novelraw Chapter 116 : The Taste of Effort
Chapter 116 : The Taste of Effort
Tap—
In the early morning, a black feathered raven flapped its wings, finally landing on her windowsill.
"Another letter..."
The maid, wearing a nightgown, opened the window. The raven hopped in, placing the small package it carried on the table, then lowered its head to peck at the half pen-like cylinder tied to its right foot, indicating the location of the letter.
Although she usually received letters from the young lady and others,
This time, the messenger wasn't the commonly seen Biidori, but this type of artificially raised small bird-like magical beast,
Letters sent by Biidori raised by the Oz Postal Service would be monitored, but those using these privately raised messengers would not be.
Linda removed the cylinder, then seeing the raven's round little eyes looking at her expectantly, she could only smile wryly as she took some hulled wheat grains from the seed bag on the table and scattered them in front of it.
While the raven was pecking at the food, Linda placed the brewed tea aside and carefully unrolled the letter.
[Dear Miss Effeler: Some time has passed since I last received your letter. The weather has turned cooler recently, how are things on your end?]
The opening was the usual greetings.
This style of correspondence hadn't changed for several years.
That nun seemed to enjoy sharing such ordinary matters with her in this way,
She would record in writing the things she found interesting and send them for her to read,
Even if there was nothing special, that nun always liked to send her letters.
[...I received the wheat flour you sent last time. The bread baked with the finely sifted flour was very soft, the children loved it so much that for several days after finishing it, they kept asking me when I would bake more—
Additionally, I held a tasting session for the bread I made during last week's service, and the town residents also liked it very much, wanting to purchase some through me. So, if possible... could you arrange for El Logistics to regularly transport some to the Capella region? Although it's a bit abrupt, I hope you can consider it—]
Attached was a very detailed form, listing not only wheat flour but also other agricultural products, with monthly demand and prices clearly marked, and even a down payment for the first purchase included.
...Taking the initiative to help with business,
Even for a demon race, isn't the other party being too considerate?
Thinking of this, Linda couldn't help but furrow her brow as she continued reading.
[...This season, the osmanthus flowers have bloomed. As a return gift, I tried making some pastries with the flowers. I hope Miss Linda will like them.]
The pastry she mentioned... is this?
After finishing the letter, Linda opened the small package delivered by the raven. After unwrapping the tightly sealed paper, inside was a pale yellow powdered pastry,
Cut into equal portions, the corners of the osmanthus cake had become somewhat loose due to the long-distance transport,
If it hadn't been wrapped in hard paper, it would have been difficult to maintain its original shape.
Using a wooden pick to take a small piece, she lightly bit off a small amount, conducting a routine poison test.
This pastry melted in the mouth, carrying a rich floral fragrance, with a clear, sweet, and mellow taste.
"...Delicious."
Sighing with appreciation, Linda pulled open the drawer under the table,
She rummaged through it, quickly taking out paper, pen, and ink, and began writing the opening of her reply letter.
The more the other party acted like this, the harder it became for her to make up her mind,
She took a deep breath, lifting her pen to write these words:
—The letter from two years ago, you wrote it, didn't you?
—Why did you do such a thing??
However, after writing this line, she immediately blacked it all out.
...No good.
There wasn't enough decisive evidence yet, such rash action would only alert the enemy.
Even if one were to directly question the culprit 'Did you do it?', generally speaking, they wouldn't honestly admit it, right??
But... if it were that person, they might not act according to her predictions.
The demon race's infiltration of this country was deeper than she had imagined.
Perhaps maintaining this balance was the correct choice for the short term.
The conflict between humans and demons had continued for so many years now, trying to determine who was right or wrong at this point was like an entangled mess of threads that couldn't be untangled cleanly, impossible to find the first knot.
As an elf, honestly, she didn't want to get involved.
She also didn't want to do anything to turn the tide of battle, or push and promote changes in the course of history.
Linda just wanted to protect this family, to let the Smollett descendants live safely.
It wasn't just the power of the contract, after the passage of long years, completing this task had also become her personal lifelong wish.
She existed here by her own will.
[Foreword omitted, thank you... the pastry was delicious.]
Trying hard to think in her mind, but writing out only useless words.
If...
