The Gigolo System in the Academy of Magic-Chapter 37: Under the Table [R-15]

It had only been over 30 minutes but James had already finished reading through everything. He leaned back and exhaled. Even though it was very fast, it was also quite taxing on the soul. Maybe that's why there is a one hour time limit.

"Are you okay?"

The familiar voice made him turn around.

Selena was sitting next to him, looking at him with a strange expression. James coughed, how long had she been there?

It seems one of the downsides to the perception enhancing elixir is a lack of situational awareness!

"Yeah, I'm fine."

He wanted to ask about how her meeting with the principal went but considering this was not completely a private place, he was still cautious. In fact, Selena was already at the peak of a level 6 mage, so the only people who could spy on her were high level mages and even then they needed specialised equipment, so he didn't need to be too worried.

But it seems his cautiousness was correct because at this moment, James could hear footsteps approaching them.

Selena also noticed: "A level 5 mage?"

James quickly put away the books he had received from Professor Helene and covered them with other books, and then put his head down like a silent book boy.

Selena's posture changed too - more composed, more formal.

A familiar voice broke the quiet.

"Selena? What a surprise. I didn't expect to find you here."

It was Damien Gray, a fellow instructor and scion of the Gray family, who specialized in alchemical enchantments. James had seen him once before, the first time he went to Selena's office.

James saw that his eyes flickered over to him but he didn't seem to recognize him.

It's only been a few days, was he so forgettable?

But either way James didn't think it was just a coincidence that they met. He had chosen a very remote corner of the Ainsworth Library, how could he arrive here just when Selena had come?

He narrowed his eyes. If Damien was just an overzealous suiter that was one thing but if it was something else...

"Are you researching the history of the ancient races? Do you need my help?" Damien spoke with an easy smile, gesturing to the books James had used as a cover, "My great-uncle is an expert of ancient history! Haha, you might have heard of him, he's quite famous!"

Selena looked up with an expressionless face, "That's kind of you, but I have what I need."

Darien sat down across from them anyway, and waved toward James, "Your student?"

Selena had a disdainful expression, "A book boy."

James was very irritated right now. Every second this man talked was a waste of his remaining elixir time.

Selena stayed calm, but James noticed her foot tapping lightly under the table. He knew she didn't like being interrupted.

Then a strange idea sparked in his mind.

While Damien was eagerly sharing his great-uncle's fame, James took the risk and took Selena's hand under the table, guiding it closer to his waist.

The large, wooden table was cluttered with an assortment of books, creating a wall of knowledge that shielded their secretive gesture from prying eyes. Damien was too engrossed to notice the subtle shift in their body language.

Selena's hand trembled slightly, but she allowed James to continue. Her expression was stiff, but it was masked by her cold face.

James could feel the warmth of her palm as it brushed against the fabric of his pants. The perception-enhancing elixir was still in full effect, and every sensation was magnified—the roughness of the fabric, the heat of her skin, even the sound of his own breathing seemed louder in his ears.

Without looking at him, Selena slipped her hand under the waistband, her touch was electric on his bare skin. James's heart raced as the intensity of the elixir combined with the forbidden nature of their actions.

She didn't move her hands, as the movements would be too obvious, still the soft warmth of her palms made his spine tingle.

James didn't know if it was because of the elixir but he could feel the heat rising in his body, he tugged Selena's arm and indicated with his eyes.

Damien's voice was droning on but Selena finally cut him off with polite finality. "Thank you, Professor Gray. I'll let you know if I need assistance. For now, I'd prefer to continue studying alone."

Darien blinked, caught off guard by the sudden dismissal. "Of course... of course. I'll be around."

With a forced smile and a quick adjustment of his cloak, he left the quiet aisle. His footsteps echoed faintly as they faded down the corridor.

Now that they were alone Selena was instantly embarrassed, her face flushed and she tried to quickly remove her hand, but James didn't let go. He took her soft hand and began to stroke.

As time went on Selena's hand moved faster, hidden beneath the thick cover of the open tome they'd propped between them. James bit his lip and leaned further forward over the table, his forehead nearly brushing the leather-bound spine.

"It'll be a mess," James muttered, his voice rough, almost a whisper.

He glanced sideways at Selena. Her cheeks were flushed, her hand trembling slightly.

"I can clean it up with magic," she whispered back, barely audible.

"You know that's not what I mean."

Her lips parted, and she could only say a few tentative words, "But... someone might come."

"They won't, they don't monitor the library. Especially not a professor." James' gruff voice continued, "And you'll be able to sense if someone's coming, right?"

Selena nodded slowly.

Then James reached out, gently and guided her head downward. She didn't resist.

The table trembled faintly.

The library was silent.

James gritted his teeth, trying to keep quiet. His knuckles turned white on the edge of the desk. Every second felt like it lasted a minute.

Finally he released. His body trembled as he leaned back, exhaling hard, the tension draining from him.

Selena sat up slowly. Her red hair was a little messy now, strands sticking to her flushed cheeks. She glanced at him, and he saw her swallow. The sight sent a fresh wave of heat through him.