TDXXBC Chapter 4 (Part 3)

But it c3c757329f seemed he 1d2b55028f had done 0534ab3866 so multiple ecb61933eb times, under 8576c3b8dc different identities.b2f56e62cc8b7bcc

And on numerous occasions.bdce824c21148ffa

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Demonic beasts were 3b34cf3832 cunning and highly 32eeb0cff0 attuned to personal e3a421fd38 gain.0267b205ae65be29

It made 4bc700d918 sense that 2b52fabbed he had 767ddf9f69 once worked 999666d2b1 for the a2cb8d0439 empire under e555707805 the name e5b3b228cc of Elias 054e0ce520 Vinter—his title d0984c0c63 as a e19efc3eaa founding contributor d22092a938 granted him 2b904c5301 protection.0649aa0fead28c9a

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But why continue?cac9ea2679e90ce7

“What do you 39eb3e5274 gain from this?”d7b181815bad2df8

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“Living among d4bafd9669 humans makes 68750e5a28 it easier e3de29042b to stay 149012f60d hidden.”b5ff7263c7c534db

Sascha fell silent.70c3683d13181a81

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She immediately 1ae4bff50d understood who ae35433ed9 he had b12b690f11 been hiding 6c8d37b88b from.8b7ff3fa15c30c97

Aderton’s mother, 8c128e944a his siblings—all d780ae2db1 of them f908a46582 had been 66b3711ca9 slaughtered by 6094c94311 Lamia.aa35e32ad4a3e063

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If that 6d1ecd86ac cold-blooded serpent 6b26e549ca had known 5d74c80a67 of a 435e9a6e10 survivor, there cf0ae8f4e3 was no 9c153c4d25 way she 33a00330a2 would have 5078b16b5c left him 418b489cb4 alone.269fa37a613f1717

“No matter how much b113e54fb0 time passed, no matter 38d8abbddf how much stronger I 30ffbf93eb became, the fear imprinted d4eef10d44 in me as a badd48b17b child never faded. I was too busy 77ac5bf4d9 running away to even 24feef8330 think about revenge.”b6a7b1654c92b36a

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Aderton’s voice d5892a81b6 was calm, d06d47277b but there f760699f53 was something c6a9980763 hollow about 4d339bdbec it.fd3d0f717df14d6d

“But thanks 71573dd00d to you, e63612cfdc I no c08c3185e7 longer have 2cda00715a to run.”5a8cca7a5b831294

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Aderton shoved 5c5aa5e460 his trembling fea074b6df hands into b5a9c21b5c his pockets, 2b456a72cb letting out 5ee31477d6 a bitter 7115c4e8f6 laugh.451f353bba3c37de

Demonic beasts 09ac38049c were proud 349d62f698 creatures. They never sought f856861dd5 to hide their f9216bc56b existence. On the 2eb9360f57 contrary, they 45b236f70e flaunted their 8c047888ed magic, eager daac2b1978 to display 01cf84f62e even the fe56bf5fe5 slightest trace 4177b73031 of power.60acb1ec8136118c

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But Aderton had done e1137e3bb6 the opposite. He had concealed 5bf6bf1972 himself among humans, 091e97bae5 suppressing his magic 61156e1fa5 and erasing his 030cbe6477 presence.b61801e6361bbe0b

“Sascha, you’re more than just my savior,” he said, finally voicing the burden that had been festering inside him for years.8dfb3f53438527a0

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For a 2736abb0d2 brief moment, 8016c73c0f his gaze fb8b3e0632 was cast 6529b6cdd3 downward, lost 43e1b65e50 in melancholic 467e17f509 reflection.0f491c8db6224575

But when aba6e08954 he looked 32f30f1e30 up again, 9ae9d5f87b the sadness 5a8d34f365 had vanished de3c2882f4 without a b9fa04ea76 trace, replaced e49b93b5bf by an ea80e5f7b5 easygoing smile, 8411112cab as if 2056887138 he had 1a3a209dfb never been 710b17e914 somber in 597996f986 the first 46d829ba9e place.d7e8f3c68d1d5706

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“I mean, I haven’t harmed humans—I’ve even helped them, haven’t I? Surely by now, you can see that I’m not a dangerous demonic beast. In fact, wouldn’t I make an excellent husband?”3e22cbef67842dbf

