"Lovers?." Muttered Cailly incredulously. Her friend not buying the obvious lie. "Don't make me laugh, Vecturion. There's no Valkysh who would agree to willingly be in any kind of relationship with anyone from your House."
"Are you blind and deaf?. Instructor Mäwller has already confirmed my words."
He released Vallad'Yanna; Her stern seriousness didn't fade, nor wavered with the bruises on her neck.
Giassmennia's displeased grimace marked her frown; She removed one of her fingerless gloves, and thrown the garment at Vurckair. "I challenge you to a Duel. Unlike the Vecturion; We Gydllurn are honorable."
The Variant's ephemeral memory, flashes on Vurckair's mind.
Never has been a Gydllurn on Ell'Thane, who had defeated a single Vecturion on equal grounds.
{She shouldn't have this kind of confidence. Unless she comes from another world}
"«Honorable indeed, Tomboy»."
The mockery towards Giassmennia's Family is taken at heart by Cailly. "«Gia» arrived today as a transferee. She doesn't know you're an outcast among your own House."
"Convenient–" Snorts Vurckair.
"I didn't say everything. You're also one of the worst-rated Rookies in Bramnt City. Most Freshmen outclassed you after they completed a single Quartzal."
Giassmennia is shocked. Not understanding how can someone achieve Perfect Attunement with their Blaze, generate a Halo, defeat an Instructor with relative ease, and still be worse than a person from a lower designation.
"Irrelevant. I'm a gentleman. It wouldn't be right to refuse the Duel and leave her embarrassed."
He snapped his fingers; The sound dragged the attention to his hand, then to the fingerless glove he pointed at on the floor.
Vallad'Yanna's hand trembled slightly, half-closed as she bent down to pick up the object.
"Wait." Vurckair touched the Instructor's shoulder, forcing her straigh as he kicked the fingerless glove back at Giassmennia.
He stared at Cailly. "She challenged me. Not knowing her opponent had no chance of winning… Now she knows. Isn't that–"
Vurckair trailed off his sentence with a devious smirk. Words were unnecessary.
"Duels don't require to be about direct combat." Giassmennia retorted. "But i understand why you want to avoid it. Without the pressure and support from the Vecturion House, you can't do anything."
{That was true for the Variant. His stay in the City is thanks to his Family's influence}
"Since you are so sure, «Boob'boy». Why don't we increase the rating–"
Giassmennia laughed. "Couldn't you think anything better?. It's impossible for you to surpass my Rating."
"I didn't say it would be our Rating. We will take a Freshman or a Rookie from the City's leaderboard's bottom. Wins whoever scores the greatest development. Meaning the Number 50 rising to position 10, counts as 40 Points. While the Number 200 reaching place 75, it's equal to 125 Points."
"Interesting." Admitted Cailly. "Let's do it in Pairs; Gia and Myself against your roommate–"
"No." Vallad'Yanna interjected curtly. "Duels are between two individuals, involving third parties, regardless of the situation is unacceptable."
"If that's the case… Let's put the Duel aside, Boob'boy; and make it a Bet; Instructor Mäwller is our witness."
Giassmennia frowned "I don't abuse the weak. Two versus one is unfair."
"I'll find someone interested. Or tutor two at the time."
"Fine. If i win, you will never molest the Valkysh Family." Confidently proclaimed Giassmennia.
"Fair enough, Boob'boy. When i win. I'll molest you instead." Vurckair's eyes ogled Giassmennia's toned curves, inspiring jealousy in Cailly.
The latter's goals are more ambitious. "You will talk with the upper branch of the Vecturion House, and make them accept the Nydrikoff, and Yecrith Houses in Bramnt City. But if we both have higher scores; You'll not step again on a City."
Giassmennia and Vallad'Yanna gasped in disbelief.
{Judging their reactions. This chick has asked for more of what she should… Then i'll do the same}
"Sure. But after my win. You'll belong to me. Obeying mindlessly whatever whim cross my mind."
"Both of you are insane." Giassmennia murmured softly.
Meanwhile, Vallad'Yanna limited herself to acknowledge the Bet. Banned external assistance, and established the duration to the end of the week.
Vurckair ran his arm down Vallad'Yanna's lower back, a suggestive and daring move that annoyed the two ladies.
"Let's go to my new bedroom, Instructor Mäwller; Don't forget to show me the location of your quarters, and give me the necessary accreditation to enter, i want to drop by to deepen our bond whenever i feel like it."
Vallad'Yanna doesn't react; She is still shaken from the near-death call; But her curiosity, and wounded pride took the best out of her, bowing slightly, before she walked away with Vurckair.
{Both were fuming}
His thought stopped with Vallad'Yanna's sudden question.
"How did you bypass it?. The Nimbar should have defended me."
{Nimbar?. What is that?, Some kind of protection?. Like the Bodsh (Body Shield)?. The Emeneld (Empiric Energy Shield)?. Or the Tasota (The Added Shielding Of The Adarga)?. It's not on the Variant's memories. perhaps he never learned about it}
Vurckair sighted. "Instructor Mäwller. We are not close enough to reveal my secrets. If you want answers, prove to me that you deserve them".
Vurckair's refusal leaves a strange, bittersweet sensation on Vallad'Yanna's chest.
Not many would have the guts to disobey the Instructor, much less physically, or verbally retaliate at her.
Both events had happened due to Vurckair's will, a great disgrace taking root in the woman's heart.
Even so, the possibility of clearing up her doubt is dazzling enough to comply with the young man's previous demand; Leading a short tour through the building, stopping in front of a door.
"I have work to do. Please don't disturb me until the 20:00 hours. If you'd like to join me, my lunch is at 25:00, exactly midday."
{50-hour day. I'll have to get used to it. Like the week of 15 days}
"How attentive." He smirked. "See you later, «My Love»."
Vallad'Yanna's lips tensed; Stepping back, she performed a dim bow, and turned to depart; Though her bountiful buttocks received a dry smack.
She let out a feminine yelp. Her face tilted towards the young man, shame and fury are mixed with confusion. The Nimbar has failed once again.
"Instructor Mäwler. Don't be so tense, your figure is excellent, show it off more, don't forget to sway your hypnotic hips." His hand had remained on the soft ass, giving a mild squeeze, followed by a playful slap.
Vallad'Yanna clenched her fists, not daring to retaliate. Instead, she walked away.
"Make your gait slower, and exaggerate the wiggle.".
She didn't protest, and followed the command.
{Why is she acting so tame?}
He whistled. "You certainly are a wonderful marvel. Prepare to give me a warmth welcome in your office, Instructor Mäwller; Of course, wear something suitable for our encounter."
"I will."
{Again?. Why is she not resisting?. To bore me?. There's no way her fangs break after just one failed bite… Right?}
Vurckair's misconception is simple. She cannot defend herself from him, resistance is utterly futile.
More importantly; He hinted rewards, and answers if Vallad'Yanna stay on good terms with him…