The sky remained choked with clouds. Raindrops fell from above and drummed against the tent. Lightning flickered inside the overcast, and the downpour grew fiercer.
Inside the tent.
A bright oil lamp lit the cramped space, and though the weather outside was turning colder by the minute, inside it stayed warm and gentle.
"…"
Staring at the carpet darkened by stray droplets, Levy lay quietly in Aurel's arms, her dazed eyes not yet clear.
So… that's what he meant?
She lifted an arm to cover her eyes and drew a deep breath.
Abandon reason and thought—think about nothing at all…
"That's about enough, right?"
Aurel dipped his head close to her ear, his voice as mild and soft as always.
With them so close, he could clearly catch the faint fragrance on her skin—tinged with the slightest hint of sweat.
Not unpleasant at all—if anything, oddly alluring.
"…Mm."
At his words, Levy slowly came back to herself and nodded lightly.
If they kept going, forget taking a job tomorrow—she might not even make it out of the tent.
"A bit of a shame. Levy-chan was so cute just now."
Aurel brushed the damp strands from her forehead, recalling her look a moment ago with a pleased smile.
"…"
Levy said nothing, only lowering her head, cheeks rosy.
If he hadn't suggested a "preview," she wouldn't be this boneless and weak right now.
"How does it feel?"
As her tensed body finally relaxed, Aurel's voice came again.
How is she supposed to answer that!?
"Just… very comfortable. That kind of feeling."
After a beat of hesitation, Levy turned her face aside and mumbled it out.
Hearing the shy note in her voice, Aurel chuckled softly and ruffled her hair.
"If the preview was good, then let's get some real sleep. It's late."
"Okay."
Levy nodded quickly—then glanced at the damp patch on the carpet.
Not a big area. If it were just one person, turning to the side would avoid it.
But there were two in the tent. It wasn't impossible to sleep like this, but the thought of someone lying over that wet spot…
"Don't worry—I brought a spare."
Catching her look, Aurel calmly took a fresh blanket from the pack and swapped it in.
At the same time, he drew the tent flap open a little to let the stuffy air out.
A cool night breeze slipped through the gap. The chill across her skin made Levy instinctively hug Aurel tighter, tucking her head against his chest.
Like a small, adorable body pillow, she settled into the circle of his arms.
"Good night, Levy-san."
"…"
——
Morning.
The sky was still blanketed in light-gray cloud with no hint of clearing.
After ordering the Shadow Corps to break down the camp, Aurel turned to the blue-haired girl sipping coffee on a chair.
As for last night, Levy behaved as if she'd lost her memory—she simply didn't bring it up at all.
"Too embarrassed, huh…"
Closing the book in his hands, Aurel murmured to himself.
For the record, the book he held was last night's reward—titled "Levy's User Manual."
It listed the things the girl liked and disliked, and even marked her height, weight, and measurements.
Most useful of all was the section on her body—like the sensitivity of different spots.
In a certain sense, it was very handy.
After committing the gist to memory, Aurel burned it to ash without a second thought.
He'd read it; there was no need for that book to exist in this world any longer.
"What were you burning just now?"
Levy had come closer at some point and couldn't help asking.
"Nothing important. Just useless scrap paper."
Aurel shook his head.
A user manual is not something the subject needs to know about.
Watching the page edges crumble to cinders between his left thumb and forefinger, Levy blinked, her cheeks warming.
She remembered very clearly—after all, last night it was that left hand…
"A-hem. We should head for the next town on the route!"
She coughed twice to cover her secret thoughts, then continued.
By today's plan, they'd rent a carriage in the next town, then hurry to Oak Town, finish the job, and take their time enjoying the trip on the way back.
Requests had deadlines, after all.
"Let's go, let's go!"
She grabbed Aurel's hand and led the way, quick steps and a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth—clearly in fine spirits.
——
Ozilke City.
They had just stepped into town when the rain began again, a steady threadwork of needles.
"What's with this? Why has it been raining for two days straight?"
Levy puffed her cheeks without noticing as she glowered at the gloomy sky.
"I thought you liked rainy days."
"That's for reading indoors. No one likes rain when they're out on a job, right?"
"Actually, I can make it clear up."
Aurel raised his palm toward the overcast. Magic surged through him and condensed into a blazing, searing sphere.
The drifting raindrops that touched it flashed into vapor at once—the heat was that intense.
"What is that?"
Levy stepped back on reflex. The burning heat beaded sweat on her pale forehead.
"Merciless Sun."
He lofted the fireball lightly into the air. In mere seconds, the clouds shredded and vanished, and dazzling sunlight poured down.
Elsewhere in the city, a girl with water-blue hair stood frozen beneath a luxurious parasol, staring up.
"The rain… stopped?"
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/euridome]
[Thank You For Your Support!]