"Huff~! Huff~!"
Emilia's breathing was shallow as she lay sprawled on the edge of the sofa, her face flushed and glistening with a thin layer of sweat.
I handed her a glass of water, watching as she shot a half-hearted glare, clearly still recovering from the intensity of the spell.
"You were too intense, Senior..." she muttered, her voice barely a whisper as she tried to catch her breath.
Her cheeks were a deep shade of pink, and tiny beads of sweat traced down her face, giving her an almost feverish look.
Despite her glare, there was a softness in her gaze that hinted she wasn't truly angry
I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly.
"Sorry..." grabbing a cloth to help wipe away so of the sweat that clung to her skin. Her eyes narrowed at my apology, clearly unimpressed, but she didn't say more.
Instead, she made a small, adorable "hmph!" and turned her head away, still catching her breath.
Under normal circumstances, touching her like this, even if it was just to help clean up after the ritual, could have landed in serious trouble.
There were unspoken boundaries, especially with soone of her position and status, but in her current state, she was unable to move properly on her own.
The toll the spell had taken on her left her limbs weak, her body too drained to resist.
In this vulnerable mont, she had no choice but to rely on , even if she wouldn't say it aloud.
Watching her, I felt slightly bad.
I hadn't expected the spell to be so taxing on her-or on , for that matter.
It was my first ti transferring mana directly, and every ti I tried to adjust the flow, it only seed to make her squirm more, sending an uncomfortable warmth spreading through
.
Her responses had only made things harder; each small shift, each soft, involuntary sound, left struggling to maintain focus.
She was practically moaning at certain tis.... And that definitely did not happen in the ga...
"Are you feeling any better now?"
Emilia exhaled shakily, glancing up at with a mixture of embarrassnt and exhaustion.
"I'll... survive," she replied, her lips twitching into a faint, teasing smile despite her weariness. "But maybe next ti... try not to be so reckless with your mana, Senior." "I'll keep that in mind."
Enna's gaze softened, her initial frustration lting away as she sank deeper into the sofa.
She let out a sigh, eyes drifting toward the magic circle that now lay quiet on the floor, then back to .
Eventually, a small smile spread across her tired face, the exhaustion replaced by a soft glow of satisfaction.
"Hehehe~ I'm glad..." she said, beaming. "The spell worked wonders. The darkness within you has completely dissipated, Senior."
"I see... thank you,"
To be honest, I didn't feel any imdiate change.
My mana still pulsed as usual, and physically, there wasn't any striking difference.
But if Enna-the saintess herself-said the curse had been cleansed, then it was hard to argue.
Still, a lingering doubt sat in the back of my mind.
Would this really be so simple?
Part of wondered if this "cure" might eventually backfire.
Curses placed by figures like Liyana or Erebil weren't ordinary; removing their effects could easily ripple into unforeseen consequences.
Liyana by now should've noticed sothing amiss with whatever curse she put on ...
Yet, no warnings had flashed, no ominous system ssages looming over .
If anything, the absence of the system's usual red flags seed like an assurance that what we'd done didn't directly tamper with the core events.
My main scenario with Liyana-my unavoidable encounter with her-would continue unscathed.
It was a bit of a bitter pill to swallow, realizing that today's efforts didn't seem to lessen the impending threat from her in the slightest.
Even so, knowing that I can change certain things was good enough... at least until Liyana makes so kind of move.
"Then, I guess I better head out now, Junior... thank you for everything."
"Hehe~ it's really no trouble, Senior," she replied, a satisfied smile gracing her face. "As a mber of the Holy Church of Light, and one of the Goddess's blessed children, it's only my duty to cleanse the world of darkness, after all~"
"How diligent... It seems the clergy of the church are exceptionally devoted to their moral duties."
"Fufu~ Of course! It's what we're called to do."
Her pride was undeniable, her cheeks flushing slightly as she basked in the acknowledgnt.
"Hm... if a 're' clergy mber like you is this talented, I wonder just how incredible the Saintess herself must be. She must be even more exceptional, right?"
At that, her expression faltered for a second-just long enough to catch my attention.
"Eh...? Ah, yes... she's very... very amazing. Hehehe~ She's the best, after all~"
I couldn't help the quiet chuckle that slipped out.
