New Bonds
It was decided that Rain and I would head to the Arcade Academy entrance exam just the two of us. Lianne kept begging to join us for the exam, but I had no intention of indulging her whims that far. With that settled, preparations for Rain's and my academy entrance exam began.
"Hoo..."
"Here, it would've been better to feint right. You overcommitted to dodging, lost your balance, and that created even bigger openings."
The first thing we tackled was swordsmanship. Since we were both aiming for the swordsmanship department—not some other major—practical skills mattered more than theory. But on top of that, I had no real gauge of Rain's abilities.
"Understood."
"One more thing: Rain, you favor constant movement over head-on clashes. Makes sense with your small frame—harder for them to target you."
After one spar, I realized her talent far exceeded my expectations. She had a natural gift for wielding a blade, but what stood out was her sharp eyes for reading opponents, her compact build, and her exceptional speed.
"If it's a contest of speed and power, it turns into a stamina war. Different story against mana users, but against pure physical foes, your size gives you a solid edge."
Without mana, raw muscle was a drawback, but once she got the hang of it, enhancing strength would be straightforward. Speed boosts were even easier to adapt to.
"Now, come at me like I showed you."
"Understood."
She picked it up fast. Darting around, peppering me with light jabs—it was perfect for frustrating an opponent. But lacking mana was a real handicap.
"Hold."
"Ugh...!"
She was proficient, but not fully accustomed to hit-and-run tactics yet. There was a slight hesitation when retreating—like wondering if she could land one more hit. That gap was huge.
It happens sometimes. Your head knows it's a trap, but your body reacts first. Unfamiliar style made her greedy for that extra strike, but she'd need to fix that habit.
Enjoy Academy Life with Maid Rain!
She Won't Abandon You!
"Huh?"
Finishing training and catching our breath, that familiar quest window hit me like facing a basilisk—I froze stiff.
Why now? Unease shot through me. If this was an NTR prevention quest for Rain, I'd ditch the family and hole up in the mountains.
Gulp. Swallowing hard, I read on.
"..."
"Ah."
My dazed mind cleared at the follow-up. The system was telling me she wouldn't abandon me.
"Thank goodness..."
Hard to trust the system blindly, but knowing no NTR was enough.
"Young Master...?"
"Ah, it's nothing."
Staring too hard at the floating window had Rain looking at me worriedly. I quickly wiped sweat with a towel and changed the subject.
"Anyway, your skills are pretty impressive."
"No way. Pathetic—I can't even compete with you."
If she could, that'd be weird too. Brushing past the quest for later (rewards could wait), I pointed to the picnic basket she'd prepared.
"Let's eat."
At my words, she wiped her hands with a damp towel and unpacked the food one by one, like she'd been waiting.
"Is the food I made really enough?"
"Mansion meals are great, but going to a restaurant all sweaty feels off. Plus, I love your cooking."
Smiling at that, she placed two triangular sandwiches on a side plate and handed it over.
"Tried the classic style today."
I took a big bite from the plate, savoring the crisp lettuce and ham freshness before giving my verdict.
"Tastier than usual?"
"No, compared to Lianne..."
Compared to Lianne, local chefs should close shop. Her pursuit of perfection left zero room for error—impossible not to be delicious.
"I like yours way more than Lianne's."
But Rain's suited my taste better than Lianne's flawless dishes.
"Thank you just for saying that."
It was true. Lianne's were tasty but monotonous—no variations, always identical to avoid any "error" in flavor. Month after month of the same... it went from boring to nauseating.
Rain, surprisingly, experimented a lot. Sometimes classics like this, but her curiosity led to minotaur meat toast (heavy gaminess) or low-temp smoked fish. Her fun twists were a delight.
"That last meat pie was a bit much, though..."
"Th-that... I didn't know bear meat would smell that strong!!"
Failures happened, but laughable ones—no big deal.
Sipping warm coffee under preservation magic, we chatted idly. Perfect.
