episode_0173

After all the actions were done, inside the bathtub.

“……”

“……”

I quietly met Ethan’s gaze in the bathtub filled with warm water that Sally had prepared.

Sitting facing each other, with our knees wrapped around each other, leaning against opposite ends of the bathtub.

I avoided Ethan’s gaze quietly, covering various parts of my body with my knees and soles of my feet.

…How did it end up like this?

Initially, it was an act done without much thought. It was simply using my ‘hands’ to satisfy Ethan’s desires.

But as I came to my senses, I realized that not only did I show my naked body to Ethan, but I also ended up receiving the pleasure that emanated from his body in the final moments.

After the act was over, a strange mix of emotions overwhelmed me.

“I didn’t plan to go this far.”

Showing my lower body naked to Ethan was not something I had specifically planned.

While the upper part had been seen many times before, even if it was seen again, it didn’t matter much. But the lower part accidentally revealed itself as the towel slipped away.

If I had known this would happen, I would have at least put on a pair of underwear.

Moreover, Ethan, conscious of my reaction, even uncovered his body by himself as the towel slipped away. It felt odd for me, as a full-time maid, to pick up the towel again to cover his body.

I had only shown it, I hadn’t allowed him to touch it directly, so technically it was a close call…

“No, wait, it’s not a close call.”

If I had rushed through like this, there was a real possibility that I would cross the line before graduating from the academy.

I should have restrained myself a little more somehow.

It might have been better to ask him to quietly take off his pants on the bed in exchange for a complete victory, even if it was awkward.

Of course, that would have been embarrassing too, but at least I wouldn’t have had to feel the shame of showing my naked body.

“……”

-Splash.

Knowing that there was no point in covering up when everything had already been revealed, I somehow managed to push my body a little further into the corner of the bathtub.

In the awkward silence, Ethan’s voice calling me echoed in the bathroom as we continued our bath.

“Lilith.”

Perhaps because we were in the bathroom, Ethan’s voice sounded a bit softer than usual.

Despite feeling a bit dazed due to the heat of the bathtub, I tried to maintain composure as much as possible and replied to Ethan.

“Yes, Lord Ethan.”

“…Thank you for today.”

“What?”

“I didn’t expect Lilith to go this far for me. I was expecting a victory reward, but I didn’t expect Lilith to do this much for me.”

Well, I didn’t expect myself to go this far either.

Looking back, it might not have been okay from the moment I entered the bathroom with just a towel on.

Unconsciously, there was a moment when I felt that the rewards between Ethan and me were getting stronger. Even though I was aware that this was not right.

…Next time, I should make sure to mention clearly so that there won’t be any more unexpected progress like this.

“This is as far as it goes, Lord Ethan.”

“Huh?”

“If you win in the next duel with the master, I cannot offer any more rewards beyond this.”

“What do you mean?”

“In the next duel, I heard that the master will use all his magic and energy to compete with you.”

“Is that so.”

“Of course, it will be much harder to win compared to previous duels, but it’s better not to expect anything more than what I did for you today, even if you win in that duel.”

“Oh, is that what you meant?”

“Yes. I’ll say it again, but I cannot allow any physical intimacy between male and female students until graduation.”

“…Oh, yeah. I know, Relis.”

Having spoken firmly, Ethan was sure that Relis understood.

As my actual mental age is much higher, I had to draw the line clearly as the elder in times like this.

Maintaining the line while engaging in temporary acts of intimacy was not an easy task.

***

“…It’s better not to expect anything beyond what I’ve done for you today.”

“…Oh, was that the case?”

“Yes. I’ll say it again, but I cannot allow any physical intimacy between male and female students until graduation.”

“…Oh, yeah. I know, Relis.”

Listening to Relis’s words, who seemed to have regained her composure and clearly drew the line, Ethan quietly pondered.

Entering the bathroom with Relis, experiencing the sensation of climax for the first time by her hand today.

Reflecting on Ethan’s words quietly in his mind, he thought, ‘She’s willing to go this far. I thought we would just go back to touching each other’s chests next time…’

Relis, who did not realize that she unintentionally stimulated Ethan’s desire for growth, was completely unaware.

***

After delivering the ‘victory reward’ in the bathroom to Ethan for the first time, another week passed.

The second semester of the first year at the Luminaire Academy’s Magic Department continued to proceed smoothly without any major issues.

Although Ethan and I felt awkward until the next day after coming out of the bathroom, we soon returned to our usual relationship.

The potion trade with Riji, who started interacting with the student council again, was also proceeding smoothly.

‘This semester will end smoothly somehow.’

It was the role of the heroes and their comrades to deal with incidents and accidents that continued to occur.

