HBWnovel Chapter 82: Maybe That (1)
Chapter 82: Maybe That (1)
TL/Editor: Raei
Schedule: 5/Week Wed-Sun
Illustrations: Here
He towered over Seria, her slim wrists trapped in his grip.
"H-how...?"
Seria couldn't understand.
She was certain her binding spell wasn't something that could be easily shrugged off.
Especially considering she had poured an immense amount of magic into it.
"......"
The man, still holding her delicate wrists, pushed his mask back down to its rightful place.
"I... I'm sorry. My curiosity just got the better of me..."
Seria averted her gaze.
His grip on her wrist tightened, and she sensed his irritation.
"Ah, ah!"
It was painful.
Yet—
Thump thump.
Her heart raced wildly.
What was this feeling welling up inside her?
Was it fear or was it thrill?
Being her first time experiencing such a thing, she was at a loss.
One thing she knew for sure was her heart pounded fiercely, and she felt a sudden heat coursing through her.
The man in black held her gaze for a moment.
Until now, his eyes had been closed.
It was the first time Seria truly saw them.
"Ah...."
His eyes were a deep, blazing red, like a ruby.
A beacon that pulled the observer in.
"....Beautiful."
The word slipped from her lips before she could stop it.
In that moment, her thoughts disappeared.
The pain around her wrist, her quickened heartbeat, all faded into the background.
Seria found herself holding her breath.
"....Haah, Haah."
After regaining her senses, Seria steadied her breathing.
She lowered her gaze.
She felt a pang of embarrassment.
For the first time, she had let her guard down, revealing her true self to someone else.
It was as if she had discovered a whole new world.
A world where her fantasies became reality.
And the realization that she had finally found someone who could understand her...
She had encountered many men, most were only interested in her for her looks, her status as the top student, or her lineage as the daughter of a black mage.
But none of them were like this.
Seria knew from a young age that her desires differed from others.
As these thoughts filled Seria's mind,
"...."
The man let go of her wrist, reaching into his shirt and pulling out a small object.
It was the key to the magic handcuffs.
Thud.
He dropped it on the table next to him and started to walk away.
"L-let me hear your voice... just once... I can understand your reluctance to show your face!"
But the man didn't respond. He simply left the basement.
Creak---
"Ah..."
For a moment, Seria stared blankly at the closed door, a look of disappointment in her eyes.
Holding onto the slight hope that he might reappear through the half-open door.
In a residential area within the Elinia Academy.
Seven individuals gathered around a table in a room.
"Any word from Captain Melon yet?"
The man presiding over the table asked.
"Yeah. I received a message... but we've been told to stand by."
Another man responded, scratching his chin thoughtfully.
"That's odd. The captain is typically laid-back, but it's strange to be on stand-by when there's a change in the Hero Department's schedule."
A frown marred the face of the man at the head of the table.
Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.
His fingers drummed against the tabletop.
The others looked on quietly, observing his restlessness.
Chin propped on his hand, he seemed deep in contemplation.
Finally, he broke the silence.
"......Let's take matters into our own hands."
The other six stared at him in shock.
"Why are you all looking at me like that? We all know. Damn... we can't ignore it, right? Now is the prime time to fulfill our mission. It's absurd to be on standby during such an opportunity."
Bang!
The man at the head slammed his fist onto the table.
The sudden outburst startled the others, their eyes fixed on him.
However, nobody dared to voice a word.
The man at the head grunted.
"Huh, of course. We're all equals here, aren't we? Fine. Those uninterested may leave. But don't expect to join later on. I might not be so forgiving. I'll bear the responsibility, so only those willing to take part should stay."
With that, he turned to the others.
"......I'm in."
"Me too."
One by one, they declared their participation.
Eventually, everyone in the room agreed to join.
A cynical smile graced the man's face.
"Heh~ good. Would've been better if we had done this sooner, no? Anyway, let's give it our best. As I mentioned earlier, the first-year students of the Hero Department are set to depart for Fosspatil Pass near Chalon next Monday. They will be on guard, so attacking at that time would be stupid. Hence, my plan is—"
And so, he began outlining his strategy.
"......This is Natasha. I've found their hideout. It aligns with the information from student Theo. Moreover, I've been able to eavesdrop on parts of their conversation."
A short distance from the house where the seven individuals were gathered.
A woman named Natasha whispered into a communication crystal clutched in her hand.
A deep male voice echoed from the crystal.
─Any further movement?
"Nothing yet, Rok."
─Can you continue surveillance?
"Difficult. There's a magical barrier surrounding their hideout."
─Understood. Evacuate from the area and return immediately.
"Affirmative, Rok."
Following Rok's instructions, Natasha hastily retreated.
As she prepared to return, a thought stirred in her mind.
She spoke into the communication crystal once more.
"......Rok. There's something that's been gnawing at me."
The response was swift.
─What is it?
"The student... no, Theo Lyn Waldeurk... His ability to catch them and discover their hideouts using only students... There are too many peculiarities to be just an ordinary student."
─......
This time, the reply took a moment.
After a while, the voice echoed once more.
─I'm not sure either.
"Pardon?"
─I don't like repeating myself. However, it's safe to say he's a lucky charm. Don't dig deeper.
"......Understood, Rok."
Nodding her head, Natasha ended communication.
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