Chapter 52: Are You Not Sleepy?
After the match ended, Erika had no intention of staying in the classroom to watch the other freshmen’s duels.
Vanessa had said that participants could leave at any time after their match, so she quickly jogged to the plaza on the outskirts of Wode Academy.
…
Her silver-white hair fluttered in the air with the movement of her body.
At this moment, Isana was running along the plaza. She stepped on the dusty ground with light and agile movements. Her figure looked graceful and nimble.
Erika waited for her in silence. Watching the girl running, she felt all sorts of emotions inside.
She had clearly been ready to admit defeat...
Tch…
Since Isana noticed that she was holding back, she should’ve surrendered earlier! So annoying!
…
“Erika!”
After her punishment ended, Isana jogged over to Erika.
She had already noticed Erika waiting for her, just without greeting her earlier. Now that it was over, she ran over immediately, panting as she arrived.
“Hah~ hah…”
Propping her hands on her thighs for a short rest, Isana brushed aside the damp strands of hair on her forehead and complained, “I’m exhausted. Ever since coming to the Imperial Capital from the Southern County, I haven’t exercised this much.”
“Thanks… Isana. I clearly lost… but you still took the punishment.”
“I was the one who lost, Erika. I should be the one thanking you, hehe.”
Isana let out a mischievous giggle, her smile curving like a perfect crescent moon. She waved her hand and said, “You caught me right at the start. If you had used magic on me then, I would’ve been finished.
Honestly, I should’ve surrendered back then.”
“So you do know, huh.”
“Hehe.”
Isana’s face was all smiles, radiating the energy of a cheerful and lively girl. “It looks like even in a duel, you never saw me as an enemy from the bottom of your heart. I’m really happy about that.”
Suddenly, she reached out and hooked Erika’s wrist. “I was in the wrong today, but it’s your fault for trying to spank me.
Let’s go. To show my apology, I’m inviting you to my house.”
“Ah… your house?”
Erika instinctively hesitated, because the image of her clothes being pulled came back to her mind. If Isana invited her like this, she might be up to something again.
Noticing Erika’s thoughts, Isana still smiled and said, “It’s to eat, don’t overthink it.
Don’t you like eating? Cake, jam, pastries, cheese… I’ve got tons at home. All made by the Elfreid family’s personal chef. Super sweet...”
“Forget the sweets. I’m a meat-eater.”
“There’s lots of meat too—roasted, steamed, grilled…”
Boasting non-stop, Isana perfectly hit the mark with Erika’s love for food, and her words successfully lured Erika in.
When it came to eating, Erika simply couldn’t resist temptation.
Listening to Isana’s descriptions, drool was practically about to drip from the corner of Erika’s mouth.
After a brief moment of thought, Erika finally gave in.
“Then… just to eat.”
“Mm, just to eat.”
Isana nodded with squinting eyes, her expression sincerely earnest.
“You won’t do anything weird to me, right?”
“I won’t.”
“Okay then…”
Under temptation, Erika was brought by Isana back to the Elfreid residence.
The place was still as luxurious as ever, with the surrounding decor exuding noble elegance. In the courtyard near the mansion, guards still stood watch.
Upon seeing Isana, the guards greeted her respectfully.
After entering the mansion, an elderly man in a black formal suit appeared. His expression was kind, and he stood very upright—clearly the mansion’s butler.
“Miss Isana, bringing a friend home today?” the old man greeted with a smile.
“Mm.”
Isana nodded obediently, then looked around and asked, “Grandpa Cooper, is my father home?”
“The Duke of Daylight went to the palace today.”
“That’s perfect.”
Isana blinked. “This is Erika, my best friend.”
“Hello.”
Erika nodded in greeting.
The old man kept his kind smile. “Hello, young lady. Seeing you reminds me of the daughter of an old friend.”
“Do we look alike?”
“Mm, I’m not familiar with that girl, I just felt you resembled her. But she’s a bit older than you.
Don’t worry about it, just the ramblings of an old man.”
“Oh.”
“Alright, let’s go, Erika.”
Isana impatiently pulled Erika by the wrist, and before leaving, she didn’t forget to instruct the butler, “Grandpa Cooper, don’t let anyone disturb us.”
“Of course, Miss.”
…
After being invited to a familiar room, Isana went out alone to prepare food, leaving Erika alone inside.
Sitting on that luxurious leather sofa, Erika’s gaze couldn’t help but wander around the room—the walls still adorned with headache-inducing nude oil paintings.
Isana had said it was just to eat. She wouldn’t do anything else.
Yeah, that’s right.
Probably…
Just as Erika was zoning out, Isana returned carrying several large plates of meat dishes.
Looking at the Western-style roast meat coated with various sauces, Erika’s eyes lit up with excitement.
These roast meats, both in appearance and aroma, were nothing like those from the Wode Academy cafeteria.
As expected of creations by the Elfreid family’s personal chef—the moment the roast meats entered the room, Erika’s eyes never left them.
“Alright, dig in, Erika. These are all yours.”
“Wow! Really, all mine?”
“Of course. I don’t usually eat such greasy stuff. If it’s not enough, I’ll get more for you.”
“Mm!”
Enough?
Of course it wasn’t enough.
Nodding, Erika didn’t hold back. She could hardly wait.
She didn’t even use utensils—just grabbed the roast meat with her hands and started eating. The rich meat flavor filled her mouth and instantly satisfied her heart.
“So good!”
“Thangk yuu, Ishana.”
Chewing on the meat, Erika didn’t forget to express her gratitude.
“It’s nothing. No need to be polite with me. Eat up, eat a lot.”
Smiling, Isana sat properly across from Erika, her sparkling eyes fixed on her. Whether she was observing Erika’s eating habits or the girl herself was unclear.
But Erika didn’t care. As long as there was meat, she could look all she wanted.
Soon, all the roast meat was devoured.
Still sucking on her fingers, Erika tilted her head and asked, “Isana, is there more?”
“Ah…”
Seeing the large pile of roast meat completely gone, Isana was a little stunned. She chuckled awkwardly. “Yes, there is. Wait a sec, I’ll get more for you.”
“Thanks.”
…
Soon, Isana brought in several more plates of roast meat.
Erika naturally devoured them all again, feeling absolutely wonderful.
Gladys never let her eat this much, but at Isana’s place, the food was not only delicious but also unlimited. It was pure bliss.
But after Erika finished enjoying herself again, Isana, who had been sitting across from her, couldn’t sit still anymore.
“Erika?”
She called tentatively, her face full of surprise.
Thinking maybe she had eaten too much, Erika replied softly.
“What is it…”
“Are you… not sleepy?”
“Not sleepy. Why would I be?”
“Really not sleepy?”
“It’s still early,” Erika said blankly. “You said all-you-can-eat. I’m not full yet.”
“No… that’s not it.”
At this point, Isana couldn’t sit still any longer. She immediately got up and came to Erika’s side, grabbing her shoulders.
“Why aren’t you sleepy?!”
“Why should I be sleepy…”
“Because I… kind of… added a little illusion-type magic to the roast meat…”