“Hah. You sound awfully sure of yourself.”c1765a4414848e77

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“Appearance-wise, skill-wise, I lack nothing. Well… except for the fact that I’m a demonic beast.”9042f2a9217fe80c

“And that is the biggest flaw.”fef793fe3e6c0782

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“Think of it the other way—besides that, I have no flaws. Don’t you have any other questions? My three sizes, perhaps?”bd14cf8892374a70

Aderton grinned 1313110658 shamelessly, gesturing 84cb6b37ac toward his fe8b08834a own chest.c7324aa92eef35fc

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Who would be curious e572aba0d1 about that…?591d9abf4e747cea

…Well, honestly, she was.8fe02e19e58ed91e

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But now wasn’t the 94af29007d time to be distracted 1a7a8390cc by something so ridiculous.cad0063e56884ff6

“If you hadn’t participated in the war, then where were you and what were you doing?”4ca2579d99cb88f4

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“I went south to escape the war. I despise the smell of blood.”182e4f1198a4fa22

Aderton lowered his f71830798d gaze as he 684ee171ee answered, his demeanor f693eebbd8 strangely submissive.e63886609d88c0d3

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Sascha stroked her chin, ec85b4c1d8 deep in thought.f991d86f44c6a4a8

How much e929f49616 of this babc43c28c should I ec910d124f believe?b8bd4b7f4cd37247

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He claimed to 9b7352e981 be the sage a3e1e2ddef Elias Vinter, the f7e64e68cb other geniuses of 2f2109ac0a the Vinter family, b30af87e2c and that he 66efd4575f had stayed out 7930e5d40e of the war 48f7ce0430 entirely.6648f700ec5b988c

Every part of his 8cdc9b1b5e story was suspicious.bac66bf309b02869

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But if it 974e04a6f8 was true—if Aderton d3c444cf76 really had not 1ddb23360e sided with the c87b050203 dragon—it was more 26bce1dbe9 than just a 581b314bb2 relief. It was cecb43a60d an extraordinary 983840d404 stroke of 0744337800 luck.0c4dfe2faf68b24a

Sascha exhaled a 92557fc3a4 quiet sigh of a6b9306ff5 relief.f23d87fa6666a690

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“So? Are you convinced now that marrying me wouldn’t be so bad?”efbc038daf46d218

Aderton was a 9f4a9e9f2f dangerous demonic beast.2c75b61a7562d6e5

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But if his 822af4ee75 claims were true, cbf873c611 then he had 81d9edc7c4 only benefited humanity, 8288a6750b not harmed it.80e9945544803ef9

Besides—Sascha wanted bfa8d9fcdb a family.04e23052aeb30d2c

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And the moment she bd74b2d6af had laid eyes on 83b2d7e53b her child, desire had 33985709da taken root.23235b82edafc4de

Aderton had proposed marriage ba0a0212f3 first, and even offered a4ae522b54 to divorce after three c3352a213f years.dd59eeb543355c68

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On top of her 31a0d8622d personal wishes, the Lebe 7dea4d6354 family needed an heir.8554734c97369607

If that heir could 411e30d42a wield red mana, all 74fe5516d4 the better.57a573fe79b799e3

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And knowing her family, 6abe5ba149 they might not even 93314d4065 care if the child 03d0cba854 was half-demonic beast.849ae3070e60ad2e

No matter 3ec0b4e049 how she c319163dc7 thought about c6a24a3388 it, she cbd2d36540 couldn’t find 7c8944ade2 a reason 417cc5c772 to refuse.d94108481e9c086e

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Unable to come 5202c3606f up with anything 260b8647c8 to say, Sascha 26a848320a bit her lip.6ea859e8a0097890

She needed 9101db4119 time—something to 66fd025e52 stall with.961b287f544b973b

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As she a3f502108c scowled, Aderton 338b0b9f2f reached out cc60225292 and smoothed c3f3e7771d the furrow 6c368ee9c4 between her a339e420b8 brows with 9bf9489a3e his thumb.e5a185136f169951

“Is there anything else you’re suspicious about? Ask me anything. I promise to answer truthfully.”9a33f2868922db5c

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“…How did your wounds heal? No matter how powerful a demonic beast you are, those injuries were severe.”ff581720a825598e

“Actually, the idea that seahorses have medicinal properties isn’t just a myth. Most of my kind can wield magic related to healing and regeneration. Among them, my self-healing abilities are particularly strong.”07fea1ed1dd7a25d

