Exercise

Xia Lun truly hadn’t expected that the leader of the Blood Pact would be a woman.

"Luo Lun… is a woman?"

"Indeed. If it were a man, I’d definitely keep my distance."

Aina’s gaze turned teasing.

"Ah, Xia Lun, you’re so adorable… Oh my, how strange—why does the air smell so sour? Ah, I see! My little Xia Lun is jealous! Do you need me to hug you and comfort you?" Covering her mouth, Aina laughed unrestrainedly, her shoulders shaking with mirth.

Clearly, Aina had no self-awareness of how much more often she was the jealous one.

Her teasing made Xia Lun’s cheeks flush slightly.

"Don’t worry, Xia Lun. My eyes are only for you. Other men might as well be ants to me," Aina murmured, pulling Xia Lun’s head close. "I’d never abandon you."

Xia Lun smiled faintly, saying nothing more. He already knew this well.

Aina stretched lazily, covering a yawn with her hand. "Haa— Xia Lun… I think I’m a little sleepy."

Warm bat wings unfurled from her back, draping gently over Xia Lun. "Goodnight, Xia Lun. Let’s turn off the lights and sleep early."

Hmm. Aina, sleepy?

Beings like them could choose to sleep, but feeling genuinely drowsy was impossible.

Aina wasn’t sleepy—she was scared.

With a snap of her fingers, the ambient magic lights in the room dimmed.

In the darkness, Aina’s steady breathing filled the air.

Xia Lun began fumbling quietly in the dark.

"Xia Lun…" Aina’s voice suddenly trembled, on the verge of tears. "Today’s already… the fifth round. I really can’t take it anymore… I’ll break."

"No, Aina. You’re the Demon King." Xia Lun wiped the corner of her eye—no tears, as expected. "Believe in yourself. You won’t break… and I’ll be careful."

"No, Xia Lun, you won’t be careful. You have zero restraint!" Aina clawed at his firm back. "Why else would I have sealed you with magic?"

Xia Lun paused.

"Sorry, I was too rough." He kissed her forehead. "Let’s stop here for tonight. Rest well."

A moment later, he felt Aina’s fingers tracing lightly over his chest, tickling him.

"Aina… what are you doing?" Xia Lun asked, puzzled.

Her arms coiled around his neck, fingertips teasing the ridges of his spine… He knew exactly what this provocation meant.

"Keep going, Xia Lun… I can handle it, if I push myself a little," Aina whispered in his ear.

"Won’t you break?" he asked worriedly.

"Even if I do, I want to continue." Stubbornly, she pressed down on his shoulders and straddled him.

……

"Mo Lini, this is Miss Lian Na. She’ll be working here as a maid from now on… Be nice to each other, okay?" Liyana introduced Lian Na at Mo Lini’s door.

Mo Lini opened the door, the small red beast rubbing her bleary eyes, clad in pink pajamas.

The pajamas—bought during their trip to the city—had bunny ears on the hood, perfectly suiting Mo Lini’s charm.

Liyana had forced them on her, but Mo Lini wore them anyway, not one to waste.

"Why visit so late? I won’t let you stay over," Mo Lini yawned.

Liyana pouted. "Am I that kind of person?"

"Yes."

"…Fine, you got me."

Lian Na studied Mo Lini. So there was another girl her age here.

"Miss Lian Na, are you an elf?" Mo Lini noticed her pointed ears, like Liyana’s.

Liyana leaned in and whispered to Mo Lini.

Mumble, mumble, mumble.

"Oh… really?" Mo Lini’s eyes softened with sympathy.

Miss Lian Na’s family had been victims of those forbidden drugs.

"To welcome our new friend, let’s have a girls’ pajama party!" Liyana suddenly declared.

Mo Lini didn’t object. Lian Na nodded shyly.

Soon, the three sat cross-legged on Mo Lini’s bed in their sleepwear.

"Why my room?" Mo Lini muttered, but Liyana’s loud chatter drowned her out.

Liyana launched into animated tales of her past adventures, Lian Na’s eyes sparkling with fascination.

"Liyana, are you exaggerating?" Mo Lini questioned her claim of shooting five monsters with one arrow.

"Of course not! After that incident, I never exaggerate…" Liyana shrunk a little.

That incident referred to the misunderstanding where the entire elf race believed she’d slain the Demon King.

Lian Na tilted her head.

At first, she’d been reserved, but Liyana’s warmth quickly drew her in.

Besides, Liyana was her idol—sharing a bed and chatting like this was beyond her wildest dreams.

"Miss Mo… Mo Lini doesn’t look much older than me, but you’re already adventuring with Liyana and the others?" Lian Na asked softly. "You seem so mature, even though we’re probably the same age."

Mo Lini took a deep breath. Liyana covered her mouth, stifling laughter.

Mo Lini had once been a music teacher in Olifant—hardly a youngster.

"Miss Lian Na… I’m actually in my twenties."

"Really? I’d never have guessed." Lian Na studied her. "You’re very cute, Miss Mo Lini."

Lian Na wore Mo Lini’s pajamas, which fit her perfectly.

"Hehe… you’re both adorable," Liyana grinned goofily.

"Oh!" Now more comfortable, Lian Na grew talkative. "What about Miss Aina? Shouldn’t we invite her too?"

Though Aina’s aloof demeanor intimidated her, Lian Na felt it’d be rude to exclude her.

"Ah, Aina? She’s… probably busy right now," Liyana hedged.

"Busy? It’s nighttime. What’s she doing?" Mo Lini frowned. "She joined last time… though I don’t know why we all passed out. We weren’t even that tired."

That’s exactly the problem! Liyana screamed internally, but this was not something she could explain.

Under the girls’ curious stares, she slowly turned away.

"Aina is… probably… training."