Shia was just about to step out of the room when Diana called after him.

“Shia, wait.”

It was the first time Diana had called him by name instead of “little one.”

Shia turned to meet her deep, enigmatic gaze.

“There’s something about you,” Diana said, her tone layered with meaning. “A smell that’s… oddly comforting.”

Shia tilted his head slightly, feigning confusion.

“Maybe it’s the body wash?”

His humorous deflection steered the conversation away from the truth.

Shia knew full well this was the subtle influence of the sealed Charm Ring. Its residual effect made others subconsciously drawn to him.

Fortunately, the ring’s power wasn’t yet strong enough to fully captivate someone like Diana, who already had little interest in such things.

Still, his response clearly amused her.

Diana laughed, her posture relaxing as she leaned back, crossing her legs over the desk in front of her.

Her voluptuous thighs, clad in sleek black stockings and high heels, instantly drew attention. The blend of mystery and mature allure was mesmerizing.

Reclining comfortably on the sofa, her open neckline revealed a glimpse of alabaster skin. Even in such a casual pose, her figure remained nothing short of imposing.

“That’s quite an amusing answer,” she said, her voice tinged with genuine delight.

Shia responded with a bashful smile.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what other surprises you’ll bring me.”

With that, Diana waved him off, her gestures both elegant and dismissive.

Shia turned and left the Divine Grace Clocktower.

Diana watched his silhouette disappear, her eyes glimmering with curiosity.

'This little guy... he’s truly interesting.'

---

Once outside, Shia let out a long breath, finally able to relax.

He turned back to glance at the towering clocktower, feeling a sense of relief as though he had narrowly escaped danger.

Though his earlier demeanor had been calm and confident, the entire encounter was riddled with hidden perils.

Peril #1: The risk of death.

One wrong move, and the seemingly harmless interaction with Diana could have spiraled into a 'bad end.'

For example, having someone like her kneel before him might seem like a reward—but only fools would think so.

In this world, even if such miracles existed, they wouldn’t be meant for him.

Shia had tried before, and the result had been... messy.

Peril #2: Winning her favor.

Diana wasn’t someone who could be easily pleased. Keeping her entertained required walking a fine line between mystery and charm.

You couldn’t be too direct, yet you also couldn’t seem disinterested.

It was a balancing act, and failing to meet her expectations would lead to indifference—or worse, disdain.

Shia knew all too well that her appearance at this stage in the storyline was unusual. According to the original game’s progression, Diana wasn’t supposed to show up until after the midterms.

Her early involvement signaled a potential deviation from the established narrative.

In the game, such deviations were rare but not impossible.

In reality, there was no option to reload a save.

Still, for now, Shia felt he had handled things well. He had raised his reputation without earning Diana’s ire.

Building a positive relationship with the Chaos Goddess was undoubtedly a wise investment.

After all, her true identity wasn’t as simple as it seemed.

She was the academy’s mediator, a critical force balancing the top factions and powers. Despite her playful demeanor, her role carried immense weight.

But Shia, a ninth-tier player, knew her secret: Diana was a sealed Chaos Goddess.

In the game, she existed as a neutral force—a wild card in every sense of the word.

Her one flaw? She had a habit of playing “mom.”

Shia shook his head, banishing unnecessary thoughts, and let a small smile creep onto his face.

'High risk comes with high rewards.'

---

The Rewards of His Efforts:

1. First Place among Freshmen.

Though it sounded overly dramatic, this title was vital.

It served as a gateway to interacting with key characters—both heroines and antagonists—and unlocking hidden quests.

The title also guaranteed access to the academy’s best resources.

At Seven Shields Academy, everything was distributed based on talent and ability, and as the top freshman, Shia would enjoy unparalleled privileges for the entire year.

From meals to housing, he could afford to live without worry. His only goal now was to maximize this opportunity and grow stronger.

2. A New Home.

Diana had promised him one of the academy’s exclusive villas, a privilege afforded to only a select few.

These villas housed the academy’s elite—his future targets for alliances or conquests.

Building relationships with them wasn’t just about charm; it was key to survival.

Conquering targets meant unlocking the full potential of his Charm Ring, which in turn increased his strength and chances of survival.

Plus, having a spacious residence would allow him to accommodate more allies in the future.

3. A Sacred Relic.

The relic he had chosen—a blank card album—was deceptively simple but held immense potential.

As a transitional weapon, it was the perfect tool for him before reaching his final class transformation.

---

Shia hummed a cheerful tune as he tucked the album into his bag and strolled back toward the dorms.

His familiarity with the campus map made his movements efficient and precise—unusual for a freshman.

But his casual walk came to a halt when a pair of white silk boots entered his line of sight.

The boots clung tightly to slender legs wrapped in silky white stockings, radiating a warm yet dignified aura.

The pristine fabric accentuated the fullness of her thighs, giving them a soft and enticing appearance.

The boots rose past her knees, adding an air of elegance and nobility.

Shia’s gaze traveled upward, past her slim waist and the silver hair that swayed gently in the breeze.

The figure before him radiated a cold, regal beauty.

Even standing still, she commanded attention—a magnetic presence that made her the center of any crowd.

Shia’s brows furrowed.

'So, she came after all.'

Raising his eyes, he met hers.

The silver-haired princess stood bathed in the golden light of sunset, her exquisite face cool and detached.

Even the warm hues of the setting sun couldn’t soften her icy demeanor.

Her noble aura exuded elegance, inspiring both awe and reverence.

She stared directly at Shia, her gaze unwavering and her intent unmistakable.

The White-Silk Princess had come to block his path.

Anyone else might have felt honored to be approached by her.

But Shia?

He only felt annoyed.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com