CHAPTER 98: BOILING WATER, BOILING EARS

The next day, Lynnor decided to come up with something different.

They ate in the morning, then spent the rest of the day doing physical exercises.

Aramith and mozrael had endurance and stamina, but Lynnor...let’s just say she was a monster.

By nighttime, they were exhausted and dying.

Then Lynnor came and made things worse by telling them how much they smelled.

"It’s your fault!" Aramith shouted suddenly.

"Me? I don’t smell. The scent is from you two," Lynnor stepped back, covering her nose.

But it was true. They did smell from the sweat throughout the day.

Lynnor had been providing water for them to clean themselves each day, but this time,

"I wish I could get an actual bath," Aramith groaned.

Mozrael didn’t utter a word. She felt embarrassed about the whole situation.

She was a girl after all.

"You’re rested enough, let’s go." Lynnor didn’t wait for a response and just took off.

Aramith was about to complain about how unfair this all was, but he kept his mouth shut and they followed her.

This was the first time they’d continued the journey at night.

He felt miserable, and after stealing a few glances at mozrael, felt bad for the girl.

One day, we’ll be free and won’t have to go through this again, he thought.

After a few minutes of walking, Aramith saw it. His eyes lit up.

"We’re here!" Lynnor shouted.

Aramith approached and fell to his knees, grateful to whichever god had created a perfect hot spring. The rising steam in the night was so breathtaking.

And the place was very natural and unnatural at the same time.

It was a miracle how such a place would exist in this bland forest.

And what even confounded him the most was the fact that not even a single leaf was in the water.

"Thank you, Lynnor." He was so grateful that she was being considerate.

But Lynnor, being Lynnor, snorted. "Thank me after you’ve had your chance in there."

"What do you mean by that?" He asked.

"See that big rock over there? The one beside that other big tree?" She pointed with her nose.

Aramith just looked at the rock she mentioned, wondering what she wanted him to do.

"The rock there, in front of that other small rock next to the tree with leaves and that other big tree with leaves. Can’t you see? The—"

"I saw it the first time," Aramith rolled his eyes.

"Well, you should have said something then," Lynnor placed her hands on her waist and turned to Mozrael who was still standing behind Mozrael, though totally mesmerixed by the water.

"Come here, Mozrael."

Mozrael muttered a response and quickly made her way to Lynnor.

"There is a saying that goes, Ladies first. So Mozrael and I would go in first, then you can come in after we’re done. Go sit behind that rock till I tell you to come over when we’re done." Lynnor spoke without a pause, and when she was done, she was expecting Aramith to just comply.

Aramith’s jaw dropped. What did she mean by that? The water was divided into five separate hot springs, so why did he need to go sit beside a rock so far away.

It was true he was a male, but the springs were huge. He could just be in the one farthest from them if they wanted privacy, but no. She wanted it this way.

"But I could just—"

"Don’t be a pervert. Just go sit there," Lynnor pointed.

A pervert? What kind of accusation was that?

"I see," Lynnor nodded. "Honestly, I don’t mind if you’re a pervert. I know I’m beautiful, but don’t you think Mozrael would be embarrassed if—"

"I’m going!" Aramith turned and stormed off to sulk beside the rock.

Mozrael felt bad for him, but what could she do about this?

"Well, he’s gone now."

Lynnor didn’t wait a second before slipping into the water.

"Ah, this feels great."

Mozrael’s eyes widened in shock. She didn’t see when Lynnor took off her clothes before slipping into the water.

Mozrael carefully disrobed and joined Lynnor in the water.

The water made her melt.

She let out a sigh she didn’t know she’d been holding.

"Feels great, huh?"

Mozrael nodded.

She leaned back, letting the heat seep into her bones. For a moment, she almost forgot where they were.

"You’re progressing fast," Lynnor said suddenly, her voice casual but with that faint, knowing edge she always had. "If you keep this up, you’ll be a prodigy in no time."

Mozrael glanced at her, startled by the compliment. "...Thank you," she murmured, ducking her head so Lynnor wouldn’t see the pink creeping up her cheeks.

But another thought pricked at her. "...What about Aramith? Will he... make it, too?"

Lynnor exhaled slowly, watching the steam rise from the water. "There’s something holding him back. Just one thing. I can’t quite put my finger on it yet... but when I do, he’ll shoot forward just as quickly as you. Hopefully, he’ll have a bit more control before we reach the academy."

