The morning bell hadn't even rung yet when Aria stepped into the lecture theatre.
The air inside was still and cool, the floating lights overhead casting a pale glow across the empty seats.
She stifled a yawn, brushing her bob-cut hair back into place.
"I'm so sleepy..."
She hadn't been able to sleep after last night; her mind was always half awake, so when morning came, she had just decided to get up.
Good. I'm early for once, she thought, stretching her arms. I can review some notes before class starts.
Then she froze. Her eyes went wide.
There was already someone inside.
A figure sat near the back, the faint rustle of paper breaking the silence.
Elion.
Her stomach did a nervous flip.
Why him of all people!? And why now of all times!? She shouted inwardly, gripping her bag a little too tightly.
The scenes from her dream flashed into her mind, her multiple orgasms when she masturbated while thinking about him.
Arrrgghhh!!! What was I thinking!?
Of all mornings for him and her to be early, at the same time, alone, together, it had to be today, when her head still hadn't cleared from that lewd dream about him!
He looked up as she stood there frozen by the doorway, his expression calm but slightly puzzled.
"Oh. Morning," he said simply. And why is he suddenly greeting me!
Aria blinked, startled by how casual he sounded. "W–what are you doing here so early?" she asked before she could stop herself.
He tilted his head, as if she'd just asked the most obvious question in the world. "This is also my class," he said, his tone light but faintly amused.
Then, without another word, his head turned back to his book.
Aria's face heated up immediately. "I—I knew that!" she mumbled under her breath, quickly scurrying to her spot near the middle row.
She pulled out her notebook, flipping through it at random, pretending to read.
But focusing was impossible.
Her mind kept drifting, flashes of her dream slipping into her thoughts before she could push them away.
The memory of his voice, the way those blue eyes had looked at her… it made her heartbeat quicken all over again.
It was just a dream, she told herself. Just a stupid dream.
Still, she found her gaze wandering back toward the back row. Just a glance, she told herself, only to see what he was doing.
Elion sat quietly, reading through a textbook, completely at ease.
The sunlight from the windows brushed across his face, catching the sharper lines of his jaw, the faint shadow under his eyes.
He looked… different.
More handsome.
Aria felt her throat tighten, heat threatening to pool between her legs. She quickly turned back to her desk, pretending to adjust her notes.
A few moments passed before curiosity betrayed her again.
She risked another glance and nearly jumped when she realized Elion was looking right back at her.
Their eyes met.
He didn't say a word, but the faintest ghost of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips before he looked away.
Her heart skipped a beat.
"W–why is he looking at me like that?" she whispered under her breath, pressing her hands to her face.
Her cheeks were burning now, and she silently prayed no one else would walk in yet to see her flustered state.
Meanwhile, Elion leaned back in his chair, suppressing a sigh.
As expected, he knew what was going on with Aria, and he had been trying to act nonchalant, but her constant sideways glances were impossible to ignore.
He hadn't planned for just the two of them to be alone like this early in the morning.
But,this could work in my favour; all is well that ends well.
She's been stealing looks at me since she walked in, he thought. How far can I go with her today?
The situation made him think about what the most effective way to use his abilities would be.
Wreckless, or Smart?
If he took the smart route and took his time, every single one of his targets would become his, of their own will. But a certain goddess was getting impatient.
If he took the aggressive path and used his abilities with no restraint, sure, he would be able to make them ease up to his advances, let him into their beds, but when the effects wore off, what then?
Elion smiled. Who says I can't do both?
Experiment on different people with both methods. Easiest target, Aria.
A wolfish grin appeared on his lips. Now, he could not wait to see Mira's reaction when she came into class.
For the moment, he decided not to dwell on it. Better to act like nothing was out of the ordinary.
Still, a small part of him couldn't help but feel pleased with Aria's reactions, how she'd turn away each time their eyes met, her face as red as an ember.
The silence between them stretched, awkward but oddly charged.
Finally, Aria broke it, her voice a bit too loud for the empty room. "S-so, um, did you finish the reading Professor George assigned?"
Oh? Elion looked up again, calm, his expression unreadable. "Not yet," he said calmly. "But I will before class starts." Is this my chance?
"Oh. Right. Yeah. Same here."
Another silence.
Aria wanted to sink through the floor.
Every second that passed felt unbearable; she could feel his presence even from across the room, and it made her fidget in her seat.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she stared at Elion, her gaze trapped by his. She felt the heat creeping up her neck, spreading across her cheeks.
How could he look so cool and collected when she felt like she was about to burst into flames?
Okay, what's the worst that could happen?
Elion closed his book and stood up, walking down the aisle, except his gaze was focused directly on her!
Aria's eyes flicked between his face and the door as if torn between leaving and staying. But it was too late now.
He moved to stand in front of her desk, Aria's pupils dilating slightly as she took in his presence.
She felt a shiver run down her spine, her heart pounding in her chest.
Elion's hand reached out for hers, his fingers brushing against hers.
Aria's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, her emotions a tangled mess. Why was he here? What did he want?
"Wh-what are you doing?" she stammered, her voice was low and shaky.