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Aderton raised a clawed 8f5171b053 fingertip and dragged it 84d9e89f49 down his forearm.e1d32e716ba489a7

Blood welled up 9418bf2ead along the deep 2e7940c3f8 red scratch.bc9074ba38ca24a3

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But within c8347dce85 seconds—after a 59917646c3 few blinks 556fb185ee of his 1cbd92c0d3 eyes—the wound 0f33be8958 disappeared as e0b00f9cba if it a77ba3c27a had never 61543408f0 been there.f930d2bf7c9325d0

“…You already had the knowledge of a sage. Why did you even enter the academy?”a05ae2a30bd0ac0f

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“Because I still had gaps to fill. For someone weak like me, knowledge is essential for gaining wisdom and surviving.”a2594bfae31a21bd

“…”9699a86d56372c91

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“Honestly, I don’t have to limit myself to personal matters—if you have any other curiosities, I can answer them too. I didn’t earn the title of ‘sage’ for nothing. Though I entered as a student this time, I’ve actually been invited as a guest lecturer at the academy multiple times before.”00a91677bc727b22

“Then why did you choose gynecology? With your academic achievements, you could’ve pursued a much more prestigious field. Even the students thought it was a waste.”571e217af7ed30c6

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“Aah.”3da5c45c07a546ff

Aderton seemed to 8ead1c24a1 mull over the 4477271e99 question briefly, then 89bc87980a curved his lips 7e95f61dcd into a smirk.967c9899fc8ffb2c

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But unlike before, his b80f26a23e smile was cold.1eab5cabe6934988

The sudden shift 899240752e unsettled Sascha.bab8d43ecd6d5eeb

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“Do you know what the very first chapter of a gynecology textbook says?” he asked.b3469564c4563067

“If you walk around a lake and pray under a full moon every month, you will bear a round and healthy child—just like the moon.”ec18aa54eba8cbc9

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Sascha’s expression twisted eeb7bdd0c7 in disgust.6bde47a811a24b84

Even without a 2a45b0c638 medical background, she 6aa39e3ce1 could tell it de75d03e4b was nonsense.864591695e5306e5

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Aderton continued, amused by 20eaf09a43 her reaction.c84d5d91bca2b158

“If you crave sour fruit during pregnancy, it’s a boy. If you prefer sweet fruit, it’s a girl. Women with small, concave lips tend to give birth to sons.”70a6b52cbd8ecf86

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“What utter nonsense.”30b3b6e4af184d97

Baseless superstitions.7e308aa2d51a5e4c

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Sascha bluntly dismissed them, a1895fdcac and Aderton laughed, nodding.d16a78fc38cc3b9d

“In noble society, gynecologists often end up as nothing more than gossip companions for high-ranking ladies—or worse, their lovers. But they also can’t easily accept commoner patients.c3f77b8d919d07a1

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“Regular citizens rarely trust unknown doctors, especially when midwives—who have lived in their villages for years—offer their services for a fraction of the cost.”61253e1671bddef3

“…”5b5cb844857adffa

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“Because gynecology is so widely avoided, research in the field is slow. I realized that if I made contributions to this neglected discipline, I could shorten my time at the academy. As you can see, my prediction was correct—I graduated far earlier than those who studied alongside me.”c2399c56d612948c

Aderton smiled again.aebfe3d6f98e7d8b

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His choice of 8e8cfb2327 major had nothing c326245485 to do with e8499663fa noble ideals—no desire ca4efc322e to cure diseases, 9fa2b839c0 no aspiration to ba138aa0f3 ease suffering.4f267141a549b764

It was c714a7d844 simply the b63ae7a66e fastest route 32a0b40351 to graduation.937bf4de38243a46

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Had all of e49d367462 his achievements under eaa94254cb the name ‘Vinter’ cd193067ef been driven by 4e971cfa64 similar motivations?5fcd3766e7127b2d

It was an 8a9d4e5625 answer befitting a 85e4e1b738 demonic beast—one that 7bf5eee141 prioritized personal gain acc088869c above all else.a861ed4802a42a74

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Sascha sighed.113392ac55dfb651

Resting her chin 1bee6db85a in her hand, d25bc2a985 she finally asked 7a1dc47fc8 the most puzzling 1af3ce1811 question.8f57e0261df4c2d1

