I Put all my Stats into Charm - Chapter 39

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I Put All My Stats Into Charm Episode 039

 

[‘Charm’ skill is being activated.]

 

The moment the system window appeared before my eyes.

 

I gulped down my saliva.

 

[Skill activation failed.]

 

[To activate the skill, special conditions must be met.]

 

I stared blankly at the system window.

 

…Failed again?

 

These special conditions, are they even achievable?

 

This time it really felt like it was going to work!

 

My patience was starting to reach its limit.

 

No matter what I do, this damn affection level won’t budge. Maybe I should target Kaliton instead of Jerome now.

 

For that, I’d need to find out who was behind Kaliton’s poisoning. But how could a mere apprentice mage like me, who can’t even use magic, possibly find the culprit? The path ahead seemed hopeless.

 

Just then, I heard Jerome clear his throat.

 

“…What do you mean by wanting to make a good impression on me?”

 

His ears were red as if dyed by the sunset.

 

“Exactly what I said. I want to become close with you, Duke.”

 

I hurriedly added more words.

 

“As friends, of course. You seem like a good person, Duke.”

 

Though my words were full of ulterior motives, Theodore had said that Jerome’s type would run away if approached too directly.

 

I continued, inwardly recalling Theodore’s advice.

 

“Could you give me a chance to become close with you, Duke? You know, starting as friends.”

 

“Friends…”

 

As Jerome lowered his gaze, shadows formed beneath his long eyelashes.

 

Think carefully, Jerome Winston.

 

If you don’t answer properly, I might just go to Kaliton instead.

 

While I was inwardly plotting, a breeze blew across the lakeside.

 

As my pink hair fluttered in the wind, the ribbon Theodore had tied for me came loose. The moment the ribbon flew away in the breeze.

 

“Ah!”

 

I reached toward the ribbon.

 

‘Got it!’

 

The moment I grabbed the ribbon, the boat tilted as I lost my center of gravity.

 

Before I could even blink, cold water enveloped my entire body.

 

‘Can’t breathe…!’

 

Due to the sudden fall into the water, I couldn’t see anything. The more I struggled, the heavier my body became like waterlogged cotton, sinking down.

 

I can’t swim!

 

Air escaped helplessly from my mouth. Just as my breath was cut off, I felt strong arms wrap around my waist.

 

My body was lifted up and I emerged lightly above the water’s surface.

 

“Puha!”

 

While gasping for the breath I’d been holding, I came to my senses and found myself at the water’s edge.

 

I was holding the ribbon in one hand and leaning on Jerome’s arm with the other, coughing as I caught my breath.

 

“Haa, haa…”

 

“Are you alright?”

 

When I looked up, I saw Jerome completely soaked.

 

Water droplets pooled at the ends of his wet hair rolled down along his sharp jawline. His wet uniform clung to his well-toned muscles, revealing the contours of his body nakedly.

 

Get it together. I can’t start drooling again here.

 

I averted my gaze from Jerome’s body and lowered my head.

 

“I’m sorry, because of me… I’m fine, but what about you, Duke?”

 

“I’m also fine…”

 

Just then, Jerome hastily turned his head to the side. His nape was dyed redder than the sunset.

 

Jerome placed his hand on his wet uniform jacket and began unbuttoning it.

 

Huh, what is he doing right now?

 

As the buttons came undone one by one, the white shirt inside his uniform became visible. Beneath the wet shirt, his robust flesh-colored muscles showed through.

 

And that wasn’t all? The thin shirt clung to his body, revealing Jerome’s curves completely. It would have been less stimulating if he wore nothing at all.

 

‘I’m grateful for this kind of service, but… why the sudden upper body undressing?’

 

Jerome, who had removed his uniform jacket, approached me as I belatedly panicked.

 

He draped his uniform over my shoulders while averting his gaze.

 

“Duke?”

 

I was puzzled by Jerome’s action, but I quickly understood the reason.

