Chapter 152
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 152
Chapter Title: Young Master's Insemination Practice (1)
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"...I lost."
At Jade's declaration of defeat, I wiped the sweat trickling down my forehead.
"Grrrh! So damn close...!! Honestly, I had you beat for most of it. Right, Eugene?"
Jade clenched his fists, frustration boiling over as he spoke.
For a Class 1 student, he was a rare case—no noble blood, no wealthy family backing him. He'd climbed this far on pure talent alone, which explained his fierce competitive streak.
'But that's neither here nor there...'
The rightful privilege of the victor.
I couldn't hold back from humiliating the loser.
"...Nah? I straight-up dominated you."
"What bullshit! If I'd pushed just a little deeper at the end, I'd have won!!"
Jade bristled, and I scoffed in disdain.
"Yeah, no. I calculated all that and baited you with an opening."
"Whoa!... Whoaaa! Unbelievable. Hey! Rematch!"
"Pass. You're way too weak."
"Arrrgh! Pissing me off for real!! That was just practice, so let's go again!!"
"Nah, I don't spar with 0% win-rate scrubs."
"We've only dueled once now!!"
I'd teased him hard, but he had a point.
'It was close.'
If he'd taken just half a step more on that final strike, our positions would have flipped—winner and loser swapped.
I glanced up at Professor Amy, floating idly in the air.
'She looks like she'd squeal and run crying to mommy after one good flick on the forehead... but she's got skills.'
I wasn't just talking about this spar.
On the first day, when she'd let us form teams ourselves, it probably wasn't based on report card stats alone. She'd likely tested our skills firsthand to match us perfectly—opponents we could beat if we played well, but lose to if we slipped.
"Arena 3, spar concluded~! Get down quick-quick now~! Eek! Arena 5, no messing around up there~!"
Her constant self-proclaimed "elite" status wasn't just hot air.
"Eeeek!! Th-that's... dangerous~!"
Suddenly, Professor Amy's eyes flew wide as she thrust both arms forward urgently.
"<Stop!!>"
The moment Professor Amy unleashed her "Word Command," the spells hurtling toward each other froze solid in midair.
"...How many times have I told you two to go easy~?!"
She zipped over to Arena 2 in a flash, hand on her hip as she chewed out Lucia and Liana.
"...Sorry, Professor."
"...Oopsie~♪ Got a bit too carried away?"
"Liana, no smiling~! Professor's scolding right now~! What if someone gets seriously hurt~?!"
Outraged Professor Amy looked every bit the model instructor, genuinely concerned for her students.
"Then I'd have to write another apology letter~!"
If she hadn't said that, anyway.
"I'm so sick of apology letters~! Last week, I wrote five for chatting in the library~! If not for that, I could've caught the jerk who messed up the books~!"
"So why'd you chat in the library, Amy♪?"
Liana beamed as she teased, and Amy stomped her foot.
"Argh~! Don't call your professor by name~! No forgiving this time~! Both of you, write five reflection essays as punishment~!"
"...Understood..."
As Lucia dipped her head lightly to respond, Liana jumped forward.
"Aww~. But Amy, heard about that new cake coming out at LeBlanc? Supposed to be amazing~. You hear?"
"...Le...LeBlanc? That super fancy cake shop in the capital~?!"
Amy's ears perked right up at Liana's words.
"Yup, that LeBlanc. Turns out the new cake dropping next week arrived at Carnea today by coincidence♪"
"...H-how... How'd you get your hands on it~?! LeBlanc doesn't even do takeout~!"
Amy gaped in disbelief, and Liana swept back her golden hair with a smug grin.
"...Power's pretty convenient, huh?"
"...Th-that's... so envi— I mean... naughty~!.. That's abusing power~!"
"Oh... really? Was gonna share with you after class, but if it's power abuse, guess you can't have any..."
"On second thought, that's just the imperial family's rightful perk~! So share the cake with me~!"
Professor Amy flipped attitudes faster than a pancake.
"Hmm~... Should I?"
"Of course you should~!"
Liana dragged it out, and Amy nodded furiously, her twintails whipping around.
"Nah, won't work. Hands'll hurt from those essays, so cake later."
"...Urgh~! So evil~! Holding cake hostage—pure evil~!"
"Hehe...♪ So, Amy? What's it gonna be?"
Amy knew Liana was toying with her but couldn't resist the cake. She squeezed her eyes shut.
"...Sh-share the cake, and I'll forgive the essays... just this once~!"
In exchange for promising Jade a rematch, I'd scored a free lunch. Now I strolled through a quiet clearing.
Carnea had plenty of walking paths, but I'd picked this spot on purpose—not for a casual walk, but to get Melphisa's regular report.
'...Maybe visit the infirmary granny this evening.'
The saintess's condition was largely her fault.
She probably hadn't meant to, but mistakes deserve punishment.
'Been a while since I had her milky tea. Time to leave a review.'
I could already picture her teary-eyed, begging me to stop.
'...Or nah, have her make me milky tea and review it?'
As I pondered her punishment seriously, Melphisa appeared with a discreet cough.
"Ahem... Young Master."
She was wrapped head to toe in black as always.
Except her bottom half—skirt instead of pants, for once.
"..."
Stone-faced Melphisa smoothed her already neat skirt, sneaking a glance my way.
She wanted me to notice the change, but pointing it out right away would spoil the fun.
"...Melphisa."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Any updates on the princess?"
I played oblivious and cut straight to business. Her voice dipped subtly as she replied.
"...None."
"Really? Nothing at all?"
"...Yes. If I had to pick something, she's been getting chummier with lower nobles and commoners lately."
Melphisa brushed it off, but my expression hardened.
'...Liana's starting to move?'
We hadn't even begun攻略 the "Revived Corruption" yet, so focusing on her felt premature—but Liana Lumenhark was the type where even endless prep left victory uncertain.
"...Melphisa, flag even those details from now on."
"S-sorry! She's always ignored status differences, so I didn't think it qualified as intel!"
Bam—
Before I could stop her, she slammed her forehead into the marble ground.
"...Melphisa. No need for that. Get up."
"N-no! Trash like me deserves this for overlooking a branch family trifle!"
"You're making me uncomfortable. Should I bow too?"
I bent my knees a bit, and she shot up.
"N-no! My apologies! Forgive me!"
"Listen the first time, makes it easier. Come here. Got a reward for you."
"Y-yes... Understood!"
I beckoned, and she approached cautiously.
"...Remember the emergency report protocol?"
I gripped her smooth chin as I spoke.
"Yes! If Liana tries sending me away to isolate me, I'll alert you first."
"Good. When it happens, finding me is priority one."
"Yes! Got it!"
"Perfect. Now close your eyes."
"...Yes... Young Master."
She shut her eyes slowly and tilted her chin up.
Mwah—
Our lips met, and as I'd taught her, she parted hers, tongue ready—but...
'Not yet.'
I pulled back, keeping it light.
"...Ah."
Unable to bear the parting, she touched her lips longingly.
"Good work. See you at the next report."
I turned and walked away slowly.
'About five seconds?'
...Right on cue, exactly five seconds later, her trembling voice called out.
"...Y-Young... Master...!"
"Yes, Melphisa? Something wrong?"
"I-it's just..."
She'd called out, but realizing a branch family member had halted the main heir left her frozen in panic.
"...Nothing? I'll be going then."
I turned again, and she blurted desperately.
"W-wait! Young Master's insemination practice...!!"
I looked back. Her face belied her blank expression, flushed deep red as she stammered on.
"...F-for trash like me, a mere branch, to properly impregnate the main family's young master... I-I'll need... lots of young master's insemination practice..!"