Chapter 398: “I’ve kissed you, Little Astr.”
"Then Lady Charlotte, give me a kiss."
A clear, melodious female voice echoed through the private dining room, overriding the clinking of knives and forks, while concealing the delicate symphony produced by slender heels tapping the floor and sheer stockings softly rustling.
Charlotte hadn’t expected at all that the compensation Astrid would request would be something so difficult to describe.
Strictly speaking, considering their intimate relationship, cuddling together under the same blanket in the same bed, a mere kiss didn’t seem excessive.
Yet, to bring it up in this context... felt strangely awkward somehow.
Gazing into Astrid’s bright, crimson eyes, her long, fine eyelashes fluttered like tender petals encircling the heart of a flower. Her eyes sparkled, radiating an irresistible charm even without closer inspection.
If Charlotte’s elegantly dressed presence gave the immediate impression of a noble lady, refined and dignified, possessing the aloof beauty of a flower atop a high mountain, then Astrid was more like an elfin girl who seemed cool and distant at first glance, yet grew increasingly alluring upon closer observation.
Especially in that form-fitting, pure-black evening gown, paired with black stockings and black high heels, her skin and silver-white hair appeared even more radiant, exuding a noble elegance while simultaneously projecting an unrestrained, intoxicating allure.
Realizing she was viewing her friend’s daughter from the perspective of an ordinary person rather than a senior figure, Charlotte finally understood the source of her unease.
She... felt slightly embarrassed.
"What’s wrong, Lady Charlotte?"
Astrid looked at the raven-haired beauty who had been staring at her without speaking, her brilliant eyes shimmering with faint amusement.
"Can’t you do it?"
Had she been facing a certain pink-haired knight, Astrid might have chosen different words.
Something like, "Could it be that Lyra feels shy?" teasing the little maid playfully to satisfy her own mischievous desire for provocation.
Hearing Astrid’s inquiry, Charlotte ceased swirling her wine glass. Her slightly elongated nails gently tapped the glass surface, with only a thin layer of crystal separating her fingertips from the deep red wine within.
"Well, I suppose it’s possible... but we’re still eating. Kissing now seems a bit inappropriate."
Who ever heard of suddenly kissing someone mid-meal? Even out of respect for noble etiquette, Charlotte wouldn’t do such a thing.
It wasn’t because she was shy.
Astrid placed the back of her hand against her chin, nodding slightly.
"That’s true."
"Besides, I don’t really have anything else I particularly want right now."
In Astrid’s eyes, Charlotte’s so-called compensation was essentially playful banter. She’d merely said it on a whim, whether it happened or not didn’t really matter.
"Then how about this," Charlotte said, taking a sip of red wine, her beautiful cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "Let me treat Little Astr to tonight’s dinner."
"But this was supposed to be your welcoming banquet, Lady Charlotte." Astrid gently speared a piece of steak with her fork as she spoke softly.
"In that case, I’ll reserve tomorrow evening with Lady Charlotte. While you were away, several new restaurants opened in the capital."
"If we have the chance, we could try a few more together."
She gracefully bypassed the previous topic while subtly expressing her desire to see Charlotte more often. Hearing this, a soft warmth flickered in Charlotte’s beautiful eyes, and she replied gently.
"Alright, I promise you."
"Whether it’s dining, chatting, or simply spending time together, whenever Astrid needs me, I’ll come every night."
She would treat it as compensation for all the attention and love she had failed to give Astrid in the past.
Perhaps belated care didn’t hold much meaning, but at the very least, she should take action.
"Mm." Astrid replied.
..................
Having nearly finished their meal, Charlotte glanced at the remaining food on her plate. Her stomach still had some room. Adhering to her principle of avoiding waste, she gently crossed her smooth, elegant legs and slowed her eating pace.
"Astrid, how’s your current magic proficiency?"
When Charlotte brought up academic matters, Astrid paused, dabbing her lips lightly with a silk handkerchief before replying in a calm voice.
"My current mental energy quality remains at the early tier Magnus stage. However, in terms of reserves, I only have two to three times that of peak Sorcerer."
