‘I see.’
I thought as I listened to Maya's words. If she were to organize a trip, it made sense that she'd want to see us in person.
If she just sent a message, most classmates probably wouldn't accept her proposal.
‘Well, I personally don't think it's a bad thing.’
In the game, this wouldn't happen because the trip doesn't have much to do with the club. Even if players joined the club, most events still happened within the academy.
But I had anticipated some changes, and this change wasn't bad. For me, a change of scenery and a visit to some historical sites would be a good thing. It would allow me to understand this world more deeply.
I know this world is the same as the one in the game, but that doesn't mean I know everything. So, learning and observing are the best options.
That's what I was thinking, but what Mason said next made me even more certain.
“I think it's great. I've always wanted to see what real historical sites feel like.”
Since Mason is a demon contractor, I knew from the moment he agreed that he saw this trip as an opportunity.
‘That makes sense.’
Being alone with Sylvie outside the academy… there's no better opportunity for him. Given recent events, with the academy and the Federation on high alert, he must have seen this trip as a chance.
“Then it's settled. See you on Saturday.” After Maya finished the discussion, the students turned to their friends.
As usual, Mason walked towards Sylvie with a friendly smile.
“Sylvie, are you free? How about we go for a drink? Everyone else is coming too.”
Thump! Thump!
From my intuition, I knew Mason was using his demonic skills. This was the kind of method they usually used, they had countless different spells to influence the target's mind.
However, Sylvie's reaction was different this time. She looked at Mason calmly and replied curtly, “Not interested.”
‘Huh?’
Her expression and attitude were very different from before. Previously, she always smiled and participated with the other students, but now she looked at Mason with an unpleasant gaze.
Mason's smile instantly froze, clearly caught off guard by this unexpected response. He tried to salvage the situation, “Come on, it'll be fun. We can all relax together.”
Thump!
This time he used more demonic energy, trying to shake Sylvie's defenses.
However, Sylvie remained unmoved, her calm expression turning angry and resolute. “I said, I'm not interested, don't talk to me.” Her tone was impatient, and her eyes glared sharply at Mason.
‘She must have sensed the demonic energy within Mason.’
With her recent awakening, Mason's deceptive abilities seemed to be ineffective against her. That was the only way to explain her behavior.
“Forget it, if she doesn't want to come, don't force her.” At this moment, the girl who had been with Mason tugged at his shirt and glared at Sylvie.
‘She likes him?’
When someone shows interest in someone else when a person is interested in them, they usually become more assertive.
“It's her own choice, missing out on the opportunity you gave her. You don't need to waste your time on someone who doesn't appreciate you.”
Her words proved it.
Mason noticed the change in Sylvie's attitude and finally took a step back, forcing a smile on his face. “Okay, okay. There's no need to get so worked up. If you change your mind, remember to tell me.” He walked away, pretending to be relaxed. But when he turned his head, I saw a subtle change appear on his face.
The moment his smiling face disappeared, it became serious and filled with hatred.
‘Showing your true colors… but don't worry, you'll get what's coming to you soon enough.’
As Mason walked away, Sylvie turned her attention to me, her expression softening as she took a deep breath. “Shall we go now? I don't want to stay here anymore.”
“Okay.” Seeing that she was uncomfortable, I granted her request, and we left together.
As we left the classroom, the tense atmosphere seemed to ease, but Sylvie seemed troubled by her actions earlier.
“You must be surprised,” her voice was weaker than usual. “I'm sorry you had to see that.”
“It's okay,” I replied, “You don't need to apologize. It's natural to stand up for yourself if someone makes you uncomfortable.”
Sylvie is a gentle girl, she has been her whole life. But from this moment on, she understood that something had to change.
Sylvie paused, looking directly at me. “You're not going to ask anything? Aren't you curious why I suddenly acted like that?”
I also stopped. It wasn't a bad thing to understand the details of her thoughts, I could guess some of it without explanation.
“Is a reason needed?”
“Not to me. To me, you just said you didn't want to go out, that's all.”
“But isn't it a bit sudden?”
“Maybe, but aren't you human too? People get angry for no reason sometimes, no one is consistent. I can spend five hours a day doing something without complaining for a whole month, but suddenly, I might not want to do it anymore, and hate it. Haven't you ever felt that way?”
“I have.”
“That's right, isn't this the same?”
Sylvie pondered for a moment, then a smile appeared on her face, as if she understood something.
“You're right, maybe I'm too hard on myself.”
“Exactly. You don't have to explain yourself to everyone, it's okay to prioritize your own feelings.”
This is what I wanted her to understand. She has always lacked confidence, it's not hard to see the challenges she will face in the future, especially since she will definitely be in a high position in the future.
She needs to learn to stand up for herself.
She nodded, and as we continued walking, I noticed some subtle changes in her demeanor, as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
“Thank you,” Sylvie said after a while, as we walked out of the building. “I feel much better now.”
“You're welcome.”
“Well, have a good day. I'm going to see my friends.”
With that, she walked towards her friends, the two girls waving at her.
One of the girls glared at me with an angry look, but I didn't sense any animosity in her eyes.
I looked at her for a moment, then turned and left.
‘Now it's time to prepare.’
This trip isn't just an opportunity for them.
‘It's also my opportunity.’
Once we leave the academy, I can use my powers without any worries, and no longer have to worry about the supervisors in those 'safe zones'.
‘Finally, I can get rid of these troubles.’
......
“What a great opportunity.”
This was Mason's thought when he heard that the club was going on a trip. This was the opportunity he had been looking for, and his superiors were also becoming increasingly impatient.
“Who does she think she is?”
He watched as the girl he had charmed threw a fit.
“How dare she reject you so rudely?”
Mason had her firmly under his control; he'd done this countless times, and she was merely a tool for him to achieve his goals. Usually, he would choose to ignore such complaints.
“Calm down, Taylor.”
But Mason was in a bad mood and couldn't calm down. Although it was his mission, being rejected in front of everyone filled him with rage.
“How can I calm down? She just embarrassed you and me in front of so many people! You should be respected by everyone.” Taylor retorted, clearly not understanding the depth of Mason's anger.
Mason's jaw tightened, and he clenched his fists, the frustration gradually turning into more intense anger. “Enough! Do you think I don't know that?” He said, grabbing her neck tightly.
“Ugh!” The girl struggled in Mason's grip but couldn't resist his strength at all.
“Listen carefully when I'm talking.” His eyes flashed red for a moment, and the girl slowly lost her resistance.
“So... sorry.”
Mason released Taylor, pushing her away forcefully, causing her to stagger to the side.
His eyes still carried a hint of red, reflecting a mixture of anger and frustration.
As Taylor whispered an apology, Mason muttered, “That bitch doesn't have much time left. No one can embarrass me like that and not pay the price. You don't have to worry.”
He glanced at her contemptuously and turned to leave, leaving Taylor to herself. However, he suddenly stopped, as if realizing something, and looked at the girl.
She was breathing heavily, but there was a strange glint in her eyes; something was wrong.
Mason's attitude changed suddenly. He seemed to sense something from Taylor's reaction, prompting him to change his mind. “Come here,” he commanded, and Taylor approached him like a puppet, without saying a word.
“I'm sorry,” Mason whispered, gently pulling her into his arms. As he whispered, an unnatural power emanated from him, enveloping both of them. The surrounding environment darkened in an instant, creating an almost surreal atmosphere.
In the darkness of the night, two pairs of lips met like that, the girl letting herself fall into his arms.