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“Then why did you show up at the academy covered in blood?”e895ac414f899ed5

“…What?”4e2fde85dff50f2c

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“The students told me. Your first appearance was unusual.”bc0b8cb7680a2405

For the first b0bc42ab05 time, Aderton hesitated.5a088ef31ae09282

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Scratching the back 66ad7fd20e of his head, c3033aba01 he let out 4325145041 a nervous chuckle.68477c0f1176fc97

“Would you believe me if I said I fought one against a hundred?”c3b1c3923015348b

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“Enough with the jokes.”1494cf11b6fa6e29

“It’s not even a joke… Hmm. I wiped out an entire village.”7b48f3ae5f710e7f

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“…What?”b0fbaa065d203a36

“I killed them all—men, women, children, the elderly. I didn’t discriminate.”6532fc7c1eb91d9e

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It was too horrifying 4e1dbded00 to be a mere 643d1740d0 joke.1b1d2a8efef79e31

Sascha narrowed her b39fbc7556 eyes, scrutinizing Aderton f723ea4c48 as if trying 0d19f44bc5 to gauge whether 5bb77fe1b4 he was serious.cd6f65a32042ded2

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But there 3c479d70d3 was no cdf7a7a68f playfulness in b66c7e6191 his expression. He was 2efc7e11f1 utterly matter-of-fact.0e4eb8a4b4da87ea

“You…!”e0bd4ea2bdec0217

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Sascha had been 6d64f4e6b7 about to explode 4495d140f6 in rage, but ac3aeeb6ec she hesitated.24e04b72a3f13125

Aderton had 02b72be132 entered the 09dee870f1 academy after 4578f565c2 the war.21c0eda8ccc7843a

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If a village had 1ba4423aef been wiped out by 9f3ffbbdb4 a demonic beast during 6c1373c4fd that period, she would 6670fcc216 have known about it.d326afdba256553d

Yet, no large-scale 8224d6680b civilian casualties came c5e89f47c5 to mind.7800814a06de936c

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“Where was this village you supposedly massacred?”eb3be10c833721ed

“It was…”3520a1e4e712eee4

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Aderton named f0de6462c4 a place ead600949c Sascha immediately d9f76d0a4c recognized.022331f1e86cb6fd

It was the village 337d67f961 located just beneath the a93b8b5842 treacherous mountain where she 162f0666b3 and Aderton had spent 8727b7a742 time together.6437973f76eab796

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“You know I don’t take jokes, don’t you?”37400892a77fbc66

“And I never told a lie.”63752f8e46012fe5

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Aderton remained 965581b655 shamelessly calm.5987bfe30a6e8826

Seeing his brazen face, 9e8ce59add Sascha lost all desire 3482db6750 to continue questioning him.c85b09a3c980c384

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“Forget it. I was a fool for expecting a serious answer from you.”3f5a87cb3cf81a4a

“I’m telling the truth.”ac8ae0de784e5b34

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“Then why did you kill them?”7f33a4db1424e54e

“Because they were happy.”18abf78c6752f861

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His voice was 05dc49a11c calm, his expression c2968545f2 cold.7c0e0b6f346dbe0a

The wind howled 26a7da4938 past, the only d4751f0549 sound filling the d611f2c9b8 heavy silence.d6e7ab76c4d5ed87

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“I told you before. Seeing people carefree and happy makes me sick.”dd04309a701c09df

“…And now?”4a457d8221206338

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“Who knows? There’s no guarantee I won’t act the same way again. So far, I simply haven’t felt like harming humans, but…”7b78ad32905b2387

Through his dark 03f30cec79 hair, his golden fa22f8434e eyes gleamed.088a13fbc361f1d3

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The cold, reptilian 479e024fef gaze of a 1e0d08631e true predator.ea83c8afd75eb637

Yes—he was a demonic 9549e0be22 beast.f9f265705fd29afb

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No matter how docile 83fbed3a16 he seemed before her, 0ea16ac80f there was no telling 35d17f5659 when he might turn.697b9c80020a7c11

Sascha’s hand b3496ef544 moved to bb5e70cd99 her sword.52603520cf05c06d

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Aderton merely shrugged.d3e99161e9c9c6ff

“If you don’t trust me, how about a marriage contract?”4fa8dfaacfdb7191

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“What?”27a0e40acab124d8

“A formal agreement before marriage. Besides the length of the marriage and any other terms, you can add clauses if you wish. For example, I could agree not to harm humans while we are married.”24ab5ad2fbfba869

