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Chapter 143: Let's Go to the Beach (2)
"Professor Elisha...?"
I squinted as I saw the black-haired beauty approaching slowly toward the beach chair where I was sitting.
"Professor, what brings you here?"
"Hmm. Am I interrupting?"
"No, it's not that..."
The Heavenly Resort provided each group of guests with a private uninhabited island connected by a warp gate.
In other words, unless you were part of the same group, you couldn't use another guest's warp gate...
—This time, a nice gift came from a foundation that's collaborating with my father's company.
Suddenly, I remembered what Juliet had said earlier.
"Could it be that the foundation is...?"
"Fufu. It's the foundation I run. I received a significant investment from Juliet's father, so I decided to give them a little gift."
Now it made sense why Professor Elisha was here.
I let out a small laugh and asked,
"How did you know Juliet would invite us?"
"Hmm. Who knows?"
As Professor Elisha smiled mischievously, I shook my head, unable to resist.
"Well, anyway, it's nice to see you here."
"Can I ask what's so nice about it, specifically?"
She sat down on the beach chair and crossed her legs, sending me a provocative gaze.
At the end of her slender legs, her toes painted with black nail polish caught my eyes.
"That's, um..."
Maybe it's because I was used to seeing her in formal attire.
Seeing Professor Elisha in a swimsuit left me unsure where to look.
"Fufu. From your reaction, I can already tell what's so nice about it."
Seeing me awkwardly turn my head away, Professor Elisha smiled in satisfaction.
"So, what have you been up to during the break?"
"Well, I trained a bit and did some exploration of ancient ruins."
"Explored ancient ruins?"
Professor Elisha looked at me with curiosity, tilting her head, so I told her about what happened during the exploration.
"The archbishop? Did you just say you fought the Archbishop of Lust?"
"Yes."
"Wow... And did you deliberately fight her, knowing the 'future'?"
"No. It was pure coincidence that I ended up fighting the archbishop."
Even I hadn’t expected that the Archbishop of Lust would be using the 'Blessing of Absorption’ to suck up mana from the (fake) Fist of Iron legacy.
"..."
Professor Elisha looked at me with concern in her eyes.
Slowly, she reached out and gently touched my face.
"This time... how many times did you experience 'death'?"
"Ah, I didn't die even once this time."
Of course, I had used my life force to generate mana while using Conflagaration, so I had experienced near-death several times, but at least I hadn't been killed by Lactasia.
"Really?"
Elisha's face, which had been filled with worry, brightened noticeably.
With the same hand that had been touching my face, she playfully pinched my cheek.
"That's a relief."
As she said that, a faint smile spread across her face.
It was a genuine expression of relief, as if she had been truly concerned about my potential 'deaths.'
"..."
Seeing her smile filled me with a sense of emotion.
"Hmm?"
Noticing my reaction, Professor Elisha's smile deepened as she gently wrapped her hand around my neck, pulling me closer.
As the distance between us shrank, our eyes locked.
"...Dale?"
"What are you doing?"
A cold, calm voice came from behind.
When I turned my head, I saw Iris and Yuren, both glaring at me with icy stares.
Before I could hurriedly explain, Professor Elisha spoke first.
"Ah, Iris and Yuren, how have you both been? Did you enjoy your break?"
"Professor Elisha, what are you doing here...?"
"You can ask Juliet about that."
With Professor Elisha's words, all eyes turned to Juliet.
Dressed in swimming trunks and an aloha shirt (thankfully, not a women's swimsuit), Juliet stammered, looking flustered.
"Uh... I, I knew that the tickets came from the foundation Professor Elisha runs, but..."
It seemed Juliet hadn't expected Professor Elisha to come personally, as he trailed off, unsure what to say.
"Hmm. So, you're saying the students gathered for a trip, and the professor just happened to tag along?"
"That’s a bit harsh."
Professor Elisha sighed softly, her face showing a hint of sadness.
"I just wanted to check on my beloved students and see how they were enjoying their break. But if I'm causing trouble, I’ll head back to the resort."
"Uh? No, no, that's not what I meant..."
Iris, taken aback by Professor Elisha's unexpected reaction, looked flustered as everyone around her started silently pressuring her with their gaze.
"Wait, please!"
Iris hurriedly grabbed Professor Elisha's shoulder as she began to walk away.
With a forced smile, Iris spoke awkwardly.
"Of course, I was only joking, Professor! You should definitely stay and join us!"
"Really?"
"Yes! You arranged this stay for us, so of course you should be here!"
"Fufu. If Iris insists, I can't refuse."
Placing a friendly hand on Iris's shoulder, Professor Elisha smiled.
"I'll follow Iris's lead, then."
"..."
Realizing she had been outplayed, Iris sighed heavily as her face twisted in frustration.
"...Turns out you're more of a sly fox than a spider, huh."
"Fufu. I'll take that as a compliment."
"It's not a compliment!"
"Come now, don't get so worked up. As a contribution, I've brought plenty of food."