The leap from Sorcerer to Magnus was a significant threshold. Once crossed, the improvement would be immediately noticeable. Take Lyra, for instance, a magician of extraordinary talent. On her first day as an early tier Magnus, her mental energy reserves increased by over fivefold.
Astrid had spent a full year barely reaching the peak of an early tier Magnus stage. If one ignored the combat strength of ancient incantations, her power was only several times stronger than that of an ordinary peak Sorcerer.
Meanwhile, during that same period, Lyra had advanced to the middle tier Magnus level, becoming the undisputed genius of the entire Elizabeth Academy of Magic.
As for Amalia, despite starting later than everyone else, her royal bloodline granted her a natural advantage, allowing her to reach the same level as Astrid. However, this blonde tyrant rarely had no combat experience, so her actual fighting capability might be considerably weaker than Astrid’s.
"Still unable to eliminate the effects of the forbidden curse..."
Charlotte instructed Astrid to release her mental energy and carefully traced the contours of her soul. Sure enough, within the void, she detected faint restraints.
Astrid’s capacity for mental energy was too small. Only upon reaching the Arcanist Mage level might this restriction ease.
Feeling the familiar warmth flow across her soul’s surface, as if peeling away all barriers, their souls pressed tightly together, unreservedly entangled and touching. Astrid gently tapped the tabletop, attempting to soothe the intense resonance emanating from the depths of her soul.
"For now, that appears to be the case."
Soul exploration was a mutual process. Astrid could sense Charlotte’s presence, and Charlotte, in turn, felt enveloped by Astrid. Their spirits depended on each other, intertwined like two serpents coiling tightly together.
"Fortunately, once reaching the Magnus stage, chanting spells no longer requires vocal guidance. I can use ancient spells freely and without restraint."
These unrefined, original ancient spells possessed far stronger effects than modern spells. Thanks to this, Astrid’s combat strength wasn’t necessarily weaker than that of mages at her level.
Charlotte nodded slightly, regretfully ending the mental energy transfer.
"If only Little Astr’s total mental energy could reach normal levels, combined with those highly effective ancient magics..."
She would be invincible among her peers, effortlessly capable of overcoming opponents of higher ranks.
She stopped mid-sentence, deciding not to dwell further on the issue.
"Never mind. Let’s not talk about this."
Currently, aside from Lady Gemini, the only one capable of reading ancient incantations and successfully casting them was Astrid Calliste before her. Perhaps, when the heavens bestowed this talent, they also took something in return, such as the abundant mental energy reserves she should have naturally possessed.
"If I remember correctly, Elizabeth Academy of Magic will break for holidays in two weeks. Little Astr is currently in the first semester of third year; after winter break, you’ll enter the second semester."
"At this point, you should start considering graduation requirements."
To graduate from Elizabeth Academy of Magic, students must fulfill one of the following three conditions in addition to passing the final exam.
First, use knowledge of three-dimensional complex magical circles to create an original spell, which is then evaluated and scored by a professor.
Second, defeat both a peak tier Grand Knight and a peak tier Sorcerer simultaneously in combat, explain your offensive and defensive strategies, and achieve a passing score of at least sixty points.
Third, travel to Duke Charles’s domain and complete a six-month practical internship, followed by submitting a detailed activity report.
Naturally, completing just one of these was the bare minimum graduation requirement. To graduate with honors, becoming a distinguished graduate of Elizabeth Academy of Magic and earning the chance to stay on as an instructor, completing multiple requirements was highly recommended.
"Defeating a peak tier Grand Knight and peak tier Sorcerer should be effortless for Little Astr. Focus your efforts on developing an original spell from now on."
"This is an extremely crucial step. Only a Magnus who has created their own spell can truly grasp the path they walk."
An original spell not only effectively increased graduation scores but also served as one of a magician’s most vital trump cards. Compared to standardized spells written in textbooks, self-created spells possessed greater unpredictability and more concealed casting methods, often producing extraordinary effects in battle.
Even though Astrid already had a maid captain for protection, no one ever considered their own defensive strength excessive.
Listening to Charlotte’s earnest advice, Astrid nodded gently, replying softly.
