Chapter 39: A Study in Distractions

“Time flies, My Lady. This year is almost over.”

“It’s still November, so there’s more than a month left. But I guess it feels like the year is ending when the semester ends. With exams and everything, time will fly by, and then it’ll be the holidays before we know it.”

Since the start of the third semester, Sayo had been devoting more time to magic training. She’d also started spending more time with Nell and Euru after classes, making the days pass by in a blur.

And the fact that she no longer felt particularly embarrassed lying with her head in Ahrin’s lap was also likely due to the passage of time.

Initially, after becoming ‘herself,’ Sayo had been more reserved with Ahrin, feeling shy about the physical intimacy they used to share. But Nell and Euru’s forwardness, combined with her desire to be closer to Ahrin, had led to an increase in physical contact. Now, both she and Ahrin had grown accustomed to it.

The first time Sayo had rested her head in Ahrin’s lap, Ahrin had been flustered, unsure what to do with her hands. But once she grew a little more comfortable, she’d started to gently stroke Sayo’s hair. ‘Ahrin, who’s so kind and respectful, stroking my hair?’ It felt almost like a playful act of defiance. Of course, Sayo knew it wasn’t. Ahrin’s hesitant, blushing face had been adorable, and her gentle touch had made Sayo smile. A paternal sort of smile. Seeing Sayo’s reaction had seemed to reassure Ahrin.

It was a little disheartening that Ahrin still seemed unsure and hesitant, constantly checking Sayo’s reaction, but Sayo was nonetheless satisfied that they had developed a deeper connection.

Ahrin’s hand, which had been stroking Sayo’s hair, now moved down to her forehead, then her cheek, and finally her ear. She gently kneaded and pressed Sayo’s ear with just the right amount of pressure. Ahrin glanced at Sayo, who lay still with her eyes closed, a faint blush on her cheeks. Seeing no signs of discomfort or displeasure, Ahrin continued.

“Hmm…”

‘Were my ears always this sensitive?’ Sayo had been inwardly surprised when Ahrin’s hand moved down from her head. And when Ahrin started touching her ear, a strange, tingling, almost ticklish yet pleasant sensation spread through her. Being touched by others, like Ahrin, Nell, or Euru, felt completely different from touching herself. Their touch made her skin sensitive and ticklish, evoking a strange feeling. A sort of urge to squirm. She couldn’t quite explain it.

‘When I touch myself, it just feels like… well, touching myself.’ The ‘old’ Sayo had engaged in similar levels of physical contact, but the current Sayo was different. Back then, she had been the one initiating contact with Ahrin, not the other way around. Now, experiencing it from the receiving end with Ahrin, Nell, and Euru, she understood why Ahrin hadn’t protested much. It was embarrassing, but honestly, not unpleasant.

While her left hand continued to play with Sayo’s ear, Ahrin’s right hand gently caressed Sayo’s cheek and jawline. She observed Sayo, who offered no resistance to her touch. It had been a spontaneous impulse, but seeing Sayo accept it made Ahrin think it was okay.

She knew this wasn’t typical behavior for a lady and her maid. Despite being a commoner girl who had gotten lucky and become a lady’s maid, and despite her lack of experience, Ahrin had received some training and possessed a degree of social awareness.

Of course, other maids also touched their superiors while giving massages, dressing them, or attending to their baths. But Ahrin knew this was different. Yet, she continued to touch Sayo.

‘Never touch a superior without permission.’ But if the superior allows it, isn’t it okay? Ahrin thought simply.

She felt a twinge of hesitation, thinking she might be taking things too far, but she couldn’t resist the impulse. The beautiful and kind lady continued to accept her touch without protest. ‘It’s alright, isn’t it? Then, maybe I can… a little more…’

‘Whoa! What am I thinking…?’ Ahrin shook her head vigorously, trying to dispel the thought. She pulled her hands away from Sayo and pressed them to her own cheeks. They felt hot.

“Ahrin? What’s wrong? Is something the matter?”

Feeling the sudden movement and the absence of Ahrin’s touch, Sayo sat up, her hand going to her own face. She looked at Ahrin, who had her head down, and spoke with concern.

“Oh, it’s nothing! Ah! Would you like some tea?”

“Hmm…? Yes, please.”

