For Sale. Fallen Lady. Never Used.

Chapter 117: Library (4)

Uh?

Uh? Uhuh?

A hand so pale it was almost white. I asked in a dazed voice, unable to even think about removing my hand that was on top of it.

Professor Iona, what are you doing here?

Perhaps, perhaps! Student Yandel might be here for the same reason?

Not just me, but Iona also seemed baffled, tilting her head in confusion.

Deep, burgundy hair reminiscent of blood. A cool complexion yet smooth, like porcelain.

And finally, the elongated fangs peeking out from between her slightly parted lips.

Although she looked no different than usual, I couldnt take my eyes off Iona for some reason.

Was it because her innocent, blood-red eyes carried both innocence and coquetry?

Or perhaps because her normally loose clothing had slipped, revealing a bit of her collarbone?

One thing was certain. Not just me, Carla and Elisha were also staring blankly at Iona.

Thats when I realized.

Her mere breathing was intoxicatinga dangerous charm.

The allure of a vampire, usually suppressed by Iona, must have slipped a bit.

Realizing this, I hastily removed my hand from hers and raised my magical energy.

With my abundant magical energy, I could resist most ailments just by circulating it within my body.

Ah!

Realizing the flow of my magic, Iona hurriedly regained her composure with a startled expression.

The strange atmosphere vanished in an instant, and soon Iona wore a playful look.

Whats the matter? You meet your professor here and start getting weird ideas, huh?

A little? I thought I might be in trouble.

Ahaha! Yandel, youre an adult. I wouldnt scold you for looking at an erotic book!

Iona laughed in her usual frivolous manner, though her face remained flushed, knowing she had made a mistake.

Even so, it was unlikely that Iona had developed feelings for me at this point, so she must be quite embarrassed.

Finally, Carla and Elisha blinked, regaining their focus.

Professor?

Why is Professor Iona here?

Thats like I said earlier, probably for a similar reason to yours.

Then she pulled out a book from the shelf.

[Picked Up a Self-Proclaimed Genius Magician]

It looked interesting, so I thought Id borrow it.

Ah.

Oh.

Carla and Elisha were embarrassed by Ionas nonchalant response.

After all, why else would she be here? Like us, she must have come to borrow an erotic book.

Wait?

But an erotic book for Iona?

Iona was a vampire. Vampires dont reproduce through sexual intercourse but by transforming other species.

Therefore, such stories couldnt be sexually arousing for Iona.

The allure Iona showed earlier wasnt for seduction but for an evolved ability to lure prey.

Just as we dont feel hunger or lust when we see someone bleeding from the neck, Iona wouldnt be excited by such stories.

Was there another purpose?

Even so, it was odd for her allure, usually controlled even in sleep, to slip out just from being caught looking at an erotic book.

Considering Ionas age, it was impossible for her to be so startled by that.

It was more logical to assume she was startled for some other reason.

While I knew some secrets about this library, I couldnt claim to know everything.

After all, what I knew was limited to what was in H&A.

This 19+ section of the library, never mentioned in the game, intrigued me because of my lack of knowledge about it.

I was curious.

The thought that there might be secrets in the academy I was unaware of was too intriguing.

Iona must view me favorably after I foiled the followers of the Boiling Silence Church and Edmerek.

Maybe she would answer if I asked carefully?

Um Professor Iona.

Huh? What is it, Yandel?

I asked Iona, who was clutching a book shed picked out to her chest, cautiously.

Did you come to borrow an erotic book?

Thats right.

Why?

Huh? What do you mean, Yandel? Im an adult. I can look at these things, cant I?

But youre a vampire, Professor.

That question seemed to hit a switch, and the always giddy Iona narrowed her eyes.

It was as if she was waiting to hear what I had to say.

I heard that regardless of their previous race, once someone becomes a vampire, their body and mind change accordingly.

