NOVEL NEXT Chapter 22 - Training
Training
“???”
[Gained 2 points of Seven Deadly Sins: Envy from ‘Arein S. Asphodel’]
[Gained 3 points of Seven Deadly Sins: Wrath from ‘Arein S. Asphodel’]
A mysterious status window suddenly appeared right after parting with Floria.
The Seven Deadly Sins score increased by 5 points.
“…Remaining Seven Deadly Sins points.”
——————————-
Remaining Seven Deadly Sins points: 18
Strength: 10
Endurance (Mental Power): 10
Intelligence: 5
Magic Power: 10
Flexibility: 8
Luck: 1
——————————-
By now, the Seven Deadly Sins points had accumulated to 18.
It clearly says I got points from Arein, but eerily enough, I haven’t… met her today.
Then, how did this happen and where did it start?
‘Let me think.’
Arein wasn’t on the circular train, and I haven’t encountered her at Atlas either.
Of course, someone of her caliber could probably deceive both Floria’s and my eyes in a crowded festival.
But to think she just quietly observed until now? That seems odd too.
‘Stay calm.’
The familiar contract release is approaching. I can’t mess things up now.
Looking back at my memories of gaining Seven Deadly Sins points from Arein, it only happened when she was nearby.
There’s nothing that should trigger this…
Am I being paranoid? Was it just a bonus calculation from a new game system?
Should I consider this smooth sailing…? No……
I don’t know how, but I get the feeling that Arein is suspicious of me and watching me.
And she’s even trying to test me.
I’ve spent 10 years in demon territory. My instincts tell me so.
At times like this, I can’t just sit still.
I jumped up from my dormitory chair.
‘Let’s make a bold move.’
* * *
In Arein’s Royal Class dormitory room.
She was feeling intensely dizzy.
That was natural, as she had been focusing all her attention on her familiar all day without eating.
“Lee Ha-yu……”
It’s one shock after another.
Being paired with Floria for class assignments and heading to Atlas – these things are within the realm of understanding.
After all, she made the schedule herself.
And I expected Floria to cling to him like it was a date.
That fox-like woman was always like that.
Up to here, it’s okay. As a daughter of the great House Asphodel, I could somehow tolerate it.
But from when the festival started getting lively, there was an unsettling undercurrent in their conversation.
‘What on earth did they talk about……’
The distance from the dormitory to Atlas was quite far, and with fireworks constantly going off, I couldn’t properly hear their conversation.
What I vaguely remember is:
-Floria confessing to Ha-yu.
-Floria asking Ha-yu to die?
-And something about revenge
That’s about it.
I can’t make any sense of how these three things connect.
According to a book I read somewhere, human romance is like going between heaven and hell several times a day – could that be why?
‘No. Ah……’
I can’t think straight.
Arein felt her dizziness getting worse. She needs to drink Lee Ha-yu’s blood as soon as possible.
She throws a robe over her slip and hastily prepares to go out.
‘Show trust… you told me to show trust.’
And what bothered me most painfully was:
The way they looked after the unique barrier was deployed.
I don’t know what happened inside, but their atmosphere afterward was unsettling.
For a moment, the image of Floria touching her lips flashes through Arein’s mind.
‘……’
While it’s common in this region for servants to become intimate with each other, to think Ha-yu would do such a thing. Indeed, he too is human.
‘Beast……’
This is beastly.
I keep sighing. It’s my responsibility as the master for failing to manage properly.
The feeling of trust shattering to pieces.
But I can’t confront Ha-yu directly about it.
Wouldn’t it be beneath my dignity to admit I was watching a mere servant with a familiar?
‘Floria Endelson…’
Let’s change perspective.
To Arein, Floria is an insignificant human.
But she’s deliberately approaching Ha-yu.
She’s been flirting with him since she first appeared. Even after I gave her a stern warning.
Arein could finally conclude that Floria was largely at fault as well.
It’s irritating.
“…cut off the sprout?”
Lee Ha-yu is a softie. No matter how much he’s scolded or cursed at, he’s someone who can’t treat others harshly.
So let’s target the Endelson woman first and punish Ha-yu.
The first weekend. To feel jealous about losing a servant to such a lowly woman for an entire day – this feeling was absolutely unacceptable.
So Arein firmly resolved that she must deal with that woman no matter what.
-Stagger.
Though the Royal Class room was spacious, today the distance to the door felt especially far to Arein.
“Ah……”
This is really the limit now. Blood supply is needed.
She would bite Ha-yu painfully, to her heart’s content. And make him submit.
She would mark him as hers again and again.
Until he couldn’t think of anything else…
-Click.
When Arein opened the door.
Ha-yu was standing there.
* * *
This is definitely screwed up.
I can’t just go to sleep like this. Somehow, I feel like she’ll come to my room.
So instead, I stood in front of Arein’s dormitory room without a plan.
I need to act somehow, show loyalty to her. Show submission.
Yes. Let’s make the first move.
And just as I steeled myself, the door opened.
“…?!”
Arein showed a momentarily bitter expression, as if she hadn’t expected this situation.
Good. Don’t panic. Don’t panic.
“Lady Arein.”
I let out those words like someone devoid of emotion.
Anger was rising in her expression. And she seemed to be forcibly holding it back.
“……”
She must have definitely been watching my actions today through magic.
