Chapter 15: Better Than He Can

They left the crowded passage and entered the university garden. Blue light lines ran along the edges of the stone pathways, while a few students sat beneath the trees, reading from floating displays before their next classes.

Ephraim remained silent as he led her deeper into the university grounds, toward a lake surrounded by trees and glowing blue light strips along the paved banks.

In her previous life, Lydia had understood Ephraim better. They had grown up together, become engaged, and spent countless days side by side.

But this Ephraim was much more difficult to understand.

A few steps later, Ephraim realized Lydia was no longer keeping pace with him.

"What’s wrong?"

"One moment, you wanted to break off our engagement. The moment I signed the papers, you changed your mind. Am I just a game to you?"

She let out an irritated sigh.

"Rishe has a point. I don’t have time for this, Ephraim. You’re being indecisive, and I’m tired of it. Make up your mind already!"

For a moment, Ephraim said nothing.

He clearly had no intention of answering her question for now and chose to turn the tables on her. His expression grew serious for the first time since they left the passageway.

"I want to ask you the same thing, Lydia. Your Guiding ability was mediocre at best. Even the university confirmed it. But that Resonance Amplification..." His eyes narrowed. "No Guide should be able to do that. How were you able to do that?"

Lydia’s expression hardened.

"Why should I explain myself when you haven’t explained your change of heart?"

"I’ll explain after you tell me more about your Amplification."

Since Ephraim had no intention of explaining himself, Lydia decided to return to her dorm before she lost her temper.

"What a beauty. No wonder you’re always territorial about her, Ephraim."

A deep male voice suddenly rang through the garden.

Lydia turned toward the voice and saw a tall, handsome man with slightly tousled black hair strolling toward them.

"Territorial? Not at all, Senior. I simply prefer to keep what’s mine close."

Senior? If Ephraim is a junior, then this man must be a senior—one year ahead of him.

Despite his carefree manner, the way he examined Lydia made her wary. His striking green eyes held a hint of mischief, but there was something predatory about them, like a hunter sizing up his prey.

There are three golden stars beneath a Black Panther insignia on his red uniform.

An SSS-Rank Sentinel with Black Panther Spirit Animal. How awesome. This senior was even stronger than Rishe, then.

"Lady Valendorf, I presume?"

The tall Sentinel stepped closer to Lydia with a shameless grin. Before she could react, he reached out and caught a loose strand of her silvery-blue hair between his fingers.

He lifted it to his lips and gave the strand a light kiss. His green eyes never left hers.

"I’m afraid you’re far too generous with your compliments, Senior. Should I be worried if you flirt with every woman you meet like this?"

Lydia smiled politely, though her cautious gaze suggested she wasn’t quite fooled by his charm.

"So lovely," he murmured, his green eyes gleaming with amusement.

"You never told me your fiancée was this beautiful, Ephraim. Were you planning to keep her all to yourself, golden boy?"

"Keep your distance, Senior. You’ll frighten her." Ephraim’s smile remained polite, but he quickly pulled Lydia closer to his side.

"Why don’t you bring her to the Nexus Guild sometime? I’d love to get to know her better." His green eyes lingered on Lydia with a playful smile.

"Unless you’re afraid she might find one of us more interesting than you, Ephraim. I wouldn’t blame her. Some of us are rather hard to resist."

Unlike Ephraim, who always carried himself with polished dignity, this man seemed completely comfortable ignoring every bit of formality around him.

"My name is Zachary Ludenberg, but for you? Just call me Zach!"

Lydia blinked. They’d known each other for less than a minute, and he was already asking her to call him by his first name.

"I’m afraid I can’t do that, Senior Zachary."

Zachary did not seem bothered by her hesitation. He leaned closer with a grin and continued, "If you join the Student Committee, you’ll get plenty of benefits. You’ll meet influential students, gain access to various resources and opportunities. I can even provide some benefits you can’t get in the Regular Class."

That last part caught Lydia’s attention. Resources. Opportunities. Benefits.

Those were words Lydia could understand.

This man must be an answer from the heavens. We do speak the same language! Who am I to refuse such generosity? He might be the key to my early retirement!

Lydia had to admit that Zachary was making a rather convincing offer. She had barely settled into the Regular Class, yet he was already talking about resources and opportunities that could help her get ahead.

Unlike a certain someone who preferred to keep her guessing, this senior seemed perfectly willing to tell her what she could gain.

Of course, she wasn’t foolish enough to accept an offer without knowing the details. Still, there was no harm in hearing him out.

Before Lydia could ask further about what kind of benefits Zachary could offer, Ephraim calmly stepped between them.

His expression remained perfectly polite, but his body language made his message clear.

"She won’t be interested. And please keep a respectful distance from my fiancée."

"Ephraim!!"

Zachary raised an eyebrow as he grinned at Lydia.

"Oh?"

He smirked at Ephraim before leaning closer to Lydia, clearly delighted by her interest. The Prince’s darkening expression only made his grin wider. Oh, this was even better than he’d expected.

"Careful, Your Highness. Keep glaring at me like that, and Lady Valendorf might start wondering what you’re so afraid of."

Zachary clearly enjoyed watching Ephraim lose his composure. And since Lydia seemed interested, he decided to sweeten the deal.

"What if I could offer you something much better than your Crown Prince Ephraim, Lady Valendorf?"