Chapter 273
Chapter 273
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 273
Chapter Title: Constellation Contracts Should Be Made Carefully (4)
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It's cool yet warm. Does that even make sense? A soft yet rigid energy, gentle yet ferocious, slides down my throat and settles in my lower abdomen. Then, remarkably refreshing mana spreads throughout my entire body.
Is this... the effect of the 'Summoning Pill'?
Thanks to the pleasant mana flow, my sour mood vanished in an instant.
But... that feeling didn't last. The moment I heard the 'Nameless Avenger's voice, my mind grew endlessly uncomfortable. It toys with my body whenever it pleases, and now it wants to help me? I couldn't help but feel resentment toward this constellation whose true intentions I couldn't fathom.
"Get lost... The contract's broken."
"You give me poison and then offer the antidote, thinking I'll fall for it? You touched my body without permission. That's a rules violation. Common sense says you shouldn't do that."
"...What? No way."
"......Hmph."
I was annoyed, but the 'Nameless Avenger' was right. Even if I wanted to break the contract, digesting the elixir came first. Calming my emotions with rational judgment, I sat cross-legged as instructed.
Sure enough, the 'Nameless Avenger' placed both hands on my back and began controlling the mana flowing through my body.
"This is..."
"......"
"......"
...Amazing. A constellation is a constellation, alright.
The mana movement was so different from the instinctive circuits I'd used before that it gave me chills just feeling its structure. Who knew you could operate mana this purely and cleanly?
As the mana from my lower abdomen swept through my body and returned to its place, an inexplicable thrilling pleasure surged in my chest. It felt like a tangled ball of thread had been neatly unraveled. I'd been using mana without even knowing about this.
My mind filled with shame toward my past self and an omnipotent sense that I could accomplish anything from now on. If I could operate mana like this, then my revenge...
"Ahn!"
"Perverted bastard... You, you're touching my breasts again..."
"Don't change the subject!"
"...Fine, I'll go, but you... shouldn't you at least apologize? Why do you keep touching someone else's body, hngh!"
"W-what are you talking about?!"
"That's not what I wanted you to apologize for..."
"......Hey, you say that, but earlier you were super flippant, weren't you? You just touched me because you wanted to!"
"...R-really?"
Is that true? No, it must be. Constellations can't lie. I heard they pay a massive fine if they do. So the misunderstanding must be real too. And as much as it disgusts me... Haah, that brute of a constellation touching me for my sake must be true as well.
So, as repulsive as it is... Hoo, I guess I have to understand. Exercising utmost patience, I decided to forgive the 'Nameless Avenger'.
"Still, at least from now on... A-ask before you touch. You can do that much, right?"
"Hyah! Y-you idiot! No, we're going to the training grounds!"
"Fuck, what kind of constellation pinches someone's nipples as a joke?!"
Forgiveness revoked.
-Whoosh, whoosh
It felt like my body and sword were moving separately. So... awkward. Like the first time I held a sword. That massive blade, too big for a child like me. The horrific dissonance from when I wielded my father's sword and cut down villains. The difference is, this time the sword isn't following my body.
-Whoosh, whoosh
Was this sword always this light? It felt like swinging a toy. Because of that, my stance twisted, and the sword path wobbled endlessly. This made me feel like a total beginner. Even regulating my breathing and staring straight ahead didn't help.
"Whoa... No joke. That's the level for special admission."
"Yeah... Tsk, makes us look bad. Hey, let's go somewhere else."
"Pfft, impressed by that? Dimwits are dimwits even in their eyes."
"It was totally lame. Hmph, I was scared for nothing."
Shut up, I'm not doing this to show you guys.
I ignored the noise around me and swung my sword. But nothing changed. It seemed impossible to bridge the gap between my body and sword with just one or two hours of training.
"Hoo..."
But so what? If two hours isn't enough, make it four. If that's not enough, eight. Eventually, swinging it enough will reveal the answer. That's how it's always been. No reason to be swayed by others' gossip.
"Hngh?!"
Yeah, no reason to be swayed, but...
The 'Nameless Avenger' toyed with my body again and hugged me from behind.
"Hngh..."
-Shoooosh
Then it arbitrarily controlled my body and swung the sword.
"Ah..."
Follow that? A flawless 'slash'. The crisp sensation flowing through my fingertips. A natural movement as if body and sword were one. The dizzying pleasure from it. ...Can I do that right now?
No, I can't do it.
I can't give up on revenge.
-Shing
-Shoooosh
-Shoooosh
Overcoming my hesitation, I swung without reserve, and on the third try, I replicated the 'Nameless Avenger's 'slash'. It wasn't perfect, but it was the best 'slash' I could do.
"......Tch, a trick? They were just playing with her."
"Haa, pisses me off. Shouldn't have watched. It's gonna stick in my head."
Hmph, not for you guys either.
Still... feels good. A sense of accomplishment I haven't felt in ages. Breaking through the wall blocking my growth and taking a step forward, I stretched contentedly.
As expected of a constellation, it's helpful. I should talk about the rules violation later, but contracting with the 'Nameless Avenger' doesn't seem like such a mistake. At least it's serious about 'revenge'. It seems reasonable enough, so I can look forward to the future.
"Wait, ngh!"
"I wasn't planning to end it like this, wait... Not there!"
"That's... true, but, hngh!"
"Fuck, what kind of constellation uses nipple pinches as punishment?!"
Any expectations for the future? Revoked.