Abner was lost in thought when Tracy, sitting on the bed, suddenly heard movement outside the door. Her eyes darted sideways, and she put on a pitiful expression. With a faint, melancholy smile, she said:
"Do whatever you want with me... I can't resist anyway... There's no need to use an examination as an excuse..."
Abner came back to his senses. He had heard someone outside too, and her words left him speechless.
Ever since Vice Admiral of Ailment learned that Abner knew she had once been a man, she seemed to have abandoned all restraint. Convinced he would never actually do anything to her, she tried a new way to flaunt her charms every day, hoping to make him embarrass himself in front of Helene and drive a wedge between them.
Has she picked up the art of palace intrigue all on her own? She's cast herself in the wrong role, though...
After that silent jab, Abner decided to teach Tracy a lesson she would remember.
He used Fascinate Humans, a Secret Art he had learned from the latter half of the Blood Feast. Amplified by the Beauty Goddess's Blessing on his forehead, it left Tracy dazed in an instant. Then she gazed at him with adoration in her eyes. If she had been able to move, she might have thrown herself at him.
At that moment, Abner released the Secret Art, and Tracy snapped back to her senses. She turned stiffly toward Helene, who stood in the doorway looking utterly incredulous. Tracy was about to explain when Helene vanished like an illusion...
Just then, Cecia pushed open the door and came in. She reported that she had arranged a meeting with the manager of the First Bank for the following morning, then gave a bow and left the