Chapter 21 Sparring[2]
"You're moving with these everyday?"
Curtis said with amusement and shock.
"It's not that heavy before, I just added some more weights this morning."
I said.
Curtis, removing my training bracelets, looked at me weirdly.
I ignored him and started to look around.
"What are you looking for?"
Aoi asked.
"I can't see Yuki, she went out as soon as my arms fell on the table."
Yuki came out of the ring and flew away immediately earlier.
"I also saw her flew away, I thought you commanded her."
Adelle said.
They know that Yuki is smart, except for Curtis who doesn't even know who Yuki is.
I shook my head.
"She have her own mind so she can make her own decisions, I didn't give her a command this time."
"Then isn't this bad?"
Alec said in a worried voice.
'He bacame too friendly to me.'
It's not that even long since we met.
Well, it's not unpleasant.
"It's okay, she's smart."
I said confidently.
A minute after I said that, the library's door burst opened.
Bam!
"There you are..."
Then Yuki appeared and flew toward me, she looks worried.
-Kyuuu!
I'm pretty low in mana so I can't connect to Yuki's senses and feelings, but I already got familiar with her feelings so I can tell she's worried.
-Kyuuu!
I smiled looking at Yukj flying toward me.
But my smile didn't last for long as it turned into a frown after seeing someone familiar entering the library.
A very beautiful and enticing woman with ruby-red eyes and hair.
It was Ruby.
All of the students' attention shifted to her.
Curtis and Eve also looked at her with surprise.
Ruby then looked at my direction.
'I have a bad feeling about this...'
Just as I thought so. Ruby's figure disappeared and reappeared beside me.
With us being close, all the boys glared at me.
'Fucking hell!'
I cursed inwardly, feeling the hates directed on me.
Alec, Adelle, Aoi, and Blake looked at Ruby and me with meaningful eyes.
Eve and Curtis were looking at Ruby with admiration.
But then looked at me with a frown.
Talk about unfair.
Though, I ignored them all.
"Why are you here?"
I whispered to Ruby's ear.
She got flustered and held her ear that I whispered on.
'Her ears are too sensitive.'
I thought and frowned, because of Ruby's reaction, the glares toward me bacame more intense.
"Ehem..."
Ruby cleared her throat and fixed her posture.
Her ears are still red though.
'She's cute.'
I unconsciously thought.
"I was on my way to my office when I suddenly saw Yuki, she seemed to be in a hurry at that time, then she saw me and rushed me, that's when Yuki told me you're in trouble."
"So I followed Yuki..."
Ruby explained as she looks at my outer appearance, looking for an injury.
After eating some monster cores, Yuki bacame faster at flying and she became smarter!
Adelle and Alec smiled at me after hearing Ruby.
Blake nodded as it was understandable.
Aoi, Eve, and Curtis are pretending not to care but you can feel mana gathering in their ears.
"How the hell did Yuki told you that I'm in trouble?"
I asked, only me can communicate with Yuki properly.
Also based on how fast Ruby came here, it means that she understood Yuki easily.
"Yuki came tweeting loudly and acted like you, she frowned then pretended to pass out. After her act, she tweeted as if she was crying."
Ruby said casually, still checking for injury.
I frowned.
"Yeah like that, that's her face when she imitated you."
Ruby then spoke, pointing at my frowning face.
I looked at Yuki.
Yuki, who is in my arms, didn't look at me.
Instead, she flew on top my head.
Pfft–
I saw Adelle holding her laugh.
Blake is looking at Yuki like she did a good job.
Alec is trying to hide his smile, but I can see it.
Aoi and Eve are sneering at me.
Curtis didn't know what's funny, so he's looking at everyone weirdly.
I didn't get angry at Yuki as she's just worried I got a mana exhaustion. She saw me in a pitiful state after all after my fight with Velcro.
"Anyway, are you okay?"
Ruby asked me.
"I'm fine, I'm just tired."
