fresh from the bath, Mize poured out every clothes from the ring onto the bed.
Silks, lace, intricate patterns, all black.
An entire arsenal of princess-like outfits, each one exuding a different type of dark elegance.
Some had layered skirts with lace trimmings, while others had flowing, bell-shaped sleeves.
There were corseted dresses with intricate embroidery, and even gothic lolita styles adorned with delicate pearl chains and tiny silver charms.
Mize sifted through them, one by one, holding each piece before the full-length mirror, hovering them in front of his small frame.
Would it fit?
Would it be too much?
Would it be too little?
He cycled through each option with mild scrutiny, occasionally tilting his head in thought.
Then.
His fingers brushed against the perfect one.
A long, dark dress.
Its fabric was smooth, flowing like ink, pooling slightly at the hem in a graceful cascade of midnight black.
The bodice was intricately designed, adorned with subtle silver embroidery that shimmered faintly under the light.
A delicate choker-style neckline framed his porcelain collarbones, with small
gemstones scattered like stars across the sheer overlay.
The sleeves?
Elegant, slightly puffed at the shoulders, tapering down into lace cuffs that wrapped around his wrists.
But the true highlight.
The folds of fabric over his chest, arranged like delicate flower petals, concealing his flat frame in a way that added a touch of ethereal softness.
Mize stepped before the mirror again, slipping into the crystal-black heels that clicked faintly against the wooden floor.
With a small tilt of his head, he grabbed the hem of his dress and.
With a swift twirl.
He spun.
The fabric flared around him, catching the light just right, his raven hair flowing with the motion.
A soft, pleased smile tugged at his lips.
Or at least, it would've been fittingly elegant.
If not for the words that followed.
"Damn. I look like one of those cosplay girls from the underground con."
Mize twirled again, this time cheerfully, his ruby eyes glinting with amusement.
After several more dramatic poses before the mirror, Mize finally pulled out his phone.
[30 minutes before the ceremony]
[Students are advised to come early]
"Hmm."
Satisfied, he decided against bringing his bag.
Instead, he packed everything neatly into his storage ring, a comb, makeup, a water bottle, all essentials for city survival.
Then, with a mischievous grin, he stuffed one last item inside.
A taser.
'If that Yama Lord dares to do something stupid again… I'm aiming straight for his private place.'
Cruel.
But Mize wasn't joking.
A loli with a taser, sounded like a good combination.
Hair neatly arranged, dress smoothed down, Mize made his way toward the front door.
As he reached the entrance, he murmured to himself, "Don't forget the key…"
Bending down, he carefully tucked a spare key beneath one of his shoes on the rack.
Satisfied, he slipped into a pair of stunning black crystal heels, a metallic, obsidian-like shimmer catching the light with each movement.
Liam had spent $20,000 on them.
The contrast between his milky white, jade-like ankles and the dark, glass-like shoes was almost hypnotizing.
With a final inhale, Mize reached for the handle.
Click.
The door swung open.
And the first thing he saw.
Sent a chill down his spine.
"S-since when have you been squatting here, Liam?"
Mize groaned, pressing a tired hand to his face.
Too early.
Too early to deal with this man.
Before him, Liam remained in his crouched position, a picture of patient amusement.
Then, in one fluid motion, he rose to his full height, bending slightly forward.
One hand hovering over his chest, gloved in pristine white fabric, the other resting elegantly atop the cane at his side.
His black cloak billowed slightly with the movement, lined with subtle gold embroidery that matched the intricate chain of a pocket watch dangling from his waist.
The monocle over his left eye gleamed faintly under the morning light, a reflection of something both dangerous and charming.
His deep greenish eyes squinted slightly, his expression one of pure delight.
"Not too long, Mimi."
His voice.
Deep. Guttural. Like an echo in the abyss, smooth as velvet yet carrying the weight of a hidden restraint.
Mize felt it.
A small, involuntary shockwave ran through his body, cheeks burning slightly against his will.
This man.
Mize exhaled sharply, composing himself.
"Well… I suppose you're becoming more worthy of me with such dedication."
Liam's smile deepened.
"Always, Mimi."
He held out a hand, fingers extended.
Mize hesitated, just for a moment before reaching out and grasping it gently.
Then, he took another glance at Liam.
A good, long look.
This man was dressed to kill.
He looked like a noble from another era, exuding a dangerous elegance that bordered between aristocracy and an assassin from the underworld.
With a black cloak draped effortlessly behind him, a golden pendant watch at his waist, and a monocle resting over his left eye, he was the very definition of refinement.
And yet.
