Chapter 39. Lucy Capture Route (2)
After Wednesday's class, I went to see Professor Im Sol.
We had reached a point where we only contacted each other when needed.
No one had decided it, but it was convenient for both of us.
I often had things to do, and Im Sol had her own research to focus on.
"Oh, you're here? I'm at a critical moment, so wait a sec!"
Professor Im Sol was maintaining a bizarre magic circle with one hand while inputting it into a hologram device with the other.
Beep beep! Beep beep! Beep beep beep beep!
The machine emitted strange noises and started smoking.
"Damn, failed again."
Im Sol brushed off her hands, dispersing the magic circle into mana before finally looking at me.
"Why did you come today? Oh, do you need me to suck it first?"
"…"
I missed the days when Im Sol would blush at the mere mention of breasts.
Maybe it's because she's a genius, but she adapts way too quickly.
Seeing her act so casually about it somehow killed my arousal.
Maybe I'm just fickle…?
Without waiting for my reply, Im Sol took off her robe.
"Wait a moment, Professor. I'm not here for that today."
"Huh?"
Im Sol, who had been loosening her jaw like she was preparing for something, made a confused sound.
"Could you take a look at this communication orb?"
It was the communication orb Felix had given me. It could only receive signals, though.
"Hmm, a communication orb? Judging by the spell on it, it can only receive, not send. Plus, it's disposable. Why do you have this cheap thing?"
She doesn't even have an equipment status screen, yet she instantly analyzed the orb's magic. Her perception is scary.
"Can you trace the sending orb that's linked to this?"
"Tracing…? I can, but why?"
"Uh… it's a bit complicated to explain, but I won't use it for anything weird."
"Hmm, well, you're not a bad kid. Since it's a low-grade magic tool, the process is simple."
"Then could you do it for me? It's urgent."
This is more urgent than getting a blowjob from Im Sol.
Lucy's danger period is about to begin.
The plan was for Felix to send me the coordinates when Lucy got kidnapped, and I would go rescue her. But now I realized there was no guarantee Felix would contact me.
If this were a game, the coordinates would naturally be sent to progress the story, but this is reality.
I had to prepare for every possibility.
I should've thought of this sooner, but I got distracted last weekend playing around with a crazy succubus.
"Geez, you're probably the only person who makes me do this kind of work. Just this once, okay?"
"Sorry. But I did bring something fun—will that make up for it?"
"Tsk. Fine. Just wait a bit. I'll take care of it."
Im Sol seemed slightly upset about being used for such a menial task, so I tried to appease her.
Bringing her new magic theories or mana techniques usually did the trick.
Maybe she'd like to see the instant magic circle technique I perfected yesterday.
Soon, Im Sol placed the communication orb on her research desk and started casting magic circles.
As I watched, a voice echoed in my head.
- Whoa, is she even human? Can humans really use magic like that?
"She's a genius."
I whispered quietly while Im Sol concentrated on her magic.
In the game's lore, she was a world-class genius, so it wasn't surprising that Liliana was amazed.
- But what's your relationship with that woman? Why does she need to loosen her jaw to do research with you?
"…"
I had no words.
*
Im Sol finished modifying the communication orb quickly.
Now, I could track the sending orb's location at all times, even if the sender didn't send coordinates. She even added an alert for when the sending orb got destroyed.
I showed her my instant magic circle technique.
Im Sol kept repeating, "Huh? Huh? Huh?" before going silent, lost in thought.
Then she suddenly shouted, "Eureka!" and hugged me, saying I was truly helpful.
Realizing she had something to research, she kicked me out.
But I insisted on getting my reward before leaving.
It's not because I'm a pervert—it's just the protagonist's privilege.
- You horny bastard. Disgusting freak. Perverted contractor. Lewd male.
But since Liliana didn't know the full context, I had to endure her insults.
"You don't get it—she was the one who initiated. And this is about fair compensation. It's a revolution for justice."
- Lee Hoyeon, the man who sees women as mere playthings. A criminal using a pure mage for sexual relief.
"Stop it!"
- Seriously, making her do that just for some research assistance. If that's not being a horny mutt, what is?
"…"
Yeah, okay. Whatever, you dumb succubus.
