The next day, Ashara was walking to the library as she had a few more readings she needed to finish.
‘Do you think he’ll talk to me again after what happened?’ Ashara asked herself hesitantly, her thoughts laced with both hope and worry.
“I’d be shocked if he didn’t,”
Nightfire’s voice echoed in her mind as she laughed,
“After all, he’s the one who started it…. Hahah That would be hilarious after saying,
“I’ll always be your friend. I’ll never think of you as anything less” blab… blab… blab.. hahaha”
Ashara’s lips twitched as she sighed. She stepped into the library.
Her eyes scanned the rows of desks and bookshelves until they landed on… Victor.
He was seated at a table, surrounded by stacks of books, his expression completely absorbed in his reading.
Ashara paused, her steps faltering. She hesitated, chewing on her lip nervously, but Nightfire’s firm voice cut through her doubt,
“Stop dithering. Go. He’s just a man, not some deity.”
Taking a deep breath, Ashara forced herself to approach and sat down beside Victor, who didn’t even glance her way, his attention still buried in the book he was holding.
She couldn’t help but notice the titles scattered around him—books on Elves, Dragons, Phoenixes, Sirens, Vampires, and Mermaids. It was an impressive collection of knowledge about various races, but what truly caught her attention was the book in his hand: a detailed volume about Succubi.
[+500 AP]
[+100 AP]
Victor lowered the book slightly, his sharp gaze flickering toward her. His expression was unreadable as he noticed her sitting there.
Ashara froze under his scrutiny, then awkwardly stammered, “H-Hello?”
Victor nodded but didn’t say a word, his focus returning to his reading.
Flustered, Ashara quickly pulled out her notes, pretending to immerse herself in her work. Inwardly, though, her thoughts churned. ‘Was he thinking about us when he picked that book?’
Nightfire scoffed, the sound dripping with disdain.
‘What could he possibly learn about us from that text? Likely a bunch of outdated nonsense.’
Ashara wanted to say something, to start a conversation, but yesterday’s incident still lingered in her mind, leaving her hesitant. Just as she was about to give up, Victor broke the silence.
“Ashara,” he said, his deep voice startling her. She jerked her head up!
“W-What is it?” she stammered.
Victor held up the book, tapping a passage with his finger. “It says here that Succubi can survive by converting Arcane energy into sustenance to control their hunger. Is that true?”
Ashara blinked, “W-Well,” she began as she had a thoughtful face before, “Nightfire says… it’s like… If you only drank water for ten days, what would you feel? Even though you live?
It’s the same for us. We need more than just Arcane energy to truly feel… alive…. that’s what she said”
Victor’s eyes narrowed slightly, “That makes sense,” he muttered. He too understands that… as he sometimes passed days with just water and minerals!
Ashara watched him for a moment, then gave a small smile, “T-Thank you” she murmured, her voice soft but genuine.
[+600 AP]
Victor glanced at her briefly, then returned to his reading with a nonchalant nod.
The two settled into a quiet rhythm, the tension between them easing as they focused on their respective tasks.
However, the tranquil atmosphere of the library was abruptly shattered.
“Why can’t you just understand?!”
The sudden shout echoed through the library, startling everyone. Ashara’s head snapped up, her gaze darting toward the source of the commotion. Victor frowned, his brow furrowing deeply as recognition flickered across his face.
‘That voice… It sounds familiar,’ he thought, his expression darkening. Rising from his seat, he moved toward the back of the library, his steps slow and deliberate. Ashara followed closely behind, her curiosity piqued.
Rounding a tall shelf of books, they came upon an unexpected scene. Helena stood there, tears streaming down her face as she tried to stifle her sobs. In front of her was Finnian, his face twisted in frustration, his voice sharp as he berated her.
“I’ve explained this to you five times already!” Finnian snapped, his tone scathing. “How can you still not remember something so simple?”
Helena sniffled, looking every bit like a chastised child, “I-I’m sorry,” she whimpered, her voice cracking.
Victor’s lips pressed into a thin line, his jaw tightening, ‘What the hell is this? Why is she crying?’ He clenched his fists, barely restraining himself. Before he could intervene, Ashara stepped forward, her expression hardening.
“What’s going on here?”
Helena flinched, quickly wiping her tears as she noticed Ashara approaching, Victor not far behind. Finnian’s frown deepened as he turned to face Ashara.
“This is none of your business,” he said flatly. “Go back to your books and leave us alone.” Read new adventures at My Virtual Library Empire
Ashara ignored him entirely, her attention focused on Helena. “Why are you crying?” she asked gently, her voice softening. Then, she turned her sharp gaze on Finnian. “And what exactly are you doing to her?”
Finnian’s eyes narrowed in annoyance. “It’s between us,” he snapped. “I don’t need you meddling in—”
Before he could finish, Victor strode forward and sat down with an air of authority, propping his leg on the table and leaning back as if he owned the place.
Finnian scowled. “What are you trying to do here?”, his frustration spilling over.
Victor with cold amusement as he tilted his head slightly. “Mind telling me when it became acceptable to address an Emperor without respect? Or should I have a chat with the Archpriestess about this? I’m sure she’d be thrilled to hear how you’re behaving.”
Veins bulged on Finnian’s forehead as he bit his lip, clearly trying to hold back his anger. After a long pause, he muttered through gritted teeth, “Forgive me for my words.” His tone was anything but sincere.
Victor leaned back in his chair, an amused expression playing on his lips as he observed Finnian’s struggle.