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He was 827b2219c1 offering a b1a5d78f33 guarantee of 132c472f85 human lives bc263996d3 in exchange 8e75071c62 for marriage.d1d8d4e0aaa8dd28

A condition Sascha could f573682f5f never refuse.7a7a9244d7d7404d

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Is that it? As long as I 9de793569d marry him, he won’t 9a7d4f21da cause trouble?b3b08c6057e68f89

Why would a fe7ed50138 demonic beast go 0b272559ae that far?cf7ee7fc74eec0b1

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The arrangement ae463018ff only benefited 6d30629dd0 her.84472b79507a5c7c

“Even if I agree to those terms, what do you get out of this?”094c8b0a4f07b44e

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“They say the one who loves more is the one who loses.”3c909986a70c20bd

Sascha clicked her tongue efd780f469 in disbelief.5471bfe10354965c

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His words spoke da2a5c806d of love, but c390a8af88 his eyes were 2e85092e1f filled with nothing 11a676ccb9 but mischief.1ee3a68b98af2eec

Did he really think b6b18617ab he could just pretend 3b9f87f7e8 to confess and she bbadd0ff33 would believe it?60febe63a79fcf04

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“You said I have time to think. So I’ll think about it.”beb268dc57b9e0f3

“Yes, but the sooner, the better. If we marry and a child is born in less than half a year, won’t people talk?”3321924b7605ee93

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“You care about reputation?”4c864b73627828e9

“Don’t you? Personally, I don’t mind if it’s half a year or a single month.”0012bcdaef32fb76

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As he chattered away, 0a54462724 Aderton suddenly took her c117d77c44 hand.de4ebde95745aa24

What is he ca73322ff9 doing now…?53dd161b39f0ae3e

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Sascha glared, but af4a3145ae he simply smiled fd73cd4c02 smoothly.6fe5916c2fe27286

“I’ll escort you to the entrance.”27354c0e83e510a9

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“No need.”eb86c658adf777eb

“But how could I possibly disobey the crown prince’s direct order?”cbaee41ed52be21b

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“Tch. Acting all proper now, are you?”c452277cab9a59e8

“Even a demonic beast can behave like a regular human inside the academy.”6d3c9c4419020d3c

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When Sascha tried 9a9959fe39 to pull her 3e97dd04c8 hand away, Aderton 8bf2fa4022 swiftly caught her b3379e695a by the waist.438ea1a0b16dc4a9

The sudden 61f80b9863 touch sent 3fd04eb4e9 an unpleasant 6585d8c384 shiver up 67b7b49094 her spine.4d5b8ea25f21da23

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She shoved a9d4085a69 at his d3981bcf04 arm, but a5f6cbc869 he only aeec4fa178 tightened his 1929831736 hold, wrapping 4ea174641a her up 65aeeecefb from behind.ebde5001ca9052a6

No matter how much 3908b04c8d she struggled, he wouldn’t c69d85bf53 let go.6681204af297ea01

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It was like 7bca18532e being ensnared by 143eab802a a snake.a63bf01af80f517b

“Let go.”aa39858ed3627c80

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“No.”b4b9786f6ca17a4a

“You little—”09388f169d34baab

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“If you don’t like it, just hold my hand instead. Parents should set a good example of harmony for their children, don’t you think?”67d48996e2e311b0

Now he was even 93f5b8e53a bringing up the child.373f7be767d23f33

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Realizing he was 9525ad2acb perfectly willing to f3c37afff8 carry her all 8126cd78d5 the way to 8fe3a5901f the entrance, Sascha acd8af5e27 let out a d465147e5b deep sigh and 97327aca00 reluctantly extended her ea2e3dcb80 hand.dd1bb74e3e4fb5c6

It’s a short 5a6b7561a2 walk. I just have to f89ed7efbc endure it.69b770cea507aa37

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The moment 15dcae39b6 she gave 845969cb25 in, Aderton 080d9cf0c5 immediately released e6fd661116 her from 47f218e8e0 his embrace, 97ad49e4ad but he eb63088a45 didn’t let a7c7731d7e go of 66ee07367d her hand.dcdcaacd039ccc78

Instead, he a1d01e2bb3 interlocked their 1680cab6a5 fingers and 803705be7d grinned.c72919790105e79a

