Chapter 48: Rematch

I walked beside Jahi, my neck tingling slightly from the few spots Jahi had bit in her excitement. Thankfully the collar was wide enough to cover most of them, and as we walked I constantly rubbed it, a smile on my face.

Not only was I feeling so good physically after cuddling with Jahi for the last hour or so, but I shivered slightly whenever I felt the collar on my neck, reminding me that Jahi had just 'claimed' me as her own.

Walking down the corridors, I squeezed Jahi's hand as she led me towards the Training Grounds, where she said she wanted me to try out some magic and then have my rematch against Anput.

Looking back over my stats, I widened my eyes in surprise when they had all gone up by two.

[Stats:

STR - 13 (26)

CON - 12 (24)

AGI - 12 (24)

DEX - 13 (26)

CHA - 15 (30)

WIS - 14 (28)

INT - 14 (28)]

Why did my stats go up?

[Awakening a Core strengthens the body. After all, while you had some mana inside you before, now your veins are flooded with it. Paired with the fact that you have two types of mana surging through your body, the initial power-up is quite strong. Congratulations.]

My smile widened as I looked over my new stats. What took me months of hard work was matched by simply awakening my core, however I was quite excited to see if those extra stats would help me edge out a win against Anput...

Entering the Training Grounds again, I saw Anput going through some basic weapon drills, her body already shining slightly with a thin layer of sweat.

Seeing her dance around the field with a blade in hand, her body twisting and turning gracefully, I found myself enjoying the view.

Feeling Jahi clench my hand, I turned to see her smiling much like the Countess, her smile strained and golden eyes chilly.

Smiling back at her, I looked around and saw Leone sitting on a rock, a few fiery runes floating around her.

Giving Jahi a quick peck on the cheek, I said "Go spar with Anput. I want to try out my magic!"

Her eyes went back to her beautiful amethyst, before she nodded at me. However, before I could move towards Leone, Jahi had wrapped an arm around my waist, gently placing a kiss on my lips before rushing away.

Biting the inside of my cheek, I took in a deep breath to calm myself, keeping myself from rushing over to her and dragging her back to our room.

Taking another breath, I walked over to Leone, looking at the various runes in interest before sitting on another rock.

Considering her eyes were screwed shut, and some runes flickered into existence while others faded away, I decided to stay quiet, letting her continue whatever it was she was doing.

Crossing my legs as I sat atop the rock, I closed my eyes before tuning everything out.

I focused myself inwards, looking for the mana coursing through me.

It didn't take long, as I felt the twin streams coiling around each other in my veins, one gentle and warm, the other sharp and cool.

Taking in a deep breath, I focused on the warm and gentle mana, deciding to start with my water magic.

Lifting a hand, I drew out an upside down triangle for water, followed by a circle.

Pushing the mana out of my hand, I opened my eyes and...

Seeing a ball of water revolving above my palm, I grinned widely as I looked at it, using my hand to move it around.

I giggled as I managed to keep it together, gently passing it from one hand to the next.

Eventually, I released my control over the mana, watching as the water fell to the ground with a splash.

Grinning, I channeled my mana to my hand again, redrawing the same sequence but adding on a rune for smaller size.

I watched in amazement as a small golfball of water appeared above my palm, and I started playing with it again, entranced by this simple act of making a sphere of water.

Releasing it again, I pursed my lips as I went through all the runes in my mind, before deciding to try something stronger.

Again creating the sequence for a small water sphere, I added on the rune for speed, before aiming at the rock beside me.

Pushing the mana from my palm, I watched as the sphere flew towards the rock quickly, before splatting against it.

I felt giddy, and continued trying out more combinations of basic runes, enjoying the ability to cast magic.

Eventually a shadow fell over me, and I looked up to see Jahi and Anput looking down at me with small smiles.

"Having fun?"

I nodded at Jahi, a wide grin on my face. She chuckled before sitting behind me, wrapping her arms around my waist.

