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“Eeh, was it that simple?”

While Frecia was trying to set the mood, I was worried I’d have to go catch some legendary dragon or something, but the actual solution turned out to be quite straightforward. Just exchanging mana to solve the problem? There was absolutely no reason not to choose that.

“Well, without any hesitation, we obviously have to go with the second method.”

Or perhaps replenishing that mana involves some unexpectedly complicated process? If that were the case, it would make sense why Frecia was acting like that.

“R-right…?”

As soon as I replied, a smile began to spread across Frecia’s face. Her voice also seemed a bit excited. Regardless of whether the method is easy or difficult, it was a relief that she didn’t want the magic to be interrupted, just like me.

“So, how do we replenish that mana?”

Unlike Selian, who is also a Sword Master and skilled in magic, I was utterly lacking in magical prowess. After all, my magical studies only go back to my school days at the Academy three years ago. It’s a natural outcome, but I can’t help feeling a bit regretful. Additionally, Frecia’s primal magic is entirely different from conventional magic, so self-studying has its limits.

“Well… as Elysia probably knows, mana is essentially the source of all things, so even someone who can’t use magic possesses mana.”

As Frecia said, mana is the energy that everyone possesses. The aura used by knights is just another form of utilizing mana; fundamentally, they are the same. Even an ordinary person who has never swung a sword or knows nothing of magic has varying amounts of mana depending on their talent; there simply doesn’t exist anyone without mana. It can be further refined through training later.

“Even a single flower blooming in a field, or the lark chirping every morning, or the great trees that have stood in one place for dozens or hundreds of years, all possess mana. Among them, some may transcend time and gain a spiritual essence through special circumstances.”

Of course, such cases are incredibly rare, so encountering spirits in person is exceedingly uncommon. I’d say it’s nearly non-existent.

“Not only living beings but also some minerals contain mana, and those minerals can accept the user’s mana or aura more easily, which is why they’re often made into wands or swords. Or they can be enchanted or turned into magical items. However, due to their extreme rarity, they end up being quite expensive.”

Furthermore, magical minerals vary considerably; the price depends on which minerals possess mana and how much they contain. I recall being astonished by the price of the sword Selian uses, as it was a magic mineral sword. It was a cost even a noble wouldn’t dare contemplate.

“On the other hand, stones that possess no mineral value containing mana, or mana stones from demonic monsters, or artificially crafted mana stones are excellent for supplying mana as consumables, hence they are mostly used in magical items. Even if the mana from the mana stones contains impurities, it doesn’t present a significant problem, just a difference in efficiency. In contrast, a highly pure gemstone with mana in it can no longer simply be considered a consumable.”

Well… this is somewhat basic knowledge, and since I already learned it during my time at the Academy, it’s not entirely new information. That said, it doesn’t mean Frecia’s explanation is boring. Her voice is so cute that just listening to it puts a smile on my face.

“Unlike animals or minerals, humans have honed their intelligence. Human determination and wisdom have developed the technique known as aura, and we have even begun to awkwardly mimic the magic that was thought to belong solely to dragons.”

But whether Frecia’s story is boring or not is secondary; I simply asked how to replenish mana, yet it feels like we’re suddenly in a lecture. Watching Frecia’s lengthy exposition makes me reminiscent of the times I listened to her teach at the church during my school days. It brings back a wave of nostalgia and warmth, but what I’m curious about right now is the method for replenishing the mana to maintain our contract magic.

“Getting back on track, the blood of living beings symbolizes life, hence it contains the densest mana. That’s why many ancient sorcerers and black magicians, and even folk remedies in rural villages often utilize human blood. Moreover, the barbaric traditional practice of consuming the blood of a foe after a duel stems from the belief that one can grow stronger by consuming the blood of the strong. Of course, the practical efficiency is low; it’s mostly for intimidating the opponent.”

“Wait! Just a moment, please!”

I thought she might go on lecturing all night if I left her be, so I raised my hand to interrupt her as she continued. Thankfully, Frecia stopped her lengthy explanation at my gesture and shout.

“So how do we replenish mana for the contract magic? Of course, I’m not saying that your speech is boring, but right now, what’s important is the mana replenishment.”

While I was saying this, I was worried about hurting Frecia’s feelings, so I tried to speak as carefully as possible. Thankfully, her expression didn’t seem to register any offense.

