“Shia, you need to believe in yourself. You’re an incredible person; how could you ever be trash?”

Lilith’s voice was so sweet it could drip honey—a tone she had never used on her so-called fiancé before.

Her gentleness was usually reserved for other heroines.

“I just wanted to motivate you,” she continued, soft and soothing. “You’re amazing—it’s only my foolish desires that made me want my man to be even better.”

“Getting into Seven Shields Academy already proves how talented you are. You have a great family background, you’re handsome, and to me, you’re the most dashing hero!”

Shia listened to the golden-haired beauty’s saccharine performance with barely concealed amusement.

How flexible this “bad woman” could be! Watching her switch from manipulative to pitiful was oddly entertaining.

Lilith gently placed her hands on his shoulders, turning him to face her. Her touch was soft and intimate as if they shared a deep bond.

She studied his blank expression and downcast demeanor. His despondency seemed to cut through her confident facade, and she redoubled her efforts to comfort him.

No matter how sweet her words, Shia’s spirits didn’t lift. He remained withdrawn and dejected.

This wasn’t going well. If he really left, what would she do?

Biting her lip, Lilith made a decision. If words weren’t enough, she’d have to try a different approach.

Time to indulge a boy’s special preferences.

---

Lilith swayed her slender waist and perched gracefully on a tall stool. Her long, stocking-clad legs extended elegantly—one foot resting on a stool rung, the other lightly touching the floor.

Her heels clicked softly as they met the ground, their muted impact carrying an oddly hypnotic rhythm.

The sheer black stockings clung to her legs, offering glimpses of her alabaster skin beneath.

Leaning forward slightly, her red dress shifted, revealing just a hint of her ample curves.

Her manicured fingers—painted with a soft pink polish—traced the silky surface of her stockings, sliding slowly from her calves upward, a movement designed to captivate.

Sure enough, Shia’s gaze was drawn to her actions, and Lilith’s heart settled slightly.

With delicate care, she lifted the hem of her dress and hooked her fingers beneath the edge of her stockings.

A slight tug caused the stretchy fabric to roll down, revealing her smooth, luminous skin beneath the warm glow of the room.

The combination of her half-removed stockings and her lingering gaze on Shia created a breathtakingly alluring scene.

When she noticed his attention sharpen, she let out a quiet breath of relief.

But just as her heart calmed, a sharp knock at the door made her nearly jump out of her skin.

“Miss Lilith, it’s time to return.”

Tia’s cool, dutiful voice came through the door, startling Lilith.

Panicked, she quickened her movements, sliding her stockings fully off and stepping barefoot toward Shia.

She handed him the delicate garment, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

“Shia, I believe in you. You can do this!” she said earnestly.

The stocking in her hand carried her warmth and scent, a tactile token of her encouragement. She placed it carefully into his palm, her soft hand lingering on his briefly.

---

The door opened.

Lilith, ever composed, turned back toward the room with a playful yet graceful air.

“Shia, I’ll be going now~!”

The room’s light spilled into the hallway, illuminating Tia’s striking silver hair.

As the stoic maid stood outside, she immediately noticed something odd about her mistress.

Lilith’s legs, usually perfectly clad, were bare. Her gaze drifted to her exposed feet.

Why was she barefoot?

Her sharp eyes scanned the room’s interior. When her gaze landed on the stocking on the bed, she froze.

It was unmistakable—those were Lilith’s.

What had just happened in this room?

Shia sat calmly, his expression as refined as ever, though there was a faint air of exhaustion about him. He didn’t even acknowledge Tia’s presence outside the door.

---

The connection was painfully clear to Tia.

Her icy demeanor cracked. Her once-proud, glowing eyes dulled.

'He… has Lilith’s stockings?'

And freshly removed ones at that.

What had happened here?

The cold realization sent a pang of despair through Tia’s chest. She bit her lip, her gaze hollow, as if shattered by the revelation.

Her heart ached as though it had been torn apart.

In that instant, her disdain for Shia deepened into hatred.

'He has to go!'

Tia resolved to drive him away at any cost.

But as her trembling eyes met Shia’s calm, unreadable gaze, her body shivered involuntarily.

His presence was oppressive—intimidating in a way that defied logic.

---

After escorting Lilith and Tia out, Shia returned to his room, his expression cool and indifferent.

Was he actually going to give up?

Of course not.

The act had been for Lilith’s benefit alone.

The upcoming freshman qualification tournament consisted of two rounds. Rankings would determine resource allocations and status within the academy.

In gaming terms, it was the key to maximizing his early reputation.

Why hide his strength? What was the point of playing the weakling?

He had no time to waste on such pretense. Even without Lilith’s manipulative pressure, Shia intended to give it his all.

---

Elsewhere in the academy, under the pale moonlight, a graceful figure stood quietly.

Her tall, curvaceous silhouette was clad in a fine silk nightgown, the delicate straps highlighting her radiant, supple skin.

Silver hair cascaded down her back, shimmering faintly in the moonlight.

Violet, her celestial beauty glowing with a quiet determination, closed her eyes briefly, taking a deep breath of the cool night air.

When she opened them, her gaze was clear and resolute, her eyes sparkling like stars.

Though her expression was cold, it carried an undercurrent of fierce ambition.

A knight stood silently behind her, ever-vigilant.

Violet raised her eyes to the silver moon above, her thoughts unwavering.

She had come to Seven Shields Academy to save her kingdom.

The academy, once a bastion against the Demon Race, had evolved into a powerful institution shaping the future leaders of the world.

Its influence extended even to smaller nations like her own Silver Moon Kingdom.

Her goal was clear: secure her place in the academy, gain power, and protect her homeland.

At the very least, she had to ease the burden on her aunt.

Her first challenge was the freshman qualification tournament. Victory would grant her authority, resources, and recognition within the academy.

She had to win.

Her path to her ultimate ambition began here.

Violet whispered softly to herself, her gaze unwavering.

“It’s late. Let’s return.”

She lingered a moment longer, staring at the moon, before finally turning and walking back to her quarters.

The freshman championship seat—she would claim it. At any cost.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com