Betrayed, I Met The Demon Lord

Chapter 50 - Mindful

Van and Anne moved past the checkout and approached a grand pool surrounded by grass and lively people. Various mages were creating waterslides for others, and people were openly using magic to create a spectacle for onlookers.

"There's no ban on magic usage or something?" Van asked as they walked in.

"There used to be, but with the constant dragon attacks, the royal guards started enforcing it less due to the extra workload. Eventually, it was deemed unnecessary. It's like forbidding a cook from using his knife, or so my late father used to say," Anne replied.

"Ohh," Van hummed in curiosity as he looked around.

'This... it almost feels like I'm back in my own world. Well, minus the instant ice water slides they create on the spot,' Van reflected, taking in the scene.

"Come on!" Anne urged again, as she pulled Van's head towards the pool's direction.

"Ah, you go ahead," Van said, halting.

"What?"

"You probably have friends here you want to see, right? I'll find a spot to relax," Van reasoned.

'Amoria told me to mingle with these kids, but that's not really my scene. I'll just keep an eye on her until she's ready to leave,' he thought.

"Eh, not really," Anne replied, looking away.

"Not really? Are you being bullied perhaps?" Van's voice grew stern.

"No! If anyone dared touch me, I'd tear them apart! Who do you think I am!?" Her voice boomed with defiance.

"Alright, so what's the issue?"

"Just... Look, just hang out with me, okay? Or maybe you don't want to...?" Anne asked, her gaze averted, a hint of shame in her voice.

It was then he heard Anne's name mentioned in the crowd. Curious, he utilized the entirety of his 587 points in perception, eavesdropping on chatter around them.

'What's all this about...?' Van pondered.

Van overheard a gaggle of girls whispering amongst themselves with derision.

"Hey, look; it's Anne..."

"That workhorse actually brought a guy with her..."

"Is he gay, since he's hanging out with her—or should I say, him? Hahaha," one sneered.

"I bet she paid him to come just to show she's not some closeted lesbian..."

Then, he caught the chatter of a group of guys around the same age group.

"Anne is so freaking hot... If she wasn't such a man, I'd totally hit on her."

"Honestly, even if she was more feminine, I'd steer clear. Have you seen her mom!? She'd annihilate you for just looking her way!"

"That guy's in for a world of pain..."

'... So it's this kind of harassment,' Van realized, watching the teens with a mix of anger and resignation, then turned his attention back to Anne, who clicked her tongue impatiently, waiting for his reaction.

"Look, I don't have time for this crap! If you don't want to hang out just say it straight!" Anne exclaimed, turning to walk away in frustration and anger.

That's when Van moved behind her and swiftly lifted her onto his shoulder, her legs dangling in front of him, secure in his arm.

"V-VAN!?!" Anne gasped, her voice tinged with embarrassment as onlookers turned their heads.