He held an undeniable edge, the kind that hinted at secrets too deep to comprehend.
Mize sighed.
Mize cast Liam a questioning look, his ruby-red eyes glinting with curiosity.
"What's with the get-up?"
Liam's lips curled into a smile, ever smooth, ever composed.
"For you, no?"
As if to prove his point, he lifted Mize's delicate hand, his gloved fingers brushing lightly against porcelain skin, before pressing a soft, gentlemanly kiss upon it.
Mize barely reacted.
It was a harmless gesture, refined rather than perverse, so he let it slide.
"A gentleman's demeanor," Mize remarked, turning on his heels, his own hand now grabbing onto Liam's.
"Good."
Then, with a pointed glance, he added.
"But I hope you won't be a pervert today."
Liam's laugh was quiet, yet unmistakably mischievous.
"Occasionally, I would."
He followed Mize's pace as they neared the elevator, his eyes flicking upward to take in the surroundings.
His brows furrowed.
"Nasty apartment."
Mize, catching his gaze, followed suit.
And saw exactly what Liam was looking at.
The water-stained ceiling, dark patches spreading along the edges, the scent of dampness clinging faintly in the air.
It was the same leak from last night.
One that had been there for… probably longer than he cared to admit.
"Yeah," Mize hummed, stepping into the elevator as it slid open.
"But I'm used to it."
Liam followed him in, leaning casually against the metal railing, arms crossed over his chest.
"Why not live with me?"
Mize barely glanced up, thumb flicking across his phone screen as he took several selfies, the morning light casting a soft glow against his doll-like features.
"How big?" He asked, casually.
"A mansion, just one night" Liam answered effortlessly.
"Then, once you awaken, let's just live in our territory."
Mize finally looked up, sliding his phone back into his storage ring.
"Sounds good."
His reflection in the elevator's metal walls gleamed back at him, distorted by the shine of the polished steel.
The black fabric of his dress flowed elegantly, the hem swaying gently as he shifted.
His heels clicked softly against the floor, the faint shimmer of obsidian-like crystals catching the light.
His porcelain skin glowed faintly, enhanced by the contrast of his deep black hair, which cascaded in soft waves down his back.
His eyes, ruby-red, piercing, beautiful yet unreadable, stared back, carrying an air of both cuteness and mystery. A doll...
Mize took a moment to admire himself.
Then.
His gaze flickered back toward Liam.
"I want a huge room."
Liam grinned.
"Our room?"
Mize's expression didn't shift, but his tone?
Dipped several degrees colder.
"My room."
A silent moment passed.
Mize had zero intentions of sleeping in the same room as a man who practically screamed 'dangerous' from every pore.
'A potential assault waiting to happen.'
'Nu uh. Not doing it.'
Not until he figured out how to get rid of the 'little brother' downstairs or at least found some workaround for this entire situation.
Better safe than sorry.
"Say…"
Mize changed the topic skillfully, eyes flickering toward Liam.
"Are you confident that I'll succeed today?"
Liam's smile didn't waver.
"100%."
Ding.
The elevator reached the ground floor, the doors sliding open smoothly as they stepped out.
Mize didn't drop it.
"How so?"
His voice was light, but curiosity lingered beneath the surface.
Ever since meeting Liam, his entire demeanor had shifted, from a timid and harmless assistant to a man drenched in quiet authority.
Mize had a theory.
A dangerously accurate one.
Liam's transformation… had to be connected to a change in his system. The mutation that the system had mentioned before.
In fact, the truth was far more absurd than what he would have expected.
Their systems weren't that different.
One was a Beauty System.
The other?
A Conquering System.
And it just so happened that Mize… was Liam's most sought-after target.
Liam, sensing the subtle scrutiny, simply smiled.
"Instinct."
His pace quickened, leading the way outside.
The moment Mize stepped out of the apartment building.
His eyes widened.
Before him.
Rows of black SUVs and luxury sedans were lined up in perfect formation, engines humming softly, windows tinted to complete darkness.
And standing before them.
Dozens of men, clad in black suits, black sunglasses, all exuding the presence of high-level security personnel.
It looked like a secret service operation.
"Are we shooting men in black?"
Mize blinked.
"So many?"
Liam casually stepped forward, opening the car door with a smooth gesture.
"Just a small upgrade from last night's adventure."
Mize's gaze sharpened.
"You went to the Warp?"
Liam merely smirked, stepping into the car as he responded.
"If not?"
"It's hard to maintain the consumption of a princess level figure, I needed to work hard"
The moment they both settled into the seats
The convoy of blacked-out vehicles rolled forward, disappearing into the empty streets.