Reincarnated with an SSS-rank Tamer System: My Harem of Villainesses-Chapter 54 – First Official Afternoon

Alice practically dragged Adam through the academy halls while keeping her hand firmly interlaced with his, completely ignoring the curious looks they were getting from other students passing by at their side.

Adam had stopped trying to break free after the third failed attempt, acknowledging that Alice had no intention of letting go and that fighting it would only draw more attention than they were already getting.

"Where exactly are we going?" he finally asked when he realized they were taking a route he didn’t recognize, moving away from the academy’s main areas.

"You’ll see," Alice replied with that mischievous smile Adam was starting to recognize as a sign she was plotting something. "It’s a place I found a few weeks ago. It’s pretty hidden, but it’s perfect for... well, spending time alone."

Adam raised an eyebrow at that, but didn’t comment further, simply letting her guide him through increasingly empty corridors until they finally stopped in front of a small door that seemed to lead outside.

Alice opened it and dragged him out into what turned out to be a small inner garden that had probably been designed as a resting space for professors, but that clearly nobody used, considering the slightly neglected state it showed.

There was a stone bench under a tree, some plants that had grown out of control, and a small fountain that still worked, emitting a constant sound of running water that somehow made the place feel calmer and more isolated from the rest of the academy.

"Here," Alice announced with satisfaction as she finally let go of his hand to walk over to the bench and sit down, patting the space beside her in a clear invitation.

Adam stood there for a moment before sighing and moving closer, taking a seat next to her but leaving a prudent space between them.

Alice immediately closed that space by moving closer until her side pressed against his, and before Adam could say anything about it, she’d already rested her head against his shoulder with a satisfied sigh.

"Much better," she murmured as she got more comfortable.

Adam looked up at the sky for a moment as if searching for divine patience before speaking. "You know this isn’t really necessary, right? We could just... not do this."

"But then it wouldn’t be fun," Alice replied without moving from her position. "Besides, technically you agreed. A deal is a deal."

"Technically you manipulated me into agreeing."

"Details don’t matter."

Adam let out another sigh but didn’t move, acknowledging that for now the easiest thing was simply to let Alice do whatever she wanted as long as she didn’t cross any serious line.

They sat there in silence for several minutes, only listening to the sound of the fountain’s water and the wind moving the leaves of the tree above them. It was... strangely peaceful, honestly.

It was Alice who finally broke the silence.

"Can I ask you something personal?"

"You’re probably going to do it no matter what I answer."

Alice laughed softly at that. "You’re right. Why did you join the academy? I mean, your family is one of the most powerful in the kingdom. You could’ve done basically anything, but you chose to come here."

Adam considered the question for a moment. It wasn’t something he’d thought about much, because the answer was complicated and had to do with things he couldn’t explain to anyone without sounding completely insane.

"I needed to get stronger," he finally replied with partial honesty. "The academy offers resources and training I couldn’t easily get on my own."

"Stronger for what?" Alice pressed, and Adam could hear genuine curiosity in her voice. "You’re already pretty strong. You proved it in the tournament."

"It’s never enough," Adam said simply. "There’s always someone stronger. There’s always something more to learn."

Alice seemed to consider those words for a moment before shifting slightly so she could look at him better without pulling completely away from him.

"Is it because of your family? Do you feel like you have to prove something?"

Adam glanced at her. "Since when are you so interested in psychology?"

"Since I decided you’re interesting," Alice replied with a shrug. "And because I want to understand you better. You can’t blame me for being curious about the person I’m spending time with."

"Technically you forced me to spend time with you."

"Technically you agreed. We already talked about this."

Adam couldn’t stop his lips from curving slightly at that. "You’re impossible."

"We already talked about that too," Alice replied with a smile before resting her head against his shoulder again. "But seriously. Does your family have something to do with it?"

Adam thought about his siblings. Dorian, who was an instructor at the academy and was clearly on a completely different level than him. Seraphine with her S rank, which according to Professor Vane was something only the most powerful in history had reached. Kaelen, who’d been intimidating enough that other students still talked about him years after graduating.

"I guess so," he finally admitted. "It’s hard not to feel pressure when everyone in your family is a prodigy in one way or another."

Alice stayed silent for a moment before speaking in a softer tone than usual.

"For what it’s worth, I think you’re underestimating yourself. You killed the guy who placed first in the entrance exams in a brutal fight where you were both trying to kill each other. That’s no small thing."

"It was luck, partly," Adam replied honestly. "If Kael had landed a couple more hits, I could’ve been the one who ended up dead."

"But you weren’t," Alice pointed out. "You won. And it wasn’t just luck. I saw you fight. It was... intense. And scary. But it was also impressive in a strange way."

Adam looked at her for a moment, surprised by the genuine tone in her voice. "Scary?"

"A little," Alice admitted. "The way you kept getting back up no matter how much damage you took. The way you... just wouldn’t stop. It was like watching someone who literally didn’t care if he died as long as he could win."

She paused before continuing.

"But it was also when I realized I definitely wanted to get to know you better. Because someone who fights like that has to have something interesting going on in his head."

