The Male Slave of House Sianella - Chapter 47

Chapter 47: Teachings and Promises (2)

The next day, just like when Sione used to secretly practice archery.

I went to her room early in the morning.

Whatever wind had blown through.

Sione was already awake today too, waiting for me.

"Good morning, Lady Sione."

"Yes, did you sleep well?"

"Of course."

I exchanged brief morning greetings while checking her appearance.

Her nightwear had been changed long ago, and she showed no signs of dishevelment from sleep today either.

For some reason, she was even wearing a hairpin.

I looked more closely, wondering why she was wearing a hairpin so early in the morning.

Sure enough, it was the hairpin I had arbitrarily bought her before.

'Even though she said it was fine, I should buy her a better one next time.'

Since I'd be buying it with Sione's money when we went into town anyway, the price didn't matter.

Though Sione had said it was fine before, my mind was already made up.

Such a cheap hairpin probably wouldn't last long either.

If she was going to use it, it would be better to buy something good that would last, even if it cost more.

"You're wearing the hairpin."

"Mm... I saw it while tidying myself up and decided to put it on."

"It suits you well."

"Fufu, thank you."

The atmosphere brightened noticeably as she seemed quite pleased by my compliment.

Sione and I soon left the room without further words and headed to the shooting range.

Going to the shooting range with Sione at this hour again brought back memories.

Unlike the chubby Sione from back then, the current Sione had lost weight and hit the jackpot.

Her archery had become remarkably skilled too.

It was somewhat entertaining to compare her past appearance with how different she was now.

After walking in silence for a while.

"By the way, Ray. Just what are you planning to teach me that you wanted to go to the shooting range at this hour?"

"Are you curious?"

"Of course I am. Yesterday when I asked so much, you didn't give me any answer or even a hint. Of course I'm curious."

"Well, you've been patient for a day, so be patient a little longer. The shooting range is right ahead."

"...If it's not as amazing as I'm thinking, you'd better hope it lives up to my expectations."

Thud thud.

Sione hurried into the shooting range with widened strides.

Unlike her, I entered leisurely to find Sione had already selected her bow and arrows and was waiting for me.

"Hmm, well then, shall we hear what it is?"

Seeing Sione snorting impatiently like that.

Feeling she might ungratefully aim her bow at me if I dragged this out any longer.

I shrugged and picked up an arrow from the pile at one side of the shooting range.

Looking at the sharp arrowhead, I felt my mood turn cold too.

"Arrows are weak. The sharpness and power that a small arrowhead can hold is limited. When facing monsters with thick, tough hides or hard carapaces, these small arrowheads might not be able to fulfill their role."

"That sounds... like you're just talking about the limitations of bows."

"How could that be? Wasn't I the one who told you not to limit yourself, Lady Sione?"

I answered with a shrug.

"That's why I called you separately to teach you the solution."

Sione's gaze deepened as she calmly tried to gauge my intentions.

Meeting her eyes, I felt like I was being pulled into the depths of those clear lake-like eyes.

"Knights add Aura to their swords to face enemies their blades won't cut easily. What about archers then?"

"Put Aura... in arrows?"

"That's right. Let me demonstrate simply."

I began manipulating mana.

Since my mana was deeply infused with spirit energy, specifically wind energy.

When I gathered mana at the arrowhead, a small whirlwind blew as dark green mana coated it.

This technique required quite a deep level of skill.

Even for me now, with my mana greatly increased after catching the arachne, it consumed a burdensome amount.

Since I had only faced opponents that arrows could pierce without reinforcement.

I hadn't used it since falling into this world.

I was just glad this long-unused technique manifested as intended.

"To break knights' swords and pierce armor. Just make the arrowhead sharper and harder than knight weapons and plate armor."

As I said this while waving the arrow, Sione's head followed the movement and showed no signs of looking away.

Since keeping this up was wasting mana, I withdrew the green energy I had created around the arrowhead.

"I'll teach you the technique today."

"Really?"

"Why would I call you here if I was lying? Take the arrow. I'll teach you the method."

At my words, Sione hurriedly gripped her arrow tightly.

I approached her as she waited excitedly for my words and placed my hand on her shoulder.

Her excited expression instantly turned to bewilderment.

"Excuse me for a moment."

"W-why are you suddenly putting your hand on my shoulder...!"

"Please forgive my rudeness, I'm only teaching you the technique. Now, try circulating mana and drawing it to your shoulder."

To make such a fuss just from a hand on her shoulder.

I waited without reaction until she drew up mana, and Sione finally stopped protesting and began following my instructions.

"Once you've gathered mana around your shoulder, let it flow down like this-"

My hand on her shoulder traced down her arm.

My hand came to rest on the back of hers.

"Let the mana flow this way."

I pointed to the arrowhead tip.

"Think of concentrating and solidifying fluid mana only at the cold edge of the tip."

Whoosh.

Though I had only roughly taught her, perhaps because she was already somewhat familiar with mana.

Sione followed my words quite well.

"Ah!"

Blue energy began rising like heat waves from Sione's arrowhead.

Though it was just a very weak mana resonance, she was so happy to have succeeded in gathering mana just at that small arrowhead.

The corners of her mouth lifted endlessly.

At this rate they might reach her ears.

But after a while, Sione calmed herself and asked:

"...Ray, isn't it about time you told me how you know all this knowledge about archery and magic?"

"That is..."

I fell into deep thought for a moment.

But my thoughts leaned one way.

No matter how much Sione and I had bonded, or how many secrets I had shown.

To people of this world, it would sound like nothing but a madman's delusions.

