Looking at me, Zeva’s lips curled into a grin that was anything but sane. Her eyes glinted with a strange unsettling excitement.

…she’s back to being insane.

“You’re hiding something,” she declared, gripping her dual swords tighter. “Come on, Aestrea! Show me what you’re keeping from me! Don’t disappoint me now!”

I knew it…

Fuck.

She lunged forward, her swords whistling through the air.

CLANG!

I barely managed to block her twin blades, one aimed at my neck, the other at my ribs. The impact rattled my arms, but I held firm, twisting to parry the next strike aimed at my shoulder.

Her left blade swept low toward my knees while her right arced toward my chest.

SHING!

I sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the low sweep, and raised my sword to deflect the high strike.

Sparks flew as steel clashed, and I spun on my heel to counter with a quick horizontal slash aimed at her midsection.

Zeva twisted her body unnaturally, bending backward to evade the strike with an unsettling grace.

Her grin widened, and she leaned back in, bringing both swords down in a brutal overhead strike.

BOOM!

The impact jarred my entire body as I blocked, my knees buckling under the force, and that seemed to make Zeva laugh out loudly.

“That’s it! Fight harder, Aestrea!” she exclaimed, her eyes widening with excitement, her breath coming in short gasps.

“I know you’re not giving me everything yet!”

Her blade slipped past my guard, slicing into my side.

I hissed in pain as warm blood began to flow, staining my shirt and dripping to the ground. She didn’t pause, pressing the attack with a huge amount of ferocity.

SWISH!

Her next move was a quick upward slash that grazed my chin, leaving a shallow cut. Blood trickled down, but I barely noticed it.

‘Damn it…’

I cursed silently.

I was already reaching my limit.

My body screamed at me to stop, to rest, but my mind was focused on winning the battle. I adjusted my stance, gripping my swords tighter.

I needed to keep her focused on her offense.

“Still smiling, I see,” she teased, her voice laced with a mock pout.

Her crazy grin was back, her eyes showing a glint of pure enjoyment. “What are you plotting, hmm? Something special just for me~?”

‘This crazy bitch…’

Swish!

CLANG!

I parried her quick strike, but her second sword followed immediately, nicking my thigh.

Pain shot through me, and before I could fully react, another blade grazed my forearm, leaving a stinging cut.

Blood seeped from the wounds, soaking into my clothes.

I gritted my teeth and retaliated with a swift horizontal slash, managing to land a glancing blow on her shoulder.

A thin line of blood trickled down her sleeve.

She didn’t flinch.

If anything, her grin grew wider.

“Yes! That’s it!” she yelled.

“Make me feel alive, Aestrea!”

Suddenly, her green eyes began glowing faintly, leaving a faint green tail from them, just like mine do when my emotions get intense.

It seems that she has some useless skills like I have.

Then, she lunged towards me once again.

Clink, clang!

I twisted and turned, deflecting what I could, but her speed was overwhelming.

Her left blade skimmed past my ribs, tearing through my shirt and opening another shallow wound.

Slash!

Her right blade followed immediately, slicing a deep cut along my upper arm. Blood poured from the wound, dripping down my hand and staining the hilt of my sword.

I stumbled back, barely managing to block her next strike aimed at my neck.

“Come on, Aestrea! Don’t tell me that’s all you’ve got!” she laughed.

I clenched my teeth, forcing myself to move despite the pain, and then, I counterattacked, delivering a rapid series of strikes.

Clang, clang, CLANG!

Our blades collided multiple times.

I aimed a sharp thrust at her abdomen, but she sidestepped effortlessly, slashing at my side in retaliation.

Shing!

The blade bit deep, and I gasped as pain flared through me. My legs wavered, but I pushed forward, slashing at her exposed flank.

Slash!

My sword connected, leaving a jagged wound along her ribs. Blood seeped from the cut, but she only grinned wider.

“Good!” she shouted. “But you’ll need more than that to take me down!”

But she was wrong though.

That was more than enough.

I shifted my stance, focusing on the shallow cut I had inflicted on her earlier.

“Haaa…”

My blood-red eyes started glowing dimly.

『 Bleed 』

The technique activated silently, and the cut on her upper arm suddenly burst open. Blood gushed out, the wound tearing wider as if an unseen force had ripped it apart.

Her eyes widened in shock.

“What—?!”

She dropped her swords, clutching her arm as pain wracked her body. Her knees buckled, and she fell to the ground.

“Bleed…” I mumbled to myself.

