Chapter 185: The Aftermath of Aether

The first light of dawn was blocked by the heavy velvet curtains, with only a few ambiguous rays slipping through.

Lia felt as if she were being entangled by a giant octopus.

Her back was pressed against a warm and solid wall, while a heavy arm lay across her waist.

It was Klein’s arm.

As if declaring his sovereignty, this arm held her so tightly that even turning over was an impossible luxury.

Lia tried to move her leg.

It wouldn’t budge an inch.

His thigh was pressed over hers, forming a perfect, inescapable lock.

Lia sighed and opened her eyes to stare at the dim ceiling.

Memories from last night flooded back like a tide.

The fireworks.

The clock tower.

And that kiss, which was both chilly and unusually scorching.

Her cheeks began to warm up uncontrollably.

Though she had lived two lives, this was her first time having a proper romantic experience.

And her partner was someone like Klein, who was usually aloof and cold in public but incredibly clingy in private.

Lia cautiously raised her hand, trying to move the iron-like arm from her waist.

She pinched Klein’s wrist and lifted it gently.

One centimeter.

Two centimeters.

‘Great, there’s hope.’

Just as she thought she was about to regain her freedom, the hand suddenly clamped down in reverse.

Her wrist was caught in an instant.

Immediately after, a powerful force pulled her backward.

Her back slammed heavily into that broad chest.

Warm breath sprayed onto the nape of her neck, sending a numbing current through her.

“You’re awake?”

Klein’s voice was husky with sleep, sounding languid.

Lia stiffened for a moment.

“You were awake this whole time, weren’t you!”

As an Eighth-Circle Archmage with senses as sharp as radar, how could he possibly not have noticed such a small movement?

Klein didn’t deny it.

He rested his chin on the top of Lia’s head, gently rubbing against her soft, golden hair.

“That’s right. I was observing.”

“Observing what?”

“Observing a little cat attempting a jailbreak.”

Lia rolled her eyes, and though her back was to him, she was sure he could feel it.

“I was just trying to get up.”

“It’s only seven o’clock.”

“For a mage, seven is already considered sleeping in.”

“For a newly-formed couple, it’s normal to still be lazing in bed at seven.”

Klein’s twisted logic was always ready at hand.

Lia gave up struggling and relaxed completely, leaning back into his embrace.

This feeling wasn’t bad at all.

“Klein.”

“Hm.”

“Your arm will go numb.”

“I have a magical ward protecting my body.”

Lia was defeated once again.

“I’m hungry.”

Lia tried to use physiological needs to break up this overly clingy morning.

The man behind her was silent for two seconds.

“What do you want to eat?”

“I want to eat your fried eggs.”

“Anything else?”

“Toasted bread, with a thick layer of butter.”

“Anything else?”

“Warm milk, with a spoonful of honey.”

Klein let out a soft chuckle, the vibration of his chest traveling through her back.

“Quite a lot of demands.”

“You were the one who asked.”

“Alright, I’ll satisfy you.”

Although he agreed, he showed no intention of letting go.

“Five more minutes in bed.”

“Didn’t you just say you’d satisfy me?”

“Recharging takes time.”

“Are you some kind of magitech device?”

“I’m your exclusive magitech device.”

Klein buried his face in the crook of her neck, taking a deep breath.

Lia’s scent was a mixture of the clean fragrance of shower gel and some indefinable sweetness.

Lia felt a tickle on her neck and couldn’t help but shrink her shoulders.

“Don’t fool around.”

“I’m not.”

Klein’s lips brushed against her skin, a barely-there touch.

“I’m replenishing my energy.”

“According to the law of conservation of energy, you’re stealing my energy.”

“That’s physics.”

Klein rolled over, propping himself up on his arms and looking down at her.

In the dim light, his blue eyes were startlingly bright.

“In love, the more energy you use, the more you have.”

Lia looked at him.

This guy, already exuding charm first thing in the morning.

Klein lowered his head, his nose touching hers.

“Lia, you smell so good.”

As soon as he spoke, his lips descended.

It was a morning kiss as gentle as water.

Carrying the languor and affection of the early morning.

Lia closed her eyes, her fingers subconsciously clutching the collar of his pajamas.

Her mind went blank.

All reason was thrown to the winds.

At this moment, the world was reduced to only the person before her.

After a long while, Klein finally pulled back slightly.

His thumb gently caressed Lia’s slightly swollen lips.

His eyes were filled with satisfaction.

“Fully charged,” he said.

Lia glared at him, but the corners of her eyes held a smile.

“Rogue.”

“Only for you.”

Klein threw back the covers and swiftly got out of bed.

He walked barefoot on the carpet, his pajamas hanging loosely on his frame, revealing a large patch of his firm chest.

Lia couldn’t help but stare for a couple of extra seconds.

‘His physique is really good.’

Klein seemed to notice her gaze, turning around with a teasing curve on his lips.

“Want to see more?”

“Who’s looking at you!”

Lia quickly pulled the blanket over her head.

The blanket was filled with his scent.

Klein’s laughter drifted in from outside.

“Get up and wash. I’ll go make breakfast.”

The sound of footsteps faded away.

Lia peeked out from under the blanket, looking at the closed bedroom door.

She reached up and touched her own lips.

His warmth seemed to linger there.

“Really…” she muttered under her breath.

“…That’s just too unfair.”