I answered, then I explained to Ruby what happened.
That I'm just exhausted. Physically.
"Then, are you gonna turn into 'that' again?"
Ruby asked me in a meaningful tone and voice.
I immediately understood that she means that if I'll turn into a cat again.
Ruby knows that when I'm exhausted, I turn into a cat.
I'm also worried about this.
"Yeah, probably."
I said.
If I pass out, the system will transform me into a cat even if there are people around.
It said it's for the best for my health. The shitty system just wouldn't listen to me.
Then Ruby took the training bracelets on the table that Curtis removed from my arms.
It looks light, when she picked it up.
But my surprise didn't end there as Ruby suddenly picked me up like a princess.
"What the hell are you doing?"
I asked her, exclaiming a little. I'm pretty embarrassed so my ears turned red.
Adelle, Alec, Aoi, and Blake were grinning at me like idiots.
Eve have this complicated face, she seems to like seeing me embarrassed, but hate it to see me being carried by Ruby.
Curtis was the same as Eve.
"I'll bring you to my room."
Ruby whispered to me.
"Why?"
"You need to rest, and I really don't want 'that' to be revealed to some random people."
Ruby's whispering is useless as the group can hear her clearly.
So the group got curious about what is 'that'.
"Then at least piggyback me..."
I said in an annoyed voice.
Ruby smiled. And I frowned seeing that.
"Oh, you want to ride me from my behind, you're so naughty."
She said slyly in a low voice. But the group also heard it.
Adell, Aoi, and Alec blushed.
Blake was dumbfounded.
While Curtis and Eve were processing what they just heard.
"Shut up and just get me out of here!"
I yelled at Ruby. I'm gonna die at embarrassment so I don't want to thay here!
Ruby then looked at the others and opened her mouth.
"I'll borrow him for the night."
Ruby said slyly to the group and immediately dashed outside the library, not letting me to utter a word to the other.
'I can't even say goodbye.'
***
We immediately reached Ruby's office.
In her office, Ruby have a lot of separate rooms, it's for in case she's too tired to go back to her house.
She brought me to her bedroom. Ruby and her bedroom smells good, after intentionally sniffing more secretly.
I got aroused as my sword stood up angrily. Not that Ruby notice.
"You're heavy, you should lessen your training weights."
Ruby said and placed me on her bed, then she made me drink a stamina potion.
After that, I immediately transformed into a cat.
Ruby immediately carried me in her arms, normally I'll resist, but I'm too tired for that.
It's not a bad feeling anyway, so I let Ruby do anything she wants.
Then I fell asleep.
---[Ruby's POV]---
"You're so cute."
I said as I caresses Raven's cat head.
He's sleeping peacefully.
Indicating his trust to me.
'Being trusted like this doesn't feel so bad.'
I thought.
I sat and placed Raven on my lap.
Then I continued my works.
***
[Raven's POV]
I slowly opened my eyes and saw the ceiling.
I was on a bed.
I'm not in my dorm.
I'm not in my cat form too.
Looks like the system deactivated it for me.
[I didn't, someone negated the effect of the earring.]
The system informed me.
'What the hell Ruby did this time?'
It's easy to guess that it was Ruby's doing.
'Then why didn't you activated the effect again?'
I asked the system.
[Your stamina and mana are already on its peak that time, so I don't have a reason to do so.]
"Fair enough."
I muttered.
"Oh, good morning."
Then I heard a voice beside me.
"G-good morning."
The same goes to my other side.
Looking at my both sides.
I saw both Ruby and Keara lying beside me.
Ruby was looking at me slyly.
While Keara was looking at me bashfully.
They're both wearing sexy night gowns.
Making my morning wood harder.
I immediately sat up and saw my upper body shirtless.
'What happened?!'
I questioned myself in my mind, my mind is currently complicated.
"Nothing happened, we just all slept beside each others."
Ruby said as if she read my thoughts.
