There must be a curse on my life.
Otherwise, how could such an absurd situation unfold—one so ridiculous that even a monk might accidentally smack Buddha on the back of the head?
"The woman beside you is your property, you said. I'll let your rudeness slide this time, so just let it go."
This guy must be out of his mind.
Is he seriously a spy for that Demon God bastard who wants to kill every human here?
That motherfucker.
Earlier, when that gray-haired man had treated Liliss like an object, I'd been so shocked that my whole body froze up for a moment. Now, some insignificant worm was provoking her.
A quick glance at Liliss showed her face draining of all expression in an instant, replaced by a chilling gaze.
I had to shut that harbinger of doom's mouth right now.
'If Liliss loses it here, every human in this place dies—at minimum.'
Including me.
I desperately tried to muzzle the worm by invoking the status of the body I now inhabited.
Fortunately, the idiot seemed to only have his status going for him, and he clearly knew what mine meant.
I let out a deep sigh of relief as he slunk away, knowing his place.
It wasn't originally mine, but the Pairan Count Family held the rank of frontier count, bestowed by the emperor two generations back—a prestigious house.
Not someone from some unheard-of viscount family could strut around against.
Luckily, nothing else happened after that.
The gray-haired man and Liliss exchanged trivial banter, the late-arriving guide asked if everything was okay... and that seemed to be the end of it.
Until I sneaked a glance at Liliss to check her mood.
"..."
She stared at me steadily with an utterly emotionless expression.
Then.
'You're sharp.'
"Kuh."
I couldn't help the involuntary groan that burst from deep in my chest as her lips silently formed those words.
I hurriedly clamped down on the escaped grunt, but it had already slipped past my lips on its own.
The gray-haired man gave me a puzzled look, but all I could manage was a mumbled "excuse me."
Liliss watched me with a smile that didn't reach her lips—only her eyes crinkled in amusement.
Sometimes ignorance is bliss, but I never thought I'd learn that the hard way.
Everyone here probably had no clue they'd just brushed death.
'But who the hell is that guy?'
Someone who treated Lili like property and lived to tell the tale.
No—from their conversation earlier, it even seemed like Liliss was fond of him.
Otherwise, he'd be dead already.
Was it just a whim in Liliss's little game?
Or.
'An irregular.'
Had the worst possible variable appeared—one that could upend the entire main story?
Frustratingly short on info, all I could do was hold my breath and pray that the brutally powerful beast paid us no mind.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Ah, I want to fuck Lili.
That thought grew stronger and stronger as I toyed with her while waiting my turn.
If I could, I'd blow off the academy and everything, drag her home, rip her clothes off savagely, and just pound her.
I want to make boing-boing waves with those tits.
But this was a rare chance to indulge my fantasy, so I held back. Plus, this was my last year eligible to apply.
I could fuck Lili anytime, but blow the entrance exam today? Game over.
...But I can't calm down! I want to fuck her!
'Screw it. I was gonna wait until acceptance, but...'
"...Master?"
Looking at Lili as she gently scratched the back of my hand with a warm smile, I seriously couldn't hold back anymore.
Our sweet, innocent Lili probably thought this was just bonding with her master—not seduction.
But to me, enduring it? Pure torture.
This is next-level natural airhead. Natural.
Natural pink-haired cutie. This sinful Lili must taste fucking amazing.
"Lili."
"...Yes."
Did she sense I wasn't acting like usual?
Her usual relaxed smile faded, her expression stiffened, and her eyes locked onto my lips, waiting for my next words.
A mischievous spark hit me. I pulled her into a hug right there and whispered into her ear.
"...Look forward to tonight."
I'll etch into every inch of you that you're mine tonight.
I gave her earlobe a light nip.
With my face buried in her hair, no one around could see what I was doing.
Not that it mattered if they did.
Lili, my slave who always acted like a laid-back big sis.
Maybe that's why I pulled this prank—to see her flustered for once.
I wanted more of her cute side.
"...Y-Yes."
Whoa. That worked too well.
She realized her tongue had tripped and cleared her throat awkwardly.
"Ahem!"
I'd never seen Lili this flustered before. Worth stepping out of routine.
