Chapter 20: Take Me to Your Home

Chapter 20: Chapter 20: Take Me to Your Home

Early that morning, Victor left his house. Unlike the nobles at Lien Academy, he couldn’t afford to lounge at home, even on his only day off of the week. As a genius with Magic Talent A+, he was eligible for a grant, but the limited funds barely covered his expenses at Lien Academy. Therefore, he had taken on a part-time job. It didn’t pay much, but it kept his life from being entirely destitute.

The morning streets were always quiet. There were few shops or vendors around Wendel Street; he had to cross at least two blocks before reaching a bustling market.

As Victor passed an alleyway, the frivolous, laughing voice of a young man caught his ear. He recognized that voice. It belonged to a notorious local gang leader who relied on his family’s wealth to idle his days away and bully others. Most people took a detour just to avoid him.

Victor glanced over and saw the thug cornering a girl against a wall. Judging from his suppressed tone of excitement, he had clearly found an intriguing prey. Averting his gaze, Victor didn’t break his stride. He had no intention of meddling. If he was late, the demanding grocery store owner would undoubtedly use it as an excuse to dock a significant chunk of his wages. Offending people for zero personal gain was something he rarely did.

Just as Victor was about to leave the block, he heard another voice. It was crisp, sweet... and belonged to a girl. It was a voice he was incredibly familiar with.

Lilia looked at the young man in front of her, her smile remaining polite. "I’m sorry, I don’t quite understand what you’re saying."

The man sneered. He was just about to puncture her facade of aloofness when she pulled a small nameplate from her pocket. Emblazoned upon it were the words: *Lien Royal Magic Academy*.

The young man’s heart skipped a beat. Lien Academy... that was a place only important figures could attend. Forget about provoking them; just being glared at by someone from there could probably spell one’s doom.

"I am a student at Lien Academy, and I came here to look for a classmate," Lilia repeated with a smile. "Excuse me, do you know the way to Wendel Street?"

It was the exact same polite phrasing as before, yet at this moment, it sent shivers down the man’s spine. He wanted to turn and leave, but he felt that slinking away like a beaten dog would cause him to lose face in front of this pretty noble girl.

Just as he was about to say a few more words to salvage his pride, a figure suddenly appeared, grabbed Lilia’s wrist, and pulled her behind him.

"Sorry," Victor said. His voice was deep, and he was slightly breathless from rushing over. "She’s looking for me."

The man froze for a moment but quickly reacted. "Oh, it’s Victor! It’s a misunderstanding. Just a misunderstanding." 𝑓𝑟ℯℴ𝓂

Privately, he looked down on this poor student, but he also knew that since Victor had entered Lien Academy, the boy’s future was limitless. Furthermore, Victor’s appearance confirmed the girl’s identity. She really was a student from Lien Academy; he had nearly provoked a big shot he couldn’t afford to cross.

Wiping a cold sweat from his brow, the thug threw out a hasty, "Since you found who you’re looking for, I won’t bother you anymore," before turning tail and fleeing as fast as his legs could carry him.

Once he was gone, Victor’s tense shoulders relaxed a fraction. He didn’t release Lilia’s hand. Turning to look at her, his voice was still a little hoarse from the lingering tension. "Why are you here?"

"Didn’t you just say it? I’m here to find you," the girl blinked, her tone innocent.

Victor choked on his words for a moment. "...You shouldn’t have come."

"Why?"

"There’s no ’why.’ It’s too dangerous for you here." Victor turned around as he spoke. "I’ll take you back."

"No." Lilia didn’t move. "I asked several teachers just to get your address. I rode a carriage for a long time, walked for ages, and then got harassed by a stranger just now," she said, a hint of grievance creeping into her tone. "I went through so much trouble just to see you, and now you’re chasing me away?"

"I’m not chasing you away..." Victor, with his back still to her, flashed a look of pity in his eyes. He sighed helplessly. "...Then what do you want?"

"Take me to your house," Lilia replied.

"You won’t like it there."

"How do you know I won’t like it?" Lilia squeezed his hand in return. "Take me to your house."

A soft, warm sensation spread from his palm, and the defensive walls in Victor’s heart instantly crumbled. Taking a deep breath, he surrendered. "Follow me."

He marched forward without looking back. Harboring a bit of pent-up frustration, he walked so quickly that Lilia struggled to keep up. Her low-heeled leather shoes clicked against the cobblestones, producing an incessant, rapid CLICK-CLACK.

"Victor," the girl called his name.

Victor’s footsteps paused. He didn’t respond, but his pace slowed down.

They exited the alleyway, crossed a block, and turned into another secluded, narrow street. The surroundings grew increasingly desolate the further they went. Victor stopped in front of a building, pursed his lips, and led Lilia upstairs.

It was an old-fashioned apartment building, so dilapidated it looked like a relic from the last century. The stairwell was narrow and dimly lit, its walls covered in spiderweb-like cracks that made it seem as though it might collapse from a strong gust of wind or a heavy downpour at any second.

"COUGH! COUGH COUGH!"

Victor pulled Lilia aside to dodge a tenant coming downstairs. He turned sideways, shielding the girl completely behind him, as if trying to isolate her from any potential germs and prying eyes.

Only after the figure disappeared around the corner of the stairs did he continue up to his door.

CLICK.

The lock turned, and the door swung open.

"...Come in," Victor said softly.

She didn’t need to be invited twice; Lilia immediately squeezed her way inside. The space wasn’t large, but it was exceptionally clean. The first thing in sight was an open-plan living room and dining area connected to the kitchen. Deep inside, a wooden partition barely managed to separate off a space that was likely used as a bedroom.

Closing the door, Victor subconsciously checked Lilia’s reaction. Instead of the impatience or disgust he had expected, her delicate face was colored with curiosity. She looked like a little bird eager to explore a new environment, even though everything here was completely mismatched with her gorgeous plumage.

The girl took a few brisk steps further inside, but Victor astutely noticed a lack of coordination in her movements. Frowning, he asked, "What’s wrong with your leg?"

Lilia didn’t seem to care much. "I walked for too long just now. My foot hurts a little," she casually replied while observing the room.

Victor said nothing. With practiced ease, he grabbed Lilia’s wrist and pressed her down onto the sofa. His actions were firmer and more forceful than ever before.

Lilia tilted her head to look at him but didn’t resist. She watched him walk to the entryway, pull a brand-new pair of slippers from the shoe cabinet, and half-crouch in front of her. He grasped Lilia’s ankle. Seeing that she showed no aversion, he finally lifted her foot.