Chapter 28: Stakes *

"Nope, it doesn't." He shook his head.

"Are you okay?" She got her senses back.

"Relax, 193 of my bones are still fine." He began to walk towards the dining table. He picked up the glass filled with green liquid and took a sip.

The sweet and acidic taste went well with the raw taste of his own blood, the blood that filled his mouth.

She could only shake her head at his reply. "What's that?" She asked.

"A refreshment, it's main ingredient being the healing potion you sent yesterday. Just mix a bit of arom leaves and golden sugar and of course, ever-ice."

"You mixed other ingredients with healing potion?!" She exclaimed. "Don't you know that addition of ingredients might affect the efficiency of a potion?"

"I know. But why would I drink something bitter and disgusting when I can drink something this delicious." He smiled and took another sip.

Little did she know that the extra ingredients increased the efficiency by another 20%.

"Was it worth it- taking this much risk? You could have died." She asked.

"Ohho! Are you perhaps- worried? That's weird. As far as I remember, you wanted me to die, didn't you? So that I don't take away your precious little daughter." He put up a mocking smile on his face.

"No, I just-"

"You want to be punished more, don't you? Like that day."

Her cheeks reddened. She did not want her daughter to be the toy of this man but she herself did not mind being one.

"You deserve some rewards for your performance today. Strip and get on all four."

"YOU!"

"What? Why reject when your clenched thighs and dry lips suggest otherwise? You want to do it, don't you?"

She was tongue tied. But she could not resist the urge. She made her decision.

She dropped the dress she was wearing, leaving behind only the undergarments to cover her private spots. She did not waste any time and took them off. She was now completely naked. Her huge bust, slim waist and big hips composed quite the sight.

"Go on."

She got on all four of her legs, her nether region was already wet from the humiliation.

"Bark as if you were a bitch!"

"Woof! Woof! Woof!" She struck her tongue out as she looked at Adrian.

"Good girl. Now, sit!" Adrian kept drinking the 'refreshment'.

She squatted and had her hands on the floor, her forearms millimetres away from her wet cave.

"Looks like mother trained you quite well and you have yet to lose your skills." He finished the drink and put the glass back.

He sat down on the chair facing her, cross legged. He took off his shoes and beckoned her.

She understood what he wanted her to do, this made her even hotter. She started to crawl towards him.

Once she got close enough, she opened her mouth to take his toe in. But it did not go on as she expected.

He kicked her across the face but she, being a level 8 circler, managed to take that kick without falling. This action of his did not enraged her at all; if anything, it made her feel better. She did not say anything as she again opened her mouth to take in his toe, and this time- she succeeded.

Licking someone's toe was an act of utter humiliation. That is what she was doing, that is what she wanted. She slowly used her tongue to lick and envelop his toe. She found this humiliating task exhilarating. She sucked on it like a bitch.

"Okay, that's enough for today." He pushed her away with his feet.

She was disappointed and dissatisfied, but there was nothing she could do. She got back on her feet and rushed towards the clothes. She wore them hurriedly. Her cheeks were still red, but she found this shame satisfying.

"You remember the deal, right?" But his words were like a bucket of cold water waking her up.

"How many times do you have to ask? I won't go back on my words." She clenched her fists.

"Good girl." He mocked. "When?"

"Give me… give me a week. I need to talk to her."

"A week it is then." He responded casually.

"Oh! Look, the healing potion does wonders."

"WHAT!?" She widened her eyes and gasped.

He was already moving his left arm, which was hanging a few moments ago, as if nothing happened at all. Even though she did not belong to the medical department, she knew that it would take at least a month to reach that level of recovery.

"How did you do that?" She asked, yet to recover from her shock.

"It was nothing but a bruise, why are you acting as if it were destroyed?" He said arrogantly.

'Because it was destroyed.' She could only shake her head.

"Don't go out for the next two months, and don't let any 'outsiders' in. Got it?"

"I just want to relax all day anyway." He waved his hand.

"And I have an important matter to speak of." Both her tone and face turned serious.

"Let me guess, you dealt with the hostage situation. The perpetrators were not related to vice principal's faction. Right?"

She was surprised but regained her calm once she remembered that he was the one who told her about the hostage situation to begin with.

"Do you know who?" She frowned.

"I can only tell you that they don't belong to the empire."

She looked down, seemingly in thought.

"Whoever they are, they are the ones who provided information about your deeds to the opposite faction. I believe they are after your life."

"Whatever." He shrugged.

His nonchalance caused her to frown.

"Don't underestimate them. We were unable to pursue the perpetrators. They are really good at what they do." She warned.

"Don't worry." He was nonchalant as before.

"I also found out that you are supporting the princess, right?"

"Yes."

"Did you make a… 'deal'?" She asked.

"Why? Jealous?" He smirked.

"Whatever the case, you have to go against the noble supremacist faction if you want to make her the queen. That faction's power exceeds the Academy. You have to be careful- one wrong move and you will be in the clutches of either the 'faction', those unknown 'perpetrators', or both." Her tone was that of a strict teacher warning students of the dangers of life.

"The more the risk, the more the thrill. I only fear having no enemies; I might die of boredom if that becomes the case." He smiled.

She could only sigh. She looked at the corpse and reached out her hand, preparing a spell. A fireball shot towards corpse, burning it in moments. Not even ashes were left behind, nor was the smell.

She looked at Adrian, a certain other direction, and then turned towards the door. She left.

Adrian looked around. There was a hole in the floor, some of the walls were damaged, the main door was broken. He sighed.

"Ah fuck! So tiring." He stretched.

He stood up from the chair as he walked towards his room. The moment he walked into the room, a tight hug wrapped him. Who else could it be but Isabella? Her eyes were all teary, cheeks- wet; he could hear her muffled sniffs and feel her trembling body.

She could sense everything that happened outside from her room- so vividly, as if she were watching it. Even though she was nothing more than a spectator, she felt every one of those hammer strikes as if she were the one getting hit. She wanted to rush out there but she remembered her young master's order and also sensed his smile during the battle.

Despite her inner conflict, she decided to follow orders. And soon enough, she was able to realise that it was all an act. But still, she knew that the pain he felt was real. Hence, she could not stop her tears from flowing. Now that everything was over, she could not hold herself back anymore.

She felt a gentle pat on her head. She looked up and saw his smile.

"Don't worry. Prepare the bath, I can't handle the stickiness anymore."

She wiped off her tears but her whole body was still shaking. "On it."

"Besides, do you believe me now?"

She turned back and squinted, "What?"

"That I can kill a level 6 circler even when I am on the brink of death."