She was trying so hard to hide it, yet the slightest ntion of her own achievents made her blush like a child caught in a fib.
If she wanted to keep her identity as the Saintess hidden, she still had so work to do on her
poker face.
At this rate, she might as well wear a sign; every subtle complint-especially those directed toward herself-seed to set off her nerves.
"Why are you laughing, Senior? I-it's true, you know-the Saintess is very amazing!"
"It's nothing," I replied with a small grin. "I just rembered sothing funny."
"I-is that so?" She looked at , her expression softening.
As I moved to leave, she attempted to get up, but I gently pushed her back down onto the sofa.
"What are you doing?" she protested.
"Take so rest, Junior. You're already exhausted, aren't you?"
"N-no, at least let escort you out-"
"No ans no." I gave her a look, pointing to her wobbly legs. "You can barely stand properly. How exactly are you going to escort ? Besides, if your guards see you collapse in front of
them, they'll probably kill first and ask questions later."
She paused, biting her lip as she considered.
"... I guess it's true..." She sank back into the sofa with a little sigh, giving in at last. "Well then, goodbye for now, Senior. I'm glad I could help with your troubles," she said, her voice dropping slightly as she narrowed her eyes. "And rember, not a single word of what happened here better slip out, alright? Or else..."
She raised her hand in a mock-threatening gesture, tracing her finger across her neck with a stern look that was ant to intimidate but only made her look like a feisty little hamster trying to look fierce. It was cute enough to be disarming.
Smiling, I gave her a gentle nod and, on impulse, reached out to pat her head. She squird, her cheeks flushing a deeper red, but she didn't pull away.
"S-Senior...?" She glanced up, montarily startled but still too shy to protest.
"Once again thanks for everything, Junior. Really," I murmured, ruffling her hair lightly.
She blinked up at , her blush deepening even further. "Hehehe~" She looked down, biting
back a shy smile, clearly pleased.
Why is this girl so innocently cute?
Heading out, I gave Emilia one last wave. She smiled and waved back, her tired face
brightening for a mont.
As I opened the door, I half-expected Anna and Amon to be waiting with their usual glares
and a parting threat.
But... what's going on with these two?
Outside, Anna and Amon were standing near the doorway, looking unusually shaken.
They were breathing heavily, and their faces were pale as if they'd seen a ghost.
They both struggled to even stand straight, gripping their chests as they tried to catch their
breath.
"Are you two alright?"
Amon ignored entirely, still clutching his chest, his gaze distant and unfocused.
Anna, however, shot a quick glare, as if I was the source of her troubles. Before I could say more, she grabbed my hand, shoving away from the door.
"If you're done with your business, then get out!" she hissed, her voice unusually harsh as she pulled Amon inside Emilia's room and slamd the door behind her with a sharp bang.
Seriously... what's going on with those two?
Shaking my head, I left them to whatever was going on and made my way back to my dorm as
discreetly as possible.
If only I could use Seo's [Shadow Step] technique or Lucas's [Phase Shift] ability right now;
slipping into the shadows or bypassing obstacles would make sneaking around so much
easier.
But, unfortunately, you have to make do with what you have.
Tomorrow... well, tomorrow I should probably get out for so dungeon hunting.
I recalled Alice's scenario-the one involving that library dungeon.
If my timing is right, I could clear the place before it causes havoc in the library.
ZZZZT-!!!
A jagged red arc of lightning sliced through the air, its eerie crackling accompanied by a faint,
whistling hiss.
The strike cleaved through two white-armored knights as if they were re paper.
Their bodies split cleanly, each half shimring with a fading glow before their forms
shattered like fragile glass, their mana dispersing in flickering wisps that dissolved into the
air.
Alice exhaled, watching the scene with a mixture of frustration and exhaustion. "There's even more of them this ti..." she muttered, wiping sweat from her brow as she
gently glided back down toward the ground, her breathing slightly ragged from the effort.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
"Good job, Master~ Would you like so water, perhaps?" Cheshire's lilting voice floated in
from above. The mischievous grin on his whiskered face was only amplified by his leisurely
clapping. Alice shot him a glare, crossing her arms as she eyed the floating, smug-looking cat.
"Cheshire... did you even do your job properly?" Her voice was sharp, a clear warning that she wasn't in the mood for his usual gas.
