Chương 59: Chapter 51. Flash Forward

Soft... I woke to the feeling of something soft touching my cheek. I open my eyes to see Anna standing above me. We both stare at each other for a minute. I then ask the obvious question." Anna, how did you wake me up?" Anna stared at me with a look I have become familiar with this past month. Her cheeks are a bit red and her eyes turn a darker shade of green, the eyes on her arms and legs start to look at me as well. Simply put, she's embarrassed, but wants something lover-like from me.

After a few moments, she responded to me." I kissed your cheek, Master." This behavior is a reaction to Sarah. After about 3 weeks since that night, Sarah began to become more openly affectionate with me, this includes but is not limited to, hugging and kissing me on the cheek in front of everyone during training or dinner. While I didn't mind little displays of her affection like this, in fact, I craved them just as much as Sarah, there were however, 2 big detractors of it. the 1st was Asha.

After a few days of Sarah and Asha arguing back and forth, Sarah spoke to Asha alone. After this, Asha stopped offering resistance to what she does. Instead, she, along with Sharon and Cynthia, have a weird look in their eyes when Sarah does something to me. Warrick and Aqua just take it as Sarah attempting to deepen our bond as a couple. Now for the 2nd person to take umbrage with Sarah and I. Anna has started to seek any opportunity for affection she could.

From kissing when no one is looking, to hugging and holding hands as we walked from destination to destination in the Palace. It seems today is no different. While I was thinking of the difficulty of the past month, Anna was staring at me with that look of hers that is expecting something from me. Stretch! Press! / Pomf! / I opened my arms and she jumped into my chest. One of the things she has asked of me is this. To hug her when she wakes me up.

However, through this, I have noticed that she has upgraded from waking me up with her voice, to holding and squeezing my hand, to now kissing my cheek. I thought about asking her to stop, just in case someone might see, but honestly, I want to do these things just as much as Anna. I want to hug her just as much as she wants to hug me as well. After our morning hug, Anna proceeded to begin the next new addition to our displays of affection. Simply put, she has started to hand feed me.

I asked why she wanted to do this, since I saw it as a little embarrassing, but she insisted on it. She explained that since our time was scarce in the morning, this would be an effective way for her not to act in a jealous manner during the day. I tapped out and just let her do as she pleased. I've noticed as she feeds me, the eyes on her body start to blink slowly at me. Along with the warm smile she has, it's easy to see how happy this makes her.

After breakfast, I took a morning bath and brushed my teeth and headed to Aqua's class. Since a month ago, we had continued to experiment with Holy Magic, and I was able to pick up 2 more Spells since then. I still feel like my arsenal of Spells isn't complete, but my understanding of Holy Magic has deepened more. I feel like the 2 that I learned are the rest of the Basic Skills I can learn for now.

Today I'll be looking at my current status from the Appraisal Orb, to see what has changed since the last time I checked it about 2 weeks ago. As we made our way to the classroom, I made note of the way the other Servants have begun to look at me. Before, they looked at me with indifference. Now, from everything that I have done, along with Sarah's teasing of me the past few weeks, along with the Friendship I have with Warrick and Aqua, I mostly get 1 of 2 looks. most of the Maids look at me with embarrassed looks.

No doubt due to my prince charming act of saving Sarah not once, but twice, but also due to her kissing me every chance she gets. The rest of the Maids and the Butlers have started to look at me with resentment. If I had to guess, I assume it is due to them believing I would've died at some point, but instead, I've survived and I'm doing better than ever. Regardless of that however, Anna would diligently watch the Servants with her well-trained Dodomeki eyes as we passed them.

Not because of those looks I would receive, but because she would immediately link her arm with mine as we walked when the coast was clear. This cat and mouse game would continue until we hit Aqua's classroom. Once we entered through the door, we were greeted by the same 5 faces as always. Aqua, Trish, Sarah, Cynthia and Asha would all greet us as we walked in. I would sit in my designated spot, next to Aqua and Anna would sit in the seat to the left of me.

Once we were seated, Aqua began to discuss what we would be doing today. Since everyone went through the Basics of Magic in a week, we've since been doing exercises together to strengthen our mana together. Usually, this involves some type of Mana Clashing with a new partner every day, so that we would never be too comfortable with our lessons. Aqua began her discussion focused on me. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation."

John, today we will look at your Status with one of the Appraisal Orbs and then you will Clash with Cynthia today. Sarah, you will pair with Asha today for Mana Clashing. Anna, you will be Tempering today! Do you all understand?" After we all agreed, I was given an Appraisal Orb by Trish.

