The night deepened, and the room was lit with warm lamplight.
It had been a long time since nightfall, and the starlight outside the window twinkled quietly.
During this period, Natsuki Subaru's life had been exceptionally fulfilling.
During the day, he had to fulfill his duties as a knight, accompanying Emilia in handling various affairs. At night, he unfailingly studied the writing of this other world.
Not only that, but the meticulous Rem had also created a detailed study plan for him, from complex imperial history to cumbersome knightly etiquette; the schedule was packed.
"This is even more troublesome than killing monsters to level up..."
Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but sigh.
But there was no helping it; these were all things a knight had to master.
"Studying, no matter which world, is always such a headache..."
Natsuki Subaru rested his head on the desk, unable to stop himself from recalling the predicament he was in when he was first summoned to this other world.
At that time, he couldn't even understand the basic characters and had suffered quite a bit to help Emilia find her insignia.
And now, Emilia was one of the Royal Selection candidates, and as her knight, wouldn't it be too embarrassing if he couldn't even read or write?
"No, no... How can I be defeated by such a small thing?!"
Natsuki Subaru suddenly sat up straight, forcefully patting his cheeks to drive the lazy thoughts from his mind.
"Alright, today I also have to be spirited and continue studying!"
Saying this, Natsuki Subaru opened the pink notebook placed on the table.
This was given to him by Ram previously, to practice writing and record daily events.
The first dozen or so pages were densely filled with crooked practice characters, but as time went on, his writing gradually became more fluent, and he even began to try recording daily events using the characters of this other world.
"Hmm... Although the characters are still a bit ugly, at least they're legible now..."
Natsuki Subaru looked at his study results with satisfaction, the corners of his mouth unconsciously turning up.
Although the process was difficult, he didn't dislike this feeling of effort.
Whether it was the improvement in his own strength from completing daily system tasks or the accumulation of knowledge, every bit of progress made him feel fulfilled.
"Alright, let's write something today too..."
Natsuki Subaru casually waved his hand, and a ballpoint pen appeared out of thin air in his palm.
This was taken from his system inventory, a random reward from completing daily tasks previously.
"Rem, Emilia, Ram, Beatrice, Puck, Mule…"
Natsuki Subaru muttered these familiar names softly while seriously writing on the paper, the tip of the pen gliding across the paper, making a rustling sound.
Pat, pat.
Just as Natsuki Subaru was fully focused on writing, a gentle knock sounded at the door.
Who could it be at this hour?
Is it Ram or Rem, coming to check on my studies?
Thinking this, Natsuki Subaru put down his pen, his gaze turning to the door:
"Please come in."
The door slowly opened, and first, a strand of silver, moonlight-like hair flowed in from the crack.
The half-elf girl, wearing a light purple silk nightgown, stood outside the door. The loose fabric billowed gently with the night breeze, outlining her slender figure.
Her waterfall-like silver hair was not tied up as usual but cascaded smoothly over her chest, a few strands playfully resting on her shoulders, shimmering like pearls in the candlelight.
"Eh? Emilia-chan?"
Natsuki Subaru was stunned. He had originally thought it was Ram or Rem coming to tutor him, but unexpectedly, the one standing outside the door was Emilia.
"It's me, indeed." Emilia, somewhat embarrassed, twirled a strand of silver hair with her finger. "But why is Subaru so surprised?"
"Rather than surprised..." Natsuki Subaru felt his throat tighten a little, his gaze unconsciously falling on Emilia's slightly reddened earlobes, "it's more like my heart is racing, after all, being alone in a room with Emilia in her pajamas..."
"We're not alone, you know." Puck suddenly poked his fluffy little head out from Emilia's cascading silver hair. "Because I'm here!"
Err... Almost forgot about Puck, this third wheel.
Thinking this, Natsuki Subaru pretended to be startled, clutching his chest and saying:
"Hey, hey... Don't just suddenly pop out of Emilia-chan's hair, it's really scary, Puck!"
"Pfft~" Puck floated lightly between the two, his fluffy tail wagging proudly, and said in a cute voice, "Being able to scare Subaru means my entrance was perfect."
