Alex leaned back into the mineral-rich warmth of the outdoor bath, letting the soothing water ease the aches from his grueling training.
The soft mist that rose from the surface mixed with the moonlight, creating a serene, almost otherworldly atmosphere. The bath itself reminded him of a traditional Japanese onsen from Earth—a tranquil escape from the demands of the day.
As he sank deeper into the water, his muscles loosening, his cheeks flushed—not just from the heat. A sideways glance was all it took to nearly stop his heart.
"Master…" he began, his voice barely more than a whisper, shaky and uncertain.
Seated beside him was Alicia, wrapped in nothing but a towel. The soft fabric clung precariously to her curves, revealing just enough to make his heart race and his thoughts spiral. Her long, jet-black hair was tied loosely into a bun, exposing the elegant line of her neck and the delicate slope of her shoulders.
The towel's snug fit left the tops of her cleavage teasingly visible, and the way it molded to her toned figure only emphasized her alluring presence. Each breath she took made the towel rise and fall subtly, a maddening sight that Alex couldn't seem to tear his gaze from.
Alicia caught his glance and turned her sharp, piercing eyes toward him, an amused smile playing on her lips. "What is it, my disciple? You've gone quiet. Are you uncomfortable?" Her voice was laced with mock innocence, though the teasing undertone was unmistakable.
"N-no, it's nothing!" Alex stammered, his gaze snapping back to the rippling water, though the image of her seated beside him refused to leave his mind.
Aurora's voice echoed in his head, her tone dripping with amusement. "Oh my, Alex. You're looking quite flushed. Could it be that you're finally realizing just how breathtaking your master is? And those improper thoughts of yours—care to share?"
"Aurora, stop it!" Alex shot back mentally, his internal voice a mix of frustration and mortification. His face burned hotter than the water around him.
"Stop what?" Aurora continued, undeterred. "You're the one who can't stop staring at her. Admit it—her beauty and that little possessive streak of hers are getting to you, aren't they? I mean, who wouldn't feel flustered in your position?"
Alex clenched his fists beneath the water, desperately trying to suppress the intrusive thoughts that Aurora's teasing only magnified. Alicia's possessiveness had been a constant presence since the day she'd declared him her disciple, and it wasn't helping his efforts to maintain composure.
By now, he was well into the third day of his training under Alicia's watchful eye. The medicinal baths that had eased his body in the beginning were no longer effective for the intense physical strain she was putting him through.
So, of course, Alicia had devised a new method.
She explained it bluntly: they'd use the natural healing properties of the spring, combined with rigorous physical training, to repeatedly break down his muscles and let the water rebuild them stronger and faster.
Alex, desperate to clear his mind and steer away from his improper thoughts, blurted out, "Master, I have a dark magic affinity." His voice was steady, but the weight of the confession pressed heavily on his chest.
He had debated hiding it, but ultimately, he decided it was better to come clean. At least this way, he could gauge her reaction and perhaps better understand her thoughts about it.
Alicia's response—or lack thereof—caught him completely off guard. She didn't even blink.
"I know." She said nonchalantly, leaning back against the edge of the bath, her tone as casual as if he'd just told her the weather forecast.
"You knew?" Alex's eyebrows furrowed. While he had suspected she might have figured it out, her complete lack of concern threw him off balance.
"Of course," Alicia replied calmly, her sharp eyes focused on the water's rippling surface. "The day I took you in, I saw you use that spell on the monster. The way you stood your ground and attacked it, even in that dire situation—I knew you had potential."
Her lips curled into a slight smirk, her gaze turning toward him. "At first, I thought you might have a spatial affinity, but that doesn't matter anyways."
Before Alex could process her words, another voice cut through the tension.
"So, what rank is your affinity for it?"
Startled, Alex turned sharply to see Priscilia standing at the edge of the bath. Her light golden-brown hair shimmered under the evening glow, and her knowing smile gave away just how much she had overheard. How she had approached without him noticing was a mystery.
"Priscilia!" Alicia's voice cracked like a whip, sharper than Alex had ever heard before. In an instant, Alicia moved, pulling Alex closer in an unexpectedly protective motion. Before he could process what was happening, his face was pressed firmly against her chest, burying him in her ample cleavage.
