The theoretical knowledge class was still as unbearably boring as a lullaby to Aitin.
The teacher on the podium rambled on endlessly about magical principles and history, but to him, it was far less practical than studying the combinations and permutations of system skill cards.
These textbook facts were of no use to him whatsoever.
In stark contrast stood Celes.
She was the kind of student who was serious to the bone.
Even after becoming a member of the exalted “Stellar” group and gaining the privilege of selective attendance, she had never thought of skipping class on a whim.
At this moment, Celes sat upright in her seat, her ice-blue hair neatly tied back, her slender white fingers clutching a quill as she smoothly recorded key points in her open notebook, her expression focused and calm.
Normally, Aitin would have long since plopped his head onto the desk and napped without a second thought at a time like this.
But strangely, he was wide awake now, not the slightest hint of drowsiness.
Recalling last night, although initially very uncomfortable sharing a bed with Celes and struggling inwardly for a long time, unexpectedly, his sleep quality had been exceptionally good—dreamless through the entire night until dawn.
Was that a bit…
A strange feeling stirred within Aitin, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on what was odd.
With nothing better to do, Aitin could only amuse himself by playing with the tiny fairy Ruby that only he could see.
His long fingers nimbly spun the quill in his hand, the pen shaft tracing dazzling arcs at his fingertips.
Ruby bounced in the air before him, jumping in time with the spinning quill, her small face beaming with excitement as if thoroughly enjoying this simple pastime.
After a while, Aitin suddenly stopped spinning the quill, his expression turning somewhat serious.
“Ruby, check Celes’s current overall affection level toward males.”
Ruby ceased her bouncing, drawing a translucent system panel with a small gesture in midair, scrutinizing it carefully before reporting.
“Master, Celes’s current overall affection level toward males is … -69.”
Aitin’s face showed clear puzzlement and disbelief upon hearing this.
Last night, Celes had actively made such an intimate invitation that was clearly beyond ordinary friendship.
How could her overall affection level toward males still be negative?
Was it possible for a girl to make such a suggestive invitation when her affection level for a boy was negative?
No matter how he thought about it, it seemed impossible.
Or could it be… that Celes was an exception?
Or was the system actually inaccurate?
“Master, the system does not make mistakes. If the data shows this, there must be a reason for it.”
Ruby seemed to sense Aitin’s doubts and flew in front of him, pointing at the system panel with her tiny finger as she explained earnestly.
For a moment, Aitin felt completely baffled, frowning slightly.
After a brief pause, his fingers tapped lightly on the desk unconsciously.
Suddenly, a light dawned in his eyes as if he’d figured out a crucial point, his face breaking into an enlightened expression.
“Master! Have you figured something out?”
Seeing this, Ruby hurriedly asked with curiosity.
“I understand now. The reason Celes’s overall affection toward males is negative, yet she’s still so close to me, is simple. No matter how I look at it, it’s because I’ve helped and protected her multiple times recently, which caused her to develop a strong sense of dependence.”
Aitin’s tone was as if he had discovered the truth.
“Huh?”
Ruby’s small face froze, an invisible question mark seemingly popping above her head.
“As I suspected, Celes’s closeness to me isn’t based on romantic feelings between a man and a woman, but more like a desperate reliance on a lifeline in a dire situation.”
The more Aitin spoke, the more reasonable his theory seemed, and he nodded affirmatively in the end.
“Think about it. This girl has been isolated and bullied since childhood, severely lacking a sense of security. That’s why she feels a special closeness to me, the one who has saved her multiple times from danger, and is willing to be intimate with me. But toward other boys who haven’t helped her, she remains the same misandrist she always was.”
He became more and more convinced by his own reasoning, finally nodding confidently.
“That completely explains why Celes’s affection toward males is negative, yet she still likes to cling to me.”
Floating in the air, Ruby looked at Aitin’s confident, self-assured expression as if he’d seen through everything, her petite face twitching involuntarily as she gave a very speechless look.
