Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 309

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ED: LonelyMatter

Chapter 309 – The Elf Who Finally Broke Free

Ain raised an eyebrow in question at Chris’ words.

Even if it was just a sword duel, it wouldn’t have been easy. Needless to say, Ain was strong.

Yet her assertion that she would definitely win didn’t seem to be mere bravado intended solely to boost morale.

(True, Chris is strong today, but…)

Ain was confident that he would not lose.

“Hmph… Haaah!”

“Today’s Chris is something else!”

“Fufu, thank you! Maybe it’s because I’ve broken free, but my body feels incredibly light!’

Her skill couldn’t be dismissed as a mere mindset change. Even if someone said her body had been strengthened by the influence of the root, it wouldn’t seem far-fetched.

The clang of swords echoed across the training ground. Chris’s rapier became a flash of light.

“Ssh— Haahh…”

A mannerism reserved for the truly strong.

Ain altered the rhythm of his body to match his breathing during the battle.

“Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve seriously crossed swords with Chris, isn’t it?”

“Yes! Not since Ain-sama defeated Lloyd-sama… until this very moment!”

Ain was still confused, unsure how to respond to the affection directed at him. In contrast, channeling all his strength into his sword was an easier answer, and exactly what she wanted.

The fierce battle continued. Even the powerful figures within the castle who were not present must have sensed the strength emanating from the training grounds.

“Your footwork speed is completely outclassed. Best not to compete on that stage.”

“It’s an honor. But… I’m forcing you into this anyway!”

“…But I have no intention of letting Chris gain the upper hand.”

“Then what will you do?! My speed surpasses even yours, Ain-sama!”

As they exchanged words, Chris moved behind Ain.

One thrust to secure victory. That’s all there was to it.

“This is strictly about footwork. I never intended to concede anything else.”

If his arm had extended just a few centimetres further forward, it would have been over. But Ain’s blade changed its trajectory erratically.

“Wha-…?”

The rapier’s tip raced forward against her will. Chris’ entire centre of gravity was thrown diagonally forwards, and before she knew it, she was being rolled and controlled exactly as Ain intended.

“I won’t let you!”

Her upper body was about to collapse.

Chris tensed her toes and the balls of her feet, forcing herself back. In the blink of an eye, Ain’s sword sliced through the air.

A bead of sweat trickled down her neck.

“I never imagined your technique had advanced to such a level. It surpasses my expectations.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that, Chris.”

“…Honestly, the old, adorable sword-wielding Ain-sama is truly gone. Being swept aside so cleanly… it’s the first time in my life.”

“Huh? What about Celes-san?”

“My sister fought on instinct. Still, I believe Ain-sama is the stronger swordswoman.”

Chris took a few steps back from Ain.

Close quarters would be tough. His reaction speed far outpaced her own.

But her eyes weren’t dead yet.

“Yes. I still feel like I might win today.’

She flashed him a smile so dazzling that it was mesmerising.

Psychological warfare? He found it odd; it didn’t seem like a tactic Chris would use because it lacked realism.

The sound of footsteps crushing the fine sand scattered across the training ground grew louder.

“Why do you think that? And why did you need to reconfirm it?”

“The first is a secret. But the second… well, it’s because just now, Ain-sama’s sword cut through the air!”

To the untrained eye, their swordplay resembled nothing more than a deadly duel.

Yet to skilled observers like Lloyd and Dill, it resembled nothing more than a flirtatious rendezvous. With each exchange of blows, they unconsciously smiled at each other, praising one another. Their faces were close enough that they could feel each other’s breath, suggesting a deep connection.

“Are you not aware? This very trait is the reason for your defeat!”

“Not at all, and I have no intention of losing.”

“Saying that means you’re taking our fight seriously, right?!”

“Of course! I wouldn’t use a sword that plays games in a fight like this!”

Chris lunged into Ain’s guard.

Moments earlier, Ain had parried her strike effortlessly, and the sword had sliced through the air as she retreated. They repeated the same exchange over and over again, with Chris’ breath gradually growing ragged.

Only a few minutes had passed, but the battle was taking a far greater physical toll than Chris had expected.

“Your movements are slowing, Chris!”

“…My stamina is really at its limit. You’re incredible… Ain-sama.”

This would be her final attack. Chris could see it in her expression.

Undeterred, she swung her rapier at Ain, but her attack was parried once again.

Such predictable moves weren’t like Chris. Ain regretted the end of the fight.

“Ain-sama. With your kindness, you couldn’t defeat me today.”

“What are you suddenly saying? Chris, just stay like this.”

“Yes, I’m sure I would have lost if I’d fought normally. But there was actually a reason for me repeating the same thing like a fool.”

Chris’ footwork faltered as her centre of gravity shifted.

She rapidly increased her speed, regaining her composure as her movements became too fast to follow. She fixed her gaze on Ain’s chest.

Her flowing golden hair caught the morning sun, and a flush of joy spread across her porcelain cheeks.

It was the smile of someone drunk on the sweet wine of victory. Ain couldn’t help but widen his eyes.

“I don’t think it was a lie that you were taking me seriously. But it seems I was valued more than I ever imagined.”

