The Demonic Charm Awakens

The Demonic Charm from a girl (not a woman?) The effect is minimal depending on the caster's ability... And the duration is only a measly 15 minutes.

"How is it?"

Marie asked cautiously, pulling me out of my brief reverie. Tension flickered in her eyes.

"Hm... No real big effect right now."

Marie shrugged and grumbled in response.

"That's what I told you. It's not some special power-up or divine spell that boosts abilities."

Her expression looked more disappointed than mine.

"No, it helped a lot. Thank you."

"Really?"

I nodded, lifting the corner of my mouth in a slight smile.

"Of course. Thanks, Marie."

The fact that the effect varied by caster meant a strong priest's blessing might actually work.

"Marie."

"Yeah?"

I grabbed her hand tightly, pleading earnestly.

"Please... become an amazing nun."

"Huh?"

"You can definitely do it, Marie."

She was already a talented kid who could use divine spells at such a young age. She could surely become a powerful priest. No—she had to.

It wasn't like I could easily ask some other high priest for a blessing.

I can't pass up a sweet person who casts one without a second thought after one little plea.

That was when it happened.

What...?

I hurriedly opened my status window to check the trait.

Captivates others...?

I glanced at Marie's face, still holding her hand. Her cheeks were deeply flushed... not just from shyness or embarrassment. This wasn't the face she made for an ordinary ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠friend.

"...Yeah, if you say so... I'll try hard..."

No way... because of the trait...?

"Uh, um... s-sorry."

"Huh? Why are you apologizing?"

"N-no, it's nothing."

This... I need to be really careful...

Have I been seducing Marie all this time without realizing it?

I had zero intention of that...

This is kinda... dangerous. In a whole different way...

Two days later...

I woke up an hour earlier than reveille and headed to the courtyard. I found a quiet spot, knelt with my hands on the ground, and assumed my usual push-up position.

As I started...

Hm?

I felt it right from the first rep. My body was light. Power flowed naturally into my arms, shoulders, and core; my joints moved smoothly.

Something's off.

My strength should have been due for a level-up soon, but I still had points left from today's daily quest reward.

I paused training and pulled up my status window.

"Huh?"

Vitality and strength had each gone up by one. For good measure, I checked status effects too.

The 'malnutrition' debuff was completely gone.

Finally!

It felt like a thin fog lifting somewhere deep inside. My breaths deepened; my muscles felt firmer and more solid. No doubt about it.

"So, what's left is... 'underweight'?"

Gaining enough weight to shake that wouldn't be too hard... but

The goal isn't just removing debuffs—it's getting stronger. No need to rush.

I took a deep breath, steadied myself, and resumed position. My supporting arms felt noticeably firmer.

This should let me do it for real.

I lifted my knees off the ground.

Okay... good, I can hold it.

Then I bent my elbows, lowered slowly...

"Ngh—!!"

And pushed up explosively.

Yes!

My first proper push-up.

"One... first."

Instead of ragged breaths, power surged through my whole body.

A moment later...

I checked the stats window again.

Nice.

I clenched ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my fist hard for no reason. Power spread evenly from fingertips to elbows.

This feels... usable.

Three total stat points in a single day. Like a rusty gear getting oiled—click—meshing smoothly and ready to turn.

And now that it was spinning...

Somehow, everything ahead felt like it would roll much better.

Not a bad feeling at all.

I stopped by the washstand to wipe sweat, cooling my nape with cold water. Once my breathing settled, I headed back to the dorm.

I opened the door quietly, slipping to my spot without waking the sleeping kids.

"...Exercise again?"

As I reached my bed to change, a voice came from behind.

"!?"

"Teresa's so diligent..."

Turning, I saw Marie rubbing sleepy eyes with her knuckles through messy hair, slowly sitting up.

"Sorry, did I wake you?"

"Nah... I was just getting up anyway... yeah, whatever..."

She trailed off with a nod, then flopped back into the covers with a poof.

"..."

Her steady breathing soon filled the air.

A bit later, Marie and I headed to the dining hall together. We grabbed trays: the now-familiar steaming soup, dry bread, and a cup of purple drink with a faintly sour aroma.

Spotting empty seats at a table with the kids we'd recently befriended, we sat side by side.

"Sleep well?"

"Morning~"

Quick greetings exchanged, I dug in.

Thirsty midway, I glanced around and noticed the purple drink that came with breakfast. I took a sip—sweet fruit notes first, then a light tangy fizz on the tongue, with bubbly carbonation bursting through.

"This... is good."

Impressed, I heard Isaac chuckle beside me.

"It's Lumeberry soda."

"Lumeberry?"

"They take Lumeberry juice, remove the alcohol, and mix in carbonation. Local specialty around here."

"Yeah, Lumeberry harvest season's coming up."

"Already? Guess we'll be busy soon."

I tilted my head.

"What's that got to do with us?"

"Teresa doesn't know yet. The area around Dublin is famous for Lumeberries."

"Our practical training this time is probably helping with the harvest in the nearby village."

"Same as last year."

"Yeah... it was tough last year."

"But the village feast after was fun."

"Totally~ The barbecue pork from the party was so good."

My head snapped up.

"Barbecue pork!?"

"Yeah, it's a village festival, so... yeah, barbecue pork and such. Also honey-soaked bread, corn slathered in butter, charcoal-grilled fragrant mushrooms, smoked sausages, sweet apple pie, hot veggie soup. Who knows what else this year, but probably that level of food."

Drool pooled in my mouth unbidden.

"Can't wait..."

"Teresa's all about the pork, huh."

"Still, half a day picking berries nonstop ain't easy. Brace yourself."

Pfft, no big deal, I thought—

...Why the sudden bad vibe?

A chill crept down my spine.

Feels like I missed something important...

Then it hit me.

"Wait... helping with harvest in the nearby village means... we, like... have to leave the monastery?"

"Duh. Can't get to the village without leaving."

"Teresa says ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the weirdest stuff sometimes."

I... I can't leave...

The world crashed around me with a roar in my ears.

"...S-so, what did the barbecue pork... taste like?"

"Better than anything I've ever had~ Charcoal-grilled pork, crispy outside, juicy inside... mmm~ Every bite just bursts with meat juices... like~"

Regret hit late for asking. The imagined taste filled my mouth; I painfully swallowed saliva.