Chapter 70: The Saint’s descendent knows everything.

R̀​ẽ​ád̂ ̈ón̂ ́Ḱ​á​t̃R̂ẽàd̀ïǹǵC̀ä​f́ë

As they Mel followed inside the school, they were greeted by an interior that felt both grand and strangely nostalgic.

A massive Steele emblem banner was the first thing visible upon entry, hanging beneath a towering ceiling adorned with chandeliers, the floor covered with a luxurious red carpet. This was the main lobby of the school’s central building, constructed with dark brown wooden interiors.

Seeing in reality what had only been pixels in the original game was overwhelmingly grand. Truly, no graphics could match reality.

All the students moving up and down the stairs were wearing black cloaks embroidered with the Steele emblem. These were school-issued cloaks, mandatory for all students despite the freedom in attire otherwise.

As Sugar climbed the stairs, marveling at her surroundings, Riley kept sneaking glances at her back. Fortunately, she was now wearing the cloak he had given her, so there was no chance of students below catching a glimpse of the curve beneath her hips.

The mere thought of it twisted Riley’s stomach, making him glance up at Ian.

When was it that guy claimed to dislike anything promiscuous? What was she thinking when she chose that outfit for her?

And why the hell did Sugar like it so much?!

—”Want to touch it?”

Damn it.

The memory of her teasingly swaying thighs flickered in his mind. And now, this shameless woman was holding his hand while walking up the stairs together.

Riley recited magical incantations in his head, thinking only of graduation. He had survived countless near-death situations; this was merely a threat to his chastity, not his life.

“…”

His chastity…

Damn it…

Oblivious to Riley’s turmoil, Sugar leisurely rubbed her fingers between his, playing with their interlocked hands.

She was simply happy, swaying to the rhythm of her excitement. Even the act of climbing the academy’s stairs with a friend was enough to make her fidget with joy.

The view outside the wide windows was wonderful, the students in their black cloaks looked cool.

“Huh!”

Some students wore expressions as if they had seen a ghost, but Sugar paid them no mind.

It was likely because they had caught a glimpse of Ian’s violet eyes while passing her on the stairs.

“…Did I see that wrong?”

“Why?”

“One of the students going up… their eye color…”

From the snippets of conversation, it was clear.

Violet eyes were a trait exclusive to the bloodline of the Saint. Ian seemed embarrassed, lowering her head slightly.

“Ian, straighten your shoulders. You should walk with confidence.”

“…It’s hard to get used to. Back in the Holy City, everyone already knew who I was, but here, people keep staring…”

“Word will spread soon enough. Then, they’ll stop.”

“…Yeah, I guess.”

It was only a matter of time before she became a celebrity.

A ‘descendant of the Saint’ enrolling in a magic academy founded by the Saint’s disciples!

It was an unprecedented event in history. One of the mystical, noble beings who had always remained secluded in the Holy City had now stepped outside. Naturally, all eyes and curiosity would be on her.

In comparison, Sugar’s ‘pure mana’ would likely be a lesser topic of discussion, overshadowed by Ian.

She felt a little guilty. Whether Ian had come or not, Sugar had planned to attend Steele anyway, but now she couldn’t shake the thought that she had left Ian to act as a shield.

She would have to take good care of her.

This world was filled not only with the Shadow Cult but also with heretics running rampant. These people weren’t just deceiving others with mere words—they wielded actual power.

All she could hope for was that they would all safely graduate.

‘Well, at least Riley is on our side, so it’s reassuring!’

In some worlds, he was a hidden mastermind causing chaos everywhere, yet here, he was someone who cherished Sugar more than anyone.

That realization felt novel and comforting. She squeezed his hand tightly, and he returned the gesture firmly.

Though they were thinking of different things, warmth was all that mattered.

The path to their dorms was strange. They entered the main building, climbed stairs, then descended again. They exited outside, entered an eastern building, only to come out from the western side.

After wandering back and forth, they finally arrived at an annex.

“The layout is kind of complicated… What are we supposed to do when we need to leave or return later?”

“Well, now that you’ve arrived once, you’ll be able to come and go normally.”

There must be some kind of magic involved.

Come to think of it, she vaguely remembered something. The knowledge was already fading, but it had been part of her studies for the written exam.

A spell that ensured if one didn’t follow the predetermined path, they would never reach their destination. A type of barrier designed to block intruders.

Riley and Ian seemed to already know about it, nodding in quiet understanding.

“Then, please enjoy your stay. You may choose any room you like.”

“Anywhere inside this building? Any room?”

“Yes. The entire building is encased in a barrier, so this was the necessary measure. Once you officially pass the final selection, all students will be moved into the dormitory. It boasts the highest level of security, but since you three do not yet qualify, you will be staying here for now.”

Mel finished explaining, gave a polite bow, and withdrew.

That left the three of them standing before the annex.

“The Saint’s name sure has power. They just lent us an entire building.”

“D-Don’t say it like that…”

“Let’s head inside.”