“Y-yeah… I was going to get to that… So, um…”

Frecia appeared to be blushing deeply, perhaps embarrassed by her own actions.

“…kis.”

“…Huh?”

What? Is there something wrong with Frecia’s voice, or is my ear not functioning properly? She just said ‘kiss,’ didn’t she? Have I lost my mind from lust to the point of hearing things?

“So, um, as I mentioned earlier, mana exists throughout a person’s body, not just in blood, and um… for it to be exchanged between us, saliva is the safest option… And we need physical contact to work on both sides of the contract magic…”

“Ah….”

I really didn’t mishear. Well, it’s laughable to be exchanging blood to replenish mana; saliva makes more sense. But still, a kiss… Of course, as a male, the idea of kissing someone like Frecia is quite an honor. Sharing a kiss with someone as beautiful as her is something I’d usually only dream of.

Then it dawned on me why Frecia had been going on for so long. It must’ve been embarrassing for her to say the word ‘kiss’ with her innocent lips. Even for me, as a man, seeing this as a kiss with her is one thing, but she would be viewing me as the same gender, wouldn’t she? Now she has to kiss someone of the same gender.

Even if I read those kinds of stories often, they remain just stories. Cases like Lindy are extremely rare; finding homosexual relationships in reality is quite challenging.

Of course, Frecia had already kissed me once when transitioning from the temporary to permanent contract; however, that time, I was caught off guard by the reunion and was so flustered that I didn’t have time to feel shy.

Frecia must have steeled herself to choose the second option. Think about it; it’s not just a peck; she clearly called it a kiss. It’s not merely about touching lips either.

But if I hesitate here, it would disrespect her resolve and courage. If I’m a man, even if my exterior seems female, I must maintain my identity and take a strong stance.

This little girl extended her hand first; how could I possibly refuse her hand?

“And… and…”

“You don’t need to go to such lengths to persuade me. I’m always on your side.”

I placed my hands on Frecia’s shoulders, looked into her trembling eyes, and spoke slowly and distinctly. I’d always trust her, who had come to me and grabbed me when I was lost. I promised never to reject that hand she offered me. In fact, I felt sorry for not being the one to reach out first.

“Yeah… that’s right… Elysia has always been like that. Kind Elysia. When I was trapped in the cage I made for myself, she was the one who reached out and helped me fly away.”

With that, I slowly lowered my head and approached her. As I drew closer, her beautiful eyes filled my view, but soon her eyelids gracefully fell, hiding her beautiful gaze completely. But it was just a brief feeling of disappointment. I also slowly closed my eyes.

And then, the soft and warm feeling I felt on my lips. But it was not just a sensation; a thrilling spark shot down my spine, as I involuntarily gasped. At the same moment, her sweet scent wafted towards me.

As our breaths tickled each other’s faces, our noses occasionally brushed against one another playfully. I worried she might feel bad from the breath I exhaled. Of course, I didn’t think her breath was unpleasant. But unlike her, who viewed me purely as a same-gender friend, I felt a different kind of connection. It was only natural for me to be cautious.

While I knew we couldn’t stay glued at the lips forever, I didn’t have the courage to proceed to the next step. It’s not like I’ve had ample romantic experience. It’s not just me; Frecia was probably feeling stuck just like me.

I could feel her hand, tightly gripping my clothing, trembling slightly. Gathering my courage, I cautiously opened my lips, attempting to mimic what I had read in books. Just as I thought I was getting used to it, I felt an unfamiliar touch, making Frecia flinch in surprise. Fortunately, she didn’t push me away, and encouraged by that, I boldly leaned in closer.

I felt her hand clutching my arm tighten, and soon her lips parted as well. I felt a sense of mischief, as if I were doing something I shouldn’t. I slowly slipped in, lightly nudging her hard teeth. I felt as if I were knocking.

Soon enough, Frecia’s hidden tongue slowly ventured out to meet mine, and they began to intertwine. Naturally, our salivas mingled and exchanged, creating a gentle warmth radiating from my heart, filling me. Just as she said, the magic of the contract must be replenishing Frecia’s mana through our saliva. I was certain she felt the same way.

However, what’s unfortunate for Frecia is that the contract magic became less and less important to me. While I knew it was an act for a purpose, my personal desires overwhelmed the need for mana replenishment as I sought her. Her breath tickling my cheeks, the soft touch of her lips, the gentle dance of her tongue entangled me, making me lose my rationality.