Adam didn’t know exactly what to say to that, so he simply stayed quiet, looking toward the fountain while he let Alice’s words settle.

"Thanks," he finally said. "I guess."

Alice laughed at that. "You’re welcome. I guess."

They fell silent again for a longer while this time, and Adam had to admit that this was... not as terrible as he’d anticipated. Alice could be annoying and too direct and completely incapable of respecting personal space, but she could also be surprisingly perceptive when she wanted to be.

It was Alice who eventually moved, pulling away from him to stretch before standing up.

"Well, since technically we’re boyfriend and girlfriend for this week," she said with that mischievous smile again, "we should do boyfriend-and-girlfriend things."

Adam looked at her suspiciously. "Like what?"

"I don’t know, the normal stuff people do," Alice replied with a shrug. "Walk together, eat together, talk about random things. You know, the basics."

"We already do all that technically."

"Yeah, but now it’s official," Alice said as if that made any real difference. "Come on, let’s go to the cafeteria. I’m hungry, and you can treat me to something like the good boyfriend you are."

Adam raised an eyebrow. "Now I have to pay for your food too?"

"It’s what boyfriends do," Alice replied with that twisted logic that somehow made sense to her but to nobody else. "Besides, you have more money than I do anyway."

"That’s not the point."

"Then what’s the point?"

Adam opened his mouth to answer, then realized he honestly didn’t have a good argument against that, so he just closed his mouth and stood up with a resigned sigh.

"Fine. But only because I already agreed to this farce anyway."

"Perfect!" Alice exclaimed enthusiastically as she immediately took his hand again, interlacing their fingers. "I knew you’d be a good boyfriend."

"I’m still not convinced this is a good idea."

"You’ll change your mind eventually," Alice replied confidently as she started dragging him back toward the inside of the academy. "Give it time."

Adam simply let her lead him, acknowledging that arguing was useless at this point. At least Alice seemed genuinely happy about this, which was... something, he supposed.

As they walked back through the halls toward the cafeteria, Adam noticed they were indeed getting looks. Some curious, others surprised, a few clearly disapproving.

"People are staring," he commented quietly.

"Let them stare," Alice replied without caring at all. "I don’t care what they think."

"Easy for you to say. You’re not the one who just killed someone in the tournament and is now being seen holding hands with a girl who broke her opponent’s arm after he surrendered."

Alice laughed at that. "You have a point. They probably think we’re the most dangerous couple in the whole academy."

"You’re not helping."

"I’m not trying to help. I’m enjoying this."

Adam shook his head, but he couldn’t stop a small smile from appearing on his face at Alice’s sheer nerve. It was exasperating, but also kind of refreshing in its own twisted way.

When they reached the cafeteria, they found it moderately crowded with students from different years eating or just hanging out between classes. Several turned their heads when they walked in, and Adam could hear the murmurs starting almost immediately.

Alice ignored them completely and dragged him over to where the food was being served.

"I want something sweet," she announced as she looked over the available options. "And something salty too. And probably something to drink."

"Basically you want the whole menu."

"Just the good stuff," Alice corrected with a smile before pointing out several things she wanted.

Adam paid for everything without commenting further, acknowledging this was going to be a recurring issue over the next week, and that fighting about it every time would be exhausting.

They found a table somewhat away from the others and sat down, Alice immediately scooting her chair closer to his until there was practically no space between them.

"Are you always this clingy?" Adam asked as he started eating.

"Only with people I care about," Alice replied casually as she stole some food from his plate despite having her own. "And now officially I care about you because you’re my boyfriend."

"Temporary boyfriend."

"Boyfriend either way."

Adam sighed but didn’t argue anymore, simply letting Alice keep stealing his food while they ate and talked about random things that didn’t have much real importance but somehow made the time pass faster.

By the time they finished eating, it was already mid-afternoon and classes had officially ended for the day.

"So what now?" Adam asked as they left the cafeteria.

Alice thought for a moment before smiling. "Now I walk you to your room, and tomorrow we keep this up."

"You’re not going to try to come in?"

"Do you want me to come in?" Alice asked with that mischievous smile.

"No."

"Then I won’t try," Alice replied with a shrug. "I’ve got a whole week to bother you. I don’t need to rush."

Adam didn’t know whether to feel relieved or worried by that statement, but he decided not to think too hard about it.

They walked toward the first-year dorms in a relatively comfortable silence, Alice still holding his hand, but at least she wasn’t dragging him everywhere anymore.

When they reached his door, Alice finally let go of his hand—but only to pull him into a quick hug that caught him by surprise.

"See you tomorrow, boyfriend," she said with clear amusement in her voice before pulling away and walking off with a casual wave.

Adam stood there for a moment, watching her go, before finally stepping into his room and closing the door behind him.

Nox was waiting for him on the bed, looking at him with those bright eyes as if he knew exactly what had happened.

"Not a word," Adam warned as he dropped onto the bed beside the small dragon.

Nox simply let out a sound that might’ve been a laugh before curling up against him.

Adam closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.

Six more days.

He could survive six more days of this.

Probably.