I frowned.
"Oh, why with the frown? Are you disapointed that nothing happened?"
Ruby jokingly said.
"Not really, If something were to happen, I prefer that I'm awake."
I replied and stood out the bed.
Looking at the time it's <5:11 A.M>.
Keara and Ruby both stood up.
"Let's all eat together, I'll order foods."
Ruby said.
"I'll cook."
I stated.
'I don't even know who the hell will cook the foods Ruby will order, I wouldn't eat any of those..."
Ruby looked at me and then smiled.
"Predicted you will say that. Then please cook for us, we'll wait."
She said alongside with Keara who clumsily nodded her head as she still looks sleepy.
'Maybe she got tired on her work as she's new.'
I thought in secret.
After that, I put on a shirt and went to the kitchen.
'Ruby owns a kitchen inside her office... It must be nice being filthy rich.'
***
I finished cooking, I already prepared the foods on the table like Engine-cooked Storm Hark and Shallow-fried Scent Ox.
They're both <C+> rank monsters and their meats are rare, though Ruby have a lot stored in her refrigerator.
I sat on a chair.
Then Keara and Ruby both sat beside me.
I understand Keara, but Ruby?
I looked at Ruby.
"What are you doing?"
I asked her.
"What? Did I do something wrong?"
Ruby asked, feigning ignorance.
I frowned.
I ignore Ruby and started to eat.
Because the ingredients Ruby have are all high class and quality, the foods are more delicious than usual.
Keara noticed it too as her eyes widened and started chewing faster.
"Slowdown, you're gonna get dirty."
I told her placing a glass of water near her.
---[Ruby's POV]---
Seeing Raven takes care of Keara made me smile unconsciously.
'He always frown towards the others but he's caring to Keara.'
I'm kinda envious to be honest.
I want to be pampered too, I want someone who will like me even without my trait <Seducer>.
Shaking my head, I removed such thoughts and took a bite from the food in front of me.
"Hmp!"
My eyes widened, the food is so good, I never tasted anything like this before that I unconsciously started to eat faster.
Then I got messy.
"Slowdown."
Then I heard Raven, he was looking at me while frowning.
"You're messy."
He said, I bacame a bit solemn at his words.
I know he's a germaphobe but it still embarrassing to hear that.
So I'm a bit gloomy.
Then something touched the corner of my mouth.
I looked in front and saw Raven wiping my face gently with a soft tissue.
I got surprised at Raven's action. He's doing it like it was natural.
I looked at Keara to see her reaction, she's looking at me with a beautiful and innocent smile.
'He also cares for you.'
She mouthed.
I got flustered.
"You're older than me so eat carefully, if you want more, I can cook again so slowdown."
Raven said. Then he ook something out of his spacial storage and placed it on my lap.
It was a handkerchief.
After that, Raven started eating again.
I smiled.
"Hey."
I pulled Raven's shirt a little to get his attention.
"What?"
Raven asked as he slowly and quietly chew the food in his mouth.
"What do you think of my skill that makes people attracted to me?"
I asked in a low voice.
Then I got embarrassed immediately afterward.
"Ah, no you don't need to answ—"
"You don't really need it actually."
Raven's words cut mine's as I was about to tell him he has no obligation to answer.
"You're attractive even without it."
Raven added casually and took another bite from his portion of food.
"I agree!"
Keara suddenly yelled, then I saw her smiling at me.
A smile crept up on my face, I was happy to hear that.
"Hey."
I called Raven again.
"What?"
Raven asked not even looking at me.
"I like you."
I said.
I don't know why, but I really like being with Raven. I feel comfortable around him and it's fun, I'm always excited to meet him even just for a while, and I can't get Raven out of my mind.
Raven looked at me with a frown, then he opened his mouth.
"If you really do like me, then entice me."
He said scratching the back of his head.
"You guys are weird, what the hell do you guys like about me?"
