Chapter 83: Evelyn

Chapter 83: Evelyn



"Heh~ so Miss Evelyn, you also think that Miss Rose deserves the top spot in the magic department?" Janica's eyes sparkled with excitement as she leaned closer.

"Y-yes..." I stammered, trying to match her enthusiasm while keeping my voice steady.

"Hehe, I knew it! That thieving pale-headed woman... I know she's a princess, but to think she would have no shame taking the top spot when she knows someone else deserves it. She might be considered the prettiest woman in school, but Princess Snow's beauty isn't above the school's regulations, right?"

"... I guess so, fufu," I replied, attempting to mask my nervousness with a soft laugh. Janica was all smiles in front of me, completely immersed in the conversation.

It had been around thirty minutes since we arrived at this small restaurant, and Janica had not stopped talking.

From my name to my likes, dislikes, and background, she seemed determined to learn everything about me.

Her enthusiasm was both charming and exhausting, and I felt my throat drying up from all the talking.

Although I wanted to escape the moment, I met these two, Janica's persistence in making an apology by offering me a free dinner was too much to deny.

The way she grabbed onto my hands felt like she could immediately crush my bones if I refused any further.

Since transforming into this new form, I've noticed a disturbing trend: I felt too weak. [Note: Stats have been temporarily cut off due to new user biology]

[Note: It is imperative to locate a safe destination until user is back to optimal status.]

'Well, thanks for the late update, system'

[Note: You're welcome!]

11 11

Sighing, I admitted to myself that I was a bit hungry, so I ultimately decided to come along with them, albeit reluctantly.

Dealing with these two was proving to be more troublesome than I had anticipated.

As we entered this restaurant, I realized that this might be my only chance to have a proper and genuine conversation with them without worrying about my words and actions.

If I were still Riley, the conversation would have gone rather differently.

Janica would have been more reluctant, and the guy who kept staring at me-Lucas-would have acted more aggressively, simultaneously trying to challenge me.

The restaurant was quaint and bustling with life. Lanterns cast warm glow over the wooden tables, and the smell of grilled meat and spices filled the air.

Janica's enthusiasm didn't wane.

She peppered me with questions about my interests, hobbies and all sort of different things, her eyes shining with genuine curiosity.

Lucas, on the other hand, sat quietly, his gaze occasionally drifting towards me with a mix of confusion and intrigue.

Keeping up the strong, arrogant persona was always tiring, which was why I tended to avoid approaching and even interacting with Lucas.

Having a conversation without a mask and seeing sides of these two that I never got to see within the confines of the game or as Riley himself was refreshing.

"Young masters, here are your orders," the waiter announced as he approached us, placing the dishes on the table.

Finally, Janica stopped rambling about her opinions and questions and instead focused on the mouth-watering food in front of us.

Although I wasn't acting like a rabid dog full of saliva while looking at this food like Janica was, it was still incredibly hard to maintain an apathetic look, especially since my hunger was through the roof.

'I guess I used too much of my mana in the dungeon.'

"Now then, let's eat first, shall we?" Janica offered with a big smile, an invitation that neither Lucas nor I could deny.

As we began to eat, the atmosphere around the table became more relaxed. Janica's enthusiasm for the food was contagious, and even Lucas, who usually maintained a stoic demeanor, seemed to be enjoying the meal.

"This is delicious!" Janica exclaimed, her eyes wide with delight. "I've never tasted anything like this before!"

Lucas nodded in agreement, taking another bite of his food. "Yeah, it's really good."

I couldn't help but smile at their reactions. "I agree. The food here is amazing."

For a while, we ate in comfortable silence, enjoying the flavors of the meal.

It was a welcome change from the usual tension and stress of my daily life.

....

'Suspicious'

That was the word that stuck in Lucas's mind the moment his eyes landed on the mysterious lady in front of him.

Although she seemed like a casual and normal lady one could find anywhere in the school, Lucas knew there was something different and unique about her.

Her beauty radiated like the sun, but the aura deep inside her shone with the blue hues of the

two moons above-a new color he had never seen in other people before.

But that wasn't what made Lucas suspicious of her. It wasn't her unnatural level of beauty either.

It was the nagging sense that he knew the person in front of him, and yet, he could clearly see and tell this was the first time they had met.

As someone who could distinguish a person and an illusion through aura alone, Lucas knew the person in front of him was one of the few unique individuals he had ever encountered. In his world of auras, unique people tended not to have duplicates.

'Yet why did she seem so awfully familiar?'

Every time she spoke, her voice carried an underlying familiarity that Lucas couldn't shake

Under knightly customs, a knight wasn't allowed to hold the hands of a fair maiden unless the

two were close friends or family.

Forgetting such a custom due to his suspicions made Lucas feel even more conflicted about

himself, adding to the confusion rattling his mind.

"What were you even trying to do, Lucas?" Janica asked, staring at him annoyingly. This was

the first time she had ever seen him act like this.

"..." Lucas stayed silent unable to come up with a proper excuse.

Although Lucas had been acting weird ever since meeting Riley, this was clearly something

else.

Not to mention the fact that he seemed obviously infatuated with Evelyn, which got on her nerves even further.

She understood Evelyn was a beauty, but he had never acted like this with her or even with a transcendental beauty like Princess Snow.

'Does he have a thing for blondes?' Janica wondered suspiciously, worry creeping into her

mind as she watched the innocent Evelyn.

At first, she thought fate had finally given her a perfect 'girl' friend, something she hadn't

been able to accomplish since coming to the academy.

But now she was slowly starting to realize that the universe might have just given her the perfect rival instead.

Janica's mind raced with thoughts of Lucas's unusual behavior.

It wasn't just curiosity or politeness-there was something more to his interaction with

Evelyn. The way his eyes lingered on her, the almost palpable connection between them, and the undeniable attraction he exhibited-all of it unsettled Janica.

'Safe....'

Phew~!

I thought he had caught on when he suddenly asked for my hand, but I guess the stat change

really did work wonders for me.

I knew from the way he kept looking at me that his suspicion was growing stronger and

stronger. He scanned the way I breathed and the way I moved.

As a martial artist, seeing subtle signs and subconscious movements between veteran fighters

was easy for someone like Lucas, who has those blessed golden eyes.

And my aura as well... it probably matches myself as Riley.

He must be so confused right now, with his mind and heart telling him two different things

about the person he was staring at.

A dilemma he can't quite solve due to the constraints of the social world.

I'm glad his morals as a knight prevent him from asking me too many personal questions...

well, it was Janica handling all the questioning, but I have a feeling that my cover would be totally blown if I stay here any longer.

Not to mention the fact that I don't know when this transformation will end...

I can't have myself transforming back into Riley in a public place like this.

'System, you better warn me when it's about to happen!'

[Note: ....]

At least confirm it, yo-haah...

'Why am I even trying to argue with this thing at this point?'

As Lucas calmed himself down, he proceeded to eat what was left of his meal while still

quietly giving me unforeseen and uncomfortable glances.

He might think that he was cleverly hiding his gaze, but for someone like me who's been

constantly monitored by a world-ending dragon, sensing someone's stares was just child's

play.

He can't even compare to Liyana.

Of course, he might be just staring at me due to my beauty, but that was highly unlikely... 'This guy was as dense as a black hole, that even if someone as beautiful as Snow approached him openly, I doubt he would notice nor would he care about looks in the first place.'

As we continued finishing our meal, Lucas's voice echoed, breaking the uneasy silence. "Miss Evelyn... I've been meaning to ask this, but what are your opinions on knights?"

'Seriously, what the fuck is this bastard on about now?'