'So, this was what it was about.'

I thought as I listened to what Maya was saying. If a trip was about to happen, then it made sense that she wanted to inform us face-to-face to see our reaction as well.

If she had sent a message only, most students would probably not accept her opinion in any case.

'Well, I don't think it is bad personally.'

This was an event that wouldn't happen in the game since traveling was something that wasn't much related to this club. Even if the player joined it, most of the events were all in the academy.

But I was already expecting changes to happen, and this one didn't seem that bad either. If we could get a change of environment while observing a historical site, it would be fine by me. Especially since I could see what this world was about in more detail.

I knew this world was the same world as it was in the game, but even then, it didn't mean I knew everything. Thus, learning and observing more would be optimal.

That was why I thought, but hearing the next words of this guy made my decision firmer.

"I think it is good. I always wondered how it would feel to see a real historical site."

Since Mason was a demon contractor, I knew from the moment he approved this that he was already seeing the trip as an opportunity.

'That makes sense.'

Being outside of the academy while also being in the same space as Sylvie...There was no better option than this for him to act. Now that the academy and the government were also alert thanks to recent incidents, he probably saw this in a new light.

lightsΝοvel "Then, it is settled. See you Saturday." After Senior Maya finished the discussion, the students also turned their attention to their friends.

And, just like before, Mason approached Sylvie with a friendly smile, his eyes gleaming.

"Sylvie, are you free? How about we grab a drink? Others are coming as well."

FLINCH!

From my senses warning me, I was already aware that he was using his demonic skill. This was the way demonic humans worked, as they had countless different spells that affected the minds of their targets.

However, Sylvie's response was different this time. She looked at him, her expression neutral, and replied curtly, "Not interested."

'Hmm?'

Her expression and everything were a lot different than in previous ones. Previously, she would always join other students with a smile, but now she was looking at Mason with an uncomfortable gaze.

Mason's smile faltered for a moment, caught off guard by the unexpected response. He tried to recover, "Come on, it'll be fun. We can all relax and enjoy ourselves."

THUMP!

He was also using more demonic energy this time, possibly trying to shake off Sylvie's defenses.

However, Sylvie stood her ground, her neutral expression turning into a fierce and angry one. "I said I'm not interested. Leave me alone," Sylvie retorted, her voice carrying an edge of frustration. The intensity of her gaze bore into Mason, making it clear that she wasn't going to be swayed by any persuasive tactics.

'She really is different.'

I don't know what caused a change in her heart clearly, but it wasn't that hard to guess.

'She must be able to see that Mason has a demonic energy in his body.'

With her recent awakening, it seems Mason was no longer able to deceive her powers. Only this could explain why she was behaving like this.

"Come on, if she doesn't want to come, let her be." At that moment, the girl who was always with Mason pulled his shirt, glaring at Sylvie.

'She likes him, huh?'

That was plainly evident. After all, humans tend to get more aggressive with their demeanor when the person they are interested in shows an interest in another.

"It is her own decision to miss this chance after you offered him. You don't need to waste your time on someone who can't even appreciate that."

And her words proved that.

Mason, sensing the change in Sylvie's demeanor, finally took a step back, a forced smile on his face. "All right, all right. No need to get all worked up. If you change your mind, let me know." With a final attempt at nonchalance, he walked away. But, as he turned his face, I could see a slight change in his expression.

His smiling face disappeared for a second, turning his face into a more serious and hateful one.

'Showing your true colors...No need to get worked up, though; you will have your share soon.'

Once Mason was out of earshot, Sylvie turned her attention to me, her expression softening as she took a deep breath. "Should we leave now? I don't want to stay here longer."

"Okay." Seeing she was uncomfortable, I followed her request, and we started leaving as well.

As we left the classroom, the tension seemed to ease, but Sylvie seemed to be bothered by what she did.

"You must be surprised," she said, her voice shakier than usual. "I'm sorry you had to witness that."

"It's not a problem," I replied, "You don't need to apologize. If someone's bothering you, it's natural to stand up for yourself."

Sylvie was a soft girl, and she lived all her life like that. But from this moment on, this needed to change, and she must know it as well.

Sylvie paused for a moment, her eyes looking at mine. "You are not asking anything. Aren't you curious about why I changed my mind so suddenly?"