Master, just how dense are you?
After figuring this out, Aitin felt as if a huge stone had been lifted off his chest, and he felt suddenly clear-headed, even his breathing much easier.
The difficult problem that had troubled him for days—how to handle the delicate relationship with Celes—seemed to have found a perfect solution.
As long as he gradually helped Celes reduce her dependence on him and fostered her independence, even if he had to leave after completing his mission, she might be sad for a while but would at least not go down a dark path.
Seeing Aitin’s relieved and slightly smug expression, Ruby was about to warn him that he might be oversimplifying things, but at that moment, the disciplinary committee communicator on Aitin’s right ear suddenly glowed softly green and vibrated slightly—signaling an incoming communication request.
“Come to my office.”
Aitin pressed the communicator, immediately hearing Black God Akane’s cold and unequivocal voice order him to come to the Disciplinary Committee Chief’s office at once.
He dared not neglect this and quietly explained the situation to the teacher on the podium.
After obtaining permission, he hurriedly left the classroom under the puzzled and slightly worried gaze Celes cast at him.
When Aitin arrived at the simple yet imposing office of the Disciplinary Committee Chief, Black God Akane sat upright behind the large desk, reviewing documents with her head lowered.
Sunlight streamed through the window, outlining her cold, beautiful silhouette.
“Senior Akane, may I ask what you need me for?”
Aitin took a few steps forward and stood at attention, giving a standard disciplinary committee salute as he respectfully asked.
Black God Akane lowered the quill in her hand and glanced at him with her crimson eyes, motioning toward the sofa beside her with a look, her tone calm.
“Sit.”
Aitin obeyed and sat down on the soft leather sofa.
Black God Akane rose and elegantly crossed the desk, sitting on the sofa opposite him.
She naturally crossed her long legs wrapped in black stockings; her long black hair cascaded like a waterfall over her shoulders, and her red eyes, as pure as the finest rubies, fixed on Aitin unblinkingly with a scrutinizing gaze.
The Disciplinary Committee Chief cut straight to the point, explaining that the reason for summoning Aitin was to require him to report regularly on his surveillance of Celes’s progress, and to inquire about the reason for her unexplained absence from class yesterday.
Aitin was prepared.
He first gave a routine report that Celes’s recent condition was stable, with no signs of darkening.
Then, hesitating slightly, he chose to withhold part of the truth about her absence, saying only that she was feeling unwell and had rested at home for a day.
He did not mention the appearance of Olivier Phantom or the possible involvement of the Rufus family’s revenge.
After all, Celes had clearly expressed she did not want to rely on Black God Akane’s power.
After weighing everything, Aitin decided to respect Celes’s wishes.
“Continue monitoring. Report immediately if there are any abnormalities.”
After hearing Aitin’s report, Black God Akane’s expression remained unchanged; she only said calmly.
Then she shifted the topic, emphasizing some responsibilities of the Disciplinary Committee, implying that although Aitin’s primary task was to watch Celes, since he held that title, he must also fulfill corresponding duties and take on some work.
The implication was clear—since she was his superior, if there were errands or tasks needing doing, he naturally had to step up.
Aitin left the office, gently closing the door behind him, sighing helplessly as he rubbed his temples, thinking this Disciplinary Committee Chief senior really knew how to make the most of people and boss them around.
But he couldn’t refuse.
After all, this girl was the next target he had to win over, so he had no choice but to obey her for now.
As Aitin pondered how to balance these matters while walking down the corridor, the shadow on the wall behind him rippled like water.
A black-haired girl dressed in a black Lolita dress silently appeared like a phantom.
Her footsteps were so light they made no sound, and like a cat, she approached Aitin from behind, gently placing her pale hands on his shoulders.
Then, leaning in close to his ear, she whispered with a hint of teasing mystery in her tone,
“Aitin, nice to meet you for the first time~”