CH 74

Seeing the perplexion on his face, I became even more convinced that I shouldn’t stand down on this. As the saying went: hit the iron while it’s hot. This god-awfully boring scenario of persuading him would repeat itself if I held it off for later. I thought I may as well do it now. My eyes lit with determination as I said, “Yes. Right now. Here.”

In the end, Mayer lost against my firm stance. I expressed with my body that I wouldn’t be budging a step until he accepted, and that made him sigh. “So… What must I do?”

“Mm…” I looked about the office. Mayer’s office resembled its owner’s personality to a T. Overbearing, stiff, and flawless… It was faithful to the purpose of being an office without the tiniest hint of leisure to be found. It was too uncomfortable. I needed somewhere more relaxing. Re-opening a mana circuit that had been closed for years was more painful and taxing than one would think. Considering the large amount of mana Mayer possessed, it would be even more painful. Navigating the sea was naturally harder than navigating a small stream. A single mistake would lead to his demonic power erupting everywhere like a collapsed dam. That was how the loss of mana control happened.

“Do you have anything scheduled after today?” I asked.

“Nothing in particular.”

“That’s a relief since this’ll take a bit long.”

“How long?”

“I’m not sure… I think we’ll have to proceed with the practice to tell. You’ve already lost control of your mana once, Captain, so it’ll be easy for it to happen a second time. Since we have to take a more careful approach, it’ll have to take a long time.”

Mayer’s face twisted at the mention of losing control for the second time. “It does not matter how long it takes, so take extra care.”

With his permission, I decided to be a bit bolder. “Alright. Then… Can I use your bedroom, Captain?”

“…Why the bedroom?” Mayer showed a bit of reluctance. I supposed it was normal to dislike someone intruding on one’s personal space all of a sudden. But it would be more comfortable going to his bedroom.

I persuaded Mayer, “Won’t it be more relaxing to lie on a bed instead of the floor?”

“Must I lie down?”

“You’ll end up lying down even if you don’t want to.” I shrugged. “And you might end up fainting from the pain… I won’t be able to do anything if you keel over like that, which is why I’m suggesting we start with you lying down.”

He still looked uncertain despite my explanation. Well, if he didn’t want that… “If you don’t like having to show your bedroom, you can come to mine instead.”

I didn’t change my blanket after waking up today, but I trusted Mary to have taken care of that much. Mayer, though, shook his head, seeming to find my suggestion absurd. “That is not what I meant, I…” He was lost for words for a long while before quietly muttering with a sigh, “No wonder you were overly accepting of having a drink with me last time… You truly, surprisingly lack a sense of danger at times.”

“Pardon?”

“It is nothing.”

I didn’t hear him quite right, but Mayer merely shook his head and passed by me to take the lead, saying, “The bedroom is this way.”

I didn’t know what came over him, but I couldn’t miss this opportunity. Although I did speak audaciously, that didn’t mean I had no worries. If somebody were to spot Mayer going in and out of my bedroom, the rumors of me being his lover would be set in stone. I swiftly followed after him.

* * *

Mayer’s bedroom was identical to his office. Another place with an overbearing, stiff, and flawless atmosphere. Even his bedroom looked far from a place of relaxation and rest. Still, the bed was nice and huge. I assumed it was because he was such a big person. Mayer went in first to sit on the bed, which shook wildly due to his weight. He undid a couple of buttons on his collar as he asked, “So… What must I do now?”

He was sitting, and I was standing, yet our gazes were exactly level. The man was seriously big. I needed to prepare thoroughly as it was difficult for me to control the body of another. I instructed, “Lie down first.”

Mayer tentatively laid down on the bed. I didn’t know whether it was because he wasn’t used to laying down in front of somebody, or because he was uncomfortable with the situation. He wore an awkward, unwilling look on his face as he turned his head toward me.