Right, right. Itd be pointless to become a vampire and then starve to death because youre repulsed by drinking blood, right?

Like hunger, sexual desire changes too.

I continued, giving Iona a meaningful smile.

Its unlikely a vampire would be excited by ordinary erotic things, so there must be another reason for you being here

Aha!

Iona finally seemed to catch on, smirking knowingly.

Yandel do you really want to know?

Of course. You know, Professor, our goals align in many ways. I might be able to help.

Hmm, hmm. You have a point. Alright! Come closer!

Iona beckoned me over, like a friendly neighborhood lady.

As I cautiously leaned in, Iona grabbed my head, as if waiting for this moment, and whispered in my ear.

Im different.

Huh?

I get excited by normal erotic things, unlike other vampires.

I dont have any grand schemes!

I was momentarily stunned.

Really?

Looking at Iona for confirmation, she giggled and nodded.

Its true, its true. Its been 300 years since I last drank blood directly! Ive become like this after only drinking from blood packs for so long!

Huh

Iona winked at me, seeing my disbelief.

Just because of that, you shouldnt have improper thoughts about your professor, okay?

I dot!

I laughed it off and shook my head, as Iona withdrew her head from my ear.

Right, right! What we just talked about is a secret between you and me, Yandel, okay?

Im not thoughtless enough to spread something like that.

Good! I trust you since its between you and me!

Whats between you and me, Professor?

The relationship between a favored student and a favoring professor?

Iona shrugged nonchalantly, tilting her head.

Like the time she helped Elisha, it seemed like she was willing to help me whenever needed.

If this were a game, it felt like her favorability towards me had just surpassed 80%.

Well, Iona was an unattainable character in the game, so even raising her favorability didnt unlock any special events.

After some light banter with Iona and agreeing to keep todays meeting a secret, we parted ways.

Out of curiosity, I skimmed through the book Iona intended to borrow, but it was quite ordinary.

It was something like a comedic uproar involving a pink-haired, big-breasted heroine?

After that, I went on as planned to the section where Carla and Elisha wanted to pick books.

While browsing, I came across some interesting titles like My Lewd Draconian Maid, Conquering the World with My Wife, The Too Erotic Chimera Accidentally Synthesized, and others.

These titles felt oddly familiar

Unfortunately, there wasnt any genre that completely exceeded my expectations of fantasy.

Earth also only started having fantasy-like works in modern times, and it was only in contemporary times that the fantasy genre as I knew it was established.

The Eurelia Continent of this era hadnt evolved that far in terms of genres.

However, to the people here, these fantasies seemed more like contemporary works, overflowing with realism.

I realized that every race had its own set of fantasies, like the one about an elf enslaving a human family across generations.

Or beastmen treated as actual pets in erotic stories.

Well, things like that.

Interestingly, some genres and themes were similar to those I had seen on Earth.

One particular setup where all men died of a mysterious disease, leaving only women, and the protagonist was the only man, was surprisingly familiar.

Yeah mens thoughts are all the same.

But some were completely incomprehensible.

For example, erotic stories written for dwarves.

Whats erotic about mining an ancient creature made of rare metals and using it as a communal resource for the tribe?

I get that the situation itself was supposed to be erotic. But describing the gleam of shiny metal or its hardness just didnt do it for me!

According to Carla, those kinds of dwarf erotic stories were quite niche I was just glad I was excited by normal flesh and bone.

Anyway, after spending quite some time on this library date(?), we each picked a book and made our way out of the maze.

Master, how about we try the play from the book today?

Sounds good. But theres something else we need to do first.

Huh? Ah, just borrowing erotic stories seems a bit off. Is there another book you need? Ill find it faster than a golem!

There is no need to compete with a golem. I already know where it is.

Aw, thats too bad. But what kind of book are you looking forward to so much, Master?

Well, to start with the genre

After a brief pause, I grinned.

Maybe a ghost story?

Now its time to collect the hidden piece.