“Try channeling magic into it.”

He whispered again, as if giving an order.

Following his words, Adele grasped the dagger, allowing the magic stone to rise, just as he instructed.

However, in her mind, the thought that all of this was a useless waste of time persisted. After hundreds of attempts, it didn’t seem likely that she would succeed now.

She had never managed to conjure even a small spark of fire.

“Try recalling your memories.”

He encouraged her gently, like a teacher who never gives up on a student.

Adele tightly held the dagger, attempting to recall the memories of that night. Actually, there was no need to make an effort.

That night, when Valentin drew out the magic from her body like the overflowing sea, the sensations she felt at that moment were still vivid. She could be guided by those memories with just a simple closing of her eyes.

The dimming sky outside the window, dust floating in the library’s air, the nauseating smell of paper, and Valentin’s hands, oddly warm and scorching, along with the stimuli pouring into her from the touching skin, scratching her heart recklessly, and the vivid blue light rising from the open wounds.

“Slowly…”

Adele followed his voice while breathing. Was it because of her mood? She felt the pulsation of her heart flowing beneath her skin.

Suddenly, below the navel, there was a sharp pull. Adele was already familiar with this sensation.

Just before magic arises, she precisely felt this sensation.

As she continued to stimulate, a refreshing energy rushed along the path, and suddenly her heart throbbed, and power emerged. She opened her closed eyes.

“Ah…”

A faint blue light was imbued in the magic stone.

Compared to the power she awakened that night, it was an absurdly weak light. Nevertheless, magic was magic.

Considering there had been virtually no progress before, it was a remarkable achievement.

She openly displayed her overwhelming joy and smiled broadly at Valentin. He, not belatedly, smiled back, his eyes narrowing.

“Well done.”

It was a rare compliment. When he took the dagger from Adele’s hand, the intensified light disappeared as if washed away the next moment.

He returned the dagger to Adele’s hand.

“Later, you’ll be able to do it without such things.”

“Really?”

“Anyway, the magic stone is just a tool. The power is accumulated within Adele.”

“But it still doesn’t feel like it’s mine. I didn’t know I could do this. I’ve tried many times before and never succeeded.”

She added without much confidence.
“Today, it was really by chance… I don’t even know why.”

“Why did you become able to do it?”

Valentin’s attractive lips tilted into a mischievous smile.

As she nodded her head in surprise, he leaned in as if whispering a big secret, and his lips touched her ear.

The whispering breath was ticklish.

“We kissed a while ago.”

“What does that…?”

“The power is connected to me exclusively, so naturally, it affects you when we come into contact.”

“…”

“So, I suggested spending the night together.”

Adele brushed against him with a flushed face in an instant.

Even though he said the same words, he had a skill to make it sound more seductive than ever.

In reality, it was only when they were sharing a bed. I never forced anything, worried about making things difficult for me.

With her hand on his chest, Adele gently pushed him.

“That’s absurd.”

“Why is it…?”

“You’re clearly trying to tease me.”

“If you can’t believe it, try kissing again.”

“Y-You shouldn’t say such things.”

“This is not allowed, and that is not allowed. Isn’t it too strict…?”

“…”

“Just a while ago, you tempted me thoroughly. Don’t you think it’s too harsh to resist like this?”

“You rejected it.”

“Again. I told you to tell me.”

With an arm pushing me away, it seemed pathetic, and he rather pulled Adele towards him.

He bit her nose as if he was annoyed. Valentin’s grip on Adele’s waist was getting stronger.

If this continues, tearing the clothes wouldn’t be a new experience. Adele desperately tried to pull his hands away.

But the more she tried, the more he obstinately resisted, as if intentionally being persistent.

“…”

With both hands not free, there was only one way to get him off her now.

Considering that even my slightest gesture gets a response from him, I just need to see how far he reacts. This twisted thought came to her as she took action.

She stood on tiptoe and bumped her lips against his chin. She aimed for his lips, but her height was a limitation.

“…”

He looked at her with a surprised expression, then recoiled after a while.

Covering his lips with his big hands, he stared at her as if frozen. Despite thinking everything was fine, his ears and neck were very red.

With a sobbing voice, he murmured, “That’s too much. I’m enduring… patiently.”

His gaze as he looked at her was sinister. It seemed like he was seriously calculating the remaining time and her stamina.

Before he could act on it, Adele quickly changed the topic.