Collins shook his head, feeling proud and arrogant. The woman in front of him, with such confidence and determination, approached him willingly for a conversation and even proposed a marriage contract. Her courage and determination were beyond commendable.

But Collins felt insulted by his dismissive attitude.

He awkwardly retreated, producing a few meaningless sounds from his mouth, and then let out a long sigh, choosing not to say anything.

Ilyana turned her head away. She should have been annoyed, angry even, and maybe she should have just stood up and walked away. But she was no longer a child, and emotions no longer dominated her rationality.

"No words? Is it because you think I'm not attractive enough to be your wife?"

Collins stared at Ilyana's stunning face. She was undoubtedly the school's second-ranked beauty, and reportedly the most sought-after woman in the world. Men were willing to pay a fortune just to catch a glimpse of her. It was rumored that a tissue she used to wipe her sweat once sold for the cost of an entire semester's tuition for a first-year student.

Under all the rumors and evidence, Ilyana's charm had been verified without a doubt. Collins couldn't possibly say that this girl wasn't attractive.

But Collins couldn't answer, he could only shake his head.

"Well, if that's not the case, then are my conditions not enough for you?"

Ilyana squinted her eyes, like a cat eyeing its prey. A hint of bloodthirsty aura filled the air. Collins felt uncomfortable and began to fidget, a movement uncharacteristic of someone who had received elite magical education. But when faced with immense pressure, he couldn't stop raising and lowering his leg, a cyclical motion, as if it were instinctual.

Ilyana was formidable. She wasn't the top student in any series, but her combat abilities surpassed all the series' top students. This wasn't to say she had a deep understanding of magic, but rather she was exceptionally skilled at fighting. Most magical students in the modern era weren't adept at physical combat.

The modern society was no longer like the past, where people would fight for survival over a morsel of food. The stable society had tamed the fiery spirit of most students, and they preferred using words rather than their fists to resolve conflicts.

Collins was one of those magic students who wasn't skilled in physical combat. He was well aware that he had no chance against this woman. If they were to fight, Collins would have no strategy to counter her. Strength and weakness were the clearest indicators of one's class, and when Ilyana appeared before Collins, he had already placed himself in the position of the weaker party.

Under the pressure of the strong, Collins finally spoke.

"I don't want to get married."

Ilyana's eyes reflected Collins' appearance, and she had seen this man like this more than once. But every time, this man surprised her.

Sometimes, she couldn't help but think that if she were to be with this guy, it wouldn't be as lonely as before.

"Why? Do you think our marriage is just a transaction? Don't worry, since I'm your wife, I'll fulfill my wifely duties. Whatever you want to do to my body, I can comply."

"And then? You'll keep me as your pet, with a dog leash around my neck, barking a few times when you come home, feeding me meat when you're happy, kicking me away when you're unhappy?"

Collins stared seriously at Ilyana.

"I'm an easygoing person, but I still have my pride."

Ilyana opened her half-closed eyes, and the killing intent grew even more intense, permeating Collins' senses and turning his expression into a sculpture.

"My dear cousin, it seems you don't understand what it means to be my pet. While I put a dog leash around your neck, you will be able to be close to me, possess me, protect me, and enjoy the privileges of having me. At the same time, I can fulfill all your material needs. You won't have to struggle in society for that measly salary anymore. Just make me happy, and I can give you everything you desire."

"Except for dignity?"

Collins' tone made Ilyana laugh."Dignity, what can dignity achieve? You have no idea how many people would love to be my pet. All I have to do is take off my shoes, shake my legs towards men, and there will be countless people crawling towards me on their knees. And I have abandoned those boring and uninteresting losers, and chosen to have you kneel down and worship my feet, my dear cousin. You should consider yourself lucky."

The sharpness in Iliana's eyes could no longer be contained. She honed her own aura into a sharp blade, pressing it against Collins's neck. The icy breath traveled through his neck, causing Collins to feel short of breath.

Collins knew that he didn't like this feeling. From the beginning, he had no intention of having any good opinion about this incredibly beautiful and domineering woman.

They were never meant to be on the same page.

Having made up his mind, Collins spoke up.

"All right, I agree."

Finally, Iliana smiled with joy, but that smile was restrained and self-centered, like a noble king receiving the expected answer after giving orders from the throne.

Confidently, with no room for surprises.

"The condition is that you kneel down for me, crawl to me like a dog, and perform oral sex on me. Then I will accept your proposition."

The smile froze, the self-assured smile of the king turned into an icy sculpture, chilling the entire room like a severe cold of minus thirty degrees, with blades of wind cutting through flesh and bone.

Breathing in the icy air that felt like cutting through organs, Collins proudly spoke to Iliana.

"Didn't you say you have the power to let me play with your body? Now come here, kneel down for me, I want to have you."

In response to Collins, Iliana's furious fist was what came back at him. That day, Collins took his first sick leave from school.