Chapter 90: Oh, Luce... (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 90: Oh, Luce... (2)
I lent Luce some of my clothes.
She had stripped out of her wet one-piece and underwear to change, acting with such nonchalance that it almost felt rehearsed. I didn’t press her on how she’d ended up in my room; as a decent human being, I figured helping her get dry was the priority.
That led us to our current situation.
Luce sat on my bed, quietly surveying the room. After handing the trespasser a cup of black tea, I took my own and sat in my desk chair.
She was currently wearing a white uniform shirt and trousers I’d lent her. Since they were sized for a man, the sleeves were long enough to completely bury her hands.
“This is my first time in Isaac’s room. It’s much cleaner than I expected.”
As if waiting for the perfect moment to break the silence, Luce’s beautiful voice rang out.
She sounded so natural. If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought she was an actual guest I’d invited over. I narrowed my eyes at her, maintaining a stern expression.
“You know you’re not supposed to be in here, right?”
“Well, I had a specific plan of action when I was preparing to come here…”
I’d call it a home invasion, but she probably thought of it as a surprise.
Inside the paper bag Luce had given me earlier was a letter. It read: [I’m sorry about last time — Luce]. From that, I could infer why she had sneaked in.
“But more than anything, I wanted to apologize to you.”
Luce’s eyes shone with resolve.
As expected, that was her goal.
I understood the weight of that determination. Ever since she had closed her heart off from the world, she had never properly apologized to anyone. This was the first time she had approached me with the genuine intent to make amends. She must have prepared for this in her own way.
I took a slow sip of my tea.
“Is this about the fiasco at the social gathering?”
I recalled the moment Luce had snapped handcuffs onto my wrists.
“Yes… I did the very thing you told me you hated.”
“At least you remember. Well, go ahead.”
“I don’t know if this will make you feel better, but…”
Although I replied coldly, I was actually looking forward to talking with her normally again. However, I couldn’t drop the act too soon. If I was too kind, she might decide there was no longer a reason to apologize. I didn’t want to undermine her resolve, so I maintained my distant attitude.
I’ll accept her apology graciously. I’m mentally older than her, after all. As the more mature person, I should accept her with a heart as warm as the sun.
And once we finished this conversation with a laugh…
‘I should ask her to spar.’
I wanted to test Zhonya’s Staff. Even though Luce was an overwhelmingly powerful opponent, I needed someone of her caliber to measure my progress. I was certain a spar would help me improve.
I sipped my tea and waited for her to continue.
“Do you want to touch my breasts?”
Pfft—!
I sprayed a mouthful of tea across the room.
Is she insane…?
“Are you… feeling okay?” I asked, coughing violently.
There was no way I had misheard her. Luce’s voice had a mystical quality; even her softest whispers commanded absolute attention. Every word she spoke felt like it was being etched directly into my brain, making it impossible to focus on anything else.
Even if Luce didn’t know where to draw the line between friends, she should have at least had a basic education in social boundaries.
Luce’s head drooped, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson. She knew exactly what she had said. She knew exactly what it implied. There was no doubt about it.
“But the book said guys love it if I say that… Never mind. I’m sorry. Please forget I said anything.”
“How could I possibly forget—?”
“Forget it!”
[Luce Eltania]
>
Psychology: [Currently extremely embarrassed.]
Her voice was so delicate that even her shouting sounded like scattering moonlight.
‘Oh, Luce…’
I instinctively slapped a hand over my forehead.
I had never seen her this flustered. It was clear she was terrified that I might actually end up hating her.
To be honest, I have caught myself glancing at her chest before. It’s hard not to; she possesses a sinful level of voluptuousness. As a man, that cleavage practically demands worship.
Luce likely knew I looked, considering she’d called me a pervert before.
‘Even so, how could you say that so bluntly…?’
Even though she immediately regretted it…
This isn’t working. I need to take the lead here.
“Anyway, you’re trying to apologize, right?”
Luce nodded tentatively.
“Then let’s spar. That’ll be enough for me to forgive you. Is that okay?”
“…!”
Luce’s ocean-blue eyes snapped back to life. She nodded furiously.
It would have been so much easier if we’d just started with this.
*
The academy streets were quiet on a weekend morning. Most students were busy honing their skills in various facilities across campus. As usual, the corner of the butterfly garden was deserted.
Kwang—!
Fuaah—!
For hours, Luce and I traded elemental spells.