The technique that I wanted so much from that damned Bloodclaw Wolf. Lumi had absorbed his abilities after all, so what I was using was Lumi’s abilities, not mine.

So technically…

I didn’t use mana or aura.

I approached her slowly, blood dripping from my own wound, and hearing my steps, she looked at me with a confused expression.

I knew why she was looking at me like that.

That was because she noticed that I didn’t use mana or aura to damage her that way. It’s kind of a loophole, to be honest.

After all, because of my blood contract with Lumi, no one can see or feel her powers when she is inside my tattoo.

Step…!

I raised my sword, resting the blade lightly against her neck.

The faint smile that I had since the beginning of the fight never left.

“Looks like I win,” I said softly.

As I said those words, the training camp was silent except for the sound of our labored breathing and the faint dripping of blood onto the floor.

For a moment, Zeva said nothing. Her glowing green eyes dimmed slightly, and the wild grin she had worn throughout the fight faded into something softer—almost serene.

Then, her lips curled into a small, tired smile.

“Not bad. You win,” she whispered in a tired tone.

Her crazed expression had completely disappeared and so did the glow from her eyes.

I stabbed both of my swords into the ground, straightened up, and extended a hand toward her, she hesitated only for a second before taking it.

“Now… what kind of favor do you want?” she asked, dusting herself off and retrieving her swords from the ground to sheathe them at her waist.

Hearing her words, I put on a thoughtful expression.

I already had enough money from the Saintess, so asking for more seemed quite unnecessary. I still needed to save money for the Dragon’s Heart, but another favor from her could be invaluable.

So, what could I ask from her…?

I wasn’t sure yet.

“I’ll tell you later.” I ended up saying.

She simply nodded her head expressionless, but then, a small barrier was summoned around us, glowing in a potent green mana.

It was the kind of barrier that would hide our presence from other people’s eyes.

“Now… here’s your other reward,” she said mysteriously as I looked at the barrier.

“What rewar—”

My mouth abruptly closed as I turned to look at her.

Zeva’s hands moved to the lace of her blouse.

She undid it slowly, her fingers deftly working the buttons as she pulled the fabric aside to reveal her collarbones.

Then, she slid the blouse off her shoulders, letting it hang loosely around her arms.

My eyes widened as she reached behind her back and unclasped her bra, her tanned skin contrasting beautifully with the dark fabric.

The straps fell away, and her full, generous breasts spilled free.

They were perfectly shaped, her soft, tanned skin glowing faintly in the light of the barrier. Her pink nipples stood out, taut against the chill air.

“W-what the h-hell?!” I stammered, my face flushing as I took an involuntary step back.

I didn’t fucking expect her to do something like this!

Zeva glanced at me with a teasing smile, as her emerald green eyes curved in a crescent manner.

“Isn’t this what you wanted?”

She cupped her giant, squishy breasts in her hands, lifting them slightly and pressing them together, making them seem even fuller… bigger.

Then, she gave them a playful jiggle.

“Touch, squeeze, or do whatever you want. Didn’t you earn it?”

“W-well… kinda?” I sighed, furrowing my eyebrows.

Then, I glanced at them.

Her tanned skin was flawless, the curve of her breasts smooth and inviting. The way they moved slightly with each breath, soft and supple, was almost hypnotizing.

“Now… are you going to touch them or… not? she asked, tilting her head in mock innocence before starting to approach me.

I was so focused on her breasts that I only noticed that she was approaching me after seeing them bouncing around.

“Zeva, wait—”

Before I could finish, she grabbed my right hand, still slick with my own blood, and placed it on her left breast.

The warmth of her skin against my palm sent a shock through me.

“There.”

“Now, squeeze.”

She guided my hand with gentle pressure, and I felt the softness of her breast yield beneath my fingers.

It was warm and plush, yet firm, an almost surreal sensation.

“Ah…”

She let out a soft, breathy moan as my hand remained pressed against her, fingers still feeling the plush, warm softness of her breasts.

‘Isn’t she quite sensitive?’

I couldn’t help but think.

Unable to resist, I gave another gentle squeeze, feeling the pliant give of her flesh beneath my fingers once again.

Her body responded immediately—a small gasp slipping from her lips as she tilted her head back slightly, her breathing hitching.

“~Oohhh…” she moaned softly, eyes half-lidded as she looked at me through heavy lashes.

Hearing her seductive moan, my hand tightened, instinctively molding to the shape of her breast, feeling the warmth, the softness, and the gentle weight that only seemed to increase my desire to touch her.

