Chapter 30: Savoring Melancholy

Recently, Ryuz’s attitude has changed significantly.

As I continued the lesson, I could feel it.

“Teacher~ How do you do this?”

Ryuz asked, casually pressing her chest against my arm.

The pleasant sensation of her ample chest pressing down.

Her clothes became shorter, naturally increasing the exposure.

‘Hmm, is this her way of appealing? Or maybe she’s just enjoying it.’

Thanks to the effects of the charm, Ryuz felt more affection and pleasure the more she was in physical contact with me.

She might not realize it, but I could clearly see the charm shining slightly every time she touched me.

She must be experiencing a thrilling sense of happiness at this very moment.

Ryuz probably mistook these feelings as ones she created herself.

Confusing ‘excitement’ for ‘love’ was common among girls her age.

‘Well, seeing me getting along with her sister probably made her anxious.’

It was a good decision to spar in the garden on purpose.

After all, the purpose of this swordsmanship sparring was to show me being with Lorein to Ryuz.

Ryuz already feels inferior to her sister and drowning in jealousy.

But now, the man she was interested in was also close to her sister?

For Ryuz, this must be maddening.

That was why she’s appealing to me so blatantly.

‘A kind of possessiveness.’

She wished I would only look at her.

She wanted more recognition and praise from me.

Ryuz expressed those feelings with her whole body.

But of course, now was not the time to simply accept it all.

Like dripping water, she needed to be kept longing a little more.

When training a puppy, treats should be given slowly.

“Uh, um! Ryuz, you’re too close right now.”

“Yes? What do you mean?”

“That…your chest keeps touching my arm…”

“Hee~ Could it be, Teacher, you’re bothered by your student’s chest? Pervert~”

Ryuz chuckled playfully and hugged my arm even tighter.

She even rubbed her soft chest against my arm.

Her face showed she was thrilled that I was ‘paying attention’ to her.

“Ah, Teacher’s face turned red~ How cute.”

“Hey, even though we’ve become close, isn’t this joke a bit too much?”

“Ah, this is just normal among kids these days, you know?”

“I didn’t know the academy had become like this while I was unaware. This teacher is sad.”

“Ah~ You say that, but you must feel good having a young girl rub her chest against you, right? My figure is amazing, isn’t it?”

Instead of answering, I turned my gaze away in embarrassment.

Ryuz’s face brightened noticeably at my reaction.

“Whoa~ I was just joking. Don’t tell me you’re actually excited?”

“Sigh, Ryuz. You’re such a cute girl, but you need to understand how men view you. All men are wolves.”

“Ehehehe~ But Teacher isn’t a wolf, right? You fought against the Demon King, aren’t you a hero?”

“……Anyway, don’t play around with Teacher too much. Though this much can still pass as a joke.”

“Hmm, a joke, huh? Ah…!”

As I spoke, I forcibly separated Ryuz from myself.

I patted Ryuz’s head as she looked slightly disappointed.

“Ah, ahah……♥”

From experience, I knew Ryuz really liked having her head patted.

No, it was beyond liking, almost an obsession.

The combination of physical contact and praise seemed to create a much stronger sense of pleasure.

Even now, she’s shaking like she’s on some kind of drug, her face in ecstasy.

‘Her expression is almost of someone losing their sense.’

Such a face should be seen falling onto a bed.

I pushed aside my pleasure for the moment and withdrew my hand.

Only then did Ryuz release a soft sigh and relax her body.

It almost seemed like she had reached a climax.

‘Just a little more, and taking her won’t be a problem.’

Hiding my true thoughts, I lamented aloud.

“Sigh, in this aspect, the sisters are exactly alike. After all, her sister is also incredibly beautiful.”

“……..Yes?”

In an instant, the life in Ryuz’s eyes vanished.

I didn’t expect such a reaction to the mention of her sister.

This was more effective than anticipated.

Pretending not to notice, I continued.

“Lorein also dresses quite boldly during training. Um, honestly, it’s hard for a man not to get distracted.”

“Heh…….I see.”

Ryuz looked down with a cold expression, staring blankly into space.

It was frightening how she could give such a menacing look to an empty space.

What exactly did Ryuz see with those eyes?

‘This is more severe than I expected.’

Just after receiving such euphoric praise, any mention of her sister would feel even more negative.

Ryuz muttered quietly.

“…….A thieving cat.”

“Eh? What did you say?”

“Nothing! It’s nothing!”

Ryuz quickly smiled as if nothing had happened.

