Chapter 3
Chapter 3: Our Master-Servant Contract
Inside Cynthia’s office, heavy curtains were half-drawn, letting in a few rays of amber light that added an ambiguous atmosphere to the room.
She stood before Xien, her gaze openly roaming over his body as if appraising a precious work of art.
Her lips curved in a playful smile.
Cynthia raised her hand, her fingertips lightly tracing over Xien’s hand, carrying subtle probing.
Her movements seemed casual but were full of purpose.
Xien’s fingers trembled slightly but didn’t pull away, stiffly allowing her to hold them.
Cynthia’s lips curved in a faint smile, her gaze falling on Xien’s face as if appreciating his current discomfort.
“Your hands are cold.”
She said softly, her voice carrying lazy teasing.
Xien’s ears reddened slightly, his eyes evasive, not daring to meet her gaze.
His body was taut as a drawn bowstring, ready to snap at any moment.
Cynthia paid no mind, instead becoming bolder as she threaded her fingers between his, interlocking them.
Her spiritual power was soothed the moment they made contact, like parched earth moistened by clear springs.
However, this soothing sensation was far from the extreme pleasure she’d experienced when her spiritual power was near collapse and she’d touched Xien.
That feeling had been unprecedented, creating an instinctive desire to immerse herself in it.
At that time, with one hand holding Xien’s and the other gripping her sword, she’d felt like the ruler of the battlefield—the magical beasts that had cornered her no longer posed the slightest threat.
Cynthia frowned slightly, mentally speculating.
Perhaps because her spiritual power was currently stable, the effect wasn’t as intense as before.
But this didn’t stop her actions; rather, her curiosity was completely aroused.
She released Xien’s hand and stepped forward, placing both hands lightly on his shoulders.
“Lady Cynthia…”
Xien’s body jerked, instinctively stepping back half a pace, only to be firmly held in place by Cynthia.
Her grip wasn’t heavy but carried irresistible authority.
“Don’t move.”
Her voice was gentle but commanding.
Xien’s Adam’s apple bobbed once, but he ultimately stopped struggling.
Cynthia’s hands slid slowly down from his shoulders, finally encircling his waist.
Her body pressed against his chest, almost feeling his rapid heartbeat.
Xien’s breathing became erratic, his cheeks flushed with a faint red, his hands hanging helplessly at his sides as if unsure where to place them.
Cynthia closed her eyes, sensing how her spiritual power changed with their close contact.
Indeed, the greater the contact area between their bodies, the more pronounced the spiritual soothing effect.
That intoxicating comfort surged through her heart again, like warm power flowing through her body, dispelling all fatigue and unease.
“Mm…”
She couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh, gently resting her head on Xien’s shoulder.
Xien’s body became even more rigid. His fingers curled slightly, seeming to want to push her away but not daring to actually do so.
His voice carried a tremor.
“Lady Cynthia… this… isn’t appropriate, is it?”
“Inappropriate? Why? Are you rejecting me?”
Cynthia lifted her head, her eyes carrying playful amusement.
Her tone was light, yet made Xien feel oppressed.
Xien lowered his head, his voice barely audible.
“I… wouldn’t dare.”
Cynthia laughed softly, her finger lightly stroking his chin, forcing him to lift his head and meet her eyes.
Her gaze was deep and probing, as if trying to see through his heart.
“Xien, do you know why I made an exception to let you, a man, join the knights?”
Her voice was low and seductive.
Xien’s throat tightened. He knew the answer but wouldn’t reveal it easily.
He hesitated, pretending to think it over, then answered quietly.
“Is it because… I saved you?”
Cynthia’s smile became more radiant. She shook her head, her finger lightly tracing his cheek like teasing a shy animal.
“No, not because of that.”
Her voice carried playful undertones.
“It’s because your constitution is very special—you can soothe my spiritual power when it’s exhausted from using magic. This is more valuable to me than your life-saving grace.”
“Special constitution? But I’ve never had any magic power since birth. I can’t even perform the most basic magical production.”
Xien feigned complete ignorance, looking at his hands and clenching his fists with apparent frustration.
“Can someone as useless as me really be of any use?”
He looked at Cynthia with clear eyes, though his heart was perfectly clear.
Due to unknown reasons, male magical aptitude in this world was less than one percent of females’. Female mages could serve as combat personnel against magical beasts, while male mages could only use simple magic to assist daily work. Over time, this formed a female-dominated society.
Xien’s original body could use some simple magic, but after being killed by magical beasts, his body was reconstructed from flesh of another world without magic. Thus he lost his meager magical power, replaced by the ability to soothe spiritual agitation.
“Of course.”
Cynthia noticed his frustration. She reached out to caress his cheek, moving closer to his ear and whispering.
“We can make a deal. You work exclusively for me, and I can give you everything you want. Power, wealth, status… just ask, and I can satisfy you.”
Her breath washed over his ear, bringing warmth that made Xien’s body tremble involuntarily.
His fingers gripped his clothes tightly, trying to stay calm.
“Lady Cynthia… I…”
“However, there are conditions. What happened today cannot be known by a third person, and you cannot touch any other female mages. Otherwise—”
Cynthia suddenly became serious, her tone stern.
“Our contract is void, and you…”
She didn’t finish, but the threat in her words was unmistakable.
A chill ran down Xien’s spine. He knew he had no choice.
He took a deep breath and nodded quietly.
“I understand, Lady Cynthia.”
Cynthia nodded with satisfaction, resuming her lazy smile.
Her finger lightly traced his lips with ambiguous seduction.
“Good. From now on, you belong to me.”
Her voice was gentle but carried undeniable possessiveness.
Complex emotions flashed in Xien’s eyes, but he simply lowered his head, allowing her to manipulate him.
Cynthia’s smile deepened. She knew she had complete control over this man.
And she would get everything she wanted from him.
Cynthia pulled Xien into her embrace again, a conqueror’s smile on her face.
Xien’s chin rested lightly on Cynthia’s shoulder, his expression completely impassive.
It seemed the first step of his plan had succeeded.