Chapter 213: Princess Initiates a Kiss (1)

Meanwhile, the upperclassmen who had come to spectate couldn’t help but feel a mixture of admiration and respect for the charismatic figure standing on the stage.

The tale of Shia single-handedly decimating an entire goblin tribe had already begun to spread.

And this wasn’t just a handful of goblins, or even a hundred—it was thousands.

Such a feat left even the senior students questioning their own abilities. If they had faced the same challenge alone, would they have survived?

Most doubted it.

Thus, their gazes toward Shia grew increasingly respectful, acknowledging his strength and courage.

Within mere hours, Shia’s incredible deeds had echoed throughout the academy, elevating his reputation to unprecedented heights.

The title of "Top Freshman" was now unquestionably his.

For the first time since enrolling, Shia became the center of widespread attention at Seven Shields Academy.

---

After his speech concluded, the festivities naturally transitioned into a celebratory banquet.

Following their brush with disaster, the students needed time to relax and decompress.

But as the banquet began, Shia found himself surrounded by an overwhelming tide of enthusiasm.

“Shia, I’d like to offer you a toast.”

A girl in a sky-blue evening gown approached, exuding elegance and aristocratic pride.

Her curly chestnut hair and sapphire eyes radiated noble charm. She was the youngest daughter of the Lister family, a girl raised in the adoration of her powerful elder sisters.

Though she couldn’t quite compare to Princess Violet, she was still a prominent figure among her peers.

Her youthful face glowed as she gazed at Shia, her eyes practically sparkling.

Who could resist such a strong and heroic figure? Certainly not the Lister family’s little princess.

“Shia, if not for you, we might have faced unimaginable consequences. This is a gift I prepared for you.”

Another girl in a pink party dress stepped forward, holding a delicately wrapped gift box. Its pastel hues carried a subtle, ambiguous charm.

As she handed the gift to Shia, her fingers accidentally brushed against his, causing her to blush furiously.

Her long lashes fluttered, and her fair cheeks turned a soft shade of pink.

This girl hailed from another kingdom’s royal family—not of the main lineage but still from a powerful noble house.

With these two setting the precedent, the rest of the girls weren’t about to be left behind.

'Shia saved us too, didn’t he? We should show our gratitude!'

Before he knew it, Shia was completely swamped by gifts and attention.

Countless presents were shoved into his hands, and he lost track of how many hugs he had received. His face even bore several lipstick marks.

Some girls didn’t stop at gifts—they declared their feelings outright.

“Shia, I like you. Can I pursue you?”

The girl’s voice was clear, tinged with the innocent hope of first love.

But her boldness sparked a chain reaction of protests.

“What makes you think you’re the only one who likes him? Why do you get to pursue him?”

“Shia, I adore you too! My feelings for you are just as strong—let me have a chance!”

Caught in the whirlwind of affection, Shia was utterly overwhelmed. Buried under gifts and drowning in a sea of admirers, he could barely keep up.

---

Then a cold, commanding voice rang out from behind the crowd.

“In public, behaving like this—is this how you conduct yourselves?”

The tone was sharp and frosty, cutting through the chaos like the chill of a mountaintop breeze.

The fervent girls immediately quieted, turning to see a striking figure parting the crowd.

Silver-haired, clad in white stockings, Princess Violet strode forward, her cold gaze sweeping over the gathered girls.

Under her piercing stare, the girls shrank back, lowering their heads in guilt.

Without a word, Violet reached out and took Shia’s hand, pulling him away with undeniable authority.

The crowd could only watch in stunned silence as the two disappeared from view, too intimidated by the princess to voice their objections.

Violet’s imposing presence was simply too overwhelming.

---

“Feels like she’s stealing the man we all fell for,” one girl muttered quietly, a note of unwillingness in her voice.

Another girl, less amused, shot back, “Then go steal him back.”

Everyone instinctively recoiled, shivering at the thought.

'Compete with the Silver Moon Princess?'

'Who would even dare?'

If anyone did, they’d have to be a princess themselves.

---

As Violet led Shia through the courtyard, her pace quickened, as though trying to put as much distance as possible between him and the other girls.

But once they were out of sight, Shia stopped abruptly, causing Violet to halt as well.

“What are you doing?” she asked, slightly annoyed.

Shia’s tone was calm, but firm. “We’re far enough. Stop running.”

Realizing they were now alone, Violet’s demeanor shifted slightly. She glanced around, her face tinged with embarrassment as the reality of her actions sank in.

Her cheeks reddened faintly, though she refused to admit her jealousy.

“'Ahem.' I wasn’t jealous or anything,” she muttered defensively.

Shia’s gaze lingered on her.

Tonight, she looked… different.

She wore a silver-white dress reminiscent of her outfit when they first met.

However, unlike the short skirt she had worn back then—accentuating her youthful charm—this was an elegant evening gown.

The one-shoulder design wrapped snugly around her ample chest, exposing a smooth, fair shoulder. The look carried a refined, almost forbidden allure.

Her slender waist was highlighted, with a cutout at the side revealing a hint of delicate skin.

The front of the dress had a slit running to mid-thigh, and the back trailed elegantly behind her.

As Shia took in her attire, Violet shot him a disdainful glare, as though catching him in the act of ogling her.

She looked at him as if he were a shameless playboy.

Though she had been the one to pull him away out of jealousy, the princess was too proud to admit it.

Instead, she resorted to her usual biting sarcasm.

“Hmph, you must have loved being surrounded by all those pretty girls. Wasn’t it just 'wonderful,' Casanova?”

Violet’s gaze swept over Shia, clearly betraying the jealousy simmering in her heart, though she desperately tried to maintain an air of indifference.

But for all her regal pride, the tsundere princess was far from skilled in concealing her true emotions.

Faced with her sarcastic remark, Shia was entirely unfazed.

“Well, it’s just the kindness of my classmates. As their peer, how could I let them down?”

His casual response made Violet pout, her lips tightening in frustration.

'You’re really enjoying being surrounded by all those pretty girls, aren’t you?'

'Hmph, typical playboy.'