Ahrin stood up and hurried to prepare the tea, trying to calm her racing heart and the strange, unfamiliar feeling in her chest. She didn’t know what this feeling was, but it felt like it was stealing her composure and reason.

“Less than a week until exams? You’re kidding, right?”

“You’ve been saying that all day. And you know you’re the only one of us five worried about it.”

“Well, it’s not fair! You’re all good at studying!”

“It’s not about fairness. I told you to study consistently! These little things add up, and later they could affect our lives and…”

“Yeah, yeah…”

Sayo felt bad for Soine, who was getting another scolding from Miner. Normally, she’d let it slide, but today, seeing Soine shrink under Miner’s words, she felt a pang of sympathy and reached out to stroke Soine’s hair.

“I’ll help you as much as I can, so cheer up.”

“S-Sayoreinne… Thank you! Hehe, I want to get good grades and get a good placement too.”

Seeing Soine squirm happily, a bright smile on her face, made Sayo smile too. ‘She’s a bit like Ahrin.’

“You shouldn’t indulge her like that.”

Miner, however, looked slightly displeased. They were close friends, but Miner was surprisingly strict in this regard. ‘Or rather, because they’re so close, Miner is worried about Soine.’

“Sayoreinne, can you explain this to me?”

Euru snuggled up next to Sayo, asking a question. Euru was a good student, too… “Hmm, let’s see.”

The Relationship Between Gate Environments and Magical Beasts. While lower-level magical beasts were generally similar regardless of location, mid-level and high-level beasts varied depending on the environment within the gate.

For instance, forest-like environments might spawn ant-like beasts or carnivorous plants that devoured anything that approached. Damp environments with lots of water might produce frog-like beasts. However, most gates contained a mix of environments. This subject focused on predicting and preparing for the types of magical beasts that might emerge from such mixed environments.

Most other subjects involved memorization and multiple-choice questions, but this one required written answers, making it the most challenging. Sayo had expected Euru to ask about this subject.

“So, as I was saying…”

As Sayo explained, Euru wrapped her arms around Sayo’s waist and rested her head against her. She often did this, but…

“Euru, are you listening?”

“Yes, I’m listening. Please continue.”

With Euru in that position, her hands occupied, she couldn’t take notes. ‘Is this really effective?’ Sayo felt dubious but continued her explanation.

Euru kept asking questions, and Sayo did her best to answer, but with Euru clinging to her waist, her hands restlessly fidgeting, Sayo couldn’t tell if she was actually absorbing the information. ‘No, Euru is quite diligent, so I shouldn’t doubt her.’

“Ugh, I just can’t get this into my head.”

“You’ve barely started, and you’re giving up already? Come on, let’s try again.”

Miner was working hard too. Coaxing and pushing Soine to study was admirable, if a little pitiful to watch. Miner seemed used to it, but it was still touching to see her efforts.

“Sayoreinne, ask me a question.”

“Okay, I’m ready.”

Sayo looked at the textbook, preparing to quiz Nell, who was kneading Sayo’s hand with her own, eyes closed, ready to recite the memorized material. ‘The hand-holding is fine, I guess, but let’s move on.’

“…What method did the hero, Seo Rayeon, use in this situation?”

“Hmm…”

Nell, who had been answering well so far, seemed stuck. She let out a groan and then pressed Sayo’s hand, which she’d been kneading, against her cheek. ‘Why is she pressing my hand…?’

Lick

“Huh?!”

‘What?! Why… why did she lick my thumb?’ Shocked, Sayo pulled her hand back. It moved, but Nell’s hand still held on tight. ‘Why is she so strong? Wait, more importantly…’

“Nell! What was that about?”

“I’m so sorry! I have a habit of biting my nails when I’m thinking hard, and I mistook your hand for mine.”

She bowed her head apologetically, making it hard for Sayo to scold her. Sayo still felt indebted to Nell, so she let it slide. ‘But she didn’t bite my nail; her tongue came out and licked my finger. Maybe when she’s deep in thought…’ Sayo didn’t want to be suspicious over something so small, so she chose to believe Nell’s explanation.

‘Hmm. This was our first study session together, but why don’t I feel like we actually studied much?’ ‘Was it because Nell and Euru kept clinging to me? …No, it must be my lack of focus.’ Feeling exhausted, sleepiness washed over her. Thinking she needed to catch up on her studies tomorrow, she drifted off.