Lia rolled around in bed twice, wrapping herself in the blanket like a cocoon.

Then she sat there, giggling foolishly for a good while.

She only reluctantly climbed out of bed when her stomach started to protest with a growl.

The mirror in front of the washstand reflected a face as flushed as a peach blossom.

Lia patted her cheeks.

“Get a grip, Lia Farrien.”

“You can’t be addicted to a handsome face.”

Although this handsome face was indeed very tempting.

She quickly washed up and changed into a set of casual home clothes.

Walking out of the bedroom, she went down the stairs to the kitchen.

A fragrant aroma already filled the entire mage tower.

The sweet smell of butter melting in a hot pan, the savory scent of fried eggs, and the bitter fragrance of coffee.

This was the smell of life.

Lia leaned against the kitchen doorway, watching the busy figure inside.

Klein held a spatula, his movements as skilled as if he were conducting an alchemy experiment.

“How much longer are you going to stand there watching?” Klein asked without turning his head.

“How about a lifetime?” Lia blurted out.

She regretted it the moment she said it.

That was way too cheesy.

Klein turned around, the spatula in his hand still dripping with oil.

But the expression on his face was incredibly soft.

“Alright,” he answered without hesitation.

“As long as you don’t get tired of it.”

“As long as you keep cooking delicious food, I won’t get tired of it.”

Lia walked to the dining table and sat down, resting her chin in her hands as she watched him.

“Then I’ll have to work hard on improving my cooking skills.”

Klein brought over a plate of breakfast and placed it in front of her.

Golden fried eggs, crispy bacon, and thick toast slathered with butter.

Perfect.

Lia picked up her fork, just about to dig in.

But Klein pressed down on her hand.

“What’s wrong?” Lia looked at him, puzzled.

Klein pulled out the chair next to her, sat down, and held out his own right hand.

He waved it in front of Lia.

“My hand is sore,” he said with a straight face.

Lia looked at the hand that had just been wielding a spatula without a single tremor.

“It wasn’t sore when you were cooking just now?”

“It wasn’t sore then, but it is now.”

“Why?”

“Probably from holding you for too long.”

Klein righteously passed the blame to Lia.

“This is a work injury.”

Lia was stunned by this shameless logic.

“So you mean?”

“You feed me.”

Klein pointed to his own mouth.

“Ah—”

Lia looked at his lordly demeanor, waiting to be fed, and was so exasperated she had to laugh.

“Are you a three-year-old?”

“I’m your boyfriend,” Klein emphasized his new status.

And it seemed he intended to use the privileges of this status to the fullest.

With a sigh of resignation, Lia cut a piece of fried egg and lifted it to his mouth.

“Is it good?”

“It tastes better when you feed me.”

“Does who feeds you make a difference? Didn’t you make this yourself?”

“It’s a psychological effect,” Klein spouted nonsense with a perfectly serious face.

Lia cut another piece of bacon and stuffed it in his mouth.

‘That’ll shut you up.’

Klein wasn’t angry at all and accepted everything.

The entire breakfast was a sticky, lovey-dovey affair.

Lia would take a bite herself, then feed Klein a bite.

Although it was troublesome, she surprisingly found it quite fun.

Watching the usually high and mighty Archmage obediently open his mouth like a big golden retriever.

This adorable contrast was simply addictive.

Just as the two were being sweet to each other, the atmosphere bubbling with affection.

The crystal ball in the center of the table suddenly lit up without any warning.

Hum—

A sharp vibration shattered the cozy atmosphere.

Klein’s expression visibly sank.

He swallowed the toast in his mouth, his eyes glaring coldly at the crystal ball.

As if it were a bomb about to explode.

“Don’t answer it,” he said coldly.

“What if it’s an emergency?”

Although Lia didn’t want to be disturbed either, she still had her wits about her.

“I don’t know who it is, but for them to be calling us at this time, it’s definitely not good news.”

Although Klein said that, he still waved his hand to accept the communication.

Samuel’s large face instantly appeared above the crystal ball.

He looked even more miserable than last time.

His dark circles were so heavy he looked like he’d been punched twice, his hair was as messy as a chicken’s nest, and the red veins in his eyes were clearly visible.

The background was filled with the noisy sounds of arguments and breaking glass.

“Help!” Samuel let out a weak wail.

“Klein, Lia… you have to save me.”

“What’s wrong?” Lia put down her fork and asked with some concern.

“Is it that Laurent group making trouble again?”

“It’s much more serious than that.”

Samuel scratched his hair, pulling out several strands.

“Ever since you announced that aether doesn’t exist, the entire magic world has been turned upside down!”

“Wasn’t that to be expected?” Klein said indifferently, casually picking up Lia’s half-finished glass of milk and taking a sip.

“No, this time is different,” Samuel’s voice was tinged with tears.

“Before, it was just a conflict of ideas. Now, it’s a complete collapse of worldviews.”

He took a deep breath, as if about to say something terrifying.

“Because if aether doesn’t exist, and the speed of light is a constant…

Then the classical kinematics formulas are completely useless!

Right now, there are several masters who specialize in velocity magic who have suffered from magical backlash and vomited blood because they can’t calculate superimposed velocities!

Just a moment ago, three more were carried out of the Association’s entrance!

If you two don’t give us an explanation soon, I’m going to vomit blood too!”

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