Chapter 272 - Mahiro!!?
"Mahiro, do you want my confession too?" Ais asked, her eyes shimmering with a trace of bashfulness, influenced by Tiona's antics.
Her gaze, usually steady, dipped slightly.
"No, it's just Tiona overthinking..." Mahiro sighed helplessly.
Explanations felt futile—the Youth Incarnation required a kiss, and that alone would undo any clarification.
"Forget it, think what you want."
"I get it, I get it!" Tiona beamed, smugness radiating from her.
"I thought you didn't feel anything for me, but you're just bad at showing it!" She giggled, elated.
"If you want to hear it, I'm all in!"
"Let's be clear," Mahiro said, resigned.
"The oath must be heartfelt. Once the ritual's done, there's no backing out."
"Don't doubt my resolve, Mahiro!" Tiona huffed, cheeks puffing out as she met his gaze earnestly.
"I really want to have your kid someday!"
"Alright," Mahiro relented with another sigh.
"Let's begin."
"I, Tiona Hiryute, swear here," she declared, voice firm, "I'll always love Mahiro Toma. My purity belongs to him alone, and I'll bear no one else's child but his."
Mahiro stared, speechless.
Like Saeko's chaotic oath, it was a mess—but it worked.
The Youth Incarnation stirred within him.
His mood grew complicated, yet his hands moved with purpose.
He caught Tiona with his left arm, tilted her chin with his right, and leaned in for the kiss.
Tiona's eyes widened at the suddenness, but she didn't resist.
Moments later, she closed them, melting into his embrace, savoring the moment.
"Mahiro, Tiona..." Ais murmured, watching them lock lips.
A flush crept across her delicate face.
She tried to look away, but her eyes stayed glued, drawn like a magnet.
The innocent Sword Princess had never witnessed such a scene—novel, shameful, and inexplicably bittersweet.
A faint pang pricked her heart, undefined yet sharp, mingling shyness, confusion, and curiosity.
She stared, dazed, until their kiss ended.
"..." Tiona's gaze lingered, hazy with reluctance as Mahiro released her.
"Feel it now?" he asked with a slight smile.
"Mm," Tiona nodded, blushing shyly.
Her usual boldness vanished post-kiss, replaced by a timid glow.
"Follow what I taught you—get used to the mana I've given," Mahiro instructed.
Still dizzy, Tiona focused.
She sensed the mana flowing within her, guiding it to her right hand as Mahiro had explained.
A faint, attributeless shimmer enveloped her fist, pulsing softly.
"Tiona..." Ais snapped out of her trance, eyes locking onto the glow, her voice tinged with awe.
"Amazing..." Tiona breathed, staring at her hand in disbelief.
A melee fighter wielding magic—it flowed like water, mirroring the spells she'd envied.
With a gentle flick, she sent the magic orb flying.
It struck the ground nearby, blasting a small crater.
"That's the simplest use of mana," Mahiro said, smiling.
"Mastering proper spells will take practice."
Mobilizing and condensing mana was basic—crude, even.
Its power paled compared to attribute-shifted magic, where true strength lay.
"Ais, I've got magic now!" Tiona chirped, showing off to Ais.
"Mm," Ais nodded, sharing her joy.
"Your turn, Ais," Mahiro said, turning to her with a grin.
"Ready?"
"Do we have to kiss?" Ais asked, her voice soft with shyness.
"So far, it's the only way I know to awaken your mana," Mahiro admitted, pausing thoughtfully.
"If you're willing to wait, I might find another method later."
"Later..." Ais lowered her head, wrestling with the choice.
"Ais, you don't dislike Mahiro, right?" Tiona prodded, grinning.
"No, I don't," Ais replied quietly.
"If you had to pick between marrying him or Bete, who'd it be?" Tiona pressed.
"Mahiro," Ais answered without hesitation.
"See, Ais? What's the hold-up?" Tiona teased.
"He's giving us something this precious!"
"Tiona, I..." Ais faltered, still torn.
"Ais, we've been over this," Mahiro interjected, stepping forward.
He couldn't just stand by while she hesitated.
"I promised you strength—I won't delay that. You're not some capricious kid, are you?"
His breath brushed her ear, his firm tone cutting through.
Ais flinched, her usual Sword Princess poise crumbling.
Her cheeks flushed, eyes darting nervously.
"I... I understand," she stammered, voice barely audible.
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