Still in the room with Olivia, Christian looked at her again, this time, at her new outfit of a tank top and shorts.
Her long legs were fully exposed, and the V-shaped collar dipped low enough to reveal the upper curves of her breasts. She wasn't wearing a bra either. But all of that… could be considered ordinary. Just something a girl might wear after a bath, especially if she was getting ready for bed, right?
Christian didn't comment on it. He returned to speaking with her, as naturally as before.
"So, how are things going at the Academy?" he asked. "That guy you mentioned, the one you said was even more talented than you and your friend, did he reach the second mastery stage yet?"
Olivia scoffed at that and rolled her eyes.
"When did I ever say he was more talented than me?" she retorted. "I just said he was talented."
"And him getting ahead of me in the entrance test and a few other evaluations… that's not all about talent. Instead, it's because, he also has a special ability, and, most importantly, the Keep reading on NovelHub - where stories come alive! At least for your friend from the other world, Christian thought silently, noting the spark in her tone.
She sounded indignant talking about that proud, cold man. But even so, she didn't sound like she hated him. And that made a subtle glint pass through Christian's eyes.
Still, he didn't dwell on it. He smiled and said, "He might have the backing of an ancient family… but don't you have me?"
Olivia raised a brow and asked with amusement, "And how exactly are you going to Keep reading on NovelHub - where stories come alive!
But he suddenly paused.
Because, when he thought about it more carefully, he realized he couldn't do this kind of thing for her at this moment.'
Not to mention, since she possessed almost the same amount of strength as him, it would only make things more difficult. The biggest problem, however, was that he still hadn't fully understood how this kind of power system is perceived by others from different worlds. And so, he couldn't let her take such a risk.
Even so… was this really the only thing he could help her with?
Right now, unfortunately, it was.
There were other things he could offer her later. He was constantly improving, not just in strength, but in other fields as well. But right now… in this moment… he simply couldn't compare to an academy with a sixth-stage principal presiding over it.
"Well, that's aside," Christian said, changing the subject with a more relaxed tone. "Did you make a boyfriend?"
Olivia didn't seem bothered by the sudden shift. She just gave him a mischievous smile and asked back, "Why are you asking? Did you start feeling a little possessive now that I've shown you some skin?"
Her bold words rolled off her tongue smoothly, as if her earlier embarrassment had never existed. But this was Christian, after all. And no matter what, she didn't want to restrict herself around him.
'Maybe?' Christian thought, but he didn't reply.
He didn't know exactly what he felt… but if she didn't have a boyfriend, that thought somehow made him feel a bit more at ease.
Still, he had no plans of placing limits on her. She had her own free will, and in the end, he was just her mother's lover. Regardless of how close they'd become… nothing between them was official. There was no real, intimate relationship between him and Olivia.
With him not answering, Olivia leaned in slightly, her eyes gleaming, before she started teasing him more… and the air between them grew heavier.
Christian almost laughed at the awkward atmosphere that followed his earlier attempt to steer things away from where they were heading when she was still wearing nothing but that nearly-falling robe.
He had shown sternness back then because he thought she might regret it later if things went too far.
But now? If she insisted on playing …
It's not like he minded this kind of atmosphere… far from it.
In the first place, she had asked if he would lose control and jump on her. But for him, it wasn't about losing control.
It was about being provoked.
And if he would actually dare lay his hands on her?
Then yes, he actually would dare.
That was why, instead of pulling back this time, Christian hid the amusement that tugged at the corner of his lips. He feigned a hurt expression and said, in a slow, sincere tone, "Actually, you've misunderstood me."
"It's just… I noticed your breasts have grown noticeably over the past year. So, I was wondering… could there be a secret behind that?"
He paused for effect, then tilted his head slightly with a thoughtful expression. "Like… someone massaging them?"
It was, of course, the logic of hentai manga. In reality, there was no such thing.
But for teasing her? It was perfect.
Olivia, who clearly had no intention of losing, immediately snapped back.
"Of course I don't have a boyfriend, let alone someone massaging my breasts!"
"There's no one worthy. And even if there was, who would dare lay a hand on me!"
Her proud tone, combined with her blushing cheeks, didn't quite convince him. So Christian smirked and lightly teased, "Oh, is that so?"
As she tried to hold her ground, clearly affirming her claim, Christian finally made a move.
He stepped closer, his eyes not leaving hers. And under her scrutinizing, half-challenging gaze, he reached out and cupped her breast through her clothes.
"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice strained, trying not to react.
But she didn't move away. She didn't swat his hand or even flinch in rejection. Even now, with his palm gently fondling the soft mound beneath her shirt, she didn't try to stop him.