Sugar pushed Ian forward with one hand while pulling Riley along with the other.

The interior was surprisingly cozy. A dining room with a long table, a corner filled with cooking equipment. Sunlight filtering in through a small window gave it a warm, homey feel.

The hallway was lined with doors, resembling a shared house.

“I can’t believe there’s something like this inside the school…”

“I heard the entire building was constructed with special magic, allowing for easy structural changes. Maybe that’s why?”

“Oh…”

That’s a thing?

As Sugar excitedly explored the place, she eventually clung to Riley. She was getting cold.

Unlike the Holy City under the blessing of Ione, this place was affected by the seasons. It was currently the transition from late winter to early spring. At least the main building had heating, but—

But it’s cold here.

Ian, who was also born in the Holy City, seemed to feel the cold as she pulled out her wand and chanted a spell.

Soon, a warm current filled the space, making it much more comfortable. Ian, who had finally caught her breath, turned her head.

Then, her eyes caught sight of two people hugging each other like lovers.

“Riley. It’s warm.”

“Why is your body so cold?”

“Well, you can warm me up.”

Wait, since when did they—?!

Ian was startled. Didn’t they just reunite today? And even then, shouldn’t there be some awkwardness or shyness between them? That’s how it’s supposed to be, right?

Reunited lovers are supposed to feel unfamiliar with each other’s changes and show fresh, bashful reactions. That’s what she read in novels!

But whether Ian thought that or not, the rapidly rising indecency level in this space made the back of her head throb.

“Hey! You two! Come here. As a descendent of the Saint and your elder, I have something to say.”

“Huh? Are you going to lecture us?”

“Yes! Come here, now!”

Reluctantly, they shuffled forward, and Ian, with a red face, alternated her gaze between Sugar and Riley.

“You two… I know you’re happy to see each other again. I understand how much you must have missed each other. I get that.”

Snuggle snuggle—

“But, you know. I’m saying this just in case. Even though you two are, you know, adults, this is still a school, right?”

Pat pat—

“We’re here to learn about magic and its mysteries. We’re students. So… you know, keep it… appropriate…”

Fidget fidget—

“Keep it appropriate…”

“Hehe. That tickles, Riley.”

“I said keep it appropriate, you perverted Sugar! Riley, you too!”

They got scolded, but it’s unfair.

“Come on, Ian. This is just light skinship, right? Hugging and patting each other’s heads—is that really so indecent? Even girls do this. Close friends do this too, you know?”

Ian, who only had Sugar as a same-age friend, tilted her head in confusion. It’s true that when they were younger, she and Sugar used to hold hands or link arms inside the spire.

Just as she was about to be convinced, she suddenly jumped up.

“…No! You two are a man and a woman! You’re adults now! That’s the problem! And it’s not like you’re in a pure, pure, pure relationship anyway…”

“Huh? Then what kind of relationship are we in?”

“You two! You two are…! That… lo… lovers… lo…”

Ian, too embarrassed to continue, trailed off. Sugar looked up at Riley.

“Riley. What kind of relationship are we in?”

“…… …… ……Friends.”

“See? He said we’re friends. We’re just very, very precious and special friends. So please understand this level of skinship.”

No way. They’re lying. No matter how you look at it, that’s not it.

We’ve had a similar conversation before when we were kids. Back then, Ian didn’t know much, so she let it slide.

But now, she knows there’s no way they’ll stop at that ‘line.’ They’ll definitely cross it.

But if she brings that up, they’ll probably counter with, ‘What line are you talking about, Ian?’ So Ian decided to take a different approach.

“In Steele, even holding hands between men and women is considered indecent. How do you explain this…?”

“What can we do? The school is just too conservative. The people who made the rules probably never had friends like this.”

“…”

“But… I’ll try to understand you, Ian. Since we’ll be living together from now on. If it’s too stimulating for you, what can we do? We’ll do it where you can’t see us from now on. Riley, let’s go to our room.”

At that, Riley stiffened.

He had been fine with hugging and holding hands, as that was what he wanted too, so he had been playing along quietly.

-From now on, we’ll do it where Ian can’t see us. Riley, let’s go to our room.

So, just the two of them?

In one room? With this walking indecency?

“…”

As Ian chanted a spell in her head to chase away her turmoil, thankfully, she spoke up first.

“No… it’s fine… just… you can do it in front of me. It’s better to do it in a public place. That’s better… if it’s just the two of you… something will definitely…”

As expected of her holiness. She sees right through Sugar.

Earlier, at the Holy City, when Sugar and Riley were apologizing and hugging each other affectionately, Ian had arrived just in time to see that. She hadn’t witnessed Sugar’s thigh temptation incident that happened before that.

But even so, she already knew that if they were alone, ‘something’ would happen.

Truly, the bloodline of a saint.

Insight honed by reading too many erotic novels!

As Ian spoke in a resigned tone, Sugar, who had won the battle, cheered “Wah—” and made a V-sign.