The time between Amelia and Kase

[Amelia point-of-view]

Two days have passed since what happened with the troll in the forest. We were very lucky that Mr. Enzo's son was passing through, and he helped us. If not, I don't know what would have happened to us.

I could not help enough, and Darx and Oliver were seriously injured trying to save me. I can't continue like this. I need to improve. If I want to fulfill my dream one day, I have to take whatever opportunity given to me, even if it's having to train with Jax and deal with the rest of his group.

After visiting Darx in the morning as usual, it is time for me to head to the village entrance where they meet. I can imagine what awaits me. The fights with Mia and the constant advances from Cal. I can't even speak to Emma like I used to because of what I saw in the stable, between her and Fabe. Right now, I would like Darx to be by my side as usual. But I have to stop depending on him so much and let him choose what he wants to do. No matter what happens, I know we have each other at the end of the day.

Near the entrance, I can see that everyone is already there except for Jax. I was hoping to be the last to arrive to avoid conflicts, but I can't back down anymore.

"So it's true that you will join us. What a cheeky one you are after turning down Jax's offer for so long. Now that Darx is hurt because of you, you abandon him as you no longer need him."

I already expected Mia to start something, but i'm surprised she did so quickly.

"You don't know what you're talking about, Mia, so keep your comments to yourself. What happens between Darx and me is none of your business."

"It is more than obvious that you only used him, cheating with your facade of a good girl. But I know well the kind of bitch you are."

"Keep talking to me that way, and you will see what will happen to you. You weren't in the woods with us, so you don't know what we had to go through."

I can't stand Mia no matter how hard I try. Will I be able to bear being with her? I would never let Darx put himself in danger for me on purpose, and she doesn't know how much it hurts me to see him hurt like that. I've been training myself in healing magic all this time and still can't help him now that he needs me. If only I were more skilled...

"Stop fighting, you two! Sorry, Amelia. It's just that Mia has been worried about Darx all this time. So please, try to understand her."

As usual, Emma tries to advocate for her sister Mia but she is a little right. No matter how much I dislike Mia, I know that she cares about Darx. But that doesn't give her the right to say whatever she wants.

"Amelia, don't worry, I'll make sure to keep you safe. I'll show you soon that you're just wasting your time with Darx."

Cal says that without taking his gaze off my breasts. I know that he is only interested in my body and will say anything to get it. But I will not let him insult Darx. I just no longer have the energy to continue arguing. Please hurry up, Jax.

And as if my prayers were answered, Jax arrived, but he was not alone. Next to him was the guy who helped us in the forest if I remember correctly, his name is Kase.

"Listen to me all. As you already know from today, Amelia will join us in training. I saw her abilities and her healing and support magic is decent. I also introduce you to Kase. He is the son of Mr. Enzo and will also join us from today."

Kase noticed my presence in the group and he sees me giving me a small smile. I guess I should do the same.

"Hey Jax, is Kase good? With that pretty face, he doesn't give me the confidence that he's strong." Cal asks with a displeased face.

"He's really handsome but not as handsome as my Darx." Mia remaks.

"Is it just a pretty face that interests you, Mia !? The value of a man is based on how strong he is."

"So what is your worth, Cal? You are ugly and weak."

"What did you say, Mia? Be grateful that you are a woman."

"Or what? Do you think I'm afraid of you? I can kick your ass any day."

Is this how they always get along? I feel bad for Emma. On the other hand, Fabe hasn't said a single word in all this time.

"Stop acting like little children and listen. Kase has trained in the city, and with the help of him and Amelia it will allow us to take on new challenges. So, I hope all of you can work well together."

I know it won't be easy, but I'll do my best. I was lost in my thought when Kase approached me.

"Amelia, right !? I hope you remember me."

"Of course I remember you! You don't know how grateful I am to you for saving my life and the lives of my friends."

"Do not worry. Thanks to you, I'm not the only new one in the group. To be honest, I was a bit nervous. I'm not very good at making new friends, so I hope we can get along."

"I'm more than delighted if you want to be my friend, Kase. I'm not very good with new groups, either."

"Really!? Hahaha!!"

It's my first time speaking well to Kase, and his personality doesn't match his appearance. Kase is really handsome but has a clumsy character. In a way, he reminds me of Darx.

"Hey, new boy, you better not hold us back, got it!?"

"Ahh? Okay...!"

Another person with a character that does not match his appearance called Cal appeared wanting to intimidate Kase.

