking the price.

“See? You really are being kept, Ange.”

“I’m not…”

Another bank card?! And there’s still money on it?! Ange was dumbfounded.

She knew Ingrid was rich as a young lady, but hadn’t realized she was this rich. She felt a stab of jealousy, just a little—really, just a little.

“It’s alright, Teacher. Everyone has things they don’t want others to know. If you don’t want to say, I won’t ask. It’s just a little money, consider it a token of appreciation from your student. Please accept it.”

“…………Fine.”

Being a Teacher and still accepting a student’s favor—Ange felt her pride bruised.

But then she remembered she was still carrying Ingrid’s black card on her, too.

Well, maybe she really wasn’t far from being kept after all.

“Hehehe.”

“Tch.”

Watching Martha’s look of “I totally get it,” Ange grabbed the goods, took Ingrid by the hand, and stormed off.

Her face was icy, and she didn’t notice that Ingrid’s entire little face had flushed red with excitement from the hand-holding.

Teacher actually took her hand?! According to psychology! If someone takes the initiative to touch another’s body, that’s a definite positive signal! Her attempt to curry favor had been a smashing success!