The Return Of The Exiled Villain

After the chaotic feeding session finally came to an end, the three of them left the café together.

The afternoon sun was still bright, casting long shadows across the academy’s scenic paths.

Maelis was in an exceptionally good mood.

She clung tightly to Gray’s left arm, pressing her body against his side as they walked.

Her silver hair swayed with every step, and she kept rubbing her cheek against his shoulder like a contented cat.

”Brother, this is nice, isn’t it?” she said happily, her voice sounding sweet and spoiled.

”Just the two of us walking together like this. We should do this more often.”

Gray didn’t pull away, allowing her to cling as much as she wanted.

His expression remained calm, though there was a faint trace of amusement in his eyes.

Behind them, Seraph walked with a noticeably annoyed expression. Her golden hair caught the sunlight, but her lips were pressed into a thin line.

This was supposed to be her date with Gray.

She had finally worked up the courage to agree, only for Maelis to crash in and turn everything into a competition.

Every time Maelis laughed or nuzzled closer to Gray, Seraph’s annoyance grew.

She walked a few steps behind them, arms crossed under her chest, shooting occasional cold glances at Maelis’s back.

Maelis, of course, noticed. She deliberately hugged Gray’s arm tighter and spoke louder.

”Brother, remember when we used to sneak out to the garden at night? You always let me hold your hand because I was scared of the dark. We should do that again sometime. Just you and me.”

Seraph’s eye twitched.

Gray remained silent, letting the two girls fight their silent war around him.

The path they were walking was peaceful, lined with blooming flowers and tall trees, but the atmosphere between the three of them was anything but.

Maelis suddenly looked over her shoulder at Seraph, smiling innocently.

”Oh? Princess, you’re still here? I thought you might have somewhere important to be. Royal duties and all that.”

Seraph’s voice was cool and elegant, though her irritation was barely hidden.

”I’m perfectly fine walking with Gray. You’re the one who invited herself along, Maelis.”

Maelis huffed and turned back to Gray, pressing herself even closer.

”Don’t listen to her, Brother. She’s just jealous because I’ve known you longer. Right?”

Maelis looked up at Gray with sparkling, expectant eyes, still clinging tightly to his left arm as they walked along the academy path.

Seraph, holding his right hand, gave a soft scoff but didn’t release her grip.

The three of them continued walking in this awkward but strangely balanced formation until they reached a popular district just outside the main academy grounds, a lively shopping area filled with high-end boutiques, cafés, and specialty stores.

Maelis suddenly perked up, her eyes lighting up as she spotted a luxurious clothing shop with elegant displays in the windows.

”Brother! Let’s go in there!” she exclaimed, tugging his arm excitedly. ”I want to try on some new dresses. You can help me choose!”

Seraph’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn’t protest. Instead, she gently pulled Gray’s right hand.

”That shop has excellent taste. I was thinking of getting a new outfit for the banquet anyway. Gray, you should come with us.”

Gray sighed inwardly but allowed himself to be dragged along by both girls.

The shop was called Elysian Threads, a high-class boutique known for custom and imported garments made with spirit silk and enchanted fabrics.

The moment they entered, a polite attendant greeted them, but Maelis and Seraph barely noticed her.

They immediately began browsing the racks, occasionally shooting each other competitive glances.

Maelis pulled out a beautiful crimson dress with a deep V-neckline and flowing skirts adorned with golden embroidery.

”Brother, what do you think of this one?” she asked, holding it up against her body and giving a little twirl.

”It matches my hair perfectly, doesn’t it? It would look good on me, right?”

Seraph, not to be outdone, picked an elegant midnight-blue gown with silver accents and a high slit on the side that would reveal her long legs.

”Gray, this one suits me better,” she said calmly, though her eyes were locked on him. ”The color brings out my eyes. Don’t you agree?”

Gray stood in the middle of the store, arms crossed, watching the two of them with a faint, resigned expression.

Maelis quickly disappeared into a changing room and emerged moments later wearing the crimson dress.

It hugged her figure perfectly, accentuating her curves while the flowing skirt gave her a regal, seductive look.

