Turmoil

"What's that?" Charlotte asked, her eyebrows furrowed in suspicion. The pill didn't give her any impressive impression. Still, there was an inexplicable sensation that seemed to draw her attention toward it.

"This is a Spirit Enhancer Tablet," Lucien replied, his voice low and serious. "It's a powerful item that can boost your spirit dramatically. When you consume this tablet, your spirit reservoir will expand significantly, allowing you to awaken your Arcane Nexus."

He held out the tablet towards her, his eyes fixed on hers. "I won't force you to take it, but if you do, it could be the key to unlocking your potential as a mage. It's up to you to decide."

Charlotte's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she gazed at the tablet in close proximity. Her hand trembled slightly as she reached out to take it from Lucien's palm. However, before Charlotte took the pill, she grew hesitated and withdrew her hand. Her voice cracked as she asked Lucien, "May I?" Her eyes were filled with timidity and uncertainty, as if she was afraid of the consequences that might come with retrieving the pill.

"Go on," Lucien nodded in approval.

As her fingers closed around the tablet, she quickly withdrew her hand, as if she had touched a hot pan. Lucien couldn't help but find her reaction amusing, given the stark contrast to her previous flirtatious and mischievous behavior. At the moment, she resembled a timid rabbit, hesitant and unsure. A chuckle escaped from Lucien's lips as he observed the unexpected shift in her demeanor.

'So cute.' Lucien mused.

Meanwhile, Charlotte couldn't care less about Lucien's laughter as her concentration was wholly focused on the tablet that presently resides in her palm. She examined the pill carefully, her gaze intent and her expression serious. She turned it over in her palm, studying its texture and weight.

"You said this was Spirit Enhancer Tablet?"

"That's right." Lucien responded.

"Who's come up with the name?" Charlotte suddenly asked.

"Err... I think its the alchemist?" Lucien replied unsurely.

Charlotte nodded her head at his answer. Afterward, she slipped the pill into her pocket.

When Lucien saw Charlotte put the pill in her pocket instead of swallowing it, he wasn't surprised. He understood her wariness towards him, given that he was still the guy who had defiled her without her consent from her perspective.

Charlotte gave Lucien a look before pursing her lips in frustration. "Don't get the wrong idea. It's not that I don't trust you," she said with a hint of annoyance in her voice. "It's just that there's no water here, and I can't swallow a pill without it, can I?" she added with a shrug, trying to play it cool.

'What's wrong with me? Why did I feel obliged to explain my action?' Charlotte felt a wave of frustration wash over her, and she wanted to groan out loud, but she held it in for fear of looking unsightly. She had to fight the urge to pull her hair out of vexation.

It was as if the lascivious spirit still lingered around her body, clouding her judgment and making her act against her will. She couldn't understand why she felt this way in front of Lucien. For some inexplicable reason, there was this feeling that prompted her to please him. Such a case never happened before.

'D-did he secretly drugged or hexed me?' Charlotte couldn't help but think that way. There was no other way to explain her sudden behavior change other than being drugged or hexed. The next question is, how? She had always been careful with her belongings and never went anywhere alone with Lucien, so how could he have drugged or hexed her? They had been deskmates for half a year but had never spoken to each other for more than two sentences. So, there shouldn't be bad blood between them.

However, as the wicked thought crossed her mind, another feeling began to rise from the depths of her heart, erasing any doubts about Lucien's intentions. She even felt guilty for entertaining the idea that he would do such a thing to her. "Damn it!" she cursed under her breath, feeling increasingly annoyed that the same inexplicable feeling was taking over her once again. It was as if she was under a spell that made her unable to resist his charm and form any doubt about him.

Charlotte couldn't understand how someone who had violated her could make her feel this way. It was frustrating and confusing, and she couldn't shake off the feeling no matter how hard she tried.

Meanwhile, Lucien, who remained oblivious to the inner turmoil Charlotte was presently struggling with, replied with his standard smile. "It's fine. You don't need to explain to me. You could eat it when you returned home." he said with an air of nonchalance.

However, in Charlotte's eyes, Lucien appeared to be just hiding his disappointment behind a nonchalant attitude, and it made her feel even worse. As the guilt continued to consume her, she heaved a deep breath before hesitantly suggesting. "Let's go to the canteen so that you could watch me eat the pill directly."

Lucien's surprise was evident from the way he raised his eyebrows, indicating his disbelief at Charlotte's insistence on explaining her actions. He tried to reassure her with a wave of his arms, indicating that he didn't want her to feel obligated to justify herself. "It's alright, Charlotte. You don't need to explain yourself to me," he said in a soothing tone, hoping to put her at ease.

However, it was as though she didn't hear his words. Charlotte furrowed her eyebrows, deep in thought. She looked hesitant for a moment before finally reaching a decision.

As he was about to say something, he felt a gentle tug on his shirt hem. Looking down, he saw Charlotte's hand holding onto his shirt. Her face was turned away from him, but he could see the reddening of her ears. She spoke softly, "L-let's go together."

Lucien's eyes widened in surprise at her sudden suggestion. He was taken aback, having never expected such a proposal from Charlotte. Nonetheless, he quickly composed himself and smiled at her. "Sure, let's go together,"

Charlotte let out a sigh of relief upon hearing Lucien's answer, and her fingers that were tightly grabbing his shirt loosened. She drew her arm back and slightly wiped the sweat that had formed on the surface of her palm, feeling embarrassed by her earlier reaction.

She then led the way to the canteen with Lucien following closely behind her.