"Why, of course! I made sure none of the strays you missed survived," he replied proudly, his
small feline paw materializing with a flourish. He twirled a phantom mustache with his whiskers, looking every bit the self-satisfied trickster.
"None... survived?" Alice's eyes narrowed, and she arched an eyebrow at him, clearly
skeptical. "Yes, none! You wound , Master," Cheshire purred, giving a mock bow as his ears twitched with amusent. "I have my pride too, you know. It's not just about looking fabulous." Alice sighed, rubbing her temples. It was hard to tell what Cheshire ant half the ti, but
as long as no enemies slipped past, she supposed that was what mattered. "That energy earlier... you felt it too, didn't you, Cheshire?"
Cheshire's playful deanor shifted slightly, a glimr of seriousness in his eyes as he
replied, "Yes... seems the White Queen is feeling rather active today~"
"Any idea why?" Alice's voice was tense. Just a month ago, they'd decimated an entire pawn wave in the fantastical realm, dealing a serious blow to the White Queen's forces. Typically, it took her three weeks-sotis even months-to replenish and muster up
another army.
Yet this ti, not only had she sent a massive wave in the fantastical realm, but there were
also high-ranking pieces, like knights, now breaching the real world.
A gnawing sense of unease began to settle in Alice's chest; sothing about this felt
disturbingly unnatural.
Cheshire floated closer, the playful gleam entirely gone from his face. "Unfortunately, I don't
have a clear answer for you, Master... but if there's one thing we can be certain of, it's that the White Queen isn't idling anymore. She's serious now~" He flicked his tail thoughtfully. "If we intend to keep up the stalemate we've held so far, we might need to shift our approach. Or, perhaps... even strike first. An all-out assault before she can gather her full strength." "We can't afford that..." Alice muttered, her gaze darkening.
As the only one capable of sealing the fractures between the fantastical realm and the real
world, she and Cheshire were the sole defense holding back the relentless waves the White Queen sent forth.
To make a direct move, to leave their posts, would invite disaster on a scale beyond the academy's destruction-perhaps even the end of everything. Cheshire floated close, his usual playful aura shadowed with concern.
"You really are too kind for your own good, Master- being a bit selfish isn't exactly such a big
sin you know?" He didn't like it, not one bit. Cheshire knew about Alice's unyielding promise to the White
Queen, a pledge that had beco a heavy chain tethering her to a fate laced with danger.
Yet, Cheshire also knew his loyalty had limits. If that promise ant Alice's end, he'd defy her orders without a second thought.
Alice cast a glance up at the starry sky, the weight on her body steadily increasing, exhaustion seeping into her bones.
She wanted to make sure everything's clear one more ti but it seems exhaustion has already gotten the better of her.
She hated the idea of resting in a random forest clearing, but this ti, she had no choice.
Her legs gave out, and she sank against the rough bark of an old tree, barely holding herself
up.
"Cheshire, watch over ... please."
"Of course, Master~"
Cheshire replied, his grin widening, a hint of mischief gleaming in his eyes.
Despite a flicker of concern at his expression, Alice knew he wouldn't let any real harm co
to her.
Her trust in him unwavering, she closed her eyes, finally surrendering to the much-needed
rest her body demanded.
As she drifted off, Cheshire's grin widened even more.
...
Ok... what exactly happened last night?
Did I cross so line, or maybe... did sothing actually go right?
"Hnn-"
The soft murmur brushed against my ears, pulling sharply awake.
My heart raced as I felt arms tighten around my chest, holding close, her grip firm and
warm.
This isn't a dream, right?
No, the clear sunlight streaming in through the window was real, the gentle morning warmth
on my skin, and even the sweet sound of birds outside-everything was undeniably real. I turned my head, cautiously glancing to my side.
All I could see was a cascade of pink hair spread across the pillow, soft and silky, framing her
beautiful, peaceful face.
It was Alice, fast asleep right next to , her body nestled up to mine like a koala clinging to
its
tree.
Carefully, I tried to edge away, hoping to slip out without waking her.
But-
"Wheerre... dooo you think you're going, JUNIOR~~~"
She mumbled, sounding half-asleep and a little like she was drunk, her arms pulling even
closer.
Her soft mountains pressing against , at dangerous levels....
'My arm is sinking....'
Seriously, what the heck is going on?
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