Chapter 284: S rank?!

The door creaked softly as it opened and Dhayun stepped out first as Eira followed close behind.

Brandon, who had been standing against the wall with his hands clenched nervously, saw her and immediately rushed forward.

"Noona." His murmured as he reached for her hand without hesitation.

Dhayun looked down at his hand holding hers, "Woonie..."

Eira smiled faintly at the sight, giving Dhayun’s other hand a small squeeze before releasing it, stepping aside as if to silently say this is between you two now.

Brandon let out a soft sigh "I’m sorry, Noona... I didn’t want to hurt you. I just-"

Dhayun raised her hand and brushed his cheek with her fingertips "...You really are reckless, Woonie."

Brandon lowered his head, guilt flickering across his features.

Behind them, Eira leaned against the doorframe and watched them with a smile.

"Don’t be so harsh on him, Sister," Eira said softly, stepping closer.

"He’s not forcing anyone... we chose him too. And now it’s your turn to decide if you want to step away or... step in."

Dhayun’s chest rose and fell heavily.

She looked at Brandon again "...Damn you, Woonie,"

Her hands rose and cupped his cheeks, and before Brandon could even think, her lips pressed against his lips.

His eyes softened as the warmth of her trembling kiss reached him.

Slowly, he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her back, answering her unspoken feelings.

When at last their lips parted, a faint line of breath connected them, and Dhayun lowered her forehead to his shoulder, hiding her flustered face.

Brandon held her close, silently tightening his embrace.

Behind them, Eira’s smile widened and she stepped forward, her arms circling around both of them.

"See?" Eira whispered, pressing her cheek against Dhayun’s shoulder, hugging them both tightly. "You don’t have to fight it anymore."

Dhayun let out a shaky laugh, muffled by Brandon’s chest, and raised one hand to brush Eira’s arm as if to acknowledge her.

Brandon’s heart swelled as he felt the warmth of both women holding onto him.

"Haa..."

---

"Uff... yes, dear, right there..."

Elize’s voice carried a mixture of relief and bliss as she lay sprawled across the sofa with her cheek pressed against a plush cushion.

Standing atop Elize’s back with careful balance, Dhayun pressed her heel downward, massaging her back.

"Now, to the left..." Elize muttered breathlessly, her voice muffled against the pillow.

Obliging, Dhayun shifted her weight, dragging the curve of her arch across Elize’s back before pressing down on the spot just beneath her shoulder blade.

"Haaargh..." Elize groaned as her entire body melted into the sofa. "Yes, this feels so good."

On the nearby armchair, Brandon sat with one leg folded over the other.

his phone vibrated in his palm, pulling his attention back from Dhayun and saw the new message pop up from Florence.

He read her words carefully and his lips quirked faintly at her familiar flirtatious tone.

Brandon typed slowly with his thumb, pausing now and then.

He chuckled softly under his breath at Florence’s latest remark before replying.

Elize shifted slightly, sighing again as Dhayun pressed harder into a knot near her spine.

"Mmm, you’re my savior..." She sighed, arching like a cat beneath the pressure. "If I’d known you were this good at this, I’d have demanded this sooner."

Dhayun just giggled and continued massaging with her feet.

At this time, Brandon received a notification from Naevora and he smiled faintly.

---

*knock* *knock*

Hearing a knock on the door, Naevora, who was sitting in her room stood up and reached the door.

Opening it, she saw Brandon standing outside "Brandon..."

He closed the distance in an instant and wrapped his arms tightly around her.

His sudden weight pushed her backward and her balance tipped "Eh, wait-"

With a soft *thud*, Naevora stumbled and landed on the floor, her long legs folding awkwardly beneath her.

"Ah-damn brat..." she hissed and was about to scold him.

But he didn’t let go.

Instead, Brandon buried his face into the crook of her neck, "...I missed you, Naevora."

Naevora blinked, staring down at the boy who clung to her.

She was about to smack him lightly on the head for hugging her so recklessly.

But all of that melted away as she felt the steady hug and the warmth of his cheek pressed against her skin.

For a moment, she just sat there in silence, listening to the steady thump of his heart against her chest.

Slowly, a sigh slipped past her lips.

"...Idiot," She adjusted herself, sitting more properly on the floor, and let one hand slide gently up his back.

