Chapter 21 : You smell so good!
In Avalon Academy’s library, Via pored over books, hunting critical intel.
Found it!
In a dusty tome, she located what she needed.
A record on Abyss-touched:
> Fifteen years ago, Pray City faced a beast attack—an abyss-corrupted monster, ferocious beyond measure.
> Saint Ro Empire dispatched troops; with S-rank adventurers, they slew it.
> Post-battle, a soldier mishandled the core. Outwardly fine, but abyss aura seeped in. Two days later—he turned Abyssalized, slaughtering comrades, causing heavy casualties.
Via sank into thought.
Deeper details? Empire archives—access denied to her rank. Books gave only outlines.
“Some humans, exposed to abyss aura, become special Abyssalized—lose sanity, attack kin. Most die instantly, life force withered… Either way, abyss-touched humans have one fate: death. Holy power cannot purify.”
Via eyed the stack, muttering.
She’d spent all day here—learned plenty on humans and abyss.
Demons naturally accepted abyss—no “Abyssalized” concept.
Anima lectured on it in class—but books revealed varieties.
“In human realms, abyss aura is absolute taboo. Saint Ro strictly controls tainted cores—possession: grave crime. Abyssalized: kill on sight…”
Via pinched her chin, eyes closed in thought.
Her extreme power-up plan tied directly to today’s findings.
“Via, fancy meeting you here.”
A girl slid into the seat beside her.
“Huh?”
Via opened eyes—Lucy?
She remembered: Favi noble, days ago roasted Owen, shamed Lester heir publicly.
In a way, Lucy helped her.
But why approach now? No prior contact—total strangers.
“Miss Lucy, better keep distance!”
A girl behind Lucy warned, voice dripping vigilance and disgust.
“She doomed Team 043 in Evergreen—what if you catch black magic?!”
Via noticed: several pretty girls trailed Lucy.
Recall: Lucy popular at Avalon—huge following.
Odd: her circle—all girls, all stunning.
Clique for gain? No—some ordinary background, modest means. Favi wouldn’t bother.
“Quiet. I want to talk.”
Lucy waved them off, eyes fixed on Via.
The girls shot Via hostile, jealous glares—resentful, but obeyed, leaving them alone.
“Studying this, Via?”
Lucy deliberately scooted closer.
“Uh…”
Via frowned—what’s her game?
People avoided her like plague—especially post-black-magic rumors. Classmates barely spoke.
“Lucy, I’m reviewing Professor Anima’s exam points—expanding knowledge.”
“Oh, so diligent—still studying post-assessment.”
Lucy’s gaze returned to Via—books ignored.
Clearly using it as conversation bait.
“You take learning more seriously than most I know.”
“Ahaha… thanks, Lucy…”
Via’s mind: what the hell?
Not here to chat for fun, right?
“Hehe…”
Lucy narrowed eyes, snakelike—coiling over Via’s body.
Via squirmed—legs tucked, skirt gripped, eyes averted.
Social anxiety relapse.
Past-life memories back—but this life’s habits clung tight.
“Maybe Via isn’t as worthless as they say. I noticed—you grind in silence, despite no support,” Lucy said. “Assessment: excellent. Effort paid off.”
“Just… luck. Nothing praiseworthy.”
“Luck is strength.”
“Hope next exam’s lucky too…”
Via parroted—minimal engagement.
Yet Lucy smiled deeper, intrigued.
“Via, you’ve many praiseworthy traits.”
“Like?”
“Like—”
Lucy leaned in, nearly nose-to-nose, voice a husky whisper that froze Via.
“You smell… delicious.”