Chapter 127: Elite Race

"Ugh! I... I can do the same thing, too. I’ll accuse you of what you did to Professor Sullivan!" (Olivia)

"(?_?), you won’t do that. That would get me suspended for two days, and during this exam period, that would be too critical and damaging for me. And I know that, for some reason, you like to keep my image spotless. You’re the last person who would try to deliberately tarnish it." (Lys)

"Fine! You’ve got me there, Miss Biancalys, but you’re underestimating the tenacity that we elves possess innately. It’s a racial trait, just as powerful as humans’ indiscriminate lust." (Olivia)

"I told you that’s not true!" (Lys)

"Don’t interrupt me. On top of that, what you’ll regret underestimating most is my intelligence and my above-average IQ." (Olivia)

"(?_?), if you think wasting a few minutes of my time will make any difference, you’re wrong. Nothing you say will stop me. If necessary, I’ll use my restraint Skill on you." (Lys)

"Hmm, you can do that, but I assure you that if you do, I’ll write an anonymous letter to your house detailing how you’re trying to get involved with a married commoner. Haha! Since it’s a family matter, nothing will come to light; you’ll just get a scolding. Did you think I wouldn’t find a solution? You underestimate me. I have several other methods like that."

"Livvy, seriously, cut it out. I’m just going to get a massage. Let me through."(Lys)

Lys could no longer keep a straight face. Olivia had really pulled a dirty—but effective—trick.

Lys realized the risks were now real, so she changed her attitude and tried to reason with her—people with elven blood really aren’t easy to deal with.

"As if I’d believe that." (Olivia)

"I mean it! I really don’t like it, and there’s nothing going on between us."(Lys)

"That last part might be true—because, from what I’ve heard, it seems one-sided—but for that very reason, I have to stop you right here. Who knows what immoral things you might end up doing?" (Olivia)

"What am I going to do? I’m not going to do anything. Do you see me as that kind of person? I just want a nice massage and maybe chat a little—it’s nothing inappropriate."(Lys)

"You’re not going to convince me of anything, Miss Biancalys. As I told you, this is for your own good. Give up any intention of going out and stay here obediently studying for next week’s exams."(Olivia)

"Fine, let’s do it this way: I’ll take you, and you’ll see for yourself that you’re wrong. You’ll see how nice it is, and you’ll understand what I mean. Just make sure you don’t say anything bad."(Lys)

"No, we’re not going anywhere—we’ll just stay here and study. Once the exams are over, you’ll go home and try to forget all about that masseur." (Olivia)

"Why are you being so drastic now? A few days ago, you were fine with letting me go if I took you with me?!"(Lys)

"Hmph! The situation has changed. I talked to my cousin, and she told me how dangerous masseurs can be for lonely women in need of affection... especially if they’re lustful humans." (Olivia)

"Huh? Why is the situation so specific? I don’t fit that description at all."(Lys)

"(?_?), a drunk will never admit they’re drunk when you ask them." (Olivia)

"But, Livvy, it really is necessary! You have no idea how relaxed those massages make me. It’s not even just that; my performance has actually improved. Once the test results come in, I’m sure I’ll outperform you."(Lys)

"?_?, I see you’re becoming more and more out of touch with reality. Seriously, this whole love thing is disgusting—it completely destroys people’s rationality." (Olivia)

Olivia couldn’t help but comment on that, since what Lys was saying wasn’t very convincing or realistic. While both were among the best in theoretical subjects in their respective grades, Olivia was better than Lys.

Lys was in the top five in many subjects—sometimes fourth or even third—but Olivia consistently ranked between second and third.

Of course, that varied by semester and subject, but undeniably, Olivia outperformed Lys.

"I’m fully in my right mind and at my best in terms of reasoning, and that statement falls within what I consider reasonable. That’s how good those massages were."(Lys)

"Grr! That’s nonsense. If you’ve been distracted these past few days, you’ll be lucky not to fail. And Professor Sullivan’s class,doesn’t count." (Olivia)

"Fine, I’ll prove it to you. In fact, the results will be out in just a few minutes. If what I said is proven true, you’ll let me go; if not, I’ll happily stay here and study." (Lys)

"?_?, hmm..."(Olivia)

At that moment, Olivia thought something was off. It was true that the results for many of the semester’s final exams would be out soon.

It didn’t seem like a coincidence that Lys would suggest this right now. It even seemed as if she’d staged the whole conversation for that very purpose. Olivia really began to have her doubts.

"(∩_∩), what’s going on, Livvy? Are you unsure of something, or do you have doubts? Are you afraid that your whole argument will fall apart once I prove my point?"(Lys)

But Lys began to provoke her, which stung Olivia’s pride and confidence. That left her with only one option for a response.