Elisha shrugged, pointing to the icebox filled with delicious-looking meat.
"It's top-quality beef from the Empire."
There was an old saying on the continent:
For the best seafood, go to the Republic; for the best vegetables, go to the Holy Kingdom; and for the best meat, go to the Empire.
The Empire’s beef was known for its excellent quality and exquisite taste.
"Ahem. Well... since you went to such lengths, I guess we can't refuse."
"Huh, I didn't expect you to fall for the allure of kingdom food."
"Did you think I only eat greens because I'm the saint?"
"Haha, just kidding."
Professor Elisha crossed her arms and looked Iris up and down.
Iris was so bundled up in loose clothing that it hardly seemed like she was at the beach.
"Didn't you bring a swimsuit?"
"Well... I did bring one..."
Iris glanced over at Berald, Yuren, and Juliet.
She covered her mouth and let out a short, awkward cough.
"...I was going to wear it later."
"Hm? When were you planning to wear it if not at the beach?"
"I-I'll wear it when I feel like it! But, professor, isn't your swimsuit a little too revealing?"
Iris squinted as she looked at the black bikini Professor Elisha was wearing.
A tiny piece of fabric barely covering her perfectly slim, toned body.
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Iris wanted to say, "Isn't that a bit too much for your age?" but...
"...Ugh."
Even as a fellow woman, Iris couldn't help but be in awe of Elisha's flawless figure.
"I think this is quite normal."
"It's anything but normal! Now, hurry up and put on a shirt!"
"Fufu. Alright, no need to rush me."
As Elisha and Iris were bickering like that...
"..."
Yuren quietly stared at Professor Elisha's black bikini.
Perhaps sensing his blatant gaze, Elisha slightly smirked while putting on the shirt Iris handed her.
"Seeing this now, Yuren candidate... you really are a man after all."
"Ah... s-sorry."
"It's fine. Just... try not to stare so obviously."
After all, I'm already spoken for.
She mumbled that as she shot a quick glance my way.
"Now that I think about it, I haven't heard Dale candidate's opinion yet."
"Opinion on what?"
"How do I look? Does it suit me?"
Professor Elisha mischievously lifted the front of her shirt slightly, grinning.
"..."
Of course, there was no need to ask since it suited her perfectly.
But with Iris and Yuren's cold glares directed my way, it was hard to speak the honest truth.
"...Not bad."
Hearing my carefully thought-out response, Professor Elisha narrowed her eyes with a quiet "Hmph."
"Well, I'll let that pass for today."
She shrugged her shoulders and walked back toward the beach chair.
Under the shining sun, the brief summer vacation was just beginning.
* * *
After a few hours of playing on the beach, forgetting all my worries and troubles...
The sky had turned a shade of sunset as the day drew to an end.
"Shall we head back?"
We had had our fill of playing in the water, grilling and eating meat.
It was time to return to the resort and wrap up the day.
"Hahaha! I haven't had this much fun in a long time! It feels like I've gone back to my childhood!"
Berald laughed heartily, nodding in satisfaction.
Behind him stood a massive sandcastle, towering in all its grandeur, as big as a bull.
I couldn't help but laugh awkwardly at the sight.
"Seriously, you're not a kid, so why are you building something like that?"
"Hmm? Didn't you seem to enjoy helping me build it earlier, brother?"
"I was just pretending to help because I didn't want you to feel embarrassed."
Honestly, though.
It was kinda fun.
'I've never experienced something like this in my past life.'
To me, summer break was simply a time to work odd jobs all day to earn money for living expenses.
'Well... this isn't bad. Having fun like this.'
Building a sandcastle with Berald.
Splitting into teams for a beach volleyball match.
Grilling meat and chatting away.
Looking back, it felt a bit cringeworthy, like a scene from a perfect summer memory.
But it was a good experience, one I wouldn't mind having again someday.
'Still, starting tomorrow, I need to get back on track and focus on my training.'
Thinking I'd rested enough for one day, I was ready to head back to the resort when...
"Hey... Dale."
Yuren approached quietly, tugging at my sleeve.
"What's up?"
"Could you stay here with me for a bit? I... have something to show you."
Yuren hesitated, avoiding my gaze.
"Alright."
I went over to the others, who were packing up, and told them I'd stay behind to finish cleaning up, sending them back first.
Despite Iris insisting she would stay too, I nudged her along and sent her off before heading back to meet Yuren at the agreed spot.
Swoosh.
The sound of waves echoed under the now dark night sky.
The moon shone brightly overhead.
"...You're here?"
Yuren—no, Yurina—was waiting for me, wearing a silver swimsuit.
* * *
On the way back to the resort...
"What's wrong, Saintess?"
Camilla turned to the stopped Iris.
"..."
Iris was deep in thought, lips firmly shut, before making a decision and turning around.
"I don’t think I can leave Dale alone like that."
"Saint?"
"I'll just go and see him for a bit! You go ahead and head to the room!"
With that, Iris dashed off towards the warp gate.
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