Raven said looking at Keara and me.
I was happy seeing his reaction.
***
Raven and Ruby are together in a private dueling arena.
It was an arena reserved by Ruby.
So there's no one else in the arena.
Keara is reorganizing Ruby's schedule in her office so she couldn't come.
As why they're here, it's because Raven wants to spar with Ruby.
And he requested Ruby not to restrain her rank.
Although, Ruby will be holding back and just mostly defend and counter from time to time.
Also she will only use 1/8 of her mana.
Raven stood at the end of arena, opposite of Ruby's position.
Badump-! Badump-! Badump-!
Raven's heard is thumping so loud and fast.
Is he scared? No.
He's excited!
Raven's whole body feels a bit hot and light.
A smile emerged from Raven's face, then she looked at Ruby directly.
Without wasting any moment. Raven sent mana to [Celestria], it covered his body and transformed into a black full-body battle suit.
After that, he took out his gun and dagger from his spacial storage.
"Are you ready?"
Ruby asked Raven.
Yuki went in to the spacial storage by Raven's instruction.
"I'm ready."
He said looking at Ruby seriously.
Ruby smiled and a simple sword appeared in her hand.
"Then let's start!"
Fwoosh–
After Ruby's words faded, a heavy pressure enveloped the area.
Ruby released her presence all at once.
"Keuk"
A groan escaped Raven's mouth.
The sudden pressure caused Raven's body to become sluggish.
Raven's mind almost collapse and his whole body trembled.
"If you can't even move in this kind of pressure, how will you fight me?"
Ruby provoked Raven with a sly smile.
Raven forced a smile.
And while barely holding to his consciousness.
'<Monarch's Presence>'
Raven activated his skill to the max along with his mana aura.
He covered his whole body with it, and the pressure became a bit bearable.
Raven's <Calm Thinker> automatically activated.
His body is still a bit sluggish but he can now somewhat move.
Raven sent a lot of mana to [Celestria] again.
Whoosh–
Then two majestic black wings grew on his back.
Wings similar from hawks', but Raven's is much bigger and all black.
Since the fight with Velcro, he's been experimenting with [Celestria], so he can control it easier now.
Raven activated <Insight>.
"<Strengthen>"
"<Accelerate>"
Then he casted support magics(buffs) to himself.
After that, Raven pressed his feet on the ground.
Crack-
Cracks appeared to the ground he's standing on.
Bam-!
Fwoosh–
Raven then kicked the ground and flapped his wings once at the same time.
His figure disappeared and immediately reappeared in front of Ruby, slashing his dagger downwards.
TINGG!
Raven's dagger that's covered with his mana was easily blocked by Ruby's sword.
Raven immediately raised his right hand with the gun in it.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
And shot consecutively until the magazine is empty.
But none of the bullets reached Ruby. She blocked it all by creating a shield made of mana.
Raven took a small step back, he put his left foot in front then performed a spinning whip kick.
Swish-
Ruby predicted it, so she raised her sword to block it.
'If I don't stop, my leg will be cut off.'
Raven thought.
But he didn't stop.
Raven's wings immediately disappeared and the part of [Celestria] covering his right leg reformed into a blade.
CLANG!
Raven's whole right leg is now a blade!
Sparks erupted at the contact of Raven's leg and Ruby's sword.
Ruby was smiling at Raven.
Seeing that, Raven also smiled.
Swoosh–
Then a scythe's blade extended toward Ruby's face.
Ruby got surprised. Unable to produce a mana barrier on time to block it, she jumped backwards to dodge it.
After dodging the sudden appearance of a blade, Ruby looked at Raven, to be exact the scythe's blade that grew on the heel of his right foot.
It was [Celestria], Raven immediately reformed it to his advantage!
"You're really awesome."
Ruby said to Raven, her words were genuine.
Raven regained his fighting stance and smiled at Ruby.
"I know."
He replied shrugging both of his shoulders.