"I understand, Lady Charlotte."
In this world of supernatural beings, even as a princess, she needed a certain level of self-defense capability. Otherwise, if some madman suddenly attacked her, all her careful preparations would be meaningless.
Just like Lucas in the original novel, never anticipating that Alistair would risk his life just to drag him off the throne, even daring to assassinate a prince in broad daylight.
Remaining vigilant during times of peace was never outdated, especially at such a sensitive juncture.
"I’m glad you understand."
Seeing the seriousness in Astrid’s expression, clearly having taken her words to heart, Charlotte relaxed slightly, a faint smile gracing her tea-colored eyes.
"Given Little Astr’s current understanding of magical circles, creating an original spell shouldn’t be difficult."
"After all, during the time I was away from the capital city, Astrid improved numerous magic-powered devices. Even some peak tier Magnus praised your inventions without reservation."
Charlotte’s words essentially meant: a university student with strong innovation skills and excellent academic performance should easily create a commendable graduation project.
And indeed, this was true.
"I’ll start thinking about my original spell once the next weekly issue is published," Astrid replied softly.
As soon as the girl finished speaking, Charlotte seemed to recall something and slowly continued.
"What about Miss Lyra? She’s in your year, shouldn’t she also be preparing for graduation exams?"
At the mention of Lyra, Astrid paused her fork mid-motion, then spoke after a brief silence.
"Mm, before coming for dinner, we visited the storage room to examine the remains of that frost dragon hatchling... Recently, she’s been researching a middle tier Magnus-grade light-element spell..."
"I’ll remind her about the graduation exams when I return."
In the original timeline, Lyra at this stage was one rank weaker, merely an early tier Magnus. Yet even then, passing the graduation exam wouldn’t have been difficult.
The biggest difference now was that, in the novel, Lyra had formed deep bonds with a group of academically struggling students. Ultimately, to ensure these companions, unable to pass the first two graduation requirements, could safely complete their assessment, the protagonist chose the third path: heading to the frontlines, which at the time was already a powder keg needing only a single spark to ignite.
Current Lyra had none of those experiences. From a normal person’s perspective, there was absolutely no need to deliberately take this relatively dangerous third route.
Whether calmly conducting academic research at the academy or sparring in practice matches with professors, it would undoubtedly be far easier than stepping onto a battlefield facing real blades and bullets.
However... if she missed battlefield trials, could Lyra truly grow into the invincible Holy Light Knight depicted in the novel?
"..."
After a long silence, Astrid drank the last sip of red wine in her glass. Charlotte also finished her meal, picking up a nearby glass of fresh lemon water with cleansing properties and sipping it delicately.
It was undeniable that, after she altered the plot, Lyra’s early life resembled that of a greenhouse flower, protected externally by the princess, supported internally by her talent. For her future to reach Arcanist status, she might still be missing something.
Some hardships were meaningless, but in the original story, Lyra’s military career had indeed brought about a tremendous transformation.
From an innocent, clueless girl, she gradually became a resilient and gentle holy knight.
Lost in thought, Astrid suddenly felt a faint touch on her forehead, as if brushed by water. The bare shoulder exposed outside her dress was lightly covered by smooth silk, sending a slight chill.
Not silk, woman’s hair.
Charlotte swept aside the dark strands falling beside her ear, leaned down, and gently kissed Astrid’s cheek, like a dragonfly skimming water. Her dress fluttered slightly with the motion, unintentionally revealing an exquisite charm.
"I’ve kissed you, Little Astr."
Within Astrid’s vision, two slender, sheer-stockinged legs swiftly straightened. Charlotte stood upright, her light tea-colored eyes carrying a hint of shyness she herself hadn’t even noticed.
The motion was too fast. By the time Astrid registered what happened, only the faint fragrance of the other woman’s body and a lingering warmth from her lips remained.
The next moment, Charlotte coughed lightly, dropped a sentence, and left the private room.
"Excuse me, I need to visit the restroom."
With that, the composed aunt who always appeared calm and collected in front of Astrid turned and walked away quickly, her silver stiletto heels clicking against the floor.