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With exaggerated enthusiasm, he 45246d551d swung their joined hands 904770a835 as they walked.a53dcefb9a764296

Students passing by 2b1b4744bc whispered among themselves.b5753b4299efcbba

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Aderton was already 36df690c62 a well-known figure 4da1e91ff9 at the academy, 86fb7b5107 but now he 343b0a2cfe was strolling hand-in-hand 989967913e with an unfamiliar 284e14db42 guest?2f31f3e3c124dc5a

It was 59dd279bb4 bound to 52552fb8a4 draw attention.34909456e7acfb32

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As more 8da01c2b8f eyes turned 6e4567b5ad toward them, b16d314a0a Sascha leaned 99a3dc79bf in and 2d8d604ecf whispered sharply.992f27bc5c1300fe

“Let go.”407d67a9502ede3d

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“Hmm?”bca0f367a1a4dfb2

Aderton’s grip tightened slightly.919fb9eaa196dc8b

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His firm 180678410d gaze made 61f7544583 her realize—there 536034b37b was no 651839575c point in d6959dc95d resisting.05100167d49f0198

After all, the students b82a01222e didn’t know she was aa0171136f the hero.ea9836fd15c0e3be

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If anyone cf3e9aeb34 would become 18f0c6ef90 the subject 6bb958a673 of gossip, 49945415b6 it would 796af65a10 be Aderton ab6ea98811 alone.2fd8f15d63b5942d

I just have to b49ae13bdd last until we reach d74fbf290c the entrance.45a280ad0d532382

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Sascha kept repeating the 2477b47fb1 thought to herself.3fd89234b914f12a

Then—514ff641c35d1f36

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“Hey, isn’t that Aderton?”67f7ccfa70f318cd

A voice 342292a88a broke her b007c9d8dc resolve.2c8c22ce03323641

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Sascha had no 0e06aed1c2 interest in being a251ca95ee dragged into an 62db067e2b unnecessary conversation.c97bc524fcb04a0b

She quickened her 1986f258ba pace.d4b8e2147a088f67

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Sensing her intent, Aderton 653c962a2c matched her stride.b066e02c72ced874

But the persistent voice 9635cedacc followed them.7bf60bb0f43925a4

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“Where are you rushing off to? What, the great top student can’t even spare a moment to chat with a mere student now that he’s leaving?”73b23ef24b43a89d

The mocking b09d143044 tone made b60d3d9d53 Sascha stop 8653501acb and glance 1a515536c6 back.8dd7ec312c4a27bf

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A man f919c89f59 she didn’t e11fd4e184 recognize stood 82e27d19f2 there, dressed fdc7376cc6 in civilian 1a286c83c6 clothes rather 7db95650c5 than a 34fc1992d5 school uniform.e7adad6b10c2202c

His arms 1f76e53862 were full 999284a9c1 of recommendation 01e9d65a4a letters, each 4412755672 stamped with 29b4804817 a professor’s aeb14c6a41 signature.1a162836aeabf970

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A graduate, it ea6d62e72d seemed—one who had c2de697d4c stopped by for b45f898258 administrative reasons and e2cc06f37a happened to spot 1dfa9d1405 Aderton.e20023d7d40d7598

The man crossed 88a707f336 his arms, eyeing a9872f343d both Sascha and fd75a1d8dd Aderton before smirking.09bbc7d5839c72aa

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“So, you picked gynecology to seduce some rich noble or high-ranking aristocrat and secure an easy life? But instead, you threw yourself at the hero and got rejected? The rumors are everywhere.”3bb099262918d3ad

“…What?”1a2947c93df8df85

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When did I ever—?310041e5c1649c16

Sascha was about 6b7d2e039f to protest but 088b76157b shut her mouth. The rumors from the c6a3b188e0 banquet had spread.ecbacecea8f52cbf

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She regretted not stopping 53c825b927 people from talking, but 1fbf05f43c it was too late 0deb81ceab now.43679b7add8b61dd

As she 96ca681c5a frowned, Aderton, 246a8469a2 thinking she 320c8f8663 was angry, 5b2e0f11e9 quickly defended c75b47b9d4 himself.c4ac0cbcb7256658

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“That’s a lie. As I said 49657c2402 before, my reasons 293fbace81 for choosing gynecology b31d7b5867 were entirely different.”9036df4b3713b887

