The competition was on.

I leaned in, my mouth finding hers, a tentative brush that quickly deepened.

Her lips, soft and delicate, parted slightly, inviting me. Our tongues met, a dance of dominance, twisting around themselves, sweet and unhurried.

I tasted her, a mix of innocence and something wild, untamed. My hand drifted higher, seeking the swell of her breast.

"Mmmhnn.."

A soft moan escaped her throat as my palm cupped the soft mound, her nipple hardening instantly against my skin.

Her breasts are her sensitive spots. If I've used soft touch, she would have fainted at that move for sure.

"Oh," she breathed, her fingers clutching my shoulders. I pulled back, just enough to meet her gaze, a fierce heat in my eyes.

"That was close." Her eyes narrowed, a spark of defiance igniting. "Not even."

She pushed against me, her own hand finding my chest, then trailing lower, her touch light as a feather over my abdomen.

The blood rushed through me. My cock, already aching, pulsed with anticipation.

I shifted, pressing my hardness against her.

"Uhumm.."

A soft whimper escaped her, a sound that fueled my desire.

"You're shaking." I murmured, my lips brushing her earlobe, sending shivers down her spine.

"So are you." Her voice, though still soft, held a new edge, a playful taunt. She maneuvered, her leg sliding between mine, her soft inner thigh pressing against my pulsing shaft.

A guttural groan tore from my chest. "Ah, Sera." My hands found her hips, pulling her closer, grinding us together.

The friction, even through our clothes, was exquisite torture. I felt her wetness blooming through the thin fabric of her night skirt, a hot, urgent dampness. "Not yet," she gasped, her hips moving instinctively, mirroring mine, a rhythm building between us.

"You won't win that easily." Her fingers tangled in my hair, pulling my head back, her face flushed, eyes half-closed in burgeoning pleasure.

"Ahh..Huhh.."

Her breath came in ragged gasps. I could feel her, so close, so ready. The air grew thick, heavy with our combined scent, sweat and arousal.

My body screamed for release, but the game, the delicious, torturous game, held me captive. I wanted to hear her break, to witness her surrender.

The pressure built, a relentless wave, threatening to crash over me. I pushed deeper into her, our bodies locking, grinding, the sound of skin against skin.

"Ahhnnn...Ahnnn..Rune...Runneeee..."

Her back arched, her nails digging into my shoulders, a soft cry escaping her lips.

The sound, a raw, desperate plea, sent a jolt through me. Her hips bucked violently beneath mine, her body convulsing.

"Ahcknnnmm.." "I.. ahnn..can't..."

A shiver ran through her, then another, and another. Her eyes flew open, wide and unfocused, a silent scream escaping her lips.

Her eyes rolled upwards, tongue lolling outward

She was gone, lost to the wave. "You lose," I panted, my voice hoarse, feeling the tremor in her body as she came beneath me.

The victory, however, was short-lived. My own body, pushed to its absolute limit, roared in protest. A powerful surge coursed through me, hot and undeniable.

I let out a guttural cry, my own release flowing out of me like an avalanche just moments after hers, a wave of pleasure washing over my senses.

"Huh..Huhhh.."

We lay tangled, breathless, the silent room now filled with the echo of our ragged breaths.

Sera kissed my lips softly.

There was no urgency in her kiss anymore, no desperate energy, just her trying to stay as close to me as possible, like she was afraid I'd disappear if she let go.

I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her in with one gentle but firm motion.

Her eyes widened slightly as her body pressed against mine, her breasts settling against my chest. She immediately pushed her arms around me and buried her head into my collarbone, nestling there like she'd found the safest place in the world.

Guess my arm is her pillow now.

I slowly stroked her silver hair, running my fingers through the soft strands and gently massaging her head.

Her ragged, uneven breath gradually calmed, evening out into something peaceful. Her body relaxed completely, sinking into mine like she was melting.

We held each other in the quiet darkness, our tired selves drifting slowly toward sleep.

Sera kept mumbling something in her sleep. Mostly my name, over and over.

My eyes grew heavier, fluttering once, twice, before finally closing.

I drifted into sleep in Sera's warm embrace, wrapped in her presence.

Perhaps we were sharing the same dream under the soft, warm light of the castle's guest room.

**************

The sunlight brushed against my back as it seeped into the room from the right-side window. The curtains were open, allowing the morning light to stream through the glass.

Were the curtains open yesterday?

I slid my back up against the bed's backrest, trying to sit up properly.

That's when I realized I'd been careless, I'd completely forgotten Sera was sleeping on my arm.

Her body slid off my arm and fell onto my lap with a soft thump.

"Oh shit."

I quickly checked to see if she'd woken up. But somehow, she was sleeping like a rock. Her breathing remained steady and deep, completely undisturbed.

I smiled lightly and brushed her silver strands away from her face, tucking them gently behind her ear.

It seemed like the long ride and the... well, everything from yesterday had taken quite a toll on her body.

Actually, I should be more tired than Sera. My day had been significantly longer and more exhausting. But thanks to the stat dump I'd gotten from Drane's quest, this body had above-average endurance now. It could be considered pretty impressive for an eighteen-year-old body.

I chuckled lightly to myself.

I'd never seen an F-rank divine skill bearer have more endurance than a guardian knight in my two entire past lives in Ninth Dawn, and definitely not from anyone on Earth.

Guess that's what having a system does to you.

I slowly got up from the bed, making sure Sera's head found the soft pillow properly before I moved completely away. I stretched my arms above my head, feeling my joints pop satisfyingly.

I felt rejuvenated. Refreshed.

Maybe I should have sex every day.

I put on my pants properly and thought about what to do today. There wasn't much for me to do here unless I got a summons from Cass.

She still had my ingot, and I wasn't about to risk my life asking for it back. So the astral spine project would have to wait.

"Guess I'm training with Lydia and Sera for the rest of the day," I said aloud to myself.

With that decided, I opened the door, expecting the warm sunlight to hit me from the corridor's windows.

But it was shadows that met my face instead.

Three of them.

Three very familiar shadows.

"Good morning, General. Ilya. Selka," I said, looking at the three women standing before me.

Kael had her arms crossed, waiting against the wall with an impatient expression on her face.

Has she ever been not annoyed?

Selka was leaning casually against the wall, one leg propped up against it, her eyes closed like she was resting.

Ilya stood in the middle of the two, adjusting her glasses. The lenses reflected the dawn light.

That's it! I am buying her new ones.

"Good morning to you too," Ilya said calmly, her tone professional but carrying just a hint of something else...amusement..? maybe?