Trapped as an NPC in a Dating Sim

Chapter 35: Elves’ Love for Beauty

“Hey, you are too close.”

“Shsss…focus!”

In one of the private training rooms of the Elite Hunter Academy, a young man was seen hugging a young elf from behind, his hand tight on hers, who was holding a wooden bow, correcting her posture.

Although it was called a training room, it was currently filled with strong wind that fluttered their hair while a swarm of moving targets darted across the far end of the chamber.

It was highly advanced simulation technology, where invisible wind arrays constantly shifted direction and pressure to mimic real battlefield turbulence, forcing the archer to adjust her aim in real time rather than rely on instinct alone.

“Now…shoot…”

“Swoosh!”

The moment Soren shouted, Aria released the arrow, aiming toward the flying target with the correct position Zhiran had just taught her.

In an instant, the wooden arrow flew across the room, curving beautifully with the help of the wind and striking the target directly at its center.

“Excellent!”

Soren couldn’t help but praise Aria as she managed to take down the target. Really, she was an elf with a natural talent for archery, even though her class was a Summoner.

“Hey, this is just basic talent. What’s so great about that?”

But Aria didn’t seem impressed. Rather, she was annoyed, feeling like she was just playing around like a child.

Hitting the target that far in such heavy wind was indeed impressive. But what was the use?

Without the real class and skills like Eagle’s Eye and Piercing Shot, her arrow would have no power to kill any monster at all.

It was better for her to just use her summons to fight instead.

“Hey, didn’t I already say this is training to awaken your dual class?”

Soren raised his eyebrow, a bit offended. He already missed the timid Aria who would agree to whatever he said before.

She was beginning to complain a lot already.

“Tch…I feel like you are doing this to take advantage of me. You pervert.”

Aria mumbled, her face red, and distanced her body slightly from him, as he was too close, his arm still on her shoulder.

She had seen how he took advantage of Sylvia in the name of healing. Naturally, she was suspicious.

“Cough…you…you really don’t understand my sacrifice, huh.”

Soren was caught off guard by how accurate her prediction was. So, intending to divert her attention, he smirked slightly.

“Tch… Aria, you are not a saint either. Don’t think I didn’t notice you looking sneakily at Evan in the dungeon. In fact, didn’t you join our team because of him? Your face was practically glowing every time he spoke.”

He said it with faint amusement.

“W-what…? R-ridiculous. D-Don’t slander me.”

Sure enough, the moment Aria heard him, her face flushed, and even the tips of her pointy ears turned visibly red. Soren was quite surprised by her reaction.

“S-Soren… you dare spread misinformation around? D-Do you want me to hate you?”

She shot him a cold look, but with all the stuttering, the threat barely carried any weight. It felt more like a shy outburst after having her secret exposed.

To be honest, Soren was annoyed. Was Evan really so charming that she had no interest in him at all?

After all, there was still no quest notification even after he hugged her.

’Or is this the halo of the protagonist saving her?’

The thought crossed his mind, but he refused to give up.

“Tch… I might’ve believed you if you didn’t stutter, Aria. Has anyone told you that you’re terrible at hiding your emotions?”

He rolled his eyes at her attempt to look angry, then rested a finger on his chin and asked curiously,

“Hey, Aria. What’s so great about Evan? Is it because he’s handsome that you keep staring at him?”

“I tried so hard to get your attention today, yet you didn’t even show the slightest interest.”

“Am I just not your type?”

When everything else failed, Soren chose honesty. He truly wanted to know, especially since it was connected to his system.

“W-wha—? What the hell are you saying, Soren? D-don’t joke like that.”

But his words only made Aria even more flustered. She was so startled she almost bit her tongue while talking.

“Hey, calm down and take a deep breath. Is it really that surprising that I’m interested in you? Didn’t I say you’re beautiful before? Not to mention, you’re an elf.”

Soren went all out, stepping closer and whispering again. The smirk never left his lips.

Seeing Aria so flushed, timid, and shy, he felt like she had returned to her true self.

“B-but… you and Sylvia… I-I saw…”

Poor girl. The sudden revelation was too much.

She was already embarrassed that Soren knew about her supposed crush on Evan, and now he was openly hitting on her.

She didn’t know how to handle the situation.

“Forget about Sylvia. Right now, I’m talking to you. Can you please tell me what it is that attracts you to Evan? Or is it your secret?”

Soren pressed her, making Aria fidget nervously. Unfortunately for her, they were in a private room, and she couldn’t even escape.

Unable to say anything, she lowered her head and mumbled,

“I-I don’t l-like him. Y-you’re mistaken.”

She still denied his allegation, but realizing he might not leave her alone without an answer, she faintly whispered,

“It’s about C-Charm…”

“Hm?”

“Charm… don’t you know?”

Aria couldn’t help but snap, staring daggers at Soren. Her beautiful green eyes were slightly moist. She felt as if he were bullying her.

“I am an Elf, and I am very sensitive to charm from birth. Don’t you know the Elves’ natural liking for beautiful things?”

Now that Aria told him so directly, Zhiran also remembered this setting in the game.

Not only were all elves naturally beautiful and striking in appearance, but they also possessed an innate sensitivity to beauty, much like dragons, who were drawn to treasures and powerful auras.

“In fact, didn’t you see I was looking at you, too, in the dungeon? You have a very unique constitution. I have never seen someone’s charm change so regularly in real life.”

Aria said, strong curiosity shining in her eyes.

She had noticed this change after that incident with Sylvia. That was how he caught her looking at him and dragged her to this training room today.

“Oh? Are you that sensitive?”

This was new. Soren couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow slightly.

He gained five points in the Charm stat every time he completed a side quest. He never thought someone could notice that change in him.

He had even thought the stat gain was quite useless. Maybe he was too ugly, so his system kept giving it to him left and right.

’System, add 3 stat points to my Charm attribute.’

Curious, Soren immediately ordered the system to use the points he had left untouched after completing the side quest with Sylvia. He wanted to see whether Aria was telling the truth.

“Y-You…”

Sure enough, the moment Soren gave the order, even though he felt nothing himself, Aria’s beautiful eyes widened in disbelief.

“H-how…?”

She was so shocked that she didn’t know what to say. Why did this guy have such a unique constitution?

She could feel that it wasn’t an item effect or a temporary boost. His charm was increasing permanently.

Otherwise, why would her elven instincts get riled up?

“Guess…?”

Unfortunately, Soren didn’t tell her his secret. Instead, he showed a wide smile that made Aria flush in embarrassment.

And the reason for his smile was, of course, the prompt he had just heard from the system.

Ding!

[Side Heroine Aria Luan’s interest in you has increased significantly.]

Damn, it was hard enough to get this prompt from her, alright.