Haaaah, what can I do?
I can't let anyone know who I am.
So, I have to wear this thing.
With a grimace, I pulled a tight black suit out of my bag.
'Oh, damn...'
It fits like a glove.
The material stretched just right, not clinging too much to my lower half.
Like it was tailored just for me.
...That only pisses me off more.
A custom-made suit, just for me.
Exciting but entirely humiliating.
Imagine, my hard-earned physique showcased in a skin-tight suit in the dead of night.
If anyone saw me, I would bite my tongue and wish for death on the spot.
I felt Theo shared my sentiment.
Merely wearing the suit set off [Twisted Noble's Dignity], sparking a painful sensation.
The pain didn't stop.
It kept on coming.
No need for other forms of torture.
As long as I'm in this suit, it will continue to hurt.
'I'm not into this...'
Despite the pain, I neatly folded my replaced clothes into the bag.
"Haaaa..."
Annoying, but bearable.
'Maybe my tenacity stat will increase.'
I tried to look on the bright side.
'I should keep talking to a minimum.'
In the original game, Theo was pathetic in every way, but his looks were some of the best in the world setting.
They gave him a charming voice.
A deep, rich, and velvety voice.
Theo, you might say, has a voice like honey.
If I speak too much, Seria might say '...that voice.' and recognize me.
'I need to be careful.'
Most of my requests will be delivered through pre-written notes or gestures.
That should take care of 95% of cases.
But not all situations can be handled with paper or signs.
'If I have to talk, I'll keep it brief.'
After getting my thoughts in order, I put on the black mask that came with the suit.
Then, bracing myself against the intensifying pain, I waited.
Waited for Seria to leave the lab.
At 10 p.m., as usual, Seria stepped out of the lab.
But her mood was anything but normal.
'...Who was that?'
She thought about what happened last night.
The unknown person who gave her the [Magic Sealing Cuffs] as a down payment.
After multiple tests, she determined it was an exceptional item.
Not something easy to find.
She tried several times to unlock the handcuffs, but failed.
Despite using all her knowledge, the handcuffs remained locked.
'He mentioned the item was a down payment... I'll get the key once the task is done.'
It felt suspicious, but she had no other option.
The cuffs had sparked her collection obsession.
Such things aren't easily found.
'But who could it be?'
The mysterious figure who handed her the Magic Sealing Cuffs knew exactly what she was interested in.
Moreover, they arranged to meet at 10 p.m.
Clear proof they knew her usual schedule.
...That they had studied her this closely.
So far, no one else knew her real hobbies and interests.
'I hope he's a good-looking guy.'
To everyone else, she was simply a model student, living a clean life, top of her class.
The idea of someone unknown seeing through her was exciting.
The feeling was quite thrilling.
"Heh."
A soft chuckle slipped out before she could stop it.
She wasn't scared.
She was excited.
Creak─
Still buzzing with anticipation, Seria stepped out of the lab.
Just as she started to look around.
A figure emerged from the dense bushes nearby.
A man in a tight black suit, face hidden by a black mask.
"·····Hmm."
Without thinking, a twisted smile formed on her face.
As expected, he didn't let her down.
'Such a bold taste...'
To an average person, he might seem crazy... but to Seria, he was just right.
Thump, thump-
The man in black approached her with confident strides.
Seria looked him over.
'As I thought, it's a man.'
A fit one at that, his toned muscles were clear to see.
The man in black handed her a piece of paper.
It suggested moving to a quieter place.
"Hmm, okay. Can I pick the spot?"
The man in black nodded.
"Then follow me."
Together with the man in black, Seria reached her private lab.
A space given by the Magic Department.
Only the top 10 students of each grade got a private lab.
Being top of her class, Seria had a spacious lab with an attached basement.
"Follow me. Can you see where you're going?"
The man in black nodded and trailed behind Seria into the dim basement.
Contrary to the atmosphere, Seria smiled warmly.
"So... what do you need from me?"
"......"
Silently, the man in black handed Seria another piece of paper.
A moment later, she took a look him and spoke.
"So, you want me to put magic into the [Magic Cartridge] on your body, right?"
The man nodded.
Seria was tempted to ask, 'Can't you talk?' but instead, she let a twisted smile form on her face.
'So careful to stay hidden...'
This approach of thoroughly studying her, while not giving away a thing about himself.
His aloof manner stimulated her curiosity, something that was always a bit unusual compared to the curiosities of ordinary people.
Her interest was further piqued.
"Alright. Let's start at once. First, please reveal your [Magic Cartridge]."
He removed his skin-tight top.
The sturdy upper body that she had only guessed at was now on full display.
'Oh... wow...'
Seria couldn't tear her gaze away from his sculpted torso.
A trim waist, broad shoulders, solid chest.
The size was neither too large nor too small.
He was exactly to Seria's liking.
As Seria examined the man's body with a hungry gaze, she eventually found the [Magic Cartridge] on his left side.
"This is it. For debuff magic up to the 3rd circle... I'll begin immediately."
With her long, slender, pale fingers, Seria gently touched the man's body, beginning to input the magic.
The work began immediately.
For Seria, who at just 16 was already a 5th circle mage, 3rd circle magic was child's play.
She could done it flawlessly even if she was drunk.
Seria squinted.
'I've never seen this before.'
Seria had seen countless magic engravings at the magic tower before joining the academy.
But this was her first encounter with such a form of engraving.
Most magic engravings aid to ease use of magic, but this one was self-casting.
'What in the world is this?'
The question echoed in her mind.
But she kept her lips sealed.
It would be more exciting to uncover this mysterious man's secrets on her own.
Yet, the question lingered.
Who was this man to possess such a unique engraving?
With these thoughts, Seria continued her work, her hand caressing the man's side.
Eventually, the task was completed.
"Done. I've input all the debuff magic I know up to the 3rd circle. I also infused mana into the [Magic Cartridge]. Now, give it a try."
With these words, Seria extended her hands toward him.
As if suggesting he should practice on her.
The man in black slowly nodded, then used the magic on her.
'......Hmm!'
Seria closed her eyes, feeling as if she was bound all over.
It was binding magic.
Even though it was only 3rd circle magic, given her expertise, it was superior to most 4th and 5th circle spells.
For quite some time, Seria savored the sensation of being bound, then she opened her eyes.
"It seems to have been input well. Oh, by the way, this is what it's like."
Seria freed herself from the binding magic that had ensnared her and cast the same binding magic on him.
"......!"
He jerked back.
"Hehe."
His expression couldn't be seen due to the mask... but it was quite a sight.
She wondered what kind of face this man was making beneath the mask.
...The curiosity was overpowering.
"How do you like it? Quite a spectacular spell, isn't it?"
Seria approached him, who was immobilized due to magic.
Then, gathering his hands above his head, she added more binding magic.
Like a pair of handcuffs.
"It seems it's time for the second-half of the payment... but before that."
A mischievous grin spread across Seria's face as she continued.
"I'm really curious about who you are."
Seria traced a finger over the man's mask.
"Hehe, I wonder what sort of expression you're making... what your face looks like... I really want to know. May I have a peek?"
As she said this and tried to remove the man's mask—
Thud.
His hand gripped her wrist tightly.
"......Ah?"
Seria hiccuped in surprise.