Chris advanced, the sound of her foot striking the stone pavement echoing as she repositioned her rapier, slicing the air.

She held her rapier in a guard position, her head held forward and her arms drawn back as if to shield her wrists.

Then, Ain’s movements faltered unnaturally. Seeing this, Chris felt a mixture of joy and loneliness.

“Eh…”

“See? Ain-sama is kind. I told you, right? Because Ain-sama is kind, I can win — though I have my doubts…”

As a swordsman, charging without guarding vital points is suicide.

It was done with the resolve to clash blades, and Ain could easily handle that level of attack. That was the usual story.

This time, however, two thoughts flashed through Ain’s mind.

(…Until now, she had been hiding the fact that she could move even faster!)

That acceleration was unprecedented. It meant she’d been saving it as her trump card.

Ain could handle that alone, but the problem was the opponent. As Chris said, it revealed how much Ain truly valued her.

Ain’s sword repeatedly sliced through empty air, and the strength unconsciously drained from his arm as he was unwilling to injure her.

But… When it came to stubbornness, Ain wasn’t about to back down.

“Chris! Even so, I have no intention of losing, not even a shred!’

The abrupt change in his grip was a sign of strength.

Their intentions clashed countless times. Yet Ain still managed to outperform Chris.

“If you say you won’t lose even a bit, then the gentleness you showed earlier was unnecessary. But… impressive, Ain-sama. I never thought you’d react to this either—”

Just then, the rapier slipped from her grasp and was about to hit the ground.

Ain sensed her surrender and relaxed the tension in her arm, which had been poised to parry the rapier.

“But one strike is still one strike, right?”

Thud… Her hands pressed against Ain’s chest.

Was this a strike? True, there was no rule saying a strike must involve a sword.

She had probably made a fist and placed it there specifically to count as an attack.

Chris laughed at Ain’s stunned expression as the rapier rolled across the ground.

(Over something like this…)

Ain’s chest was wide open as he raised his sword.

She was already close enough. Placing her hand on his chest was effortless.

“I feel like I got outmaneuvered in so many ways, and it stings a little.”

At the same time, a sense of self-reproach settled in Ain’s chest.

Despite promising to fight seriously, he had unconsciously held back, and he felt ashamed.

“I’m frustrated, too, you know? As a swordsman, being held back like that is infuriating. Besides, you never even initiated an attack, Ain-sama. I knew from the start it wouldn’t be an equal match, but the difference was stark.”

She couldn’t escape her frustration. But today, something more important was at stake.

“This victory was made possible by taking advantage of your kindness, Ain-sama. But a win is a win…”

Chris’ clenched fist slackened, her fingers extending. They traced Ain’s skin, and it took several seconds for her to cup his cheek with both hands.

“I wanted to redo that moment. After I properly conveyed it to Krone-san and realized it was okay for me to try hard, too. Ever since then, for so very long, I couldn’t stand it. I wanted to redo that moment.”

“…That moment?”

“Yes, so, Ain-sama, since I won, please allow me to do what I’m about to do now.”

Their faces drew closer, their noses brushing first.

Ain watched the length of Chris’ eyelashes and realized that she had closed her eyes just before their lips met.

(Huh—!?)

Moist, soft, warm.

Her hand rested on his cheek, and Chris covered his entire face.

Her sweet scent threatened to melt his brain.

“Mmm…”

A sensual sigh escaped her lips.

The seconds that felt like minutes ended, and she opened her mouth. Her face was flushed crimson, yet she wore a satisfied smile.

“―Haah… With this, I’ve been able to redo my first time.”

Come to think of it, Chris blurted out before the fight.

She said that she would make Ain acknowledge her through her own strength and be seen as a woman.

It wasn’t about some condition tied to the accident-induced root exchange; it was about her pride. Bound by affection, she disliked being seen as a woman.

“The dignified Ain-sama is wonderful, but this time, I have to make an effort. After all, I need to change Ain-sama’s mindset. He’s only ever looked at Krone-san, but I want him to see me too!”

Throwing her clumsy feelings at Ain propelled her forward significantly.

Ain blinked rapidly, his expression frozen in utter bewilderment. Yet, he slowly and gently stroked his own lips.

This abrupt action changed his awareness.

“Ain-sama? No matter how many times you stroke them, you won’t find any lips there anymore…”

“…I know. That’s why I’m ashamed of myself for thinking about how to make amends.”

Ain could be awkward and overly insensitive at times.

Given that his feelings were directed toward Krone, this was unavoidable.

But when she saw her beloved regretting his actions, Chris realized something for the umpteenth time.

“Ah, sorry. Actually, I’m pretty much at my limit with embarrassment, so I’ll head out first.”

Chris turned away and walked briskly, humming lightly.

With her arms crossed and her lustrous hair swaying, she suddenly stopped. She turned around, her cheeks flushed, and opened her mouth.

Ain found his gaze drawn to the lips he had just pressed against hers.

“Ain-sama, I love you!”

The graceful gesture and expression of the beauty hailed as the Moon Goddess. Her long hair swayed.

Finally, she said, “Starting today, I look forward to working with you again,” and walked away. Seeing Chris, a familiar sight, Ain let the sword he was holding fall limply to the ground.

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