Nyssa inhaled quietly, trying to steady her breath as she lifted her hands. Her throat tightened before she scuffed lightly and forced a composed tone.

"Ahem!" she began, though her voice betrayed the quiet tremor beneath. "Thank you for that... but don't get me wrong. I'm only doing what Selene asked of me."

Despite her poise, the warmth across her cheeks deepened.

Eran sat quietly, his brow lifting just a little as a soft smile curved his lips.

"I know," he replied, his tone low and calm, yet disarming. "But your heart accepted anyway… even knowing my class, even knowing I'm just the nothing everyone calls a commoner."

He paused, letting his gaze linger, warm and steady.

"You have a good heart, Nyssa. A kind one. I truly honor that... your noble nature."

The words struck deeper than she expected.

For a moment, Nyssa froze... her eyes widening slightly, her chest tightening as her breath hitched. The air between them grew heavier, warmer. Her fingers twitched lightly before she looked away, but not before Eran caught the way her flushed cheeks deepened to crimson.

She swallowed hard, unable to find her words.

___________________

Countdown remaining: {... (03:47)}

Emotional fluctuation increasing: 60%/100.

___________________

And there it was again, the faint glimmer across Eran's vision, confirming what he already knew.

Her reaction wasn't just surface.. it was real.

His quiet smile deepened, soft but knowing.

Beneath her side, Nyssa's fingers curled into a light fist as she tried to regain composure. Her chest rose slightly beneath the cling of her inner fabric and outer robe before she let out a quiet sigh.

"Hm… is that so," she murmured, her tone softer now, almost unreadable.

Straightening, she took a few calm steps toward him, the faint rustle of her robe brushing the silence between them. "Turn slowly," she said as she came closer, "let me see where it hurts you."

Eran shifted in his seat, leaning forward and turning slightly. The motion exposed the darker stains across his robe, blood seeping through the fabric in three distinct spots.

Nyssa's brows furrowed. She knelt slightly, as her hand brushed gently over one of the cuts. Her touch was careful, almost hesitant, the warmth of her palm a sharp contrast to the cool air between them.

She examined him for a quiet moment longer before finally speaking.

"Hm," she exhaled softly, "two of these went in deep. The rest are surface wounds."

Then she straightened her back, her expression returning to a calm, almost clinical poise.

"Pull your robe aside.. and your upper uniform as well," she instructed. "I need a clear view before I start the healing process, considering you have little to no mana in you."

Her words were professional, but the slight quiver in her tone betrayed the flicker of warmth beneath her restraint.

Eran's eyes held hers for a moment, she let out a quiet sigh, folding her arms around her full, curved chest.

"You have the time," she replied.

Eran smiled calmly and stood up, slowly unfastening his robe and uniform. The sight alone made Nyssa's breath hitch silently. She gestured for him to take his seat again, her composure wavering for a brief heartbeat.

"Does it still hurt?" she asked.

Eran nodded calmly.

Without another word, Nyssa reached toward him, her radiant green mana flaring to life between her palms... warm, pure, and filled with healing light. The room shimmered in hues of crimson and verdant green as her mana blazed around them.

Beneath the soothing aura, Eran's voice came low, steady.

"I can already feel it healing… Honestly, I wish I could repay you for this. Your kind heart is beyond comprehension. And I wouldn't let it slide away without giving you the kind of praise and admiration you deserve."

Instantly, Nyssa's eyes fluttered... glassy, unfocused. The sudden warmth in his words washed through her like a hot slap she hadn't expected. No one had ever said such words to her. Her hands still glowed with that verdant light, hovering over his wounds, but her mind was elsewhere.. drifting, caught somewhere between disbelief and the unfamiliar flutter in her chest.

And for a long moment, the sudden rush of emotion inside her burned too hot for her to name. Her breath came uneven, warm with unease.

As if responding to her flustered state, Eran's system interface flickered faintly across his vision.. but he quickly dismissed it. Instead, he shifted slightly beneath her touch, his voice low, laced with that teasing smirk curling his lips.

"Aunty Nyssa."

Nyssa blinked, startled, snapping back to herself. Her eyes refocused on Eran beneath her glowing palm — his calm gaze, his steady breathing... while her own cheeks burned a deeper shade. Her lips parted as if to speak, but the words caught somewhere between her breath and heartbeat.

Eran adjusted himself beneath her hand, sitting upright with a calm, warm smile.

"I don't feel any pain anymore. See? You already healed me a few minutes ago. But I noticed your mind wandering… are you alright, Aunty Nyssa?"

Nyssa's eyes met his for a heartbeat.. something unreadable flickering there before she looked away. She exhaled softly, letting the verdant light fade from her hands as she smoothed the folds of her robe.

"You're sweating," Eran said gently, his tone calm but carrying the quiet teasing curiosity.

"I'm sorry if my wounds caused you any discomfort during the healing."

For a moment, Nyssa froze, his words struck deeper than he knew. Her eyes widened slightly, heat rising fast across her face as she looked down at herself. The warmth had gathered beneath her thin robe, the fabric clinging to her skin, outlining every subtle curve of her chest. She drew in a shallow breath, steadying herself, then looked at Eran once more.. slowly, almost reluctantly.

Without a word, she turned away, taking a few steps toward the far side of the room.

Her steps echoed softly as she moved toward the far side of the room. Eran's gaze followed her, every calm movement, the quiet sway of her robe, the sharp click of her heels against the floor.

A faint smile curved on his lips as he leaned back slightly in his chair, watching her with silent fascination. Beneath his calm exterior, he could already feel the quiet heat stirring in the air.. the kind of tension that didn't need words to name itself.

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