Her fingers, delicate and long, brushed lightly against my arm, trailing up to my wrist, guiding me.

“Feel good?” she asked, her voice a husky purr, her lips curving into a sly smile.

But despite her teasing words, I could easily see that she was also enjoying this through her flushed red face and quivering eyes.

“Yeah… it feels… really good…”

I replied softly, letting myself indulge in the sensation just a little longer.

“Gaagh… ah~”

She let out another soft moan—longer this time—her breath catching as I kneaded her breasts once more.

And slowly, her breathing started growing heavier as I continued to touch her, the warmth of her skin spreading through my fingers.

My eyes lingered on her chest—soft, full, and perfectly inviting.

I couldn’t resist any longer.

Slowly, I let my fingers drift upward, lightly brushing over her taut nipples. A shiver ran down her spine, and she let out a soft gasp.

“Mmm… yes… there,” she murmured, eyes fluttering closed, leaning slightly into my touch.

‘She really is sensitive in here…’

I smirked, watching her reaction.

Her breasts felt so soft, yet her nipples were firm beneath my fingertips. I teased them gently, slowly circling them, feeling the subtle bumps forming.

“…You like that?”

This time, I decided to tease her.

But, to my surprise, she was thoroughly honest.

“Y-yes… keep going…”

She gave me a small nod, biting her lip as her chest heaved slightly.

Without hesitation, I flicked my thumb lightly against one nipple—just enough to make it tighten beneath my touch.

She gasped, a sharp intake of breath, and her body jerked slightly.

“A-ahh!” she let out a small, surprised moan, arching her back slightly.

Her eyes opened wide, watching me with a mix of pleasure and teasing hunger.

Encouraged by her response, I did it again—this time pressing a bit harder, rolling my thumb over her nipple in slow, teasing circles.

She let out another quiet moan, her head tilting back slightly, eyes half-lidded.

“Mmm… more…” she whispered, shifting slightly to give me better access.

I couldn’t resist anymore.

My mind was already on cloud nine just because of the lust that I was feeling. From the previous teases from both the Saintess and Alaine…

I needed to enjoy myself for a while…

‘It’s okay if I indulge a little… right?’

So, I leaned in slightly and pressed my lips to her collarbone, tasting her skin as my fingers continued to play around with her squishy mellows.

My other hand slid down, grazing the soft curve of her waist, feeling the gentle jiggle beneath my touch.

She moaned again—a soft, throaty sound—her body reacting to my every touch. My fingers teased, flicking and rolling against her nipples, making them stiffen further.

The sounds of her pleasure—those quiet, breathy moans—only fueled my desire more.

“Yes… just like that,” she murmured, biting her lip as she arched toward me.

Her skin was warm, and pliant beneath my fingers, and the way she melted into my touch was intoxicating.

Then, my body trembled completely as I pinched her mountain peaks, feeling the subtle, hard texture.

“Ohhh, y-yes… more, please…” she murmured, her voice sweetly desperate, legs shifting slightly beneath her.

“Ahh…,” soft gasps escaping her lips.

Then, seeing her red lips part slightly, as her mouth opened slightly, showing strings of saliva connecting to the top of her mouth…

‘I really… want to kiss her.’

And of course, since we had already skipped a few steps, I decided to start a not-so-advanced one.

“Mhmph!”

My lips pressed hers, melting into a slow, heated kiss.

The soft wetness, the sound of our lips pressing together was intoxicating, pulling me deeper into the moment.

Her lips parted slightly, allowing my tongue to trace gently against hers.

The taste of her was sweet, intoxicating, and it drew me further into the kiss—soft, slow at first, but soon growing more eager, more hungry.

“Chuu♡, churup~”

“Haaa…”

Our breaths mingled as we kissed deeply, lost in the sensation.

Her hands found my shoulders, pulling me closer, pressing her body into mine as our tongues played together.

In between kisses, I let my hands continue—teasing her breasts, playing with the soft flesh, letting my fingers glide over her squishy mellows, squeezing gently.

The soft sound of my fingers pressing into her, the warmth spreading beneath my touch

“Mhmm, y-yes~♡”

She gasped into my mouth, her breath hitching as she responded eagerly.

“Ohhh… right there…” she murmured breathlessly, breaking the kiss briefly, eyes half-lidded as she stared at me.

Our gazes locked for a moment.

My red eyes stared at her green ones.

“Chu♡!”

Then, catching me off guard, she pressed her red lips against mine as her hands tucked under my shirt, before clinging to my back.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep