Chapter 124: Jealousy

Chapter 124: Jealousy

The reason I chose her as a liaison was because I recognized her ability and her current status.

Ability? Well, Airael needs no more praise there.

Am I supposed to admit her skills are lacking?

As for status, Axi’s connections could save the Tower of the Archmage quite a bit of hassle.

Of course, the Tower of the Archmage also offered Airael some pretty enticing conditions.

During her time as a liaison, the Tower would go all out to help Airael with whatever she wanted to do—as long as it wasn’t too much of a hassle for them, of course.

After a moment of consideration, Airael decided to go along with it.

Even if she turned them down, they would still manage to find someone else to do their bidding.

Plus, Airael had a feeling that saying no would not be in her best interest.

After all, refusing the Tower would be seen as an affront.

Though she’s not afraid of the Tower, it’s best to steer clear of trouble in the human realm.

So, she might as well join in; after all, she had nothing to lose.

Besides, by joining in, she could gain benefits while learning more about the situation.

After Airael left, Andrew summoned his apprentice—Phil.

“Teacher!”

At that moment, the office was just the two of them, and the mentor-student relationship felt much more intimate.

Phil had changed how he addressed Andrew.

“Phil, sit down. I have something important to discuss with you.”

“Yes!”

Phil nodded and took a seat in front of Andrew.

“Phil, you may not have realized it yet, but I can assure you: there are great changes coming to the entire continent, even the world!”

“Teacher!” Phil’s face changed instantly, looking quite shocked.

Andrew gestured for Phil to calm down and continued, “Listen to me. I hope you’ll focus on your training from now on. Your strength is already well ahead of many, but it’s still far from enough to play an important role in what’s to come.”

“Uh-huh.”

Phil nodded, looking quite dejected.

Just a little while ago, he had been bursting with confidence and pride in his strength, but after battling Airael, all that was gone.

He felt like a frog in a well, limited to his little world, completely unaware of the vast universe beyond.

“Set everything else aside. The most important thing for you right now is to improve your own strength. You should know, time is not on your side!”

Andrew continued, sighing deeply.

Though it would put a lot of pressure on Phil, pressure creates motivation.

And Phil hadn’t felt that motivation in a long time; it was high time to push him to seize this opportunity.

Andrew regarded his apprentice highly.

He believed Phil could endure it.

“I understand, Teacher! I will strive to train harder and enhance my abilities from now on!”

Despite feeling the heavy pressure, Phil faced it with courage rather than retreat.

“Good! I’m glad you understand.”

Andrew nodded, satisfied, as he looked at Phil.

Their conversation remained unknown to outsiders.

All anyone else knew was that Phil had increased his efforts in training after being defeated, putting many things aside or simply entrusting them to others.

But those were all matters for later.

Shifting the focus back to Airael.

After returning to the inn, Airael waited in Arthur’s room for him to come back.

Of course, while waiting, she was also pondering various matters.

There’s no denying that she had become entangled in the internal struggles of humans.

Even though she was on Arthur’s side, her relationship with him was quite complex.

Friends, lovers, or perhaps a breeding tool and casual partner.

If you include Arthur’s ancestors, they even shared animosity and a somewhat engaged-but-not-engaged relationship.

She felt the need to sort out her relationship with Arthur.

What stance should she take in their interactions moving forward?

She knew that she needed to adjust her mindset before she could get down to business.

Airael waited in Arthur’s room until evening.

She did step out briefly for dinner to stave off her hunger.

Like the previous day, Arthur returned late.

When he came back, he had already eaten and carried a scent of alcohol.

Additionally, there was a hint of smoke lingering about him.

Seeing Airael waiting in his room, Arthur was pleasantly surprised, his heart swelling with joy.

At that moment, Airael looked like a wife sitting at home waiting for her husband to return.

He sat down beside Airael, eager to follow his desires and get close to her.

However, catching a whiff of the unpleasant mixed odor emanating from him, Airael pushed him away and frowned, “Where did you go today?”

“I attended a banquet.”

For a moment, Arthur was baffled, not understanding why Airael was suddenly upset.

He decided to answer her question, sensing that it was best to express his feelings right now.

Attending a banquet wasn’t exactly a scandalous affair.

“Were there many women throwing themselves at you?”

Airael asked, and immediately found herself shocked by her own question.

Why was she so invested in this?

Could it be…?

Frantically shaking her head, she dared not think further.

No, she wasn’t jealous of Arthur; she didn’t even like him.

She simply didn’t want something that belonged to her to be taken away by someone else.

After all, Arthur was her breeding tool.

Hearing this, Arthur suddenly understood.

He pulled Airael into his embrace and said, “Ailia, those women mean nothing to me, and they don’t hold a candle to you, not by a long shot.”

Even though he knew Arthur was just trying to make her happy, Airael couldn’t deny that those words were quite pleasing to her ears.

So, she didn’t push him away again.

Arthur seized the opportunity to get closer to Airael.

He pulled down the cloak draped over her, revealing her alluring figure beneath.

Everywhere was perfect, well, except for a certain area that might be a bit small, but still within the realm of normal.

Noticing Arthur’s gaze lingering on a specific part of her, Airael somewhat regrettably shook her head.

Airael suddenly snapped, “What’s wrong with it?!”

I’ve already been with you, and you’re still nagging about this or that.

Besides, is being bigger always better?

“No complaints! I’m very pleased.”

Arthur quickly reassured her.