The Sorcerer's Handbook

Chapter 149: Scared

"Isn't that what being a university student is all about? I paid tuition and even took out a student loan. If I don't study seriously, how am I supposed to get my money's worth?"

"Wow, that's impressive. Good luck, then."

"Wait, I remember the wanted notice said you went to university too! Come on, help me with my homework, will you?"

"Weren't you just saying you're determined to study hard, avoid shortcuts, and not take the easy way out?"

"Some assignments are just meaningless. I only do them to earn credits. Please, just this once~"

"Don't! Don't get so close! It's hot, I'm sweating! Let me see... hmm, oh, I see now."

"So, will you help me?"

"Sure. I'll provide all support... except actually doing it."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I won't do it either."

"But you've already graduated! You must have done assignments like this before!"

"Do people remember what kind of bread they ate in the past? How would I remember how I did this assignment back then?"

"Ugh, a gray, mediocre university student is utterly useless."

"If you want to be a golden legendary student, do your homework yourself. For your own good, I'll bear the shame and serve as a cautionary example."

"You're shameless."

***

"Ashe! There's no more shampoo! Can you grab a new bottle from the bottom shelf?"

"Strange, you actually know not just to walk out and get it."

"I haven't finished showering yet, and I'm too lazy to dry off. Walking out all wet would make the floor soggy. Even I have some common sense."

"You're so thoughtful, it really moves me. I hope you gain even more common sense... like, for example, grabbing things from the bathroom without exposing half your body!"

"You're annoying."

***

"Ha... hmm... ahhh... Ashe, are you done showering? You took even longer than I did! The water bill must be expensive..."

"Whose fault do you think that is?"

"Why do you make it sound like I forced you to shower that long... oh! Oh, I get it! Ah, I'm not embarrassed at all. Why are you shy?"

"Shy about what?"

"If you want to handle it yourself, there's no need to hide in the bathroom. As long as you don't make a mess, I don't mind if it's on my bed. I may not have saved many videos suitable for men, but I know which Curtains to check for materials. You can take your time. I also have lubricant. It's much better than water..."

"Stop! I'm just showering, I really haven't done anything else!"

"Then do you handle it during the day when you're alone here? Let me check your browsing history..."

"I haven't! I haven't done anything like that at your place."

"Impossible! You've been staying here for three days... do you have some masochistic tendency?"

"I can't be bothered to talk to you. Move, I need to use the Knowledge Curtain."

"You're kind of weird."

***

"Are you asleep?"

"No."

"Sleeping on the floor uncomfortable? Come up to the bed, I can make room for you."

"No, I'm afraid of you."

"Hey! That actually hurts my feelings. Plenty of people fear my veela traits, but even more are drawn to my appearance. Besides, there are plenty of little games to make you feel good... want to try?"

"I've always wondered, Freya, you're so attractive. Surely lots of reckless people hit on you at the bar. Why do you prefer spending money at the mud cafe?"

"Hey, Ashe, haven't you been to a bar? You really have no common sense."

"Oh, right, I'm being lectured on common sense by someone who sleeps naked without a blanket."

"Listen, the biggest difference between a bar and a mud or tea cafe is equality."

"Isn't equality a good thing?"

"Sure, but equality means mutual service. You make me feel good; I have to make you feel good in return. The more you want to gain, the more you have to give. And I'm not the type to serve others, so I'd rather spend money at a mud cafe."

"Huh... sounds like you're a bit selfish."

"Plus, mud cafes have buffets, baths, saunas, spas, and other entertainment. Mud worker services are just one option. Every woman can temporarily set aside real-life troubles and enjoy activities that suit her. Going to a mud cafe is deeply relaxing. Statistics show that every adult woman goes to a mud cafe at least once a month. Some high-ranking women even have private long-term rooms in intimate mud cafes. They live there full-time and enjoy top-tier services every night."

"Ah! I get it. Textbook queen behavior. Sit back, relax, and let the world do the work."

"And if you pay, you can request things ordinary men wouldn't agree to."

"Ah... I see... huh?"

Freya patted the bed. "Ashe, come here. If it's you, I wouldn't mind serving you either."

