Theo and Selene, accompanied by their attendants, gathered in the heart of the estate garden for a leisurely tea time. The garden was a masterpiece of natural beauty, with vibrant flowers in full bloom, an ornate fountain, and intricately designed pathways. A wrought-iron table with an umbrella that provided shade, adorned with a spread of exquisite tea sets and refreshments.
Theo despite his young age of fourteen had an air of maturity and sophistication around him, he wore a finely tailored suit, while Selene, on the other side of the table, exuded elegance and grace, which is usually unfit for a child her age, but Selene pulled it off with her Incomparable beauty.
"How was your rest, Selene?" Theo said, sipping on a cup of tea
"It was one of the best sleep, I have had in a while, Theo"
It has been three weeks since they raided the Book dungeon.
Selene and Theo have been training or preparing for the Red Beast Subjugation, and occasionally meet up in the garden to discuss their progress and make plans ahead for the future.
Theo was focused on getting to the higher realms of the Adept tier, while Selene was focused on making buff potions and a side of magic training to at least get to higher intermediate.
They instantly felt the effects of Shared growth skill, when Theo started training, Selene could feel that she would feel her mana gain quality as well. She also felt like her physical prowess was a third better than before because of Theo, which gave her more time to train her dark spells and make her potions
Theo in the other hand also had felt his mana improve while Selene was training her spells and he was able to execute his Holy spells with more ease than before.
This just goes to show how OP the Shared growth skill was and why veterans tend to have it as soon as possible.
They also found the perfect and simple solution to hide their heart sigils. Gloves. Selene was wearing black opera gloves, while Theo was wearing some standard white cotton gloves.
The point of their meeting in the garden was essentially to update the other of one's progress and a small break from their packed training schedule.
Theo
Selene
<... I'll hurl this teapot at that prized face of yours> Selene
On the surface, Selene and Theo were having a pleasant discussion about the weather and other mundane subjects to mask their actual conversation from their attendants.
Elsa and Bennet believed in their perspective that their masters were having a pleasant time at each others company, when in actuality they were again spouting profanities at each other internally.
Crack!* The teacup Selene was holding broke, spilling all the warm tea it contained on her dress. "Oh my, I have accidentally broken the tea cup. Apologies, Theo, but I have to get changed and I feel rather unwell today." Selene with her eyes closed. "Elsa, it seems I have spilled tea on my dress. I would like to be escorted back to my room" Selene smiling as she gestured her hand towards Elsa "Of course, m'lady" Elsa bowed and grabbed Selene's hand to escort her back to the part of her estate. Selene gave one last cold look at Theo before leaving. <...> Theo It was still noon and they would usually end their discussion way later in the afternoon. Maybe I took it a little too far... Theo realized that he was being extremely childish at the end and persistently called her second place repeatedly and Selene finally reached the tipping point. Theo always enjoyed teasing Selene, but he enjoyed it too much, not noticing that the other person was fed up with his actions. I guess, being a child again made me more prone to these kinds of actions than my past life, where I was a fully grown adult. Theo or Ray, usually had a sense on when to stop teasing RedBlizzard, but the fact that Theo enjoyed her reactions, especially when she was present in front of him, and combined by the fact that he was basically a child, made Theo less aware of the rising irritation of the young lady. Having the body of a child also affects the psyche of an adult person. Theo tried communicating to Selene through telepathy, but it seems that she turned off her skill, hinting that she was extremely pissed at Theo and was unwilling to talk to him for a while. Ugh, Tomorrow's the day, we can't be in a mess before the actual fight. I have to do something about this... Theo sat on his chair for more than ten minutes, thinking of a solution on how to make up with Selene. .... Maybe that'll work... "Bennet, take me to the kitchen" Theo with a serious looking face. "Yes, Young master" Bennet bowed If words don't work, maybe food will. ***** "Why does he have to be such