Chapter 72: Crepe, Cinnamon roll, Sushi and Leo.

Valerie was sitting on a soft couch, with various clothes; ranging from aristocratic to casual wear, surrounding her from both the sides.

A few seconds later...

Isabelle stepped out, wearing a grey and silver — bias-cut-gown. Turning her whole body, she checked herself.

"So how’s it?" Isabelle questioned, while correcting the fluid like satin.

Valerie looked at her for a moment.

"It’s good." She spoke, trying to maintain her concentration on the dress.

For a good reason — Valerie didn’t know much about fashion, and feedbacks that were to be given to a person, especially Isabelle.

But even for her, the dress looked quite exquisite. Even she could tell that the design was artistic and brilliant, as it draped around Isabelle’s body, hugging her like a second skin.

Isabelle straightened the creased silk near her bust, and blinked. "That’s it. Shouldn’t it be like I look hot or enticing?"

"...."

Seeing Valerie’s expression, Isabelle grinned.

"Well, I’ve got like a dozen more. Wait — let me try something different."

Before Valerie could say anything again, Isabelle disappeared back into the changing room.

Seeing her dissappear happily.

Valerie let out a tired sigh, clearing the clothes on the couch, she picked up a fashion magazine which was previously hidden under the pile of clothes.

’How did I even come here, in the first place?’ She thought while flipping the pages.

Today was supposed to be a holiday — given by the academy. It was her perfect kind of day which she had pre-planned. Even the movies that she had bought were waiting for her in her room. Thinking about them, made her frown again.

And yet—

’Fate is a bitch.’ She thought, bitterly.

Isabelle had dragged her out of the dorms without even giving her the freedom of choice, and now she was stuck sitting inside a ridiculously luxurious high-end store.

"Why are these people wearing actual fishnet as clothes?"

The more illustrations Valerie saw, the more she felt questioning herself. For her the magazine seemed like a weird kind of fetish for people as the clothes were made up of just — anything which she couldn’t even begin to describe.

Swoosh—!!

The changing room’s door opened and Isabelle came out of it again, but this time Valerie was ready with the compliments she had prepared before-hand, reading the magazine.

Instead, this time Isabelle didn’t look at the mirror or at her.

She simply waved at the store owner and said, "Pack all of them. Twenty sets."

Valerie froze, hearing the sheer amount of clothes her friend was buying in the name of casual shopping. "...All?"

Before she could process it, Isabelle grabbed Valerie’s hand and pulled her right out of the store. Valerie barely had time to register what just happened before they were already walking down the ’Phoenix supermall’s’ corridor.

Ten minutes later.

They were seated at a restaurant.

...And not just seated — crepes, cinnamon rolls, and sushi were already placed and served neatly on the table.

Valerie stared at the food, then at Isabelle.

"...How?"

Isabelle leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, smiling at the white haired girl like it was the most normal thing in the world to do at present.

"It’s called power Vivi."

"Where are the other customers?"

Isabelle smirked, "Don’t worry about them, Vivi. People tend to gather when we’re around. I just asked them to arrange a private table in the inner lounge."

By now, Valerie was honestly impressed by her capabilities.

She picked up the crepe and took a bite.

The moment she did, a burst of flavor filled her mouth. Sweet strawberry cream, sweet and soft, almost melting. Her eyes widened slightly before she could stop herself and as she bit into it the cream ended up on her lips.

Click—!!

Valerie blinked in confusion.

She looked up and saw Isabelle holding her phone, already grinning.

"How was it?" Isabelle said smugly. "I told them to fill the whole thing with extra cream."

"...!"

Valerie quietly wiped the cream off her lips with a tissue and didn’t say anything. She just took another bite of the crepe.

She was long used to Isabelle’s strange antics.

Isabelle leaned back slightly, crossing her arms, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.

"So," she said casually, "tell me. Come on. Who has recently caught your eye? And by telling, I mean full descriptive information."

Valerie didn’t answer right away, as a clan heir...a major clan heir, it was harder to listen while eating this delicacy.

Isabelle went quiet for a moment, her smile softening as she absently stared at the table.

Valerie noticed the change and tilted her head. "Did the elders call you back?"

Isabelle shook her head lightly and smiled again. "No, not that. I was just thinking... do you think Jeanne really sent those two on a mission?"

Valerie knew exactly about whom she was talking — Raviel and Ezio. The rumor had already spread through the academy that both of them were sent on a mission.

She thought about it for a second and then said, "It’s not impossible. Ezio is strong, that much is obvious. And even though I haven’t seen Raviel fight properly... I can tell. At the very least, they’re stronger than most. Probably the strongest in the year."

As she spoke, Valerie reached for a cinnamon roll and peeled a piece off.

Before she could eat it, Isabelle suddenly leaned over and pinched her cheeks, stretching them wider.

Valerie winced. "Can you... maybe let go...? I really, really want that cinnamon roll..."

Isabelle laughed, squeezing once more before releasing her.

"Ugh, I really can’t get enough of that face."

....

Instructor’s room.

Instructor Leo sat alone in the instructor’s room, the place was unusually quiet for him. Just an hour ago the place was filled with many professors and their assistants.

Looking at the window, he realised why it had happened.

It was nearly evening, the last rays of the sun were being converted into shadows.

"I’m afraid I’ve reached maximum fatigue levels for the day." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

The work was so much for him that he had failed to noticed the time draining.

He then proceded to open the windows to feel the fresh air present outside the glass cabin.

Zwoosh—!!!

As soon as he opened them a gust of cool air breezed past his face while the dust floated lazily in the air, for a moment, everything felt calm.

He leaned back in his chair and checked his phone.

A grin slowly spread across his face.

"Payday," he muttered to himself.

Not just that — the headmistress had apparently added some extra incentives this time. Leo let out a satisfied breath, already imagining a lavish seven star meal and a few drinks later tonight at a club he had seen.

Then something else crossed his mind.

His smile faded almost instantly. He clicked his tongue and rubbed his forehead.

"Fuckin’ hell... now I’ve gotta pay those bloodsuckers again."

With a tired sigh, he locked his phone and turned back to his desk. Papers were already spread out, some of them contained student files, performance charts and individual statistics.

"So much work...haaa!"

Sighing for the "nth time", he opened his computer and started compiling the data given to him.