Chapter 372: Inter-Academy Tournament (XXIV)
The second challenge of the Inter-Academy Exchange finally came to an end after several intense hours of fighting on the floating island.
The projection screens showed the last moments of the battles as the remaining students were teleported back to the arena.
The referee raised his staff, his voice booming across the grand hall.
"The second challenge has officially ended! Let us announce the surviving academies!"
The crowd fell into a hushed anticipation as the referee continued.
"Out of the participating academies, two have been completely eliminated. The remaining academies are... Clementine’s Sword & Magic Academy, Gloria Academy, and Dragon Slaying Academy!"
The hall erupted in loud cheers. The three main academies had survived, as expected, but the fact that only these three remained made the competition even more exciting for the upcoming challenges.
The referee smiled as he continued.
"The MVP of this match is none other than Vaelor Drakthar from Gloria Academy! His performance in the middle layer was outstanding, and his victory against Azraelion Veyra was one of the highlights of the challenge!"
The crowd cheered even louder as Vaelor’s face appeared on the main screen. He stood tall, his greatsword resting on his shoulder as he accepted the praise with a confident smile.
Gray stood up from his seat, his expression calm as he looked at the projection screens one last time.
There was nothing else for him to see here.
The second challenge had ended, and he had already gathered enough information. Besides, he had the perfect excuse to leave.
"I need to prepare for the next challenge..."
Of course, he didn’t need to prepare.
He just wanted to get as far away as possible from the Saintess. Her presence was too dangerous, and he could feel her curious gaze on him even now.
Aurora noticed his movement and smiled teasingly as she stood up as well. She turned to Gloria, her red eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Goodbye, Gloria. It looks like my student is ready to train. I’ll see you in the third challenge~"
Gloria’s golden eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn’t reply. She simply nodded coldly, her fist still clenched under the table as she watched Gray and Aurora leave.
Aurora grabbed Gray’s wrist gently but firmly, her touch warm as she activated her teleportation magic.
In a flash of light, the two of them disappeared from the VIP section, leaving the Saintess, the Emperor, the Northern Duchess, and the nobles behind.
They reappeared in a quiet training ground near Clementine’s Sword & Magic Academy. The area was empty, with only the soft sound of wind blowing through the trees.
Aurora let go of his wrist and laughed softly, her voluptuous figure swaying as she turned to look at him.
"You really wanted to escape from her, didn’t you?" she teased, her red eyes sparkling.
"The Saintess Elara was clearly interested in you. Even the Emperor was trying to get her favor, but she kept looking at you."
Gray shrugged slightly, his expression calm as he adjusted his clothes.
"She’s dangerous. I don’t want to deal with her right now."
Aurora smiled and stepped closer to him, her hand lightly brushing against his chest.
"You’re smart to be cautious. She is the Saintess of the Goddess of Hope and Light. Her power is on a completely different level. But don’t worry... I’ll protect you if she tries anything."
Listening to her words, one would feel loved, but since Jasmine had told Gray about the fact that she wasn’t a Saintess but the Goddess herself...
Aurora would never be able to protect him if she tried anything.
He nodded nonetheless.
The Saintess’s interest in him was a problem, but it was also an opportunity. If he could use it carefully, he might gain something valuable.
Then, Aurora stepped even closer, her voluptuous body pressing gently against his as she looked up at him with her red eyes sparkling with desire.
Her big, soft breasts pressed firmly against his chest, the soft fabric of her robes doing little to hide their warmth and fullness.
Without a word, Aurora leaned in and kissed his lips softly.
The kiss was gentle at first, her full lips brushing against his with a tender, lingering touch.
She tasted sweet, like warm honey and a hint of spice.
Her hands moved to his chest, fingers tracing lightly over his shirt as she deepened the kiss, her tongue gently teasing his lower lip.
She pulled back just enough to bite her lower lip, her red eyes half-lidded with clear seduction as she looked at him.
