bookpower Chapter 72 – Magus Veil, Part 2
Chapter 72 – Magus Veil, Part 2
"...I see. He carried that with him," Van sighed, "I guess I always had a hunch the Goddess hated me for some reason, so... it's not really a shock that she does. But the fact that he ..." Van murmured, his gaze falling to the tea in front of him. The steam, now barely visible, escaped quietly—he'd missed his chance to blow on it.
"I..." Amoria began again, her expression difficult to read, her gaze lowered. "I'm still a devoted follower of Goddess Varolia," she confessed, her voice faltering with an undertone of guilt.
"She grants me visions, gave me Liz, and... a relatively peaceful life, except for the past two years." She forced a weak smile, trying to mask the weariness etched across her features. "And... Despite her... regarding you, I still do feel like she brought you here, Van." She lifted her eyes, meeting his gaze. He flinched, just slightly.
"You came here right after Magus died... right when I needed to make amends with you the most, and right on time to save us. I've... I've wanted to tell you this for so long." A flicker of light lit her gaze before it dimmed again. "But... I'd be lying if I said you were always on my mind, or more important to me than—"
"Stop," Van interrupted softly, though his voice carried an edge of restrained anger as he raised a hand, cutting her off. "Don't. I already know where your priorities have been, and so do you. You don't have to explain it... It is what it is." His eyes fell, the intensity in his tone dropping.
Amoria fell silent, noticing the tension coiled in his expression.
"Van, I..." Her voice trembled. "I really... REALLY am glad you're here. You have to understand that." She leaned forward slightly,
She tilted her head with a sly grin, leaning closer. "Oh, I know~" she whispered, her breath warm against his ear. "But everything I teach you... things that should take months or even years... you master in hours and days." Her hand brushed down his chest, sending a shiver through him. "I think we can afford to steal a little don't you?"
Before he could react, she pushed him back onto the bed. He bounced slightly on the mattress as she climbed atop him, her movements slow and deliberate. Her eyes gleamed with playful malice, her lips curling into a seductive smile.
"And since you, a mere human, dared to explore my sacred body without permission..." she whispered, her dark gaze locking onto his. "You should be punished, don't you think~?"
Her voice was low, almost predatory, her heavy-lidded eyes narrowing as she leaned closer, her fingers trailing over his skin.
Magus sank deeper into the pillows beneath him, a lazy grin tugging at his lips as he stared up at her.
And with that, he let the moment take him, indulging fully in the hedonistic pleasure she offered.
A while later, Magus dominated the upcoming tournament. He made his way off the stage, brushing off the applause and cheers echoing around him.
'It was a little rough... but, in the end, easy. All in all... .' Magus sighed as he walked into the waiting area, the standing ovation fading into white noise behind him.
There, waiting for him, were the two friends he'd made since joining the Academy—Fohrd Afton and Lala Brimmen.
"Congrats, Magus! Knew you had it in the bag!" Lala beamed as she ran toward him, pulling him into a tight hug. Magus returned the gesture with a light pat on her head.
'It's so nice...' Magus thought, a peaceful feeling blooming within him, 'Looking at a girl and not wanting to sleep with her, for a change. And not feeling that energy from her either. If anything, I feel more like her big brother.'
He let out a mock groan. "Agh... Maybe they should've entered you in the tournament, Lala. You'd squish everyone to death," he teased with a chuckle.
Lala giggled, punching his arm playfully, while Magus's gaze drifted toward Fohrd.
"N-nice! Magus! I-I knew you'd win!" Fohrd stammered, his fists shaking in the air.
'I never thought I'd appreciate having a male friend this much... until I met him.' Magus mused, observing the eager boy. 'Fohrd's shy, got bullied a bit... and I couldn't help but step in and protect him. He's not like the others. He doesn't hate me for the things I have.'
Magus's attention shifted briefly toward Lala, who still tightly wound herself around him, 'He's got a crush on her. It's obvious... Maybe I can do something nice for him. After all, he's one of the only guys here who doesn't despise me.'
An idea began to form in Magus's mind, and a sly grin crept onto his lips. 'I'll set them up. My passives make me persuasive, right? It'll be easy... And they'll be good for each other.'
Magus's gaze softened as he recalled the little moments—how Fohrd would bring Lala snacks when she forgot to eat, help her catch up on missed lessons, and make sure she wasn't late for class. even made her that ridiculous 'Keep-Lala-Happy-For-Life' roadmap. All of that... without any passives making him do it.'
After a faint twitch of his lip, Magus shook his head, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. 'P-poor bastard. Doing it the hard way...'
'Don't worry,' Magus thought with a grin. 'She'll be all yours soon enough.' His confidence settled easily, sure of the plan unfolding in his mind.
...Completely unaware of Lala's trembling hands as she held onto him, her quiet breaths growing heavier. Her grip on him tightened, breaths shallow with excitement... she didn't dare to name aloud.
Fohrd's smile faltered as he looked at Lala's embrace—just a flicker—but he quickly forced it back into place, masking it with a chuckle. "Y-you've always been lucky, Magus!" he said, clapping him on the shoulder.
Magus raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "Luck? Nah." His voice dripped with playful arrogance. "It's ALL skill."
Fohrd swallowed hard, his eyes darting between Magus and Lala. "A-ah... I see..."