I stopped in my tracks as well. Of course, it wasn't bad to know the details of her thoughts, I could guess to some point.

"Do you need a reason?"

"What?"

"I mean, do you really always need a reason to act like you did back then?"

"You don't?"lightsnovel

"You don't. For me, you just said you didn't want to hang out; that was it."

"But it was out of the blue?"

"Maybe, but aren't you a human? You can sometimes feel angry out of nowhere, and no human is consistent. I can do something for five hours a day for a whole month without complaining, but randomly, out of nowhere, I may start hating it. Don't you feel that way too, sometimes?"

"I do."

"Then, it is the same."

Sylvie pondered on my words for a moment, and then a faint smile appeared on her face as if she had reached a realization.

"You have a point. Maybe I've been too hard on myself."

"Exactly. You don't have to explain yourself to everyone. It's okay to prioritize your own feelings."

This was my goal. With how low her self-esteem is, it is not hard to see that she will run into problems in the future, especially since she is surely going to achieve a high position.

She needs to learn how to stand up for herself.

She nodded, and as we resumed walking, I could see a subtle change in her demeanor. It seemed like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, and she was beginning to embrace the idea that it was okay to assert herself without always providing a detailed explanation.

"Thanks," Sylvie said after a while as we got out of the building. "I think I am feeling better now."

"No problem."

"Then, have a nice day. I will meet with my friends."

With those words, she started moving away as she headed toward her group of friends, the two girls waving their hands.

One of them was glaring at me clearly with an annoyed expression, but I didn't sense any intent behind her gaze.

I watched her for a moment and then turned back.

'Now, let's start preparing.'

Since this trip wasn't an opportunity only for demon contractors.

'You are not the only one who is holding back because of the academy.'

After all, the moment we get out of the academy will be the moment where I can use my powers without hiding from those belonging to that safe ground.

'I can finally get rid of these dogs.'

*******

"What an opportunity."

That was what Mason thought the moment he heard that the club would be going on a trip. After all, he had been looking for an opportunity all this time. His superiors were getting restless as well.

"Who does she think she is anyway?"

He could see the girl he had charmed fuming already.

"Even though we are calling her to come with us, how dare she refuse you rudely like that?"

He had already wrapped her around his fingers, and this wasn't the first time. He had done this countless times, and she was just another one of his tools. Normally, he would just brush these complaints off.

"Calm down, Taylor."

However, now that he wasn't in a good mood, he couldn't bear it. After all, even though this was his mission, getting rejected in front of everyone like that made him quite angry.

"How can I calm down? She just embarrassed you and me in front of everyone! You deserve more respect than that," Taylor retorted, clearly not understanding the depth of Mason's vexation.

Mason's jaw tightened, and he clenched his fists, the frustration building into something more volatile. "ENOUGH! Do you think I don't know that, huh?" As he said those words, he grabbed her from her neck.

CLENCH!

"Kurghk-!" The girl struggled under his grip, but she couldn't do anything as his strength was something she couldn't resist.

"When I say something, listen well." His eyes shone red for a split second, and the girl slowly lost the strength she was using to resist.

"I-I am s-sorry."

TAP!

As her hands fell to the sides, Mason released his grip on Taylor, pushing her away with a force that sent her stumbling to the side.

His eyes still tinged with a faint red glow, reflected a mix of anger and frustration.

As Taylor mumbled an apology, Mason muttered under his breath, "That bitch's time will come soon enough. No one embarrasses me like that and gets away with it. You don't need to worry about it."historical

With a dismissive glance, he turned away, leaving Taylor to collect herself. However, suddenly, he stopped for a second as if he realized something while looking at the girl.

She was breathing heavily, but there was a strange glint in her eyes as if something wasn't right.

Mason's sudden change in demeanor was palpable. He seemed to have perceived something in Taylor's reaction, prompting him to alter his course. "Come here," he commanded, and Taylor, almost robotically, moved closer without a word.

"Sorry for that," Mason mumbled, his arms enveloping her in an oddly gentle manner. As he whispered under his breath, an otherworldly energy emanated from him, enveloping them both. The surroundings seemed to darken momentarily, creating an almost surreal atmosphere.

SMOOCH!

And then, in the darkness of the night, two lips pressed together, just like that, as the girl left herself in his arms.