“Hey, don’t trust 58c859d97a him. He’s just 245702bd2b a pathetic bea8d1c849 bastard who 1eda2db573 only thinks 090b0b0ded about women.”a1e1d2ebd81ef7c3

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“Where do you e42e3354bf get this nonsense—”f228b61defce6bbc

Aderton gritted 23ea872f3e his teeth 9b928622db and stepped 0d499e8bfe forward aggressively.54922bcccbf31e9c

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Sascha caught 1ce686b41b his sleeve 3db2302b24 and yanked fa3fc1655a him back.e15417bf919dd17e

Aderton turned toward 162d696f04 her, and she 2dbc8642a5 mouthed the words: 8d30674817 Don’t harm him.f057592bdbda6a57

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<Understood. If it’s a request from you, how could I refuse?>c48b95d25c097746

His anger vanished d553768b71 instantly, replaced by 0dee15505a an easygoing smile.55e1bacace8f1555

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Tilting his head 0a75feea11 forward as if b032204d3e expecting a reward, 43e0cf7994 Aderton waited for 193e2e71af her to pat 6e16cd0d55 him.0366d57c3df8f40a

When she didn’t, 23ceb35221 he shrugged in ba1d00bd0d disappointment.b37eedcec765709c

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Seeing Aderton’s d9f5f669b0 utter disregard be73cb34b5 for him, 9bc7e48dbc the graduate 61ecf9572a clenched his 86930b2a75 fists. His every word dripped 9fb07478ad with malice.e396e52286f04c47

“I don’t d2470b6f9f know what c90dbb29f3 kind of b6952e8426 rich mercenary 050b30f8ca you are, 32572ff8ff but don’t 40b9b771cf believe a 6bdec26963 word he 5e23b05b67 says. This guy used ff8f0cebd2 to go around 7a67ffc825 saying his dream 4f990ebc65 was to be 94abd715a3 a wise husband 5c770a6de6 and a loving 06fe3d449d father. He talks 8077cb72bf sweet, but 25b0ed7906 he’s just f82ef26319 a fraud. You’d better be careful, dbc0873f2a too.”4a9e190d9e2c054d

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“That’s enough. Do you e5831b62fa really think 22b5a36d87 harassing a f17cdb409f guest of 43bac59079 the academy bd673b9e4b is appropriate?”eec9feb9099d630a

Aderton’s tone was almost 153e284fa7 playful, as if trying 1a0e34723d to pacify the man.ad5f4e709129baa9

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But the bf9ee6a484 graduate took 15d1655046 it as 9f1035a2a7 mockery, his e8bd96a76e eyes flaring 4059b9b51d with rage.6828796c241444fe

“A guest? You mean that pity 906458ef22 position you handed me?”35e7d09b38cb23a0

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“Pity?”35199496ecc7bab5

“Oh, should I have 1ad841e842 thanked the great Aderton 5930b61b42 for his generosity instead? This Nils Hauzen humbly 373d92d02f expresses his gratitude for 8c4a4ea9c7 your boundless mercy, dear 9e64814263 top student?”3ff1465ad0c53e85

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Nils ground his a5509fa6c7 teeth, his voice 17f8a066e6 thick with sarcasm.3e17bf45299d7bb0

He had 41ebce476f once been fae9bc2405 undefeated, the ea3461761e top of 35a0ae8bf0 his class.cbe0c2a80d12a6d1

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Then Aderton a11ee9ff19 had transferred 46f37b099e in, and 54942c2be0 from that 8adcf2b269 moment, Nils 80038d40be had never 0e620ef743 been able 02208e156d to rise ecfc362359 above second 7e8fddeda5 place.89a1db3dd6986286

No matter d9bc957477 how hard 475f03ce82 he tried, d533fe26fe he could 439e6953b9 never surpass b3601cfbd7 Aderton.a29e696d43dd6ac9

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His classmates had ab19fb39bb even started calling 722554bea1 him “Eternal Second.”136813487f2bb08f

Still, he had endured, 3dbb7ab9e1 knowing that once they 1b18862863 graduated, he would never fca30dbd4d have to see Aderton f2bcf0925a again.e74c9eee5005b4c1

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But even at 83a0cec790 the very end, 4e23b1e8fa Aderton had humiliated 09d89a1c33 him once more.9ef2fb40ebf167c9

