Chapter 40

### Chapter 40: How to Steal a Wizard's Woman (1-24)

Just like last week, Sonia called me over with a gesture from a place a little away from the school.

At the spot where Sonia was calling, a carriage was parked.

A four-seater carriage, painted black with a gold border, stood there.

Sonia was wearing a dress that shone beautifully even from a distance.

While the dress she wore last time was practical and elegant, this time she was wearing a lavish dress that didn't look comfortable at all.

As soon as I arrived, Sonia glanced at me, closed her eyes, and shook her head.

"It won't do. Let's go buy some clothes first."

"…Is it that bad?"

"I tried to buy you some before, but the guardian student tempted me, so I couldn't."

"Huh? Wasn't that the opposite?"

"Oh! Hehe…."

After getting into the carriage, we arrived at a place with magnificent buildings, exchanging jokes with Sonia.

It was a three-story stone building, entirely dedicated to a clothing store.

A place that seemed like it would have nothing to do with me for the rest of my life.

From Sonia's actions, it was clear she was going to give me another gift.

'This place really looks expensive.'

[Since Sonia Friedrich is quite wealthy, I don't think you need to worry too much.]

A part-time professor's salary wouldn't be very high.

But if it's at the Struma Magic School, it would be different.

Just being affiliated with that school would bring immense honor.

The salary would certainly not be small, and her husband was already a wealthy merchant.

She probably never felt any financial lack.

Sonia naturally entered the store and patted my shoulder.

"Let's go up to the third floor."

"Pro... Professor, even if that's the case, this place is a bit…."

"Ugh!"

"Ouch!"

Suddenly, Sonia grabbed my nose and started turning it around.

Even though her fingers weren't applying any force, the numbness was unavoidable.

After turning my nose around, Sonia let go and gently patted it.

"You should accept it as a student. Being childish is also a kind of charm. Understand?"

"Ugh… Yes."

Sonia gently touched my nose and then grabbed my arm, pulling me to the third floor.

The clothing displayed there was much more luxurious than on the lower floors.

After pondering for tens of minutes, Sonia dressed me in several outfits, playing with me like a Barbie doll, and finally decided on one.

The top was a white shirt with a neck scarf that had a pattern resembling sheet music, and a brown silk overcoat.

The tuxedo-like overcoat, which didn't have buttons, was so luxurious that it immediately drew everyone's attention.

It really didn't suit me.

"Since we have a lunch appointment today, I'll just buy you one outfit. We'll come back later."

"Pro... Professor, it's fine…."

As I tried to act like it was okay, Sonia crossed her arms and glared at me with a forced stern expression.

"Hmm!?"

"Yes…."

It wasn't at all threatening.

Just cute.

After buying my clothes, Sonia took me to the next place.

This time, it was a beauty salon.

'…I'm already feeling exhausted.'

[She probably wants to show a neat appearance since she's meeting someone.]

Just to show one student, isn't this a bit too much?

For the first time in my life, I got an all-back hairstyle.

I always got my hair cut at a neighborhood salon and parted it to the right.

As I sat and looked at the mirror indifferently, I could see Sonia standing behind me, looking blankly.

"From now on, I'll come to school with this hairstyle."

"Does it suit me?"

"I love it."

Even though it would probably revert to its original state the next day, I didn't say anything.

Sonia observed my new hairstyle with a satisfied expression.

After leaving the salon, we finally headed to the appointment location.

"Don't be too nervous. My husband has always admired Struma. He'll probably like the guardian student."

"…Will it be okay?"

"Hehe, don't worry. If there was anything strange, I wouldn't have let you meet him."

I trust Sonia, but I can't help but worry.

If I get caught, I might be socially ostracized.

And I'll fail the mission to seduce Luna.

After less than a month of the mission, ten million enel would be wasted.

Finally, we arrived at the appointment location.

It was on a different level from the restaurant Sonia showed me last time.

While that place was moderately upscale, this was a high-end restaurant.

The building, reminiscent of a small palace, was so luxurious that it felt like you'd have to pay just to look at it.

Clearly, this wasn't a place to come in the clothes I was wearing.

'Ah, I'm intimidated.'

[Since Guardian Shuhu is not from this world, it's not a big problem. This place is just the mission location, nothing more, nothing less.]

'Not from this world, but not dead either…'

Suddenly treating people like spirits.

As Sonia and I approached the iron gate in front of the building, a middle-aged man in his 40s, who looked like the manager, and two men in their 30s on either side, walked over gracefully.

The manager bowed to Sonia and welcomed her in a deep, low voice.

"Thank you for visiting, Mrs. Sonia Friedrich."

"Thank you for the welcome. Please guide us."

"Understood. This way, please."

As soon as the manager turned around, the two men on either side moved behind us and followed like servants.

We walked through a long corridor to the entrance.

The corridor, lined with stone pillars on both sides, had a red carpet, giving a sense of grand hospitality.

Finally, we arrived at the front of the building, where a white main door greeted us.

The large white main door was carved with several flying peacocks.