Her fingers brushed through his messy hair as she leaned her cheek against the top of his head.

"I also missed you, brat."

Her voice was quieter this time, carrying an emotion she rarely allowed to surface.

She chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Barging into my room, knocking me down, clinging to me like a child... Do you think you can just throw yourself at me whenever you feel like it?"

"Yes," Brandon replied instantly, his voice muffled against her neck.

Naevora blinked before laughing under her breath, "Haaah... unbelievable."

She tilted her head back, staring at the ceiling as if asking the gods why she ended up tied to a boy like this.

But her hand never left his hair.

Her body, her aura, everything about her, which was usually so disciplined and untouchable, was unguarded now.

She let out a soft sigh and when she looked down at him, she saw him brushing his face against her breasts.

She facepalmed herself and bonked his head "You pervert..."

Unbothered, Brandon simply stretched himself out across the floor and laid his head comfortably on her thighs.

He exhaled in a content sigh, looking at the ceiling. "Haa..."

Looking at him, she asked "Where is Yve?"

He shrugged and replied "Seems like she got attached to Aunt Elize and now she is taking cooking lessons from her."

Eh? Naevora blinked in disbelief "The heck."

Brandon looked up at her and grinned "Also, soon... you will have to buy that sexy dress and wear it for me."

Upon hearing this, her face went still for a moment before asking "...Have you mastered that disc technique?"

He smiled wryly and replied "Well, not yet... but soon."

"Mmhm." She pinched his nose again for good measure. "First finish it; after that you can see me in that sexy dress."

Rubbing his nose, he nodded "Alright, alright."

Her gaze condensed "Also, i heard what happened in the rupture... you are an A rank awakener now."

Upon hearing this, he closed his eyes "Yeah..."

Naevora tilted her head as her expression turned more serious. "That means your body has changed, Brandon. Your core can store more ether now, and you can circulate and sustain it for longer periods. But..." she trailed off, poking his cheek with her finger,

"...your body isn’t keeping up. It’s backlogging, lagging behind your core’s growth. That’s dangerous."

He opened one eye, looking up at her, "...Dangerous how?"

Her lips pressed into a thin line "If you keep pushing ether through a body that isn’t conditioned to handle the flow, your veins, muscles, even your bones will suffer."

"You will tear yourself apart from the inside out. An A-rank core is powerful, but it’s also a burden if the vessel carrying it isn’t tempered."

Brandon frowned, realizing the weight of her words "So... what? More training?"

Naevora gave a faint smirk, though her eyes carried that strict glint she always had when it came to his development "Not just more training. You need to be tempered in real combat against things that push you beyond your limits."

"Spars won’t cut it anymore. Your growth is accelerating, and if I don’t raise your body to match that growth, you’ll plateau- and worse, you’ll collapse."

Her fingers gently threaded through his hair as she said the next part, "Tomorrow, we’re going to an S-rank dungeon."

His eyes shot open, and he bolted upright, nearly knocking his forehead into her chin "Wait- What?! S-rank?!"

Naevora leaned back slightly, amused at his reaction, "Yes. S-rank."

Brandon stared at her like she had just told him to walk into a dragon’s den with a wooden stick. "That’s insane! Do you know what kind of monsters lurk in S-rank dungeons?!"

Naevora shrugged "Of course I know. I’ve cleared dozens of them. And that’s why I’m taking you there. With me at your side, you’ll live. More importantly, you’ll learn."

"The environment, the monsters, the ether density- it’s exactly what your body needs to adjust to the strain of A-rank."

She reached out and flicked his forehead, hard enough to make him flinch "So stop whining. Did you forget who I am?"

He rubbed his forehead, scowling "...No, I didn’t. How could I? You never let me."

Her lips curved into a smile "You’ll be under my wing. And I’m not about to let my student die before he even learns how to stand properly on his own two feet. Besides..." she leaned closer, her breath brushing his ear.

"...I trust you can handle it."

He let out a heavy sigh, dragging a hand down his face "...You’re insane."

Naevora chuckled softly, tilting her head as she looked at him "Thank you."

Brandon sat back, groaning, but then glanced at her again "...So tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow. Rest well tonight. You’ll need every ounce of strength."

Brandon’s lips twitched into a bitter smile. "Somehow, I feel like I won’t be sleeping peacefully at all..."