Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

The clean, simple dress, patched in a few places, didn't cover her knees, and her slender legs, clad in white stockings, resembled two lotus root tips. Without any unnecessary adornment, the shy yet joyful smile on her face was enough to melt the heart of any father.

This made the person next to them even more uncomfortable.

“Candy, I remember, when you agreed to go out dressed normally.” Willem felt hostile gazes scraping against his body, like sharpening knives.

Damn it, he's a boy! I feel so wronged.

Candy raised her head and looked up at William, her beautiful eyes filled with a hint of reproach.

“Mr. William, this is my normal outfit. My sister dressed me up.”

"Damn heartless succubus."

Candy patted William's arm; the serious features on his youthful face made him look like a cute little adult.

“Mr. William, it was you who made the request, asking me to help you choose a gift that a girl would like. I thought you were already mentally prepared to travel with me.”

William imagined her smile in his mind and gritted his teeth.

"Please, Candy."

Chapter 279 Two Gifts

Candy led William to the shopping street in the central district, the most orderly commercial center. The decorations hanging on the surrounding shops were like stars, dazzling William's eyes.

Candy was admiring the shiny objects and casually brought up topics.

"Is it that elf girl named Fanila?"

"Hmm, what kind of gift would make a girl happy?" William wasn't surprised that Candy knew Fanila's name. He had been at Blood Rose for about a week, and aside from his usual work and magic practice, he had been discussing Fanila with Betty, the elven maid at the bar. The number of elves in the Wandering City was small, and their gentle nature kept them in touch.

Hearing William's words, Candy turned her head to look at him. Beneath her soft, woolly hair, her gentle eyes held a hint of resentment, which was then softened by the innocence emanating from her agate-like eyes. Candy sighed and continued walking.

“William, elves have very long lifespans. Fanila might be hundreds of years old, an age your grandmother wouldn’t even reach.”

"Two hundred and forty-six years old. Elves reach maturity at two hundred years old, so in terms of human lifespan, Fanila is about the same age as me. Besides, feelings for other races cannot be measured by age. Candy, as a succubus, you must be quite old too."

Faced with William's guess, Candy got angry, puffed out her cheeks, and tapped William's shoulder with her arm to express her slight dissatisfaction. "I'm not that old. I'm sixteen this year. My sister only turned 18 two years ago. She's only twenty-three. That's the lifespan of a human being."

"That woman is only twenty-three years old? I remember succubi are also immortal beings."

"However, a succubus's maturity is related to her strength. With a lifespan of a thousand years, except for her infancy, a succubus is in her mature stage all the time. Sister Anna will not age, but she can change the age stage of her body, although that is a skill used for hunting."

New knowledge has been added: once a succubus reaches maturity, it becomes a dangerous creature.

William thought to himself.

"Candy, you call your sister Anna, but do you know Anna's real name?"

Candy frowned, looking conflicted.

“Mr. William, the true name of a demon cannot be easily revealed to others. If you want to know your sister’s true name, then you should ask her yourself.”

"I just can't get any information from her. Anna acts like a female leopard whenever she sees me."

"That must be because Mr. William's way of speaking is wrong. His tone and attitude are also very important."

William scratched his head. "So troublesome."

Candy's eyes sparkled. "Important things are certainly difficult, but I believe Mr. William will succeed, after all, he is Mr. William."

"Never mind then, it's best to avoid troublesome things." William shifted his gaze and saw a necklace with a green leaf-shaped pendant hanging on a nearby stall.

"Candy, will Fanila like this?"

Candy's cheeks puffed up like a ball again, but the kind-hearted boy still went over and carefully examined the pendant.

"This is made of gemstone, not the jade that elves prefer, and the workmanship is too rough. For elves who have a certain obsession with aesthetics, this might not even pass the test."

William listened to Candy's explanation and felt it made sense, so he put down the pendant and continued on his way.

"Candy knows a lot about the elves too."

"Because Blood Rose has drinks supplied by the elves, and we also have some holiday activities with the elves, we've gotten to know them a bit through our interactions with them."

"This is wonderful. I had almost given up hope because I hadn't been able to invite Ms. Betty to come along, but I didn't expect Candy to be so reliable."

"Asking Betty for gift suggestions isn't a good choice. Betty's habit is to estimate value. She'll choose something of higher monetary value rather than the sentiment behind it. Betty is a rather strange elf."

The subsequent selection process was nothing more than a question-and-answer session between the two, but there were also some strange aspects.

"How about this candy?"

"Not really, elves don't like things with sharp edges, and it's not very convenient to wear. But my sister really likes it."

"Candy, and what about this?"

"White or green is the best color; you rarely see black on elves. But my sister likes black and metallic colors."

"this?"

“Mr. William, it’s best not to choose leaf-shaped ornaments. They will reflect your stereotype of elves. Every girl wants to be unique. I suggest you choose something more special. This kind of... um... my sister wouldn’t like this kind either.”

After a period of questioning, William learned how to choose suitable gifts for girls and also strangely learned about the succubus Anna's personal preferences. After comparing...

"Candy, your sister really is a weirdo."