I wanted to assert it with skill when I was sure Sione could fully handle it.

"It will be a long story. I'll tell you when I think the time is right. Can you wait until then?"

"...Don't make me wait too long."

We quietly exchanged looks.

Fortunately, Sione agreed to my words.

I handed her what looked like the strongest bow in the shooting range.

"Try shooting that dummy using mana."

"You want me to manage mana for strength when just focusing on one arrow is hard enough?"

"It might be difficult, but you'll be quite pleased with the results."

"Hmm... if you say so. I'll give it a try."

Zhwip!

The tough bowstring was drawn back with her arm.

Sione fixed her stance with the drawn string and fell into deep concentration as she aimed at the dummy's chest.

Wooong...

The moment mana settled in the arrowhead.

She released without hesitation.

Whoosh!

The arrow shot at twice its usual speed powered by the strong draw.

Crack!!

It pierced through the dummy's chest made of thickly layered straw.

Sione's arrow only stopped after penetrating through the dummy's back.

"Ray, did you see-"

As the delighted Sione turned around.

"...!"

Our feet tangled and we fell as I had been watching right behind her.

***

The problem was forgetting Ray was watching right behind me as I excitedly turned around.

Having shot an arrow strong enough to pierce that thick dummy felt like a dream, and I just wanted to ask him if this was real.

We ended up falling with our feet tangled as he was closer than expected.

"Ugh..."

My knees hurt from hitting the ground.

My wrist ached from bracing against the ground, thinking I might crush Ray.

Everything was pitch black as I had closed my eyes in surprise while falling.

Was Ray alright?

Though I quickly opened my eyes worried about him who had fallen because of me.

"Ah...!"

Looking at the current situation.

I ended up looking down at Ray as if I had pounced on him.

• Thump thump.

My heart began beating violently as I looked down at his face right before mine.

Perhaps because if anyone saw us in this position, it would clearly look like I had pounced on him.

Perhaps because I was too flustered, my body wouldn't move properly as it stiffened.

I examined Ray's face in this breath-stopping situation.

"Ugh..."

Ray's normally composed expression was twisted, apparently quite startled by the sudden tangle and fall.

Though it wasn't very obvious since he took the impact straight on his back, his eyes were definitely scrunched in pain.

Along with the small pained sounds escaping between his lips.

Thinking his expression had become so fragile like this because of me, when he usually teased me with an expressionless face.

As strange emotions began to well up, I kept looking down at him without moving.

Soon Ray looked up at me defenseless and said:

"...Lady Sione, would you mind getting off?"

Though I should have hurriedly moved away at his words...

For some reason, this dreamlike feeling prevented me from moving easily.

So even as he squirmed, I remained frozen staring down at him.

While I was immersed in the strange sensation of feeling like only he and I existed in the whole world.

His slightly flustered words pierced my ears.

"...Could it be that you like me, Lady Sione?"

His words brought me to my senses.

If he asked if I liked him, I liked him very much.

But how could I say I liked him when I was so embarrassed.

Though normally I should have quickly shaken my head in denial like when he asked about the meaning of poppies before.

I recalled what Sister Siabel had told me.

-If you show the same indecisive behavior with half-hearted resolve, you might risk losing him again, and-

'...She said I might have him taken away.'

Though I wasn't sure why Sister's words came to mind in this situation.

All sorts of worries began flooding in because of her words.

What if he had his heart stolen by someone else because I was being indecisive and couldn't confess my feelings again.

No, that won't happen.

Just yesterday he said I was more important than anything else.

Surely Ray likes me too deep down.

But still...

At the end of my chain of doubts, I made up my mind.

To clearly convey my intentions here and now.

My heart began pounding like it might burst.

After opening and closing my mouth repeatedly, I finally spoke with firm resolve.

"...My heart pounds whenever I think of you, and my eyes are often drawn to you."

"When even this situation is making my heart so confused."

"What do you think these feelings are?"

He quietly looked at me.

"...Perhaps you're just caught up in the moment?"

My heart felt like it was being squeezed under his gaze.

I shook my head at his words.

"...I'm just a servant. What reason would you have to like me?"

"...Yesterday, here."

My head felt like it was spinning.

"Didn't you say it yourself. That you were my male knight."

"...No matter what, I'm still just a lowly slave. I cannot accept such deep feelings from Lady Sione."

"...I can tear up the slave documents anytime if needed. Moreover-"

Should I say this.

Though hundreds of agonizing thoughts tormented me in an instant.

I finally held back and opened my mouth.

"If you're a slave... shouldn't you follow your master's will?"

At my words, thick confusion spread across Ray's face that had been barely maintaining composure.

Seeing his trembling eyes, it seemed I had managed to shake his heart somehow.

"...On paper, my master is Lady Ainel Sianella."

"Didn't I tell you?"

"Tell me what-"

"I received your slave certificate from Mother in my name long ago."

"Ah."

Ray bit his lip.

After briefly making a contorted expression, he slowly began:

"...Are you sure you won't regret this?"

I quietly nodded.

The atmosphere heated up.

Perhaps caught up in the mood, I felt the urge to press my lips to his.

Then, Ray slowly reached out his right hand to caress my cheek and said:

"If you wish for a kiss... I'll give you my lips."

My face reddened at his bold words so unlike a man.

Just as I was about to bring my face closer, having received permission.

"However... not now-"

He gently pushed my face away with his right hand.

"When you can imbue arrowheads with mana like an Expert knight. Then I will personally... offer it to you..."

Thump thump thump.

My heart began pounding like it might burst at his words.

"...How about getting up for now?"

I could only unconsciously nod at his irresistible proposal.

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