NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 7.1
Stage 1-7. Always, Always, By Your Side
In this world, there are beings called spirits, invisible to the eye.
By giving magic power to these spirits, they exert their strength and cause supernatural phenomena—that’s magic.
Magical aptitude refers to whether or not you have the right magic power for spirits of a certain attribute.
Simply put, spirits perform magic as a thank you for receiving their favorite offerings.
And as for me, I have no magical aptitude.
To the spirits, my magic power is akin to poison.
So, what happens when magic power that exceeds the supply interferes?
The suffering spirits cancel the magic, making it as if it never existed.
This is one of the secret arts I created, [Delete].
“Alright, this should do it…”
Using the uniforms that Luark and his group were wearing, I tied them up so they couldn’t move.
All that’s left is to hand them over to the academy along with the photos, and these guys will be expelled and become eternal laughingstocks.
They’ll never show their faces on the stage again.
If a fight is picked with me, I’ll buy it at full price. Even if I have to use the power of the Vellet family to crush them.
“I should let Father know later.”
Now, more importantly…
“Is your body okay?”
“…!”
When I called out, Riche shuddered with a start.
This reaction is understandable.
I did call her useless, after all.
Feeling guilty is only natural.
“I-I… I said something awful to you, Vellet-sama…”
—But too bad, I’m a bad guy who takes advantage of that guilt.
Riche has no luck with men.
Having to choose between Luark and me, what a choice.
But I’m not kind enough to let something like that hold me back.
I intentionally act kind.
“Don’t worry about it. More importantly, here, cover yourself with this.”
I drape a blazer over her body.
It’s the classic carrot-and-stick approach. I’ll slowly instill gratitude in her, making it impossible for her to refuse my demands.
One day, I’ll have her wrapped around my finger, doing anything I say—Mashiro Riche, completely under my control!
Heh heh heh… The fact that I can think up such a devious plan on the spot is terrifying.
“…I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…! I don’t deserve… Vellet-sama’s kindness…!”
“You don’t need qualifications to get along with people.”
“But I betrayed you… If I’d just trusted you, you wouldn’t have been hurt…!”
This girl… what a hassle…!
I said it’s fine, so that should be the end of it.
Is this difference in perception because of our different social statuses? Or is it just that Riche is naturally responsible?
…No, it’s both.
“I… I… I need to be punished…”
“Then, stay by my side, and live for me.”
“…What…?”
“You said it, didn’t you? That I’m useless.”
I gently wipe her tears with the same handkerchief I lent her that day.
The light returned to Riche’s eyes, which had been clouded with darkness.
“Then, stay with this useless person forever. Never leave. It must be exhausting to hang around someone useless. —That’s your punishment. No objections allowed.”
Without giving her a chance to speak, I cut off the conversation and stood up.
“Follow me, Mashiro! Our path to dominance starts now! Ha-ha-ha-ha!”
Even I was surprised at how smoothly those words came out… but they’re pretty good, aren’t they!?
I subtly declared, “You’re mine,” and if Riche agrees, I’ve got her word on it.
Alice will be a witness, and there’s no way Riche will refuse.
Now, let’s see how she reacts.
“Vellet-sama!!”
“Whoa!?”
Caught off guard, I was tackled and knocked down.
W-What the heck!? Is this an unexpected rebellion!?
Even if you hug me and press your, er, chest against me, I’m not taking it back!
But, well, since I want to enjoy this a little longer, just stay like this for a while!
“…Ouga-sama, you’re so kind.”
Huh? In what way?
If anything, I’m an evil guy who just stole Mashiro’s life by taking advantage of a weakness…
Alice really is missing a screw.
She probably thinks differently than normal people.
After that, I enjoyed the pleasant feeling until Mashiro stopped crying and let go of me.
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