Talent might really exist.

Take "magic," for instance—the most straightforward example. A stuffy old man might spend his whole life without matching a prodigy's single year of effort.

Art is even more mystical. No matter how hard humans strive, they can't compete with Elves, born as natural artists.

That's why, when Lorian pouted and told me she wanted to learn "painting," my mind jumped to one possibility.

She was jealous.

The target was obvious: Flan, the star of the signing event I skipped our date for.

Lorian's personality meant she didn't run up shouting "bastard, traitor, liar." Instead, she sparked a fierce rivalry against Flan.

Bluntly tell her competing with Elves in art is hopeless?

No way! I'm still under the elders' scrutiny. If I anger Lorian and she tattles to them, I'm truly doomed.

So, I must shoulder a lover's duty. Even knowing my childhood friend won't succeed in art, I have to grit my teeth and support her.

...

A few days later, on a day off.

Lorian, who had thumped her chest guaranteeing she'd "mastered the basics," dragged me to the academy.

Today, she'd even brought a very special "guest."

"Ugh... H-Human Princess, do you realize how busy an Elvenfolk elder is? I don't have that much free time..."

"Then I'll spread the word about that day you bought an erotic manga."

"Sorry, Princess Lorian. From now on, I'm yours."

Correction: the "guest" was more like a servant.

The academy had few students on holidays, and entry was technically forbidden. That's why the quiet, warm lakeside lawn became Lorian's top choice for practicing her "painting skills."

Worse comes to worst, if patrolling teachers spot us, we can bluff through with Beren as our "teacher." Male teachers here practically freeze when they see her.

Going this far... Lorian's jealousy must be serious this time.

...

"Hey, you pervert! What shameful things have you done to girls!?"

While Lorian set up her easel, Beren—looking worried about her—quickly sidled up to me.

On holidays, the elder lady dressed more "casually," with a sweet floral scent. But... compared to today's flowing, thigh-covering dress, her weekday tight, form-fitting skirt was much better.

Cough! No, no—if I keep staring suspiciously like this, not only will Lorian get jealous, Beren might punch me too.

"I did nothing..."

I quickly looked away.

Honestly, I knew why Lorian was jealous. Since escaping the castle I'd holed up in—for deep reasons—I'd been letting loose, spending less time with her.

Was this little girl thinking I'd "changed my heart"?

Haha... such unnecessary worry. Lorian, you're definitely the heroine standing by my side on the cover.

While I was lost in thought, Lorian had already set up her easel.

From her now-familiar movements, this girl was serious about "learning to paint."

It's good for girls to have dreams; a "normal" one is even better. Compared to dreams like "wanting to be Brother Xiao Ya's bride," becoming a painter suits Lorian better.

Her expression was a bit unnatural, her face bright red, like a child praised and affirmed.

"Ugh... D-don't stare and smile at me like that, Brother Xiao Ya. Is it so weird that I want to paint?"

"No, no, I just think you're even cuter."

Lorian, holding a pencil, radiated a completely different aura from her usual self.

For a moment, even battle-hardened me felt shy, my gaze darting around, unsure where to look.

Following this development, we'd probably start the day with a "sweet, wet kiss." But this time...

"Tch, die, normies. Couples explode. Lovers reek of love's stench; only I carry the fresh scent of being single... Beren, you can do it, you can do it."

A resentful voice came from behind.

Turning around, a certain older single Elf woman was muttering desperately.

This dumb Elf, with her excellent looks, could pick suitors at will.

If you just relaxed that perpetually furrowed brow, tomorrow you'd see your drawer stuffed with love letters, just like Teacher Serica.

But I had no time for Beren's "personal life." My jealousy hadn't faded yet.

...

"Phew... This should do. So, Brother Xiao Ya, Teacher Beren, I'll trouble you two to be my models today."

Lorian, picking up her brush, wiped the fine sweat from her brow.

Since she chose figure painting over landscapes, this girl definitely wanted to "compete" with Flan.

Thinking this, I couldn't say things like "Lorian, Flan will kick you to the ground." I had to cooperate properly.

"Well, I have no problem. But Teacher Beren..."

I glanced at the Elf beside me. Yet, even threatened, she still schemed against me.

"Hey! Don't be like your father, harboring weird prejudices against us Elvenfolk!?"

Who's prejudiced against whom, which race against which! Teacher Beren!?

"Ahem! Though you're h-humans... you're technically my students. As a teacher, I have no reason to refuse normal requests for help."

Saying this, the Elf shot me a challenging look, then turned to Lorian.

Perhaps feeling the "responsibility of an elder" after a long time, even her attitude toward Lorian improved.

"So, Student Lorian, what pose do you want me to take as a model?"

"Hmm..."

Lorian tilted her head, thinking for a moment, then clapped her hands. "Let's start with a classic pose. Teacher Beren, please tear open part of your top. Brother Xiao Ya, hold her hand, and with your other hand, pretend to reach into her chest. But don't actually reach in! It's just a model pose!"

"Hmph! No problem, Student Lorian. Elvenfolk are experts in art."

The silly Beren immediately started unbuttoning her collar.

...

A few seconds later...

"Like hell I will!! Human Princess, y-you... weren't you asking me to model!? W-where... where do models pose like this... shameless, morality-destroying pose!?"

"Oh? Teacher Beren, what's wrong with this pose?"

Lorian blinked.

"Because I'm drawing an erotic manga."