Chapter 80: A Chaotic First Day

Ugh~?!

Gern’s little face was squeezed and pulled into all sorts of shapes by Lilia, making her feel quite uncomfortable. Lilia’s small hands showed no signs of stopping, as if she wouldn’t let up until Gern confessed the truth.

‘Ugh~’

A hint of tears crept into Gern’s voice. Only then did Lilia slightly lessen her grip and ask, “Little Luoya, what’s really going on?”

‘N… really, nothing.’

Seeing that Gern still didn’t want to answer, Lilia increased the pressure again, causing Gern to nearly tear up from the pain. But Gern remained silent, insisting that nothing was wrong.

Lilia, at a loss, finally withdrew her hands. As they walked back, Gern staring blankly at Lilia’s back, lost in thought. The feeling of loss in her chest grew stronger, and she unconsciously covered her chest with one hand, the sensation making her uneasy.

In her past life, she had never experienced anything like this and couldn’t understand what was happening to her now. “I… couldn’t have actually fallen for Lilia, could I?” Gern pondered, quickly shaking her head. In her past life, Lilia had done terrible things to her, although at the time, Lilia was a minion of the Heretic God Cult, and her actions were understandable. But as someone who had experienced it, Gern couldn’t imagine her current self liking Lilia.

‘No, it’s impossible. I’m not some pervert. How could I like Lilia?’

Yet, the sense of loss in her heart was undeniable. Two conflicting emotions battled within her, and Gern didn’t know what to do. Perhaps the best choice was to stay away from Lilia.

As Gern was lost in thought, Lilia suddenly turned back and looked at her. “Little Luoya, what are you thinking about?”

‘Ah? N… nothing.’

Gern’s eyes darted away, unable to meet Lilia’s gaze. Lilia’s water-blue eyes narrowed slightly, and she stepped closer to Gern, speaking softly. “Little Luoya, could it be that you’re… jealous?”

‘Mm! N… never!’

Gern shook her head, but Lilia’s words pierced her heart like a blade. Her every emotion seemed to confirm Lilia’s guess—she was probably jealous.

‘N… it can’t be true. It must be the hypnotic potion!’

As Gern denied Lilia’s conclusion in her heart, she suddenly felt her small hand being held. She looked up and met Lilia’s eyes.

‘Little Luoya, don’t worry. We’re each other’s first and only special friends.’

Gern felt a strange, sweet sensation rising from her heart. She gazed at Lilia, unaware that her eyes held a trace of admiration.

Seeing this, Lilia’s smile deepened. Without waiting for Gern’s agreement, she hugged her tightly, as if holding a princess.

‘Eh?! Eh! Let me go! Put me down!’

‘No way, no way. Little Luoya, just stay here in my arms. Don’t go anywhere.’

On the first day of school, the entire academy seemed to come alive. The once-quiet campus was now filled with new students rushing towards the classrooms. Surrounding noises were endless, with some chatting, others arguing, creating a chaotic scene. These were all the new students.

Unlike the higher-year students, who walked calmly towards the classrooms, Gern didn’t enjoy the noisy environment. He hurried ahead, eager to escape the commotion. But in the next moment, he bumped into someone.

The girl Gern had bumped into had pale gray hair and a good figure. He looked up and met a pair of crimson eyes. Gern’s expression faltered; the girl’s face was unusually pale, with no hint of rosiness.

‘S… sorry.’

‘Mm? It’s okay…’

The girl’s voice was low and emotionless. Gern furrowed his brow, sensing something strange, but he didn’t dwell on it. After a simple apology, he hurried away, leaving the gray-haired girl standing there, staring at Gern’s retreating figure.

‘Mm… such a sweet, delicious scent.’

She murmured, a flicker of ecstasy crossing her bloodless face. The gray-haired girl gazed at the distant figure, licking her lips instinctively.

‘Mm… it’s so good, I want to eat.’

The gray-haired girl unconsciously followed Gern, gradually drawing closer.

As Gern neared the classroom building, he frowned. Looking back, he saw the gray-haired girl from before following him. For some reason, he felt a chill, as if being watched. But with so many new students around, all heading in the same direction, Gern didn’t notice anything unusual.

‘Weird? Did I imagine it?’

Gern scratched his head and turned back towards the classroom entrance. As the building grew closer, he spotted a familiar golden-haired figure. Lilia stood at the entrance, holding a box of breakfast, seemingly waiting for someone. Beside her were Miss Sina and Miss Hera.

When they saw Gern, they greeted him warmly. Gern smiled back, but then felt a sudden heaviness on his left shoulder. Something seemed to be breaking through his skin, penetrating his flesh. Strangely, it didn’t hurt; instead, it felt slightly itchy and pleasurable.

‘Gern!?’

Gern himself didn’t feel much, but Lilia, who was watching from afar, was furious. Her usually bright blue eyes had darkened, filled with anger and a desire to kill. Gern, still unaware of what was happening, furrowed his brow.

‘Gern, look behind you!’

Sina warned, and only then did Gern realize and turn around, seeing a pair of crimson eyes.

‘Mm’

The gray-haired girl didn’t speak; she just blinked her crimson eyes, continuing to drink deeply.

****