Chapter 21: Dream of the black sword

“Are you okay, Ellie? It worked after all.”

“Huh?”

As I struggled, the hand inside my shirt withdrew.
The unexpected action made me gasp.

The warmth that had spread through my waist faded with the touch.

But the strange, tingling sensation lingered, leaving me feeling…empty. Like something was missing.

A little more, and it would be complete. It felt like I was on the verge of…something.

I instinctively reached inside my shirt, caressing my waist. The smooth skin, soft and yielding to my touch, was surprisingly addictive. I finally understood Linne’s obsession.

But I couldn’t replicate the feeling.

“…”

I felt a gaze on me and
remembered my earlier struggle.

“My, Ellie, how…indecent.”

Sara, who’d witnessed everything, blushed.

My face was probably even redder.

“N…no! I was just…checking if…everything was alright.”

Yes.
Just checking.
Linne must have done something to me.

“Hee hee, I’m just teasing. No need to be so flustered.”

Sara seemed to believe me. Or maybe she didn’t care. I could only hope she understood my plight.

“Eek?!”

My relief was short-lived. Linne’s hands suddenly appeared, grabbing my sides under my arms.

Her hands were large enough to almost encompass my torso. Her long, slender fingers brushed against my chest.

She squeezed, and I felt the soft give of my budding breasts.

“Ahh…”

A wave of dizziness washed over me, and I leaned against Linne for support.

Something trickled down my back, sending a shiver down my spine.

“Hee…Eek?!”

I tried to speak, but only incoherent sounds escaped.

My back arched involuntarily, my legs trembling. The earlier tension melted away, replaced by a pleasant warmth.

“Oh my, how scandalous… I must capture this moment.”

Sara was saying something.
But my mind was hazy, and I couldn’t understand her.

I thought I heard clicking sounds.
I’d never heard those sounds here before. I must be imagining things.

The tension in my waist finally eased. I went limp, completely reliant on Linne for support.

How far was she willing to take this?

This kind of intimacy was only acceptable between family members—spouses or siblings. But she did it so casually…as expected of a pervert.

I couldn’t resist her anymore.
I was completely drained.

I had only one option left.

Please let Linne’s…proclivities be…safe.

I prayed silently.

Linne’s grip tightened.
She lifted me effortlessly.

My vision suddenly shifted.

Confused, I froze. Linne put me down.

Of course, I couldn’t stand on my own.
I collapsed against Sara, who felt less…substantial than Linne.

Sara hugged me back, gently stroking my ears. It was unnerving, but bearable.

“Huff…pant…”

I caught my breath, my mind clearing.
Then, confusion set in.

Wasn’t she supposed to imprison and toy with me, like in the novels?

Perhaps she didn’t enjoy forced confinement and…training.

Though she was still a pervert.

With my feet on solid ground, my rationality returned.

Linne said something about… “it worked.”

Had she drugged me? Or hypnotized me? Brainwashed me?

I’d trusted her because she hadn’t shown any such tendencies, but was she more dangerous than I thought?
I hated the idea of having my common sense altered to accept such things as normal.

Of course, I was confident I was immune to such tactics. My strong will wouldn’t allow it.

But caution was always necessary.
I grabbed Linne’s shirt.

“What do you mean, it worked?”

“Oh…that? You were spacing out, so I asked Sara, and she said stimula…mmmph.”

“Ahahaha, you don’t need to know, Ellie.”

Sara quickly covered Linne’s mouth.

From what I’d heard, it didn’t seem like she’d used any tricks. And Sara seemed like her usual creepy self.

Relieved, I let go of Linne’s shirt.

We were in a spacious training ground.
I was on my way back from the dining hall just now…

Confused, I looked at Sara, who explained,

“There’s a joint free-for-all combat class this afternoon. Didn’t you know?”

“Of course I knew.”

A free-for-all? Was that even a thing?

If so, this was my chance to show off my skills.

Demon Sword Ellie…no, Sword Saint Ellie! Cool titles filled my mind.

I’d establish my dominance today. No one would dare approach me after witnessing my power.

I imagined myself as the revered Sword Saint of Lily Academy.

Sister would be proud, saying she knew I could do it, and hug me tightly. Students would seek my guidance, and professors would marvel at my swordsmanship. Sara would beg to serve me, realizing my greatness. I’d enslave all the furry beastkin, making them my personal servants. And Linne…Linne would be my personal feeder, her ample bosom serving as a convenient cushion.

“Hee hee…”

I reveled in my fantasy of a glorious academy life.

“Wait, there’s a joint class today?”

Linne’s shocked voice broke my daydream. She looked genuinely surprised.

Why was she even here, then? I’d never seen her make that face before.

“I thought it was over after the last one… Don’t these duel events usually happen only once?”

Linne grumbled.

I almost missed her words, but they caught my attention.

I grabbed her and demanded,

“What do you mean, ‘the last one’?”

“Oh, you were absent that day because you were sick.”

It was the day I’d missed class due to Sister’s…education.

Apparently, each class had chosen a representative for a duel. Sara nominated Linne, and there were no objections.

Linne won, defeating even the magic and divine magic classes.

Judging by the envious glances from the other students, it was true. Though Linne herself seemed indifferent.

“So, what are we doing today?”

I asked, hoping it wasn’t a one-time event.

“It’s a free-for-all. Choose your partner and fight. No rankings or anything.”

Sara’s explanation sounded like a taunt. Or maybe I was just overly sensitive.

“It’s too bad you missed it, Ellie. You would have won easily.”

Her words only fueled my frustration.

So, I’m weaker than Linne, a divine magic user? I would have definitely won.

The thought was bitter.

My dream of being Lily Academy’s Sword Saint… My glorious future…

I stared blankly as Linne complained about the late dismissal. Sara approached, trying to comfort me.

“There’s something that might cheer you up, Ellie. Want to hear it?”

She looked like she was trying very hard to suppress…something.

But I wasn’t interested.

Only Sister could cheer me up.

“We’re at the training grounds for the free-for-all. Did you notice anything unusual on the way here?”

Her words made no sense.

I shook my head.

Nothing out of the ordinary happened. I was just…distracted.

Mostly by Linne and her…

Gasp. I almost got lost in thought again. She was dangerous.

I shook my head, clearing my thoughts.

Though not interested, I decided to listen. Sara leaned closer and whispered.