(POV: Lumiere)


    Lucretia and I strolled down from the rooftop, finding ourselves in a more secluded area of herpany''s exaggeratedly sprawling building.


    I mean, the size was unreal, especially for less modern times like these.


    Unsure of our exact location, one thing was clear – she had something special to reveal.


    "Hey, are we there yet?" I asked impatiently.


    Lucretia turned, offering a sly smile. "Shhh, getting a bit antsy, aren''t we? It''s been, what, three minutes?" she teased.


    I shot her a half-opened-eyed look, conveying my underwhelmed state. "Actually, four minutes and thirty-two seconds. Try to keep up," I retorted.


    She is an Integrator like me, but of course I have more experience than her.


    After all, I actually know what I am and she doesn''t.


    She pouted, cheeks puffing up. "I can keep up way better than you could ever dream of," Lucretia dered smugly.


    She turned her gaze forward, folding her arms and chuckling proudly.


    With a self-satisfied sigh, she flicked her hair back.


    "Truth be told, since thest time we met at Princess Genevieve''sing of age party, I''ve surpassed you in social ss - without using my influence as a Viscount''s daughter mind you. Still, it''s quite surprising, considering I thought you''d have achieved a lot by now. My father had high prospects for you, but clearly, you didn''t meet them."


    Poshly cing a hand over her mouth, she chuckled in a slightly overconfident manner, aiming to rile me up.


    Her face betrayed her joy in belittling me forughs, but I didn''t mind.


    Having treated her a bit poorly before, I asionally allowed her to revel in moments like these.


    And besides, I didn''t need to prove anything to her, but at some point in the future, she''ll likely learn that my social ss is a little "wilder" than she thinks. Hah! Great pun.


    "Serena will definitely love that joke..." I chuckled a bit.


    Lucretia, who had been striding about two meters ahead of me, slowed down to match my pace, grumbling and pouting as she shot me a nce.


    I stopped chuckling, puzzled, and asked, "Huh? What''s with that face?"


    Her hands were on her waist as she kept staring at me like some sort of angry or dissatisfied bunny - actually, no, she looked more like a chipmunk with those overgrown cheeks of her. It was hard to notice that she had fat cheeks like that when her face was always so posh and smug, but when she got a little unhappy or whiny, you''d clearly see her cheeks puff up.


    Laughing, I paused and used my fingers to pinch her puffy cheeks.


    "Haha, your cheeks like like sweet buns!"


    I threw my head back a little andughed even more.


    "They''re so puffy!"


    Amid myughter, I relished the softness of her skin beneath my grasp.


    Lost in the amusement, I finally looked at Lucretia again, finding her fixed gaze on my face.


    She then told me, "Y... You''ve grown a little taller," in a in, surprised tone.


    I, too, noticed my increased height, briefly checking myself from top to bottom.


    It was no longer a struggle to meet Lucretia eye to eye.


    I admitted, "Yeah, I... I guess I have. Physical appearances haven''t mattered much to metely."


    Still, it felt good to know I was growing, albeit slowly.


    Lucretia lowered her head, requesting, "C.... Can you remove your hands from my cheeks now? I... It''s getting ufortable being so close."


    It was getting ufortably steamy, and the reason was obvious - we were within kissing distance. In romance novels, this was mostly how male or female leads got their first kisses.


    Panicking, I stumbled back, quickly removing my hands.


    Chuckling nervously, I apologized, "Sorry about that, got a little sidetracked."


    Her cheeks tinged with red, making it hard to discern if she was flustered or just embarrassed.


    She cleared her throat, looking aside. "It''s fine," she mumbled.


    I sharply turned my back on Lucretia, frustration biting at my lower lip. Inhaling a deep breath of regret, I squeezed my fists painfully, muttering to myself about my inexperience in such matters. "How could I let myself panic like that? I should''ve just kissed her," I grumbled.


    Sighing with regret, I released the air I had breathed in, adding, "I''ve learned nothing, even after being with so many women."


    With everything Simone had told me so far, I was sure Lucretia wouldn''t give me a p for kissing her.


    Actually, it was more like she''d p me and then kiss me.


    You know, that sort of smile where she''s like - "you should''ve done this sooner!"


    Yeah, definitely, she''s that sort of domineering woman. Still, I can''t say I don''t love it, hehe.


    Out of nowhere, Lucretia peeked out from behind me, her big aquamarine eyes concerned.


    "Are you alright?" she asked.


    Oh crap, where''d shee from?!


    Dramatically clearing my throat, I pushed my chest out and raised my shoulders, saying, "Oh, yes, of course. Can we continue moving? You mentioned you have something to show me, yes?"


    Dismissive of my earlier awkward soliloquy, Lucretia snapped her fingers, her eyes widening. "Oh yeah, almost forgot about that," she said. Pointing forward, she dered, "Alright, full speed ahead!" Poshly marching forward, she led the way, and I followed behind.


    Soon, we reached what seemed like a dead end, although it wasn''t quite literal.


    I could sense people on the other side of the concealed door, which blended seamlessly with the wall.


    It was a dead end in the sense that if someone walked towards here and didn''t look well, they''d miss it.


    Scratching the back of my neck, I calmly asked, "So, what''s behind the door?"


    Lucretia shot me a surprised look.


    Her stare made me feel like I had something on my face.


    I instinctively touched my face, ran my fingers around, even checked my hair – but everything seemed fine.


    Yet, she continued to stare.


    Feeling the difort, I finally asked, "What''s the matter?"


    In measured words, Lucretia asked me, "That''s not possible, how are you able to see this door? I had some of the best cksmiths in Efistes refine it with high-grade concealment crystals… even a Great Mage would struggle to discover the presence of this door."


    Eh? Concealment crystals?


    It definitely isn''t working because the door to me looks like it was begging to be seen.


    Still, I guess my [World Acuity] was just that powerful, after all, if I wanted, I could even pinpoint where exactly one of my subordinates were in an instant.


    "Lucky guess?" I shrugged nonchntly.


    Lucretia eyed me suspiciously, groaned, and walked closer, fixating her gaze on me as if she knew I held secrets but wouldn''t pry.


    With her face ufortably close, I looked away and insisted, "I swear, it''s just a lucky guess."


    She rolled her eyes, stepped back, closed her eyes, and sighed. "Whatever, I don''t care," she muttered.


    Chuckling, I teased, "Well, it looked like you did."


    Lucretia growled, gritting her teeth as she red at me.


    Raising my arms in a sign of peace, I said, "Easy, easy. Just a joke, no need to get offended."


    She regained herposure, flicked her hair back, and dered, "Hmph! Whatever. What''s important is what''s behind that door." Pointing at the door, she emphasized the mystery awaiting us.


    What''s behind door number one! Is what Silica would say, if she was here of course.


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!