 

Jerome was in his white shirt. His skin showed through completely under the wet shirt.

 

Which means…

 

“…!”

 

Since the dress I’d chosen at the boutique was beige, I knew what state I was in without looking.

 

I hastily pulled Jerome’s uniform jacket tighter around me.

 

“…I’m sorry. I’ve caused you trouble in many ways today.”

 

“I’m fine, so there’s no need to apologize.”

 

Jerome bowed his head with his usual formal demeanor. Seeing him maintain his composure even while soaked, I thought it was just like him.

 

Before long, the sunset faded, signaling the end of the day.

 

“It’s already starting to get dark.”

 

I wrung out the water from my skirt hem and smiled brightly at Jerome.

 

“I had fun today. I’ll wash your uniform cleanly and return it…”

 

“It’s too late. Since the night road is dangerous, we should head back now.”

 

Cutting off my words, he slightly frowned while staring into space.

 

“I have a carriage waiting nearby. Let me escort you to the Tower of the Moon.”

 

Jerome turned and began walking toward where he had the carriage waiting.

 

“W-wait for me!”

 

What? Wasn’t the atmosphere good just a moment ago?

 

Why does he seem angry?

 

While I was puzzled, Jerome began walking far ahead.

 

I quickly followed after him, but his pace was so fast that I had to almost run to barely catch up.

 

Arriving in front of the carriage, I got in and sat down in the carriage Jerome had opened for me. But Jerome, the actual owner of the carriage, didn’t get in.

 

“Then please return safely.”

 

Just as Jerome was about to close the carriage door, I hastily grabbed it.

 

“What about you, Duke? Weren’t you coming with me?”

 

“I have business to attend to here.”

 

What business could he have in this remote place with no buildings?

 

But prying too much didn’t seem like something Jerome would appreciate, so I didn’t ask.

 

“Then when will we see each other next? I need to return your uniform…”

 

“Then I’ll see you next time.”

 

As soon as Jerome closed the carriage door, the carriage departed.

 

Why is he in such a rush?

 

As if he’s being chased by something.

 

“Ah, that’s right.”

 

I belatedly remembered the handkerchief I’d bought as Jerome’s gift at the boutique.

 

We haven’t been traveling long, is he still at the lakeside?

 

‘Instead of worrying about it, let me just go see.’

 

I immediately turned the carriage around and returned to the lakeside.

 

In the darkened sky, a full moon tinged with blue light was floating.

 

“Am I too late…?”

 

Jerome was nowhere to be seen.

 

Had he already caught a carriage and left?

 

“I guess I’ll have to give it to him next time…”

 

As I was about to return to the carriage, I noticed a pile of clothes dropped nearby.

 

Looking at the black uniform pants, it was definitely Jerome’s.

 

‘Wait. Something’s strange about this.’

 

The way the clothes were left looked exactly like…

 

It was just like how I shed my clothes when I come home after going out, peeling them off like molting.

 

Moreover, the pile of clothes didn’t just have the uniform pants. On top of the discarded trousers was even the white shirt Jerome had been wearing.

 

Which means…

 

Jerome wasn’t wearing a single thread.

 

So the business he had to take care of was that kind of business?

 

But who goes to the bathroom completely naked?

 

Or does he have a hobby of swimming under the moonlight?

 

No matter how much I racked my brain, I couldn’t understand Jerome’s actions.

 

Either way, encountering Jerome would definitely create an awkward situation, so it seemed I’d have to postpone giving him the gift.

 

Still, if he leaves wet clothes bunched up like that, they’ll smell. Should I spread them out before I go?

 

Just then, the pile of clothes wriggled slightly.

 

Huh?

 

Did I see that wrong?

 

The moment I doubted my eyes, a small creature poked its head out from between the shirt Jerome had taken off.

 

Round eyes like beans. A short, round beak.

 

White fur like cotton balls and a round face.

 

It was a small bird, not even the size of a fist.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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