"Once you're done serving, you'd probably make a request in return, wouldn't you?"

"...."

"And the request would be some special service ordinary men couldn't fulfill?"

"But you're not an ordinary man! Show some courage, Demonic Saint!"

"I find the floor surprisingly comfortable... I'll sleep here."

Freya huffed in frustration. "Hmph, you're such a coward."

***

"I've been meaning to ask... why do you always wear those arm and leg covers?"

"Arm and leg covers?"

"The fluffy white fur on your hands and feet... isn't that something you put on?"

"Ridiculous! That's my natural charm fur! All veela have it. It's one of the biggest differences between veelas and humans."

"The veela boy I know doesn't have that fur."

"There are no male veela in this world. Only males with partial veela blood exist. Veela refers specifically to females. If a veela gives birth, daughters are pure veela, while sons mostly inherit the father's bloodline."

"That's another piece of useless knowledge learned."

"So... do you like my charm fur? I personally love it, but some people really dislike it. They think it looks beast-like, and some veela even remove it surgically to appear more human."

"It's beautiful! Can I touch it?"

"But don't you think it looks a little too wild?"

"Isn't that even better?"

"Huh? So you're the type that's into the Moonshadow?"

"I mean, the charm fur only enhances you. It gives you a wild vibe and makes you even cuter and more beautiful. Or rather, it's not the fur itself, it's you. You'd look good even if you shaved your head."

"Really!? I was actually thinking of changing my hairstyle..."

"But your current style is already perfect. There's no need to change it."

"Hehe, I think so too. You've got good taste."

"What's for dinner tonight?"

"Fruit salad, and..."

"No Redflame Lala Fat Fish Roe Rice?"

"That one's kind of a hassle to make..."

"Oh, then I'll head to class."

"But now that you mention it... I feel like eating it too. Alright, I'll swap the pan-fried steak for Redflame Lala Fat Fish Roe Rice."

Freya perked up. "You're the one who wants it. I'm not begging you for it."

***

During class, Adela suddenly asked, "Have you had anything good happen these past few days?"

Freya frowned. "Nope."

"Then why have you been so happy lately?"

"Am I really that happy?"

"Your lips keep curling up; they haven't relaxed even once. It's exhausting watching you!" Adela propped her chin on her hand, tilting her face toward Freya. "I might not even be this happy if I got into the Red Mist Research Institute."

Freya instinctively covered her mouth, then quickly lowered her hand. "No, I've always been happy, little veela style."

"Come on, tell me! Did something good happen? Can't you share it with me?"

Freya looked at Adela, slightly taken aback. "Adela, you're being... a little rude."

They were friends, but that was all there was to it. They could share hobbies, like Adela taking Freya to the casino, and Freya returning the favor at the mud cafe. That was fine. Anything involving personal privacy, however, was strictly off-limits. It was difficult to define exactly what counted as forbidden, but the basic rule was that if the other person tried to avoid answering, the topic could not be pressed. Anyone who ignored this was a social barbarian, unable to read the room and likely to hurt others with their words.

Adela was clearly not a barbarian. She had good social skills and a small circle of friends besides Freya. With her aspiration to become a Mind Class sorcerer, reading the room came almost instinctively to her.

Sensing Freya's surprise, Adela asked softly, "You're planning to see a therapist soon, aren't you?"

"How did you know?" Freya asked.

Bullseye.

Recently, Freya had felt a strange emotion inside her growing stronger, to the point it affected her rational thinking. It was her first time experiencing it, but she hadn't spiraled into overthinking or tried to handle it alone. Hence, she planned to see a therapist.

In the Blood Moon Kingdom, it was common sense that if a person had physical problems, they would seek out a healer, and if they had mental issues, they would see a therapist. Even ogres knew this survival skill.

In modern times, mental stress was common, and some people needed therapy as often as once a month from childhood onward. Demand for therapy was steadily growing, sometimes even surpassing medical treatment. A person might go a year without injury, but almost no one went a year without mental strain.

Therapists were common and widely available. Students like Freya often had healthcare support. Seeking therapy was cheaper than a meal, so there was no reason to face it alone.

Adela said softly, "Because you look really scared right now."