Lord Chen and Utaha Kasumigaoka didn't walk all the way back; halfway there, Lord Chen couldn't resist showing off his abilities and teleported her back.
In just the blink of an eye, Utaha Kasumigaoka found herself back in Lord Chen's room, a surreal feeling that made her gasp in astonishment.
"Is this... magic?"
"Isn't it amazing?" Lord Chen asked proudly, hands on his hips.
"Amazing..." Utaha Kasumigaoka walked around lightly, surveying the room, confirming she wasn't hallucinating.
She stepped on the floor, touched the bed, and the wardrobe, the desk—all were tangible. The scent in the room was also so familiar.
Lord Chen watched her with amusement from the side; this was the reaction a normal person should have, the reaction he wanted to see.
Unlike that perverted little dragon, Tohru, who only thought about that kind of thing and didn't cooperate with him after being satisfied.
"How did you do that?" Utaha Kasumigaoka finally believed she wasn't hallucinating. She leaned closer to Lord Chen, asking excitedly.
"You should understand, this is magic related to space," Lord Chen replied simply.
Although Utaha Kasumigaoka was just an ordinary person, as a modern person, she knew a lot.
"So that's it, this is spatial magic? I never thought I'd experience it firsthand... You really aren't an ordinary person."
"...Why are you still doubting me now?" Lord Chen shook his head helplessly.
"Well, there's nothing I can do, you haven't shown me any special abilities."
"Isn't Tohru's identity enough?"
"That's Tohru, not you," Utaha Kasumigaoka retorted with a smile.
"Alright then..."
"Don't talk about that, it's not important. I'm asking you, is there any way for me to learn magic?" Utaha Kasumigaoka asked, eyes sparkling with anticipation, her hands clenched into fists in front of her like a little girl.
Lord Chen couldn't help but laugh; her reaction was entirely within his expectations. It would be strange if a normal person wasn't interested after witnessing real magic.
"I'm not sure, but we can try."
Lord Chen planned to first let Utaha Kasumigaoka try to cultivate magic power. If she could cultivate magic power, then magic would naturally be usable.
The magic that Fafnir taught him only required magic power, and if Utaha Kasumigaoka knew a little magic, he would feel more at ease in this world.
"Really?" Utaha Kasumigaoka was incredibly excited.
"Why would I lie to you? But don't get your hopes up too much; be prepared for the possibility that you might not be able to learn it," Lord Chen reminded her.
"I understand." Utaha Kasumigaoka's expression became serious.
She suddenly felt a little worried that she wouldn't be able to learn it.
"Haha~" Lord Chen looked at her amusedly and comforted her, "Don't worry, even if you can't learn it, I'll help you find other methods."
"Lord Chen..." Utaha Kasumigaoka's nervous mood relaxed considerably. Overwhelmed with excitement, she couldn't help but open her arms and hug Lord Chen.
Soft fragrance instantly filled his embrace, and Lord Chen, not one to be shy, naturally returned the hug.
Utaha Kasumigaoka's figure was truly excellent, tall and well-proportioned. Lord Chen clearly felt the soft pressure against his front, and his nose caught the pleasant scent of her hair.
"Why the sudden embrace?" Lord Chen teased.
"Ugh... This is just my thanks to you, as... as a reward for teaching me magic! Yes, that's it!" Utaha Kasumigaoka realized what she had done and explained with a slightly embarrassed defense.
"That good?"
"Hmph~ Don't overthink it, it's just that you happen to be my first fan, so you get this special treatment. I'm not the kind of woman who just throws herself into someone's arms out of gratitude," Utaha Kasumigaoka explained further.
"I see, I understand." Lord Chen chuckled softly, not exposing her.
"Alright, that's enough... Quickly, let go of me!" Utaha Kasumigaoka wanted to quit while she was ahead, but then she realized she was being held tightly by Lord Chen, his arms around her back remarkably strong.
"That won't do," Lord Chen refused decisively. "Ending it so soon, isn't this reward a bit too little?"