Shouldn't a succubus contractor be happy when I'm horny?
Why am I the bad guy here? Did I do something wrong again?
- If you ever ask me for something like that, I'll kill you.
"Yeah, yeah. Not interested."
Though, honestly, I kind of am… Would she reconsider if I took back my last statement?
Probably not.
- So, what's that communication orb for?
"If I get an alert, I have to go fight demons."
- …? What kind of nonsense is that?
"It's a long story."
I explained Lucy's hostility, her twin sister Lumi, and the demon Felix's involvement to Liliana.
- I don't get you. Why not just beat up that demon right away? Why make it so complicated?
"Because this is how I capture her."
- Capture? What does that mean?
To explain that, I'd have to tell her about my reincarnation.
Since we arrived at the dorm, I cut off the conversation and headed to my room.
Poof!
Liliana returned to her original form.
Instinctively, my eyes went to her F-cup chest, but she was glaring at me murderously, so I quickly looked away.
Damn it. I'm the contractor here.
"I'm going to stream. Later."
She seemed a bit sulky since I obviously didn't want to talk.
Annoying succubus.
Why do all the beautiful women around me assume they can get away with anything?
They know it too well, and that's the problem.
That's just how life works. Hell yeah.
"It's been a while since I checked EveryDay."
EveryDay, the community used by Victoria Academy students.
It's the go-to place for academy-related issues and news about ability users.
The most recent post caught my attention.
-----------------------
[Sexy Succubus Stream On]
: Everyone, gather up~! Time to watch big sis's stream! Go go!
-----------------------
Liliana's popularity was starting to rise.
I had underestimated the destructive power of a succubus.
The concept of a Victoria Academy student by day and a sexy succubus cosplayer by night had practically become established lore. The contrast was attracting not just academy students but the general public as well.
"Damn, she's really blowing up. Should I try becoming a male streamer?"
It might work, but I don't have the time for that.
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[Public Relations Department Photo Leak.jpg (Insane)]
[Photo]
[Photo]
[Photo]
[Photo]…
This is basically a full-fledged photoshoot… The response is so explosive that there are even rumors of a video production next.
---------------------------
Who the hell is spreading all this gossip?
Though, I have to admit, the photos did turn out well.
When's the next event?
Just holding a student council title without actually doing anything is starting to weigh on my conscience.
I browsed through the images before returning to the main page.
The hottest trending posts were displayed.
[Student Council President Moon Surin Spotted on a Date?!]
"What is this now?"
The clickbait title was too tempting to ignore, so I clicked on it.
The post contained a picture of Moon Surin having a meal with a man.
"Oh, it's the vice president."
The comments were filled with speculation about romance between the president and vice president, or even an arranged marriage between prestigious families, but I knew one thing for sure—Moon Surin would never end up with him.
Because he's uglier than me.
Game over.
Paparazzi were starting to latch onto Moon Surin.
The worse this situation got, the more stressed she would become.
Eventually, a stalker would show up, marking the peak of her troubles. Before that happened, I needed to step in and handle things.
Finally, I checked the club recruitment board on EveryDay.
I searched for [Let's Play Club], and a promotional post appeared.
"Wow, it's finally showing up."
That bastard of a former club president had removed [Let's Play Club] from the registry just to mess with me.
Because of that, our promotional posts weren't visible, and the club wasn't listed in the academy's official records.
No wonder we weren't getting new members.
After discovering this, I had stormed the club administration office every day until they finally fixed it.
"Thanks to Lucy pointing it out, it didn't even take a week."
Lucy had assumed that I was scaring away potential members, which is how I even found out about the issue.
At least it was resolved now. Once Felix was gone, the club would be mine, so I needed to fix things in advance.
*
"Hmmm~."
Lucy hummed to herself as she made her way to the clubroom.
Her blue hair bounced with every step, reflecting her good mood.
Since she was going to study with Felix, she had packed a bunch of books.
Carrying a bag as big as herself, she waddled along.
"Tomorrow, the new recruits will start coming in!"
Of course, Felix, Lucy, and Lumi would have to interview them first, but that was a given!
The days of just the three of them idly chatting in the clubroom were over.
It was finally time for [Let's Play Club] to live up to its name!