Although I was possessed as Relis, I was neither Ethan’s slave nor the tragic heroine.

As long as I didn’t interfere with the main story, only events at the level of an ordinary academy student would occur. …I’ve just been facing crises for the past few days.

Dealing with the Abyssal Kraken was something only a hero should do, and it had nothing to do with me….

‘Come to think of it, I wonder if the hero is okay?’

I unintentionally took away the hero’s large experience points event while defeating the Abyssal Kraken.

Even if it wasn’t a large event like the Abyssal Kraken subjugation, Luminaire Academy was a place where experience points were abundant, but I didn’t know if the hero would think the same.

And if the character the hero was aiming for was Agnes, missing out on a large affection event, there was a good chance he might resent me and Ethan.

‘I want to confirm what the hero thinks about me and Ethan in this regard.’

Thinking this, I finished the morning class a little early and headed towards Ethan’s swordsmanship building, where, coincidentally, the person most familiar to the hero group appeared in front of me.

Approaching the girl with pink hair and a pure white priestess robe, I greeted her warmly and approached her.

“Haah…. How can I reveal that Relis is really a saint without any mishaps….”

“Hello, Saint Cerista.”

“Eek, Kyah?!”

“…Eek?!”

As soon as I called her name and approached her from behind, Cerista was startled and jumped back.

Sky Kongkong’s sudden appearance made me take a step back in surprise.

Serista, looking ten times more shocked than me, stared at me with her hands clutching her chest.

“Haa, haa, haa….”

“…Saint?”

“D-did you hear?”

“Yes?”

“…Oh, no! If you didn’t hear, it’s… it’s a story unrelated to Lilyss.”

I could see her muttering something under her breath, clearly not wanting anyone else to overhear.

Maybe she was whispering about wanting to ask her crush out on a date.

Given Serista’s personality, it would make sense for her to be muttering about such a topic. Her shy demeanor was a defining characteristic of her character.

Thinking of her appearance in the original game, a small smile involuntarily formed on my lips.

-Chuckle.

“Eek?! I-I’m sorry…! Y-you heard, didn’t you?!”

“…Yes?”

“Y-you shouldn’t deceive others under the name of the goddess. Although I can’t undo what I’ve done so far, I need to show my true feelings as soon as possible….”

“P-please calm down, Saint! I’m not sure what you’re worried about, but for now, please place your hand on your chest and take a deep breath calmly!”

“Hoo, hoo, hoo….”

“Please take it slow, Saint. Take it slow.”

“Hoo…. Hoo….”

…I hope I didn’t do anything strange while I was out cold in the church.

I couldn’t think of anything that would make sense. I just remember getting treatment and leaving as soon as possible.

Or maybe, even though I don’t know what she was muttering about, she might think I heard it.

For now, calming her down seemed like the top priority for a smooth conversation.

“I really didn’t hear what you were muttering about earlier, so don’t worry, Serista Saint.”

“Yes? T-then, was that smile just now…?”

“I just smiled because I was happy to see you, Saint. After all, you are the savior of my life.”

“…Ah, I-I see…. Th-that’s what the smile meant…. Phew….”

“If my actions made you uncomfortable, I apologize, Serista Saint.”

“Oh, no…! I-I just misunderstood. Haha….”

…For some reason, her reaction today felt awkward.

Just by looking at Serista’s bewildered expression, it seemed like she was hiding something, which was quite an unusual reaction for her.

Considering her personality, not being used to hiding things, it was likely that she was indeed hiding something.

She was one of the most emotionally transparent characters in the game.

Although she carried the title of ‘Prophetess Saint’ as she imitated Lilies, a title like ‘Pure Saint’ would suit her better if she truly was a saint.

…Well, whether Serista had something she didn’t want to tell me or not, it wasn’t something I needed to worry about.

I always said that I had no intention of getting too involved with the main characters of Luminaire Academy.

Just like the hero, Serista, as a saint, was a first-class threat to me right now.

Approaching her now was just part of the verification process.

I just wanted to casually ask if she harbored any negative feelings towards me and Edan from our previous encounter.

In this part, I didn’t want to dwell on it too much, as it could lead to unintentional resentment towards the hero later on.

“Um, Sister Cerista. Since we’ve met like this, may I ask you a question if it’s not too rude?”

“Yes, y-yes…? A q-question…?”

“Yes. If it’s difficult for you, you don’t have to answer.”

“Oh, y-yes….”

“…Actually, it’s a question related to the hero rather than the Sister.”

“……”

“Have you, by any chance, ever talked about me or Edan with the hero recently? Can I ask about that specific part?”

“……….Yes?”