Although it was common for male witch descendants to become muscular from aura training, men were still weaker than witches overall.
Coupled with the dominance of witches, women became bolder, and men became milder over time.
As such, society gradually transitioned into an era where it was more common for women to hit on men.
Evie faced such a dilemma because she lacked courage and confidence despite it being natural for women to be proactive in relationships.
While Evie was considering how to strike up a conversation, Vaan took the initiative to approach her first.
“Helion’s Study of Myriad Minerals, huh? May I ask if Milady is majoring in artificing?” Vaan politely inquired with a friendly smile.
“Ah?” Evie uttered blankly, not expecting Vaan to approach her. Coupled with his handsome smile, she could think of anything else.
“Ah, you’re not bothering me at all,” Evie blinked for a moment before she quickly recovered her wits.
“Right, I am indeed majoring in artificing, but how did you get I was reading Helion’s Study of Myriad Minerals? Are you familiar with Helion’s Study of Myriad Mineral, Sir…”
“Vahn Cadieux, my Lady. Just Vahn will do,” Vaan introduced himself before asking for the young witch’s name, “And you are…?”
“Evie Latimer. But you can just call me Evie as well, Vahn,” Evie Latimer stated, thinking that addressing each other informally would bring them one step closer.
“I see. Evie, it is then, my Lady,” Vaan acknowledged with a nod before answering her question, “I am indeed familiar with Helion’s Study of Myriad Minerals. It’s quite a solid book for learning about the fundamentals for artificing.”
“I take it that you also have a keen interest in artificing, Vahn?” Evie Latimer asked, feeling pleasantly surprised as it implied they had a common topic to discuss.
Perhaps due to Vaan’s charisma, Evie Latimer quickly became accustomed to talking to him after her initial awkwardness.
“I do have a strong interest in artificing,” Vaan admitted with a nod before continuing, “I believe artificing will become one of the core aspects of the future. Also, I am interested in Wise Scholar Sacha’s Atomic Visualizer. I heard she obtained one recently.
“Oh? What a coincidence. I think so too!” Evie Latimer chimed excitedly before saying, “However, you should forget about the Atomic Visualizer, Vahn. I’m in Senior Sacha’s artificing class, but even I don’t get to touch her Atomic Visualizer.”
“In fact, no one in the artificing class is allowed to touch Senior Sacha’s Atomic Visualizer at all, let alone use it. Senior Sacha keeps it in her private lab on the top floor,” Evie Latimer added with a sigh.
“Not surprising. The Atomic Visualizer costs a fortune. Wise Scholar Sacha wouldn’t want it to be damaged, even by accident. It would be too much of a loss,” Vaan stated with a deep look.
Considering what he had just learned, getting permission from Wise Scholar Sacha to use her Atomic Visualizer would not be easy. He would first have to gain her trust, a lot of it.
“What kind of person is Wise Scholar Sacha, Evie? Do you know much about her?” Vaan inquired.
“Do I know her? Senior Sacha IS my artificing teacher, so I suppose you can say that I do know a bit about Senior Sacha—but only at the surface level,” Evie said while giving Vaan a short glance.
She could tell that Vaan was more interested in Wise Scholar Sacha than he was in her.
At the same time, Vaan was good at reading expressions. Thus, he understood what Evie Latimer was thinking.
After Vaan learned everything Evie Latimer knew about Wise Scholar Sacha, including some of her interests and daily routine, he shifted the subject to Evie Latimer to appease her.
“Not many witches visit the library at this time. I wonder if Lady Evie came to the library because you are diligent with artificing studies or if you have some parts you don’t understand?”
“For both reasons, actually,” Evie Latimer replied with a delightful smile, seeing Vaan’s interest was turned to her.
Nevertheless, Vaan quickly learned about Evie Latimer’s difficulties in her artificing studies after she opened up about it. He offered her some insights on the subject, allowing her to overcome the problems plaguing her.
Afterward, Vaan flirted with Evie Latimer a bit to improve her mood further before ultimately bidding his leave.
“Well then, I shan’t take up any more of your private time, Evie. May you do well in your studies.”
“Can we talk again another time, Vahn?”
Evie Latimer glanced at Vaan with a bit of emotion, feeling reluctant to cut their discussion short when it seemed like she was getting somewhere.
“Of course, Evie,” Vaan assured her, adding, “I’ll be around for a while. Feel free to drop by the library for a chat when you feel like it.”
“That’s great. Then, I’ll drop by tomorrow. I would like to discuss about artificing with you again,” Evie Latimer said as she carried a few books to the front counter with a happy expression while looking at Vaan.
A man who was very handsome, friendly, approachable, respectful, and knowledgeable in the same field she was interested in was incredibly charming and attractive.
Evie Latimer felt like she had found the perfect man.
Nevertheless, Vaan pretended not to notice Evie Latimer’s thoughts. After recording the books she wanted to borrow, he sent her off.
Once Evie Latimer was gone, Vaan contemplated his objective for the day.
‘Unexpectedly, Wise Scholar Sacha likes to scavenge the wasteyard for reusable items during the gaps in her teaching schedule… If I arrange a coincidental encounter around the time of her visit to the wasteyard, I should be able to catch her interest,’ Vaan mused.
However, Wise Scholar Sacha was someone who excelled in artificing.
‘I should touch up on my artificing knowledge to have sufficient understanding and cards to impress Wise Scholar Sacha during our first meeting,’ Vaan contemplated.
He also needed to pick the best time that worked for him and the plan.