"Amelia, who is he?"

"His name is Cal, and it's best if you don't take everything he says seriously. Believe me; it will save you a headache."

I was worried about my interaction with Mia and the rest, but thanks to Kase, who was with me all the time, I didn't have any difficulties. Fabe and Cal at times tried to annoy Kase, but he knew how to deal with them. He told me about his life in the city and his reason for coming to the village. Time went by so fast that I didn't even realize when we got to the area where the monsters farm would begin.

Kase is wearing a gorgeous armor that is entirely different from what Darx and Oliver usually wear. Also, his shield and sword look luxurious. I imagine he is a tank. Once Jax gave us the order to get ready, Kase took the lead while the rest settled behind him, and I in the back alone with Jax behind me watching us.

The pace at which we are progressing is completely different from what I am used to. We were up against types of monsters that I had never seen before, and even with mana potions the amount of mana I was using was too much. Soon I will run out of potions and it is not even half a day. Fatigue was starting to weigh on me, and my breathing started to accelerate, which Kase noticed.

"Amelia, do you need us to take a break?"

"See!? I told you that Amelia would be a hindrance and I was not mistaken." Mia, with a cynical tone, answers.

"I'm fine, Kase. We can continue."

I'm not going to hold back the rest of the group and let Mia make fun of me. I can go on even if I run out of all my potions. I don't care if I have to get up at dawn every day to gather materials and do more every day.

We continued walking and we found two carnivorous plants together, just like the one I found with Darx and Oliver recently. I know how they fight and I'm ready to do my part. Before anyone could do anything, Kase ran at breathtaking speed against the plants. Both plants threw their vines at him, but Kase is too fast. None of them managed to hit him, and in an impressive way, he split all the vines with just a few movements. Without stopping, he stood in front of them and killed them before they could release their tranquilizing spores.

The magnificent way he dealt with those carnivorous plants left me fascinated without being able to believe it, and I was not the only one because the rest, including Jax, were in the same way.

"Hey, Kase, are you sure you're not an adventurer yet?" Cal asks.

"Eh? No, I'm not."

The rest of the day was the same. Kase continued to display abilities far superior to the rest of us. At the end of the day, Fabe and Cal treated him like he was their lifelong friend. Very different from how they were with him in the morning. For my part, I was exhausted without any mana or potions. Today made me understand how much I need to improve. I'm hungry, but I should go to bed early so I can get up early to collect materials. But I want to see Darx first before going home.

"Amelia, are you free later? I'm starving but I don't know the village well. Could you recommend me where to eat, please?"

"I thought they had a chef in the mansion!?"

"I'm sick of that expensive food. My palate is quite simple and I like the most common food."

"My friend, Oliver's restaurant, is near here. You just have to follow this path and you will see the sign. The food they give is delicious."

"Come with me. I don't like eating alone and I like being with you."

"What about your new friends Cal and Fabe!? I'm sure they would be delighted to accompany you."

"Hahaha!"

"I'm only good at dealing with them, but I'm not interested in anything more. Unlike them, I would like to know more about you."

Was it my imagination or did it sound like he was trying to flirt with me!? It must have been my imagination. And what is more, I owe him enough favors already.

"In that case, I will accept your invitation."

"Great! I invite you, so you can eat whatever you want."

"Are you sure!? I am also hungry and I can eat a lot."

"I don't think you can eat more than me."

"Are you challenging me!?"

"Maybe I am..."

The following days were quite similar. I would get up at dawn to gather materials, return home for breakfast and then visit Darx before going to training. The training lasted until late and during which I became very close with Kase. In my time with him, I noticed that he tended to show a lot of physical affection. He often hugged me around the waist or put his head on my legs when I was sitting. Things like that... On some occasions, I let him know. But he is used to being like that and it is hard for him to change that habit. At some point, I stopped caring too much since, after all, it wasn't a big deal.

After training we went out to eat and in the end I visited Darx one more time before going to sleep and repeating the same the next day. They are pretty tiring days, but that's not the problem. I'm learning about team combat but my magic and mana control hasn't improved at all. Alice has given me some advice, but nothing has improved. I'm trying my best, but seeing no results depresses me. I don't want Darx to look at me this way, and for that reason, even though it's already nighttime, I'm still with Kase outside the restaurant.

"Is there something wrong, Amelia? You look sad!?"

"It's just that I don't see growth in my magic and I don't know how to improve. I'm feeling a little down..."

