Chapter 122. Mmm...Mmm!

When Hozuki Nozomi stepped through the door of his dormitory, the first thing that greeted him wasn't silence—but the sight of a silver-haired elf lazily sprawled across the sofa.

With twin ponytails swaying slightly, her long, pointed ears peeked through her hair, a trait that betrayed her heritage as an elven mage. Her face was delicate, ethereal—so beautiful that one glance could steal a man's breath away. It was none other than Frieren, the elven magician who had once been summoned from a treasure chest and had since, mysteriously, become part of his daily life.

Today, Frieren was indulging in what could only be described as a full-on neet mode. A bag of potato chips in one hand, a half-drunk bottle of cola in the other, her gaze was glued to the television screen, where a morning news program was airing. The loose white camisole dress she wore gave her a breezy, relaxed appearance, and her long, pale legs kicked gently against the sofa's edge.

Her magical physiology meant she didn't have to worry about calories—her mana kept her body in perfect equilibrium. It was totally unfair.

Nozomi smirked as he walked over, plopping himself onto the couch beside her. "Yo, Frieren. Is the news that exciting that you're watching it like this?"

Noticing his presence, Frieren instinctively tried to sit up straighter—only to be betrayed by the cushiony comfort of the sofa. She let out a tiny sigh, giving up and leaning back again.

"This world has no magic," she muttered, her golden eyes still focused on the screen. "But humans have created a kind of... science that lets them observe anything from anywhere. No scrying crystals, no detection spells—just machines. It's kinda amazing, don't you think?"

"Mm, I guess," Nozomi said, his smile turning mischievous as he reached over, slipped an arm around her slim waist, and effortlessly pulled her onto his lap. His hand slid down to touch her thigh, fingers brushing lightly against her flawless, cool skin.

Frieren jolted slightly at the contact, but didn't resist. Her cheeks took on a soft pink hue as she repositioned herself comfortably, laying her head gently against his chest. She could hear the steady thump of his heart.

"The teleportation artifact's in my storage box," she murmured. "I've layered it with three separate enchantments. Only I can open it. So don't even think about stealing it, baka."

Nozomi chuckled, brushing a strand of her silver hair behind her ear. "If I can't take it, I'll just take you. That way, you can't leave either."

She lifted her gaze, shooting him an exasperated look, but he only laughed and kissed the top of her forehead.

"You really haven't given up, have you?" Frieren asked, voice low.

"Elves live for centuries. We're from completely different worlds. I already told you—if it's marriage you want, Fern is the one who agreed."

"I know," Nozomi whispered near her ear, feeling her body tremble slightly from the proximity. "But I'm not the type to draw a line between Frieren and Fern. I'm a responsible guy. If I've crossed a line with you... I want to take responsibility for both."

"You're such a greedy man." She pouted slightly, though her voice was soft.

Nozomi wasn't the first to want to claim her. But in the past, she had always distanced herself from humans—her obsession with magic left little room for attachments. It wasn't until the hero who once fought the Demon King perished that she began to regret keeping others at arm's length. Human lives were fragile and fleeting, and her detachment had cost her the chance to truly connect.

So when the priest asked her to watch over Fern, she didn't hesitate.

"Maybe my lifespan has grown," Nozomi offered. "After all, I'm part demon dragon now, remember? I might live longer than most humans. Long enough to stay with you."

He gazed at her with calm resolve.

"I know I'm weak now. Compared to a high-ranking elven magician like you, or even Fern, I'm nothing. But I won't let that stop me. I'll get stronger, Frieren. Strong enough to protect what I care about. Strong enough... to stay by your side."

Frieren's breath caught in her throat. She had trained herself to remain stoic, to bury her emotions—but in Nozomi's arms, all of that melted away. The beat of his heart, the sincerity in his eyes... it made her heart race in ways even mana couldn't explain.

As if to steady herself, she closed her eyes.

"By the way," Nozomi said suddenly, shifting the mood, "why are you watching TV out here today? You usually hole up with your runes and spellbooks."

