Chapter 222: Selene's Doubtful gaze!
Chapter 222: Selene's Doubtful gaze!
Training Hall inside the Principal's house
"Increase Agility"
Ding!
[+1 Agility]
[Agility: 117?]
BOOOM!!
"Come on, brat, why do you keep running?" The Principal's face was twisted in a mix of amusement and challenge, her eyes glinting with a dangerous spark as she watched Aether desperately evade her relentless attacks.
"Huh? Why don't you start teaching me instead of trying to kill me?" Aether shouted back, his voice tinged with frustration and desperation. His body moved with instinctive speed, narrowly avoiding another bone-crushing punch.
"Come on... I don't kill my disciples... unless they show no progress," the Principal grinned, her amusement almost predatory. The grin sent an icy shiver down Aether's spine, amplifying his fear and adrenaline.
'Fuck!' Aether screamed inwardly. He braced himself, his muscles tensing in preparation for her next move.
This wasn't training; it felt like survival.
....
...
After what felt like an eternity, but was merely an hour, Aether lay sprawled on the ground, panting heavily. His clothes were shredded, resembling those of a beggar, and his body was a mass of bruises and aches.
"I-I am alive..." Aether mumbled in disbelief, his voice barely above a whisper. Each breath was a painful reminder of the old hag's unprecedented attacks.
The Principal snorted, looking down at Aether with an annoyed expression, "Of course, you brat! It's not like I will kill my disciple... Anyhow, your growth is beyond what I expected from a Blank Cardholder."
As she observed Aether, her curiosity deepened. She saw more than just a disciple; she saw potential, mystery, and a challenge.
"Anyway, from this punching bag method, I got the gist of your fighting style," the Principal said.
She had already investigated his past with Empress Marisandra, so she knew more or less about him. Now, she wondered how an egoless person like him had developed such a sophisticated fighting style, 'Maybe something about his past...' she mused. Perhaps he had learned something valuable before being sold as a slave.
Aether held his breath, 'She understood the MMA style already... damn it!' he thought helplessly.
The Principal smiled, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes, as she looked down at him.
"First, you use too much brute force in every punch. You need to learn to control your strength more efficiently."
She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing, "Second, you need to select a suitable weapon that complements your fighting style. It will help you balance offence and defence."
"Third, control your Arcane energy with precision. There were times you wasted excess energy, which could be detrimental in a prolonged fight. And finally..." She crouched down, bringing her face closer to his, and said, "I want to learn your fighting style... So help me master it."
'A monster wants to become an even bigger demon!' Aether couldn't help but think. However, he dared not voice his thoughts aloud. Despite his apprehensions, he knew getting closer to her had its advantages.
"O-Okay then!" Aether nodded, his voice trembling slightly. He added, "I hope you don't kill me."
"Hah... Of course—"
"Even if I cursed you as an old ha—"
BOOOOMMM!!!!
...
..
Next Early Morning
Aether winced in pain, dark circles under his eyes, as he entered the servant's dorm.
'Fuck, she didn't even let me rest,' he thought, his body still aching from the brutal training session. Each step felt like a monumental effort. Upon entering, he noticed Celestia, who was wearing a delicate nightie that hugged her curves. She looked at him with an amused expression, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Did you enjoy your time with the Principal—HIKK!!" Before she could tease him further, Aether immediately hugged her, melting into her warm and comforting embrace. The feel of her soft body against his was a welcome relief from the cold, harsh training he had endured.
Celestia smiled softly, hugging him back. She knew what he had been through all day. She had watched him secretly, and though the Principal had noticed her presence, she hadn't said anything.
After witnessing Aether's suffe—ahem, training, she had dressed up to welcome him back.
"Hey..." Celestia frowned with a blush as she noticed Aether fondling her ass.
Aether giggled mischievously before giving her a tender kiss on the lips. His hands roamed her body, feeling her warmth, her softness, and the way she responded to his touch.
He then began to get ready for his servant duties.
....
...
Soon, everything seemed to be going fine... except for one incident.
"Sel?" Aether frowned when he was cornered by Selene in a lone corridor. Her presence was sudden, and her eyes were filled with a dark intensity that made his heart skip a beat.
