CHAPTER 58: PUPPY AND LIONESS: ENCOUNTER!

The afternoon sun hung high in the bright blue sky as Mel exited the dormitory, her steps light with a sense of bliss.

Her hand swung idly, holding one of three sweat-soaked towels she had won in the two more spars with Rosana.

She stretched it across the sun with glimmering golden eyes, admiring its majesty like a perverted panty thief.

Then naturally, she pulled it close to her nose for a long, hard sniff.

[ ...Mel. ]

As the muffled snort echoed on the pavement, the Witch of Lust’s eyes flickered to the panel.

She squinted, her mouth still covered in the cloth. "What, partner? You’re just as perverted as I am, so you should understand."

[ No, the opposite. I’m a little jealous. ]

Mel blinked. "Of Rosana’s sweat? Uh... I don’t want to give them to you though..."

She was someone possessive of her future lover-to-be. It was her reward. Hers alone!

[ You have been mistaken. I’ve no interest in any Witch other than you, little Mel. ]

The Witch of Lust tilted her head in innocence. "Then perhaps... ah!"

Her lips curled into a foxy smile. She finally found a moment of weakness from her Partner!

"Perhaps you want to sniff me?" She dangled the towel on the panel like a toy. "Remind me next time, Partner. I promise I will deliver."

[ Of course. I will prepare my panty for you too.]

"No prob-huh?" The words almost slipped from Mel’s mouth, her fingers loosening over the cloth. "Say again?"

The panel briefly paused, as if the other side held back a teasing chuckle.

[ Do remember to behave well, or you will not have your reward. ]

Mel’s cheeks heated up. ’Behave well’ for a Saintess’s panty... the temptation to submit swelling within her chest once again.

She took a deep breath. "Mor-more importantly... is there any news from your side? From Saria?"

A serious glint briefly returned to the flustered Mel. With Lila’s Awakening on the line, she had to gather as much information as possible.

The Witch has sorted out all the issues at the Academy. With no possible incoming stress, it was time to focus back on Cult.

[ Hm? Oh. Let me take a look. ]

A brief notion crossed Mel’s mind as she held her chin in contemplation. "Wait. I know I asked this late, but is it not weird how Miss Pride seemed a little quieter than usual?"

Mel’s mind raced. The Cult was led by one of her familiars, and she was afraid Miss Pride would leak her investigation, giving a chance for Necromage to escape before she could ’kill’ and send her back to her realm.

[ No worries. I disciplined Pride to sit aside obediently last night. Let’s see...ah, she is now still crying in a corner, a tad, tad, little traumatized. ]

The Witch of Lust shuddered. "Ex-excuse me?"

[ Anyways, back to Saria’s report! ]

With brows deepening into a frown, Mel sighed. The nonchalant attitude of the Saintess, which avoided the topic, should be studied.

Praying sincerely for Miss Pride, the Witch of Lust glanced over the System’s information.

[ Saria recently intercepted a few cult members out in the Forest. The cult seemed to be hunting the Magic Monsters there! ]

Mel’s heart heaved. The Cult’s intention was concerning, but another weighed more. "No injuries from sis?"

[ None! She originally had a minor trouble with one of the executives present, but ’Wrath’ appeared to subdue them without trouble! ]

’Wrath’ did what? A bubbly warmth sprouted within Mel’s chest.

[ You may be surprised, but ’Wrath’ has been exploring to weed out the Cult. Currently, she has already subdued five Cult Bases with four executives within them! ]

Mel’s lips quivered before she playfully tapped them. "Heh. I must thank Miss ’Wrath’ the next time we meet then."

Now that she thought about it, her Doll Hound should remember ’Wrath’ scent even to this day.

Her lips curled into a smirk. Perhaps after tonight’s report with Ed and Nyxia, she should also make a little detour.

---------------

Her bout with Rosana, occupied mainly by ’wiping the back’ section, helped her pass the time till lunch break.

After a Telepathy with Lila, she arrived at the Ground Floor of the Western Academy building where the Lunch Hall was located.

With tall ceilings and floating chandeliers, long dark mahogany tables stretched across the marble floor.

Spotting a certain blue bun, Mel’s golden eyes sparkled before she strode towards her.

The Witch’s arms opened wide before hugging Lila from behind. "Waiting for me?"

A little yelp escaped from Lila’s lips. "Mm... of course. It’s been a little while."

"Sorry sorry!" Mel moved around before plopping down at the opposite seat. "How’s class?"

Lila’s cheeks reddened, her eyes darting elsewhere. "It’s more boring than I thought, without you, but I managed."

Mel’s brows lifted slightly, sensing a slight unease in Lila’s eyes. "Any trouble?"

"Uh-none!" Lila shook her head, her blush deepening. "I would never hide anything. But it’s just... uh..."

She glanced back at Mel, her emerald eyes shimmering with tears of shame. "It seems my kiss has spread across the school. Now, everyone either looks away from me, embarrassed, or... asked me constantly about how...how..."

Her breath hitched, hands fidgeting at the empty table. "How the kiss felt... and what our relationship is like...and all that."

"Aw..." Mel’s gaze softened before she leaned forward to pat Lila’s head. "Feeling pressured?"

The Witch of Envy shook her head. "Maybe just a bit. But more than that..."

Lila bit her lips, fighting back a silly smile. She couldn’t tell Mel how unashamed she felt. Prideful, even, when others praised how she dared to fend off the blonde’s advance!

Then, her eyes widened as an unfamiliar scent sneaked into her nostrils. Too beast-like to be Mel’s, too suffocating to be her own.

Worse, the scent came from her Mel’s palm, gently patting her head at that very moment.

The Witch of Envy’s voice shook with a tinge of bloodlust. "Mel?"

Mel shivered, her observant eyes catching black lines forming over Lila’s expression.

Right...I should have washed my hands next time.

She chuckled softly as if to hide her guilt. "What is it, Lila?"

As Mel’s gentle voice echoed, Lila’s face became a scowling pout. "Saving the World again?"

Mel nodded. "Saving the World again!"

"Grr..." Lila held back a groan, a certain blonde’s grin penetrating her mind. Even without evidence, she already knew the scent had something to do with her!

Then, as if prompted by their conversations, a smuggy voice ignited the air with tension.

"And what does our spar have to do with that?"

Lila’s spine straightened, numerous intrusive thoughts sprouting in her head as her gaze snapped to the side.

A familiar blonde, still dressed in a clean crimson dress, stood relaxed against them.

Mel’s eyes glanced over Rosana, then to her Lila: A Lioness’s untroubled glance meeting a blue puppy’s glare.

So, this must be what it feels like to be a celebrity.

Mel leaned back in her seat with satisfaction. She wondered if these two would be getting along well in the future.