Chapter 85: A better reward
Lying on the bed, Evelyne was staring at the ceiling with a thoughtful gaze.
Her fingers idly traced the edge of the blanket as she replayed the conversation with Klein in her head.
’Two girlfriends...’ she thought, her brow furrowing slightly.
A faint blush colored her cheeks as she turned her head slightly against the pillow and her lips pressed together unconsciously.
’Well... those two women are around my age. So I think... I am at least his type. That’s a relief.’
The moment that thought formed, her blush deepened just a little, spreading faintly across her face as she let out a soft breath, half embarrassed, half frustrated at herself.
Her eyes drifted slightly, recalling the way he had spoken and looked at her.
He was calm and composed, never once treating her differently despite her background or family
For someone like her.
In her world, most interactions were layered with intention and unspoken expectations tied to status, alliances, and benefit.
But Klein was different, he told her to marry him only because she chose it and loves him... not for political reasons.
She shifted slightly on the bed, turning onto her side as she hugged the pillow loosely and her gaze softened just a little.
’...I don’t dislike it.’
The words came quietly.
---
After finishing the dishes together, Klein and Erica moved to the living room.
Klein settled on the couch and turned on the TV to a quiet news channel as he leaned back, relaxing after the long day.
Erica disappeared into the kitchen for a few minutes before returning with two steaming cups of tea.
The aroma of fresh herbs and mild spices filled the air as she placed one cup on the low table in front of him and the other for herself.
"Here," she said softly. "It’s herbal tea."
She sat down beside him on the couch, close enough that their shoulders almost touched.
The couch dipped slightly under her weight, and she leaned back, holding her cup with both hands as she took a small sip.
Klein picked up his cup and the warmth seeped into his palms as he took a sip.
"Thanks, Master," he said, glancing at her with a small smile. "It’s good."
Taking a sip of her tea, she nodded with a faint smile on her lips.
As they were watching TV, the news channel shifted to a breaking report.
"Breaking news from the frontier," the anchor announced.
"The renowned guild [Imperium] has successfully cleared the 56th floor of the Eternal Spire, one of the most dangerous and mysterious towers in the known world."
"This marks a significant milestone, as the 56th floor has long been considered an insurmountable barrier for most guilds."
The footage showed Imperium guild members standing victorious on a shattered platform as they celebrated their achievement.
Klein leaned forward slightly,
Erica was amazed, sipping her tea as she watched the screen.
"Imperium is one of the top guilds in the Human Domain."
"Their progress in the tower has been steady, but the 56th floor is a big jump."
The report continued, showing highlights of the battle on the 56th floor.
Klein’s eyes narrowed slightly as he watched ’Dungeons can be easily overpowered if you are strong enough.’
’But towers are not like that, you need atleast a [Party] in some towers to clear it.’
’I should join a good guild or recruit some good party members who are trustworthy and reliable.’
Erica turned to him and spoke "You should try the [The Hollow Crown Tower] Klein. With your strength, you might be able to clear it."
The Hollow Crown Tower was one of the weird towers.
It wouldn’t let anyone above age 22 enter. So only rookies could enter, which made the tower hard to clear because they were usually weak.
Klein raised an eyebrow in curiosity "The Hollow Crown Tower..."
"I’ve heard about it. The age restriction makes it unique. Most strong Arbiters can’t enter once they pass 22, so it’s mostly left to new talents."
"That’s why it’s considered one of the hardest towers despite being relatively ’low-level’ in theory."
Erica nodded, taking another sip of her tea.
"Mhm. It’s a place where young talents can prove themselves, but it’s also a graveyard for overconfident rookies. Many parties have been wiped out on the higher floors because they lacked experience."
"It’s a good choice for you right now. The tower is relatively close to the capital, and the academy has connections there."
With a thoughtful gaze, he nodded "I will look into it."
The two of them continued their conversation and the warm tea and the quiet atmosphere made the evening feel relaxed and intimate.
