Training  

A/N

Sorry for the late bonus. Wifi was down yesterday, and I fell asleep XD.

Anyway, here it is. Enjoy ^^

[2-5 bonus chapters]

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[Trinity's POV]

*huff

*pant

"Stop panting. You've barely run for ten minutes," I said at Dorothy when she stopped again for the hundredth time to catch her breath.

"Shut up! I haven't had any physical activity since the day I was born! This sudden ran is already torture!"

My brows rose. "So, are you going to give up?"

Dorothy bit her lower lip and threw a glance in Michael's way. Michael and Ric were setting camp in preparation for the night.

We stopped in a forest near the river to pass the night while I took the time to start Dorothy's training by having her ran in circles at the patches of grass to improve her stamina.

Michael caught Dorothy's intense stare, and he shot her a smile. Dorothy's face brightened, and she jumped to her feet full of energy.

"W-who said about giving up? I was just taking in the scenery, tis' all. Watch me as I sprint a hundred kilometers in just an hour!"

"Good luck with that," I murmured when Dorothy picked up her pace and shouted her battle cry as she circled the patches of grass.

Michael stopped beside me with twigs and woods in his hands. It was probably for the fire later as it gets chilly in the night.

"Is she going to be alright?" he asked.

"Running wouldn't kill her." I cut him a brief look. "Or are you still worried about her condition?"

"That too, to be honest."

I licked my lips and smirked. "Then maybe you can cure her? I heard rumors that the Saintess could perform miracles and heal the sick."

It was the reason why the masses paid an exorbitant price so that they could have their wish delivered to the Saintess's ears.

Michael stifled an awkward laugh. "I don't know about that. If I did, I don't know how to use it. No one thought me."

"Maybe you still need Luminaire's blessing for you to have access to some of her powers? You know the one they perform in the sacred hall whenever a new Saintess is crowned."

Michael gave a no care shrug. "Maybe." He then changed the topic. "Anyway, I could use a hand in setting our tent."

I pretended I didn't hear him and looked at Dorothy, who just fell flat on her face when she stumbled on her own feet.

". . . Or maybe not."

"You and sir Ric got it handled. There's no more space for a weak lady such as myself to help with a man's job."

Michael smirked and held his laughter. "Weak, you say? You're probably the strongest from all of us here."

I hugged my knees and prompted my chin on my crossing arms. "Flattery won't get you anywhere. And I don't have any spell that can help you set that tent in a snap."

I knew he was surprised, for I hit the mark of his true intentions.

"Can you read my mind?"

"No need. It's pretty obvious."

"Then what do you think I'm thinking now?"

I shifted a look over at him but was startled when I found him leaning so close to me with his face just a breath away from mine. His blue eyes caught me off guard and the teasing smile on his lips added to his charms.

I placed a hand over his face when he attempted to move closer.

"Stop checking on my pimples and warts every chance you've got."

Michael laughed, and the hotness of his breath burned my palms. I retracted my hand and flipped my hair at his next words.

"I really can't hide anything from you."

His laughter attracted Dorothy's attention, and I didn't have to see her face to know that she was annoyed. Her jealousy was wreaking off her as she stomped her feet in our direction.

"Well, you two sure are getting cozy with each other. Mind if I join in as well?" she said, the corner of her lips were twisting into a half-smile and half sneer.

"You can, after you finish your run," I replied. Unbothered by her piercing glares.

Keep that up, and I'll turn you into a goat for real.

"Well, then, ladies. I'm going to go work on our tent." Michael shot me a wink. "If you'll excuse me."

". . ." I knew what he was up to. The mischief was practically dancing on his face.

"Trinity!"

And as he and I expected, Dorothy grabbed my shoulders, and her pretty face with red veins in her bulging eyes stared at me with anxiousness.

"You're not falling for Michael, too, right?"

I sighed under my breath. That damn man sure knew how to create a problem when there was none.