MTLNOVEL Chapter 108: Lilia
As Ashok closed his Status Window, his focus shifted back to his surroundings, and a fleeting thought crossed his mind: 'When did I come this far?'
The realization struck him as he stood at the end of the floating bridge, its kilometer-long expanse now behind him.
The bridge had passed by unnoticed while his mind had been engrossed in analyzing the intricacies of the False Monarch Trait.
Stepping down from the bridge and onto the Academy's polished stone pathways, Ashok's thoughts shifted to more immediate concerns.
'I'll head to the cafeteria first. I've had nothing since morning apart from a bottle of Spirit Wine. Then, the dorms. Being in the Aether Class means I'll have an entire room to myself—no need to share like those in the Wyrd Class.'
Ashok's eyes scanned the vast expanse of the Academy grounds as he strode purposefully toward his destination.
The sheer scale of the place was staggering, its meticulously maintained pathways weaving through gardens and buildings that stretched into the horizon.
'The Academy spans hectares—it's no surprise that newcomers might lose their way,' he thought. Of course, the Identity Card's built-in map, accessible via a simple flick, ensured no student truly wandered aimlessly.
Yet, he smirked inwardly. 'Who am I? I don't need something as trivial as a map.'
His gaze lifted to the Grand Entrance of the imposing Castle ahead. Its towering spires were framed by massive, rotating rings that shimmered with a faint magical glow, their slow, deliberate motion drawing attention to their immense scale.
Ashok's sharp mind immediately registered their purpose. 'It may look like a castle straight out of a storybook, but it's just a school—a place where students attend classes. Those rings? Clever mana-infused constructs designed to regulate the temperature across the entire Academy.'
Breaking his stride, Ashok veered left, heading westward alongside the Castle. His destination: the cafeteria, tucked behind the majestic structure.
The pathway remained bustling with life as students moved about, their presence hinted at by the distinct ties denoting their seniority.
Ashok savored the rare tranquility as he walked, the bustling activity of the Academy swirling around him without ever breaching his bubble of solitude.
Groups of students passed by, deeply engrossed in their own worlds—some chattering animatedly with friends, others deeply focused on the books they carried, their eyes skimming lines even as their feet moved.
A few students jogged past in tracksuits, the rhythm of their movements and the soft thud of their shoes blending seamlessly into the ambient hum of campus life.
Nobody turned to look at him. Nobody even spared him a fleeting glance. It was as if he didn't exist to them—a blissful invisibility that brought an uncharacteristic smile to his face.
'This is it,' Ashok thought, his inner voice tinged with relief. 'This is what I want. No gawking, no whispers, no stares like I'm some kind of escaped animal. Just peace.'
Ashok approached the western edge of the Castle, his focus unwavering on the path ahead. The cafeteria was tantalizingly close, and the thought of a long-overdue meal spurred his steady stride.
However, a voice behind him sliced through the ambient noise of the Academy grounds—a greeting, oddly sweet in tone: "Hello~"
Ashok being true to his nature, dismissed it entirely. He didn't even flinch, his feet continuing their deliberate rhythm as though the voice was nothing more than an errant gust of wind.
But then, the voice persisted, sharper this time though there was a unnatural sweetness in them "I am talking to you. Would you mind stopping for a moment?"
Ashok gritted his teeth lightly, though his expression remained neutral. 'I know this voice,' he thought, his memories from the game aligning perfectly with the tone.
'A significant character. But I just don't want to get involved right now. Today is rare—a free day—and after everything that's happened from the start of the day, peace is what I need most. Not to mention, 'I'm starving and in no mood to talk.'
"Is he deaf?" the voice questioned, carrying a tone that was both curious and faintly mocking.
"Hey, why don't you stop?" The words were accompanied by a hand resting firmly on his shoulder, halting his progress.
'Pain in the ass,' Ashok thought, his crimson eyes narrowing slightly as he turned around.
His gaze met the figure behind him—a strikingly beautiful girl whose presence demanded attention.
Her black hair cascaded down her back like liquid silk, catching the faint glow of the Academy's rings and adding an almost ethereal quality to her appearance.
Her pink eyes, framed by thick, long lashes, were far more than charming; they were calculating, scrutinizing Ashok with an intensity that felt invasive.
Her posture was a study in contrasts—graceful yet deadly, as though every movement was deliberate and precise.