Even with Zhonya’s Staff, the power of my magic couldn’t hold a candle to hers. Unless I used every trick and strategy in my arsenal, there was no way to resist her overwhelming might.
Eventually, we decided to break for lunch. We sat together under the shade of a tree to cool off and catch our breath.
“You’re amazing, Isaac. You can already handle that staff, and it hasn’t even been that long since you got it.”
Luce complimented me with the flat tone of someone reciting a dictionary. Of course, thanks to [Psychological Insight], I knew she was being sincere. Even her tone was an improvement over the first semester; it felt much more natural now.
Normally, it would take a massive amount of time and effort to master a staff like this. However, thanks to my unique trait, [Weapon Master], I could wield Zhonya’s Staff with ease. Since I’d already told Luce how difficult the artifact was to use, she likely saw my progress as a sign of brilliant talent.
“Isaac must work really hard to improve this quickly.”
“How do I compare to the first semester?”
“If you were an ant then, now you’re… closer to a mouse?”
“…”
Isn’t she being a little too honest?
Despite it being noon, the wind was chilly. I’d thought the sunlight would keep us warm, but the breeze had a bite to it.
“You look cold.”
I wrapped my coat around Luce, who was only wearing the thin uniform shirt. She stared at me intensely.
“I’m wearing so many of Isaac’s clothes today. I’m going to smell just like you.”
Luce looked genuinely happy, unable to stop herself from giggling.
She’s incredibly cute.
“Hey, Isaac.”
“Yeah?”
“When I physically restrain you… do you really hate it that much?”
I thought we were done with this topic. “I’ve already told you I do.”
“Then…”
Luce extended her arms toward me.
“Do you want to try tying me up instead?”
…Excuse me?
“It’s like… revenge for you. I was curious why you hated it so much. Also, I feel like this problem can be completely resolved if we do this…”
Was this what she had been contemplating during our spar? She had clearly given this a lot of thought.
I hadn’t intended to take it this far, but Luce seemed to think I was still bitter about the handcuffs.
If doing this will put her mind at ease, I’m all for it. Besides, I wanted to teach her how to put herself in someone else’s shoes.
“…I’m really going to do it, okay?”
“Sure. You can do whatever you want.”
There was no need to hesitate. I stood up and knelt on one knee in front of her. I grabbed Luce’s wrists and pulled them up above her head. Despite her strength, she didn’t resist my grip at all.
“Ah.”
Because our faces were so close, I saw her gulp. She was clearly nervous.
“I don’t have any rope, so I’m going to use elemental magic, okay?”
Luce nodded slowly.
After bringing her wrists together, I let my mana flow.
「Rock Generation (Earth Element, ★1)」
Thud.
I formed a set of stone handcuffs around her wrists.
Thud.
I did the same to her ankles.
Even though Luce could have shattered the stone instantly with her water magic, she didn't move. She just stared into my eyes with an unreadable expression. I moved her cuffed arms behind her head and looked down at her from inches away.
This pose… is way more dangerous and seductive than I expected.
Shaking the thought away, I focused on her face. Her delicate features were stunning, but this wasn't the time to admire her beauty.
“Isaac, your face is too close.”
Luce suddenly blushed, a soft smile playing on her lips. I maintained my composure; I wasn't going to get embarrassed and pull away this time.
“Luce.”
“Yes…?”
“You can’t move the way you want to, right? This is what you did to me. This is what I hate.”
I spoke clearly, using the kind but firm voice of a teacher lecturing a student. I added a slight frown to my expression, knowing she couldn't stand the thought of me being upset with her.
“Do you understand what it’s like to lose control of your own body? To have someone else decide where you can go?”
Luce pursed her lips, contemplating my words in silence. After a moment, she gently licked her lips, preparing to speak.
“…Honestly, it’s not too bad.”
As if she had discovered a new toy, a childish, joyful glint appeared in her eyes. With the gentle smile she reserved only for me, Luce whispered softly.
“If I stay like this, will Isaac take care of me every day?”
Her voice tickled my ears, its destructive beauty bordering on overwhelming.
“Something like that… doesn’t sound bad at all.”
[Luce Eltania]
>
Psychology: [Wants you all to herself.]
‘Huh?’
An ominous chill settled in my gut. She had clearly learned a very different lesson than the one I intended.
I felt a sudden sense of danger as I realized this new preference of hers was about to merge with her already questionable habits.
A drop of cold sweat trickled down my cheek.