The probability of meeting Halesia and her fishes is quite high but, Eve is too lazy to watch them play. The reason is, she is curious about something else- her school.
Since Eve was taken back by her biological parents in her previous life, she has never set foot in an academy again. She spent her school life at home, on grounds of... well, she couldn't remember the specific reason anymore. But, she is sure her parents were worried she'd lose their face if she entered that aristocratic institution. Looking back in the third person's view, she realized that her great sister pulled some strings that corrupted her image. When she figured it out, she could only mumble: "Oh, no wonder".
She was played just like that because she was "too understanding" of their worries, choosing to compromise.
In short, she was stupid.
After finishing their drinks, she requested Sarien to take her on a tour of Callidus Academy.
Naturally, Sarien was glad to accompany her. He was even thoughtful enough to provide Eve bite-size snacks she could gnaw on if she was tired.
The two spent the whole morning "dating".
The furball was surprised that its sloth of a host could muster the strength to walk around diligently. For a second, it even considered that she was possessed. Then it remembered that she had only existed for 18 years before being contracted by the system. Since her past life was similar to this plane, maybe she missed the feeling of attending classes?
The furball felt it had a new understanding of its host. That despite being a low-key psychotic, indolent, and gluttonous barbaric devil wearing gentle skin that she is, its host genuinely likes learning. No wonder she has been reading a lot of books since a few weeks prior. It thought it only wanted to rank first to crush the heavenly being's spirit.
Once again, Halfsie demonstrated its powerful brain supplementation.
It failed to grasp that Eve's lazybones could be conquered solely by three things- curiosity, snack, and the determination to return evil inflicted on her.
Though Halfsie is a little sullen that its host chose not to actively corrupt the heavenly being's soul, it could not protest against its host's whims. In any case, it was delighted to see its host and hero develop deeper towards the ultimate noble cause of stealing the heavenly being's man. Therefore, it was quiet all the way, merely watching its dense as hell boss and considerably scheming hero get along further. It even opted not to remind her when it spotted the target just a few meters away.
That is why, when the two groups nearly coincide, Halesia could only glimpse a pair of familiar back she saw not long ago. Her not-so-great mood plummeted to a new low that even Ken, the goodie-two-shoes fish of her, could barely appease her.
In the end, he could only call for help from his rivals to pacify their queen bee.
***
Time flew by, and it was already mid-semester.
Students have spent their time studying, getting busy with extracurricular activities, or some "extracurricular" activities.
In addition to getting by their routine schedule, most of them look forward to attending classes for the "scenery".
The Callidus Academy is famous for being a prestigious school that caters to the cream of the crops.
Poor or rich, as long as you have the brains, you can enroll.
In this institution, each student has enough aptitude. Even if they don't contend for the top spot, they have already proven their ability.
Not only is it a mixture of capable souls, but it is also a venue for charming students.
They have the looks and have the brains- the deadly combo that never fails attracts individuals.
Humans are animals who are drawn by visual stimuli. And as the old traditions go, the prettier, the better. Yes, no soul falls in love with personality at first sight. And thanks to the total eclipse of the brain signals; emotions, and the body's physiologic status go haywire, inducing the perception of love, lust, and attraction. Not to mention teens, whose emotions are labile thanks to their raging hormones.
So, one of the ways of relaxing the taut, tortured minds of these mortals is to feast on thy beauty.
There is even a forum in which they ranked their idols per department.
They regard the heartthrobs and campus belles as "The Hotties of Callidus Academy".
The listed pairs garnered fame just by looking comely. Despite not having any academic significance, they are quite respected by their schoolmates.
There are pairs of heartthrobs and belles, and then there's the all-time campus male god- Sarien Lu.
He's been popular among his schoolmates and also the students outside.
Not simply due to seizing a seat among the top three every time, nor because he is the young master of an affluent family but by virtue of his face.
He is simply the epitome of what they imagine a prince would look like- handsome, refined, and with a charisma that could charm anybody.
