[Sometimes before the tournament]
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The secluded garden path was deserted as afternoon classes were in full swing. Vel glanced around, making sure they were truly alone before turning to Hileya.
"Let's go somewhere so no one will see us."
"Yes, young master, I know a place," Hileya responded without hesitation, already turning to lead the way.
They made their way through winding paths until reaching a forgotten corner of the Academy gardens. Overgrown flowering vines partially obscured a stone bench tucked against the wall. The air was perfumed with jasmine and honeysuckle.
"This is a path to the servant area," Hileya explained quietly, "where we wait for our masters during classes. Few students ever come this way."
Vel surveyed their surroundings with approval.
Hileya knelt down in front of Vel. "Let me hold it for you, master."
"Keep it going," Vel instructed, watching her movements intently.
Hileya's hands moved back and forth in a steady rhythm.
"Be gentle, it could get in your eyes."
Vel relaxed his muscles, letting the cool sensation flow naturally.
Two female servants passed nearby, carrying baskets of linens. They slowed their pace as they noticed the pair in the secluded corner—the young master standing close while his half-elven maid knelt before him, holding something in her hands, but it was obstructed from view. Their eyes widened.
"Almost there," Vel murmured, his concentration unwavering. "Just a little more..."
"It's much thicker than last time, master," Hileya whispered with quiet satisfaction.
"Perfect," Vel announced, stepping back with a pleased expression. "This gets better every time we do it."
The servants hurried away, whispering urgently to each other with occasional backward glances.
Hileya smiled proudly as she carefully lifted what they'd been working on all along—a perfectly chilled container of berry smoothie, its surface glistening with frost from Vel's ice magic. The frozen berries and cream had blended into a smooth, pale pink mixture.
"The consistency is perfect this time," Hileya observed, admiring the smooth texture. "Adding the ice magic gradually really does make a difference."
"Let's surprise Celia," Vel replied, completely unaware of the impression they might have given to passersby. "It's her special day after all."
The two departed the secluded garden, leaving behind only a faint scent of berries and the whispered rumors that would soon spread through the servant quarters about young Master Novalance and his private "activities" with his half-elven maid.
---
[One day before the first match]
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Vel sat in the grand library of the academy, fingers wrapped around his chin, back leaned against the chair. His eyes stared into the distance, the other students around him might as well not exist—even Tomas sitting right beside him.
YOU ARE READING
GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation
FantasyWhen renowned game developer Giri meets his untimely end, he awakens as twelve-year-old Vel in the magical realm of Aeonalus-his own creation. Five hundred years have passed since he crafted the world, and Vel finds himself in the village of Oakhave...