Tsk, why are you, the Beast of the End, acting all cute...
Natsuki Subaru complained silently in his heart, but outwardly he explained seriously:
"Because Emilia-chan is just too cute, my heart was already working overtime, and then Puck, you scared me so much my heart almost stopped."
This wasn't entirely a joke.
Emilia's beauty was enough to rank among the most beautiful in the world; this needed no embellishment.
Silver moon-like long hair, amethyst-like eyes, features as delicate as a doll's.
But perhaps it was precisely this transcendent beauty that became one of the reasons she was alienated by the world.
Not only because of her resemblance to the Witch of Envy but also because of that dreamlike quality of a 'goddess descended to earth', which made ordinary people not dare to approach her easily.
But on the other hand, it was also because of this beauty that, even if hated by the whole world, there would still be people like him, deeply attracted to her at first sight...
"Although Puck suddenly playing a prank is very wrong..." Emilia puffed her fair cheeks slightly, her tender lips pressed into a straight line, her purple eyes sparkling with an insightful light,
"But Subaru, you must have been thinking something rude in your head just now, right?"
"Ha, hahaha, of course not..." Natsuki Subaru laughed awkwardly, then calmly skipped the topic. "Err, by the way, Emilia, is there something you came to find me for so late? Don't tell me you're here to supervise my studies?"
"Actually..." Saying this, Emilia suddenly became a bit shy, her hands kept behind her back. "Subaru, I have something to give you."
"Eh? Something for me? What?" Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but be surprised.
"It's this."
Emilia brought the hands she had been hiding behind her back to the front, holding a slightly old book, her reddish-purple eyes sparkling with a hint of anticipation.
"A book?" After a brief surprise, Natsuki Subaru seemed to have suddenly thought of something. "Emilia, you want me to read this book, right?"
"That's right, I heard Subaru has almost finished learning that fairy tale book..." Emilia explained softly, her fingers unconsciously caressing the edge of the pages. "So I've been thinking, I should prepare the next reading material for you..."
"Oh oh? Emilia is actually paying so much attention to my study progress?"
Hearing this, Natsuki Subaru smiled and leaned a bit closer, close enough to see the flutter of Emilia's eyelashes.
"Th-that..." Emilia's cheeks instantly flushed crimson, and her voice grew softer and softer.
"I just happened to find this book this afternoon, it's all written in words, it should be very suitable for you. This is a collection of stories I used to read, so it's a bit old, I hope you don't mind."
"~Wow, this is actually a book Emilia-chan herself has read." Natsuki Subaru solemnly took the book with both hands and said seriously,
"How could I possibly mind? This is a precious treasure to be passed down as a family heirloom for generations!"
"Subaru... you're teasing me again."
Emilia blushed and stomped her foot lightly, her silver hair swaying slightly with the movement.
"I'm not teasing at all, every word is from the bottom of my heart!" Natsuki Subaru held the book in his hand, then asked curiously, "But since it's a story collection, what kind of stories are in here?"
"Hmm... There are stories about cute little animals." Emilia held up a slender finger, thought for a moment, and said, "And heartwarming stories about kind people helping each other... Ah, right, there are also many wise fables."
"Err..."
A few black lines unconsciously appeared on Natsuki Subaru's forehead.
Good heavens, more fairy tales?!
I just barely finished the last fairy tale book Ram gave me, and now there's another one.
Even elementary school students wouldn't read this kind of book anymore...
But looking at Emilia's sparkling purple eyes and expectant expression, Natsuki Subaru forced himself to swallow the words that were about to come out.
"In short, they're just childish fairy tales, meow~"
Puck suddenly poked his head out from Emilia's shoulder, ruthlessly complaining.
Hey, Puck!
How can you just say such blunt truths out loud!
Natsuki Subaru screamed frantically in his heart and quickly tried to salvage the situation:
"That's not it, Emilia-chan, I mean... this book looks very interesting, thank you for specially finding it for me, I will definitely treasure it."
"It would be great if it could help Subaru with his studies."
Emilia clasped her hands in front of her chest, her silver eyelashes fluttering gently.