Even with different positions, if the other party harbored feelings similar to her own...
Holding such a somewhat naive thought, Linda read her letter once more.
She could almost see her gentle expression as she wrote those words.
Besides the fragrance of osmanthus flowers, the letter paper still retained that person's scent.
A gentle scent... gentle wording... and a gentle person.
Linda couldn't help but start to doubt.
Such a person... could they really be the culprit?
Actually, Linda knew herself that she just didn't want to believe it.
"Sigh..."
She let out a sigh.
When did she start becoming so naive?
She wasn't young anymore... really.
Thinking this, she picked up another piece of osmanthus cake and put it in her mouth.
—A gentle taste.
...
Next time... will she be able to eat it again?
⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱
"Eh eh—You've already decided?!"
Receiving the completed application forms from the two, Yuna showed a surprised and delighted expression.
"Yes, we'll have to trouble you, teacher, with the subsequent communication matters with 'Golden Prism'."
Bowing respectfully, Yvonne replied,
"As students of Emerald Star Academy, Evie and I will work very hard there! We absolutely won't bring shame to our teacher!!"
Elsa, clenching her small fists, was also full of enthusiasm.
"Uuu... I'm so glad you agreed!!"
As their teacher, Yuna was very moved and pleased.
This was undoubtedly a great opportunity for a private school in a remote port area to make a name for itself!
Moreover, for Yvonne and Ellie, it was also an opportunity to enter a broader world.
Although they were like migratory birds needing to temporarily shelter here due to seasonal changes, they were also seagulls capable of flying across the ocean.
...Goddess!
Yuna prayed devoutly in her heart.
May You guide these two children's path forward, let them fly further—
⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱
Whoosh—
The vibrating sound of air being torn apart rang out,
The final strike had been delivered, the wooden stake split into four equal parts surrounded by the thin blade of wind,
She slowly sheathed her sword.
Since learning to attach wind elements to her blade, splitting wooden stakes had become as easy as cutting tofu for Yvonne.
"Huff..."
—'Try to keep your breath steady when inhaling and exhaling'
This was a specialized breathing method Yvonne had learned from her sword instructor during her noble period,
Even breathing leads to a stable stance. If breathing becomes disordered while swinging the sword, then the body's rhythm will also become chaotic during battle—so, learning to breathe is the foundation of foundations, the key to better mastering one's body.
Her wind element proficiency could also be used to adjust the breathing process, allowing her to perform deeper breaths more effectively.
Since she had decided to take that dangerous path, her body also needed to be well-prepared at all times.
She absolutely couldn't become lax and neglectful like before.
"...I wonder if any nearby households need firewood?"
Wiping her sweat, looking at the wooden stakes on the ground that she had cut, split—and finally scattered all over, Yvonne muttered to herself.
So hot...
Her body was completely soaked...
Although it was against ladylike etiquette, she couldn't help but roll up the hem of her clothes,
No one should see in her own backyard, right...
"...Evie?"
However, just as she lifted her clothes, she heard a slightly surprised voice from behind her.
Elsa was standing behind her with a towel and water, tilting her head as she looked at her.
She hurriedly straightened her clothes,
"...Why did you come back so early today??"
"This time I just returned the uniform and name tag, said goodbye to everyone at the shop, and then came back."
Elsa brought over a cushion, placing it on the wooden steps inside the yard, indicating that she could sit down and rest.
"...Was it already the last time?"
Time flies so fast...
Because they would be leaving in a while, the part-time job also needed to be wrapped up.
But the evening training still had to continue.
"Evie, do you want some water?"
"...Thank you."
After taking the water cup from her, Yvonne sat down next to her.
"Have you been practicing at this time every day?"
Because she was usually working at this time, she didn't know.
"Yes."
She said, holding the cup,
"Whether it's swords or people... if you don't move often, they'll rust."
"Evie... is so amazing..."
Elsa sat on the steps, gazing at her in a daze.
"What's wrong? Is your practice not going smoothly..."
"Ugh..."
Seeing her dejected appearance, it must be so.
In fact, Elsa had already been trained to the point of seclusion by Miss Dorothea.
Although she had told her the tricks to using magic, it was definitely not something that could be fully mastered in a short time.
