Chapter 23: It’s not weird

“St…stop… I need to…spar…let go…”

“My, my, such impudence.”

Sara pinched my cheeks, stretching them painfully.

What was she doing to my face? And how dare she lecture me about impudence while committing such an outrageous act? The nerve!

“Ugh…it hurts… Let go…”

But the pain was unavoidable.

I whimpered, and Sara smirked, as if she’d expected this. My cheeks throbbed. They were definitely stretched out of shape.

I’d make her pay tenfold for this humiliation with my wish.

“Hee hee. Then please convince Linea to spar with you.”

Convincing Linne? Child’s play.
She was simple-minded and easily manipulated.

I wanted to defeat Linne and make Sara beg for mercy.
I challenged Linne, who was petting her wolf beastkin.

“Linne, let’s spar!”

“No, thanks. You’re no match for me.”

Her condescending tone fueled my anger.

“We’ll see about that.”, I said

“You’re too short. It’s not fair.”

She wasn’t easily swayed. But I had another tactic.

“I’ll grant you a wish if you win!”

If I won, Linne would become my personal cushion. Her chest was…adequate.

“I don’t need a wish.”

“Are you…chicken? Scared of a small, frail girl like me?”

“No, it’s just…you’re not feeling well…”

“Or do you think I’m too weak to handle your pathetic skills?”

“Fine. Bring it on.”

She was easily provoked, as expected. I smirked internally, enjoying my victory.

“Do you think you can beat me with that big, clunky thing?”

Linne picked up the largest, heaviest-looking wooden sword.

I knew she was strong, having felt her grip earlier.

But heavier weapons meant bigger openings. I just needed to wait for the right moment to strike.

…I used to think that.

“Huff…huff… Would you stop dodging and attack already?!”

Swish, swoosh—

Her swordsmanship was impressive, almost too familiar.

Linne effortlessly dodged my attacks, the sword resting casually on her shoulder. She only used kicks and punches when I pressed her.

But her hand-to-hand combat skills were good. Getting too close was risky. I was the one tiring myself out.

“Ugh…huff…”

Whoosh—

Sweat poured down my face.

Her near-perfect dodges only fueled my frustration. I was so close.

Her agility didn’t match her size. It was annoying.

“Are you going to run away like a coward?!”

I finally snapped.
Linne sighed deeply and replied,

“Ellie, you can’t win.”

“Then let’s settle this! Stop wasting time!”

As if spurred by my words, she finally took a proper stance,
sword pointed at me.

Foolish girl.
Playing right into my hands.

I’d give her a full-body massage as thanks.

I charged at her.
She remained motionless.

“Hoo…”

As she took a deep breath,
a sudden pressure weighed me down.

“Ugh…!”

I stumbled, dropping to one knee for support. The wooden sword felt heavy, but I gritted my teeth and lifted it.

Whoosh!—

Her thick, heavy sword came crashing down. I barely managed to block it.

Crack—

“Haaa…!”

The force was overwhelming. I’d only partially deflected it, but the impact made my wrist throb. I endured the pain.

I couldn’t stop now.
I pushed back against the sword, its weight shifted to the side.

Linne was off-balance. This was my chance.

Ignoring the heavy weight on my body, I lunged, aiming for her exposed side. The sight of her unguarded flank brought back memories.

My poor, abused sides.
All the humiliation, the frustration, the resentment… I’d return it all to her.

“This is for my sides!”

A fiery determination surged through me. I wouldn’t be her toy anymore.

I put too much force into the swing, and my sword ignited.
The Flame Sword hurtled towards her side.

Wait, was this allowed?

Too late.

…There was no choice. I’d have to use my family’s influence. With their power, I could easily…

Wham!—

A sharp pain in my lower abdomen. A blunt force doubled me over.

“Ugh…!”

I flew back, as if hit by a carriage.

The last thing I saw was Linne rushing towards me, her eyes wide with shock, her uniform slightly singed.

****

Linne carried Elena to the infirmary, careful not to jostle her.
A princess carry, now familiar thanks to Sara’s suggestion.

Oblivious to the attention she was attracting, Linne focused on Elena.

The warmth of Elena’s small body in her arms was comforting. They reached the infirmary quickly.

It was empty.

Linne gently laid Elena on a bed and checked her condition.

“Sigh…”

She’d gone too far.
Guilt gnawed at her.

That had been a close call.
Elena’s attack wasn’t exactly non-lethal.

The menacing Flame Sword, aimed at her waist…
The memory made her shudder. She almost lost her lower body.

She’d had no choice but to kick Elena away, using a bit more force than necessary.

She looked down at her waist; the scorched fabric of her uniform revealed bare skin. Could this be repaired? The magically reinforced uniforms were expensive.

Linne sighed again and approached Elena.

With no healer present, she had to heal Elena herself.

She knew some basic divine magic.

Linne gently lifted Elena’s shirt and lowered her skirt just enough to expose her stomach.

She’d often poked and prodded Elena’s soft belly, enjoying the texture, but this was the first time she’d seen it so clearly.

Gulp—

The sight of Elena’s smooth, exposed skin was…mesmerizing.
Linne stared, captivated. Her hand moved towards Elena’s stomach, as if drawn by an invisible force.

“Mmm…”

Elena’s pained whimper snapped her out of her trance. Linne quickly examined Elena’s stomach.

A reddish bruise bloomed where her kick landed. Linne channeled healing magic into her hands, gently massaging Elena’s abdomen.

As she healed Elena, old memories surfaced.

If she’d had this power in her past life, could she have cured her father?

She remembered her father, suffering from his illness. He was her only family in her past life.

Her mother died when she was young; she couldn’t even remember her face. Her friends often helped her with…feminine matters, saying she lacked basic knowledge.

Those memories felt distant now, like a dream.
Her situation and the people around her were different.

But Elena’s apparent illness worried her.

She’d spent the previous day anxiously wondering about Elena’s absence. She’d ignored Elena’s pale, gaunt appearance earlier, assuming she’d recover quickly, as she always did.

But seeing Elena clutching her stomach in pain, she couldn’t ignore it any longer.

She’d lost control and confronted Elena, demanding an explanation. She didn’t understand why. Perhaps it triggered memories of…

What’s wrong, Dad?

I’m sorry, Seoyeon…

Why are you apologizing? Did the test results come back bad?

…No. I’m fine.

Tell me if you’re hurting. Don’t keep it to yourself.

…Okay.

Her father, always avoiding her gaze…

He died six months after his diagnosis.

She still thought about it sometimes, filled with regret. If only she’d known sooner… It was all in the past now, pointless to dwell on.

She was being foolish, worrying Elena like this.

Linne’s gaze softened as she looked at Elena, breathing shallowly.

She wished Elena would rely on her friends…or rather, on her, instead of suffering alone.

Linne’s grip tightened involuntarily.

“Hngh…”

Elena moaned, her face flushed, her breath coming in short gasps.

Was she still unwell? Her reaction to Linne’s touch was concerning.

Worry gnawed at Linne, but she continued her healing touch.

She tended to Elena, her heart aching.

“Ah…Sister…”

Elena’s soft, breathy moans stirred something within Linne.

Linne shook her head,
dispelling the inappropriate thoughts, and continued massaging Elena’s soft stomach.

She repeated to herself,
This is healing. There’s nothing strange about this.

“I’m just healing you. I’m just…”

Linne focused on healing, trying to ignore the growing warmth in her chest, her hands no longer glowing.