It's Always Like This

In Nanako's bedroom, on the soft large bed.

Nanako sat on the fluffy mattress, her small face flushed pink, her eyes slightly flickering with an especially shy expression.

Her tiny body fidgeted as she sat there, her ahoge (cowlick) swishing back and forth vigorously.

Lynn said sternly: "Master, hurry up and lie down. It'll be harder if we wait, and it really won't hurt."

Nanako's face turned bright red as she said: "But... but that position is really embarrassing... and doing it from behind and all..."

Lynn took a deep breath and said: "Master... it's really fine, trust me, it'll be over with just one pop..."

Nanako squirmed, blushing as she said: "But Master has never done this before... and that thing... it's so hot... I don't like it..."

ヽ(｀⌒´)ノ!

This is driving me crazy!

Lynn couldn't take it anymore, holding the cupping jar and matches in his hands, he said in exasperation:

"It's just cupping therapy, only cupping therapy! It's just to draw out the cold from your body, that's all it is!"

"Also, Master, could you please stop making those expressions?! People might get the wrong idea about what I'm doing to you!"

Furious!

Furious!

"Okay, okay! Disciple, don't be so fierce!"

Nanako resigned herself, pouting as she flopped down on the bed like a dead fish, hugging her pillow with a look of complete despair in her eyes.

Lynn shook his head in frustration.

He skillfully took out the magic powder, sprinkled it into the cupping jar, and lit the match.

Then he positioned it in place.

Pop—

"Eep—" Nanako's eyes immediately went wide, and she instinctively bit down on her ponytail.

Lynn shook his head and said with dead-fish eyes: "About ten minutes. I'll do a few more cups for Master, and the cold will come out quickly."

They had been back at Winter Spring Valley for several days now.

During this time, many things had happened outside, but most had little to do with them.

Basically, the day after they left, Winter Spring Valley and various major powers from the continent had sent many representatives to Moonlily City to investigate the demon invasion incident.

The specific details after that were unknown.

However, based on the news released over these past few days, it was generally considered to be a miracle manifested by the divine.

Though surely many people still didn't believe it.

But that had nothing to do with them anymore.

After experiencing the battle with that demon warlock, Nanako deeply felt her own weakness.

So after returning to Winter Spring Valley, she immediately wanted to attempt to break through to forbidden spells and master more powerful frost magic.

And the result...

Was completely predictable.

She was thoroughly backlashed, her magical energy reversed, her body invaded by cold, and she would definitely be weak for several days.

"Don't move around, there are still a few cups to go, it'll be done soon!"

"Oh! (｡･ω･｡)" said Nanako.

Pop—

"Eep—"

Pop—

"Ugh—"

Pop—

"That hurts!!"

Finally, after seven or eight cups.

Nanako lay powerlessly on her pillow, little stars spinning above her head, completely exhausted. Even her ahoge had drooped down. With an unfocused gaze, she mumbled:

"My body feels so empty..."

[Of course it does! How foolish, you stupid Master, you're only a city-level mage right now! Why are you trying to practice forbidden spells for no reason?!]

[There are still king-level mages above city-level, trying to jump two ranks to reach forbidden spell mage level, who besides the protagonist could achieve that?!]

[Do you think you're a genius like me, your disciple?]

[As expected, loli Master is as unreliable as ever!]

Lynn thought with frustration.

Nanako's ahoge snapped up angrily with a pop.

No...

Don't look down on Master!

Master will punish you!

But because her body was too weak, she could only lie there, unable to discipline her disciple even though she wanted to.

But then she deflated, blowing at her bangs as she mumbled:

"Nanako wants to become stronger too, but it's not that simple. Even though I'm a city-level mage, I still feel too weak..."

She immediately recalled the scene from her battle with the demon warlock.

That feeling of powerlessness made her feel very dejected.

Although she was already an executive of Winter Spring Valley, but still... but still...

And just then, Lynn's thoughts echoed in her mind.

[Sigh, let's go with the Ice Sorrow Meditation Technique. Although it's only a king-level technique, it should be enough for Master to practice with.]

Nanako's ahoge instantly stood straight up.

Her attention immediately focused behind her.

[I guess I'm too soft-hearted after all, I can't stand seeing the blue-haired loli so depressed, I'll help a little bit.]

[But how can I guide Master without making her suspicious of me? This is really quite a headache...]

After hearing this, Nanako's eyes went wide.

What!!

Disciple... he wants to help Master increase her strength!!

How touching is this?

Ice Sorrow Meditation Technique... I remember now, that's indeed a king-level technique!

But I'm only at city-level now, even if I got that technique, I wouldn't be able to use it!

As an executive of Winter Spring Valley, she naturally knew this very well.

Because this secret manual was in Winter Spring Valley's magic library.

So even if her disciple got her this meditation technique, it wouldn't be of much use to her...

"Master, time for porridge."

Lynn, completely unaware that his thoughts had been overheard, picked up the bowl, gently blew on it, scooped up a spoonful of hot porridge, and opened his mouth saying:

"Aah—"

"Aahm!" Nanako opened her mouth wide, glanced at Lynn, then ate it in one bite.

"You need to keep the blanket on and rest well, don't try practicing forbidden spells again these next few days!" Lynn said while blowing on the hot porridge:

"Otherwise, your condition will get worse!"

"I know!" Nanako moved her ahoge in annoyance.

Always saying the same thing...

Really now!

I'm supposed to be the Master here!

Why is it that every time I fall ill, I have to be taken care of like a child by my disciple?

It's really quite irritating!

Rather than this, I'd rather listen in more on his thoughts about that technique from earlier!

Nanako grumbled.

Then she wiggled like a caterpillar about ten centimeters towards the headboard.

She reached out to grab the ice cream cone on the bedside table.

Smack—

Lynn hit her small hand with the soup spoon.

"Ouch!"

"No eating cold things." Lynn said sternly: "Eating cold things now will only increase the cold in your body. Master, do you not want to recover quickly?"

Nanako held her reddened hand with o(╥﹏╥)o and said: "I know, I know, I won't eat it! Don't use such a stern voice!"

[Unbelievable, you've already made yourself like this, yet you still won't take proper care of your body!]

[You're so casual about being sick, but every time it's me who worries about you, you know?!]

[If things get worse, (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻, I'll knock you out tonight and use a forbidden-level healing spell, I'll bring you back even if you explode!]

Nanako's eyes widened, about to grind her teeth.

But she suddenly froze.

W-worried...