The appearance of the door, opening outward, made it look like the peacocks were flying vividly.

Inside the building, a waiting room with a green carpet appeared instead of the restaurant.

The building, which I expected to be quiet, was filled with loud noises as soon as the door opened.

A young man, who looked like a guide, hurriedly approached the manager and whispered something.

The manager slightly frowned and then whispered back to the man.

He turned to us and apologized.

"I apologize for the noise. I'll guide you immediately."

"It's fine."

As I followed, I turned my head to look at the source of the commotion.

"…Huh?"

"Huh? What's wrong?"

Sonia asked me.

In my line of sight were...

Two men and women in lavish attire.

Louis and Luna.

***

This private room, decorated with a clever combination of gold and red, was luxurious.

In this space, which looked to be about 200 square meters, only five people were seated.

At a rectangular dining table with a pristine white tablecloth, five people were seated.

The head of the table was occupied by a dignified and handsome man in his 40s.

Based on the head of the table, Sonia and I were on the left, and Louis and Luna were on the right.

How did we end up sitting together and looking at each other?

The reason Luna couldn't immediately answer my proposal the previous day was because of her promise to Louis.

She thought it was just a simple outing for a meal.

Louis brought Luna here, and there was no problem with having a meal.

The problem was that the private room Louis wanted was already fully booked.

He was demanding a private room on the same day, which was operated by reservation.

It seemed he was doing something he usually wouldn't do because it was a rare date with Luna.

And somehow, I caught his eye, and we ended up sitting across from each other.

Sonia's husband was happy to meet his students, and Louis and Luna reluctantly agreed.

Louis had been nervous and fidgety since the beginning.

'Both of us are sitting on pins and needles. If we get caught, we're both done for.'

[It was quite a surprise. Sonia Friedrich's husband is older than I thought.]

As Harmonia said.

Sonia is in her late 20s, but her husband looks to be in his early 40s.

While people might think it's an odd couple, I'm sure they would have a different opinion if they met him in person.

Sonia's husband had brown hair and a dignified appearance.

His attire was stylish, and he didn't overdo it.

For a merchant, he looked incredibly stylish.

'Wow, I really want to be like that when I grow up.'

He exuded such grace.

The husband broke the silence, looking at me and speaking first.

"Thank you for accepting my invitation today."

"No, I'm the one who should be grateful for being invited to such a place."

He spoke calmly to Luna and Louis as well.

"And thank you both for accepting the invitation."

"No, we're the ones who should be grateful for being invited to such a place."

"…"

Luna, sitting across from me, didn't answer immediately.

Louis, noticing this, spoke to Luna.

"Luna?"

"Uh, what? Why?"

The flustered Luna looked at Louis, who gave her a hint.

Sonia's husband smiled politely and spoke to Luna.

"Thank you for accepting the invitation."

"No, I'm the one who should be grateful for being invited to such a place."

Luna quickly straightened up and spoke in a composed voice.

After exchanging greetings, the door to the private room opened cautiously, and five waiters entered in a line.

They carried silver trays in their left hands and towels on their right arms.

Each of them placed the appetizers and then stood behind their assigned guests.

The conversation was lively throughout the meal.

Most of the conversation was led by Sonia's husband.

'…He really is a good person.'

[Would you like to see his traits?]

'Yeah, show me.'

=======

Name: Karl Friedrich

-Traits-

[Business Acumen], [Perfect Pitch], [Mediator], [Persuasion], [Violin Performance….

=======

Karl Friedrich.

Sonia's husband is a merchant who sells musical instruments.

He was originally a violinist but took over his father's musical instrument business and now produces and sells various instruments.

It's a well-known company, even to Louis and Luna.

They say he even comes to the Levin Kingdom's royal palace to take custom orders.

'Wow, he must make a lot of money.'

[Living in a mansion of that size in Struma indicates he has accumulated significant wealth.]

Sonia's house was definitely not an ordinary mansion.

And to be able to use a private room in a palace-like restaurant, he must be more than just wealthy.

Come to think of it, Louis's family also seems to have a lot of money.

'I'm the only poor one here.'

[Guardian Shuhu has enel. Enel is a currency far more valuable than those metal scraps.]

'…But you don't have much of it.'

[……….]

You should argue back at times like this!

Louis, noticing Sonia's hints, naturally joined the conversation at some point.

Sonia, perhaps not wanting to give hints in such a setting, talked to Louis as if nothing had happened.

The only one who remained silent was Luna.

She was usually not very talkative, but today she was especially quiet.

She didn't even look like she wanted to join the conversation.

She just kept avoiding my gaze.

Sonia looked at Luna and Louis and said,

"By the way, are you two out on an outing today?"

"Yes."

"Yes."

They answered with precision, even outside of school.

I'm so different from them.

Sonia turned to me and said,

"Shuhu, you're out on an overnight stay today, right?"

"…? Yes."

Why is she asking when she already knows?

Sonia glanced at Luna and smiled.

"Then… how about staying at my house tonight?"

As she said this, I could see a crack in Luna's expression.