Persuasion

“So that means, senpai is troubled because you’re not sure whether to go to that class reunion?”

Sphinx shifted his gaze back to the invitation.

With his ability, extracting the reason for Victoria’s unhappiness and then deducing her thoughts from her expression and behavior was as easy as breathing.

Victoria lowered her head.

“In truth, the people who attend the reunion are mostly those who are doing well after graduation.

Me? I don’t even have a proper job.

Among the attendees, I’d be considered someone doing really badly.

If I really go there, I’m afraid I’ll be looked down on by so many people…”

“But if you don’t go, even more people will mock you, right?”

Victoria let out a powerless groan.

She hadn’t been doing well since graduation, and many people knew that.

If she didn’t even have the courage to attend the reunion this time, her reputation would be ruined by those with ill intentions.

Even if it was behind her back where she couldn’t hear, just thinking about it made her feel awful every time.

Sphinx smiled.

He understood Victoria’s difficulties and knew why this little lady was troubled, so he calmly said, “Then go.”

Victoria looked at Sphinx strangely.

Sphinx raised his head high.

“I’ll go with you, and I’ll go as your boyfriend.

Don’t worry, it’s just a meal and some chatting.

With my eloquence, I guarantee you won’t lose face.”

“And besides…”

Sphinx stood up and turned in front of Victoria.

“I suppose I could be considered a handsome young man.”

================

Collins gently ran his hand over the clothes on his body in front of the mirror.

The material was made from the silk of the Black Cloud Spider Queen—the highest quality.

This silk, which couldn’t be farmed by artificial means, came from a high-tier magical beast and was extremely precious.

Other than venturing into remote areas to let brave and skilled individuals harvest it, there was no other way to obtain it.

And high-tier magical beasts weren’t easy to deal with.

The Black Cloud Spider Queen was especially dangerous because it lived in groups.

As a result, the death rate of those harvesting this silk was extremely high.

However, when Collins felt the smooth touch of the garment under his palm, he suddenly thought that for such exquisite material, any price was worth it.

“Young master, take a look—does anything need to be adjusted?”

Collins lifted his head and studied his reflection in the mirror.

Franz truly was a great tailor.

The suit fit his figure perfectly, and with nearly a century of sewing experience, Franz had mastered his craft to perfection.

Although fashion changed every moment, in the eyes of certain masters, beauty was beauty, and elegance was elegance.

With the simplest approach, they could make someone reveal the most suitable aura for others to see.

This moment was no exception.

Collins had never imagined that simply putting on clothes could make him look so refined.

“I think I could add a cane.”

Franz smiled.

“Young master’s taste really is just like the master’s.

But you’re still young—carrying a cane would make you seem too old-fashioned.

If needed, I could add some simple decorations to the sleeves and the collar to make you look more mature.”

Collins shook his head.

He liked the suit as it was now.

A simple, straightforward formal outfit would only be spoiled by unnecessary frills.

Franz pulled a black-gray hat from his drawer.

“Here, young master, wear this hat when you get out of the carriage.

And take these gloves as well.”

“Gloves? That’s unnecessary, isn’t it?”

“Young master isn’t very good at socializing.

If someone wants to shake your hand and you get nervous and sweaty, that would leave a bad impression.

As for comfort, don’t worry—these gloves are made from the finest ice silk and enchanted with constant-temperature magic, so they won’t feel uncomfortable at all.”

Collins immediately put the gloves on.

Soon, several arcane automatons approached, and Franz set a collection of cosmetics—enough to cover an entire square meter of table space—before him.

“This? Do I really need makeup?

I mean, I don’t look bad as it is.”

Collins had great skin—better than many girls.

Franz shook his head.

“Young master, your understanding of cosmetics is far too shallow.

Do you think makeup is only for turning an ugly woman into a beauty?”

“Isn’t it?”

“Of course not.

Makeup is about expressing the image you want to project.

People say you can read a person’s personality and emotions from their facial features, but in truth, it’s the subtle changes in expression that create the sensory information others perceive.

If that’s the case, then by understanding the rules of those sensory changes, makeup can shape the image you want to convey.”

“So tell me, young master—do you want to appear mature and steady, commanding without anger, or approachable and friendly?”