Saying she could do it... but how much practice would it take to reach the same level as her?
Thinking of the magical skills that hadn't shown much progress in these days, Elsa couldn't help but feel very discouraged.
"...Evie, am I really useless?"
Hugging her knees, Elsa let out a depressed sound.
"How could that be? Our Elsa is a genius—if you say such things, many people would be angered to the point of spitting blood."
"But... whether it's Miss Dorothea or Evie... everyone is so amazing, it feels like I'm the only one making no progress... just spinning in place..."
The lack of progress troubled her.
Yvonne smoothed her back, comforting her:
"In this world, no matter who it is, everyone walks step by step. Feeling frustrated because you can't do something well... feeling upset, embarrassed... thinking you're useless, these are all common things. You don't need to take it too much to heart."
"...Is Evie the same?"
Elsa blinked in disbelief.
"Of course, I wasn't born knowing how to use a sword... I remember the first time I held a sword, I couldn't even hold it steady, almost dropping it on my own foot."
"Pfft..."
Elsa just imagined Yvonne struggling to hold a sword, and found it very cute.
"A little progress is enough. Compared to yesterday there might not be much, but compared to last week, last month, there is progress—small progress like this is enough. Even if there's dissatisfaction and regret, these feelings will become the nourishment for your growth."
Placing her hand on her head, she said gently.
"Don't be in such a hurry, after all, we have plenty of time, don't we?"
They were still young, they could try many things—there was no need to fixate on one thing.
"Evie~~~!!"
Unable to hold back her sobs, she flew into her embrace.
Her comfort surpassed all remedies in the world.
The gloomy mood dissipated, replaced by waves of warmth nearly overflowing from her chest.
"—Oh right!"
"Hm?"
"As a consolation prize for cheering me up~ can I touch that place?"
Her hands raised in front of her chest, fingers wriggling as they approached her.
"...Hey! What are you trying to do in broad daylight!"
Yvonne, face completely red, protected her chest.
"No, no... what I want to touch is Evie's stomach!!"
"...Stomach?"
Yvonne looked bewildered.
What's so good about touching the stomach?
Well, that area doesn't matter...
She lifted her clothes somewhat embarrassedly, revealing her flat abdomen.
If this could help her regain her spirits...
"If you want to touch, go ahead, I've just sweated a lot, so it might be a bit dirty..."
"I! Don't! Mind! At! All!"
"........."
Somehow her gaze had become incredibly fervent, slightly scary.
Then, hands slightly warmer than her own body temperature were placed on her.
"It's cool..."
Perhaps because she had just exercised, after sweating, the belly area had become cool, feeling bouncy and nice to touch.
And... amazing!
Elsa couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
Not an excessively thin waist, nor exaggerated muscle blocks.
The proportion of fat and muscle was just right, outlining faintly visible muscle lines, the glistening sweat adding a touch of luster and fleshiness.
Squeeze squeeze squeeze.
"Evie hardly has any excess flesh here."
"...That's right."
Modern scientific training methods were still very useful in this other world that only knew how to train through brute force.
Exercises like burpees, squats... and planks for core strength training were all movements that could be done without relying on equipment, truly efficient training methods.
Yvonne remembered when she had scared her sword instructor with the results of her self-training for a month.
As she kept touching, Elsa showed a very envious look.
...It's really amazing, how does one achieve this level?
Completely different from her own soft tummy, her abdomen felt very elastic to the touch,
...Not good, this feeling... it feels like it could become addictive!
Different from the □□ she often played with, the abdomen had a completely opposite tactile sensation in another aspect.
"Well... if you want to maintain your figure, pay attention to your diet and exercise diligently... w-wait! Don't do anything rash! I just sweated a lot—"
Yvonne panicked a bit, but by the time she realized what the other intended to do, it was already too late. Elsa had already pinned down her hands and pressed her onto the floor,
"Mm... salty... it's the taste of effort."
Yvonne was puzzled, how did this little pervert become the protagonist?
Like this, wouldn't this game turn R18 in a minute?
Chu—
A wet, hot sensation was clearly felt on her cooled abdomen.
□□, even circling around.
"Stop it! I can't believe—that place is so dirty~! ...No, no... it tickles, it tickles~ Don't lick my navel~~!!"