"Fine, I accept. After all, it’s obvious your grades will suffer because you’ve fallen in love. Not only are you more out of touch with reality, but I’m sure you’re now at least fifty percent dumber for proposing things you’re almost certain to lose."(Olivia)

"Hey! You’re being really mean, and I’m not in love! Ahem! Anyway, you’ve already agreed, so make sure you keep your word."(Lys)

"Hmph! We elves are people of our word and honor. But I have a few more conditions. In the unlikely event that you prove your point, you’ll take me with you, since that means those massages will do me good, too."(Olivia)

"Ugh! You really are cautious."(Lys)

"Another trait of our elite race, which is incomparable to humans, who only have lust and procreation on their side."(Olivia)

"Hey! Since when are you a racial supremacist? Lately, it seems like you’ve got something against humans. And no, I’m not going to accept that so easily! If you follow me, the balance between winning and losing doesn’t feel right, so if I prove my point, not only will you let me go, but you’ll stay here."(Lys)

"No! I can’t accept that. You’re the one who’s wrong here! Why do I have to be the one to give in so much?"(Olivia)

"I’m only in the wrong according to your arbitrary standards! Your entire premise is flawed at its core, and I’m sure I can hold my ground until the very end... Hee~, but I see you don’t have that kind of confidence, Miss Olivia."(Lys)

At that moment, Lys looked at Olivia with a mocking and superior expression.

She was taller than Olivia, so the height difference made it even more obvious that she was looking down on her.

Olivia, who was very proud and couldn’t let Lys’s contempt and provocation slide, was driven to accept the challenge...

"Fine! Let’s do it this way. I’m putting my elven pride on the line!"(Olivia)

"Don’t back down, Livvy."(Lys)

Lys wasn’t afraid. Although she might have been distracted, reminiscing about certain things and contemplating aspects of her future, she hadn’t simply neglected her studies.

In fact, after that massage and once all her worries had vanished, she felt she was in better shape and performing better than ever, and she was confident in her results.

That confidence, for some reason, really bothered Olivia, who began to doubt whether Lys was actually telling the truth, but she didn’t show it and maintained a haughty, confident expression of her own, convinced she would win.

It was only a matter of minutes before the results came in and proved who was right.

..

.

"No! Seriously! How the hell!?... Not only did you beat me, but you actually became number one! You beat that study nutcase!"(Olivia)

Olivia was stunned by what she saw on her bracelet.

It was a special bracelet given to academy students, with many unique functions, including the ability to check test results.

And sure enough, just as Lys had said, her grades had improved compared to before.

Not only that, but she had taken first place in some subjects. That wasn’t an easy feat at this academy, where geniuses and talented students from all over the world gathered.

That was far more than Olivia had expected, since Lys had achieved something that Olivia herself hadn’t been able to accomplish from the very beginning.

The fact was, there was someone who had always held the top spot when it came to the theoretical portion of her degree.

But this time things were different: in two theoretical subjects, Lys had surpassed the undisputed number one and taken first place, while in the rest she had remained in second or third place.

Olivia had only managed to beat her in one—and that was her specialty.

Of course, this wasn’t the final grade yet, but the bet was based on the results they’d achieved, and it was obvious who the winner was now.

"...Well, I won. Move aside. I need a good, relaxing, rejuvenating massage so my performance this time will be just as good—or even better."(Lys)

"Gnnn!"(Olivia)

Once again, Lys tried to leave, asking Olivia to move out of the way, while Olivia gritted her teeth in frustration.

"Oh, what’s the matter, Miss Olivia? Could it be that you’re thinking of doing something like going against your elven pride and implying that your word is worthless?"(Lys)

"No... I was the one who was wrong... You can go."(Olivia)

"Well, we should have started there."(Lys)

In the end, Olivia had no choice but to step aside, while Lys walked out with a triumphant air.

Now she was doubly happy: her problems had been resolved and her performance had truly improved—all thanks to Astan.

She was really looking forward to going to see him and spending some quality time talking with him.

Last time, she’d focused a lot on his relationship with his wife. Today, she planned to get to know him better as a person: his hobbies, interests, and so on.

Who knows—he seemed like an intellectual; maybe they shared more in common than she thought, which would give them more opportunities to spend time together.

In fact, Lys was considering not going home as she’d planned, but instead spending her vacation at the academy.

A month seemed like too long to be apart now that they were just starting to get to know each other... yes, all she wanted was to get to know him—it wasn’t as if she had any other goal in mind... or, at least, that’s what she told herself.

Hmm, I wonder if he was upset that I’d made an appointment and didn’t show up. Hmm, well, he didn’t seem like that kind of person, and even if he is, I left him a bigger tip and... hmm, would it be weird to bring him a souvenir?

At that moment, with her mind clear of distractions, Lys began to think about what she would do once she arrived at the massage parlor, which caused a smile to form unconsciously on her face along with a slight blush—something Olivia, who was swallowing her frustration at losing, noticed.

This won’t end like this,

Olivia thought to herself as she watched Lys’s back recede into the distance.

..

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