Finnian, deciding to ignore Victor altogether, turned to Helena. “Let’s move somewhere else,” he said, reaching out to guide her away.
But before he could take a step, Ashara’s voice broke the tension. “Wait. I know how this works. Let me explain it to her,” she said, moving toward Helena.
Helena, her face still streaked with tears, hesitated but nodded as Ashara began explaining the concept in simpler terms. Slowly but surely, Helena’s expression shifted from confusion to understanding.
“That’s it?” Helena asked, frowning as she glanced between the notes and Ashara. “It makes so much sense now!”
“Exactly,” Ashara replied with a small smile as she shot a quick glance at Victor.
“Wasn’t that way easier?” Helena muttered, her frown deepening as she turned toward Finnian with a look that could only be described as a mild annoyance.
Finnian’s jaw tightened. “What? Now you’re going to complain that I didn’t teach you well enough?” he snapped, his sharp glare making Helena shrink back in fear.
Ashara stepped forward, “You’re scaring her!” she said firmly.
Finnian crossed his arms over his chest and sneered. “Oh? Did you two become best friends overnight?” His mocking tone hung in the air as he glanced at Helena.
“We are,”
“We are not,”
Both of them blinked at each other in surprise.
“I-I’m your friend?” Ashara asked, disbelief written all over her face. She’d never considered anyone other than Victor a friend and couldn’t pinpoint when that had changed.
“Are you not?” Helena tilted her head, her innocent expression making it clear she had assumed they had been friends since their first encounter—despite how that had gone.
“Well…” Ashara’s disbelief slowly morphed into a warm smile. She nodded hesitantly. “O-Of course we’re friends!”
Helena’s face lit up with a gentle smile.
Victor, meanwhile, had been watching quietly, but his attention returned to Finnian, who stood frozen, his face blank with suppressed emotions, “Looks like I need to inform the Archpriestess.”
Helena’s face paled instantly. “W-Why?” she stammered, her voice tinged with dread.
Finnian smirked, his expression twisted with malice. “Well, being friends with some disgusting wom—”
Shunk!
Before he could finish, a sharp object whizzed through the air, slicing Finnian’s cheek. Blood dripped from the fresh wound as Finnian turned, his eyes wide, to see Victor staring at him, his expression icy and deadly.
“Mind your next words… Apostle, or whatever the hell you call yourself,” Victor said coldly.
Finnian’s lips pressed into a thin line, trembling slightly as he bit them hard enough for blood to trickle down. Without another word, he stormed out of the library, his footsteps heavy with frustration.
Helena looked visibly shaken, her worried gaze darting between the door Finnian had exited through and Victor.
Victor frowned, his thoughts churning. ‘Even though he’s always been persistent, he’s never stooped this low before. What the hell happened to him?’
Ashara broke the silence. “What’s with him? He wasn’t like that before, was he?”
Helena sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping. “I don’t know. Ever since we came back from the summit, he’s been… restricting my actions. He always follows me around.”
Victor’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean by that?”
Helena hesitated at his sudden question but eventually shrugged. “He looks at me weirdly sometimes. And other times, he tries to hug me or says things like I shouldn’t look at anyone else—only him. It’s unsettling.”
“And?” Ashara asked, her curiosity piqued.
Helena bit her lip, hesitating before whispering, “He said if I don’t listen to him, he’ll kill Aether.”
Victor’s eyebrows shot up, ‘What the actual fuck?’
Ashara frowned slightly as she glanced at Victor. “Why would he kill Aether?”
Helena’s cheeks turned pink as she stammered, “W-Well… S-Since I love him?” Her voice grew quieter, and her face flushed deeper.
“The fuck!”
Nightfire suddenly screamed in Ashara’s mind,
“This asshole screws around with countless women, yet he doesn’t even hesitate to mess with me?! The audacity! Motherfucker! Fuck me this instant!!”
Ashara’s cheeks burned as she mentally scolded Nightfire to stay quiet.
Helena, oblivious to Ashara’s internal argument, took a deep breath. “He also said if I told anyone or refused him, he’d inform the Archpriestess about… about us. And if word gets out, I’m afraid Aether will face hardship because of me.”
Victor’s expression softened as he sighed. “Have you talked to Aether about this?”
Helena shook her head quickly. “No. I’m scared. I don’t want him dragged into my problems. And… especially after what I failed to save Aqualina… I don’t have face to see him”
Victor stood abruptly, “Well, whatever you choose to do, it’s your decision,” he said before walking out.
Helena turned to Ashara, her eyes pleading. “Please don’t tell anyone about this. Promise me.”
Ashara nodded solemnly. “I won’t.”
After that, Ashara stayed with Helena, patiently explaining a few concepts she’d been struggling with.
Though Helena was clearly a slow learner, Ashara felt a spark of happiness as they worked together. For the first time in a long while, she felt as though she’d made a real friend.
After what felt like hours of studying, Helena looked up with a hopeful expression. “Ashara, you’re really good at this. If you don’t mind… would you like to study together more often?”
Ashara smiled warmly. “Of course. We could help each other out.”
Nightfire groaned loudly in Ashara’s mind.
“Stop grinning like that! You look ridiculous, idiot!”
Ashara ignored the voice and continued smiling.
After checking their schedules, they decided to meet in Helena’s room later for a night study session.
Nightfire, however, was far from pleased.
“Night study?! Are you kidding me? That’s supposed to be my time to have fun!”
she shouted furiously.
Ashara smirked inwardly and replied, ‘Well if you want us to lock in this place for two months, you’re welcome to sulk.’
“Arrgh!”