NOVEL NEXT Chapter 261
I had to take a break from my studies for a few more days and rest at the mansion.
On the outside, I looked perfectly fine. There were no rips or tears. The injuries I got during the incident healed right on the spot thanks to Riana and Elia’s quick actions.
But the strain on my body didn’t just disappear. Even if the wounds healed, fatigue and burden remained. I had to rest due to the circumstances around me.
Of course, even if I wasn’t pressed, I would have monitored my physical condition for a while.
“My body feels strange.”
I moved my body. I stretched my arms and legs, inhaling and exhaling.
There was a peculiar creaking in these very simple actions.
It was noticeable even without concentrating too hard. Simple movements were fine, but more nuanced actions would probably reveal big gaps.
“The division of body and soul… The aftereffects are still lingering.”
After taking the elixir, my body and soul nearly tore apart. Fortunately, they didn’t completely separate, but this caused an odd discomfort in my movements.
As I was learning necromancy, it might need some time for my now-unified body and soul to recombine properly.
“I was never operating in sync with my body and soul in the first place.”
Fairies are commonly known to be a species with ethereal traits. They may seem to have flesh, but that’s simply because the soul is taking over the role of the body.
For some reason, I didn’t have wings and my abilities were ridiculously weak, but that was likely how it was in the original world.
Now that my soul was contained within my body, it made me worry that something might go wrong.
Thus, I spent some time adjusting my body.
“Indeed, I can see there’s something off.”
I wasn’t adjusting alone. My reliable master was right beside me.
Once I demonstrated a movement, my master immediately noticed the oddities and nodded.
“Yes, I want to fix that part during your break.”
“I’m glad you didn’t come in here to work by yourself…”
“Ugh, ugh…”
As I timidly requested, my master took a deep breath and held my cheeks with one hand.
Her fingers pressed on my cheeks, and my lips puffed out like a goldfish.
– Giggling
As I blinked with my silly face, my master burst into laughter.
“Hehehe.”
Noticing my master’s smile and feeling awkward, I also gave a bashful smile. I quickly wrapped my arms around my master’s waist and buried my face in her gently swaying chest.
“Of course, I’ll help, but you mustn’t overdo it. Got it?”
“Yes~.”
“You’re answering well.”
As my face nestled in her chest, my master’s lips curled in a grin. Then, with an expression of helplessness, she started patting my head.
Her affectionate hands carefully rearranged my hair and a silly laugh escaped me.
A solid adult, a reliable guardian. My master showered me with affection and indulged my whims.
“Hehehe…”
– Slowly…
My winged clothing, which increasingly acted on its own, wrapped snugly around my master’s waist. It almost acted like it claimed him as its own, but he didn’t particularly stop it.
“…”
My master looked down at the sky-colored feathers tightly entwined around his waist, and without much thought, he continued to pat my head.
With his unspoken approval, I used my winged clothing to further wrap around him.
Seeing my master adorned by the sky-colored feathers gave me a strange sense of satisfaction.
*
Atra had been incredibly happy these past few days.
Ever since establishing a proper relationship with Lee Ha-yul, there had hardly been a day of unhappiness; lately, it felt like I was on cloud nine.
“Master…”
In the training facility located in the basement of the mansion.
While Atra was drinking water after a simple training session, Lee Ha-yul skipped over to her and snuggled into her embrace.
He nestled his head beneath her arm and curled up in her lap. His actions were reminiscent of a puppy, making Atra’s lips curl up into a smile.
“Come here… That’s right.”
Although it was an unexpected behavior, it was also strangely familiar.
Skillfully opening her arms, Atra welcomed Ha-yul, who snuggled up closely.
Atra sat back against the wall while gently comforting Ha-yul, who was wriggling in her embrace.
“Let’s take a moment and then we’ll start again.”
“Yes…”
Once she settled onto the floor, Ha-yul began to act spoiled.
