Bab 12: Manipulation

"Alex, don't be so naughty, gosh."

Vian cried out while trying to catch her partner who was casually stretching its wings around, causing some of the furniture to be caught on fire.

She quickly suppressed the flame but still felt a bit panicked, Alex had been more and more disobedient lately. It felt as if she was losing control over his small habits.

Small habits could easily develop into a very serious problem in a fight. She could not afford that kind of misstep. If Alexander was going out of control, he must obey her again before asking his help in a real battle.

Their contract was one of a kind. The Partner did not need to keep their human alive, in contrast, the human needed to make sure their Partner was still alive by the end of the day.

'Stupid rules!'

Vian cursed the first time she heard that. She felt it was wrong, why did she need to tie her life with a being that may die because they were weak?

But her father held her shoulders, forcing her to look at it from another perspective.

Yes, perhaps that would have been a trouble and unfair for others. However, she had a phoenix as her potential Partner. If that was not enough to entice her, she did not know what else could do.

Phoenix were immortals. So, keeping one as her Partner had solved the problem of worrying over their safety.

In several instances, though, Alexander had proved itself to be Vian's most dangerous opponent. In the midst of the battle, it would casually refuse to listen, prompting Vian to push more mana into it to support it.

"Such a manipulative bird you are," Vian sighed while finally putting Alexander down after they calmed down.

Resting on her rocking chair, a blush found its way to her cheeks. She remembered what she heard earlier and felt joy bubbling in her stomach.

'Alastor is actually having an Ascension Battle! He had never done that before, and now after our encounter, maybe…'

Vian wanted her thoughts to be true. What if Alastor truly started moving because of her? Those random thoughts felt magical. His scent that was still lingering in her clothes was even better to sniff now.

At the same time, she could feel something weird within her as she remembered an incident that just happened earlier. Arisa's servant came to her and gave her a note-

{Hello, Young Miss. I would like to kindly warn you to stay away from that Alastor as his reputation may tarnish your exquisite reputation.}

Vian could feel both mockery and threat in that short note. It made her blood boil. Despite Arisa being the Imperial Princess, she was only the third princess and her chances of taking the throne were pretty low.

Why would Vian even try to please her at that? It was utterly ridiculous for her. For this note? Not only will Vian ignore it, she will make sure to do the opposite and take Alastor under her wings.

In any case, the young man had already stolen a part of her with his enchanting scent.

"And the rest, he seemed to have enough power. His background is vague and the rumors are quite bad, but that is why he's interesting."

She smiled but jumped once she heard the door being knocked, she quickly sat up and asked, "Who is here?"

"Hey Vian. We had not finished our conversation last time," opening the door slowly, Alastor peeked into the room.

Vian stumbled and soon enough she stood up upright, her face flaming as she covered her nose.

'Yes, yes, yes! The best scent ever! Alastor, you are-'

She stepped back, trying to calm down. Alastor entered the room and approached her, practically caging her against the bed.

While she was expecting more, for better or worse for her, Alastor was only smiling at her his usual smile. The sly edge of his eyes made her squirm as he spoke.

"You do remember you have done something inappropriate against me, shall I remind you?"

"...!!"

He was here for that? But their position, maybe? But Vian also felt a bit scared now. Something was… Different about Alastor. His scent was slightly different, it was still very pleasant and the best.

But it became more dangerous.

Was it safe to play with his fire?

'Alas, little sheep. You have fallen in my arms and I am assuring you, you are never going to escape it.'

Alastor was able to feel her fear, he looked around her room and mused.

"A truly luxurious room, in addition to how you sneaked into my room without any trouble… Perhaps you already have the guards in your pocket?"

A noble lady could easily do that. Just pay a bit, promise a promotion or a new position in some army, and tada! The guards would grovel under them.

Gulping, Vian nodded at him. Still not daring to speak anymore, her fantasies calming down but slowly getting replaced by something else she had yet to experience before.

"Then, would you mind giving me a small gift? Consider it as compensation for your actions against me."

Receiving another hesitant nod, Alastor pushed her more onto the bed and whispered to her, "You are to make my Ascension Battle tomorrow. I need to leave this class as soon as possible, if I did, I am promising you a special trait~"

With that last word, Vian finally let out a soft moan. Unable to suppress the invading scent coupled with the close skin contact. She nodded eagerly while trying to make him not realize her current condition.

However, this was Alastor in question. Every movement was actually calculated pretty well, noting how taking advantage of Vian was easy as long as he pressed the correct keys.

'A little protected flower is the easiest to fall into the temptation of the opposite sex. Especially given how she had this unique nose.'

Alastor's smile turned into a smirk as he slowly pulled himself away from Vian who was acting like a mess. The more she yearned for it, the easier it was going to be to control her.