675 Chapter 149.2 - Really
"Not quite. I need to test the equipment. That's it."
Irina considered his request for a moment, her curiosity piqued. It was fair enough that he wanted to test the equipment—she could only guess at what he'd seen in that bracelet, and part of her was eager to witness it firsthand. Besides, they had the rest of the week ahead of them; one night spent indulging his request wouldn't cut into her plans too much.
And also it was freeing to be done with all obligations, with only the open week stretching before them. 'I'll have all the time I need to get my plans in motion,' she thought, glancing sidelong at Astron, who followed her with his usual calm. Their official deal hadn't even started yet; tonight, he wasn't under any obligations from the bet. Monday would mark the beginning of the week she'd won, a whole week before classes resumed.
"Fine," she nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Go ahead. I'll show you to the training grounds." She turned, leading him through the Emberheart estate's winding halls and out to the grounds specially designed for intense combat practice. The large space was outfitted with powerful, mana-reactive equipment, each piece built to withstand the force of their family's fiery abilities.
"Wait...."
Irina paused mid-step, the realization hitting her like a spark in a powder keg. Why was she even considering the main training grounds, knowing full well that the place was constantly under some form of surveillance? With Astron's tendency to keep things hidden, he'd likely hold back, wary of prying eyes. Not to mention, the general training grounds could be bustling with people at this hour, trainees honing their skills even after dark.
'No,' she thought, quickly dismissing the idea. Her training ground would be better—more secluded, and far from any unnecessary onlookers. Her family maintained a private area meant for high-level training and sparring, typically reserved for those with the Emberheart name or their most trusted allies. And tonight, it was empty.
She couldn't deny the convenience of it. She'd have an uninterrupted view of his techniques, and he could train without the constraints of public scrutiny. Not that she needed a private place with him, of course—it was simply the best option. This was about practicality, not the slight thrill that came with the idea of having his undivided attention in her personal space.
With a firm nod, she turned to him, her face the picture of calm resolve. "Actually, I've got a better idea," she said, her tone casual as if the thought had just occurred to her. "I have my own training ground. It's away from the others, so you won't have to worry about interruptions."
Astron tilted his head, his eyes narrowing just slightly as he studied her, though he didn't protest. "Lead the way, then."
Irina did just that, fighting to keep a neutral expression as they walked the short distance to her personal training grounds. It was a quiet, open-air arena set back from the main complex, shielded by high walls and enchanted to keep sound from escaping. Only the faint glow of mana lights along the perimeter illuminated the area, giving the space a good ambiance.
Of course, he knew her motives, as what she did was evident. And she also knew he knew, but so what?
In the end, did it matter?
As they returned to her own building, Irina led Astron into her personal training grounds, her expression neutral despite the underlying anticipation.
She had already shown him the way in her building so she didn't do it again.
"Heh....You might be planning that. But this is my home. Remember the saying? In Emberheart Estate, do as Emberhearts do."
".....That saying, it definitely was not Emberhearts."
Hearing Astron's response, Irina couldn't help but smirk, crossing her arms. "Well, I just changed it, then. Does that bother you?" She raised an eyebrow, the faintest hint of a challenge in her tone. "Or are you just scared?"
Astron let out a sigh, shaking his head. "Do you really have to use the same excuse every time? I'd think you'd have found a better provocation by now."
She whistled, feigning innocence. "When have I ever used the same excuse? You're imagining things." Her tone was light, teasing, and she watched as he merely shook his head, a ghost of a smile touching his otherwise stoic face.
Satisfied, Irina turned on her heel, walking toward a small, enclosed section at the edge of the room. The area was reinforced with multiple defensive formations, designed as a spectator's safe zone while still offering a clear view of the action. From here, she'd be able to watch Astron's every move without the threat of stray mana or debris.
Settling into her vantage point, she leaned casually against the transparent barrier, watching as he stepped fully into the center of the training area. She could already see the targets recalibrating, shifting subtly as they assessed his presence and prepared to challenge both his offense and defense simultaneously.
"Let's see the bracelet that you have chosen."
Irina's gaze narrowed with intrigue, her curiosity growing as she settled back into the safe zone. Her eyes stayed fixed on Astron, her thoughts lingering on the bracelet he'd chosen. Out of all the artifacts in the armory, what had he seen in that simple, unassuming bracelet to make it his choice?
As if in answer, Astron stepped into position, facing the enchanted dummies now poised to attack. The room went silent for a heartbeat, and then the targets launched forward in synchronized motion, moving with a speed and precision that would force most opponents into evasive maneuvers. Yet Astron didn't move to dodge. Instead, he held his ground, a faint pulse of mana radiating from him, calm and controlled.
Irina's eyes widened slightly as she observed his aura. His entire body seemed charged with mana—not just coating his skin in a protective layer, as most mages would do when enhancing themselves, but rather circulating mana through his body in a strange, almost rhythmic flow, moving from inside to outside, every fiber of him infused with power.
"Martial arts?" she muttered to herself, realization dawning on her as she watched. This wasn't ordinary combat magic or body reinforcement—Astron was channeling his mana through his internal circuits, almost as if he were one with it, blending strength and agility with an elegance that went beyond typical spellwork.
And as she remembered, only [Martial Artist]s tended to do that.
'Interesting.....'
It seemed Astron had not been slacking off in his break at all.