The last strand of reason had snapped.

The gentle and calm girl I pictured turned out to be more aggressive than I expected.

There was no way a passive individual like me, at least when it came to romance, could win against her.

'I guess I'll just wait it out, then...'

Hopefully, by the time she realized how focused I was on Magic, she would let me go.

'Or, once the time is ripe, I'll tell her the same answer as I wanted to say today.'

It was cruel to let her wait for so long, but this was what she wanted.

'Still, what is this unsettling feeling I'm having? It's almost as if... I'll change my mind later on?'

Nah! That couldn't be it.

Magic had to be the only path I could dedicate myself to. There was no second-guessing it this time around.

"Ah, look at me, all sweaty. You're sweaty too..." Maria's voice rang in the air, bringing me back to reality.

"Y-yeah. I guess you're right."

"I have the perfect solution for this." She grabbed my hands and looked at me with the same stoic face that gave me shivers.

'No. No. No. Not again!'

"We should shower together."

"I'm sorry, I should get going now!" Before I could even consider the allure of that invitation, I rose to my feet and made my way to the door.

"I was just joking, Jared. Did you really consider it? Did you picture it in your head?"

'No! Stop it!' I mean, I did picture it... a little bit, but still.

I glanced at Maria, and her sweaty body suddenly had a certain attraction to it. It caused me to shut my eyes instantly.historical

"N-no way. I'm going now. Get ready for tomorrow."

"Sure. Take care of yourself."

Once she said that, I rushed out of the building and ran off.

'I can just teleport. Why am I running?!' My thoughts were jumbled, but once I came to myself I used Magic to leave the area faster.

It made me wonder why I didn't just teleport earlier when things were getting dangerous.

Could it be... that I actually wanted something to happen?

My brain shut down and I was just overcome by instinct? Me?

'Curse you, sweet adolescence!!!'

With that last thought, I vanished.

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

"D-did it work...?" Maria murmured to herself, looking a bit worried.

The truth was that, despite her very forward front, the girl was panicking inside.

Her heart was beating extremely fast, and throughout everything she put Jared through, her internal self was in a frenzy.

The reason for that was simple.

"I did as you said, Miss. Serah... but I'm not sure if it worked..."

Maria was advised to take this route by Serah Crimson herself.

Not only was the woman her mentor when it came to Magic, but the young girl currently looked up to her in love as well.

After Serah and Neron made a public display of affection on the battlefield, Maria had grown to respect her even more.

In her desperation, she had asked her mentor to show her the way.

Serah was overjoyed to teach the innocent girl, especially after she realized that Maria had now come of age.

"Don't worry, girl! I've got you covered!"

And so, the Grand Mage scripted the entire scenario for her protege.

That's right! Everything Maria did was not of her own free will.

She only acted in that manner because Serah had promised the guaranteed effects.

'I... Jared... what if he thinks I'm dirty, or lewd?'

Initially, Maria was against the plan, considering the role she had to play as the seductress.

But, once again, Serah encouraged her.

"Strong men love straightforward women. Jared is too dense to take these kinds of bold steps. It's up to you to do it! Believe in your mentor's words"

Maria had decided to trust Serah, so she went along with the plan.

Well, it wasn't all bad.

"His lips..." Maria rubbed her lips as she remembered how it felt to kiss Jared.

The entire moment was burned into Maria's head, and she replayed every scenario in her mind.

Maria couldn't help but feel so flushed with embarrassment.

"What have I done? What have I done? What have I done?"

What if Jared got freaked out and decided to distance himself from her?

It would be crazy.

'No, calm yourself, Maria.'

Why was she doubting the advice of her mentor?

Neron Kaelid and Jared Leonard had a lot in common, so the truck Serah used would also work on Jared... right?

Maria gulped and tightened her fist. Her expression displayed the resolve not to back down any longer.

'I was his first! I have dibs!'

Besides, this whole venture was so she could mark her territory on Jared.

Maria had ensured that she mixed her sweat with his as they rubbed bodies.

She also kissed him and breathed on his skin—all according to Serah's specifications.

'I've marked him as mine!'

Surely, Jared and every girl he would encounter after this event, would understand.

"I should shower now... I wonder if I smelled..." Maria didn't think she did, but how was she so certain of Jared's opinion?

The young girl rose from her bed and looked at the part where Jared had slept on. A portion of his sweat remained there.

After staring at it for some time, Maria made her decision.

'I'm taking this sheet back with me!'

She then went to freshen up in the bath. Replaying the scenes that just occurred in her mind, Maria licked her lips and submerged herself in the water.

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

"I can't get it out of my head!"

I was currently with Jane, in her office.

Aurora and Neron were present as well—being the only ones who knew of my identity as Lewis Griffith.

"Thinking about another girl this time? Jeez, how the mighty has fallen." Jane Ursula murmured, obviously dissatisfied with my behavior.

But, how could I help it? I was only human, after all.

"Okay, let's get back to topic," Neron said, his voice commanding enough presence to bring us back to the last discussion we would be having before parting.

"Yes. We've said many things already, but there's one thing I have to mention... and it's an alert I received not too long ago."

Everyone's eyes were on me, and to be honest, I was surprised by the current situation myself.

I knew it would happen eventually, but this was too soon.

"Damien Lawcroft is dead."

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

[A/N]

The Fourth Arc is coming to a close. A couple more chapters, and we're done.

Also, I have a present for everyone at the end of the Arc.

Thanks for reading.