452 Actually, it’s not that much of a bother… (1/2)

Seiji didn't know what to say to this and could only reveal a helpless expression.

”Er, sorry, since it's not your fault.” Natsuya realized that she hadn't expressed herself properly upon seeing his expression, and hurriedly changed what she just said. ”It's… actually a good thing.”

”A good thing?”

”Yes, as that sensation means I'm increasing in power… that is to say, that's actually the way that your Mana manifests its power to increase the strength of your Spirit-branded Retainers,” Natsuya explained.

It had the effect of increasing her power? Wasn't this exactly like ”how girls restored magic powers” in certain anime!? Seiji's cheeks twitched upon hearing this.

”Although that feeling is… rather awkward, it's not much in exchange for the power increase I received,” Natsuya said as her face flushed red again and she averted her gaze out of embarrassment.

”I see… sorry for having bothered you with it,” Seiji smiled wryly.

”Actually, it's not that much of a bother…”

”Eh?”

”N-nothing! At any rate, one just has to bear with that feeling. You don't have to mind.” Natsuya coughed to clear her awkwardness. ”Anyways, how are you currently feeling? Do you think you can continue?”

”It doesn't seem to affect me in any way, so I think I should be able to.”

”Then, shall we continue having you contract with Hitaka right now? Or would you like to rest first?”

”No need to rest. Let's continue right away.”

And so, the red-haired girl walked to the center of the Yin-Yang diagram.

Seiji and Hitaka followed the same process from earlier and successfully completed the contracting process.

After it finished, Seiji conscientiously turned around and covered his ears in order to avoid seeing the red-haired girl's reaction.

However, rather unexpectedly, Hitaka indicated that she didn't feel anything unusual at all.

Was it different for everyone? Natsuya tilted her head slightly in contemplation.

After confirming that nothing seemed to be happening for Hitaka, she told Seiji that he didn't need to avert his gaze anymore.

”It would seem that your Mana doesn't have that effect on everyone after all.”

”Yeah… should I be happy about this?” Hitaka asked this question.

That was a rather subtle question.

”It's good that you didn't have that strange sensation. But, it seems that you weren't strengthened either, which isn't a good thing,” Natsuya told her.

”My apologies, Milady…”

”I'm not blaming you, Hitaka.”

No matter what, the contract was completed. Everyone left the spellcasting room.

After a few steps in the hallway, Hitaka suddenly felt a dense and numb warm sensation well up within her body, causing her to stop in her steps.

”Ahh~” She couldn't help but begin moaning as she was assaulted with a sudden feeling of ecstasy.

Seiji's eye twitched when he heard her moaning and reflexively turned to look at her. As expected, the red-haired girl's face was completely red and she was panting with a dazed look in her eyes…

This was such a huge difference from her typical icy self that just this one glance left Seiji with an incredibly deep impression.

”Hitaka!?”

”Milady, I feel it… Ahhh~~” Her body began trembling.

Natsuya went up to and hugged Hitaka.

Seiji speedily retracted his gaze and pretended to see nothing as he covered his ears.

It would seem that his Mana wasn't ineffective for Hitaka after all, it was just a bit late… was this a type of delayed effect?