Chapter 160: Chapter 146: Who Dates Seriously?
Freyja was awakened by the smell of the food.
Today was April 29th, the third day she harbored an escaped convict, and also a morning she could oversleep since there were no classes.
Adult Meiwas usually need twelve hours of sleep, but such a schedule couldn’t keep up with the fast-paced urban life. Hence, on school days, Freyja would only sleep six hours and take an Awakening Potion. If needed, she could sleep for just four hours and take two Awakening Potions.
However, the Awakening Potion can lead to tolerance, and once the dosage increases, it’s hard to decrease. So, Freyja was extra careful to maintain a rhythm of one pill per day, preferring to yawn rather than take a second pill.
It wasn’t because she feared addiction, but rather that Awakening Potions were expensive—they were even pricier than Moon candy.
Actually, it could also be said that Moon candy was just too cheap.
That’s the way Blood Moon was—entertainment was always cheap; anything usable to earn money was definitely expensive.
Like how ogres could enhance their drawing skills with Moon candy, exploiting a racial Talent. Such things were enviable.
Greeting the Evil Demon Saint with a yawn, Freyja headed to the bathroom, donned a non-slip hair band, showered, washed her face, brushed her teeth, and groomed her hair. Since she was a naturally beautiful Meiwa, and Freyja currently didn’t need to entertain people with her looks, she was on the money-payer’s side. Therefore, a simple skincare routine sufficed, taking less than half an hour in total.
Before leaving, she thought it over and decided to give Ash some face by getting dressed before heading out. After all, she was going to class, not to sleep, so there was no reason to be naked.
Ash had already prepared the meal and was watching a video while eating. Freyja leaned in to take a quick look but then decided not to watch—”Analysis of the Strengths and Weaknesses of Various Magic Factions (Part 1).”
“I’d advise you to watch comedy videos instead, although this video is quite funny too.”
Ash seemed surprised, “Why? I just wanted to have a basic understanding of other factions’ knowledge…”
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“Your approach will only lead to preconceived biases,” Freyja said. “Can you sum yourself up, who has existed for decades, in a single sentence? Do you think a few minutes’ introduction can encapsulate a Magic Faction that has existed for centuries or even millennia?”
“Watching such a video will only make you think Earth Magic is about moving dirt, Thunder Technique fizzles and zaps, swordsmanship requires close combat, Illusion Magic System lacks lethality, Prophecy is just for scholars weak as reeds, and Mind Magic can be countered simply by stuffing cotton in your ears—you’d be better off knowing nothing, at least you’d be more cautious.”
“If you want to understand a Magic Faction, you should at least read an introductory book, or better yet, attend a lecture by a professional professor. A video isn’t targeted at Mages but non-Mage viewers—these viewers just want to feel superior with the knowledge that ‘Magic Factions aren’t so mystical or even useful at all.'”
“Better watch the videos in the new folder, they’re harmless and might even improve your appetite.”
Ash was startled, “Can they really boost my appetite?”
“And you dare to question a Meiwa’s judgment? I’ll pick something that will definitely increase your appetite—”
“No need, no need, I’ll change the video,” Ash quickly refused Meiwa’s recommendation and swiftly selected something else in the video Veil: “Um, I’ll watch this ‘Why So Expensive’ shop exploration video. It just so happens we’re eating … Dammit, a tea cafe exploration video!?”
“Wait, just watch this one.”
“Are you such an omnivore?”
“I shouldn’t be omnivorous,” Freyja shrugged. “But it’s also possible I just haven’t met a woman that truly excites me yet… Tsk, if you don’t like tea cafes, should I switch to a mud cafe exploration video?”
“Let’s go with this then.” Ash capitulated.
Believe it or not, the food seemed to taste even better.
As they watched, Ash looked around the one-room apartment, asking, “Were you alone ever since you enrolled in university and left the orphanage?”
Holding a handful of seafood and munching it, Freyja looked at Ash curiously, “Am I alone? Could I possibly be a cat?”