"Fern is using the computer. She said she needed some alone time." Frieren replied, cheeks still tinged with pink.

"So you ended up right in my trap, huh?" Nozomi grinned, tightening his hold around her. "Usually I'm too scared to bother you or Fern when you're deep in research mode. But this... this is perfect timing."

Frieren rolled her eyes. "You're so full of yourself."

Still, she didn't pull away.

Why wasn't she resisting him?

Was it because they'd already shared an... intimate experience before?

As her thoughts wandered to that night—of whispered breath and unexpected closeness—her cheeks flared up.

"J-just don't get used to it," she muttered, flustered.

With her fair skin slightly flushed and lips pouting ever so slightly, Frieren looked more like a vulnerable maiden than an aloof archmage.

And to Hozuki Nozomi, she'd never looked more beautiful.

Nozomi noticed she didn't resist his embrace, and without hesitation, he leaned down.

"Mmm...Mmm!"

Their lips met. Her soft, rosy lips were caught in his kiss.

Frieren's eyes widened in surprise, a blush rapidly rising to her cheeks. Her long ears twitched slightly—a clear sign of her inner turmoil. After a breathless moment, they finally separated, both gasping for air.

She quickly became aware of the warmth pressing against her lower body. The heat of it. The unmistakable shape.

Her thighs instinctively squeezed together as her face flushed an even deeper crimson.

"I-I have plenty of mana now! I don't need to recharge... Why don't you go find Fern?!" she stammered, her voice trembling.

Nozomi chuckled softly.

"This isn't about recharging your mana, Frieren. I'm doing this... because I like you. I want to be close to you."

"Uuu... I-I'm going back to my room!"

Frieren sprang from his arms, grabbing her half-eaten bag of potato chips and bottle of cola like a flustered squirrel and dashing away with her twin ponytails swaying behind her.

Nozomi let out a small sigh, a gentle smile lingering on his face.

"She's so cute when she runs off like that... but man, now I've got a problem." He glanced down.

His dragon-enhanced body may have increased his lifespan and strength, but it also came with... inconvenient side effects. Like getting aroused far too easily. A cursed blessing of the Ryuujin Physique (竜神体質).

Mahiru wasn't home. Kamiigusa Misaki was out getting soy sauce. Sayu had gone to pick up a delivery.

"Should I... go tease Chihiro-san?" he thought for a split second before immediately shaking his head.

"Forget it. If she thinks I'm making a move, she might propose marriage on the spot. I'm not ready to deal with that kind of mature woman yet. Cold shower it is."

He turned the doorknob to his room—

Only to freeze at the sight of a small figure curled up under his blankets.

When he looked closer and saw her face, his heart skipped a beat.

"Mashiro? What are you doing here?"

The petite girl stirred from her cocoon, rubbed her sleepy eyes, and without hesitation, hugged his waist like a kitten finding her favorite blanket.

Her nose twitched as she sniffed his scent.

"Mashiro came to find Baumkuchen... but waited for Nozomi instead."

Then, just like last time, with practiced ease, she leaned in.

Before he could react, her mouth was already...

"Mmm... all of it... is Mashiro's."

Nozomi inhaled sharply, flustered.

He gently stroked Mashiro's soft, silky hair, affection flooding his chest. So much for that cold shower.

He was lucky. Truly lucky.

Sure, the Ryuujin Physique (竜神体質) had its complications. But with someone like Mashiro by his side...

She was adapting quickly, her motions smoother than before. There was still the same blank expression on her face, but those expectant, upturned eyes held a quiet charm that made his heart flutter.

She was like a gentle pet, clinging to him with simple devotion.

Nozomi chuckled quietly, continuing to run his fingers through her hair.

"Mashiro, when did you sneak into my room?"

"When I came home from school. Mashiro wants to keep going..."

He blinked, her words echoing in his mind.

"Alright, let's keep going."

How could he possibly say no to a Mashiro this cute?