Days without leaning on their hollow "love"—just this routine made me happy. Effort without soul-crushing drain. Living for my happiness, not theirs, fulfilled me like never before.
I could spend a lifetime on her food and coffee.
"Light walk to digest?"
"Yes."
But no. Call it reward psychology. Past suffering deserved happier days.
After training and dinner, we hit the books. Swordsmanship department didn't mean swords only. Classes shared with magic majors—splitting only for sword lessons—so we needed both subjects.
"Question: Explain the process from converting mana to mana force to forming its manifestation."
"To convert to mana force: route through the body's mana force circuits, or create an artificial circuit—a circle—in the heart to absorb mana, convert via innate affinity, then shape into runes, magic circles, incantations, etc."
"Perfect."
Even sword majors needed basics. Mana force essential for enhancement, not just spells. Annoying, but necessary.
"Call it here for today?"
"Yeah!"
Studying while battling post-shower drowsiness drained mental stamina. Stretching my stiff neck, I eased onto the bed.
"Academy dorms—what's your plan?"
"The dorms?"
She got it instantly.
"Yeah, with your skills, at least B-grade."
Arcade Academy ranks S to E—six tiers, blatant discrimination. S got noble treatment; E worse than commoners. Meals, dorms, classrooms, supplies—all tiered. Even nobles mingled freely with S-graders; no point antagonizing future elites.
"B means good dorms, tasty standard meals."
"True, but I want to stay in the same dorm as you."
"Why?"
"Isn't that a maid's duty?"
Maid's duty. Words from last life's Lianne—ones she failed.
"Always by your master's side... something like that?"
She looked surprised I remembered.
"Most nobles wouldn't know."
"Overheard it. Besides, that's just vanity."
Maids marry, find partners, leave for their own happiness with age. Lifelong service? Rare—only if the master saved their life or took them as concubine.
"Mostly, yes."
Mansion maids over 30 scrambled for partners and left. Head maid, Lianne too...
"But I want to stay by your side."
"...Huh?"
She specified me, not the house. Even dense me got the implication.
"As a maid?"
"That's part of it, yes."
Her red eyes gleamed brighter.
She won't abandon you.
Why pop into my head now? I was starved for affection. No woman's love, ever. Promises of love turned to bitter betrayal, cruel indifference...
But she won't betray. The system's word. No guarantees, but I wanted to believe. Deny that, and nothing left.
"For real?"
Lame question, even to me. But I had to ask. One last shot at trust.
"Of course."
Not 100% pure love—and that was better. Reasonless "I love you" would've rang false.
"Then come here."
Shedding my outer layer, I shifted on the bed. She bowed her head, unbuttoning her pajamas one by one, slowly approaching.
First time mixing bodies. Over a century lived, sounds crazy—but whenever I tried, they haunted me. No erection. Nights with my right hand, pathetic...
"Oh my."
This time, different. My crotch strained like bursting pants. Rain gulped, fully parting her top to reveal a white bra.
Not huge—modest, fitting one hand. But... I liked it.
Used to crave big ones—rebound from past flames? Now, those small breasts screamed Rain's unique charm, unlike theirs.
"Don't stare. Embarrassing body—not for showing."
"Nah, feels like mine alone—makes it hotter."
Corny line, mismatched, but she smiled, slipping a small hand into my bulging pants while shedding her own with the other—mint ribbon panties on display.
"Then... see it all?"
"Of course..."
BOOM!!
"?!"
The mansion-shaking quake and roar froze our heated mood like ice magic.
What the hell now!? Most events hit during academy or post-graduation sword-pull...
Rain changed the timeline?
"...What was that?"
"Dunno..."
Nothing followed. Tension faded, but rage surged. Like some god scheming to ruin my first night—blasphemous thought.
"I'll head back tonight."
"Yeah, no choice."
What was that? Find the source, I'd scythe its neck myself.
"No need to look so disappointed."
Tucking my hair behind my ear, she whispered:
"My virginity's yours anytime you want."
Seductive minx. I chuckled, lying back and closing my eyes.