CHAPTER 76: CHASE’S VISIT TO AMELIA

Chapter 76: Chase’s Visit to Amelia

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The corridor outside the faculty labs was quiet. Most students were still scattered around the campus grounds, either at the training fields or in the lecture wings. Amelia walked slowly, her white mage robe brushing against her legs as she carried a basket of herbs she had just bought from the campus apothecary. She wanted nothing more than to return to her quarters, prepare the herbs, and spend the evening in peace. She did not expect anyone to be waiting for her.

Chase Weaverake leaned casually against the wall outside her door. He was dressed in the standard uniform, though his jacket was unbuttoned and his posture carried that careless arrogance everyone knew him for. His hair caught the last bits of sunlight coming through the tall windows, and when he saw her approach, his lips curved into a smile that looked polite but never reached his eyes.

"Lady Amelia," Chase greeted, inclining his head slightly as though he were meeting her at a noble function instead of in front of her own quarters.

Amelia stopped, her steps clearly deliberate. "Chase Weaverake." Her tone was flat, neither welcoming nor hostile. She adjusted her grip on the basket and met his gaze. "What business do you have with me?"

Chase straightened, pushing off from the wall with ease. "Nothing too troublesome. I thought it would be better to speak privately. May I?" He gestured toward her door.

Amelia’s expression didn’t change, but she unlocked the door and stepped inside, leaving it open just enough for him to follow. Her quarters were neat and simple, a mix of bookshelves, potion tools, and a small table set by the window. Chase entered, his eyes scanning the room briefly before settling back on her.

"I will be direct," Chase began, taking the liberty of sitting down without invitation. "Your skill in alchemy and pill-crafting is remarkable. Word spreads quickly in this academy, and it would be a waste if such talent remained underused."

Amelia placed the basket on the table and began sorting the herbs calmly. "Get to the point."

Chase’s smile widened faintly. "I want you to work with me. With your pill-crafting, I can provide the distribution, the influence, and the resources. You’d no longer need to scavenge for herbs yourself. Together, we’d hold an unshakable position beyond this academy."

Amelia finally looked up from the herbs, her eyes steady. "And by ’together,’ you mean I do the work while you take the credit and profit."

Chase chuckled lightly. "You wound me. No, Amelia. You misunderstand. This would be a partnership. Equal footing, that I promise. I will provide the backing of my house of Weaverake and the protection that comes with it. You just provide your craft, and BOOM! Everyone wins."

She returned to separating leaves from stems. "I have no need for your house’s protection, nor do I seek to ’win’ in the way you describe. That’s exactly why I came here, not to be another pawn in some noble’s scheme."

The silence stretched for a moment, as Chase’s polite smile thinned, but he kept it in place. He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. "You do realize the position you’re in, don’t you? This academy may preach meritocracy, but blood and influence still carry weight. Refusing an offer like mine..." He let the words trail, as if she should fill in the rest.

Amelia’s tone sharpened just slightly. "If that is meant as a threat, you waste both our time. My answer is no."

Chase studied her for a long moment. His smile never broke, though his eyes grew colder. Finally, he stood smoothly, brushing invisible dust from his sleeve. "You are resolute. Admirable, in its own way." He paused near the door, his hand resting lightly on the frame. "But understand this, Amelia— when the tide turns in this academy, and it will, those who rejected a hand of alliance often find themselves swept away. I will remember today’s answer."

She didn’t reply as her hands continued moving, deliberate and calm, as though he were already gone.

Chase’s smile faltered for just a second before he turned away, stepping into the hall.

He hated the way she had dismissed him. The refusal was one thing, but the calmness, the complete lack of fear, was what stung most. His pride was not something he allowed to be trampled on. If she wouldn’t join him willingly, then he would make sure she regretted it. He masked the bitterness behind his usual carefree mask as he walked down the corridor, but his mind was already turning.

***

Later that evening, the mood in Arios’s dorm was entirely different. The room smelled faintly of spices and cooking oil. Liza stood at the small counter, her sleeves rolled up as she chopped vegetables with ease. Arios was beside her, holding a pan over the flame while stirring its contents.

"This is going to burn if you keep zoning out," Liza said, glancing at him with a faint smirk.

"I wasn’t zoning out," Arios replied, though his voice lacked conviction. "I was just... thinking."

"Uh-huh. Thinking about what? Don’t tell me it’s my boobs again. We’re supposed to be making dinner, not plotting how to fuck someone."

Arios was definitely not planning on how to fuck anybody. His mind was focused on the next events from the anime he was trying to recall. He knew that following Greg’s departure, the plot shifted. The next four episodes were dedicated to slice-of-life moments. These episodes focused on the protagonist, Kyousuke, as he strengthened his bonds with his then growing harem, which included Elisa Ravenscroft and Sophie Sapphire, among others. Arios contemplated how many days four episodes of the anime would be in this world, whether he should expect the next major plot anytime soon.

Arios gave her a sidelong look. "I wasn’t thinking of such, just... reviewing some things in my head."

Liza laughed softly and flicked a slice of carrot at him. It bounced off his sleeve and fell to the floor. "I was hoping you did."

Fuck, is she that horny? Arios thought. What if I fuck her as she cooks? That definitely should cheer me up some more

He sighed at his thoughts, and quickly, he focused on stirring the pan properly, letting the sizzle of cooking meat fill the silence for a while. Liza soon finished chopping and slid the vegetables into a bowl, then leaned on the counter to watch him.

"You know, for someone who spends most of his time doing nothing, you’re not terrible at cooking," she said.

"Not terrible?" Arios raised a brow. "That’s high praise coming from you."

"It is," she said with mock seriousness. "You should be honored."

A knock came at the door just then, and both of them paused. Arios lowered the heat on the flame before walking over. When he opened the door, Lucy stood outside, holding a small bag.

"I brought dessert," she said simply, stepping in without waiting for an invitation. "Don’t burn the food, please."

"Why does everyone think I’m going to burn it?" Arios muttered.

"Because you probably will," Liza said, smirking as Lucy placed the bag on the table.

Lucy ignored the banter and began setting out plates. "You’re making too much food for just the two of you. Good thing I came."

Arios raised an eyebrow. "Convenient timing."

"Fate," Lucy replied dryly.

The three of them settled into the simple effort of preparing the meal together. Arios handled the pan, Liza focused on the side dishes, and Lucy arranged the table with a neatness that contrasted Liza’s casual style. The small room filled with warmth, the kind that only came from shared effort and familiar company.

When the food was finally ready, they sat down. The plates were filled with steaming rice, stir-fried meat, and vegetables, all balanced by the dessert Lucy had brought. For a while, the only sounds were clinking utensils and quiet chewing.

"This turned out good," Liza said between bites, pointing her spoon at Arios. "You might actually be decent at this."

"I’ll take that as a compliment," Arios replied.

Lucy nodded faintly. "Better than the cafeteria food."

"But obviously not better than his cock," Liza added.

"What?" Arios said, as he almost choked on some steaming rice.

"Arios," Liza said, her head now level with his naval. She quickly tugged her hair back and gripped his groin. "Let’s check if he can chew if I give him a blowjob."