Caelum made his way to the door of Room, only for Sera to step in front of him, blocking his exit. Her arms were crossed, her expression both determined and slightly curious.
"You're leaving already?" Sera asked, eyeing him closely. "What exactly was the purpose of your visit, Caelum?"
Caelum let out a sigh, glancing back at the room before meeting her gaze. "Sera, it's not important. I've caused enough trouble just by being here."
But Sera didn't budge. She stood firm, her figure effectively barricading the doorway. Caelum noted the hint of stubbornness in her expression, and he knew she wouldn't let this go without a proper answer. Finally, he gave in, relenting with a quiet chuckle as he looked down at her.
"Alright, if you insist," he began, his tone softening. "I came here for you."
Her eyes widened, her jaw dropping in surprise as his words sank in. The room went silent as she processed the unexpected confession. But Caelum, seeing her expression, quickly added context.
"Don't get the wrong idea," he explained with a small smirk, crossing his arms. "I need a sparring partner, and you happen to be the best fit for what I need right now."
Sera blinked, her shock fading as she began to piece it together. "A sparring partner...?"
"Precisely." Caelum's gaze sharpened as he began explaining his logic. "As a lightning mage, I need to master my offensive capabilities first. Lightning is naturally aggressive and hard-hitting. If I try to focus on defense now, I'd be dividing my efforts. To wield lightning effectively, I have to master its raw force and speed, its strikes, before I even think of pairing it with defense. And who better to withstand those strikes than an earth mage?"
Sera considered this, her head tilted slightly as she weighed his words. Caelum continued, "Earth is solid and immovable, naturally resilient. Your defense is second nature, and training with you will let me test my attacks against a real, unyielding force. It'll push me to my limits."
Finally, Sera nodded, understanding the method to his plan. "Alright," she said, "but training closes in an hour."
Caelum looked at the clock she pointed to and nodded in agreement. "Then, we'll go in an hour."
Relieved, Caelum smiled, a genuine, rare expression that softened his usually serious features. "Thanks," he said, glancing around the cozy room. "Mind if I stay here until then?"
Sera looked around at the others for a moment, then shrugged. "I don't mind. Mira? Elara?"
Both Mira and Elara nodded, smiling in approval. Caelum's presence wasn't unwelcome, and they didn't mind having him there for a bit longer.
"Alright, then," Caelum said, taking a seat near the window, where he could feel a faint, cool breeze drifting through. He settled back, closing his eyes as he let himself unwind in the unfamiliar but comforting surroundings. Mira and Elara glanced at each other, choosing to let him rest undisturbed, before quietly retreating to their beds for the night.
And so, the room fell into a peaceful silence, Caelum resting in the quiet company of the three girls, his mind settling as he prepared for the training that awaited them both.
As the time ticked down, Sera gathered her training clothes in preparation for the sparring session. She had thirty minutes left, just enough time to bathe and get ready. Moving towards the corner where her things were neatly arranged, she paused, realizing a small but crucial problem.
Her dress was the kind that tied in the back, laced with delicate cords that required nimble fingers to untangle. This was no ordinary garment; the fabric was a deep, rich blue that fit her snugly, and the back was elegantly woven with intricate knots and ribbons that wrapped securely around her. Each knot seemed to hold the dress tighter against her form, enhancing the natural curves of her frame. Normally, one of the girls would help her with it, but Mira, Elara, and Liana were already fast asleep, their steady breathing filling the quiet room.
Sera glanced around, her gaze falling on Caelum, who was resting near the window, his eyes closed and his breathing steady. With no other choice, she walked over to him and waved her hand gently in front of his face. The soft warmth of her presence stirred Caelum awake, his eyes fluttering open, meeting her with a slightly sleepy but attentive gaze.
"Caelum," she began, her voice barely a whisper in the tranquil room. "Could you... help me untie the back of my dress?"
For a brief moment, Caelum blinked, processing her request. Without hesitation, he nodded, sitting up straighter as Sera turned her back to him. She carefully sat in front of him, lifting her hair to reveal the complex network of ribbons and knots.
He began with the top knot, his fingers working carefully to loosen the delicate ties. As he pulled each loop free, the fabric relaxed ever so slightly, shifting to reveal the smooth, pale skin of her back. A light glow from the room's single lantern illuminated her skin, which appeared soft and unmarred, drawing his attention. The closer he worked towards the lower knots, the more of her back became visible, smooth and delicate, a sight he hadn't expected to affect him as it did.
Each touch felt slightly more intense than the last, and he found himself growing subtly tense, his breaths coming a little slower. Occasionally, his fingers brushed against her skin, sending a slight jolt through him each time. The sensation was startling, even confusing, as something unspoken seemed to pulse beneath the surface. Sera, too, was becoming noticeably affected. She sat perfectly still, yet he could see a hint of red creeping up the side of her neck and over her cheeks, her breathing quickening just the slightest bit.
It wasn't just the proximity; it was something deeper, an invisible thread of tension weaving between them. Neither of them knew it, but the unspoken pull of soul-lust was working its way through them, unbidden and unexpected. Caelum felt a subtle warmth rising inside him, an almost foreign sensation, urging him to draw closer. He tried to focus on finishing the task, but his mind kept wandering, drawn to the warmth of her presence and the soft curve of her back.
Finally, he untied the last knot, the dress loosening as it fell away from her shoulders. He let his hands drop, but Sera didn't move to stand. Instead, she turned around to face him, her cheeks flushed, her breathing shallow and erratic. Caelum met her gaze, his eyes reflecting his own bewilderment and curiosity, the two of them held in that silent moment as if bound by something beyond their control.
Without a word, she leaned forward, closing the distance between them and pressing her lips softly to his, her hands reaching up to draw him closer.