Chapter 268: Chapter 268 Holiday.
Everyone found his act pretty endearing; it was like Soma had become a guardian dog in the mansion.
Within the vast field where the sun's light shares its blessing to the land, Soma, who has just woken up from his slumber, is doing some exercise to finish his daily quest.
While stretching, the atmosphere around him was lively. The three girls were also doing the same movement behind him, talking merrily about the dungeon and getting stronger.
Soma felt a bit strange seeing them here. He didn't know what kind of motive pushed them toward this place, but seeing his girlfriends chatting happily was a good thing for him.
[Daily Quest]
[Running for 30 minutes]
After enough stretching, they began to run, circling the field's perimeter. Slowly, Soma, who led ahead, increased his pace, and the girls followed.
The soul pact had been annulled, but he felt he had lost something in that transaction. From this point forward, he must be diligent in leveling. Soma wouldn't know where Invidia and Anna would act; worse, they could just use someone precious to corner him.
"Why the long thought?".
Serafina ran beside him, showing her refreshing smile, blooming like a spring flower.
"Nothing, I just thought about what I should do during this almost end vacation".
"Hmm! Okay, I will buy that for now".
Soma evaded the topic and began to increase the running pace. He secretly thinks, "Why does she see my lie easily?". He began to reassess his worry.
Thirty minutes passed in a flash as they continued to the sparring. Soma will fight Hina and Xiao Lian, while Serafina is taking another lesson from Violet, who has been asked to train Serafina in dagger techniques.
"You two, come!".
"Okay".
"Mm".
Hina and Xiao Lian clenched both of their wooden weapons to prepare their stance. In a single breath, both of them rushed forward, with Hina coming first and Xiao Lian following behind.
Soma took a step back behind to dodge the diagonal slash from Hina; then another attack came from Xiao Lian in the form of a clean thrust that aimed at Soma's left side.
He shifted his footwork and dodged the thrust with minimal movement before another attack came. The two girls had become in sync ever since they had trained in this manner for the past weeks.
Their growth was nothing but outstanding, and both of them spread their Bonus Point evenly in Physical strength and a bit to Mana to keep up with their magic.
On the other corner field, Serafina, holding a wooden dagger in both hands, learns the basics from Violet while sharpening her focus to the limit. She copies each move from Violet and sometimes chooses a way that looks comfortable for her.
Both of them move simultaneously the same. Serafina, who had always relied on her magic all this time, decided to learn close-quarter combat after seeing that the other three could do it.
In Violet's eyes, surprisingly, she regards Serafina as having high potential. So, she also began seriously teaching everything she knew about dagger techniques and some ways to gain advantages in a battle. Also, she added some of her knowledge as an assassin.
All of them were seriously doing their activity in the field, watched by Beatrice, who was always knitting some thread, enjoying her morning tea. She watched the kids doing their best with a warm smile that brought forth a gentleness.
"Fufu, they are wonderful kids".
Time slowly passed as Soma and the others, who had finished their training and were sitting on the terrace, accompanied Beatrice.
"Right, soon everyone will be back to the academy in three days right?".
"Yeah, Haaaa".
"What's the matter, Sera?".
Soma brought up the topic of seeing her rare sighs.
"No, it's just, after this long vacation, the schedule of the student council will be busy until the new year with events and stuff".
Hina and Xiao Lian, who were still oblivious about the event, exchanged looks, and Hina opened her mouth.
"What sort of event?".
"Fufu, You will find it out later".
"...Mm, Okay".
Beatrice, who saw the conversation between the kids, interjected as she already planned this thing from the start.
"Well, before everyone goes back let's go toward some place, first".
"Where too?".
Serafina's question just got brushed by Beatrice's smile.
"Everyone pack your things we will launch in a moment!".
****
After the sudden invitation from Beatrice, Soma was standing on one of the Hotel balconies overlooking a stunning beach, where the rhythmic sound of crashing waves filled the air. A soft breeze that gently brushed his skin carried the scent of saltwater, calming his heart.
The golden sand stretches out to each side, connected away by the blue sea, its blue surface glittering under the afternoon sun.
Soma was enjoying his alone time when a presence approached his side.
"Soma".
With a playful tone, Serafina leaned her body toward the steel fence beside Soma while looking at his side profile.
"Where are the others?".
"They went to the private pool inside the hotel".
He never thought that not only were they visiting one of the famous private beaches in Italy, but Beatrice had also splurged a considerable amount of money to book all the facilities and let her family enjoy the place to themselves.
"I see".
Soma turned his back and let the wind cool his head, which had been filled with worry for the past weeks. He inhaled the salty air lingering in the atmosphere while emptying his mind.
Suddenly, Serafina came in front of him, putting both hands to the side and trapping Soma. Their faces were close enough to feel each other's breath.
She was wearing a green bikini and covered by a white short-sleeved hoodie. Without any complaint, Soma plucked her moist lips, and they enjoyed their happy time together.
The kiss lasted longer than usual. It ignited Serafina's passion; she circled her hands behind Soma's neck and pulled him closer to feel his body warmth. After half a minute, they tasted each other's lips and separated.
"Fufu, that was dangerous and at the same time thrilling".
"Yeah".
Both of them began to reignite their kiss deeply and passionately. Like Serafina, who hugged his neck, Soma also began to circle her, his hand toward her slender and soft waist, bringing it close to his side.
Serafina's body jolted in shock, and she separated their lips. With a flushed face, she alternated her gaze between Soma's eyes and her abdomen.
"Soma, I feel something hard!".
"Well, how can it not after kissing my girlfriend passionately".
"Oh, are we going to go all the way?".
"That's tempting, but can you please wait. I am still fourteen and there is someone that still hasn't wrapped her mind".
"Ah, I see. You are planning to wait so you can devour us three?".
"Is that bad?".
"Eh?".
Serafina, who suddenly got kissed, closed her eyes and internally spoke to thoughts, "Fufu, what a sinful man he is". Slowly, they separated their kiss, and she smiled in happiness.
"Make sure you Kiss Hina like this, later! I came here today because I am at her mercy".
"Okay, I will definitely do that".
"Good".
Both of them began to immerse themselves in their own world, flirting and talking about the events that would happen in the future in the Academy.
He needs to plan his next course of action if he wants to grow from here further.
****
Deep inside the hotel, Hina and Xiao Lian were enjoying their swimming and currently taking a rest on the beach seat. They were confronting each other.
"I want to hear your thoughts, Silver hair!".
"Mm?".
Xiao Lian, who stuffed her mouth with seafood, turned her attention to Hina, who looked at her seriously. She gulped the food in her mouth and spoke.
"What do you mean?".
"Of course about, Soma. I want to hear your thoughts about him".
"Soma…".
After being addressed directly, Xiao Lian stopped her activity and began to immerse herself in her thoughts, thinking back about the experience she shared with him.
After hearing about his past, she decides to protect him no matter what. She knows that was not what Hina had in mind when she asked that question. But she herself is still unclear about whether the feeling she had is Love or just one she has toward someone who wants to be protected.
There is also the matter of her mother, who is still bedridden to this day, which still weighs down her mind sometimes.
Hina, who saw Xiao Lian's conflicted thoughts, sighs in regret as she brings another worry for Xiao Lian to bear. After seeing Serafina, who got her chance, she wants the girl before her to also have one for her own good and for Soma: "It seemed I am too rushed in this matter."
"I am sorry, Silver hair".
"Mm, What for?".
"Nothing. Well, you can come to me when you need help. I will certainly help you."
"Mm, thank you, Red hair".