The Villainess Lady's Petty Ploy (1)
Serena had been practically immune to men ever since childhood, thanks to her father and brothers' obsessive overprotection.
“You—you just winked at our Serena three times. What the hell was that? You trying to pick a fight with the Yohayden family!?”
“Father, is that true!? What kind of bastard is he!?”
“……Winking at Serena three times is guilty.”
“Eek!”
The esteemed Yohayden Duke family was known for their gentle dispositions and aversion to authority, but it was infamous that their attitudes flipped a full 180 degrees whenever their youngest lady was involved. No one dared treat Serena carelessly.
The only real contact she'd had with a male peer was arguably the First Prince—a connection even her father and brothers couldn't strong-arm away.
But that was from so long ago, the memory had faded to a blur.
In truth, aside from those lodging in the duke's mansion, she had zero points of contact with any men. Her body was pristine.
Yet the ivory tower of knowledge she'd built from countless books towered high.
From soft and innocent tales to the hardcore tastes in the one she'd just been reading.
Serena had devoured them all through books, nurturing her fantasies.
Fantasies of a fateful encounter with her ideal man.
Of becoming lovers and sharing love.
Of that thrilling, shy glimpse of vulnerability in her first experience.
Of love that was a bit mischievous, a bit rough.
Layer upon layer of imagination and delusion piled up until, despite her lack of real experience, Serena's standards soared impossibly high.
If she hadn't met Zeke, meeting anyone else might have been a pipe dream.
Serena squeezed her eyes shut.
I wanted a gentle first time, face-to-face... not from behind!
Zeke seemed to prefer doing it like a beast.
I get it! The world has all kinds of tastes, and some people love it rough. I'm curious too... but still! He could at least say he likes me or lo-love me or something!
A wave of grievance welled up inside, but she swallowed it down.
With no other choice, Serena gripped the hem of her slip dress.
The thin fabric slid slowly upward.
Soon, her naked body was laid bare before Zeke's eyes.
The flickering candlelight cast shadows that traced an alluring silhouette.
“Umm……”
Zeke swallowed hard at the sight.
Feels like I'm doing something wrong... No, this is necessary.
Slim waist, soft and resilient hips.
The curve of her breasts, visible even from behind.
Ivory-white, flawless skin.
Serena's figure was irresistibly alluring.
But viewing her as a swordsman……
Breasts too big—swinging a sword would strain her waist every time. No muscle development, frame too delicate...
Too many obstacles for swordplay.
Definitely not a body suited for the blade.
Serena glanced back at him, then moved her hand to the string of her underwear tied at her waist.
Zeke shot out his hand to stop her.
“No need to go that far. Serena.”
She clenched her fist tight.
How far did this man's twisted tastes go?
She just wished he'd show some consideration for it being her first time.
Gonna jerk off? With it still on!?
Her near-naked form was fully exposed to his gaze.
Shame surged endlessly toward the ceiling, her heart pounding wildly with embarrassment.
Serena couldn't utter a word.
“Then, get into position like that.”
His voice was impassive, giving no thought to her feelings or mind.
An uncompromising command.
“Ugh!”
For her, enduring such a humiliating order was a first.
A chilling, unfamiliar sensation crawled up her spine.
Who else could issue such a stern command to the duke's own lady?
By status, she might even outrank him.
Yet he dominated her through sheer presence.
Ah... Being ordered around feels... good.
Serena realized her body was subtly anticipating his commands.
An odd urge not to defy him, no matter what.
She knelt into position.
She rifled through her mental library, imagining what Zeke intended.
This pose... ma-masturbation shadow play! So first, open mouth...
Ah—
She closed her eyes and parted her lips.
“Good.”
The praise that followed made her chest swell with satisfaction.
“Deep breaths first. You're too tense.”
“Y-yes. Got it.”
Haaa... whoo—
Serena took a deep breath.
I'm really becoming an adult now.
It wasn't the first time she'd dreamed of, but her partner was the instructor.
With this type, he'd probably bark orders relentlessly, scold her, force shameful acts without mercy.
He'd torment her all night, toying with her endlessly.
She'd throw a tantrum and get punished for it.
Each time she performed some embarrassing deed, he'd praise her indifferently.
Mi-might not hate it...
Imagining her future with Zeke, Serena felt heat flood her face.
Orders are fine. But not pain... he couldn't be into that, right?
Serena fretted a little, wondering if Zeke was the type who got off on spanking.
Then, contrary to her expectation of something at her mouth,
a rough palm suddenly pressed against her back.
Shiver!
“Eek!”
No hitting!
The unfamiliar touch made her waist arch, her body trembling.
His hands had touched her many times during past massages,
but through clothes versus bare skin—they felt utterly different!
Humm—
“Hahk!”
Suddenly, a foreign sensation pushed into her body.
Something alien began spreading carefully within.
Th-this wasn't in any book!
*
Zeke traced Serena's mana roads with his palm, analyzing her mana patterns.
She'd seemed utterly talentless at first, but no.
He widened his eyes in surprise, probing every nook and cranny.
Whoa... insanely pure. Like a newborn. And why so vast? Got a mana pouch or something?