He pressed his stomach against Atra’s, rubbing against it while burying his nose in her chest, inhaling the deep scent that lingered there.
“Is it good?”
“It’s good…”
Ha-yul responded with a mushy voice. Satisfied, Atra extended her chest toward him.
Initially, it had felt quite embarrassing, but now she found herself wanting him to indulge more.
In this act of rubbing against each other, she left her own scent on this boy.
Though she had thoughts of it being rather beastly, when she later caught a whiff of her own scent emanating from him, it filled her with an instinctual satisfaction.
“Now, drink some water too?”
“Yes, slurp, slurp…”
Ha-yul, who had been rubbing his nose in her chest, lifted his head to grab the straw with his lips.
“Slurp…”
Watching Ha-yul suck vigorously on the straw, Atra couldn’t help but smile faintly.
Despite being a simple water bottle meant to sip from with a straw, the impatient Ha-yul bit down and sucked on it eagerly.
“Slurp, ugh…”
– Gulp…
As she looked down at Ha-yul drinking, she suddenly felt a sensation on her limbs.
Atra opened her eyes slightly. She saw a strap gently wrapping around her limbs. A peculiar expression crossed her face as she fiddled with the strap.
The overwhelming softness wrapping around her hand.
It was the sky-colored feathers, now an artifact symbolizing Ha-yul.
“Hmm…”
A few days back, Ha-yul caused some more trouble.
He had taken an elixir and nearly had issues with his body?
Given that there seemed to be some oddly sluggish parts appearing in his actions, it appeared that there really were some problems.
He had almost faced some oddities in Shio-ram.
How surprised and freaked out had she been over that.
Regardless, after that incident, Ha-yul had started behaving differently while quietly resting in the mansion.
Ha-yul loved to be spoiled. It’s a characteristic that anyone who knows him would be aware of, but recently, he was even more clingy.
If left alone, he would casually extend his winged clothing to wrap tightly around to claim her as his own.
If he attempted to stray away, he would throw a tantrum, so Ha-yul always needed someone close by.
…The primary beneficiary of this change was Atra.
After all, Atra was the one who could remain in the mansion the longest.
That was only natural.
Hong Yeon-hwa, Baek Ahrin, and Elia, being students, regularly had to leave the mansion for lectures, while Riana had her hands full.
As a professor in charge of Ipchun Class and teaching elemental techniques, she had a lot on her plate.
Moreover, there was the upcoming birth ceremony to prepare for, making her workload even heavier.
In contrast, what about Atra?
She was just in charge of teaching her special exemption student, Ha-yul. Other than that, she held no other position.
In essence, aside from teaching Ha-yul, there was hardly anything else to do.
Thus, Atra naturally ended up taking care of Ha-yul more frequently as she was around the mansion longer.
Thanks to that, Atra had been incredibly happy these past few days.
“Ahh…”
After quenching his thirst, Ha-yul spit the straw out. Atra glanced at the drool-covered straw and opened her mouth.
“Hey, can you spare some time next year?”
“Next year…? Can I ask why?”
Ha-yul tilted his head adorably.
Atra lowered her head and rubbed her cheek against his hair.
“It’s the anniversary of my old student’s passing that I told you about before. I’m planning to visit their grave, and I’d like to go with you.”
“Oh.”
His gray eyes widened with surprise, and he looked quite flustered while rolling his eyes to gauge Atra’s mood.
“There’s no need to be anxious. Thanks to you, I’m okay now.”
“Uh-huh…”
Atra shook her head and gently squeezed Ha-yul’s butt as he squirmed in her arms.
The tingling sensation that traced down her spine made Ha-yul’s waist reflexively straighten.
Additionally, as memories ingrained in him kicked in, he tilted his head back, waiting for Atra’s lips to come down.
“Peck…”
Their lips met. The warm body heat and rich scent intertwined. Ha-yul wrapped his arms around Atra’s neck with half-opened eyes.
Their briefly connected lips broke apart.
