Endless Leveling Done Right!

"Next time, inform me about these matters ahead of time," Alex said helplessly. "I was so shocked when Latifa and Lavinia brought me to the boutiques to shop for lingerie for the first time."

"I'll think about it." Vaan smirked. "I just pitied you today, so I decided to come clean and tell you everything."

"You rascal."

"Well, I was also curious, you know?"

Alex arched an eyebrow. "Curious about what?"

"About that lingerie," Vaan answered. "Who are you planning to give that to? Or are you telling me that you plan to wear it? Should I give you a letter of recommendation to the Crossplay Club?"

"Please, give me a break already."

"Hahaha."

Vaan's laughter was really like that of a girl, which was more than enough to fool anyone.

Alex knew that the pretty boy had learned to create a switch that allowed him to instantly go on full Girl Mode whenever he was in public.

For a moment, none of them said anything. The noise of the distant marketplace drifted into the alley, mixing with the faint sound of carriages rolling down the street.

Then, Vaan tilted his head, studying Alex with those pretty eyes of his. "Still… I'll give you credit. Not many people can stand firm against Lumi. Many would fold under her stubbornness."

Alex smiled faintly. "That's because most don't know who she really is. But I do. And I know how important she is to Latifa."

"But, Alex, who do you favor the most?" Vaan asked, his tone suddenly losing much of its lightness. "You already know how Lavinia feels about you. But you also seem interested in Latifa. Not just her. You seem to be making an effort to get close to Fran and Lapiz as well."

Alex was caught off-guard, not expecting that someone was paying such close attention to his actions.

"Hey, where are you getting that kind of information?" Alex asked, clearly surprised.

"It's called Vaan's intuition." Vaan gave Alex a playful wink. "It's very accurate, you know? So, what are you playing at? Are you trying to row four boats at once?

"Be careful now. You might drown if the river's current suddenly becomes fast. Of course, I also have a solution for your problem if you care to hear it."

Alex blinked. "A solution?"

"Yes," Vaan replied cheekily. "Instead of worrying about other girls, why don't you just pick me instead?"

Alex looked at Vaan for nearly half a minute before pinching the latter's cheek. He didn't let go until he heard pleas for mercy.

"Ladies hate brutes, you know?" Vaan said as he took out a healing potion, wetted his handkerchief with it, and dabbed his cheek. "You need to be more delicate and sensitive."

"Don't worry. I'm very gentle to ladies. On another note, Vaan, your cheek is softer than I thought," Alex pointed out. "If I didn't know any better, I'd really think you're a girl."

Instead of saying anything, Vaan only smirked, as daring Alex to find out if he was really a boy or a girl.

Perhaps understanding what Vaan had in mind, Alex lightly poked the pretty boy's forehead with his finger.

"Is there anyone harassing you as of late?" Alex asked, trying to change the subject. "Does Prince Garen no longer bother you?"

"His Highness has been very kind and thoughtful, unlike someone I know," Vaan grumbled. "He gives me gifts from time to time. Fortunately, they're not too expensive, or I might really feel guilty.

"He is also determined to win against you in the dungeon expedition. So, we better win, Alex. I don't want him to challenge you again for the right to become my lover."

"If he challenges me again, I will just concede," Alex replied with pretend seriousness. "You two might be a good match together."

"Hmph! You will only know how important something is when you have lost it."

"Um? Did you say something?"

Just as Vaan was about to give a reply, Latifa, Lavinia, Lotte, and Lumi appeared before them.

"See?" Lumi puffed her chest proudly. "I told you those two are having an affair in this alley. We have caught them in the act."

Vaan blinked before casually—and deliberately—wrapping his arms around Alex's arm and resting his head on his shoulder.

"Oh nooo," Vaan said, fanning the flames so that the entire world would burn. "We have been found out! This is a disaster! Whatever should we do?"

"Don't be silly," Lavinia replied as she held Alex's hand and pulled him away from Vaan. "Let's go. We still have other places to visit. Haven't we all agreed to buy some items from the merchant shop for the expedition?"

Without another word, the Catkin dragged Alex away. Lotte, who was carrying Latifa in a princess carry, followed after them, leaving only Lumi and Vaan behind.

"Lumi, don't be too hard on Alex," Vaan said in a volume that only the Alter could hear. "What will you do if he stops liking you? Won't you be the one at a loss if that happens?"

"I'm not interested in him," Lumi answered without hesitation. "It's only because of that damned Trial at the Heracle Mountain that Latifa started to show interest in him. But how about you?

"When do you plan to tell him the truth? Or do you plan to just mess around like you always do?"

"Oh my! So you've been watching me too?" Vaan's lips curved, but the smile never reached his eyes. "That's very naughty of you, Lumi. Everyone has secrets. It's not wise to dig into things you're not meant to know. Tell me—did you share it with Latifa?"

Lumi's shoulders stiffened. A chill raced down her spine as if an invisible blade had just brushed against her neck.

Vaan hadn't moved much. Both of his hands were still clasped behind his back. But the air around him carried a pressure that made Lumi's heart beat faster and faster.

"I didn't tell anyone," Lumi admitted quietly. "Latifa doesn't know your secret."

"Good." Vaan's smile softened, yet it carried a weight that felt heavier than any threat. "Keep it that way, and we can remain friends. Also, Alex needs his privacy, okay? Make sure to hold back your curiosity from time to time."

With that, Vaan slipped his arm through Lumi's as though nothing had happened. He walked alongside her like they were simply the best of friends.

No one would think that the delicate looking Vaan might be more dangerous than Renard, who preferred to obliterate anything that stood in front of him using brute force.

Lumi thought of Alex and wondered if he was able to act the way he did with Vaan because he knew his secret.

'No, I don't think Alex knows,' Lumi thought. 'Otherwise, he wouldn't be too touchy with Vaan.'

On that day, Lumi decided to stop following Vaan.

However, she still planned to follow Alex because she wanted to know his true character.

While she also planned to respect his privacy, her goal hadn't changed.

She simply wished to determine whether their club president was doing all that in order to get closer to Latifa, whom all of her Alters wished to protect with all of their hearts.