Chapter 22: Threatened By Some Senior Guys
On the ninth day of Alaric's time at Verdant Dawn Academy, he woke with a renewed sense of purpose. The Charm Aura he had unlocked the previous day was already starting to have an effect.
As he made his way to the courtyard for another day of Moonlit Festival preparations, Alaric could feel the subtle shift in how certain senior students regarded him.
Some of the beautiful upperclassmen who had seemed a bit distant before were now paying him more attention, their eyes lingering on him just a little longer than before.
Among those who seemed particularly affected were Mariel, Isolde, Rosalind, and Viviana—senior students with stunning figures and considerable magical talent, but with low social standing due to their backgrounds.
Alaric's new ability didn't work on the professors—despite their low-key admiration for him, they were too high in status to be influenced by his charm aura.
But these senior students, while popular at the academy, were relying on scholarships and talent to stay enrolled, which meant their family backgrounds were relatively humble.
And that made them susceptible to the pull of Alaric's new power.
Mariel, the auburn-haired beauty with a sharp wit and an hourglass figure that strained against the academy uniform, seemed particularly enchanted by Alaric's newfound charm.
She would brush past him more often now, her generous hips swaying as her thighs grazed his.
One moment in particular stood out: while they were decorating the courtyard with enchanted lanterns, Mariel "accidentally" leaned too far forward, her ample breasts pressing against Alaric's arm.
"Oh, sorry, Alaric," she murmured, her voice soft and teasing. Her chest, barely contained by her fitted academy blouse, lingered against him for a moment longer than necessary.
[System Notification: Intimacy score with Mariel increased.]
[Experience received: +98]
Alaric gave her a sheepish smile, his mind racing. He knew he had to play the innocent, wide-eyed junior to maintain the act. "It's okay, Mariel," he replied, his voice tinged with just the right amount of embarrassment. "I didn't mind."
Mariel smiled back, her eyes gleaming with mischievous intent. "I'm glad to hear that."
Later, as they worked on preparing the festival stalls, Isolde—a tall, statuesque girl with raven-black hair and a figure that rivaled Mariel's—found her own ways to 'accidentally' press her voluptuous curves against Alaric.
She was a calm and stoic beauty, but today, even she seemed more relaxed around him, more touchy than usual.
When they were arranging some magical artifacts for display, Isolde reached over Alaric, her full chest brushing lightly against his back. She didn't apologize, instead continuing her work as though nothing had happened, but her eyes flickered toward him, gauging his reaction.
[System Notification: Intimacy score with Isolde increased.]
[Experience received: +125]
Alaric could feel the charm aura working on each of them, subtly lowering their defenses.
Rosalind, with her rosy pink hair and mischievous smile, joined in the growing game of 'accidental' touches.
At one point, while organizing some enchanted flowers, she leaned down to adjust the placement of one and her chest, heavy and full, brushed against his shoulder. The contact was fleeting, but it sent a shiver of satisfaction through Alaric.
[System Notification: Intimacy score with Rosalind increased.]
[Experience received: +142]
Even Viviana, the quiet, shy beauty with glasses and a killer figure hidden beneath her modest clothing, found excuses to get close to him.
While helping him with a levitation spell for the festival banners, she "accidentally" stumbled into him, her generous hips pressing against his thigh.
Alaric caught her by the arm, his innocent expression masking the satisfaction he felt.
[System Notification: Intimacy score with Viviana increased.]
[Experience received: +165]
As the day wore on, the preparations for the festival were going smoothly, but Alaric couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
During a break, when Alaric found himself momentarily alone near one of the quieter corridors of the academy, a group of older boys approached him.
They were all from the same senior class as Mariel and the other girls who had become more friendly with him recently. Their expressions were hard and unfriendly, their postures tense.
One of the boys, a tall, muscular student with a sneer on his lips, stepped forward. "You're Alaric, right?"
Alaric nodded, playing the innocent junior. "Yes, that's me. Can I help you with something?"
The leader of the group, his chest puffed out in superiority, glared at him. "We don't like how you're getting so close to Mariel, Isolde, and the others. They're our classmates, and they don't need some little kid like you hanging around them."
Alaric blinked, feigning confusion. "I'm not trying to get close to them," he said, his voice innocent. "They're the ones who are helping me with the festival preparations. I can't exactly tell them no, can I? It wouldn't be respectful."
The leader's sneer deepened. "Listen, kid, I don't care what your excuses are. Our leader has his eye on Mariel, and he doesn't want any guys near her, especially not some little brat like you."
Alaric's mind raced, but he kept his expression neutral, nodding dumbly as though he was submitting to their threat. "I-I understand. I'll keep my distance."
Satisfied with his response, the group of boys finally dispersed, leaving Alaric alone once more. He let out a sigh, his thoughts already working on how to turn this situation to his advantage.
That evening, Alaric went to the practice grounds near the dormitory to work on his magic control. As expected, the senior girls—Mariel, Isolde, Rosalind, and Viviana—soon joined him, watching his practice with interest. Despite their growing affection for him, Alaric made sure to maintain his distance, acting a bit cold and distant toward them. It was all part of his ruse.
It didn't take long for Mariel to notice his change in behavior. "Alaric," she called out, her brow furrowing as she watched him practice from a distance, "why are you being so distant today?"
Alaric paused, his internal smirk hidden behind an innocent expression. He approached the group of girls slowly, his voice soft as he explained. "Earlier today, a group of guys from your class came to me. They… threatened me, told me to stay away from you and the others. They said their leader liked you, Mariel, and didn't want anyone else near you."
Mariel's eyes darkened with anger as she recognized the description. "Those idiots," she snarled, her voice low with fury. "I can't believe they'd stoop so low as to threaten you—a first-year!"
Isolde and the other girls exchanged glances, their expressions hardening. "We know who they are," Isolde muttered, her voice icy. "They're going to regret messing with you."
Alaric could feel the tension in the air, but it was Mariel who acted first. She knelt down in front of him, her large, firm breasts pressing against his chest as she leaned in close.
Her shirt strained against her ample curves, her cleavage visible as she looked up at him with a reassuring smile.
"Don't be scared, Alaric," she said softly, her voice filled with warmth. "We're going to make sure those guys don't bother you again."
[System Notification: Intimacy score with Mariel increased significantly.]
[Experience received: +930]
Before Alaric could respond, Rosalind and Isolde followed suit, kneeling beside him and pressing their bodies against his. Rosalind's breasts brushed against his arm, while Isolde's full chest was pushed up against his side. Viviana, not wanting to be left out, gently pressed herself against his back, her modesty hiding just how ample her own curves were.
"We're here for you, Alaric," Rosalind murmured, her lips brushing against his ear.
"You're not alone," Isolde added, her voice a comforting purr.
[System Notification: Intimacy score with Rosalind increased.]
[Experience received: +768]
[System Notification: Intimacy score with Isolde increased.]
[Experience received: +703]
Alaric let out a contented sigh, his face a picture of innocent bliss as he enjoyed their affection. His system kept buzzing with notifications as his experience points skyrocketed from their touches.
[System Notification: Intimacy score with Viviana increased.]
[Experience received: +655]
The evening continued, filled with warmth, reassurance, and intimate contact. Alaric's Charm Aura had done its job well, and the experience points kept rolling in, pushing him closer to his next level. With each touch, each comforting word, his power grew. The senior girls were unknowingly helping him along his journey, their affection fueling his progress.
Alaric smiled inwardly, knowing that this was only the beginning.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone