Chapter 25: Be Scared, Won't You? Otherwise, I'll Be Embarrassed!
Lilith blinked hard, feeling an overwhelming sense of absurdity.
She had thought it was already remarkable enough to draw the principal's attention, but for Shia to receive a personal invitation from her?
Watching the two figures walk away so closely, Lilith was dumbfounded.
While she had always known Shia was useful, his sudden display of extraordinary brilliance left her anxious and unsure.
What made her even more envious was seeing Shia surrounded by girls and getting cozy with the imposing older sister figure.
The image of Diana's chest smothering Shia flashed in Lilith's mind, and her cheeks turned crimson, her eyes sparkling with a strange glimmer.
In her imagination, she replaced Shia in that scene, envisioning herself buried in that warm, soft embrace, rubbing against it fiercely.
The thought was so indulgent that Lilith couldn't help but smile, her face radiating joy.
'Just a little perverted, a true degenerate among degenerates.'
Her wide grin and drooling expression made her look utterly lost in fantasy.
Suddenly, Lilith snapped back to reality, hastily wiping the smile off her face.
Tia, standing nearby, couldn't shake the strange feeling that something was off with her mistress.
However, Lilith, caught up in her newfound confidence, paid no attention to her loyal maid's concerns.
'So many girls adore this guy, and he's mine!'
With such a valuable "tool" at her disposal, Lilith felt that the targets she could pursue had significantly expanded.
She didn't doubt Shia's loyalty; she was absolutely confident he would help her achieve her goals.
Her future looked bright, and Lilith could already envision her perfect life ahead.
Wiping her mouth dramatically, she adopted a serious and determined expression, as if preparing for battle.
'The global conquest plan begins now!'
---
Meanwhile, Shia found himself semi-coerced into following Diana.
However, after walking a short distance, she let him go and turned to him with a warm, kind smile.
"Shall we?"
Shia rubbed his sore neck and followed her.
But instead of heading toward the Divine Grace Clocktower, they veered off in a different direction.
The surroundings grew increasingly lush and secluded, with fewer and fewer people around. Eventually, the sounds of students gave way to bird calls and the hum of insects.
The shaded forest grew dimmer, the sunlight filtering through the trees becoming cold and subdued.
Suddenly, Diana stopped.
Shia, having anticipated something, also halted in time to avoid bumping into her.
He looked up, meeting her crimson eyes.
Diana's gaze was intense, scanning him from head to toe. Her entire demeanor exuded an intimidating presence that sent shivers through the air.
The wind rustled her hair and clothing, the black strands fluttering like shadows.
For anyone else, this would have been utterly terrifying.
"How did you cheat?"
Her crimson gaze locked onto his face, her tone sharp and unyielding.
The suffocating aura around her grew thicker, pressing down like an invisible weight.
Clearing the Legendary trial dungeon in under a minute was an impossible feat.
How could a mere freshman achieve such a result?
It was only natural for her to be suspicious.
The previous record-holder was the legendary Twilight Empress herself.
To Diana, there was no plausible explanation other than cheating.
However, Shia remained calm under her oppressive aura.
He understood her personality well enough to know that unless age was mentioned, there was no real danger.
Though she looked imposing, he was entirely at ease.
Diana narrowed her eyes and subtly intensified her pressure, but it had no effect.
Shia shrugged.
"It's just exploiting the demons' weaknesses," he said casually, as though the Legendary trial was no big deal.
"Hm?" Diana's eyes narrowed further.
"The difficulty of the freshman trials is determined by the purity of the demons' bloodlines.
That's not wrong—purer bloodlines generally mean greater potential and strength.
But if you exploit that flaw, clearing the trial becomes straightforward.
Is it so hard to believe someone like me, who excels in forging, exists among the academy's recruits?"
Shia spoke with a calm demeanor, even managing a faint smile.
Diana quickly grasped the implications of his words.
"You incorporated anti-demon properties into your forged weapons?"
Shia responded with a bashful smile, neither confirming nor denying her deduction.
Diana, however, seemed to have figured it out.
Her gaze toward Shia now carried a hint of admiration.
'Well, well, this little guy is quite clever.'
Having resolved her doubts, the tension dissipated, and the atmosphere became amicable.
The forest's tranquility returned, the rustling leaves and gentle breeze creating a serene backdrop.
Diana's enchanting face broke into a mischievous smile.
"Were you scared just now?"
"Not at all," Shia replied bluntly, his honesty unwavering.
His straightforwardness only seemed to irk Diana, who pouted with teary eyes.
'Did I not come across as intimidating enough?'
Why wasn't he scared of her?
Any normal person would have been trembling in front of such an unpredictable and powerful figure.
She wasn't fooled into thinking he was faking it—she could tell his honesty was genuine.
Despite her efforts, she hadn't detected even a trace of fear in his expression.
"Can't you at least pretend to be scared?"
Shia took a small step back, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead.
"That's the most unreasonable request I've ever heard."
Diana wasn't ready to give up. She circled around and clung to his arm, looking up at him with wide, pleading eyes.
"I'm the principal, you know!"
"I know."
"Aren't you scared of me?"
"No."
"Wasn't I scary just now?"
"A little."
"Then why weren't you afraid?"
Shia: "…"
After a moment of deliberation, Shia—well aware of Diana's peculiarities—had to admit to himself that he really wasn't scared.
"Be scared, won't you? Otherwise, I'll feel really embarrassed!"
Diana hugged Shia's arm tightly, pouting like a child.
The imposing principal, begging a student to be scared of her—it was an utterly surreal sight.
Though the scene was visually captivating, it carried an undeniable awkwardness.
Her dignity as principal seemed to crumble completely.
Far from the image of authority, she looked more like a playful big sister.
Of course, a much larger and more important big sister.
Her massive chest pressed against Shia's arm, enveloping it completely with an overwhelming softness.
Shia tried to pull his arm away but failed.
Resigned, he stopped struggling.
Being smothered wasn't the worst feeling—it was just a bit tight and slightly uncomfortable.
With a blank expression, Shia looked less like someone being cajoled and more like a helpless boy being teased by an overbearing older sister.