Serena's mana pattern was so free of impurities it bordered on divine power.
And her mana roads? Narrow alleys compared to his own eight-lane highway.
Ha... even in a dark fantasy world, this is promising.
The highest praise he could muster.
This world's no-magic mindset left her roads untouched, dormant. Actually ideal.
Wizard potential for greatness.
But Zeke scoffed.
Just a wizard, though.
What he'd teach her was supreme swordsmanship that could dismantle petty magic with a flick.
No matter how mighty a mage's spells, nothing short of the Demon King could block her blade.
Perfect for Heavenly Flow Sword.
Hm, his initial hunch was spot-on.
A women's rapier style using minimal physical strength,
augmenting nearly all movement with mana alone.
The angels' blade: Heavenly Flow Sword.
Three prerequisites:
Female gender.
Pure mana.
Overwhelming mana capacity.
He hadn't expected her to have the last two, planning physical training to compensate.
But with roads this vast and pure, she could skip stamina work starting tomorrow.
Good thing I checked.
Zeke lifted his hand from her back.
“Serena. Private training starts tomorrow for you.”
“...Yes!? T-training? This was... training? Really?”
He nodded.
“Yes. Dormant, so you didn't know, but you've got a huge advantage.”
“What sudden...”
“Incredible. Massive.”
“L-like 'em big?”
“Yeah. Jealous, even.”
“?”
Big makes him jealous...?
Serena stared down at her ample bosom.
Men like big ones, sure, but jealousy?
Their conversation felt oddly mismatched.
And this act was nothing like what she knew.
No, something foreign entered. Unfamiliar feel. Hurt at first, ticklish, felt good, body heated...?
The sensations matched novel descriptions, so she'd stayed quiet, unsure.
Is this it?
Serena tilted her head, then decided to ask outright.
“Um, Instructor?”
“Hm? What?”
“What are we doing right now?”
“Told you. Checking your mana roads.”
“?”
Mana roads? What's that?
She pondered, recalling an advanced magic studies topic.
Imaginary pathways said to exist in a mage's body!
Too mystical and vague to emphasize.
Huh? But why? I'm no mage.
“Why check them?”
“Guess I explained poorly. So you can wield a sword.”
“……”
Serena's face went rigid.
Silence stretched eternally for seconds before she spoke.
“So... stripping naked like this... all for my swordsmanship?”
“Yeah. Said it was a rude request.”
“……”
Tremble—
Serena's whole body shook.
Her face burned scarlet,
and she wanted to sprint straight to Lamieli Academy's central lake.
Wh-what did I just!! No! What! Wait! Aaaaaah!!!!!
Tidal shame made her hands quake.
She wanted to scream bloody murder,
but desperate restraint held it back.
First, get Zeke out.
“Instructor.”
Suppressing her voice's tremor, she turned to call him.
“Yes.”
Zeke nodded with his usual calm face.
Seeing that composed expression ground her teeth.
He'd done nothing wrong, of course! It was her misunderstanding!
Wh-what was I thinking!!!
Tears welled in Serena's eyes.
“Get out.”
“Hm?”
“Leave. Now.”
“Yeah, was about to...”
“OUT NOW!!!!!!”
Serena shoved him out the door without even thinking to dress.
Bang!
What the...?
Zeke tilted his head, utterly baffled.
From Serena Yohayden's room
came prolonged thuds and screams.
“Uwaaaaaah!!!! You idiot!!!!!!! Uwaaaaaah!!!!!!”
* * *
The next day.
The first day of swordsmanship class, which they'd share for the next four years, dawned.
Zeke faced his students.
In his hand, as always, a baguette.
“Serena.”
“……”
“You're here.”
Serena wouldn't meet his eyes, staring at the ground.
Zeke turned.
“Rosnante.”
“……”
“Answer.”
“……”
Rosnante glared with resentment before dropping his head.
“Ah, sealed your speech. Fine, no need to answer.”
That morning, he'd been muttering nonsense like “Today's a fresh start” with that punchable face,
so Zeke had blocked his mouth with mana.
Now that he could wield mana freely to a degree, the applications were endless.
“Soy.”
“Yes!”
“Yuri.”
“……Yes.”
Soy Spoon's bright reply, Yuri's ever-lifeless tone.
And... Zeke's gaze shifted to the red-haired girl.
She looked utterly exhausted.
“Iriel.”
“Yes……”
“Good, all present. Hope you recovered over the weekend. Real training starts today. Today……”
Zeke moved to explain the course for everyone except Serena.
Then Iriel spoke up.
“Zeke.”
“Casual speech.”
“Ah, Instructor.”
“Yes. What is it?”
Iriel hesitated before answering his question.
“Um... the necklace I gave you three days ago... could you give it back...?”
Hm? Necklace?
Oh, that bright red one?
Already used it to tattoo my hand...
Zeke could only make a troubled face.
Ah, got played.
He'd been wary precisely because she'd given it knowing he needed magic stones.
But asking for it back?
Never dreamed a duke's proud lady would pull something so petty.
No fair! Give and take back is cheating!
A villainess ploy—petty, yet devastating.
Ha, playing dirty, huh?