In the days at Saint Roland Magic Academy, time seemed as if it had been cast with acceleration magic.
Under Dekalorin’s repeated guidance, Movira had somewhat learned to approach Seraphina in a gentler way.
This kind of peaceful daily interaction nourished Seraphina’s heart like warm water, making her feel an unprecedented sense of security.
Her body recovered in the tranquility, and her mind gradually improved as well.
This night, the darkness was deep, and the room was filled only with the intermingled sounds of their breathing.
Seraphina had long sunk into sleep. The consultation work of recent days, along with the upcoming Gratitude Festival tomorrow, made her fall asleep early and deeply.
Movira, however, was still lying on her side, her gaze like a fine brush, meticulously examining and tracing the face so close at hand over and over.
The companionship of recent days, restraining her own desires—those gradually gentle interactions that seemed sisterly—could not extinguish the flames burning in her heart at all. Instead, they made her boldness grow bit by bit.
Movira was still the same Movira, just better at disguising it now.
Her fingertip first cautiously brushed aside the strands of hair scattered on Seraphina’s cheek. This slight touch was like a fuse, instantly igniting her long-suppressed longing.
Her gaze inevitably fixated on Seraphina’s lips, the memory of that soft touch and the enchanting taste rising unbidden in her mind.
Just once… just once.
The inner struggle boiled like hot water, surging and scalding.
…
In the end, desire overwhelmed all caution. She took a light deep breath, held it, and leaned forward extremely slowly, as if approaching a fragile rare treasure.
Lightly and quickly, she left a kiss on that softness.
Touching and parting immediately.
The flavor carrying Seraphina’s unique scent surged into her mind in an instant. Though brief, it exploded like thunder in her heart, making her heartbeat pound.
She quickly pulled back, nervously observing Seraphina’s reaction. Seeing no sign of the other waking, with breathing still steady, she finally let out a breath.
After calming down a bit, she pondered why she was like this.
Similar things in the past had never made her so flustered, but this time… this stolen kiss, light as a dragonfly skimming water.
Yet it left her heart racing and disordered, as if she had done something unforgivable.
She forced herself to close her eyes, trying to sleep. However, ten minutes passed, and that brief contact kept scorching her nerves.
Not only did it not subside, but it instead bred an even stronger greed.
Each heartbeat was telling her that she couldn’t avoid her true inner thoughts anymore, or she would definitely go mad!
Her breathing grew rapid again. With each deep inhale, her nostrils seemed filled entirely with Seraphina’s fragrance.
She opened her eyes once more, the last trace of hesitation in them replaced by a do-or-die resolve.
Gently.
This time, she didn’t separate immediately. It was as if time paused because of it, like they were drawn close together.
It was like savoring a long-missed cup of hot tea, drawing in the scent that haunted her dreams.
“I’m sorry…”
Amid the apology, Movira could foresee that one day, she would completely claim Seraphina from body to soul.
Then, she could indulge fully.
The night was still long, and the dawn of the festival would arrive as promised.
The next morning, the sunlight seemed brighter than usual, spilling into the room and stirring the air into a lively melody.
When Seraphina woke up, she felt her body lightened by the impending bustle.
The fatigue and pain of the past had gradually faded with the passage of time, and her limbs were filled with strength once more.
She no longer needed support to walk. Though her movements still carried the caution of someone recently recovered from a serious illness, she was basically no different from a normal person.
Movira had already woken, standing quietly by the window. Today, she had changed into a slightly casual outfit, with a bit less of her usual majesty.
“How do you feel?” In the morning, her tone was flat, without much emotion, but her eyes never shifted elsewhere.
“Much better. But… I feel a bit thirsty for some reason. Hmm… my lips are a bit dry too. Other than that,”
Seraphina stretched her arms, and her face seemed to regain its former smile. “It feels like… I’ve finally come back to life.”
“Found your old self again?” Movira asked as she poured a cup of warm water for Seraphina.
“Mm-hmm, sort of.”
The corners of Movira’s mouth curved upward slightly.
Since you’ve found your old self, then I should find my old self too.
“That’s good. Get ready—the festival is about to start.”
When they stepped out of the room one after the other and entered the academy’s main path, even though Seraphina had mentally prepared herself, she was still shocked by the scene before her.
The usually solemn and quiet academy seemed infused with a lively soul.
Under the domed corridors hung colorful magic lanterns. Even though it was daytime, their halos attracted passersby’s attention.
The air was filled not only with the aromas of sweets and grilled meat but also with an omnipresent joyful atmosphere.
There weren’t too many teachers and students on the roads yet, but as time passed, it would eventually become a scene of packed streets.
The squares and corridors, where stalls were usually not allowed, were now lined with various booths.
Some sold special glowing candies, some hosted live magic workshops. If there were the most of any, it had to be the small game stalls that required magical skills to participate—they were also the most popular.
Judging by the occasional exclamations of success or sighs of failure from around.
A long temporary snack street was also making final preparations, its tempting aromas whetting appetites.
“Tell me, wouldn’t it be great if the Demon Realm could have scenes like this? Not limited to just one race… a festival!”
Seraphina said softly beside Movira. Though her voice was deliberately lowered to avoid being overheard, it couldn’t suppress the anticipation in her words.
“Mm… who knows, maybe there will be such a day.”
Seraphina and Movira wandered between the various stalls. The former was like a curious girl, completely immersed in the joyful atmosphere.
The latter walked at Seraphina’s side, invisibly shielding her from the crowd, like a tower.
Seraphina’s gaze was suddenly drawn to something.
This was a magic game stall, with the prize being a transparent crystal enclosing what looked like a galaxy—like a star-encased gem.
“Want that?” Movira’s voice sounded beside her. She had noticed Seraphina staring at the crystal for a long time.
“Mm…”
Originally, Movira wanted to say that for such a roughly made thing, she could get Seraphina thousands of crystals a billion times more exquisite.
But then she recalled Dekalorin’s words. “I know you’re omnipotent and can give her all material things directly, but there’s one thing you can’t give directly—and that’s meaningful material things.”
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