What am I gonna do with you, Lili?
I'm losing my mind.
For now, time for drastic measures to tamp down my urges!
Squeeze!
Ignoring the stares, I locked eyes with her and gripped her breast hard with my right hand.
Now I get why Adam couldn't resist that apple.
His gaze on it must've matched mine on Lili's tits. Can't hold back.
"Hnnngh..."
I pressed my face toward hers, refusing to break eye contact.
Her pupils rippled in surprise, but she steadied herself.
Gulp.
She swallowed deeply, then slowly closed her eyes, surrendering completely.
In response to her trust, I leaned in for her lips...
"Ahem! Ahem ahem!!!"
Damn it.
I traced the source of that bullshit cough to the blue-haired girl from earlier, glaring at me fiercely.
What? Spit it out.
"P-Public displays of affection are fine, but maybe pick the time and place?"
She gestured around, drawing a circle in the air.
I realized everyone within ten meters was staring.
And not hiding their discomfort one bit.
Seeing those looks, I felt a tiny twinge of "maybe I overdid it."
'Fine, just this once.'
They're all antsy waiting for the exam. I'll let it slide.
But kids, after enrollment? Get ready.
After tonight, I won't hold back anymore.
As I pulled away from Lili, she slowly opened her eyes, gazing at me dazedly.
"Ah..."
Was she disappointed too?
I silently took her hand, interlocking our fingers tenderly.
She licked her lips regretfully but soon caressed my hand atop hers.
Ignoring the stares, I fiddled with her hand endlessly until my turn.
She'd handled all the housework for two years, yet her hands were still so soft—the more I touched, the more addicted I got.
Stares kept coming, but whatever.
Hand-holding's safe, right? Safe? If not, that's on you guys.
Finally.
"Examinee number 143, Yuha! Examinee number 143, Yuha, please proceed to the arena."
My name was called. As I stood...
"Sighhh..."
A collective exhale of pent-up frustration from everyone around.
Was it that synchronized? Really?!
"Examinee number 144, Claire Anastasia! Examinee number 144, Claire Anastasia, please also proceed to the arena."
"Eh?"
I turned at the dumbfounded voice nearby.
Blue-hair stared at me blankly, utterly caught off guard.
Of all people, you're my opponent?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"..."
"..."
For some reason, we both looked awkward and sheepish.
Who'd have thought my opponent would be the blue-hair who'd chewed me out earlier.
She clearly hadn't expected this matchup either—still spaced out, glancing between me and the examiner.
Come on, snap out of it already.
It's still the exam, Blue-Hair-Periwinkle.
"Prepare yourselves."
At the examiner's words, she took a deep breath, her eyes calming to a serene gaze.
Then, as if she had something to say, Blue opened her mouth.
"Hey."
"Yes."
"I thought you were a total scumbag for treating a person like property, but I must've misunderstood."
"Hm. Is that so."
I had no intention of denying that Lili was my property.
Of course, she's my most precious possession—one I'll cherish forever.
Property never betrays its owner. Perfect.
"I assumed wrongly and judged you harshly. I apologize."
So, she saw me treat slave Lili like property and pegged me as an abusive owner... something like that?
Sorry for not living up to expectations.
But damn, she really just apologizes on her own terms. No need for that.
She hadn't even insulted me directly.
Reading my thoughts in my eyes, she affirmed it.
"I know it's presumptuous to apologize like this, but I can't lie to myself, so here it is."
"I see."
"But!"
"?"
"This might be presumptuous too, but I still can't condone owning slaves."
"Ah... sure..."
I don't need your approval. What now?
"I want to say that buying people and claiming ownership is wrong. I'm not forcing my view, but I went ahead and said it anyway."
So presumptuous.
"I see."
I don't really care either way.
She looked relieved after venting what she wanted to say.
That made me think.
"You're an exhausting person."
"Unfortunately, I hear that a lot."
Exhausting personality, but I don't hate it.
People like her never stab you in the back.
That alone rockets her into my top 10 likability rankings.
Not that I like more than 10 people total. Shh.
"Then, duel with care for each other's safety. Begin!"
At the examiner's call, we charged at each other weapons in hand—no hesitation.