CHAPTER 107: HAREM? INVESTIGATION? WHY NOT BOTH.

The class ended up in perpetual glances, an awkward silence wrapping the room like a heavy curtain, until Leon finally broke it, clearing his throat with princely poise.

"Since it seems like we’re the only ones who passed... and since we were dismissed," he began, tone smooth yet tinged with anticipation, "how about I hold a celebration? To congratulate ourselves?"

Maria clapped, practically beaming at the idea. Her eyes sparkled with a kind of warmth that made the room feel just a bit less cold. "That sounds great! We could really use a break after all of that..."

Dwayne chuckled, rubbing his shoulder as if still feeling the phantom bruises from the trial.

"Yeah, way too much goblins. Thanks for the support back then." He flicked finger guns at Maria with a cheeky grin.

"We were teammates, it was nothing." She chuckled, waving it off like it really had been easy—though they both knew it wasn’t.

"Seems like we all learned something from that test," Marcus added, smirking with a distant look, the memory of close calls still fresh in his mind.

Cynthia showed a coy smile, one eyebrow raised as she tilted her head toward him. "That’s an understatement, don’t you think?"

Marcus only laughed, brushing off her teasing before standing up, stretching his arms over his head. "I’ll skip the celebrations for now."

He said it casually, but the undertone was clear—he had his own priorities.

And Victoria moved as well, standing with the practiced elegance of a noblewoman trained to leave when it suited her. "Same with me. I have other plans. Maybe next time, Leon?"

Leon raised an eyebrow, arms crossing slowly. "What? Come on, we’re engaged. We haven’t done anything to even show it."

Victoria sighed, brushing him off like it was nothing more than a minor inconvenience. "It’s not like we were engaged willingly," she said, patting Leon’s shoulder with a vague smirk before heading toward the door.

As for Cynthia, she let out an awkward laugh, rubbing the back of her neck. "Yeah... I have other plans as well," she said before slipping out the door, her footsteps light and swift.

Now only Leon, Maria, and Dwayne remained.

Maria turned, blinking in surprise as she glanced at Dwayne. "You’re not joining them?"

Dwayne just shrugged, leaning back in his chair with zero concern. "Nah. Also, free food, so why not?"

Leon pinched the bridge of his nose, visibly exasperated. His princely façade cracked ever so slightly, the corners of his mouth twitching in disbelief.

"What on earth could be so important that they would ignore an invite from the crown prince?" he muttered to himself, pride dented.

—

And now we’re back with Marcus, walking across the halls.

His footsteps echoed faintly, the corridor almost too quiet. "Been a while since I created a rune," he said aloud, mostly to himself, fingers already twitching as he imagined the familiar glow of magic under his palm. "I should go check it out."

Then—of course—Victoria interrupted him, her heels clicking confidently against the polished floor.

"Really? Is that everything you’re going to do? How about we go check out the myth while we have free time."

Marcus didn’t slow, but his eyes shifted sideways, brows raised.

And beside Victoria, walking in sync like a duo too coordinated to be spontaneous, was Cynthia.

"Let me tag along!" she added brightly, though her tone held a curious mix of interest and suspicion.

Marcus sighed, still walking as they followed him, until he skidded to a stop with a faint scuff of his shoes. He turned around with a deadpan stare.

"Really?"

Victoria tilted her head, her tone playful and knowing. "You’re the one who said to tag along, so let’s go. Can’t waste time."

She chuckled, already tugging things along in her own rhythm.

"And you’re coming along with us," Victoria added without waiting for protest, grabbing Cynthia by the arm with surprising gentleness but zero room for refusal.

The two of them turned and began walking the opposite direction, clearly expecting Marcus to follow without complaint.

"Eh...?" Cynthia blinked, genuinely startled.

’Why do I have a suspicion she has more planned than just an investigation...’ He thought.

And then—the system flickered to life.

[Quest: Myth of the Three Fates – "Romantic Entanglements"]

Marcus froze mid-step. His eye twitched.

’Don’t tell me...?’

’Does she have the same quest due to what happened?’

The realization hit like a slow, dawning sunrise.

Then—he just laughed.

A quiet, amused chuckle at first, but it grew into a genuine smile.

"Guess I’ll embrace it," he said, his voice light as he took off after the two of them, the strange little party forming once more—this time, not from obligation.

But maybe—just maybe—something else.

Marcus followed behind them, their footsteps echoing faintly in the empty hallway.

But something shifted in his mind.

A quiet realization settled like a weight on his chest.

’I’ve been way too passive yesterday. I need to take the lead again.’

No more drifting along. No more getting dragged.

With that thought, he suddenly picked up his pace—smooth, quick—and with a subtle slide, he maneuvered between the two girls, slipping in front of them with practiced ease.

He turned as he walked backward, facing them with a confident grin that didn’t quite reach cockiness.

"I’ll take charge of today," Marcus declared, his tone light but filled with renewed resolve.

Victoria raised an eyebrow, smirking at the sudden energy shift. She crossed her arms with a look that danced between amusement and challenge. "Do you even know what we’re dealing with?" she asked, her voice dripping with mockery.

Cynthia nodded beside her, more thoughtful. "She’s got a point," she added, tilting her head toward Marcus. "It seems like she knows more than us."

Marcus waved off their concerns with a casual flick of his hand, still walking backward without missing a step. His tone didn’t change—it remained warm, but unwavering.

"I’m just in the mood, you know?" he replied, voice firm with a hint of charm. "Besides... it isn’t fun to have someone who knows everything take charge. That’s boring."

He looked between them. "We should still have some fun."

It wasn’t just an excuse.

It was an invitation.

A suggestion that maybe, just maybe, not everything needed to be weighed down with seriousness.

Victoria didn’t argue. She didn’t need to. A knowing smile curved on her lips instead—subtle, sly, and just sharp enough to mean trouble.

She had a slight guess of what Marcus was really planning.

She played along anyway.

"So, you’re really leaning into the whole harem thing now, huh?" Victoria said suddenly, out loud, and on purpose—like dropping a lit match onto dry leaves.

Cynthia’s eyes widened immediately.

"H-Harem?" she echoed, blinking rapidly like her brain needed a reboot.

She knew Marcus and Victoria had something—an unspoken bond, maybe even a flirtatious rivalry. But hearing that word said aloud?

The realization hit her like a cold splash of water.

"Wait..."

Her voice cracked slightly.

"Huh...!?"

The moment hung in the air, electrified with awkward tension and comedic timing.

Marcus, still walking backward, merely smirked.

As if he knew exactly what he was doing.