John Ericsson Age 18 Job 1: Paladin Job 2: Summoner Job 3: Not Unlocked Job 4: Not Unlocked Title 1: Otherworder Title 2: Favored By Demons Title 3: Diligent Student Title 4: Brazen Warrior Title 5: Friend Of The Spirits Switch Title Yes No/ Additional Titles (2) Job Skills (Holy Magic) (Paladin's Recovery) (Holy Swordsmanship) (Summon) (Contract List) Skills (Holy Heal LV5) (Holy Mana Sword LV7) (White Slash LV6) (Cross Slash LV8) (Holy Bolt LV5) (Holy Arrow Lv3) (Holy Mana Body) (Armor of the Angels LV5) (Augment of the Angels LV5) (Armament of the Angels LV4) (Title Switch) (Language Comprehension) (Stamina and Mana Recovery +190%) (Scan LV3) (Shield Bash LV6) (Barrier LV9) (Shell LV4) (Reflect LV3) (Regen LV2) (Dispel LV4) (Multi-Cast) Well, as I can now see, I have gained Holy Arrow and Holy Mana Body.

Holy Arrow is the 1st new Spell I've learned, it is an upgrade compared to Holy Bolt. Holy Bolt, I have to manually aim, but with Holy Arrow, it auto aims by itself if I want it to. It's a very useful Spell to have in my opinion. And now for the newest Spell I've acquired, Holy Mana Body is a Buffing Spell that I can only use on myself. It Boosts all of my Abilities by 250%.

I just unlocked it 2 days ago, I haven't been able to Level it Up yet, as I've just discovered it after all, not that a Level Up would help much, since to be honest, I can't use it well. It saps my Mana too quickly. Multi-Cast was unlocked when I first combined my Holy Magic buffs for the first time. Luckily, it applies to all my Spells. The increase to my Stamina and Mana Recovery also increased over time.

It hadn't started to increase until after that night with Sarah and Anna though, I can't help but feel that night is the reason somehow? Also, it seems I had a new Title. I decided to take a look and was surprised at what I found.

Magical Experimenter A Title given to those who have created or found Lost Magic. Increased results in experimentation involving Magic or Mana. Unlocked by frequent experimentation with Magic.

I wonder why some things in the Appraisal Orb have numbered percentages and others didn't? I asked Aqua, but she told me that as a Demon, without access to the Title System, she had no idea. I decided to swap Otherworlder for Magical Experimenter before closing the Title Swap textbox. After checking to make sure nothing has changed too much other than my Title, Cynthia and I began to Clash our Manas together.

Since everyone has reached a certain level of Mastery with our Mana Control, we began to have conversations while Clashing. Honestly, the only real hold up was me. It took me till last week to be able to talk while Clashing. Cynthia started the conversation with me after we started." John, what did your Status say?"" That I've been working hard of course!" Cynthia looked at me with a pout as she began to voice her rejection of my answer." You know that's not what I meant! Did anything change since last time?"

I couldn't help but chuckle at her. These last few weeks I've grown closer to everyone. It's to the point where I can tease Cynthia now and she responds back without any anger. Asha and Sharon have also been much nicer to me recently. Though, when I speak to them, they keep looking back and forth between Sarah and me. I could see Cynthia was getting angry at my teasing, so I decided to answer seriously this time." The only real change is, I gained a new Title. It's called Magical Experimenter.

It helps out when doing experiments with Magic or Mana." Cynthia looked amused at my answer, and she decided to ask a question." What Titles do you have equipped, John?"" Well, I can have 5 equipped at a time. Right now, the other 4 besides Magical Experimenter are called, Favored By Demons, Diligent Student, Brazen Warrior, and Friend Of The Spirits." Cynthia looked very interested in something I said. It wasn't long until she asked me about it." Hey John, what does Favored By Demons do?""

Oh, it helps me have friendly relations with Demons."" How did you unlock it?"" It seems it unlocked due to Sarah's feelings towards me."

"?"

"?" Press... Cynthia looked puzzled at my explanation. That was until I felt someone pressing their hands on my shoulders. It wasn't long before Sarah spoke from behind me." Did you ask me about my feelings, John?" Turn." I-" Kiss. I turned to explain it to her, but she sealed my lips with her own. After a few moments, Cynthia shouted in surprise." Big Sis!" Once Cynthia drew attention to us, it wasn't long till Asha came to split us up. Before Sarah separated from me, Asha began to speak." Sarah!

A Proper Lady does not do that in front of company! You promised you wouldn't take it too far!" Release! Sarah released me from her embrace, and she began to respond to Asha." Forgive me, Asha, I couldn't help it. I'm sure you will understand my feelings in time! Maybe even sooner than later even?" Sarah smiled and stared at Asha and then turned to Cynthia. Asha and Cynthia were both red after what Sarah said. Aqua arrived during the silence and began to establish order again.

Sarah was punished and made to Clash Mana with Aqua and I was forced to Temper my Mana with Anna. While everyone was absorbed in their training, Anna while Tempering, held my hand. I could see her having a very peaceful smile from it. It was after a few hours of this, that we finished class and headed to Crest's class.