How to Steal the Protagonist's Women

Chapter 38: How to Steal the Mage's Woman [22]

During the short time Luna was on the stage, several events unfolded.

The teaching assistant's scream, Louis's protest, the dean's appearance, defending Seong Suho, and barely making it through the exam.

After defending Seung Suho, she attempted to cast a magic circle again.

'...Stay calm, stay calm.'

Luna was clearly in the most unfavourable exam environment.

On top of that, she had been so preoccupied with the homework Seong Suho had given her recently that she hadn't practised casting magic circles separately.

As she focused on drawing the magic circle, streaks of sky-blue light began to form, showcasing a beautiful pattern.

'...Can I really draw this?'

Even as she drew it, Luna was surprised by her own ability.

Despite not having properly reviewed it, she completed the magic circle perfectly in one attempt.

It took about 40 seconds.

Compared to monsters like Seong Suho or Louis, it was still a lower level, but it was enough to place her in the top tier.

After completing her magic circle, Luna immediately looked at Seong Suho.

'It's true. If I just do as he says, I improve.'

She had only done as Seong Suho instructed, yet her ability to cast magic circles had improved dramatically in a short time.

The effort she had put into visualizing magic circles clearly in her mind was finally paying off.

Witnessing her own growth firsthand, Luna felt a warm surge of pride rising within her.

Luna returned to her seat, and immediately after, Seong Suho stepped onto the stage.

Upon the teaching assistant's signal, Seong Suho began drawing a magic circle without hesitation.

He drew a circle resembling the sun, then began weaving golden threads of runes within it.

Luna stared at him in awe.

She had always seen him creating magic circles with his eyes, motionless beside her, but today was the first time she properly saw him casting one.

To Luna, Seong Suho's magic circle was a wondrous piece of art.

After completing the lightning-attribute magic circle in an instant, Seong Suho received his score and erased the magic circle from the stage as if it were a mere doodle.

"Ah...."

She desperately wanted to see more, but unfortunately, her desire didn't reach Seong Suho.

He calmly returned to his seat and sat down.

'He still doesn't look well...'

Luna had been worried about Seong Suho's condition since earlier.

'...What did he mean by dust?'

As she recalled their earlier conversation and looked at him, she felt his gaze.

She had been staring blankly, unaware that Seong Suho was also looking at her.

Luna mouthed to him.

'Thank you.'

Seong Suho shrugged at her gesture, then smiled and looked back at the stage.

Luna also smiled and focused on watching the other students' exams.

***

After all the students' exams were over, the dean and the teaching assistant left the classroom.

Luna was tidying up her desk and about to speak to Seong Suho when she noticed someone approaching her.

It was Louis.

Luna sighed inwardly.

'Ha, please...'

She had expected this.

He would probably say something like, "Let's talk for a bit."

Back when she had more time, she might have enjoyed chatting with him, but now she only wanted to spend every second she could with Seong Suho.

"Luna, I need to talk to you about the club. Can we talk for a moment?"

'Of course... Wait.'

But then Luna suddenly remembered what had happened yesterday and reflexively said,

"Didn't you quit the club?"

"...How do you know that?"

"Ah..."

Only then did Luna remember the situation where she had heard that conversation.

The cabinet.

She began to recall what had happened inside.

It was what she had heard while sharing body heat with Seong Suho in that very spot.

But as Luna recalled yesterday's events, Sonya also came to mind.

'...Something definitely happened between those two.'

Even though she knew she shouldn't jump to conclusions, she couldn't shake off her suspicions.

Louis spoke to Luna.

"...Luna, let's talk for a bit."

"Can't we talk after club activities?"

Luna absolutely didn't want to create a situation where Seong Suho and Sonya were alone together.

Unaware of Luna's thoughts, Louis replied as if giving up.

"Ha... Alright."

But then she remembered her schedule after the club activities.

'Oh right, after club activities...'

She was supposed to meet Seong Suho about an hour after the club activities ended.

There was enough time to talk to Louis.

However, she was already planning to freshen up, tidy her clothes, and do her makeup as soon as the club activities were over.

"After club activities..."

"Ah! Sorry, I have plans after club activities. Can we do it tomorrow?"

As Luna said, with one less member, sitting like this seemed to fit the atmosphere.

Amidst the awkward silence, the clubroom door opened, and Sonya entered.

Sonya quietly looked at us, then smiled meaningfully.

"Oh my? What an unusual combination."

"Haha... It just happened."

"..."

Luna didn't respond further.

Fortunately, as soon as club activities started, Luna relaxed and immersed herself in the learning game.

About an hour passed, and club activities concluded.

"Good work today. It's a shame we have fewer people now."

"Was it this small last year too?"

Luna asked.

"No. Last year, Professor Maximilian was still here, and we were conducting lightning-attribute classes, so we had about seven members."

"I see, that's a shame."

"To be honest, I don't maintain this club with any grand purpose. I just believe that even in fields no one is interested in, there should still be a path for education, no matter how narrow."

She truly had the qualities of an educator.

...And she's good at 'personal' tutoring too.

Sonya stood up with a regretful expression and looked at me.

"Well, that's it for today. Suho, can we talk for a bit?"

"If it's about cleaning up, I can..."

Luna stood up, intending to help tidy up.

But Sonya stopped her immediately.

"It's fine. There's nothing to clean up today. You can go ahead, Luna."

"...Alright."

Luna hesitated for a moment, then stood by the clubroom door and bowed.

"I'll be going then."

"Take care."

"..."

Luna, who had been staring at me intently, quietly opened the door and left the clubroom.

Sonya confirmed that Luna had left and approached me with a provocative smile.

"It's just the two of us now?"

"W-Well..."

Normally, this would be a situation worth cheering about.

If only my body wasn't in this state...

'Ah, this is driving me crazy. I'm so tired today.'

[It might be good to make an excuse and leave.]

'What excuse can I make?'

[That's something you need to think about, Suho.]

'...Hey.'

Is she getting more careless lately?

Is she saying I should reap what I sow?

Armonia seems to brush things off with a "You handle it yourself" attitude whenever she thinks it's not related to her duties.

But Sonya chuckled and tapped my chest with her palm.

"You want to go meet Luna, don't you?"

"Huh? N-No, it's not that. I'm just tired today...."

"Don't worry. I'm not going to pounce on you like an animal every time."

But that's part of your charm, isn't it?

Sonya's expression turned bitter, different from before, and she spoke.

"Actually, what I wanted to say is... Are you free this weekend?"

"This weekend?"

"Yes. I was thinking we could have a meal together."

"Of course!"

I cheered internally.

'Yay! Great! Let's go!'

[How about meeting Luna Stadtfeld on this golden weekend?]

'No, she'll be fine on her own!'

It's not that I like Sonya more than Luna.

Sonya has her own charm, and Luna has hers.

Both have different attractive points, so I can't say which one I like more.

But Luna's route is progressing well, and maintaining a relationship with Sonya would clearly be beneficial for my school life.

...And I wouldn't mind sleeping with her either.

As I was silently cheering internally, Sonya looked at me with an even darker expression.

It was strange.

If she wanted to have a meal, I thought it meant she wanted to enjoy a date like last week, but the atmosphere was very different from before.

Sonya, who had been sighing repeatedly, finally spoke after calming herself.

"...Actually, my husband wants to have a meal with you."

***

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