Notwithstanding the cold aura that tells people not to approach him arbitrarily, they could not help liking Sarien.
An indifferent expression may be plastered on his face most of the time, but, occasionally, they could capture his smile.
And when he interacts with his best friend, Ulfius, they can even see him laugh! That wonderful sight could melt that "iceberg" persona of his.
Some brave souls even approached him and discovered that he, in actuality, is a nice person.
He might be alienated but, he is polite.
That pushed his popularity even higher, cementing his image as the campus male god.
But that isn't the end of it.
As the new school year started, they discovered that their campus male god is in love!
And who might the lucky person be?
Of course, none other than the transferee whose grand entrance came in like a wrecking ball!
She topped the entrance examination like a boss, gaining the highest result ever recorded. Then news circulated that she had an academic acceleration!
She became the youngest senior!
Not only that, they disclosed that she is the heiress to the Tang Enterprise!
She's filthy rich and smart as hell!
With such an outstanding reputation, the name Evangeline Tang became a sensation overnight! They peeled their eyes open, wanting to see what the person looked like.
And when they finally get a glimpse of her, they could only think of one thing- better than what they could ever imagine!
She is a mixed-race beauty with alluring blue eyes, waist-length ebony hair, and porcelain-like skin. She has delicate features accentuated by a faint smile on her lips. But beyond the physical looks that could launch her further in the limelight, what captivated them, is her temperament!
She has a serene expression that seems as if nothing can perturb her peace. Coupled with the innate elegance seen in her every succinct movement, it commands their instinct never to desecrate such being. Charmed is one thing, but they have that fascination that makes them want to worship such a noble soul!
If Halfsie could hear their opinions, it would enlighten them and say;
You thought too much!
What elegance?! My host is too lazy to move!
What serene expression?! She thinks she's a living relic trying to play class with a bunch of radishes!
Can't you see that appearance? That's the face a great grandparent would look at the young!
So, how did they conclude that the male god had fallen for the newly descended goddess?
Simple!
He's always with her. He tends to her every need. He also cares for her in his every move. And the most important one, the tenderness in his eyes!
The indifference has receded and switched to affection! Even the rare smile on his face has grown exponentially, that he had become smiling perpetually!
They could only lament in their hearts- Ah, love and its mysterious ways.
Thousands of teenage hearts belonging to all genders had sighed in regret.
The unattainable campus male god has succumbed to the poison of love, and by the looks of it, the goddess isn't that cold to his pursuit.
They wanted to be bitter about it but couldn't help but root for them simply because- they looked so good together.
Just imagine a pair of charming people oozing with a rich sense of chemistry. It is also noteworthy that they are similarly refined, both body and mind. Moreover, they have the same prominent background.
And when they are together, you can't help but watch their interactions.
It isn't intentional but, their every movement exudes sweetness that permeates the air. It is the kind of sugary atmosphere that causes the bitter, single dogs to gnaw their teeth in annoyance. On the other hand, members of the forever-alone club could only despise or yearn to be in a relationship and savor that very same gentleness.
In other words, they seemed to be made for each other.
In addition, the feelings between them seemed genuine that they couldn't criticize it if they dared to.
Hence, not long after, they rooted for the two. They also blessed and concluded Sarien and Evangeline as a pair, giving them a couple name-Sarline.
When Eve heard it, she only had a blank look with an inner monologue; Huh? What the hell is that??
Sarien is her guardian/snack provider. When did he become her lover?
In any case, the way other people's brain works is none of her business. As long as they don't provoke her, she's too lazy to deal with them.
Sarien is different.
Listening to their words, he has his usual smile, but inwardly his heart is on fire. He ached to promote the forum for everyone to see but managed to chill out. It's all good, he believed. Everyone is rooting for them. Sooner or later, Eve will ultimately realize his heart and even appreciate his sincerity.
Some may be happy for them, but some are displeased. This includes the heavenly being, Halesia.