A Degenerate's Tale

Shin sweated nervously as he intensely concentrated on his textbook.

'How did it get to this?'

He questioned himself. It was just meant to be a simple tutoring session from his senior, Sharon. He did not expect to be joined by Alea at the table!

Alea sat at the edge of the table as she calmly stated. "Don't mind me, I'm just making sure our guest isn't here to do anything strange."

Sharon kept her smiling face. It was difficult to break her composure. "Oh? What is that supposed to mean? I have one of the best reputations in the academy, you know?"

The Elven Princess narrowed her eyes and spoke without restraint. "Good for you. I just want to be certain that there's not a dog running around the house."

"Huh?"

"You see, dogs can have a deceiving appearance. They are cute and adorable. On top of that, they appear to be trustworthy as well."

It was a difficult task to break Sharon's composure, but at this moment, she found herself slipping. "Go on."

"The problem is that they run around so much they don't know their place. A good dog is one that is leashed. Don't you agree?" Alea concluded smilingly.

Shin felt his sweat trickling between his brows. Even if he was dense as a rock, he could tell there was something wrong!

"A good dog needs an owner. Sometimes, fate has it that the dog seeks out its own master." Sharon argued back.

"That's not wrong. But this dog I'm looking at is crossing some limits."

"What could these limits be?"

"Let's say this dog finds her master. The dog knows that her master would suffer as a result of taking her in, and yet she approaches her master anyway. That is wrong, is it not?"

"Obviously. There are no dogs that want to harm their owner."

"Let's take a closer look at this master, then. The master already has a dog he had lovingly raised. He took care of her family, fed her, groomed her, and took care of her when she was sick. They have an enviable relationship. The master may be a great man, but unfortunately, he is a flawed being. He can only take care of one dog at a time. In this case, this new dog is crossing limits, is it not?"

"It is if you present the situation as such. The new dog believes she can change her master for the better and allow him to accommodate her as well. After all, it is a two-way street. The master may allow the dog to have a better life, but the dog can do the same and nourish her master in unimaginable ways."

A freezing silence filled the two princesses. Before the conversation could continue, the door opened, and Earl entered the house in a good mood.

He immediately noticed the three people seated in the living room as he greeted them. "My three favourite people. What are you all doing here?"

"Earl!" Shin stood up in joy as he found his saving grace out of the situation. "Nothing much. I am just studying!"

"You have a great attitude about studying. I am envious."

"Probably because I'm getting tutored by Ms Sharon over here, h-ha ha."

"Mhmm, d-don't get the wrong idea. I was just helping him out to pass the time while I was waiting for you here." Sharon said with a slight blush. It was obvious to anyone how much she favoured Earl.

"Waiting for me? What business do you have with me?" Earl smiled.

"Since you're joining the Student Council, I thought I should brief you on some things."

"Oh, that sounds quite important. It's getting quite late, though. How about we save that for tomorrow? I apologize for making you wait so long for me."

"It's no worries. I enjoyed my time here."

"Really?" Earl was sceptical. He struggled to hold in his laughter as he watched Alea's frown grow the more he conversed with Sharon.

"Yes, we all got a little closer. Isn't that right, Shin?" Sharon smiled brightly.

"Y-yes," Shin replied in the most unconvincing manner.

"That's great! Since we're all here, how about a meal together?"

"Sure! That sounds great."

Alea looked at Earl. "If that's what you wish."

Earl let out a gentle smile. "You're always welcomed. After all, we're a pair."

"You don't have to say it out loud like that," Alea answered as she looked the other way.

"Oh? Are you embarrassed? My bad."

"Shut up."

"Thank you."

Sharon watched this interaction unfold with a sense of discomfort in her chest.

'It's uncomfortable.'

'What about this woman is so special to you, Earl?'

Dinner was served through a delivery service. It was one of the conveniences of living on Ragnarok. There were many bustling restaurant businesses all throughout the sky island, and the majority of these offered delivery services.

After dinner, Earl sent Sharon off to the nearest Magic Cart station. They stood side by side, waiting for the cart to come. The night air today was especially breezy, sending Sharon's silver hair flying with the wind.

"I'll come to bother you again tomorrow for the Student Council business." She said with her usual smiling face.

"I'm always open to being bothered by the Student Council President herself."

"A smooth talker."

"A good mouth can do more than just eating."

Sharon thought about what Earl said as a tinge of redness formed on her face. She found the courage to say just one last thing just before she hopped on the Magic Cart. "Maybe you can show me what else that mouth can do later. Hehe~"

"For someone so innocent, she's surprisingly bold," Earl muttered as he watched her departing figure.

Alea closed the door to her room.

"I really am just a dog. All I can do is bark and bite. How worthless."