Alex's muffled protests were drowned out as Alicia tightened her grip. Her tone was icy as she glared at Priscilia. "What are you doing here, flaunting yourself in front of my disciple while we're having a private moment?"
Priscilia raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "Private? You're sitting in an open bath, Alicia. Don't act like I'm the one intruding when you're out here flaunting yourself so boldly."
"I am not flaunting myself." Alicia snapped, her indignation evident. She gestured to her towel, which was still securely wrapped around her. "And besides, what's inappropriate about sitting with my disciple?"
Well, Priscilia's towel was draped more elegantly and conservatively, but to Alicia's eyes, it was nothing less than a threat to her claim on her disciple.
Priscilia's grin widened as she folded her arms. "Oh, really? You're literally smothering the poor boy in your chest right now. If anyone's being inappropriate, it's you."
Alicia flushed faintly at the comment but refused to release her grip. "I'm protecting my disciple from your shameless behavior!"
Alex, still suffocating, flailed his arms in a desperate attempt to free himself. A muffled groan was the only sound he could muster.
Priscilia chuckled, clearly enjoying the spectacle. "Sure, Alicia. Keep telling yourself that. But maybe let the poor boy breathe before you actually smother him to death."
Realizing his predicament, Alicia released Alex with a huff. He gasped for air, his face as red as the setting sun. "Master, I appreciate the concern, but… could you not do that again?"
Alicia crossed her arms, looking away with a faint pout.
Priscilia rolled her eyes as she slid gracefully into the bath. The water rippled around her as she settled in with a satisfied sigh. "But since the topic's out in the open," she said, glancing at Alex, "let me give you some advice. Dark magic is rare, and not everyone will look kindly upon it. You need to be careful about who you trust with that information."
Alicia nodded, her earlier irritation giving way to a serious expression. "Priscilia is right. That affinity makes you both exceptional and dangerous. But you don't need to worry too much. As my disciple, no one will dare think ill of you—at least, not if they value their lives."
Alex, still catching his breath from the ordeal, managed a grateful nod. "Thank you… both of you."
Aurora's amused voice echoed in his mind. "Careful, Alex. If she gets any more protective, you might find yourself permanently attached to her chest. Not that you'd mind, would you?"
"Aurora, stop!" Alex retorted mentally, his cheeks burning all over again.
Then, suddenly, Priscilia questioned again, her amber eyes narrowing with curiosity, "What rank is your affinity for it?"
Before Alex could respond, Alicia's voice cut in sharply, "And when exactly did you awaken it? There were no records of you having any talent or affinity for magic."
Her words carried weight, making Alex stiffen slightly. Alicia wasn't one to leave any stone unturned—she had meticulously investigated his entire background.
Alicia's gaze locked onto him, a mix of curiosity and suspicion simmering in her expression. Priscilia, on the other hand, simply folded her arms across her chest, her posture demanding an explanation.
Prepared for this moment, Alex met their probing stares calmly. He had spent hours with Aurora discussing this exact scenario, crafting a fabricated yet plausible explanation after considering countless possibilities. Drawing inspiration from the narratives of countless webnovels, he had carefully constructed his story.
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Alex began, "...I stumbled upon an ancient corpse—clearly someone immensely powerful. It held a hidden inheritance. The moment I touched it, I felt a surge of energy, and my affinity awakened—SS rank for Dark magic."
The room descended into silence as his words sank in. Both women seemed momentarily frozen, processing the implications.
Priscilia's eyes widened in disbelief. "An SS rank affinity... from an inheritance?" she whispered, her tone more astonished than skeptical, as though speaking the words aloud might make them more comprehensible.
Alicia's reaction was more restrained, but the subtle gleam of surprise in her usually composed eyes betrayed her shock. "That's... unheard of." she murmured, her voice tinged with disbelief. Yet, the undeniable truth of Alex's declaration hung heavily in the air.
The two women exchanged a glance, their expressions a mixture of astonishment and hesitation. For once, even Alicia seemed at a loss for words. To inherit a magical affinity—especially one as rare and powerful as an SS rank for Dark magic—was the stuff of legends.
And yet, standing before them was Alex—a living, breathing testament to the extraordinary.