How to Steal the Protagonist's Women

Chapter 20: How to Steal the Mage's Woman [4]

"The magic circle... how did you do it?"

"..."

I silently stared at Luna.

The setting sun beautifully illuminated her small face, framed by her long silver hair.

She tilted her head slightly and asked me again.

"The magic circle... how did you do it?"

In response to her question, I made a similar expression and replied.

"That's..."

"?"

"I don't think I need to tell you, though."

"Ugh..."

At my words, Luna's brow twitched slightly, and she closed her eyes.

For the first time, a crack appeared in her expression.

I cheered internally.

'Heh... got her good~'

[Fortunately, it seems she remembers you, Guardian.]

'Hehe, that's a relief.'

The woman who ignored my outstretched hand the first time we met.

A doll-like woman who seemed emotionless.

A woman with a decent level of talent and passion.

And such a woman wants something from me?

There's no woman more suited for NTL than her.

I felt a boiling desire to break that expression of hers and cover her with sexual talent.

Luna was truly a woman I wanted to ruin.

After closing her eyes and staying silent for a while, Luna opened them and spoke to me.

"...I'm sorry if I upset you earlier."

"What do you mean?"

"..."

I pretended not to understand and played dumb.

Luna and I engaged in a staring contest, a strange battle of nerves.

Who won?

"...I won't tell anyone about the magic circle. I'll come see you again tomorrow."

After saying that, Luna turned around and walked away.

Her elegant gait wasn't hidden even by her cloak.

I cheered after watching Luna's retreating figure disappear from the terrace.

"I won!"

[I'm not sure what you won, but congratulations. However, there's a chance someone else might have seen, so you should be careful.]

"Well, if they catch me, I'll just force myself back to the ship."

Even if I get caught, I can just return to the ship. The problem would be if it interferes with my mission...

But I felt like things were going well from the start.

I thought the conversation would be difficult, but Luna came to me and initiated it.

Just like with Viola, I think I'm really lucky.

"This is amazing. I should use this to build a relationship."

[Fortunately, based on the information in her profile, it seems she won't tell anyone else.]

"Plus, she's more ambitious than I thought..."

-[Longing for Growth]-

From Luna's perspective, my ability must be beyond imagination.

Mages spend an enormous amount of time drawing magic circles.

In some cases, it can take an hour to create a single magic circle.

To materialize a magic circle just by thinking about it.

She's probably praying that I don't get discovered by others.

At least before she can learn it herself.

"Hehehe... Since I was completely ignored, I'll pay her back in kind."

[...]

I returned to the dormitory with a satisfied smile.

***

"Mr. Suho."

"Yes?"

The next day, as soon as the magic circle class ended, Louis approached me.

The guy who had been surrounded by girls since the first day suddenly came up to me.

"Are you thinking of joining a club?"

"A club?"

Like any school, the magic school had a club system where students could gather.

You could join multiple clubs, and there were quite a few clubs unrelated to magic.

But...

'It's annoying... why would I join something like that?'

[But since this is a long-term mission, it might be necessary to pay attention to building friendly relationships.]

'That's true... but I'll join later depending on the situation.'

What's important to me isn't school life.

It's how to corrupt Luna.

Rather than wasting time on clubs, it's much more beneficial to rest and plan.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not thinking of joining a club yet..."

'No, let's focus on Luna for now.'

[That's a wise decision.]

According to the student council president, club applications would open in about a week.

Since the new students had only just started magic circle classes, she advised them to use the remaining time to explore clubs at their leisure.

After the session ended, we left the auditorium.

Since club applications wouldn't open for a week, I thought about heading back.

I tried to sneak away carefully to avoid getting caught by that nuisance.

*Swish*, stealth mode!

"Ah, Mr. Suho. Let's eat together."

"..."

My swift stealth was instantly detected.

Damn it...

'Why is this crazy guy acting like this... Armonia.'

[Yes.]

'Show me this guy's profile.'

[That's not possible.]

'...What?'

Disobeying orders?!

Ah... his rank is higher than mine.

Do I have to bow to him instead?

Armonia explained that the profiles of protagonists managed by Zodiac or the Sanctuary couldn't be viewed or altered.

[However, Zodiac and the Sanctuary can't view or alter the profiles of non-protagonists. That's our rule.]

'Damn, I wanted to find a weakness...'

I didn't have to face the previous hero. (I almost did, but it was a 1-second difference.)

This is what separation of powers means...

The girls started giggling at Louis's invitation.

"As expected of Louis... he really takes care of people. So kind..."

"Plus, as the top student, he even leads the bottom... I mean, the lower students. Amazing."

"Right, right."

But the atmosphere felt...

'Is this guy making fun of me?'

[I got that feeling too.]

I'm not sure if he's naturally like this or doing it on purpose, but...

Either way, he's a jerk.

Behind Louis and the girls, Luna was staring at me expressionlessly.

Her gaze didn't leave me.

But Louis, as if he remembered something, turned around and stood next to Luna, then looked at me and said.

"Ah, right... Sorry. Luna can't eat with strangers... Mr. Suho, could you escort the ladies here?"

"...Huh?"

He said something utterly ridiculous.

It sounded like he was throwing me to the wolves while he went after the treasure chest.

'Ah... I'm getting really annoyed.'

[I understand, but you'll have to endure it.]

'Sigh... I'm enduring this for you, got it?'

[...Understood.]

Hehe, I need to vent like this.

Honestly, it's not a joke. I'm enduring this because I really want to be with Armonia.

The other female students, while disappointed, couldn't refuse.

"Ah..."

"If Louis says so..."

They looked at Luna with envy.

Even though they were openly glaring, Louis didn't seem to notice at all.

In fact, this situation might be more convenient.

The girls would naturally distance themselves if Louis was around.

Louis tried to lead Luna to the cafeteria.

But Luna just stood there, staring at me.

"Luna, let's go."

"..."

"Luna?"

"...Let's go together."

Luna looked at me and spoke.

"Huh? Are you sure? You can't eat with strangers, right?"

"It's fine. I met him yesterday."

"Well... if you say so..."

Louis looked at me with a stiff expression. For the first time, I could see his expression falter because of Luna.

Luna looked at me and urged again.

"Let's go together."

A faint smile seemed to appear on her face.

I smiled brightly at Luna's invitation.

And then I replied.

"No, thanks?"