But before that, she was in a disheveled state that I’d never seen at the mansion.
Her pajamas were quite twisted as if she’d been in bed all day, and her robe was tied haphazardly.
She clearly didn’t look well.
‘Hah.’
At this point, anyone who isn’t dense would understand.
In my room the day I escorted the Saint. At the dining hall when I met Floria the day before yesterday, and just now when I parted with Floria.
The continuously acquired meaning of the Seven Deadly Sins: Envy.
That she might have feelings for me beyond that of a servant.
So, let’s act. Test the waters.
“Um… Lady Floria confessed to me.”
Arein seemed to avoid my gaze diagonally but soon looked at me again.
“……So?”
“I refused.”
“…What does that have to do with me?”
Arein’s eyes narrowed.
She’s pretending to glare at me. She doesn’t want to admit it.
Even though she knows everything.
Well, this must be the answer she wants to hear.
“…Aren’t I Asphodel’s property?”
Arein’s eyes wavered.
Probably, that’s the right answer.
“No matter if it’s the academy, it wouldn’t be proper behavior for a servant to have mutual feelings with Lady Floria.”
“…Well.”
She tried to close the door as if struggling to hide her expression.
I held the door with my hand and continued speaking.
“Please let me in. You don’t look well.”
“…”
Silence is tacit approval.
-Click.
The door closed softly, and thus I entered her space.
The room’s layout was somewhat different from before.
-Click.
When I looked toward the bed, the light there turned on.
-……
She stared at me for a while, holding her left elbow with her right hand.
Her hunched posture looks particularly fragile today.
And when I carefully approached, only then did Arein bring her hand to my neck as usual.
Her red eyes are gazing at me intensely.
Arein’s scent mingles strongly with the room’s air freshener.
She was definitely weaker than usual.
“Let’s go to the bed.”
“You’re strange today.”
“I’m the same as usual. I came directly because I thought you might be tired.”
“…Coming to your master’s bedroom without permission is impud-“
“Excuse my rudeness.”
-Thump.
I gently lifted her and laid her halfway on the large white bed.
I moved slightly over her and exposed my clothes, presenting my shoulder blade in an easily accessible way.
“…”
“Please drink.”
Arein turned her head.
And speaks in a displeased tone.
“…This is the worst. I can smell that Endelson woman.”
‘Haa.’
How fussy. When she looks like she’s about to collapse.
They say when people are sick, their hearts grow weak too. I wonder if it’s the same for vampires?
Instead of her usual grace and dignity, there was now childish whining and complaints.
Instead of answering, I touched her hair that was scattered across her bed.
-Rustle.
It feels nice as the incredibly soft strands flow between my fingers.
“…What are you doing?”
A pitch-black color, symbolizing high-ranking demons. It’s the color of House Asphodel.
I force myself to say something I don’t really mean.
“…Because it’s beautiful.”
And I rise to go wash up.
“Please stay lying down. I’ll go wash…”
-Chomp.
!!
At that moment, she raised herself and bit my shoulder.
The same spot where she had wrapped her arms around my neck when I kissed Floria.
[Remaining Blood: 87]
The blood starts to decrease. Well, it’s fine. I have plenty.
And she pulls my body down toward the bed.
-Thump
Before I knew it, our bodies were overlapping like that day. Though this time I was on top.
-Slurp.
She must be very tired, as she focuses only on drinking blood.
I was uncomfortable, so I put my leg between Arein’s legs.
!!
Suddenly, her hands gripping my back twitch.
And our bodies overlap even more closely.
.
.
.
-Slurp.
[Remaining Blood: 72]
While drinking my blood, she didn’t ask me anything.
She just held my body tightly with her trembling body.
I wonder how much more I need to give before her suspicions are cleared.
I casually threw out words.
“If you drink so hastily, I might die…”
“…!”
As soon as I finish speaking, her blood-drinking stops. What’s going on?
Arein turns my face with both hands to meet my gaze.
“?”
Her red eyes were trembling.
“If… if you die…”
“Yes?”
But soon, as if regaining composure, she commands me in a cold voice.
“Don’t die. That’s an order from your master.”
“……Yes.”
“And when you go somewhere, report to me first.”
“Yes.”
“Also, don’t meet her.”
“You mean Lady Floria?”
“Don’t even say her name.”
“Yes. I understand.”
[You have gained 1 point in Seven Deadly Sins: Greed from ‘Arein S. Asphodel’.]
To think I get points just for mentioning Floria’s name. Should I make mistakes occasionally?
She turns her head away as if regretting her words and mutters.
“Sigh… The reason I’m telling you not to meet is for both of your sakes. You’re a demon’s servant, and it could lead to bad rumors.”
“…Today was really just about assignments.”
“You’re the property of the prestigious Asphodel. I won’t tolerate any more foolish actions.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
As if she had succeeded in maintaining her pride, she resumed drinking blood.
‘…She’s clinging too much.’
Despite the skinship becoming increasingly excessive due to Arein’s pulling, she remained silent.
-Sluuurp.
The gamble was successful.
‘Good.’
A faint smile forms on my lips along with a sigh of relief.
She hasn’t discovered the plan.
.
.
.
[Remaining Blood: 65]
Unlike before, her blood-drinking pace was neither violent nor hurried.
As if deliberately controlled, it continued until late into the night.