Knock knock.
She knocked and entered the clubroom.
It was empty.
Lucy opened the windows to let some air in.
For some reason, she always felt suffocated when she was in the clubroom.
"Still, thanks to you, I feel a bit better."
The vase Felix always watered, the one with flowers the same shade as her hair.
Just looking at it soothed her.
"Lucy. You're here early."
A while later, Felix entered through the open door.
"Yep! I brought tons of books!"
"Nice. We've got plenty of time, so let's go through them slowly."
Lucy took out a Mana Research Studies book and sat down.
With Felix around, the suffocating feeling seemed to ease a little.
"You can't do it that way. The mana formula will break."
"Ah, I see. You really know your stuff."
"Heh, this is nothing."
Time passed as they studied together.
After about two hours, Felix got up to use the restroom.
The moment he left, Lucy's chest tightened again.
"Haa, this is weird."
Ding.
"Jieun?"
Lucy checked the message from her friend, Lee Jieun.
Lee Jieun: Hey! What are you up to?
Lucy: Studying with Felix in the clubroom! Wanna join?
Lee Jieun: Nah, I only study during class, lol. But you've been looking a lot better lately, so that's good.
Lucy: Yeah, I guess I've stopped worrying about things. Oh, by the way, our club is finally getting new members! Everything's working out!
Lee Jieun: Oh! Nice. You should buy Hoyeon something tasty as thanks.
Lucy tilted her head.
Jieun knew that Lucy and Lee Hoyeon weren't on good terms, so why bring him up?
Lucy: Why are you suddenly talking about him?
Lee Jieun: Huh? I thought you two made up. He's been arguing with the club department every day about your club being removed from the records.
"Huh?"
Lucy was so shocked she said it aloud.
Lucy: Are you serious? Did you see it yourself?
Lee Jieun: Yeah. He was pissed about the club not showing up on the list or getting any exposure. He kept asking how new members were supposed to find it.
Lucy had never heard about this.
Because Lee Hoyeon had never told her.
Lee Jieun: I just assumed you guys had made up. Was that not the case?
Lucy turned off her messages.
She lowered her head and pressed her fingers against her temples, deep in thought.
"Something's not right…"
Lucy's pride, reinforced by Felix's suggestions, was beginning to erode.
"Lucy! Are you okay? Do you want to take a break?"
Felix had appeared beside her at some point, his voice reaching her ears, but unlike before, it no longer felt as reassuring.
She needed to say something—anything. But why couldn't she speak?
- I'm fine! I'm not hurt. Let's just keep studying!
I need to act like my usual self. I need to say something…
"Ah…"
"Lucy?"
Lucy turned her head to look at Felix.
His eyes were filled with genuine concern, and his voice was soft and clear.
Lucy hesitated for a moment, then closed her book and stood up.
"Uh, sorry! Something urgent came up, so I need to go."
"Suddenly? But you didn't have any plans today. You didn't mention anything about an urgent appointment."
Lucy had never discussed her schedule with Felix, yet he spoke as if he knew her plans.
"Actually, I think I need to meet Lee Hoyeon."
"…Why?"
"I think… there was some kind of misunderstanding. I'm not sure, but I need to talk to him."
"Even if I tell you not to go, you're still going?"
Felix's voice had lost its usual warmth, sinking into a low, dark tone.
But Lucy didn't notice.
"…I'm sorry. But I just feel like—something's been missed. The rumors must have been distorted. I need to clear things up and bring Hoyeon back…"
Crack!
The vase Felix had been absentmindedly stroking cracked under his grip.
Lucy flinched and took two steps back.
"Haah. This is why handsome guys are such a problem. No matter how much you step on them, one little good deed, and all their favorability gets restored. Fuck."
"…Felix? What are you talking about?"
"This face was made pretty well, wasn't it? Don't you think? Ah, whatever. I can't hold back anymore."
Felix shoved the vase off the table and stood up.
Instinctively, Lucy began gathering mana.
Every fiber of her being screamed that she was in danger.
Gulp.
"I'm sorry, Lucy. I really wanted to save you for later, but… this is your fault. You understand, right?"
The gentle eyes and kind smile Felix always wore twisted into something monstrous, overflowing with sinister desire.