=====
« Physical Attributes »
[155 Defense] [Mid-level Rank 2]
[58 → 60 Strength (↑2)] [Mid-level Rank 1]
[34 → 35 Speed (↑1)] [Low-level Rank 1]
=====
After finishing Dahlia Payne’s prepared lunch very quickly, Vaan was stuffed.
His stomach inflated like a man with a beer belly. However, the roundness also disappeared when he contracted his abdominal muscles.
The roasted chicken with herbs was certainly delicious and filled with benefits, as he expected. It was one of the privileges provided by the academies.
Normally, such spiritual food could only be afforded by wealthier witches.
However, the academy offered such quality food at a discounted price for their academics. Even so, it was still costly for a librarian’s wage.
Vaan understood that Dahlia was trying to repay him for solving two of her biggest headaches.
Nevertheless, shortly after Dahlia cleaned the grease off Vaan with a water-attribute magic spell and packed the food tray in her Magic Domain, Vaan dropped his bag off in the back office and changed into his library assistant suit.
Before long, young witches gradually poured into the library—some with food, some without.
However, Vaan’s amicable smile and respectable reception quickly whittle away their unfound fears and allow them to become familiar with him.
Vaan had indeed revealed his ruthlessness to deter the servants and young witches. Still, he couldn’t shoo away all his potential customers.
He just wanted to reduce the numbers so he didn’t have to deal with too many people at once.
Nevertheless, the study area was quickly occupied as Vaan served the visiting young witches during lunchtime.
Some used it to self-study, some used it to eat their lunch, and some did both simultaneously.
Among the visiting witches during lunch break, Sabrina Redwood, Alicia Whitmore, and Cyrena Ashenborn also visited.
“Why are you back here again? Are you still bothering my teacher?”
“Why don’t you ask your teacher whether I am bothering him?”
Without surprise, sparks of gunpowder could be sensed between Cyrena and Sabrina as their gazes clashed.
“Young Lady Cyrena is Vahn’s student?” Alicia uttered with surprise, learning about it for the first time.
With Cyrena Ashenborn in the picture, no other young witches in the library dared to approach the group.
Although Cyrena Ashenborn couldn’t use magic, she was still the daughter of the Lord of Redpine City.
Nevertheless, Sabrina didn’t hesitate to show her close relationship with Vaan by wrapping her arms around his and looking back at Cyrena smugly.
Since the people had already guessed who took her virginity, there was no point hiding it.
Cyrena frowned at Sabrina’s audacity before she went ahead and boldly claimed Vaan’s other arm as if to retaliate.
“Miladies, I am still on duty,” Vaan reminded them with a calm smile, thinking the young ladies were cute as they competed.
It was fine if they were trying to win his favor, but it was different if they treated him as some object. They needed to understand their positions and who was in power.
However, such thoughts had to be guided and not enforced.
“I have a duel appointment with Bram Krauss in the training field at the end of the fourth period today. Why don’t miladies come and cheer for me? I’ll certainly know who favors me if I hear your cheers,” Vaan suggested.
In a short instance, the two ladies stopped trying to claim Vaan and thought about how they could show the other that they favored him more.
Before long, the slightly toxic rivalry between Cyrena and Sabrina became milder. Even so, neither of them let go of Vaan’s arms.
The other young witches in the library didn’t even have a chance to approach them, and Alicia simply spectated on the side.
“Bram Krauss? Fifth-year Gloria’s servant? I will be there to cheer for you, Teacher!” Cyrena firmly stated. But then, she expressed her concern, “But… do you have confidence in winning, Teacher?”
“Of course, Vahn has confidence. It seems I believe in him more than you do, Young Lady Cyrena,” Sabrina said smugly.
She was slightly surprised by the duel appointment, but she had seen how Vaan had decimated his opponent in the last duel.
“Vahn, I need your help with something,” Dahlia Payne suddenly called him over.
“Librarian Dahlia calls for me, miladies,” Vaan patiently informed with a smile.
Once he had spoken, Cyrena and Sabrina released him, albeit with some reluctance. Shortly after, he headed over to Dahlia and noticed her expression.
“What’s the matter, Dahli? You look a little jealous, my Lady,” Vaan softly mentioned with wry amusement in his heart.
In response to his words, Dahlia pouted slightly.
Sure enough, Dahlia Payne felt slightly envious when she watched Vaan’s interaction with the other young witches in the library.
“Don’t forget to do your job, Vahn,” Dahlia tried to sound strict and indifferent, but she couldn’t hide her envy from Vaan.
Vaan’s lips slightly curved up before he whispered into her ears, “Don’t worry, my Lady. I’ll show you plenty of love after lunch break ends.”
“Pah! Don’t talk nonsense, Vahn. Who needs your love? Go and do your thing,” Dahlia patted Vaan on the chest, urging him to work while seemingly rebuking him.
However, her fist had no strength, her face was flushed with embarrassment, and her heart started pounding excitedly. She wasn’t really refusing, but she wasn’t being honest with her desire.
Nevertheless, a glint of anticipation in her eyes was all Vaan needed to see for confirmation.
“Then, I’ll look forward to later,” Vaan slightly grinned.
“Go~!” Dahlia shooed him away, but her voice came out rather coy and inviting.
Vaan’s teasing made her feel embarrassed. She wouldn’t be able to maintain the last bit of her composure if he continued.
There were too many prying eyes in the library for her to act according to her emotions.
“Hahaha… Aye, aye, my Lady,” Vaan softly chuckled as he left.
…
Time passed, and the hour-long lunch break approached its end.
After Vaan sent off the last witch, he closed the library doors and glanced at Dahlia, who pretended to work on her thesis without noticing his gaze.
However, her bright-red ears betrayed her.
