"Before we get to the reason I called you here, I personally want to make something clear. I hold no ill feelings towards you nor are you here for anything academical."
Shianne's words instantly shot a variety of questions into Clara's mind. If she wasn't in trouble academically then why would there be any ill feelings? Still, why is Joe here for this? Did she find out about our private training and wants us to stop? Every question gave way for two or three more to surface. She was finding no answers within her own mind, so she opted to see where things went from here.
"To be blunt about it, I'm fully aware of what happened between the two of you yesterday. I can't say I'm happy about it, but it was only a matter of time before someone set their eyes on this idiot."
How does she know? Did she see us, or did he tell her? Why would he tell her? More and more questions surfaced and turned her psyche into a mess. If she thought logically then she would have immediately calmed down at the realization that the academy doesn't outlaw internal relationships between students.
"You see, this idiot is a bit unique in multiple ways. For one, he tends to think things through thoroughly and then throws out logic and proceeds on with the least likely option to success with pride.
The best example I can give that you already know of would be his sitting back and watching your class fail my challenge before attempting it alone. The class as a whole say the immediate results of that but none of you say the aftereffects."
"What aftereffects could there be to him passing your challenge?"
"Well, something happened after I 'rewarded' him. This idiot had the audacity to ask me to repeat the reward. Under normal circumstances I'd have likely castrated him on the spot..."
Shianne began to internally recall the event that led her to the happiest few months that she has ever lived. Seeing the questioning glare coming from Clara, she couldn't help but burst into internal laughter. The glare was directed towards Joe and radiated the judgment boiling at its source.
"The reason I didn't just pulverize him into a gelatinous paste is because he gave me a theoretical reason and wanted my help to see if he was right or not. Add in the overflowing confidence he approached with and I'm sure you can piece together the outcome."
Taking a pause, Shianne carefully observe every minute change Clara was going through. As time went on, her heart began to pick up its pace and she found it almost uncomfortable to sit.
"From that day on, we have continued to see each other every day. Although we can't publicize the relationship between us, we enjoy every minute we can have together. For the past few weeks, although he hasn't changed how he treats or feels about me, I noticed that he was slowly growing feelings towards you as well.
Although the relationship we have had started out as me simply helping him to grow stronger, I would be lying if I told you I didn't love him." Shianne's gaze shifted onto Joe's slightly reddened face with only her love being present on it.
"So, you called me here to claim him as yours and have me back off then?" Clara felt humiliated. Not only had he not given her an answer himself, but she had been brought here to witness something she could never have with him.
"Quite the opposite actually. You see, I know how he feels for me and how I feel about him. I also have an understanding as to how the two of you feel about each other as well. I'd like to ask you to share him with me. Before you answer, I think you should know what brought him and I together to begin with."
Shock shot across the faces of both Joe and Clara. The latter was left utterly speechless while Joe had only one question.
"Are you sure it's alright to tell somebody else? I mean, it's Clara so I trust her but are you sure?"
"If I wasn't sure then we wouldn't all be here right now. You probably would have told her eventually anyways so why wait? Just tell her now."
Following the unshaking answer, Joe proceeded to tell Clara all about his uniqueness. How he can grow stronger every day through the intimate acts the teacher and student had shared up to that point. That different levels of intensity and duration had varying effects.
Everything about his progressing strength was put out in the open and he held nothing back. At the end of his explanation, he took out the Armorite crystal that he kept on him and pooled all his magic into it. Turning the flat face towards Clara, he witnessed her eyes open to their limit and her jaw slightly fall open. The crystal was displaying Joe's current power level at five hundred seventeen.
"In just the short time since I found out I can grow stronger this way, my strength has more than quadrupled. During the testing on the first day, I was only as strong as one hundred seventeen. In a few months, I have gained four hundred levels.
That is why I always held back when we were sparring. I wasn't looking down on you, I was afraid that if I didn't my secret would be exposed which in turn would put Shianne at risk as well."