Chapter 15: Sophie’s debts of gratitude kept piling up

“Hmph, now Mr. Lynn should truly understand how I feel.”

Livia’s heart fluttered with shyness.

After all, as a witch, she’d long since grown used to appearing cool and mysterious on the outside.

Even at her boldest before, all she’d dared do was knock Lynn out and play little tricks.

To do something like this while he was wide awake—this was a first.

Naturally, she was nervous and blushing to the extreme.

But the joy in her heart gradually outweighed the nerves as she imagined a happy married life with Lynn.

With anticipation, Livia looked at Lynn.

She was sure—this time, Mr. Lynn would completely accept her.

However…

Lynn seemed utterly unresponsive.

In fact, after helping Livia up and making sure she was all right, Lynn’s consciousness had already entered the internal space of his Chessmaster.

He was busy checking how much more progress he needed before the Chessmaster could ascend to Tier Two.

According to the original game settings, once the Chessmaster reached Tier Two, exclusive skills could gradually be unlocked.

By then, the Chessmaster would basically be complete—instead of only doing basic attacks like letting Ah Yan come out and breathe fire, as now.

When Lynn snapped back to his senses, he saw that after absorbing a huge amount of mana, Ah Yan’s appearance had also changed.

His massive body now glimmered with flames, and even his aura was far stronger than before.

“Hmph.”

Apparently sensing Lynn’s gaze, Ah Yan snorted in obvious disdain.

“So you actually dare to come back and face me.”

Hearing this, Lynn frowned slightly, puzzled.

But in the next moment, he understood.

Looks like this noble lord just couldn’t accept the concept of equality yet!

“Sigh, I said it before—feudal thinking is truly harmful.”

Lynn slowly shook his head, his eyes full of pity as he looked at Ah Yan.

Seeing that look, Ah Yan shuddered uncontrollably.

What exactly goes through this guy’s head all day?

Lynn didn’t notice Ah Yan’s confusion.

With a thought, he called up his status panel.

“Dragon Heart: Advancement Progress—3 points remaining.”

Seeing this, Lynn nodded in satisfaction.

Thankfully, before the Philosopher’s Stone fell into the hands of that man with ill intentions toward Livia, it had gathered a good amount of mana.

Lynn only needed to absorb the mana of three more Tier One magi to upgrade Dragon Heart to Tier Two.

Now, the only problem was—

Why did the Philosopher’s Stone end up in his hands?

At this, Lynn’s brow furrowed deeply.

According to the original plot, the Philosopher’s Stone was a holy relic of the Abyss Order.

Only a select few high-ranking members or deathsworn sent on important missions could obtain replicas.

If he remembered correctly, Kurt had one.

In all his previous lifetimes, every time he triggered a destined-death ending, Kurt would show up with the Philosopher’s Stone in hand.

But this time, when he took the initiative to find Kurt, Kurt didn’t use the Philosopher’s Stone…

Could it be that after the conditions for destined death were triggered, the worldline itself changed?

Lynn frowned.

He had no evidence—this was just speculation.

“Hoo—” Lynn exhaled slowly.

If Kurt really had the Philosopher’s Stone, the fight would have been much harder.

Besides, who knows what holy relics the Abyss Order might bring against him in the future?

At this thought, a sense of urgency welled up within him.

The situation was even worse than he’d imagined.

If he wanted to keep living peacefully, he had to quickly grow stronger.

Lynn pondered.

And the fastest way to get stronger was to go to Stercalay Magic Academy.

As long as he could enter the Magic Academy and access those high-level spells.

Everything would turn out fine.

With this in mind, Lynn reaffirmed his goal.

It was about time to head back.

“Goodbye, Ah Yan.”

Lynn waved with a smile.

“Let’s just not meet again…”

Ah Yan’s face was full of black lines.

Lynn—this guy is far from being human, but not quite a god either.

He must be some kind of demigod.

…

When Lynn returned to his senses, he felt a softness beneath his head, and a faint sweet fragrance drifted to his nose.

“What’s wrong with Lynn…?”

Sophie asked, a piece of cake held between her lips, her face full of confusion.

“I—I wouldn’t know, maybe he got heatstroke or something.”

Livia’s cheeks flushed red, her words betraying her barely hidden panic.

There was no way she could admit she’d kissed Mr. Lynn into unconsciousness!

“How about… I give him mouth-to-mouth?”

Sophie wiped cream from the corner of her mouth, tilting her head.

“If there’s going to be mouth-to-mouth, it should be me doing it!”

Livia instantly bristled when she heard Sophie suggest getting close to Lynn.

You wicked woman, don’t think I don’t know you want to steal a kiss from Lynn!

“???”

Lynn, who had just regained consciousness, was completely lost.

How did it come to mouth-to-mouth resuscitation?

He shook his head, and as his mind cleared completely, he realized he was lying on Livia’s lap.

Her soft, fragrant legs made for a surprisingly comfortable pillow.

“Ah, he’s awake.”

Sophie pointed at Lynn.

“L-Lynn, are you all right…?”

Livia’s voice grew smaller and smaller, until by the end it was nearly inaudible.

What if Lynn was angry with her…

Livia’s heart beat anxiously.

After all, she had… gone a bit overboard.

Lynn reluctantly sat up from Livia’s lap.

“What happened?”

Judging by the time difference, he’d only spaced out for two minutes.

How did it turn into mouth-to-mouth resuscitation?

“Y-you really don’t remember?” Livia’s voice trembled.

“Remember what?” Lynn was completely at a loss.

Since when did Livia start speaking in riddles?

“Uuu…”

For some reason, hearing this, Livia suddenly felt a surge of anger.

“Mr. Lynn, you big dummy!!”

Livia pouted and playfully pounded Lynn a few times, then puffed out her cheeks and turned away, sulking all by herself.

Lynn was still lost.

But he quickly let it go.

After all, a witch’s thoughts were indeed harder to guess than most people’s.

Ah, witches.

“By the way.”

Lynn suddenly looked at Sophie as if something occurred to him.

“I plan to go to the Central Royal City tomorrow, but I’m worried there might be trouble on the way. Would you mind protecting me until I arrive at the Central Royal City?”

Lynn said.

He had his own little calculation.

If he remembered correctly, Sophie’s ultimate destination was the same as his.

In that case, taking her along would be a convenient favor.

He just kept owing more and more favors.

When the story reached its later stages, and Sophie completely transformed into the peerless phoenix…

That would be the beginning of Lynn’s happy life.

“Eh?”

Sophie tilted her head, full of confusion.

How did Lynn just happen to approach her when she needed to go to the Central Royal City?

Before dying, her master had indeed instructed her to find Headmaster Skarch at Stercalay Magic Academy in the Central Royal City.

She’d just been worrying about how to get there, and now Lynn had handed her a solution.

Could it be… Lynn really knows mind-reading magic?

She truly owed him a lot of favors now.

She’d have to find a way to repay him.

And maybe… take the chance to learn more about him as well.

Sophie thought.

“Mm, of course I can!” Sophie replied with a smile.

“Wait, wait, wait—like heck you can!”

Livia grew more and more uneasy as she listened.

“Mr. Lynn, I can protect you too, and I won’t do any worse than she does!”

With that, Livia cast a resentful glance at Sophie.

This hateful little vixen really is everywhere…