It was during lunchtime when others were eating, while Aether needed to disguise himself before the second part of classes started.
Selene tilted her head, a dark expression clouding her face as she stared intently at Aether. Glancing around, she hugged him tightly and mumbled,
"I want Etherium." Her voice was low, almost a whisper, but it carried a weight of longing and desperation.
[+4000 Affection]
"Eth? What?" Aether couldn't understand her words, but he knew her love for him was intense.
He hugged her back, trying to calm her down, not noticing that she was doing something on his back.
After a minute or so, she separated and looked at Aether with tender eyes, her gaze drifting to his lips as she licked her own, "E-Ether," she whispered, her voice filled with need.
"Yes..." Aether gulped, feeling seduced by her hungry expression. The way she looked at him made his blood heat and his body react.
"I want to play a game with you."
"Hmm? Game?" He tried to keep his voice steady, but his curiosity and apprehension showed.
"Yes... I want you to come to my room after dealing with the Princess," she said shyly, making Aether gulp even more. 'What kind of game is she trying to play?' he wondered, his mind racing with possibilities.
"I don—"
"Pretty please." Her voice was soft, pleading, and it made his resolve weaken.
"... Fine."
[+4000 Affection]
Selene's smile widened, but she didn't move. She looked at him with expectant eyes. Aether knew what she was expecting, but then,
"Selene!!!" Lia arrived on the spot, saving him like a god. Selene clicked her tongue in annoyance before separating from Aether and walking away. Lia winked at Aether, who nodded in relief, grateful for her timely intervention.
Lia had been a lifesaver, helping whenever Selene got too close to Aether in public.
Anyhow, Aether immediately walked towards Delphine's office, where she was deeply engrossed in documents.
"Hello, Delphine," Aether said cheerfully. Delphine just hmmed in response, her attention still on the document.
Aether didn't care. Instead of entering the restroom, he decided to change his clothes right there in the office. He began to undress, his movements slow and deliberate, the sound of rustling fabric filling the room.
Rustle, Rustle
Hearing the rustling sound, Delphine paused her reading and looked at the source, only to be horrified when she saw him standing in his innerwear.
"W-What are you doing?" she asked, her face turning bright red, her eyes widening in shock.
Of course, Aether didn't respond. He wasn't a simp to act like that after she ignored him. He continued changing, ignoring her flustered reaction.
Delphine's face turned even redder, but then, "What is that?" She frowned as she stood up and walked towards him, her curiosity piqued despite her embarrassment.
"Hmm? What?"
Delphine touched the back of his neck and showed him a red spot, "There's paint on your neck..."
Seeing that, Aether thought for a second before sighing, 'I suppose she started to doubt Victor! Fuck!' He then gave an excuse, trying to brush off her suspicions.
Delphine nodded, her eyes lowering to his sturdy body. She blushed furiously before hurrying back to her desk, her mind filled with conflicting thoughts.
[+300 Affection]
Delphine bit her lip, covering her face with the document. She could still hear the rustling of his clothes, and her heart was beating like crazy. She remembered the sight of his sturdy body, making her gulp nervously. She lowered the document with a curious expression... only to see Aether leaning towards her with a grinning face.
"Caught you~"
"KYAAAA!!!" Delphine screamed, her voice echoing in the small office. She swung her fist towards Aether, but he was too quick.
He caught her hand effortlessly, pulling her into his embrace. Her eyes widened in shock as she felt his half-naked body pressing against hers, the heat from his skin sending shivers down her spine.
"W-What are you doing?" she stammered, her voice a mix of confusion and indignation. She tried to push him away, but her strength faltered under the intensity of his gaze.
Aether didn't respond immediately. He leaned in, his forehead touching hers, their breaths mingling. His eyes locked onto hers, holding her captive in the moment. The world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in a bubble of heightened awareness and raw emotion.
Then, just as suddenly, he let go and turned away, continuing to change his clothes as if nothing had happened.
Delphine stood frozen, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts and feelings. She touched her forehead where he had just been, a slow smile forming on her lips.
[+400 Affection]
Aether smiled inwardly, feeling a sense of satisfaction.