Leaning back into her, I felt a slight throb in my head, before a dull ache spread behind my eyes. Groaning slightly, I felt Jahi chuckle behind me as she said "Don't overdo it. You just awakened your core this morning; you need to let your body get used to having mana flowing inside of you."

I nodded, sighing in relief as I felt Jahi place a palm on my back, a warmth flooding through me.

Looking up, I saw Anput's smile was stiff as her gaze was locked on my neck.

Raising a hand to the collar, I fiddled with it, making Anput look at my face. Giving her a smug grin, I watched in amusement as she tilted her head slightly, her cheeks darkening slightly as she pursed her lips.

The Training Grounds descended into silence, the only sound being the slight crackling of the runes floating around Leone.

Sighing, Anput looked at me, before asking "So, do you want to spar today or tomorrow?"

Seeing her eyes flicker between my new collar and my face, I chuckled before saying "Today. I want to get my blood flowing..."

She nodded, moving back towards the center of the field. Letting my hand rest on Jahi's, I gently stroked them before getting up. After grabbing a practice dagger, I stood opposite of Anput, watching as she dropped into the same stance as yesterday.

Readying myself, I waited for Jahi to count down, before rushing towards Anput, my dagger stabbing towards her midriff.

Swaying, Anput slashed her sword towards me. Jumping backwards, I rushed forwards again when her blade was still overextended. Slashing at her, I sidestepped the elbow that was aimed at my chest.

Blocking my dagger with her blade, I moved back from her, marveling at how everything felt much better than yesterday.

I felt like Anput was slower, albeit slightly, while I was moving faster and in a more controlled manner. Everything felt much clearer, and after taking a breath I realized that my body definitely felt stronger and lighter.

Seeing Anput dash forwards, her blade swinging down towards my skull, I grinned before sidestepping her swing, thrusting the dagger towards her side.

As she moved to block the thrust, I sent my free hand jabbing towards her midriff.

Coughing slightly, Anput took a step back as my fist collided with her abs. Shaking my hand slightly, I raised a brow as I took a quick look at her body, my eyes widening slightly as I saw the slightly defined six pack that I hadn't noticed till now.

Smirking at me, Anput took in a breath before whispering "Now I REALLY want you..."

Anput dashed forwards again, her blade like lightning as she sent blow after blow at me. Warding everything off with my dagger, I grunted in pain as each strike sent jolts up my arm.

Growling in annoyance, I rolled to the side before leaping at Anput, sending another thrust towards her side.

Seeing her sway out of the way, I again sent my free hand towards her, only to watch as she pivot out of the way.

A wide grin on her face, she brought her blade down towards me.

Seeing it coming at me from above, I dove towards her, wrapping my arms around her waist as I tackled her to the ground.

Hearing her breath be forced from her body, I quickly snaked my dagger to her throat, panting as I looked at her laying under me.

As she felt the cold metal kiss her throat, Anput looked up at me with wide eyes, before grinning widely at me. Seeing her obsidian eyes radiating desire, I yelped in surprise when I suddenly found myself on the ground, Anput sitting on top of me, her cheeks flushed and panting.

Opening her mouth, she spoke in a husky voice "I'll give you the win, but..."

Before I could react, she had placed her forehead against mine, her lips inches from my own.

"... I really want you now..."

Before she could lean forwards, Jahi had dragged her off of me, her eyes a brilliant gold. Glaring at Anput, Jahi pushed her away, making Anput shiver before she grinned at Jahi.

Getting up, I looked between the two girls, watching as the demon glared at the jackalkin.

Sighing, I moved next to Jahi, saying "It's fine, Jahi, really."

She looked down at me, her lips pursed before taking a deep breath.

Opening her mouth, she was about to speak when we heard Leone let out a laugh.

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So, I was going to write yesterday, but I woke up with a headache that wouldn't go away...

Anyways, we have two more chapters before I accept the contract, so don't be surprised when chapters get locked.

I hope you keep enjoying the book though!

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