Chapter 38

After the training session wrapped up, the students scattered in different directions. Rey found himself strolling alongside Alicia, while Trisha had wandered off to chat with her friends.

‘Thank goodness,’ he almost sighed in relief.

As they made their way back to their Living Quarters, a familiar voice called out to both of them.

"Rey, Alicia! Great job today!"

Rey recognized the voice but turned back to see the person behind it. It was none other than Adonis.

Beside him stood Belle, waving gently with her signature cute smile.

“I’m proud of you guys.”

He seemed to genuinely mean what he said, but Rey couldn’t help but feel anger rising in his chest.

‘You leveled up nine times in just an hour, you bastard! Don’t give me that!’

Despite feeling the urge to punch Adonis, Rey managed to control himself.

‘What kind of past life did this guy have to be so—’ he started to wonder, but Adonis interrupted his thoughts.

‘I'm heading to training now, so I thought Belle could accompany you guys back to our quarters,’ Adonis suggested.

The moment Adonis said this, Rey felt his envy dissipate.

‘What am I thinking? Adonis trains hardcore every day. He works hard, and he’s always been the most diligent of everyone here.’

He wasn’t merely ‘lucky.’

Sure, he had the best Class among everyone else, but wasn’t that simply because he had been a responsible person back on Earth?

If he wasn’t, how else would he have gotten such a high Karma? Even during their first meeting with Seraph, Adonis had kept everyone calm.

He wasn’t just some lucky, entitled guy.

‘While I was being average, he was doing his best in school…’

Sure, Adonis seemed like the kind of perfect guy that anyone would want to be.

But, Rey was certain that it must have taken considerable effort—no, probably an immense amount—for Adonis to become the person he was now.

‘I still feel bitter, but there’s no helping it. Life isn’t fair, so there’s no point dwelling on it.’

Rather than being so fixated on Adonis, he had to focus on his own growth.

‘I’ll grow strong in my own way.’

"Sure, that's fine with me," Alicia responded to Adonis's suggestion, bringing Rey's attention back to the conversation. "

“Haha! Thanks, Alicia. Hope you don’t mind too much, Rey?”

As he felt the weight of Adonis’ gaze on him, Rey felt uncomfortable.

Adonis’ expression of compassion and innocence was too much for him, especially since he had just thought negatively of him.

“S-sure. I don’t mind.” Rey managed to stammer out.

The smile on their Hero’s face widened as he closed his eyes with glee.

“Thanks, guys! Once again, great work!"

He waved them goodbye and jogged off, almost as if he was in a hurry to train.

‘Damn. Does that guy ever rest…?’ Rey found himself thinking as he stared at Adonis’ broad back.

He didn’t have time to dwell on the thought, though, as a clapping sound shook him out of his thoughts once more.

“Alright! Shall we get going?” Belle’s cute voice echoed in the air, causing Rey to unconsciously smile.

‘Gahh! She’s got me!’

It was said that any man who heard Belle's charming voice couldn’t help but smile.

This was a special kind of skill that Belle always had, even when they were on Earth.

And now, it seemed like a part of her.

‘She also has the A-Tier Skill [Grand Charm], so there’s that…’

However, he didn’t think he was under the direct influence of her Skill considering she had always been like this.

"Sorry about all this," Belle apologized. "I never feel comfortable walking alone, so Adonis insisted on finding someone to accompany me. Thankfully, he spotted you guys."

Rey and Alicia shrugged, emphasizing that it wasn’t a big deal.

“It’s cool.”

“Yeah…”

“Thanks, guys!”

As Belle flashed her signature smile, Rey felt his cold, dark heart melt a little.

He noticed Alicia's gaze on him and quickly wiped away any trace of a smile from his face.

‘Let’s just go…’

Before he knew it, all three of them were making their way to their Living Quarters.

******

Belle and Alicia engaged in conversation as if they were long-time friends, leaving Rey on the sidelines.

He didn’t mind, though.

‘It’ll be too awkward for me. I don’t think I have anything to say.’

Unfortunately for Rey, he was forcefully thrust into the conversation by the same cute voice that seemed to hide such innocence and wonder.

“Why are you so weak, Rey?”

‘… Eh?’

Rey’s thoughts came to a grinding halt as he heard those words.

He could have never imagined that a girl as gentle as her could be so blunt—so direct about something like this.

He cast his gaze on her, and a bright smile was on her face. She seemed like nothing more than a cute angel.

Of course, not on Seraph’s level, but still…

‘Maybe I didn’t hear her correctly.’

“I asked why you’re so weak, Rey,” Belle repeated her question, almost as if he didn’t hear it the first time.

"W-well, I… I don’t really know how to answer that," Rey stammered, feeling a bit flustered.

He turned to Alicia, hoping for support. However, the moment he did so, he noticed something strange.

Alicia’s eyes were glowing pink, and she was smiling strangely.

Rey instantly knew what it was.

‘[Grand Charm]…?’

Alicia was under the effects of Belle’s skill, rendering her unable to participate in the conversation.

‘How long..? How long has she been absent during the walk?’

Rey suddenly stopped walking, prompting Belle and Alicia to stop moving as well.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Rey asked with a slight frown.

He was asking that question out of anger, caution, and downright confusion.

The Belle he knew wasn’t like this.

Back on Earth, she had been the sweetest person—at least, based on what everyone said about her.

Even after their arrival here, nothing had changed.

So, what was the issue exactly?

“Hmm? I’m not sure I understand your question. I should be asking why you stopped walking.”

Rey felt his heart thump as he saw her empty smile.

What used to strike him as cute and angelic now seemed hollow.

It felt repulsive.

Let’s continue walking, Re—" Belle began, but Rey cut her off.

“No,” Rey said firmly, taking a step back as his glare intensified.

‘I thought she was more interested in Alicia due to how well they were talking, but… could her target have been me from the start?’

Rey didn’t consider himself a narcissist, so he never placed too much importance on himself.

However, this sudden twist left him confused.

What other explanation was there?

“Why do you have to be so stubborn? For a weakling, you sure are impudent…”

Rey’s heart raced as he stared into Belle’s eyes. They were glowing bright pink.

“All you have to do is listen to what I say and be a good boy… okay?”

Belle’s grin widened as she spoke those words, her gaze fixed on Rey.

The air around them grew still, and Rey’s movements became stiff, like a doll.

No longer did he step back or display any animosity.

Instead, Rey's eyes began to glow with a strange pink hue, and a twisted smile gradually formed on his face.

Finally, he opened his lips and spoke.

“… Okay.”

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[A/N]

Thanks for reading!

Did y’all see that twist coming?

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