"I was attacked by an S-ranked creature on my way home," Levi glanced at the message one more time before finally sending it.
Though his message was initially drowned among other messages, it was soon noticed.
"Well, I told you guys not to listen to anyone apart from Levi himself," someone replied to his message.
"But why no scratches?" someone asked casually.
Just as Levi was about to speak, someone finally broke out.
"Levi normally goes home with Claude—they're best friends. So I think Claude should know the real story. Could someone please chat him up?"
The whole group chat went silent as different people hurried into Claude's DMs to ask about what happened.
Levi also followed the crowd, hurrying into Claude's DM. He knew Claude's type—someone who didn't frequently check the group chat. He really just hoped Claude could help him out.
But just as the conversation kept going, the first teacher finally stepped into the class.
Levi himself hadn't even had the urge to come to school today. But given that the Hunters' Recruit was on the way, he didn't want to take chances at all.
In the past, it had even been reported that someone was ruled out just for missing a single day of classes.
And surely, Levi didn't want to take any chances with that—no one would.
The class began on a quiet note. There were still small chats going on, but they weren't really loud, and the group chat had obviously gone silent.
By the end of the class, it was quite obvious that Levi's cover had been blown. Everyone looked at him with uneasy eyes.
Checking the group, it had already been confirmed by Claude himself that he really had gone out to ambush Trevor.
Levi bowed his head calmly, not wanting to draw more attention to himself. At least the matter should die down soon, he thought.
As classes went on gradually, Levi felt time was moving too slowly. He just wanted to leave as quickly as possible.
The group chat had already exploded with crazy messages tagging him.
"Wait, isn't Levi a coward? Why lie like that? That sucks, man."
"Wait—Trevor? Is that boy getting stronger, or is Levi turning into a slug?"
"Levi, I don't know you anymore. What the hell?"
Claude had also begun viewing the messages. He didn't know his friend was in such a situation—if he had, he wouldn't have sent that message. Regret began to wash over him.
Soon enough, the long stretch of classes finally came to a much-awaited conclusion.
Trevor waited back in class for some time, giving the excuse that he was working on an assignment.
But just as everyone was beginning to leave, Chloe walked up to him.
"Hi," Chloe said calmly as she walked closer to him.
"Hi, how are you doing?" Trevor replied, turning to face her.
"Yeah, I was wondering if you're up for some group study at my place. I just got a lot better at my magic, and I'm really interested in it now."
"Well, alright then. I'll try and see what I can do. When is the day again?"
"Tomorrow after school. We'll go with my car since you don't know my house yet. And don't worry—I'm inviting others too."
"Alright then, see you," Trevor said, standing up.
"Okay then, till then," Chloe said as she walked away with the same two girls by her side.
Trevor then let out a sigh of relief. Everywhere was now empty. He quickly ran straight to Miss Silvia's office to check for her.
Trevor had his doubts—maybe he was late again. But looking inside, he discovered that Miss Silvia was just packing her things, about to leave.
Trevor watched from the doorway as Miss Silvia neatly stacked a pile of marked essays. She was tired, and the subtle scent of her perfume felt heavy in the quiet office.
[System card: Eyes of Hades Activated.]
The familiar light confirmed her DEEPEST CRAVING: TO BE CHERISHED.
Today, however, that craving was overlaid with the dull ache of exhaustion and loneliness.
Trevor began quickly switching cards.
[Lust Raider Update: Arousal Level: 0%. Emotional Defense: 90%. Observation: Subject is highly stressed and focused on departure.]
"Miss Silvia," Trevor said, stepping into the office. The sound startled her.
She quickly turned, her expression moving from weary to politely guarded. "Trevor. I didn't hear you knock. I'm just about to leave for the day."
"I know," he said, letting the door click shut. He held her gaze. "But I really need to talk to you. It's important, and it can't wait."
Her tired sigh was audible, signaling her impatience. "If this is about an assignment, Trevor, you know my office hours are tomorrow morning."
"It's not about an assignment." He took two steps closer, stopping just outside her desk. "It's about you."
[System Card: Whispering Shadows Activated. Command: Inject thought: 'He sees your burden. He understands how much you carry and will offer genuine comfort.']
The tension eased from her posture. She looked at him with a sudden, confused curiosity.
" so what do you want ?" she asked, her voice softer now.
He didn't waste time. He focused entirely on the truth the Eyes of Hades had granted him—her professional isolation and her deep, unmet need.
[System Card: Magic Lips Activated. Command: Enhance chances of heart-winning by 50%. Focus on her sacrifice and lack of recognition.]
"I see how hard you work," he said, his voice dropping to an intense, low whisper. "You're the first one here and the last one to leave
You put your soul into this job, pouring yourself into these essays and lesson plans." He gestured to the pile on her desk. "And what do you get back? Just more work.
No one here truly values that sacrifice."
The words were devastatingly accurate. Eleanor flinched, and her eyes glazed over with unshed tears.
"You're wrong, Trevor," she tried to argue, her voice shaky. "I love my job—"
"You love sharing your passion.
You love being seen for the brilliant woman you are," he corrected gently. He leaned over the desk, his hand reaching out to gently brush the hair from her face, bypassing the barrier of the desk.
"And they don't see it. They see a role. I see the woman who is exhausted and deserves to be fiercely cherished."
"Stop, Trevor . You can't say things like that to me." Her defense was weak, desperate.
[Lust Raider Update: Arousal Level: 55% (High Spike). Emotional Defense: 2% (Failing). Bond Formation: 20%. Subject is overwhelmed by the unexpected validation.]
"I have to," he insisted, his voice aching with feigned sincerity. "Because I can't stand knowing you go home every day feeling unappreciated and alone."
He moved around the desk swiftly, closing the final distance.
He didn't ask permission. He took her hands, pulling them to his chest and holding them there, looking directly into her soul.
"Just for one night, let me love the woman they ignore," he murmured against her ear. "Let me make you feel like the only woman in the world who matters."
That was the breaking point. The promise of the love and recognition she craved shattered her resolve.
With a desperate gasp of surrender, miss Silvia grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him into a needy, consuming kiss. Her chair was knocked back as her body leaned into his.
All thoughts of her job, the rules, and the danger vanished, replaced by the overwhelming relief of finally feeling wanted.
[Lust Raider Update: Arousal Level: 85%. Emotional Defense: 0%. Bond Formation: 35% (Critical). Mission Objective Achieved.]
Trevor backed her against the chalkboard, pressing their bodies together as he deepened the kiss.
Her tired hands clutched the back of his neck, and in the silence of the empty school, the physical scene began.