I Reincarnated to Another World as a Woman-Chapter 136: Bait

The Class President and his fellow classmates head toward the Waiting Lounge at the lobby after receiving directions from the receptionist.

As they walk, Maeve suddenly speaks up.

"Arthur, you said Thea is meeting Baroness Voss, right?"

"Yes. That’s what Thea’s text said. Why?" Arthur glances at her while continuing forward. "Do you know something about the Baroness?"

Maeve takes a deep breath.

"Do you remember how Theo said that Thea has a very high magic resonance? The highest he’s ever seen?" she asks instead of answering.

Arthur’s expression darkens. "How could I not remember that?"

I also remember what he said after that.

Maeve nods. "Back then, in that room, it was my first time meeting Thea. And I can tell you, Theo wasn’t exaggerating. I could see it. Thea is full of mana. All of you commented on how beautiful she looked. That wasn’t just her appearance. It was her mana that made her look that way."

They all turn to look at Maeve, clearly confused.

"I know. It’s hard to understand. I’m only describing what I saw," Maeve continues. "It was as if there was an extremely subtle halo around her. It made her, for lack of a better word, shine. She glowed. Your mother was right."

"Okay, but what does that have to do with the Baroness?" Julian asks.

"Has Thea met the Baroness before?" Maeve asks, once again sidestepping the question.

Arthur nods. "Yes. A few days ago. They had lunch together, along with several socialite women."

Maeve exhales softly. "That’s what I thought."

"Alright, Maeve," Liam says, a little impatient. "Care to share with the rest of the class?"

"I know the Baroness," Maeve says quietly. "She can do magic too."

All three heads snap toward her at once. They stop walking entirely and stare at Maeve.

"Baroness Voss is part of the same secret society I am," Maeve continues. "I can’t explain further. But one thing I do know about her is this. She loves how magic sets her apart from non-magic people. In her mind, she is a higher being than the rest of us."

Liam rolls his eyes. Julian shakes his head.

Only Arthur remains still, his gaze fixed on Maeve.

"Go on."

"My guess is that when they first met, the Baroness tried to use her magic to make Thea submit to her. Only to discover that she couldn’t," Maeve says. "That would have sparked her interest. She would then try to recruit Thea into that society."

"For what purpose?" Julian asks.

"To support her, I suppose. I don’t really know how her mind works," Maeve admits. "This is just an educated guess."

Silence settles over the group.

Arthur turns around and resumes walking. The others quickly follow.

"Can you tell whether Theo has taught Thea how to control her mana?" Arthur suddenly asks Maeve.

"Yes," Maeve answers without hesitation. "Theo has definitely taught Thea control. Otherwise, what I saw wouldn’t have been just a subtle halo. I imagine it would have been as bright as the sun."

"Theo wouldn’t just teach Thea control," Liam adds. "He would have taught her how to protect herself too."

Arthur nods. "Then I can relax a little. We all know how effective Theo’s teachings are."

"True," Liam replies, quickening his pace. "But I’d feel better if we hurry."

The rest of them silently agree and pick up their steps.

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The team spots the Waiting Lounge from afar and notices a man exiting the room.

"That’s Ryan Blackwood," Julian says immediately, his tone sharp. "Was he in there with Thea?"

Arthur’s expression darkens. He dislikes Ryan Blackwood intensely. He has a great deal of information on the man, and none of it is good.

Liam shifts his gaze toward the glass walls of the Waiting Lounge. Through them, he spots a woman with pure white hair facing a slightly taller, older woman.

"Thea and the Baroness are still inside," he says, pointing it out.

"Yes, I see that." Arthur quickens his pace.

"I don’t think it’s a good idea if the Baroness sees me with you," Maeve says quietly. "I don’t know if she remembers me or not, but let’s not take the risk."

"Agreed. Go somewhere not too far from here," Arthur orders without hesitation.

"Understood." Maeve turns away and deliberately avoids the glass walls of the Waiting Lounge.

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As the three men draw closer, Theo turns around and walks toward the automated doors with the Baroness, the two of them still engaged in casual conversation.

The Baroness notices the approaching men. She looks up, and her breath catches.

Theo sees the reaction and frowns. Are all of them perverts?

He recognizes that look instantly. He has seen it far too many times in the eyes of infatuated people. And now, one of his male students has clearly captivated the Baroness. Theo already has a good guess as to who it is.

They step out of the room and meet the men just outside the doors.

Arthur bows slightly to the Baroness, followed immediately by the other two.

The Baroness ignores Julian and Liam entirely. Her attention locks onto Arthur alone.

As Arthur straightens, the Baroness extends the back of her hand toward him. Arthur takes it and places a light kiss against her knuckles.

"Your Ladyship, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. I am Arthur Montrose, Thea’s eldest brother."

Liam nearly stumbles, while Julian lowers his head, hiding a grin. Arthur can be extremely charming when he chooses to be.

And right now, he is deploying every bit of that charm. He wants the Baroness’s focus shifted squarely onto him.

Arthur knows Maeve’s information might not be one hundred percent accurate, but he has no intention of taking chances. If the Baroness is targeting Thea because she believes Thea can use magic, then he will make sure she also realizes that he can do magic.

But that is for later.

Right now, he wants to charm the hell out of the Baroness.

He wants the Baroness to set her sights on him instead.

Later, when the timing is right, he will reveal to her that he can do magic. He wants her to want to recruit him, not Thea.

After Arthur’s kiss, the Baroness blinks, a hint of bashfulness flashing across her face. Still, she doesn’t withdraw her hand.

Arthur doesn’t release hers either.