Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Double Hit
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They say we call it sleep paralysis when your brain is awake but your body is asleep. Well, this might just be a form of that.
After all, spending the entire night wide awake in Pingbalrez's embrace was quite the experience.
I couldn't fall asleep for personal reasons. My heart was pounding too hard, chasing away any drowsiness. So, the challenge was how to kill about eight hours of empty time.
I could've stared at Pingbalrez's body and let half the day fly by, but that would've likely sent my rationality packing too. So I held back. Trying to plan the next session failed every time she squirmed, derailing my thoughts.
Luckily, I had a mindless pastime perfect for this situation.
Succubi seemed to have a built-in ability to siphon mana through skin contact. Being pressed this close, I could feel it draining bit by bit.
Pingbalrez probably wasn't doing it on purpose. The amount was too trivial to matter, and sucking mana like a mosquito after calling me a friend would've hurt her pride. The haughty Pingbalrez wouldn't stoop to that.
It had to be some racial instinct, an unconscious reflex of sorts.
Like popping bubble wrap one bubble at a time, losing track of time in the zone. Similarly, I played a mini-game defending against Pingbalrez's mana drain. It was perfect for mindless focus.
After enduring that trial, just as dawn broke, Pingbalrez slyly opened her eyes. Her gaze was sharp and focused—not sleep-talking. Judging her finally awake, I launched an emergency escape from the blanket.
Roll, roll, roll.
I tumbled off the bed, rolled three times across the floor, and sprang up. Freedom!
Pingbalrez rubbed her eyes, grabbed her glasses from the bedside, slipped them on, glanced down at her body, and said calmly to me. Her line was a doozy.
"You didn't use it, huh?"
"What the hell kind of morning talk is that, you lunatic...!!"
I flinched for a second.
No, I couldn't lose my cool. Both Pingbalrez and I were ultra-aggressors. If one side faltered, the other could ride the momentum and keep pounding until death. That's us.
I had to parry. If I didn't...
"Hm."
Pingbalrez smirked playfully, lifted the blanket with one arm to make space for me. Her damp dress shirt turned sheer, revealing hints of skin, hot air swirling inside.
Contrasting the sunlit bedroom brightening from the window, the shadowed blanket highlighted her curves subtly.
And then she said flatly,
"If you want, come back in."
"......"
"No funny business this time."
Critical hit.
...I lost!
I bolted immediately. Flew out the door, rolled down the hall. Spinning like a centrifuge to erase that scene from my mind, but no matter how much I rolled... it stuck like a brand, crystal clear.
Just you wait, Pingbalrez. This humiliating defeat stings now, but tomorrow's another day. Next time, I won't go down so easily. That's what I vowed.
But then, passing by, the Magic Tower Master shrieked.
"...Y-You! Why are you wandering around in just your underwear!!"
"Ah."
Only then did I realize I'd dashed out half-naked. I had to slink back to my room...
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This is so annoying.
That expressionless face with the slightest upturned lip corner—infuriating. If I could turn back time, I'd just cuddle up with the Tower Master and sleep peacefully.
She probably wouldn't have slept either, but at least she wouldn't tease me all day. I'd be the one teasing.
"Crazy... ahem. Crazy Wizard?"
"......"
Invisible 'lol's echoed between coughs, clear as day to my ears. For Pingbalrez's deadpan schtick, that line might as well have been 'Crazy lololol Wizard lololol'.
Infuriating. Even for a defeated general, is this level of mockery proper? The world is harsh and heartless.
I covered my face with both hands and declared my second surrender of the season.
"Pingbalrez, don't talk to me today..."
"Sorry, but imperial orders outrank a friend's request. Second Prince sent a message."
"Then spill. What's it say?"
"He says since you achieved results at the Academy, he'll reward you handsomely. Come to Crown Hall in the imperial capital briefly to show your face."
The royal scion rewarding me for 120% mission success! Hopefully with fat research funds. I was itching to whip up a vaccine for that virus anyway.
With enough cash, I could outsource or hire researchers. Fulfilling professor duties plus running TRPG meant less research time than before.
Recruit grad students... or use the 'Professor' perk to conscript paid slaves, filling the gap.
"But as a special note... wear protective gear made of unlined cotton."
"?"
Second Prince's deep scheme puzzled me. Protective gear? Where's he dragging me—some SM cafe date or frontline picnic?