"Sister Anna is a girl with a special temperament who is worth cherishing!" Candy was very dissatisfied with William's comment, but she didn't take her anger out on the pendant in her hand. Instead, she gently put it back in its place because she hadn't paid for it.

"Well, I've found the gift I want."

William picked out a white jade bracelet, which suited the elves' aesthetic, with what was supposedly a lucky charm inscribed on the inner ring. What a joke! Even a third-tier mage like myself had no idea humans ever had such charms. However, William could certainly modify the inscription himself and perhaps have it blessed by some chosen one.

"Thank you, Candy."

William was very satisfied with the trip.

Candy looked at him and smiled.

"My sister hasn't received a gift yet."

William looked at Candy's squinting smile and felt a little strange.

"Are you going to buy Anna a gift too, like candy?"

Candy didn't answer, but instead turned her gaze to the wrapped gift in William's hand.

"My sister hasn't received a gift yet."

For some reason, William felt that the candy was a little dangerous now.

“Then…then I’ll pay for Anna’s gift for you as a thank you for helping me choose it.” William took out his purse.

A slender, green finger appeared before William, pointing at the tip of his nose.

The candy, carrying an aura of danger, also became cold and sinister.

“You choose the gift, Mr. William. It is your way of thanking your sister Anna for helping you settle in the Blood Rose. It is a spontaneous expression of gratitude.”

William felt his fingers, which were gripping the gold coins, were a little damp, and chuckled awkwardly.

"Yes, it's my own choice. I should really thank Miss Anna for her kindness. I'll choose the candy and gifts. I hope Miss Anna won't be upset if I pick the wrong ones."

"No, my sister is a very gentle person."

Chapter 280 The Female Demon Pendant

The two, having returned with their gifts, arrived at the Bloody Rose Bar and happened to see Anna working there.

A man dragged a drunken, burly human man stripped down to his underwear to the doorway, complaining under the watchful eyes of the onlookers.

"What a hassle. I'm so big, and I still have to deal with the garbage myself."

The succubus Anna reached out and grabbed the burly man by the neck, then threw him at the feet of the demon security guard standing at the door.

"Find the nearest trash can and put it in, remember to sort it into the waste category."

After her imperious and domineering behavior and a series of barbaric acts, Anna smiled at the onlookers, made a cute expression, and returned to her customer service mode.

Under the succubus's widespread allure, the passersby with hearts in their eyes forgot everything that had just happened.

"What a gentle older sister, isn't she, Candy?" William, unmoved by her charm, teased Candy.

Using charm to bewitch people and cover up one's barbaric behavior can hardly be considered gentleness.

A discordant voice came from that despicable person. The succubus's pretty face turned sinister, and the passersby who had been in a bewitching state were all sobered up by this chilling atmosphere.

The succubus Anna's voice was like a cold wind carrying knives, her face radiating an indifferent indifference.

"Yes, I am so gentle. I shouldn't have returned your 'Emperor Nero' for the sake of two Olivies. If I had done that, you wouldn't dare stand in front of me now."

Anna didn't hesitate to expose William's dark past—no, she was William's dark past.

William's expression also turned cold. The magician's mental fluctuations stirred the surrounding elements, covering the ground with frost.

Like the obsidian scales wriggling on the succubus Anna's neck.

"Sister! It's work time!" Candy grabbed Anna's arm, which was covered in scales. The scales melted like snowflakes under Candy's touch on her fair skin. Anna poked Candy's cheek with her finger, and the tense atmosphere disappeared with her teasing of Candy.

"Don't interrupt me, Candy~" Anna casually rubbed Candy's face in her hands, returning to her usual demeanor. Finally, she gently patted Candy's slightly red cheeks and turned to walk into the bar.

"Please wait a moment, dear sister," Candy's voice stammered slightly, "Mr. William has a present for you!"

Click.

Anna's heels clicked on the floor. She froze for a second, then slowly turned around like a sculpture in an exhibition. Her beautiful eyes held surprise and disbelief.

"For me? Not for that elf? This guy gave it to me?" The succubus crossed her arms, her eyes filled with disdain and a certain haughtiness that made her a stunningly beautiful yet arrogant woman. "Has this idiot finally gone mad?"

“Ms. Fanila has a gift, but my sister also has a gift, which Mr. William gave to repay her for taking her in.” Candy clenched her fist in front of her chest, her eyes wide open, trying to convince Anna with her serious big eyes.

Anna rubbed Candy's head, his shoulder-length brown hair covering his eyelashes.

"You're the one who ordered this, aren't you? Mind your own business, you foolish little brother."

"Well."

“Candy wasn’t wrong.” William looked at Anna’s helpless expression, and then her gaze returned to him. “Although our meeting wasn’t pleasant, and our time together wasn’t pleasant either, Miss Anna, I’m very grateful that you brought me to Blood Rose. Although it was Candy who suggested the gift, it still contains a little bit of my… sentiment.”

It doesn't matter anymore. Regardless of the reaction, I have a clear conscience. That's it. Face your dark past bravely. You can do it, William! Bring on the storm!