"You’re always so calm... even after everything," she whispered teasingly.
"But I know you want this too."
Her massive breasts pressed even more firmly against his chest as she leaned in again, kissing him deeper this time.
"Mhm~"
The kiss was slow and sensual, her body molding against his as she let out a soft, needy sound into his mouth.
Gray could feel the warmth of her body, the softness of her curves, and the way she was clearly trying to seduce him completely.
Aurora pulled back slightly, her lips still close to his as she whispered.
"Stay with me tonight, Gray... let me take care of you."
"Ahem!"
Suddenly, a soft cough interrupted them.
"Gray... I’ve bought everything that you told me to buy," Elárien said, her voice calm and expressionless, though her eyes narrowed slightly as she stood a few steps away.
Aurora awkwardly got off Gray, her cheeks flushing a little as she stepped back. It still felt embarrassing being watched by others.
She adjusted her robes with a small, awkward smile.
Gray turned to Elárien with a small smile.
"Thank you."
Elárien nodded slightly and kept looking at him.
As if she was waiting for something like a reward.
Seeing this, Gray sighed softly before approaching her and gently touching the tip of her long, elegant elf ear with his fingers.
Her ears turned red along with her cheeks almost instantly.
Her lips trembled slightly...
"Aha~"
A trembling moan escaped her lips as Gray continued gently touching her ears, causing her to suddenly wrap her arms around his waist forcefully, squeezing him tightly.
’...Not this again.’
Gray looked down at her.
Her long silver hair fell over her shoulders as she buried her face in his neck, her pointed ears twitching under his touch.
She was trying to keep her usual expressionless face, but the redness on her cheeks and the soft, trembling moans she let out every time his fingers brushed her sensitive ears betrayed her completely.
Aurora watched the scene with a mix of amusement and slight jealousy, crossing her arms as she leaned against a nearby tree.
"You’re really spoiled with him, aren’t you, princess?" she said teasingly.
Elárien ignored Aurora’s teasing.
She continued to hold Gray tighter, her long ears quivering as he continued the gentle touch. Her breathing was a little faster, and her body was warm against his.
Gray kept touching her ears for a few more seconds before finally pulling his hand back.
Elárien looked up at him with slightly hazy eyes, her cheeks still red as she reluctantly let go of his waist.
"Thank you..." she whispered softly, her voice almost shy.
’...What’s up with her obsession with me touching her ears? I do know that her touching her ears is an intimate gesture, but why is she so obsessed with it? Does it feel that good?’
Gray nodded, his expression calm as he looked at both women.
Elárien stepped forward and handed him a small spatial bag, her long silver hair swaying slightly as she moved.
Her cheeks were still faintly red from the ear touching, but she kept her usual expressionless face as best as she could.
"Here," she said softly.
"Everything you asked for is inside."
Gray took the bag and opened it slightly to check the contents.
Inside were several smoke bombs, small but powerful explosives, hard-wire strings, and a few other tools he had requested.
He nodded in satisfaction.
"Good work."
Aurora, still standing close, couldn’t help but be curious. She leaned over and peeked into the bag, her red eyes widening slightly as she saw the items.
Smoke bombs, explosives, hard-wire strings...
"What do you need these for?" she couldn’t help but ask, crossing her arms as she stared at him curiously, her voluptuous figure shifting as she tilted her head.
Gray smiled faintly, closing the bag as he replied.
"Didn’t I say that I needed to prepare for the tournament?"
Aurora raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a playful smile as she looked at him.
"You’re planning something, aren’t you? Those don’t look like normal training tools."
Elárien stood quietly beside them, her long elf ears still slightly red as she watched Gray with a soft gaze.
She didn’t say anything, but it was clear she was happy to have been useful to him.
Gray shrugged, not betraying a single ounce of emotion in his eyes.
"You’ll see soon enough."
Aurora laughed softly, stepping closer to him again as she placed a hand on his chest.
"You’re always so mysterious. But I like that about you."
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