As the distance grew, a soft breath escaped from Ha-yul’s slightly parted lips.
“Would you go with me?”
Atra gently held his cheeks, meeting his gaze as she asked. Ha-yul vacantly nodded.
“Yes… I’ll go with you…”
Though it was unintentional, Atra had inadvertently extracted a response.
*
A few days later.
With her master’s affectionate care, Atra managed to resolve her awkwardness and return to her studies.
Despite the still anxious gazes surrounding her, when she expressed that there was no problem, they reluctantly nodded along.
On the day of her return, she attended the “Practical Workshop Creation” class that she had with Baek Ahrin.
“Lee Ha-yul, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you in student attire.”
After eating breakfast in the mansion, they were heading to the building where the class was held.
Baek Ahrin, glancing at the sky-colored wings wrapped around her waist, suddenly noticed Atra’s outfit and shrugged her shoulders.
Baek Ahrin herself was in a neat student uniform, complete with an outer garment.
“After wearing only white clothes or casual outfits lately, it feels refreshing to see you like this.”
[That’s right. It does feel a bit different since it’s been a while.]
“You’ve fallen behind a bit while you were gone; would you like me to send you over the notes?”
[Yes, thank you!]
“Don’t mention it.”
They chatted casually as they took a bus, quickly arriving at the building.
During that time, Baek Ahrin kept the sky-colored wings wrapped around her waist.
People around them were casting curious glances, making Atra feel a bit embarrassed, but she braced herself, feeling comfortable in the situation.
Along the way, they spotted the installation of various facilities, likely for the upcoming birth ceremony.
Room 413 on the 4th floor of the 12th Magic Practice Hall.
As Atra entered the classroom she hadn’t visited in a long time, a strange feeling washed over her.
It was until she noticed that quite a few people were already inside. The professor wasn’t there yet, but among the students was Baize, whom she hadn’t seen in a while.
She had shared contact details with Baize, apologizing for the incident on the first day when her spell almost split him in half, and they occasionally kept in touch.
“Ahrin! Over here!”
Just as she entered the classroom, a female student at a desk by the window raised her hand to greet the new arrival.
“Hey? Did you switch seats?”
“Yep, my usual spot was taken. Come on over.”
While she wasn’t familiar, Atra recognized her.
She remembered that they had partnered together during the two-person practical lesson.
It seemed that this girl had a decent friendship with Baek Ahrin, even outside of this particular class.
“Then I’ll head over there. If we’re in groups of four, we’ll meet again!”
Upon spotting the other student, Baek Ahrin greeted her and turned away.
– Tap
[Discontent]
Instinctively, I grabbed Baek Ahrin’s sleeve as she was about to step away.
“Huh?”
Turning to me with a puzzled look as her sleeve was suddenly tugged, her blue eyes held curiosity and confusion.
“Lee Ha-yul? What’s up?”
[Umm…]
I sealed my lips, struggling to find words after my impulsive action.
Why did I grab her? Even I didn’t know.
It just happened reflexively.
– Swoosh…
As I fidgeted with my sleeve, the sky-colored wings flared up, wrapping around Baek Ahrin’s waist and pulling her toward me even more.
Baek Ahrin let out a surprised “Eek” as she was drawn closer. The eyes of those around focused on them.
[Umm… that’s…]
With the winged clothing’s actions making my speech even harder, I still didn’t understand why I had grabbed her.
Actually, I was lying. I knew the reason behind my instinctive action.
It was foolish and childish thinking.
[Ah…]
I shot a glance at Baek Ahrin while, timidly, I tugged at her sleeve.
[Oh, can you… come in with me today?]
– Click
The charm of confession made a tiny sound, almost like a whisper.
Although it was a small voice, it felt as though it echoed throughout the classroom, making my face flush hot.
*
Lee Ha-yul → Atra Clyde
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♡(91▷92/100)
「Affection」 「Master」 「Expectation」 「Sense of Stability」 「Yearning for Affection」 「Anxiety」