Wednesday morning, April 2nd, 4883.
The air inside the cottage was cool. The remains of last night's fire were gone, leaving only a pile of ash in the stone fireplace.
Fathir sat alone in one of the wooden chairs, a thick book open on his lap. On the table beside him, a glass of hot chocolate let off a thin wisp of steam, its sweet aroma mixing with the scent of dried herbs that hung in the room.
It's been a week since I started living with this woman… Since the incident with the flower, she has barely trained me. Fathir's thoughts churned while his eyes traced the lines of text in the book.
What is she thinking? Doesn't she want to make me strong? Fathir then paused for a moment. His pupils constricted slightly. Don't tell me she knows I'm not Level 9?! No, no way… Fathir thought
The bedroom door creaked softly. Lairas stepped out. She was wearing only a loose white shirt with the top few buttons undone, paired with shorts. Her sleepwear often made it difficult for Fathir to sleep at night
.
Isn't this woman afraid of sleeping in clothes like that with a man? I don't know how much longer I can hold back. I'm still man you know! Fathir though
Lairas smiled upon seeing Fathir. "Oh, darling? You're up early today?" she said. Her voice was slightly hoarse, . She stretched her arms upwards, causing her shirt to lift even higher.
Fathir didn't answer the question. He gestured with his chin toward a second glass on the table. "I made you some hot chocolate… since I was making one anyway."
"Oh?" Lairas walked towards Fathir and picked up the glass of hot chocolate, the warmth seeming to spread to her fingers. "How thoughtful of you~"
Fathir hissed softly. "Don't be dramatic. I just made you some hot chocolate."
"Thank you, my love~" Lairas replied.
She leaned in and gently kissed Fathir's forehead. "It seems you're starting to like me."
Fathir raised a hand and gently pushed her face away. "I said, don't be dramatic." He then sighed. "I just… well, I feel bad just freeloading, sleeping and eating at your place without doing anything.
"Ehh, is that so. What a cute reason." Lairas sat in an empty chair across from Fathir and took a sip of her hot chocolate. After that, she looked at Fathir again, propping her chin with both hands. "Are you interested in reading books like that?"
"Yeah… I like it. It helps me prepare in case I meet other mages," Fathir answered curtly, his eyes still focused on his reading.
"There's one right in front of you," Lairas said, reaching out and lowering the book Fathir was holding, forcing him to look at her.
Fathir gave the woman a strange look and raised the book again, resuming his reading
"You should wear clothes that aren't so revealing if you want to sleep together… and stop hugging me!"
Lairas chuckled. "Ehh, why?? I'm more comfortable like that~"
"I-I'm still a man who has desires!!" Fathir said, his voice rising slightly.
Lairas couldn't hold back her laughter at Fathir's visibly nervous expression. "Ah… I think I understand now." A thin smile appeared on her face. "You're worried that if we get too close, you might… lose control, is that it?"
What kind of conversation is this… Fathir though
Fathir ignored her statement and continued to read his book.
Lairas took the book from Fathir with her magic. Her thumb gently traced the contour of Fathir's jaw, a smirk still playing on her lips. "I think I quite like the idea of you losing control... for me. Because of me."
Fathir didn't know how to respond. He was shocked by the woman's words.
Shiet..… I ended up provoking her. This woman is insane… completely insane. He then swatted Lairas's hand away. "S-stop it."
Lairas only responded with a smile. She sat back leisurely and drank her hot chocolate.
"You said you were going to make me the strongest? But it's been a week and you've only trained me once?" Fathir asked.
"We'll be hunting monsters this month,"
Lairas replied casually, occasionally blowing on her hot chocolate. "It's the monster Season, isn't it? A good opportunity to level up for a low-level adventurer like you."
Mosnter Season, huh… Fathir took a sip of his hot chocolate and continued reading.
Lairas then stood up from her seat and turned to Fathir. "You haven't had breakfast yet, have you, darling? Let me make you some~"