Mozrael’s mind wandered at the word academy. She’d never even asked the name of the place. What would it be like? What kind of people studied there? She opened her mouth to ask—

"By the way," Lynnor said suddenly, standing in the water and planting herself right in front of Mozrael with a grin, "have you noticed how perfect my figure is?"

Mozrael froze. The water lapped against Lynnor’s waist, steam curling around her shoulders. Her curvaceous form was... impossible to ignore, no matter how much Mozrael tried.

"I mean, look at this." Lynnor shifted her weight deliberately, hands on her hips. "Curves in all the right places. A flawless rack. I should be a work of art."

Mozrael’s ears burned. "I... I guess... it’s... nice," she mumbled, staring down at the water.

"Nice?" Lynnor gasped in mock offense. "That’s all you’ve got? Say it properly."

Mozrael bit her lip. "...You have a great form."

"Thank you. I know." Lynnor smirked, clearly pleased with herself.

Mozrael turned her head, hoping the topic was over. But of course, Lynnor wasn’t done.

"You know," Lynnor said suddenly, tilting her head with that sly little smile that always spelled trouble, "yours is developing nicely for your age."

Mozrael froze mid-sigh. "...What?"

Lynnor made a vague gesture toward her. "Slim waist, good hips, and your chest," she cupped her own for emphasis, "is coming along just fine. You’ve even got this natural shine in your hair. And those eyes..." she leaned forward, squinting playfully, "those bright blue eyes are the catchiest part of your face. You’re going to be dangerous when you’re older. Might even outshine me."

Mozrael’s entire face went scarlet. "S-stop..."

"Heh," Lynnor said cheerfully, waggling a finger as if scolding her. "You can’t tell me what to do, kid. I’m me."

Mozrael sank a little deeper into the water, wishing she could just melt under the surface and never come back up.

Before Mozrael could think of an escape, Lynnor’s eyes gleamed with a new kind of mischief. "What about Aramith? What’s great about him?"

Mozrael blinked. "Eh? I—"

"Never mind, I’ll just go call him and—" Lynnor began to stand, water cascading dramatically from her skin.

Mozrael’s soul almost left her body. She panicked and grabbed her arm. "You can’t just—! You’re naked!"

Lynnor paused mid-step, grinning over her shoulder like a cat. "Then answer my question."

Mozrael’s voice was a mumble at first, her hands fiddling under the water, but under Lynnor’s expectant look, she finally said, "...He’s always there for me. He tries his best to help people if he can. He’s... dependable."

"Mmhmm." Lynnor nodded sagely for exactly two seconds before her grin returned full force

"So you like him," she said immediately, smirking. "That’s why you followed him all this way?"

Mozrael’s heart skipped. "No! That’s not—! We’re siblings."

"Mm. If you say so." Lynnor stretched lazily, as though the conversation were about the weather. Then her eyes slid back to Mozrael with deliberate slowness. "But remember, you’re not really siblings."

Mozrael’s brows knit. "...What’s that supposed to mean?"

"I mean, you’ve got different parents. You’ve just been living together since you were little, right?" Lynnor’s tone was casual, but there was a knowing gleam in her eyes. "That’s not the same thing."

Mozrael shifted uncomfortably, sinking a little deeper into the warm water. "...I know that. But it doesn’t change anything."

"Oh?" Lynnor tilted her head, a smile curling.

Mozrael met her gaze with a small, genuine smile of her own. "He’s my brother, and my favorite person. I... appreciate him because he’s there for me. Always has been." Her voice softened. "That’s what matters to me."

Lynnor leaned back against the edge of the spring, watching her for a moment before chuckling. "Sure. Believe all you want. But you’re both growing. And when you grow, things change. You should claim him before someone else does."

Mozrael’s smile wavered. "Claim him? What are you—"

"I’m just saying..." Lynnor’s smirk deepened. "He’s not bad to look at. Tall, broad shoulders, decent jawline..." She gave Mozrael a sidelong glance, voice dropping just enough to sound like a conspirator. "And I bet he’s going to fill out nicely in a few years. Just picture it, nice muscles, cool hair blowing in the wind, a pretty face, a tall frame. Girls will chase him, hehe."

Mozrael’s ears felt hot enough to boil the spring water. "Lynnor!"

"What?" Lynnor feigned innocence, but her grin betrayed her.

Mozrael groaned and hid her face in her hands. "...Good thing he’s not here right now."

Somewhere in the distance, Aramith sneezed.