NOVEL NEXT Chapter 289: My dears!
The private training ground echoed with the faint hum of ether and the sound of Brandon's sneakers scraping against the floor.
Naevora sat on the bench at the edge of the field with one long leg crossed over the other, sipping lazily from her bottle.
Strands of her dark hair clung to her temple in the summer heat, and though her expression was calm, her eyes never left the boy fumbling across the air.
Brandon concentrated and a faint shimmer pulsed under his feet as another disc of condensed ether appeared, perfectly rounded in the shape of a breast.
He hopped onto it, wobbling, then pushed himself higher, manifesting another disc a meter above.
He tried to land with precision, but the instant his balance faltered, the disc shattered into motes of light.
"Ah- damn it!" Brandon yelped as he dropped back to the training ground with a hard *thud*.
Naevora exhaled softly 'He was doing well yesterday... Hmm, I think he did that on instinct, and now he is trying to get it precisely.
The next attempt was no better.
Brandon sprang forward, creating another disc midair.
His foot pressed onto it, but the uneven balance made him skid, forcing him into another fall.
Naevora tilted her head slightly, her lips pressing into a thin line.
'I hope he learns to make the disc flat; I don't want others to think that I am training him to make breast-shaped discs.'
---
In the bathroom Brandon sat naked on a low wooden stool and his muscles glistened with a sheen of moisture from the warm water Elize poured over him.
His skin bore the faint marks of the day's training, small bruises and scratches.
"After that… today, I was training with the disc technique," Brandon muttered, recounting what happened yesterday and today as he leaned forward slightly, his hands resting on his knees.
"Tomorrow, I'm going back to the A-rank dungeon to temper my body."
Elize knelt behind him and her breasts brushed his skin as she moved.
Her hands, slick with soap, glided over his shoulders, scrubbing gently with a soft sponge, "I see, tempering your body is really important, as she said,"
Her fingers worked the sponge in slow, deliberate circles, tracing the contours of his muscles, "Good thing Naevora is your teacher…"
Brandon head tilted slightly as Elize's hands moved lower, scrubbing his back.
Her lips grazed the back of his neck, kissing the damp skin softly.
Elize's hands moved again and the sponge traced the curve of his hips, her fingers dipping briefly to his ass, squeezing lightly before returning to her task.
Smiling, she muttered "Since Dhayun and Eira went to Academy after a long time, i was alone with Yve at home... we played a bit and I was also teaching her cooking."
With a chuckle, she muttered "Now she is like my daughter of sorts."
He looked back at her and smiled softly "Glad to hear that you are happy, Aunt Elize."
She pinched his cheek and muttered, "Of course, dear, ever since you came into my life, I have always been happy."
He raised his hand, resting it above hers "...Thank you."
---
The sound of the front door opening broke the stillness of the living room and footsteps echoed faintly.
Brandon, who was upstairs, hurriedly rushed down the stairs, jumping two stairs at a time.
As he reached the living room, he saw Eira and Dhayun stepping inside, their dark Academy skirts swaying with their movements, blazers still buttoned, and stockings catching the faint evening light from the window.
Both looked a little tired from classes, but the moment they saw him, their faces bloomed into smiles.
"Welcome back, my dears!"
Brandon rushed forward and wrapped his arms around both girls at once, pulling them into his chest.
Dhayun gave a delighted giggle, muffled against his shoulder, while Eira's lips curved into a smile, though she pretended to protest, "H-Hey, you're hugging us too tight!"
Brandon only laughed softly, nuzzling closer as he squeezed them both tighter "I missed both of you today."
Their soft giggles overlapped as the three of them stayed in the hug.
Dhayun tilted her head up first and he bent slightly, pressing a tender kiss against her forehead.
Her cheeks flushed instantly and her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt as if to hide her shy smile.
Then Brandon turned his head, meeting Eira's bright eyes.
Before she could tease him, he kissed her just as gently.
He leaned back a little, looking at both of them in his arms "Perfect."
Eira pinched his cheek and asked "Mr.famous, today the headmistress summoned me and asked why my boyfriend hasn't been attending the Academy for a few weeks."
Oh... Brandon smiled wryly and replied "I am quite busy with training and... stuff."
She nodded her head and replied "Hmm, the headmistress seemed pretty intent on it. Soon the Academy Ranking and the Tournament are coming up. I think that's why she wanted to meet you."
Brandon's smile faltered a little at that, and a faint frown creased his brow "I see…"
Rankings meant public attention, competition, and scrutiny, not just from the Academy but from the outside world as well.
Well... he is already famous everywhere.
Eira noticed immediately and her fingers brushed lightly over his arm in reassurance "Don't make that face. It's not a bad thing. You're strong, Brandon… ridiculously strong. Everyone already knows you're not just some ordinary student. The Ranking is just another chance to prove it."
With a chuckle, she continued "And besides, I want to see their faces when you crush all those arrogant second-years who think they're untouchable…"
That made Brandon chuckle "You have a beef with the second years now? What happened?"
Eira rolled her eyes "Not just me; our whole class has a beef with the second-year class now. I will tell about that later."
Dhayun kissed his cheek and murmured "This is why you should attend classes regularly; you don't even know what is happening in your class."
He smiled dryly and replied "I will soon continue my classes in Academy."