If it were simply to replenish mana, I wouldn’t need to indulge like this, yet I found myself lightly nibbling on her lips for fun. The fact that she startled at my sudden action made her even more adorable, urging me to continue my teasing. I felt the saliva that could belong to either of us pooling at the end of my chin.

A single droplet that clung to my chin suddenly fell, splattering on my hand. The warm, slightly sticky fluid was a moment of awakening for my drifting senses.

What’s this? Why is saliva dripping on my hand? I clearly had my hand on her shoulder, a spot it shouldn’t have reached.

I quickly assessed my situation, careful not to alert Frecia. It dawned on me what I had been doing. Kissing is an act needed to replenish mana, so there’s a level of consent, and while my instincts drove me to indulge, I could somewhat justify it.

Yet my instincts, my desires, were still unsatisfied. Unbeknownst to me, one hand had somehow found its way to Frecia’s chest, feeling the soft cushioning through my fingers.

Even worse, another hand had already wrapped around her waist, slowly sliding down towards her backside. If I had taken even a moment longer to realize myself, I might have been groping Frecia’s backside right now.

I’ve often pointed out Lindy’s perverted behavior, but it’s clear I’m in no position to say anything. Sure, playful touches among friends happen, especially among girls, but the situation is a bit different now. This goes beyond playful antics between friends.

Fortunately, Frecia seemed to be focused on the restoration of the contract magic and didn’t notice my actions. In the mix of control I lost, it seemed I had enough mana replenished; I felt a sense of fulfillment even greater than when we first formed the contract.

Fearing that if I lingered just a bit longer, I might lose my grasp on sanity again, I slowly pulled back. A strand of saliva stretched between our tongues, heavy and eventually breaking.

I stared at what a ridiculous act I had committed. Frecia remained with her eyes still closed, perhaps checking to see if the magic contracted in her heart was wholly restored. Watching her like this filled me with a whirlwind of feelings.

I worried about whether Frecia would feel upset about my indiscretion. While she treasured our bond, focusing on the restoration of the contract magic, I was instead indulging for my own selfish pleasures. And… the lingering softness of her lips left me feeling regretful.

While her eyes were shut, I tentatively brushed my fingertips over my lips. Thanks to the TS magic, I couldn’t feel a single callus; compared to her lips, mine felt rough like tree bark or stone.

As her eyelids slowly opened, I quickly lowered my hands. Perhaps due to focusing on magic, her gaze was unfocused. After a moment of waiting, her dazed eyes regained clarity, locking onto mine.

“Ah…”

Frecia, looking at me, uttered a single breathless syllable. What could that mean?

The lucky part was that she didn’t mention my mistake.

“W-well, the contract magic is restored… The mana replenishment should be enough, so there shouldn’t be any disconnection…”

The way she rambled and stammered only gave me further thoughts. Every small action of hers seemed to pull at my attention.

But I couldn’t stay in this situation indefinitely. I took out a handkerchief I always carry and wiped away the saliva from her lips. After all, it wouldn’t do to leave the room in this state.

For a moment, I felt her soft lips conveyed through the thin fabric. So this is what her delicate lips felt like against mine; I had shared a deep and passionate kiss.

“Okay, it’s all clean now!”

I quickly pulled away again, not wanting things to get too weird. And knowing her saliva had been on her lips, it was only natural that my mouth was also slick, so I promptly wiped my own lips as well.

However, the handkerchief was slightly damp because I just used it to wipe Frecia’s face. Ah, does this mean it’s an indirect kiss?

…It’s pretty bad, honestly. I can’t get off the kiss thought. I guess I should just head back to my room and sleep early. Though whether I’ll actually sleep is a different story.

“Well then, shall we head back?”

“Um, um… about that…”

Frecia grabbed my sleeve, stopping me. I turned back to face her with a quizzical look. Could she possibly be scolding me for the harassment now? If so, I’d just insist it was playful banter among friends.

“Well… the mana replenishment went fine, but… getting the contract magic back on track may be impossible…”

But thankfully, what Frecia said was not what I feared.

“So, I think… we’ll have to periodically replenish the mana…”

Next time… she said we could do something like this again…?

On the contrary, her words filled the yearning inside me, like a puppy waiting for a walk; I eagerly anticipated the next mana replenishment with her… or, rather, the kiss.

 

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