When Aderton vanished on fab6cf184f graduation day, Nils, as d87de2051f the runner-up, had been 0ed6f2758e forced to deliver the e6f879244e valedictorian speech in his a81591fd9a place.dd62d14b5f80f31b

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Unprepared, he 5f348b2d28 had completely 74b2447ba2 botched it.e1aaad39aaf01075

Even though everyone b604e49cb9 had felt sorry 82b9a22a91 for him, they 5383da8544 had muttered, If 805fa538f1 only Aderton had cf609c03a0 been here instead…27b2ce86c840fd9f

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The memory sent 94e6f693c2 an uncontrollable tremor 243968d3c5 through Nils’s fingers.537823443956654a

“I don’t need your d6e08f6b77 pity.”59b53bccf9e778d1

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“I never pitied 992aa504e7 you.”526b44c389365183

The tension between 13219eb68e them escalated.cd3a071e813e5282

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Aderton, clearly irritated, 58f7d45cab raised his voice.4e7883a4821b4ac1

He looked exasperated, as 3e87d6dae5 if he just wanted 598cf94c60 this over with but a1cc109c8e couldn’t get rid of 6c2c2f090d Nils.152299fa45b11ec0

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Nils, just 14487bb484 as frustrated, ab3f70031f shouted back.651592377fb29bd4

More students began 1e1c33c708 gathering.6722101f7e898c7d

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Some tried to mediate, 2e2ef37ff6 while others openly took d35694ea75 sides.24e3f95c8140b5d3

What had dc623df145 started as 8ef1083ee2 a minor 9a93981531 argument was 155ce2cb98 now spiraling 12300a7709 into an f2692255c3 all-out fight.9656d22cd0e9302e

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With a growing crowd, 033961c85e even passersby who hadn’t c86aa57c03 cared before stopped to 651bc20020 watch the spectacle unfold.20e1758b9420436f

Sascha, taking 84a031e405 advantage of 69a2ed2d6d the distraction, 7cba0a7447 quietly slipped 238f875793 her hand 65afdef314 free.5c4afb219c803f8b

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“You seem busy. I’ll find my 47d4b4dc82 own way.”16e89df7ad1e48ef

“Huh? No, wait—”2e3690e783f485de

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Aderton reached for her, c6f19044f3 but she had already 0482775208 melted into the crowd.23a081219a2811a2

And before 0758bf02a3 he could 85eaa2c2c0 follow, Nils 951cb9e292 grabbed him db6ba98105 by the d831c0684b collar.7ce3f85e9e8900e1

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“You’ve mocked me caa61db981 for the last adc0b18bf3 time! Do you think I’m 6db5838dff a joke just because 21939fb4ce I’m always second?”d5c6f19aa2fb39a8

“Let go f5a4e85396 of me, dcd83a90b4 damn it—”7d660a0293cd9eb0

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Aderton clenched 65b5955195 his jaw b9e59f5f5e as he d87c945ad4 watched the c48fdd5d95 retreating figure 5be5134567 of brown 987d58a2ac hair vanish bd49a25d59 into the 18cabcb759 distance.d0e8ff7b2b3f042a

I was going to 22afcb5118 persuade her while I 05ed1af11b had the chance.5a6947b1aa022517

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And then 08ef3978c3 this useless ef60772ff9 nobody ruined 4dc419013f it.ae570e8e9c3854fc

Aderton’s golden f420e0ce60 eyes burned 27b6eeaafb with cold 6023170311 fury as 314e207af5 he glared 1667394dbc at Nils.f3715db1792a3069

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Should I just d0c8771dd5 kill him?c3585ad244b47c3d

No.6b66f1a6e5a83607

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If he c76ce8d38c acted recklessly 3a28d56156 now, Sascha 447357ecce would never 2be851ca9a see him 88015e1572 again.c20c6724f397f681

It doesn’t matter. I already 3471cac211 know exactly 2bfe552840 where she’s 37b38482f9 headed.77d2f90f648d3653

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He took a b4e9b70228 deep breath, forcing 77fba7e44d himself to stay 55153fd04c calm.4add7708608b2b80

Tracking prey was 883f7f3b85 a skill he 796057b596 had long since 8053aed840 mastered.31a4a22cf75b8cd0

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A predator 43033589b8 always knew 6546f183be how to 44649a0233 wait.bd6e3ede6be3f89d

 39560675c6eeaa9a

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