Althea lay on the bed pale shoulders rising and falling with quiet controlled breaths
Her composure was cracked but by bit.
She looked like she was about to either kill me or devour me whole.
Her Eyes like burning rubies locked onto mine.
Looking closely.
I saw both hatred… and confusion how can a Mortal even summon her.
Helplessly i sighed and took a step back pushing her any further will have some consequences.
"Let's take a break."
For a moment, she said nothing Then she turned her head lips parting slightly in a cold, subtle exhale.
"Shut up your voice irritate me" Her voice was cool again hiding the quiet shiver still lingering in her limbs.
i didn't respond Instead I collapsed onto a nearby chair the old wood creaking beneath me My muscles ached
It had taken an entire night to gather those. And I still had no idea how many I needed to reach even F- Rank.
I gritted my teeth.
In my last life, I had reached C-Rank in three years.
That was considered impossible But now, with this body weak and broken and starting again at G- the climb felt steeper than ever.
But everything would go smooth sailing since having a system would bring him faster growth and alot of benefits.
I closed my eyes and focused Within the inherited memories from this body a detail surfaced
Tomorrow there would be a competition at the acaache or school.
First place would win a B Rank artifact a necklace that boosted all attributes artifact
My eyes opened sharp That kind of artifact could boost me out of the gutter.
Even if I was still stuck at G Rank twenty percent more across the board could mean faster training stronger clones better survival odds.
I stood up Althea raised an eyebrow but just ignored as if it was just wind passing by.
"I'm going to clean up" I muttered.
To my surprise she sighed softly and purified herself with a wave of faint blue energy.
Her icy glow cleansed her body of sweat and lingering tension The soft scent of mint and starlight filled the room.
Althea slowly looked at the changes in her own body.
She inspect her body more closely Althea got a flickering surprised and understanding how he did it.
"Such Disgusting thing to do just to make me stronger a bit." Her voice piercing and cold at the same time Making Reo eyes twitched visibly.
She looked down at her hands summoning a speck of icy light between her fingers It was tiny barely a flicker but it hadn't been there before.
Her lips pressed into a frustrated sigh.
I turned towel over my shoulder "Did you did feel changes now?."
She did not say anything just looked at me Coldy Sighing inwardly muttering in herself that This person doesn't know the true extent of her power.
After a quick shower I changed into clean clothes and returned to find Althea already dressed again this time in a shimmering white gown that resembled frostwoven silk.
She stood near the window gazing out at the city below with unreadable eyes.
"I have something to do later" I said voice calm and serious. "Will you cooperate?"
She glanced back at me, her usual cold expression back in full force. "Do I have a choice?"
"No if I'm being honest" Reo nonchalantly responded.
She studied me a moment longer, then gave a single, reluctant nod. "Explain it."
I walked her through the layout of the academy, the rules of the competition, and the artifact reward. "Once the necklace appears, we act."
She didn't interrupt. She listened intently, quietly and scoffs Coldy but still she understands it very easily.
I grabbed her hand She froze clearly not expecting physical contact again so soon.
We strolled through the city streets under the afternoon sun. I could feel the tension in her fingers, but she didn't pull away.
She hadn't been in the mortal realm for centuries. For a goddess who once ruled a Realm even a noisy market street was novel.
We stopped at a modest restaurant. Althea examined the menu like it was a foreign scroll. "What is… grilled beef?"
"You'll like it."
She didn't smile, but she didn't argue either.
To my surprise, she ate more than I expected. Not just fruits Real food. She tasted grilled meat, spicy broth, even shaved ice topped with condensed milk.
She said nothing as she ate, but I caught the faintest hint of interest in her eyes.
Hours passed like that walking, observing, her saying little, me spending more than I could afford.
She took advantage of it too Choosing the most expensive dishes, the fanciest desserts.
i had introduced myself but her icy expression was palpable She is a Ice goddess after all i sighed inwardly.
By the time we returned to the apartment, my wallet had died a noble death.
I sighed as I dropped the bags. "i hope you enjoyed it."
She turned, licking the corner of her lips with regal indifference. "Maybe."
Looking back at his money it was like the Slap of poverty Making my Money Cutted by more than Half.
---
The apartment had been cleaned while we were gone
The moment we stepped inside, I turned to her.
Without warning, I summoned the restriction seal again immobilizing her my intent clear slowly i gently wrapped around her arms and torso.
She stiffened as I pushed her toward the bed.
"Are you that desperate To get stronger?" she murmured Coldy with indifferents
"Yes I'm desperate?" My voice teasing with mockery
She just Looked at me with a Frown and speaks indifferently. "Mortals Like you really disgust me."
My eyes Twitch
She just scoffed Coldy but helpless she surrendered.
---
I moved with care but less hesitation than last time.
This time, I knew what I was doing I bypassed teasing touching the sensitive points I'd memorized from our first session The system responded immediately
[+0.2]
[+0.5 Critical]
Her body arched slightly beneath me as I kissed along her collarbone her most ticklish spot.
She Moaned quietly.
"You're… relentless. Nnngh~!"
I continued, hands exploring gently but firmly, lips finding all the places that made her tremble.
She bit her lip hard refusing to moan but her hands gripped the sheets Her body still restrained by the divine seal had no escape.
"You're not resisting," I whispered.
"I'm enduring," she snapped.
But her eyes betrayed her Not submission but confusion Frustration. And something deeper the fear of how frustratingly good it felt.
When I reached the peak of her sensitivity, I paused.
Her body was trembling, just a breath from the edge.
i smile faintly before speaking."Beg for it."
She stared at me, wide-eyed.
"What?"
"You heard me." I pulled back slightly. "Ask me to finish."
"You…!" Her voice faltered, caught between fury and fluster.
Her icy expression was back filled with frustration.