The man stared at her incredulously as if questioning why she was giving her name when he wasn’t interested, then resumed eating.
And Riley stared at him as he ate, asking,

“Are you always this angry?”

“?”

“You always look like you’re mad because you’re frowning.”

“You must’ve seen me when I’m not in a good mood.”

“I see.”

“If you’re going to be harassed, get harassed somewhere where I don’t have to see it. Why annoy people?”

“I was taken somewhere secluded this time; how did you happen to be there?”

“That’s a place I like. It’s the best for napping. It’s not noisy, and it’s unlikely anyone will notice me.”

He doesn’t like to be noticed. Maybe he doesn’t like noisy environments in general.

“What about the restaurant last time? It seems like a place you’d avoid since it’s crowded.”

“I just happened to pass by.”

“Wow, so you could’ve just walked by but helped me instead?”

“….”

“You’re kind.”

“Yeah, think what you want.”

The man resumed eating. Riley said nothing more, sensing he wanted to enjoy his meal in peace.

Finally finishing, the man stood up.

“I’m leaving.”

He left the restaurant without a second glance, just as before.

Riley, who had been watching him, quickly headed for Matop Horizon.

“You ate alone with a man?”

“Yes, and he’s very handsome. I heard he’s somewhat famous in the academy because of his good looks.”

“Let me see.”

Salk handed over a document containing information about the man Riley had dined with.

“Van Clapra.”

“An outsider and he was the top admit at the time.”

“No family connections at all.”

“Yes, he’s probably an orphan. He’s listed as from Helios, but even that’s uncertain.”

“His grades are terrible for someone who was a top admit.”

“He’s very inconsistent in his academic performance.”

“All failures due to lack of attendance.”

“He has a bad and rebellious image; everyone avoids him. He’s even nicknamed ‘Mad Dog’ within the academy.”

To Gibnen, whether the man was a ‘Mad Dog’ or an orphan was utterly unimportant.

What mattered was that he was handsome and had eaten with Riley.

A smirk formed on Gibnen’s lips.

“Handsome guys should be cautious. Moreover, he’s a notorious student.”

“You don’t have to worry. Why would I have eyes for another man when I have a Master?”

“I never thought you would.”

Salk, planning to flatter him, shut his mouth.

Gibnen then seemed to ponder deeply.

“Why are there so many nuisances?”

“Just one nuisance, Van Clapra.”

“There’s also one stuck underground.”

“Arpeggio?”

Upon Gibnen nodding, Salk blinked in disbelief.

“I don’t think Arpeggio would ever have ill intentions towards Miss Riley?”

“You say that because you don’t know her.”

“…?”

“She’s cute. Arpeggio has a weakness for cute things. The fact that he keeps five cats proves it.”

“….”

“It’s complicated. Maybe I shouldn’t have sent her to the academy. Can’t replace all the men there, and she does have discerning eyes.”

He had declared every man in the academy as his enemy.

All for a single woman.

“It’s almost time for the meeting, Master.”

Sighing, Gibnen stood up. He then whispered to Salk,

“Tell some of the shadows in the academy to protect her. Make sure no unnecessary things get tangled up.”

And then he left in a rush.

Salk doubted his ears.

‘He’s moving the shadows for this… Just because she had lunch with a student?’

Salk was baffled. The man he thought was liberal in love affairs was this serious over pretend matrimony.
‘Come to think of it, he’s been… quiet lately.’

The man who used to sweep through gossip like wildfire had been keeping his distance as if taking care of a woman lately.

Of course, he hadn’t acted like someone obsessed with romance before, but at least he hadn’t turned away any woman who approached him, nor had he shied away from private encounters.

Yet now, he had become so conservative!

Sakh, surprised by this unexpected behavior, recorded the newly collected information in his notebook.

Extremely jealous.