Date a Witch: Reborn as the Witch of Lust! (GL)

The Elf's sleepy eyes stared back at Mel's; the golden eyes baring not a shred of ill will.

Too used to petty responsibilities dumped onto her, Liora's brows loosened at the sincerety pouring out from the tender gaze instead.

"How burdensome."

The elf glanced away, muttering out loud. "But thank you."

Her lips almost curved for a smile, yet they frowned again as sleepiness invaded her senses.

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, then sincerely confessed.

"I would appreciate, though, if your genuine sentiment... will be spent on someone more worthier."

"...mm. Then I'd work hard at making you feel you're someone worthy, then!"

"How...arrogant."

The elf's thumb swept the back of Mel's hand; a tender gesture for a slight tease.

"Are you suggesting a child like you would seduce me into accepting your heartfelt feelings?"

[ You've successfully cracked further the shell of numbed emotion from the Witch of Sloth ]

[ Sloth Favourability: 4 -> 6 ]

"Hehe..."

Two contradictory answers, yet Mel's face beamed at Liora.

"So..." Her lips curled up. "How's my hand? I don't mind wrapping your palm for a little longer."

"Worse than a grasp of a pillow, I'm afraid."

"Oh? Don't compare me to a pillow..."

Mel raised a brow as she leaned back, before she was seated once again.

"Though, I don't mind giving you a lap pillow and such if you request it."

"..."

The elf held her chin, her eyes locked onto Mel's thighs as if examining a new product.

"Miss Liora."

Though as Maria tilted her head with the fake smile widening, the elf casually averted her indifferent gaze.

"Yes, Saintess. I didn't forget our business."

Sighing, she faced Maria once again. "Yet, I can't help but worried about your intervention, due to your... unconventional relationship with Mel."

Hm?

Mel raised a brow, confused as she glanced at Maria. "Um... mind to fill me in?"

Maria only shot a mischievous glance. "I'm planning to have you join the Student Council."

Student Council?

Mel held her chin, her eyes emptying.

"What's that? Something to eat?"

"Mmm..."

The Saintess tapped her cheek; her eyes curving yet her brows remained flat.

"A place that would work you to your bones? To the point you might not have the time to spare for your date with Lila?"

And so, Mel's jaw hung open.

Her brain realised: A crisis, worse than even Embervale, has dawned upon her.

'Maria..? Partner...?'

With a <Telepathy> sent, Mel mustered up the most pitiful gaze; her eyes threatening to tear up.

'You should've told me earlier, Partner...'

[ Relax, Mel. ]

'Hm...? Hm?'

Mel froze; her 'hm' escaping for third time in her thoughts.

The Elf, as if anticipating this, spoke to break the silence.

"Maria. I know you two were communicating behind me."

Liora folded her fingers together, her brows raised just perfect enough not to stretch too much of her dry eyes.

"For now," the elf pointed back at the document stacks at her desk.

"Mel, as I recall, possessed <Echo Magic> that could assist me in handling the work, right?"

Mel blinked, then nodded at the elf. "Yes!"

"Then a cast and visit per day was more than enough."

Liora sighed. "I just need the buff from your unique <Echo Magic> to finish the workload left. The trade off was that you'll join the Student Council, enjoy the Privillege it offers, and..."

The elf squinted at Mel. "Do none of the work you should be doing."

Hoorah! Hoorah to Liora and Maria!

"Thank you, both!" Mel's smile returned; now baring the silliest grin possible. "I promise I'll work hard."

"..."

That smile was even more sincere than when she comoforted me.

Liora curled her knees onto the sofa; a flicker of frustration crossed the elf's grey eyes.

Then, they locked again onto Mel's thighs again; pefect size, perfect texture, perfect thickness.

And the person in question was acceptable, to the elf's picky standard.

"We could consent on how we both hate work."

Liora's sharp ears drooped. "So how about I propse a mutually beneficial deal upon both of us?"

Mel's eyes glimmered. "Oh? Do pray tell!"

Then, the elf held up one finger.

"Once per week, you'll stay in this room to be my personal pillow."

"Sure!"

Mel agreed without hesitation; her smile now the sincerest it could be!

"Thanks, Maria!"

She shifted to the Saintess. "You always are so considerate to me... thanks to you, we-"

And then, she froze once again.

Maria's smile now frowned, just as 'sincere' in her utter disagreement with the deal!

"Mel." The Saintess nodded; her mechanical smile fixed.

"What is it again you want to say?"

As Maria's palm smoothed over Mel's thigh, the sensual ticklenss sent chills down Mel's spine.

"Uh-uhm..."

Mel cast a downward gaze. "Is it bad? I-I won't refuse the offer, but..."

Her fingers fidgeted with each other, a plea tinged with submission. "I could accept any other offer you have for me?"

The Elf, sitting at a distance, almost jolted awake at this sight.

"Sure."

Maria agreed without hesitation; her smile now the sincerest it could be!

And the Elf's lazy eyes darted to the side, a sweat trickling down as she caught it:

The look of utter 'shame' from Mel, with her cheeks blushing and her eyes almost tearing at the Saintess's impending 'offer'.

From the bottom of her heart, Liora sighed again.

She had a feeling being caught now was a bad idea.

-----------------

As Mel cast a <Rally> spell onto the Elf, advising on how to dispell the spell itself after signing all the documents, Mel left the student council room with Maria.

Before they left, they discuessed several matters with Liora; though it involved mostly demands from Liora to fire all the upper brass of the academy.

Apparently, the stacks of documents were allocated partly by the Academy Staffs themselves; assiting the investigation of the Embervale Incident.

"In other words..."

As they opened the school entrance, Mel's scowl didn't falter even when greeting the peeking sun outside.

"Liora was exploited again."

Mel groaned as they walked on the path. "Was there any way in uprooting the cause itself? It felt only unfair if... you know."

"Well..."

Maria shrugged.

"I could only do so much now; the Embervale Incident has burdened me with too much and all, so even I am heavyhanded."

Mel held her chin, contemplating.

"Say..."

She shot a sharp glance at Maria. "What about we drag Samantha into this mess? She could theoretically help ressolve it."

"No."

Maria simply shook her head. "This is a matter of Academy Staffs 'sharing' the appropriate workload. In the end, you would need justification to even pry away their burdensome demands."

"...that I would refuse."

Mel's lips stretched out for an annoyed pout. "A student was supposed to enjoy school life, and Liora... I really hope she'll rest well after all that's happened."

And then, Mel's eyes curved.

"So, I've a 'brilliant, totally non-disruptive' plan, Maria!"

The Saintess merely gazed at Mel; her eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"Try not to turn the school upside down."

"You got it, Partner!"

And sorry, Partner.

Mel covered her lips. The smile on her now? Absolutely zero sincerety.