Don't Eat What an Unknown Big Sis Gives You
Bang! With a massive explosion, the mana bolt hovering above Ian's hand detonated right then and there.
"You okay?! Ian!"
Just before the mana bolt blew, Arcia had thrown herself over him, wrapping him in her arms. Thanks to her, Ian was unharmed. The scattered mana from the blast lingered in the room, trembling like an afterecho for a while.
Drip.
Drip.
The residual magic in the air still quivered faintly.
"Yeah... I'm fine, but..."
Drip.
Drip.
Red blood was slowly trickling down Arcia's arm, the one that had been shielding him.
"Ah..."
Ian's gaze fixed on her arm.
"This is nothing. My mana sensitivity is pretty high, after all."
Seeming to notice his worried look, Arcia waved it off casually, like it was no big deal.
Drip.
Drop.
"Huh?"
"Ah..."
But the wound must have been deeper than it looked—more blood began falling from Arcia's arm.
"I'm really sorry... I should've kept my focus all the way through..."
Ian's eyes kept drifting to the blood staining her arm. She was saying it was fine, but she'd clearly gotten hurt protecting him. Excited about casting his first spell, Ian had lost concentration without realizing it, causing the mana structure to collapse. The unstable magic had exploded as a result.
"I told you, it's really okay."
Arcia cupped her injured arm with her other hand and rubbed it lightly.
Swoosh.
And just like that—the wound on Arcia's arm vanished as if it had never been there.
"Huh?"
"A scratch like this is easy to heal with magic."
"Still, I'm sorry. I should've been more careful..."
"It's fine. For your first time, that was pretty good."
To reassure him, Arcia placed a hand on his head and stroked it gently.
"That head of yours is fine... but this?"
Her other hand was caressing his butt.
"Ah, sorry. My hand just wandered there on its own."
Arcia pulled her hand away from his head with her usual sheepish expression.
...Only from his head.
Squish.
Squish.
"Haha..."
"Fufu."
Ian laughed in disbelief at the absurdity, while Arcia giggled at how cute he was.
"Stabilizing a spell without a circle isn't easy, you know."
As she said, most spells required forming a circle first. You could cast without one, but the mana stability dropped sharply.
That was when it happened.
Gurgle.
A cute little rumble echoed from Arcia's stomach.
"Ah... Recovery spells make you hungry fast."
Boosting the body's regenerative power spiked your metabolism instantly, demanding a ton of calories.
"Haha... I'm getting a bit hungry myself."
Ian chuckled lightly to spare her embarrassment. Come to think of it, he hadn't eaten anything since arriving in this world.
"Hold on."
Arcia rummaged suddenly in the leather pouch at her waist.
"There should be some emergency rations left."
It was long dark outside, so she seemed content to just grab a quick bite instead of heading out.
Rustle.
She pulled out a few small biscuits from the bag.
"Wait a sec. I'll make some tea too."
Arcia had already set out a small teapot filled with water. As she placed her hand on it—
Bubble.
Bubble.
The water inside began to simmer. She was using magic to raise the temperature.
Pour.
Two teacups were already on the little bedside table. Arcia poured the tea with practiced ease.
"Here!"
"Thanks."
Arcia handed Ian a cup.
Slurp.
"Ah, it's warm."
As Ian took the cup, Arcia sipped hers first.
Slurp.
Ian followed suit, sipping carefully. The warm tea slid down his throat, easing the tension in his body. It was high-quality stuff—subtle aroma with a slight bitterness.
Crunch.
The biscuits' sweetness paired perfectly with the tea's bite.
Crunch.
Slurp.
For a while, the room filled only with the quiet sounds of munching biscuits and sipping tea. Ian, savoring his first meal of the day, was lost in the flavors, while Arcia stared at him intently.
"Tasty?"
"Yeah, really good. Looks like fancy tea..."
"Mm. It's a premium blend from the northern snowfields."
She kept staring at him even as they talked. Ian felt oddly self-conscious and stared into his cup.
"Ian."
"Yeah?"
"Really tasty?"
"Y-Yeah?"
Her cryptic question made his voice pitch up unwittingly. Arcia's lips curved ever so slightly.
"No dizziness or anything?"
She slid onto the bed beside him.
"No... I'm good?"
Her persistence sparked a suspicion: Did she put something in the tea?
"Hmm... really okay?"
Arcia tilted her head slightly.
Ian checked himself over.
"Uh... I feel a bit warm, maybe..."
"Ah."
Arcia let out a small laugh.
"Guess it's kicking in."
"Huh?"
Kicking in? Now he felt uneasy about the tea. In a magic world, who knew what potions or weird stuff could be in it?
"That tea."
Her voice turned syrupy.
Gulp.
Ian swallowed dryly as he watched her.
"Probably more booze than water, I'd say?"
He'd worried about what might be in it, but thankfully, it was just alcohol.
"Oh, really?"
Slurp.
Somewhat relieved, Ian took another sip to savor it properly.
"You ever drink before?"
He wasn't sure about this body, but back home, as a grown Korean man in his prime, this was nothing.
"Yeah, I've had my share..."
Ian shrugged it off.
Arcia's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Oh?"
She smiled faintly. For some reason, her face looked even prettier.
"Good thing, then."
Ian lifted his cup again.
"Refill?"
It was already empty.
"Sure."
Pour.
She topped him off. Sipping booze with such a stunning woman felt surreal, like a dream. If this is a dream, don't wake up.
Sip.
How much had they drunk? Knowing it was spiked made him feel a pleasant buzz.
Ah... did I overdo it getting excited? Forgot this body's tolerance.
"Whoa..."
His vision spun a little.
"Oh my. Weaker than I thought?"
Arcia chuckled softly. She'd scooted right up next to him.
"Thought you said you drank a lot?"
"N-No... I mean..."
His words tangled.
Arcia's red eyes slowly scanned him. Whether from the booze or the mood, she looked breathtaking.
"Your face is red."
Her hand brushed his cheek.
"Feverish too."
Her touch trailed down. Neck. Shoulder. Chest.
Ian's breathing grew ragged.
"Ian."
Arcia whispered low.
"You're drunk."
Her fingers lifted his chin gently. Their faces drew close. Too close. Her breath tickled his nose.
His heart raced.
"...I'm fine."
Whatever "fine" meant—Arcia smiled softly.
"Ian..."
Her moist eyes, inches away, called to him.
"Yeah."
"Wanna live here with sis?"
Syrupy tone. A faint blush on her cheeks.
"I'll go into the dungeon with you, teach you magic properly. Whatever else you want... too."
Not overtly lewd, but her words pulled him in magnetically.
"...Yeah. Sounds good."
As Ian answered, her red eyes fluttered shut, drawing nearer. In response, he leaned in carefully—pressing his lips to her soft ones.
Smack...
It started as a brief kiss. But Arcia's lips returned. Her arms pulled his back tighter. He hugged her in turn.
"Nnh..."
Arcia's breath trembled faintly. Their breathing grew heavier. Warm exhales mingled between lips.
Smack...
Smack...
She delved deeper.
"Ha..."
A short gasp escaped into Ian's mouth. His breath quivered. Feeling it, Arcia's lips parted slowly.
"Fuu..."
Ian trembled with the lingering sensation. Watching him, Arcia whispered seductively.
"You shouldn't eat what an unknown woman gives you so easily."
Her lips curved up.
"Unless it's from sis."
Her red eyes crinkled playfully. Her hand still held his back.