Deployment Preparation (2)
"Just in case, I should leave a message."
Scarlett seemed like she was heading back to the dorm, but better safe than sorry.
I sent the message to Scarlett and headed to Ellis's place. I'd never been there myself, but I'd heard the location from her before.
The Iris Guild's main building wasn't particularly grandiose, but the grounds were pretty expansive. Probably for defensive purposes.
The sun was starting to dip behind the mountains, painting the sky red with sunset, and I quickened my pace toward Ellis's residence.
"What the hell, it's so luxurious."
The building was decked out with ornate decorations and featured a massive gate. Standing in front of it, I messaged Ellis.
Vrrr—
"Nice facilities."
I stepped through the open gate, and Ellis's residence came into view. The inner building looked similar to my dorm, likely set up that way for security.
"Pardon the intrusion."
The front door was already open. Stepping inside cautiously, I could see why Ellis had called my room cramped. Her place was huge—like her family home in France had been transplanted here wholesale. No wonder she'd been surprised by mine.
"You're early?"
Waiting briefly in the entryway, Ellis came out to greet me. It was the first time I'd seen such a genuinely happy smile from her since we met.
"Yeah. Nothing else to do, so I came straight over."
"Thanks. This way."
Following her down the hallway, I struck up a conversation. I had a rough idea, but I needed to ask anyway.
"What's this about?"
"With the deployment coming up, I want to get my body in top condition beforehand."
"Makes sense. It's real combat, so we should cover all the bases."
"Yeah. Sorry it's so sudden. I only heard today. Could you help?"
"Of course."
Thank goodness we were on the same page. Following her into what looked like her bedroom, I took in the high-end wooden furniture and the pink lace bed in the center. It had a similar vibe to the house in Korea—feminine, with all sorts of pink accessories. A bit at odds with her outward image, but that made it cuter somehow.
Thud—
Ellis sat on the bed and looked up at me. With those bright, sparkling eyes—what was I supposed to do?
Was she saying we should just get started?
"This okay here?"
"Yeah. Not?"
"It's not that... but won't sweat make it uncomfortable?"
Sweat was one thing, but the fluids from between her legs would soak the sheets. Even if magic could clean it up, wouldn't it feel gross?
"Just do it. We're short on time."
"Mm. How's your mana holding up?"
"Not low. But just in case, I want it topped off."
Ellis answered while slipping off her outer clothes. If the client wants it, I deliver. Truth be told, I'd mulled it over on the way here—what attitude to take. Her newfound confidence was great, but since I was in France anyway, I wanted to leverage things with Irene too. Still, I needed to boost Ellis's affection. Or maybe this could help her shake off her inferiority complex about Irene?
"Mind turning around for a sec?"
"Oh, sure."
She didn't even send me out of the room before starting to undress. Confidence boost in this area too?
Swish—
Hearing the rustle of her clothes and skin from behind, I kept pondering. Yesterday's attitude from her made me think some push-pull was in order. In relationships with heroines, I had to stay firmly in the dominant position. It wasn't about caring or not—it was inevitable with multiple women in the picture.
"Ready."
Turning at her voice, I saw Ellis lying prone in just her underwear. Baby-smooth skin and curves that dipped and swelled perfectly. Her body oozed sex appeal. I approached the bed slowly.
"Straight to it okay?"
"Yeah."
She lay there with her head turned away, eyes closed. Admiring her slightly pressed side-boob and plump ass, I placed my hands on her back.
"Let's keep it light today. Battle tomorrow, maybe."
"That okay? If I'm not at full capacity, it makes me uneasy..."
She replied with her eyes still shut. So she was tense after all. Confidence regained or not, first real combat fears lingered.
"It's fine. Guild master's there, and me too. Irene's coming."
"...Right. Everyone's watching out for me. That's what I hate."
Squeeze—Squish—
I massaged her soft back, listening closely.
"Feels like I'm a burden. I can handle myself, but too many people fussing. ...But it makes me anxious too."
I got the vibe. She didn't want the attention, but ignoring it felt lonely. Selfish, sure, but who isn't deep down? They just hide it. Her opening up like this meant our bond had deepened.
"I'll cover you a lot. I'm not even on the tracking team, so skipping out's no issue."
"Yeah. Thanks."
Her expression eased a bit. Finishing her back, I moved to her shoulders. Wanted to grab that ass, but conversation seemed ongoing.
"...By the way, seeing my body—nothing stirs?"
Another weird question from Ellis. Had her confidence turned her perverted?
"Nah, I'm a guy too. Holding back with pro discipline."
"...Good."
Wait. Was this less confidence and more just loving my praise?
Current Status: If it's bearable, does that mean it's less attractive? With so many women around, how could I possibly hold back?
"... "
How did she see me? Guys as good as me are rare, yet the heroines were starting to view me strangely. This trend needed nipping. Tsk.
"Hng?!"
A hint of sulk in my touch, I spread her ass cheeks from both sides. She tensed in surprise, and I held back a laugh.
"Sorry. Misjudged the pressure."
"I-It's fine."
"Let me do it right. Face me?"
"...Yeah."
Flexing my fingers as she rolled over, I seized control. Push-pull limited to massage, but it was something.
*
"Good work!"
"Yeah, you too—."
Iris Guild's 1st Team Leader Irene was wrapping up for the day as usual. Oddly, no centaur had shown this week, giving the tracking team some breathing room. But the break ended today—tomorrow meant terror support duty.
Ellis's field experience was probably the sudden push. Her father, convinced by her and Lee Ho-yeon, wouldn't listen no matter what she said.
'At least that's a relief.'
No centaur meant no dragging Ellis into danger. Shame about Lee Ho-yeon sticking around through the weekend, though. Fine with Ellis on tracking, but him too?
"Good work, ma'am."
"Sebas Chan! Tomorrow's deployment prep done?"
Seeing Ellis's secretary, Sebas Chan, brought a smile. Competent guy, joining the tracking team temporarily, so they'd been working together.
"Yes. Informed the tracking team, Miss Ellis, and Cadet Lee Ho-yeon."
"Hm. That kid just holing up in his room?"
She hadn't liked hearing he'd dined with Ellis yesterday. Better stay put. Tsk.
"Yes. Oh, heard he visited Miss Ellis's residence this evening."
"...What?"
"They're both adults. Sad seeing that cute girl grow up so fast, though..."
Sebas Chan nodded nostalgically, thinking Irene, who'd watched Ellis grow too, would agree.
But her reaction differed.
"Miss Irene?"
She bolted for Ellis's place without a word. Ignoring guild members' greetings en route, she slipped past the quiet gate.
No obvious signs of entry, but at Ellis's door, she sensed mana flow.
'What the...'
A barrier around Ellis's room. Irene, poised to pierce and peek, swallowed hard just before channeling.
As 1st Team Leader, she was top-tier. She knew: touching it would alert the caster. Impeccably precise and perfect.
Quick thinking: 'Break it and check inside?'
She didn't want Ellis hating her. Teasing while toeing the line was fun, but real resentment would hurt bad.
Fortune or not, the barrier began dissolving as she hesitated. Irene retreated, hiding far outside.
Minutes later, Lee Ho-yeon emerged, looking relaxed. What'd he done with her sister in there?
'No way. Has to be nothing.'
Biting her lip, Irene headed up to Ellis's residence.