No way the prince plans to flog me. Not after my stellar work.
"Anyway, got it."
"You'll finally see Crown Hall again."
"Huh, you coming too?"
"Of course. My job is assisting the Crazy Wizard... and friends stick together."
Wink. Pingbalrez's deadpan wink hit me square.
My heart thumped wildly. What is this feeling surging through me? Heat rising, limbs shaking, muscles tensing.
This... it's been ages since I felt... rage!
Hand on transformation switch. War. We'll see whose form is stronger—yours or my TS mode—in bed tomorrow. Nothing scares me now—
Reading my boiling fury, Pingbalrez swerved timely. Tempting enough to ignore and charge anyway.
"Oh, Crazy Wizard. Know about this great spot in Crown Hall?"
"What kind?"
"A tavern with awful beer and a rude owner."
How's that great?
"Owner's daughter serves the beer. Freckled, bubbly beauty. But the waitress skirt is ridiculously short..."
"...How short?"
"About this much."
"Let's go now."
Friends are the best. Sharing info, sharing joy—what could be more beautiful? I promised a tavern beer, arm-in-arm with Pingbalrez.
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I sat the petite, precious Violet Magic Tower Master on my lap, brushed her hair, chatted idly. This was it—the perfect size to fit in my arms, that toasty warmth I'd missed. Hug tight, she yelps "Eek!" so cute.
Of course, ready to let go if she seemed uncomfortable. Just watch the effects floating around her. Skulls, shackles, knives mean back off.
No worries about awkward vibes. Level 1 lust suppression chased away naughty thoughts.
"So, heading out for drinks with Pingbalrez. You hate that stuff, right, Tower Master?"
"N-No! I'll go too! I-I can drink fine."
"Not that—I meant the waitress skirt... Bragging like that, bet you can't hold your liquor."
"...Truth is, never tried."
The Tower Master mumbled. Shocking. Never touched alcohol? Does she watch her health that strictly? Still, most try it once.
"Not even once?"
"...Yeah."
"Weird. Most folks try it at least once living long."
"Huh...?"
Her body stiffened. Oops, miss. Age is sensitive.
"S-Sorry. Rude to mention a lady's age..."
"W-Wait. Hold on! Y-You think I'm how old...?!"
She flailed wildly. Tough one. 'How old do I look?' Face value: 16-17. But real age? Mystery.
Leading a Magic Tower, master of illusion magic—she could fake appearances easily. Judging by looks is foolish. Go by physical age.
Considering her athletic prowess...
"40s?"
"...Hey!!"
She spun to face me on my lap, unleashing merciless Yuna punches. Wrong? Her anger suggests younger.
"I-I'm around your age...?!"
"...So 50s?"
"Excluding past life—!!"
Now sniffling. I hugged her tight, patted her back, racking my brain. Wait... I'm about 22, ten years in the Tower. Similar age doesn't add up.
When I joined, she looked the same. So I figured a 40-something mage using magic to stay youthful.
But if reverse...?
Back then, hiding a young age with illusion to seem older?
If the Tower Master was truly a young girl, not a rejuvenated one?
Then her social awkwardness, loneliness, nerdy sides made sense. Shy by nature, but also inexperienced and young.
Then...
Past sins flashed by.
Skimming grants, ordering "Bring food, Tower Master."
Ranting about panties for three hours in front of her.
Handing everything over with "I trust you, Tower Master" and crashing carefree.
"......"
"W-Why the face...? D-Do you like older? Th-Then, say I'm 40s..."
Teary-eyed, she stroked my cheek. Even now, thinking of me first.
Realizing I'd tormented this sweet girl all along tore at my conscience. I was the trash...
Critical hit.
I hugged her gently, pouring out sincere words.
"...I'll make you happy from now on."
"Eek...?!"
"No getting your hands dirty anymore...!!"
"W-What? What does that mean?!"
I petted Yuna, the Violet Magic Tower Master. That's all that mattered now. Show her all the fun things, let her enjoy youth.
I planned an imperial capital tour with the Tower Master. Stroll parks, fancy restaurants. She perked up, adding ideas.
Riding together, couple-famous walkways—I adopted them. Sounded fun.
"Th-This is a date..."
"Pardon?"
"N-Nothing...!"
Trip to Crown Hall was shaping up smoothly.