The Gigolo System in the Academy of Magic-Chapter 23: A Conspiracy?

[Helena Ashvane [Favourability: 5 (Stranger)]]

[Does the host want to establish a contract with Helena Ashvane? Yes/No]

James ignored the system prompt for now. His full attention was on the enchanting woman in front of him.

"You're researching soul curses?"

Helena picked up one the books that lay open on the table. Raising an eyebrow she continued asking with a smile, "Why? Do you want to curse someone?"

"No, no, professor. I was just interested."

James put on a nervous expression and quickly waved his hands.

"Really? To me, it seemed like you were looking for something."

Helena still had the same casual smile on her face but her words made Jame's narrow his eyes slightly. He didn't know if there was any hidden meaning behind her words, but considering that she was a powerful demon, James thought she might know something, so he decided to probe.

"Actually, I had heard about a curse before but I couldn't find much information about it. It's said that it can hide inside a person's soul and evade detection from even high-level mages, and when it finally breaks out it causes sudden death with no external injuries..."

This was his guess, but he thought it should be quite accurate.

"Hmm, a soul curse that can hide from even high-level mages? I'm not sure, but I know that if you're talking about curses the Witch Tribe are the most advanced in the world."

James had heard of the Witch Tribe. They live deep in the forbidden forests to the south of the demon territory, near the border of the human realm. It is said that people from the Witch Tribe were all adept in black magic, but he didn't know the specifics.

"Thank you professor!" James was very grateful that he had some sort of direction to follow now.

Helena nodded in response and was about to say something but at this time the sound of quiet voices echoed from deeper in the library.

"That demon's still strutting around the halls. Disgusting."

"She's only here because of politics. Useless whore."

"Should've kept her kind in the borderlands."

James glanced at Helena and saw that she still had a smile on her face but her eyes were cold.

She walked toward the aisle slowly. James followed with his eyes.

Two men in professor robes rounded the corner - and froze.

Helena's beauty was intoxicating in the low light of the library. Her figure, her horns, her eyes—everything exuded forbidden allure. The professors were immediately stunned, and stood like fools. One stammered, the other coughed awkwardly.

Helena simply smiled, brushing past them.

"Gentlemen," she said with a light bow.

They said nothing but there was a sense of infatuation in their eyes. She turned at the end of the row, caught James' gaze, and winked.

Then she was gone.

James stayed in the library for a long time and only left when it was night. He had to go back to his dorms to place another trace crystal. He felt a little painful thinking about his affection points being drained for potentially nothing but now was not the time to give up. James could feel that he was getting closer to the truth.

The training camp last week in the northern border, the witch tribe that was adept at curses...there must be a connection between the two.

The academy grounds at dusk were a strange place. Shadows stretched long over the cobblestone paths, and the flickering lamps cast golden halos as James made his way back to the dorms. The sounds of late classes winding down, students chatting, and distant magical creatures howling into the night echoed faintly in the background - Ainsworth was surrounded by forests where magical beasts often roamed.

Professors would sometimes capture them for experiments or potion materials, of course first years like him would only be food if they tried to do the same. freewebnσvel.cѳm

James kept his pace casual, his hands tucked in his pockets, his eyes trained on the path ahead. Ainsworth was like a city that never slept, so even at this hour, the streets were bustling.

As he walked, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed something. Ryan Everheart?

The noble heir stood beneath an arched walkway not far from the eastern tower which held night lessons. His posture was relaxed, but there was something off about the atmosphere. Opposite him stood a man James didn't recognize, he was cloaked in black and his face obscured by shadows and the high collar of his coat. They seemed to be having a serious conversation.

James didn't change his expression. He kept walking but inside, his mind was racing.

He didn't have to hear anything to know it was important. Anything involving Ryan was worth paying attention to, so without slowing, James summoned his system silently.

[System Mall Opened]

He flicked through the categories rapidly—combat, cultivation aids, utility tools...

[Listening Devices]

A wide list expanded, showing several types of eavesdropping tools, ranging from basic auditory stones to high-grade stealth mics enhanced by spatial magic.

His eyes locked on one in particular.

[Silver Level Item: Magic Eavesdropper ]

[Can listen to conversations undetected by up to Level 5 mages]

[Duration: 10 minutes]

[Cost: 500 affection points]

It was cheaper than James expected, after all the trace crystal alone had cost him 1000 affection points. But then he looked at the next tier, which could hide from Level 6 mages, and it cost 3000 affection points. James contemplated for a few moments but finally decided to buy the cheaper option.

As he passed by the corridor entrance, still a distance away from Ryan, a tiny, shimmering device materialized in his palm. It looked like a glass bead the size of a fingernail. The bead shimmered once, then vanished.

[Eavesdropper Active – 9:59 minutes remaining]

James kept walking, heart pounding. He turned the corner and activated the relay.

Immediately, whispers flowed into his mind.

At first, it was just noise. Bits of conversations filtered in from all over the nearby area.

"Oh crap, I forgot my alchemy notes-"

"Did you hear? The first years are meeting the demons tomorrow-"

"I'm already late for night meditation..."

He mentally tuned out the random chatter. Then, a voice caught his attention.

"The demons are coming tomorrow. Is everything prepared?"

James narrowed his eyes.

Ryan.

Another voice responded, deep and gruff - unfamiliar.

"Yes, young master. Everything is in place."

"What about the new demon woman? Will she cause trouble?"

"Only a Level 6 mage," the stranger scoffed. "The family will take care of it."

James' heart was beating fast. The Everhearts were involved with the demons? What were they planning?

"Don't kill her. She has some uses. I've never tasted a demon woman before."

"Yes, master... Wait—"

The voice abruptly shifted.

"...someone's listening. You head back, master. I'll handle—"

The sound cut off. Static rang in James' ears before silence returned.

[Eavesdropper Terminated]