"Ah ah, it definitely will!" Natsuki Subaru nodded and said, "After I finish reading this story collection, I'll tell stories to Emilia."
"Mm..." A faint blush appeared on Emilia's face, her slender fingers unconsciously twirling a strand of silver hair. "Then it's a promise."
"It's a deal!"
Natsuki Subaru gave a thumbs-up, revealing a bright smile.
Emilia is still so naive and cute...
At this moment, Puck let out a big yawn, elegantly stroking his whiskers with his front paw:
"It's getting late, Lia, I'm going to sleep."
"Mm, goodnight, Puck."
Emilia reached out and gently tapped Puck's little nose, speaking softly.
"See you tomorrow, meow~"
Puck's body gradually became transparent, turning into countless shining points of light, like fireflies on a summer night, scattering in the air and eventually disappearing completely into the moonlight.
"Speaking of which, Puck's schedule is as regular as a civil servant's from my previous life..."
Natsuki Subaru's mouth twitched slightly, and he couldn't help but complain inwardly.
Actually, he understood that as a spirit, Puck needed to consume a large amount of mana to manifest, and at night he had to return to the crystal stone Emilia wore to store energy.
Ideally, Puck could usually only appear from nine in the morning to five in the afternoon.
A true nine-to-five work system.
"By the way, how is Subaru's study progress?"
Emilia asked softly, interrupting Natsuki Subaru's thoughts.
"After Teacher Ram's strict guidance, I've mastered all the characters of this other world!"
Natsuki Subaru puffed out his chest, his face full of pride.
It was indeed something to be proud of. After a week of hard study, he could not only read but also write most of the characters of this other world, finally shedding the label of an illiterate.
"Subaru, you're amazing..." Emilia praised softly, then lowered her head in embarrassment. "Back when I was learning to read, it took me a full two and a half months."
"Is that so?" Natsuki Subaru smiled and took a step closer to Emilia. "Then, shouldn't this knight of yours, who has such explosive learning ability, receive some reward from his master?"
"Eh?" Emilia paused for a moment, lightly tapping her chin with her slender forefinger in thought, then showed a gentle smile. "If that's the case... then I'll give Subaru a little reward."
"Eh? There's really a reward?"
Natsuki Subaru's eyes widened in surprise.
He had just been joking casually, he didn't expect Emilia to actually give him a reward.
"Mm... Subaru, come over here."
Emilia, sitting by the bed, said softly, patting the spot beside her.
"Th-This... isn't this a bit too sudden? Emilia-chan..."
Natsuki Subaru was suddenly at a loss, his cheeks burning.
Could it be... Is it really what I'm thinking?
But this is too... too sudden!
Although I'm looking forward to it, shouldn't we first...
Natsuki Subaru felt his brain starting to run wild uncontrollably.
"Subaru, don't dawdle, come over quickly."
Emilia frowned slightly, her tone carrying a gentleness that brooked no refusal.
"O-Okay..."
Natsuki Subaru swallowed hard and slowly moved to sit down beside the bed, his hands nervously placed on his knees.
"Subaru, can you turn sideways a bit?"
Emilia stood up and said.
"Like this?"
Natsuki Subaru obediently turned sideways, but inadvertently caught a sight that made his breath catch.
From this upward angle, Emilia's delicate collarbones were faintly visible at the loose neckline of her nightgown, as beautiful as a crescent moon.
With her slight breathing, the thin silk fabric outlined the girl's budding, yet already curvaceous, figure.
Even more irresistible was that face, so close.
Her silver eyelashes trembled like butterfly wings in the lamplight, her amethyst-like eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight, her tender pink lips slightly pursed with a somewhat focused expression.
"Don't move."
Emilia said softly, her slender fingers gently pressing on Natsuki Subaru's shoulder, the warmth from her fingertips making him stiffen all over.
Hey, hey, hey... this angle is too unfair...
Natsuki Subaru felt all the blood in his body boiling, his ears so hot they felt like they were about to burn.
The patch of snow-white skin revealed by Emilia's nightgown collar glowed like a pearl in the candlelight, her gently rising and falling chest, paired with that innocent yet breathtakingly beautiful face—
___
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