"You... how long do you want to hug?" Utaha Kasumigaoka asked nervously, her head lowered, not daring to look at him.
The close proximity of his scent, and that broad, warm embrace, she could already feel her cheeks starting to flush.
"Let me think..." Lord Chen replied slowly. "Magic, that kind of thing, is definitely very valuable, and you still owe me a hug from earlier. At least a day's hug wouldn't be excessive, right?"
"A day's hug? You wish! And when did I ever owe you anything?" Utaha Kasumigaoka retorted angrily.
"You didn't? At the school gate, the hug was swapped for holding hands."
"I never agreed to that!"
"Then I don't care." Lord Chen started to act shamelessly.
"Well, I don't care about you either! Let go of me!" Utaha Kasumigaoka began to struggle.
Unfortunately, it was no use; Lord Chen had no intention of letting her go so quickly.
"Just a little longer, alright?"
Utaha Kasumigaoka stopped struggling, looked up, and asked him, "...How long are you planning to hug?"
"Hmm... Until Tohru and the others find us?" Lord Chen also lowered his head, meeting her gaze.
"What do you mean 'until they find us'... It's not like it's something scandalous," Utaha Kasumigaoka pouted.
"That's what I mean."
"Then it should be hard for them to find us, right?"
"Not necessarily."
"Hmm?"
Thump, thump, thump~
Responding to Utaha Kasumigaoka's question were footsteps coming from the stairs outside. Immediately after, Tohru appeared at the doorway.
"Lord Chen, you're back! And Poetry Feather."
"Yes, we're back." Lord Chen voluntarily released Utaha Kasumigaoka.
Tohru's sudden appearance made Utaha Kasumigaoka a little embarrassed. With her back to Tohru, she grumbled, "What do you mean 'and me'? Am I just an afterthought?"
"It's good enough that I greeted you; you're still being picky," Tohru replied disdainfully.
"You..." Utaha Kasumigaoka was no longer in the mood to be shy. She turned around and glared at Tohru.
Tohru ignored her, and also paid no attention to the scene of Lord Chen and Utaha Kasumigaoka hugging just moments before. She came to Lord Chen's side, wrapped her arms around his arm, and said as if feeling guilty, "Lord Chen, there's something I need to tell you."
"What is it?"
"It's just..." Tohru hesitated.
"Why are you being so formal with me?" Lord Chen smiled and ruffled her hair. "Just say it freely."
"I understand... It's just that I have a friend who has come, and she might need to stay here temporarily," Tohru said, beaming, leaning against his hand.
"Tohru's friend?"
"Well, not exactly a friend, just someone I know... No, it's a dragon."
"So, a dragon like Tohru."
"Yes, but much younger than me."
"Is it well-behaved?"
"With me here, she will be well-behaved. She's a female dragon, just like me."
"Then let's go see her."
"She's downstairs right now. I'll take Lord Chen." Tohru held onto Lord Chen's arm and dragged him towards the door.
"Wait, I'm coming too!" Utaha Kasumigaoka quickly followed.
"No, what are you coming for?" Tohru glanced back at her.
"What for? If your companion is also staying here, wouldn't that make us all family? Why can't I come along?" Utaha Kasumigaoka retorted, annoyed.
"I guess so..."
"Hmph!"
"Alright, alright, you two stop arguing. Why are you two still like this after so long?" Lord Chen interjected to mediate.
"Lord Chen, I've been very good to her. I make all three meals, and I even remind her to sleep at night, but she tries to steal Lord Chen's bed from me every day!" Tohru complained, tattling.
"Hmm?" Lord Chen blinked, looking at Utaha Kasumigaoka.
"How could you..."
Utaha Kasumigaoka's face visibly reddened. She pouted, "How could you just blurt that out!"
"What's wrong? Is it something that can't be said?" Tohru asked blankly.
"..."
"Hehe~ Quickly tell me what happened." Lord Chen's lips curved upward.