17 A quarrel with Clair?

Okay, I don't know what's going on anymore. After our exchange, Lapis just pulled me back into this dimly lit room and she ordered me to sit here and not move a muscle. What's this smell by the way? I feel like I have smelled this scent somewhere before. What could it possibly be? For some reason, Clair had tagged along.

"Hey Clair what's up with this smell, I somehow getting nostalgic over it"

"Fufu, do you want to know?" What's up with that malevolent smile. Clair, you aren't forgetting that I am your teacher, are you?

"No I pass, nothing good will come out of it"

"Huff, not fair, that's cheating" pouted Clair. I don't know what she's thinking but she won't get me so easily. And cheating you say? I will show you what happens when I cheat.

I approached Clair as I smirked. She knew instinctively that something was fishy. Good, good! It seems I have trained you well, oh the great me is so dazzling.

"Steve, I am warning you don't do anything funny", she seems a bit vigilant.

Well, I won't be doing anything I am just scaring her a bit to let her know who is the boss. She kept stepping back making the distance between us. Until then I was just walking slowly to intimidate her but then out of the blue, I just sprinted close to her and rammed my hands on the wall around her blocking her way of escape.

"Steve, what are you doing, let me go" she cried while trying to push me away. But she was a bit too frail compared to me and thus couldn't move a muscle of mine. I guess that's what Lapis instructed, wasn't it. Speak of the devil and here she was. Lapis entered the room with a fit of a hurry.

What a Godsend opportunity, I grabbed Clair by her waist while fondled her arse with my off-hand but it was just to show Lapis and nothing else. I acted as if I didn't realize Lapis was here but I made sure to whisper in Clair's ears 'Lapis is here, keep up with the act'. It was so freaking funny. Lapis might have thought that I was biting off Clair's ears.

Probably realizing that we were not going to stop she coughed.

I turned around and smiled, "Oh Lapis you are here, didn't realize when you arrived."

"Call me master you dimwit" she retorted, "Any way you have got yourself in quite the trouble. I will try to persuade that foggy but consider that I will fail. I found this monk's gear in the basement. Maybe it might help you"

'She's trying to help me, she's probably not as cold as I thought' She stormed off out the room probably to do some negotiations maybe? I turned my head to steal a gaze of the flushed Clair.

And that made me burst out laughing, "Ha Ha Ha Ha" I laughed so much that my stomach started to hurt. I looked for support to not find myself rolling on the floor laughing. I held onto a chair and sat on it still laughing.

"You bastard, you perv, you dork, just because we are acting like a couple doesn't give you the license to do that." she seemed angry but couldn't even shout out of how embarrassed she was.

Clair's ramblings aside, I hear footsteps. Someone's coming. I grabbed Clair by her hand and pulled her on me. Then just to confirm I waited until someone pushed the door. Confirming her presence I planted my lips on Clair's neck and whispered again, 'Someone's here'

Lapis : "I forgot to tell you that... " she wanted to say something but seeing the scene that was unfolding her vibrant face flushed to nothingness. Without saying anything she slammed the door shut and rushed off.

I pushed her off me after Lapis left, "Finally, she left... hu" I breathed deeply out of relief part of which was just to convince Clair of my pure intentions.

"Huff" she pouted and then stormed to the corner of the room and sat there looking away from me.

"Are you perhaps angry at me now? I just did that to fool Lapis"

"Huff" she pouted again.

'By the way, did she notice the hickey on her neck? I hope not.'

My eyes drifted to the armor, was it even passable as an armor? Anyway, it consisted of a pair of arm-pads and knuckle bands. And a small chain-mail which barely fit on my torso.

She did put some thought into it. This equipment is meant for fist combat but it doesn't compliment my style. I don't need it but... but considering that it's the first gift I received from her ever since I came to this world. I will cherish it.

Finally, all dressed up I was ready to leave. But not before I darted towards Clair one last time.

"You might be angry at me but... but this might be a battle of life and death for me. That man is much stronger than me and my life and death depend on him right now. Won't you cheer me for my last battle... won't you bid me farewell as I travel to the afterlife?" I said with a sorrowful expression. Although I knew I was tricking her acting all sad and all I genuinely want her to cheer for me. And if she remains angry with me who will hang out with me. I should make at least this much effort to try to fix her mood.

But alas Clair refused to look at me. I sighed and left the room my steps the only sound reverberating in the room. By the way, I am still curious as to what that strong smell is all about. Why won't Clair tell me?

***

In front of me, the man puffed his cheeks as if he was sure of his victory.

This 6-inch tall blonde. He is almost of the same height as me. Maybe an inch or three shorter but who cares? There is no way he going to beat me with that heavy sword. My last fight in which I lost miserably while using that sword flashed in my mind. I will win for sure.

But that's not the problem here I want Clair to come to cheer me for the fight. I am sure she will come only if I can draw the fight long enough. Clair needs a bit of time to make up her mind I need to stall it till then.

However, I doubt this man though, I just hope that this man has enough stamina to last till then. He should just drop that sword then he will be able to last longer. 'Should I just break the sword or maybe his hand then he will last longer.' I shook my head from side to side. 'No, in this kind of match losing the weapon more or less ends the match. He won't fight if he is unarmed'

"Prepare yourself!" the marquess of Namok, Alt Whitworth cried.