Erica took another sip of her tea before speaking.
"You won the duel, so as promised, you can access the Spirit Realm for two months even without my permission," she said with a small smile.
"You’ve earned it."
"True, but that reward..." he said, tilting his head slightly, and his smile turned a bit more cheeky. "That was for defeating Ji Shenyi, right?"
"...Yes," she replied slowly, already suspicious.
Klein leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on his hand as he looked at her with a smile that made his intentions very clear.
"But I also defeated Shui Yinran. Clean win too."
Erica raised an eyebrow "So?"
"So..." he dragged the word slightly, clearly enjoying this, "...shouldn’t I get a better reward?"
Her eyes narrowed further, though there was a faint amusement in them now.
"Oh? And what exactly are you asking for?"
Klein just looked at her for a second "Something personal."
Erica blinked "...Personal?" she repeated and her tone instantly turned wary. "Klein..."
Looking at her expression, he just chuckled "Relax, not that kind of personal. I was just teasing you."
She stared at him flatly. "You’re definitely thinking something like that."
"I’m hurt," he said, placing a hand over his chest dramatically. "You think so low of your own disciple?"
"...Yes."
"Wow," he shook his head, clicking his tongue. "Tragic."
She didn’t even try to hide her unimpressed look. "Get to the point."
Klein leaned forward slightly again, this time smiling more lightly "Cook for me again."
Erica blinked in surprise "...That’s it?"
"What? That food was actually really good. I’m not letting that be a one-time thing. Or were you thinking of something else... Master, you pervert."
Erica’s eyebrow twitched, and then she slowly put her cup down.
"...Say that again," she said flatly, and her tone was dangerously calm as she looked at him.
Klein didn’t back off.
"I said-"
THWACK
A sharp sound echoed as Erica tried to bonk his head but Klein deftly caught her hand.
"Wow, what was that for?!"
"For running your mouth," she shot back and pulled her hand back. "Who exactly are you calling a pervert?"
"You? You were the one overthinking it."
"I wasn’t overthinking anything," she retorted, crossing her arms.
"You literally paused and asked ’that’s it?’ like you expected something else," he pointed out, leaning forward slightly with a smug look.
"What was going on in your head, Master?"
Her eye twitched again.
"...Rascal," she muttered under her breath.
"Pervert," he shot back instantly.
"...Do you want me to hit you again?"
"...I’m drinking tea."
A quiet beat passed.
Erica let out a small, helpless breath, shaking her head as a faint smile crept onto her lips despite herself.
Without warning, her hand shot forward and grabbed his collar, pulling him toward her in one swift motion.
Klein’s eyes widened slightly in surprise and his body tilted forward before he could react.
"Master, wha-"
Before he could finish, she leaned in.
A soft, brief warmth brushed against his cheek as she pressed her soft lips against his cheek.
"...!"
His words stopped.
Erica pulled back just as quickly, releasing his collar as if nothing had happened, though the faint tint of color on her cheeks betrayed the calm she tried to maintain.
"Thank you," she said softly, and her voice carried a quiet sincerity now, very different from her usual tone.
"...For defeating Shui Yinran for me."
For a moment, Klein just stared at her.
His mind lagged half a second behind what just happened, his expression caught somewhere between confusion and disbelief as his hand slowly lifted to his cheek, as if confirming it actually happened.
"...You just-" he started, then stopped.
Erica turned her head slightly, clearing her throat as she picked up her cup again.
"...Don’t make it a big deal," she muttered, trying to sound composed. "It’s just a thank you."
Klein blinked once.
"...You could’ve just said thanks," he said, still processing.
"I did," she replied.
"...That’s not how people usually say it."
Erica finally glanced at him again, "Then consider yourself lucky..."
Klein stared at her for another second.
Then, a slow smile spread across his face.
"...Say less."
"Don’t get used to it."
"Too late."
Her eye twitched slightly at that, though the faint smile didn’t leave her lips.
"Rascal..."
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