The golden embroidery caught the light beautifully as she spun in front of Gray.

”How does it look, Brother?” she asked, striking a pose and batting her eyelashes.

”Be honest~”

Seraph followed shortly after, emerging in the midnight-blue gown.

The fabric shimmered like starlight, the high slit showing off her toned leg with every step. She looked elegant and noble, the silver accents complementing her golden hair perfectly.

”Gray?” she asked softly, turning slowly so he could see the back, which had a tasteful open design.

”Which one do you prefer?”

Gray rubbed his temple.

”Both look good,” he replied neutrally.

Maelis pouted immediately.

”That’s not fair! You have to choose one!”

Seraph nodded in agreement, though her expression was more composed.

”Yes. Be specific.”

The two girls then began a new game, trying on multiple outfits one after another, each time asking for Gray’s opinion while subtly competing with each other.

Maelis came out in a short, flirty white summer dress with lace details and a flared skirt.

”Brother, this one is cute, right? Perfect for casual dates!”

Seraph countered with a sophisticated emerald green cheongsam-style dress that hugged her body tightly, with golden dragon patterns.

”This one is more elegant. Suitable for formal occasions. What do you think, Gray?”

Then Maelis appeared in a bold red off-shoulder dress with a corset top that pushed up her chest.

”Does this make me look attractive, Brother?”

Seraph followed with a pure white flowing gown that gave her an angelic, ethereal appearance.

”Or this one? It’s pure and elegant.”

Gray sat on a nearby couch the attendant had brought for him, watching the fashion show with growing resignation.

Every time he gave a vague compliment like ”It looks nice,” both girls would demand more details, forcing him to describe what he liked about each outfit.

Maelis twirled in a playful black and gold lolita-style dress.

”Brother, be honest! Does this make me look younger and cuter?”

Seraph emerged in a sleek, backless silver dress that highlighted her graceful figure.

”Gray, this one is more mature. Which style do you prefer on me?”

The bickering continued between outfit changes, but they had clearly united in their new mission: annoying Gray with endless questions and comparisons.

”Brother, say something nice about mine!”

”Gray, don’t just stare, and give your honest opinion!”

By the time they had gone through nearly a dozen outfits each, Gray was leaning back on the couch, looking faintly exhausted but still calm.

Maelis and Seraph stood in front of him in their latest choices, Maelis in a cute pink sundress, Seraph in a sophisticated purple evening gown, both waiting expectantly for his verdict.

Gray sighed deeply.

”...You both look good. Can we stop now?”

The two girls exchanged a glance, then simultaneously shook their heads.

”Not yet!” they said in unison.

Maelis and Seraph both turned toward the attendant with determined expressions.

After a brief, hushed conversation (filled with competitive glares at each other), they convinced the shopkeeper to clear out a large private fitting area in the back of the boutique.

With a wave of mana from both girls, they created a strong privacy barrier around the spacious changing lounge, blocking all sound and sight from the outside.

Gray was ushered inside and made to sit on a comfortable velvet couch in the center. The barrier shimmered faintly around them, ensuring complete privacy.

’...What was that barrier for?’ he pondered.

Maelis smiled mischievously as she disappeared behind a curtain first.

When she emerged, she was wearing a daring black lace lingerie set, a sheer bra that barely contained her full breasts, with delicate straps and intricate floral patterns, paired with matching high-cut panties that left very little to the imagination.

The lace was semi-transparent, teasingly revealing the curves of her body.

”Brother... how does this look?” she asked, striking a pose with one hand on her hip, turning slowly so he could see every angle.

”Be honest. Does it suit me?”

Seraph followed shortly after, wearing an elegant white and gold lingerie set.

The bra was a balconette style that pushed up her breasts beautifully, with golden embroidery along the edges.

The panties were high-waisted but incredibly sheer, accentuating her long legs and graceful hips. She moved with refined poise, turning gracefully.

”Gray... which one do you prefer?” she asked calmly, though her cheeks had a faint blush.

Seeing this scene... Gray was speechless for a second or two.

’...These two...’ he sighed inwardly.

’When will this Shura Field end?’

Gray couldn’t help but wonder.