Chapter 173: I don’t like a… ‘Big brother’
Third Person’s POV
After narrowly escaping from death with Delphine, Aether ventured out of the Academy and roamed around Valysar city. He hoped to find some eye-catching items as Taylor had suggested or even some shady goods for his upcoming contest.
To his surprise, there was none to be found….. Yeah, The city was exceptionally clean.
Aether felt a wave of frustration wash over him. He never imagined that this city could be so pure, without even a hint of a black market.
‘Must be because of the Academy’s influence…’ Aether thought, glancing at the money he received after selling his remaining Golden 1-Star Arcane Crystals.
Given that the Golden Crystal was high grade, it fetched around 1000ˀ, with lower grades yielding lower values.
Being skilled in bargaining, Aether managed to secure about 1100ˀ for the crystal, bringing his personal assets to 3300ˀ, excluding the anonymous amount he had received and…
‘Delphine…’ Aether murmured as he looked at the envelope she gave him, which contained around 10,000ˀ.
So his real assets were approximately 23,300ˀ!
‘Looks like she’s also concerned about my well-being… ah,’ Aether grinned, then smirked, thinking, ‘So this is what it means to have a sugar mommy?’ He wondered. If so, he wouldn’t mind acquiring a few more.
Suddenly turning serious, Aether mumbled, ‘So that anonymous package was not sent by Delphine…’ He entertained the thought that Delphine might be the one who had secretly sent him the money, considering her status in the Academy and her desire to maintain their relationship secretly.
Seems like someone else… but could it be?
He re-entered the Academy, intending to check in with Aqualina and Kai.
Kai had asked him to buy some gifts for Princess Aqualina, indicating his desire to deepen their relationship, ‘Looks like our boy is doing his best~’ Aether giggled. As a determined NTR rogue, he couldn’t allow that to happen, so he deliberately chose the worst gifts.
‘I cannot believe even this world has that kind of thing…. I guess, men anywhere are always perverts!’ He mused.
Aether also selected a few gifts for Selene, Lia, and Taylor, who had helped him immensely. Of course, these were bought with his hard-earned 3300ˀ.
As he walked back, lost in thought, he was suddenly jolted by a…
‘Thud’
“Aether!”
He was surprised when someone hugged him from behind and called his name.
“Lia?” Aether glanced back and felt her trembling shoulders and the dampness of her tears on his shirt. Without hesitation, he picked up her piggy bag and walked towards an empty ground.
[+100 Affection]
Lia didn’t say anything, just hugged him tightly as if terrified to let go.
Sitting under a tree, Aether gently asked, “What happened?” His voice was soft and tender, filled with concern.
Lia hesitated, unsure whether to share her ordeal. But Aether, who noticed her actions finally understood and with a knowing smile, asked, “Did you finally settle things with him?”
Lia was taken aback, “H-How did you know?”
Aether just smiled, understanding that no one could settle years of love without confronting the person.
Lia smiled wryly, acknowledging that Aether could always see through her.
Aether wiped her remaining tears and said, “Now you look better.”
[+100 Affection]
She immediately looked away….. They then spent some time together, talking about the amusing events Aether encountered while exploring the city and how he bargained with a salesman like a professional.
The sky slowly started to turn darker.
Lia’s face brightened, her usual self finally starting to emerge. She noticed a large cover beside Aether and curiously asked about it. Aether replied without hesitation, explaining that it contained gifts for various people.
Lia nodded in understanding and chose not to ask more about the gifts that Kai had requested for Aqualina.
Aether sighed in relief, feeling the tension ease from his shoulders. He had been a little worried that she might want to check the gifts, but once he mentioned they were for Aqualina, she let it go without further questions.
However,
“OH!! Did you bring me a gift too?” Lia asked eagerly, her eyes lighting up with excitement when he mentioned he had something for her as a token of thanks.
Seeing her curiosity, Aether quickly set her expectations, “Let me tell you this, the gift isn’t costly, so please don’t expect a noble-level gift…. Just lower your standards to my level, Okay?”
Lia’s lips curved up at his awkwardness. He seemed genuinely worried that she might find his gift lacking, and she mumbled softly, “I don’t care how much it costs as long as you bought it with your own money and chose it, especially for me…”
“Of course, it’s my money…” Aether mumbled before taking out the gift from the package.
Aether might not have known this, since Lia hadn’t mentioned what had happened with Kai, but when he spoke of the gift for her, something inside Lia’s heart cracked, like a stone splitting suddenly.
And even more so when she saw the gift. Her gaze instantly softened and teary as Aether tried to explain why he bought this small gift that wasn’t even worth 10ˀ.
“You always have that same old hair tie on your ponytail, so I thought of buying you a new one… So… here. I hope you like it,” Aether said awkwardly.
He wanted to buy something fancier, but he didn’t like those colours. This was the only cheap one with a colour he found cute and vibrant, so he bought it.
‘Hope she likes it…’ Aether thought anxiously, his mind racing with doubts.
Lia stared at the hair tie with its cute carvings. Her eyes softened, and small tears appeared at the corners. She immediately turned and asked Aether to put it on for her, her voice trembling slightly.
“Are you sure?” Aether wondered, taken aback by her request.
“Come on, do it! Don’t act like a child”
“Who are you calling a child, brat? I’m your big bro!” Aether retorted, feigning indignation as he removed her old hair tie and put the new one on her blonde, silky hair, which smelled so good!
“How is it?” Lia asked, her voice tinged with a mix of excitement and nervousness as she turned to show off her ponytail.
The new hair tie was a striking contrast against her long, flowing blonde hair, which shimmered like strands of pure gold in the orange sky.
The red tie, adorned with a small, intricately carved bat and delicate bat carvings, stood out vividly, adding a playful yet elegant touch to her look. The rich, crimson hue of the hair tie perfectly complemented her crimson eyes, which sparkled with an almost otherworldly brightness.
“You are too cute!! Little girl!!” Aether shouted, which made Lia blush for a second, her cheeks turning a rosy pink.
[+100 Affection]
“Give your big bro a hug!” Aether said, opening his arms wide, his grin widening.
“Boo!! Who’s my big brother?!!” Lia teased, but after a moment’s hesitation, she stepped forward and gave him a hug, burying her face in his chest.
Aether smiled and said, “You are really a strong girl!”
Hearing that, Lia suddenly clutched him tightly, as if afraid to let go. They stayed embraced for a few seconds, finding solace in his presence, before separating reluctantly.
“Here,” Aether said, handing back her old hair tie.
Lia took the tie hesitantly and,
‘Sshhhh’
Burned it with her magic, the flames flickering briefly before consuming the tie completely.
“Hmm? You could have kept that since it’s not worn out that much,” Aether said sceptically.
He thought she might have just burned it because she got a new one.
“Nah, I am not suitable to wear that anymore,” Lia said with a cryptic smile.
“???” Aether was puzzled but then,
“~Chu~”
Lia kissed his cheek, her face blushing as she said, “I don’t like a… ‘Big brother'” and then ran off, leaving Aether stunned.
“Huh? She doesn’t like me? What the hell? Didn’t I help her now!!” Aether couldn’t understand what she meant or what he had caused.
[+200 Affection]
“…” Aether blinked for a second and then nodded, ‘I suppose she didn’t hate me then,’ he thought.
After that, he visited Aqualina. She examined the gifts without much reaction, her eyes cold,
“Tell him to meet me tomorrow morning!!”
Her voice was cold as ice, and her expression was indifferent.
‘He fucked up!’ Aether thought with hidden a sly smile.
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