She smiled at Xiao Xian, reached out to scratch the fold-ear cat’s chin, and Xiao Xian seemed very pleased, almost drooling.
“Have you ever considered living with someone else as roommates?” Ash asked. “Living together with someone else would be more cost-effective, wouldn’t it? The living expenses would decrease, and the quality of life would improve…”
“Nope,” Freyja shook her head repeatedly. “I get a rent subsidy for living alone, plus a university subsidy, which together cover about 80% of my rent. With rent this cheap, why would I want to share with someone else?”
“Wouldn’t it be even cheaper with two people sharing?”
“I’m not struggling on my own, so why do I need to live with someone else?” Freyja tilted her head. “I had my own room in the orphanage too. Why should I squeeze in with someone else after moving out?”
“But if there’s someone else, you could help each other out in daily life, like if you fell and got hurt…”
“I could use a chip to notify the hospital to send an ambulance.”
“You two could avoid eating out by cooking at home…”
“Actually, I spend less money eating at the school cafeteria than you spend on groceries,” Freyja muttered. “And cooking myself means I’d have to do the dishes… my apartment doesn’t have a dishwasher…”
Ash couldn’t help but say, “But since you have those needs, wouldn’t it be more convenient to live with a lover?”
Last night, Ash had scrubbed himself raw waiting for the moaning to stop, thinking it would all be over after one night, but then he found out Freyja needed to solve her problem every night, usually three times, with the duration ranging from fifteen to forty-five minutes depending on the casting materials, her mood that day, and her workload.
Freyja tilted her head, looking at Ash with eyes full of questions.
“Setting aside that I am Meiwa, but solving needs is just that, what does that have to do with being in love? Have you ever been in a relationship?”
Although Ash wanted to sound tough, he felt it was better to be honest in front of Freyja, a super experienced senior like her, especially since he only had a car license without any actual driving experience.
Freyja’s response surprised Ash. “Neither have I. Who in their right mind dates?”
Ash asked perplexed, “Why? With your looks, isn’t it easy to attract the opposite sex? Or is it because your Meiwa physique scares others?”
Freyja shook her head. “No, I’m just curious why you think I should be dating. Are the followers of the Four Pillars God Sect still holding onto such unrealistic fantasies?”
“How is dating unrealistic?” Ash felt puzzled. “Last night, you were laughing happily while watching ‘Mage 100%’ the romantic comedy using the Veil of Knowledge.”
Freyja appeared annoyed. “Then tell me, what kind of love is depicted in ‘Mage 100%’?”
“Um… deeply and sincerely loving the other person, fully considering them, willing to protect them boldly in dangerous moments, willing to compromise in daily life…”
“The kind of love you described, apart from in films and shows, how could it exist in reality?” Freyja spread her hands. “Nowadays, who is willing to compromise for others, to be considerate, or even to protect someone at the risk of their own life? I know I wouldn’t.”
She paused, then continued, “I can feel emotions like love, liking, or infatuation. For instance, I think you are quite nice, and I’m willing to hook up once or twice, or even on a regular basis. But if you want to go further, like moving in together and fully participating in my daily life and future plans, then I can’t accept that.”
“Most university students have realized that such pure relationships don’t exist in reality. Only less educated people believe in the romances depicted in movies and dramas, foolishly thinking this world has true love—the Void Realm game is full of such fools, and they often end up being scammed out of their money. The stupid ones might even wind up in debt, but the ones behind the Veil aren’t beauties or handsome guys; they’re Beastman uncles and Goblin fat ladies.”
Ash couldn’t understand. “But isn’t a romantic relationship normal? In reality, can’t you find someone you can trust? Can’t you start as friends and gradually develop into lovers?”
Freyja chuckled and couldn’t resist patting Ash on the head playfully, “Silly kid, people change. They might be trustworthy now, but he might become obsessed with Moon candy tomorrow and become foolish, or the day after tomorrow, he might gain a breakthrough in the Void Realm and then look down on me.”
“Didn’t the orphanage teach you not to trust strangers, not to expect too much from them?”