an a*shole all the time" Selene was on her bed rolling around pissed, because of her earlier interactions with Theo during their teatime/discussion time. I get that I got second place, but his been rubbing it in for a while now, how can you be so childish... They are, technically, still children and have just started their journey on becoming adults in this world. I'll only talk to him when he begs on his knees and apologizes half-naked in front of Bennet and Elsa. Selene thought, half-jokingly. ... Or maybe I was too harsh on him..... No he's gone too far, his lucky I didn't burn him to a crisp then and there! Selene sat up from her bed I'll just go and make more potions, just thinking of him pisses me off. I'd rather be productive than waste my time thinking about him. Selene walked towards the entrance of her room She opened the door and saw Theo standing there with his knuckle raised, indicating that he was about to knock on the door. "Hi?" Theo said in a slightly surprised tone "Oh, hello" Selene said baffled with the timing Theo "I have something for you that may delight you, Selene" Theo said, while holding a cake in his right hand The cake theo was holding was a strawberry shortcake. .... I thought I'd never see this in this world..... Selene became entranced, staring at the cake as if she was possessed by it. "Selene?" Theo said loudly in worry Does she not like strawberry shortcake? Before Theo could speak any further Selene grabbed the strawberry shortcake and waltzed down the hallway. Her destination was the tea spot that they always meet at. "Elsa! bring tea and utensils for the cake!" Selene said hurriedly as she left the dumbstruck Theo behind I'm guessing that she more than likes the strawberry shortcake. Theo smiled wryly and followed suit on heading towards the garden. .... "Oh my! How delightful! This may be the best cake I have ever tasted!" Selene exclaimed She's not even hiding her excitement Selene would usually act like a calm, collected young lady with an air of maturity around her, but it seemed that all those walls breakdown in the face of a strawberry shortcake. She already finished half of the cake.... "Hehehehe, aaaahmmmmmmm!!!" Selene squealed as she took another forkful of cake. "Lady Selene, restrain yourself, you have already consumed enough cake for the day" Elsa sternly said "Hmhmhm aaahmmm" Selene simply ignored Elsa and continued eating away. Theo sighed in exasperation and leaned his elbow on the table with his chin on his hand. "Theo! Theo! Tell me where you got this! I shall have the maker of this magnificent shortcake appointed as my personal chef back home!" Selene joyfully said, eating the strawberry from the cake. Theo snickered and replied "Im honored, I can't believe Selene Aventus would appoint me, Theodore Ignatius as her personal chef" "Hah?" Selene dropped her fork in shock. <..... No f*cking way> Selene "Bennet, who made the strawberry shortcake?" Theo asking for Bennet's confirmation "You, young master" Bennet said without hesitation. "What?" Selene said, thinking if she was dreaming Theo <.... Why make me one?> Selene Theo scratched his cheek and laughed awkwardly. "Thank you..." Selene said as she picked up a new fork replaced by Elsa and started eating again. Selene also had a tint of red on her pale cheeks and at the end of her ears "It is my pleasure, Selene." Theo smiled genuinely in delight. What a tsundere. Theo obviously didn't say that outloud or telepathically, worried that Selene might get angry at him again, wasting his efforts. Your the one who went straight here. Well I mainly wanted to apologize.... Selene Theo nodded Theo glanced at his and Selene's attendant. Bennet and Elsa tilted their heads when their masters looked at them with clear sharp eyes. They're masters were also just staring at each other for a while now, wondering if they were mesmerized by each other's eyes again. Bennet and Elsa always see their masters staring at each other for minutes and even hours on end, which was rather unusual, but put it off as lovers admiring each other's company. They didn't question their actions, they were the servants after all. They had no right to question their masters about their love life. Theo Selene nodded. .... After idly chatting and some more planning, Theo and Selene decided to call it a day and make the final preparations for tomorrow's subjugation. Selene Theo got reminded of the time where he was getting pushed back by the Kobold Chief in the dungeon. Theo went back to the training hall to do some light training and Selene went back to her room to meditate and circulate her abundant mana.