Her lips, painted in a rich crimson shade, parted slightly as she spoke, her voice honey-sweet but tinged with an edge that hinted at something far more dangerous.
"Hello~ Are you deaf by any chance?" she asked, her tone dripping with charm yet carrying an unmistakable undercurrent of authority.
Ashok's crimson eyes shifted subtly to the side, taking in the sight of the two students flanking the girl—one male and one female.
It was the male who had dared to place his hand on Ashok's shoulder, a gesture that only added to the latter's growing irritation.
All three of them wore navy blue ties, the mark of first-year students. Ashok's gaze flicked briefly to their ties before returning to the male student with a cool and calculating stare.
'According to the game, after the Orientation Ceremony, students were given the rest of the day to roam around the Academy and familiarize themselves with the facilities. It's been over two hours now, and by this point, most first-years should be settling in their dorms or some curious one might be exploring deeper parts of the Academy.
So why is this girl still lingering near the entrance? I do not remember encountering her a playable character until the class starts aside from the Orientation Ceremony.'
Without hesitation, Ashok slapped the hand off his shoulder in a swift, deliberate motion. The sound was sharp, carrying an undeniable message of disdain and warning.
Turning his piercing red gaze directly to the male student, Ashok's voice was calm but unyielding as he said, "We are not close enough that you can touch me without my permission."
The male student let out a dismissive "Hmpf," rubbing the spot on his hand where Ashok had slapped it away. His expression was one of mild irritation, but he didn't press the matter further.
Meanwhile, the girl stepped forward, her honey-sweet voice cutting through the tension.
"Hmm~ I apologize if my friend was rude. However, there's no need to be this fierce. By the way, my name is Lilia," she said, her tone dripping with charm.
Ashok's crimson eyes shifted to her, his gaze steady and unyielding. As he stood there, a sweet scent wafted toward him, emanating from Lilia. It was subtle yet pervasive, wrapping around him like an invisible veil.
His focus locked onto her pink eyes, framed by thick, elegant lashes. Those eyes seemed to draw him in, their depth hiding something far more calculated than their outward charm.
Suddenly, a wave of repulsion surged within him, sharp and undeniable. 'Hah! This bitch is using her power on me,' Ashok thought, his mind snapping to attention.
The realization brought a mocking smirk to his lips, his expression shifting from neutral to one of quiet defiance. "It would be better if you stop using your power on me," Ashok said.
Lilia's sly smile faltered for a brief moment, but she quickly regained her composure, her coy demeanor intact. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice carrying a calculated sweetness that masked the tension beneath.
Ashok let out a sharp laugh, his crimson eyes drifting down Lilia's figure with deliberate boldness. Her appearance was striking—her Academy uniform accentuating her model-like frame, though still marked by the youthful features of a teenage girl.
The flowing fabric of her attire seemed to highlight her presence, but Ashok's gaze carried no admiration, only a mocking edge.
Before Lilia could react to his scrutiny, Ashok spoke, his tone dripping with disdain.
"What I mean is that someone like you is way too young and underdeveloped to use that kind of power on someone like me.
Kids like you should just suck on candies rather than going around the Academy and making friends with benefits." His final words were delivered with a pointed glance at the two students standing beside Lilia, his smirk widening as he emphasized the implication.
Lilia's fingers tightened near the hem of her skirt, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of red as her lips formed into a delicate pout.
The quiver in her voice betrayed her composure as she stammered, "H-How do you know?"
Her words, unintentional and raw, spilled out louder than she intended, drawing the attention of a few passing students. Their curious glances lingered, captivated by the scene unfolding before them.
Lilia did not cared about the Informal tone or the mocking words used by Ashok, she just wanted to find out how he knew that she was using her power.
Her pout, framed by her striking pink eyes and thick lashes, gave her an undeniably cute appearance—one that might have softened the resolve of anyone else. But Ashok was unmoved.
His crimson eyes remained steady, his expression carrying a mix of amusement and disdain. The faint scent surrounding Lilia still lingered, but Ashok's sharp mind cut through its charm effortlessly.
"You still have not stopped," Ashok said, his tone calm yet cutting, as he waved his hand dismissively in front of his nose, as though brushing away an unpleasant odor. "There's no point acting all sulky. Those kinds of cute acts won't work on me."