Seeing that expression, I was certain.

The relationship between the sisters had completely twisted.

And the real situation unfolded unexpectedly at dinner time.

The Armeina family seldom gathered together.

The mother, Priscilla, was always busy with the duties of a lord.

And Lorein and Ryuz were immersed in their own training and lives.

So, family time was mostly limited to meal times.

“Hyun-woo, thank you for teaching Ryuz. I will make sure to repay this favor someday.”

“No, there’s no need to worry about it.”

During dinner, I shook my head in response to Priscilla’s words.

“I was the one who offered to teach in the first place. I started this purely as a wizard, unable to ignore Ryuz’s special talent. I can’t mix personal favors with this.”

“But having a great wizard like Hyun-woo teach her is an opportunity hard to buy even with money…”

“Really, it’s fine. If you were to pay me, it would be harder to stay comfortable. Just allowing me to stay in this mansion is enough.”

Priscilla looked impressed and moved by my model student-like answer.

Ryuz, who was listening, opened her mouth with a bright smile.

“Of course! I will definitely repay the kindness I received from Teacher when I grow up!”

“Haha! You two have become really close, haven’t you?”

“Yes! He’s incomparable to other professors! Handsome and teaches well.”

Perhaps due to the subtle praise I gave her, Ryuz seemed in a good mood.

Priscilla watched us both with a kind smile.

Ryuz certainly brightened up and gained confidence through my lessons.

Having someone who acknowledges her right by her side must be a significant factor.

“Surely you won’t make Teacher uncomfortable during class, right?”

“Of, of course! Definitely not!”

Was it because of the chest incident earlier in the day?

Ryuz sneakily glanced at me.

I chuckled and answered for Ryuz.

“Ryuz’s eagerness to learn is so impressive that it’s rare even among mages in the tower.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, it’s probably the influence of her diligent sister and mother. I’m sure she’ll become a great mage.”

“Ryuz has always been a hardworking child in everything. It’s heartwarming to see her efforts pay off.”

It was a warm and friendly family dinner.

It was during this pleasant dinner time when something happened.

Suddenly, noticing something on Ryuz’s hand, Lorein asked.

“Ryuz, what’s that on the back of your hand?”

“Eh? Oh, this? It’s just… like a fashion trend among mages these days. You know, like tattoos.”

I decided to ask her to keep the charm secret from her family.

The reason being that it would be troublesome if they found out about this magical measure.

Ryuz thought of it as just a pattern that made using magic easier.

In the mage community, keeping one’s magical information secret was common, so this wasn’t unusual.

“Sigh, doing such childish things again.”

Lorein sighed and said.

“Ryuz, as a lady of a noble family, you should refrain from such things. Especially on a visible part like the back of your hand. What would others think if they saw?”

It was a natural piece of advice from a sister, and Lorein’s words were indeed correct.

No one would think highly of a lady with a heart-shaped tattoo on her hand.

Normally, Ryuz would have apologized and corrected it immediately.

But today’s Ryuz was different.

She stopped eating, put down her fork quietly, and said with a smile.

“Sister.”

With a smile,

As elegantly as someone dealing with an adversary in a business family,

“Stop nagging.”

That’s what she said.

The air at the dinner table suddenly turned cold.

“Uh… what?”

“I’m not a child anymore. I can handle it myself.”

Lorein was flustered, unable to regain her composure.

It must have been the first time that her always well-behaved younger sister reacted this way.

Regardless of her sister’s shock, Ryuz slowly stood up.

“Mother, I’ll be going now. I have a lot of studying to do.”

“Oh, okay.”

Priscilla was also taken aback by Ryuz’s sudden change in attitude.

She was still looking at her daughter with a surprised face.

‘Hmm.’

I was the only one slowly sipping my wine.

It was a strange sensation.

The once seemingly peaceful family was now slowly unraveling due to my script.

Even the usually composed and sharp Lorein’s face was tinged with confusion.

All of this brought a strange sense of excitement to me.

And their eventual embrace in their true forms would be even more lovely.

Anticipating that moment, I savored my wine slowly.

‘The aroma is particularly good today.’

Dinner time ended with that odd atmosphere.

Priscilla tried to change the mood, but it didn’t go well.

Lorein looked genuinely shocked.

It was when I was about to return to my room after finishing the meal.

“Hey, Lee Hyun-woo.”

Suddenly, I turned at the sound of my name.

Lorein was gesturing to me with a serious face.

“Let’s talk for a moment.”