I care a lot about what Darx thinks of me and for that reason, I don't like him to see me this way. But for some reason, I don't feel bad about letting Kase see me like this. Lately, he's been listening to me about my problems a lot. I hope I'm not bothering him.

"After you told me the last time, I started looking around the mansion library. I found some books that might be of help to you."

"Really!?"

"Really! If you want, tomorrow after training, you can come to the mansion and you can read them."

"Thanks, Kase!!"

I was so happy that without thinking, I hugged Kase.

"I'm sorry, it's just that I was very happy. It was not my intention."

"You don't have to apologize. I quite liked it."

"Stop kidding !! Then see you tomorrow! And don't t forget that after training we will go to your house!!"

I can't wait for it to be tomorrow. I owe a lot to Kase... Why did I hug him? And his answer... was my imagination that he is trying to flirt with me? I wonder what books he has...

The next day, as promised, he took me to the mansion to look at the books.

He's taking me to the second floor. I've been in the mansion several times before but never on the second floor. The place is huge and to think that normally only Mr. Enzo lives here. Even so, I don't think he feels alone as they have many maids and they are all gorgeous. As far as I know, none of them are from the village and they all came from the city. The only exception is the housekeeper, who must be of a similar age to Mr. Enzo. She is rarely seen even in the times I've been here.

That reminds me, didn't Noah say Mr. Enzo stole his wife!? If it's true, the only one that it could be is the housekeeper.

"Is something wrong, Amelia?"

"Ah, it's nothing."

"Follow me. My room is down this hall."

"Your bedroom!? I thought we would go to the library."

"My father doesn't like me being in the library as he has valuable books there. But don't worry, I already found some books about magic and left them in my room."

I suppose the place doesn't matter as long as I can read those books.

Once in his room, Kase let me pass and it's enormous. Practically my house could fit in this place. The decoration is quite different from what I am used to seeing. So this is what the room of a rich city boy looks like. While I was immersed looking at his room, the sound of falling armor caught my attention.

"WH-WH- WHAT ARE YOU DOING???"

Kase removed his armor and was left shirtless. He was exposing everything above his waist. I didn't know what to do, so I just turned around and covered my eyes with my hands.

"You are more innocent than I thought. Is it the first time you see a man without a shirt?"

"Of course not! It's just that you caught me off guard."

I've seen Darx many times without a shirt. Darx has a good body, but from what little I saw, Kase is not far behind. What am I thinking? Books! Books! That is why I'm here!

"You can turn now. I'm sorry, the armor is heavy and I wanted to take it off."

"No problem. Just tell me next time."

"Here, these are the books!"

Kase handed me two books. I have no idea what they are about but I can't wait to find out. Without waiting any longer, I settled into a table that Kase had in his room and I got ready to read. The books were wonderful. Just deciphering a phrase took hours, but clearly this is what I needed. Once I started, I lost track of time or where I was. Without realizing it, it was so late.

"It's already dark outside!"

"Whoops! Took a while until you finally react. You've been ignoring me for hours."

"I-I'm sorry... it's just that I was so focused ...Sorry."

"Don't worry. I enjoyed seeing your serious face."

I felt remorseful and Kase's words surprised me a bit, which made me turn red. I don't know how to thank him. He has helped me a lot.

"Kase, if possible, could I take the books home for a while? There are some things I would like to ask Alice."

"I'm sorry, Amelia, but one of the conditions that my father gave me to lend you the books is that you can only use them inside the mansion. I also have to be present at all times."

"I get it! It looks like they are expensive books. No problem. But if you don't mind, I would like to come every day."

"Of course! You can come whenever you want."

I was so happy that I was about to instinctively hug Kase again but managed to stop at the last moment. I'm so used to doing it with Darx and maybe because Kase reminds me a bit of him, this happens to me.

"Sorry, I wasn't..."

I gave up my hug halfway but Kase, when he saw me stop, he was the one who hugged me tightly.

"K-Kase, what are you doing?"

"I already told you that it doesn't bother me that you hug me. I actually like it a lot. Try to do it."

I was so surprised by how spontaneous the situation was that I didn't know what to do. I followed his words and hugged him back.

We spent a few moments like this in which I did not know what to do and when he finally freed me a bit, but without letting go completely, we were left with our faces close to each other.

"There is a book that is special to my father about magic. He did not want to lend it to me, but I will do my best to get it for you. Just wait a bit."

Kase said that to me, staring into my eyes with our faces are still very close to each other.

