"Hmm?"

After leaving the Martial Duel Arena, Muen suddenly stopped on the path blanketed in fallen phoenix tree leaves.

His gaze swept around with a faint sense of suspicion.

It was class time, so no other students were around.

The surroundings were quiet—only the rustling of leaves in the breeze could be heard.

It looked like nothing was out of place.

"But why do I feel like someone’s watching me?"

Muen couldn’t help but frown.

That subtle, almost imperceptible sense of being spied on—it was like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, flicking its tongue at him.

"Don’t tell me there’s some pervert stalking me?"

A chill ran down Muen’s spine.

"But didn’t that guy Koren get caught?"

Thinking that, Muen didn’t dare linger. He shook his head and quickly left the area.

...

During class hours, the library was mostly empty.

"Huh? Junior?"

Anna-sunbae wore the black uniform and long skirt of a librarian. Her soft hair was braided neatly into a plait that fell gently over her shoulder, giving off the vibe of a gentle older sister next door.

But the moment she saw Muen, the slight crescent curve of her eyes gave away the mischievous glint of a little devil.

"What are you doing here? Don’t you have class right now?"

She leaned over the desk, supporting herself with both hands, bringing her upper body forward as a soft fragrance wafted out, her voice gentle and teasing:

"Did you skip class just to come see me?"

"I..."

Muen leaned back slightly, pressured by Anna’s “presence,” yet he couldn’t stop his gaze from drifting downward.

So big.

So tall.

So... overwhelmingly majestic.

From this top-down angle, not only could he fully admire the grandeur of those twin peaks, but he could even vaguely glimpse the unfathomable valley through the taut gap in her shirt.

"Junior."

Anna’s tone took on a trace of feigned annoyance, seemingly having noticed where Muen’s eyes were wandering.

She reached out a single finger and playfully prodded Muen’s forehead upward, forcing his gaze to shift away.

"Being lewd is not allowed, you know."

"That’s slander! I wasn’t!"

Muen’s cheeks turned slightly red as he vehemently denied it.

"Honestly."

Anna straightened up, crossed her arms, and sighed lightly:

"This librarian uniform is already considered the most conservative outfit in the entire academy, and you’re still looking at me with those indecent eyes? Just how hopeless are you, Junior?"

"It’s your fault for being pretty and having a perfect body," Muen said with a silly chuckle.

"I’ll take that as a compliment then."

Anna flashed a charming smile, then lowered her head and returned to the task she’d been working on before Muen arrived—organizing the books in front of her.

"So then?"

"Hmm?"

"My earlier question."

"Oh."

Realizing what she meant, Muen immediately struck a cool pose, leaning against the nearby wall and flirtatiously flipping his bangs:

"Just as you said, Sunbae, I came here specifically to see you."

"Really now?"

Anna lifted her eyes, glancing meaningfully at the book in Muen’s other hand.

"You came to see me... and brought a gift? Hmm, let’s see what it is. Introduction to Basic Magic Theory? Mmhm, Junior Muen, you’re so impressive. How did you know this was my favorite book? So much so that someone like me, who doesn’t even need to take this class, has flipped through it dozens of times recently?"

"Uh..."

Muen awkwardly hid the textbook behind his back and gave a sheepish laugh. "You must be mistaken, Sunbae. I would never be so shameless as to interrupt you while you’re working."

"Oh? Is that so?"

Anna raised a delicate brow.

"If I was mistaken, then feel free to do as you like, Muen. It’s class time right now, so there aren’t many people in the library—you can do whatever you want. Just don’t get in the way of my work, okay?"

She patted the neatly stacked books in front of her with a mischievous grin.

"After all, it’s work hours."

"I’m sorry, Lady Anna."

Muen immediately pressed his palms together in mock supplication:

"I’m just a shameless scumbag. Please forget what I said and punish me severely!"

"That’s more like it, my adorable little scumbag junior."

Anna chuckled softly. Her delicate frame quivered slightly with her laughter, and Muen’s heart swayed with it.

"Alright, let’s go."

She finished sorting the books and pushed open the little gate at the counter.

"Eh?"

Seeing Anna step out just like that, Muen blinked in surprise.

"Is it really okay to leave your post like that?"

"Relax. We’re not leaving the library. As long as I’m within sight of the counter, it’s fine. Besides..."

Anna narrowed her eyes at him with a smile:

"Aside from a certain naughty student who’s probably skipping class, who else would come to the library right now?"

"...True."

Muen glanced around. Aside from a few upperclassmen quietly ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) researching at the far end, the library was empty.

...

After sitting with Anna-sunbae at a spot near the counter, Muen’s painful yet blissful study session resumed once again.

The complicated knowledge was broken down into easily digestible pieces by Anna’s skillful teaching and steadily poured into Muen’s brain.

He could clearly feel himself making progress.

But to him, the joy wasn’t just from that.

Every time he looked up and saw Anna-sunbae’s elegant expressions as she taught—smiling, frowning in thought—it made him wish time would slow down. Just a little. Then a little more.

If only moments like this could last forever...

"Junior, you smell like a woman."

After wrapping up a section, Anna casually flipped through the book in her hands and said this offhandedly.

"Uh..."

Muen, who’d been drifting in pleasant fantasy, froze mid-expression.

"R-Really?"

"I’ve smelled it before, you know."

Anna put down the book, her gaze suddenly layered with hidden meaning.

"Back when I visited you in the infirmary—it was the same. It’s that Student Council President girl, isn’t it?"

Shit. Even after thirty “intimate” interactions with other guys since then, she still caught that?

"My sense of smell has always been sharp," Anna said with a gentle smile, as if reading Muen’s thoughts.

"So, is it?"

"Yes..."

"In other words, before you came here... you saw that Student Council President?"

"Ah... yeah."

Muen answered stiffly.

What the hell is this guilty feeling, like I’ve just been caught cheating?

I didn’t even do anything!

No, I need to—

Just as he was about to say something to change the awkward mood, Anna rested her chin on her palm and leaned in closer.

A sweet scent lingered around Muen’s nose.

"Come to think of it, Junior, you’re quite the womanizer around the Academy, aren’t you?"

"I already told you, that’s just a rumor," Muen replied with a bitter smile.

"Maybe, but it’s true you’re always hanging around the prettiest girls in school."

"Am I?"

Muen scratched his cheek.

He hadn’t noticed any girls showing interest, but he definitely felt like some boys were eyeing his body with... ulterior motives.

Still, for her to bring this up now...

"So, I wanted to ask you something."

Anna suddenly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Her eyes, shimmering like spring water, curved into a gentle crescent as she asked softly:

"Do you have someone you like?"

"Eh?"

Her words were so clear—so sudden.

It was like a professional boxer had landed a surprise punch straight to Muen’s chest.

His eyes widened. Instinctively, he looked around.

At some point, everyone else in the library had left.

Only the two of them remained.

It was utterly silent.

Wait. Waitwaitwait.

This setting.

This atmosphere.

And now Sunbae suddenly asking that kind of question...

Don’t tell me she’s going to—