"T-Thanks. I hope I'm not causing you problems."

"Not at all."

Kase's face was getting closer and closer and his sight didn't leave my lips. He was about to kiss me. Should I allow it...? I did not know what to do and pushed him slightly.

"I-It's pretty late and m-my parents must be worried. It's time for me to go."

I separated myself from his embrace and moved away from him a bit, saying goodbye without looking at his face.

"It's true! It's late. Do you want me to take you home?"

"It is not necessary. You have done enough for me. Thanks."

"See you tomorrow."

I left the mansion but still couldn't calm down. I am perplexed right now. I was about to kiss Kase. I feel like I owe him a lot, but... What should I do if he tries again? I have come to appreciate his friendship a lot and these books may be my last resort. If Kase decides not to lend them to me again, I won't be able to get them on my own as they look so expensive.

What should I do, Darx...?

The next day I repeated the same routine as always, but this time I felt confused, being around Kase. But he behaved normally. After training, we once again went to his room. Once again, Kase gave me the books and I settled down at the same table.

"I'm sorry, Amelia. My father is making it difficult to lend me the other book. It seems like a rare book, about the mana control left by the people of [Zrephia], appears to be quite valuable to him."

"Mana control left by the people of [Zrephia]!?"

Darx told me about them once. They are supposed to be an ancient civilization that was especially good at using magic and everything left by them is precious. Does Mr. Enzo really have a book by them? And even more about mana, which has been my biggest problem.

"K-Kase, I really would like to see that book. I know I'm asking you too much and even more with everything that you have already helped me, but if you do me that favor, I will be eternally grateful."

"I will do my best."

"Thanks, Kase."

My mind is in this book. I hope I can focus today. Once again, I turn my attention to the book in front of me and prepare to study.

"Wait, are you going to ignore me again all day!?"

"Sorry, but I need to focus as it is a difficult book."

"I don't know if I can bear it. Being locked up for hours doing nothing is what I hate doing the most."

"I'm sorry, but I don't know what to do."

"In that case, why don't you give me something in return."

Something in return!? I don't know what I could give to someone who has everything.

"Is there something you want in particular?"

"I want to continue what we left yesterday. What I want most now is a kiss from you."

"A-A KISS? Are you kidding?"

"Of course not."

A kiss!? My only kiss has been with Darx. W-What should I do? Kase is not giving me time to think. He is approaching me and holding me as he did yesterday, putting his face close to mine.

"Ready?"

His mouth is closer and closer to mine until our lips touched. I really did it... A kiss with Kase... EHH?? His mouth is not leaving mine. On the contrary, his kiss is intensifying. He's trying to stick his tongue in my mouth.

"K-Kas... N, -chu..., -chuu-...., N, n... wai.... -chuu-"

I felt the pressure of his lips against mine, with such **** that it prevented me from saying anything. Kase didn't give me a chance and I feel like I shouldn't turn him down after everything he's done for me, so I let him kiss me as he wanted.

I close my eyes and let myself go. A strange tingling ran through my body as I felt Kase's lips touching mine and his tongue entering my mouth.

"N...., Haaa.... N, n... -chuu- Nha......."

"Open your mouth more, Amelia, and use your tongue."

"N, -chu..., L-Like, -chu-....., this...!?"

So this is how a real kiss feels... I did what he asked me and started to imitate what he did with his tongue. It was as if our tongues were dancing and our saliva mixed from one mouth to the other. The sound our kiss made sounded so perverted.

A couple of minutes have passed since we started and Kase doesn't seem to want to stop. During all this time his hands have been on my waist, but little by little, they are going down until part of his hand is already touching my ass. I should stop him but Kase won't let go.

"Nhaah......., -chu-......., N-chu-......., N, n......."

N, -chu-....., Ka.... Haa……, se.....-rero-, -rerorero-……, stop..... N,"

Kase's hands were already completely touching my ass, massaging it, making me feel slight chills of panic and pleasure.

I had to stop him by pushing him when his hand started to get inside my blouse.

"I'm sorry, Amelia, I got carried away."

"It's enough, right!? I will continue reading."

I turned my back on him and pretended I was reading. But the truth is, I couldn't calm down. How did I get to this situation? I feel like this is just the beginning... I'm doing something wrong, but that book may be the opportunity I've been waiting for. I just have to deal with Kase for a while. I feel bad for Kase, but the whole time it was Darx who was on my mind.

Sorry, Darx...