Chapter 37 Her Presence
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Compared to her previous berserk state, Ethelena showed no major changes in appearance aside from her larger horns and wings. Yet the crackling mana snapping red sparks across her body sent a shiver down my spine.
Her glowing eyes, sharpened by the mana’s surge, locked me in place like a frog frozen under a snake’s glare. My body refused to move. Facing a predator, my instinct told me to shrink away—though in this case, I was the prey in more than one sense.
Ethelena walked toward me slowly. I hadn’t noticed before in the backlight, but she was completely naked. She must have shed the nightclothes she wore after her bath and come here as she was. If Torakuma (T/N: female roommate) had been around, she probably would have stopped her.
Step by step, her heavy breasts swayed with each motion. My eyes, free to move though my body was frozen, were naturally drawn there. Such is the curse of a man with a weakness for them.
When she reached me, Ethelena wrapped both wings around the chair where I sat, coiling her tail around my legs. She wound her arms around my neck and settled onto my lap. For once, her touch was gentle. She pressed her face into my neck, careful not to scratch me with her horns.
Almost without thinking, I reached up and stroked one of her enlarged horns. She blinked in surprise, then narrowed her eyes in delight and leaned into my hand. That was when I realized—the paralysis had lifted.
Her behavior reminded me of a pet seeking affection, like a dog or a cat. I found myself responding in kind. My hand moved across her horns, hair, wings, and tail. Each time I brushed the base of her wings or tail, her breath quickened. Those spots must have been sensitive, nerves gathered beneath thin skin.
Her naked body left nothing hidden. Her breasts had hardened, her lap damp against mine. It struck me as strange. Normally, in her berserk states, she would be overwhelming and forceful. But now, she was uncharacteristically passive, almost tender. It was the opposite of what I expected.
I recalled a game from years ago—an event under a red moon where sex sorcery was used to empower allies. The text had mentioned mana surging under the red moon. Perhaps her forwardness was influenced by something similar. Two possibilities came to mind:
(1) The red moon increased her succubus instincts beyond control.
(2) Her recent Class Up had altered her fundamentally.
It could even be both. If so, each red full moon might send her into this state. At that rate, our home would soon be overflowing with children. Not the worst fate, perhaps.
But what exactly was this “berserk” state of hers?
Before, she craved sex only to replenish her life force. After acquiring Sex Sorcery, she no longer needed to rely on me exclusively. She could draw vitality from her surroundings, and the rampages subsided. So why now?
Perhaps this wasn’t mere instinct, but something closer to her true feelings. Ethelena had admitted that from the beginning she had been drawn to me. That first attack during my level-up may not have been hunger alone, but love in its rawest form.
I remembered how she used to look displeased waking up beside me before I confessed. Not embarrassment—disappointment. After our relationship changed, she became affectionate, kissing me awake each morning. Seen that way, this current state might not be berserk at all.
If her words were true, there was a time she desired both love and children with me. But bound by her shy nature and sense of virtue, she could not bring herself to act. In her rampages, instinct stripped that restraint, revealing her deeper wishes: desire, longing, maybe even possessiveness.
Now, though, she only wanted closeness. Tender, almost innocent affection.
Or so I thought—until I felt her body had already prepared itself. Perhaps the opposite was true. Still, she wasn’t pushing me down or tearing away my clothes. That, at least, was different.
”Ethelena,” I said. “I don’t understand what this state of yours really is.”
She turned her face toward me, her eyes hazy and cheeks flushed. I worried I had misspoken, but pressed on.
”But I believe this is still only one part of you.”
I placed a hand on her shoulder, meeting her gaze. Her beauty struck me again, and I put my feelings into words.
”I love all of you. I’m sorry for being afraid at first. But I’m not anymore. I’ll accept you, every side of you.”
Then I kissed her. A brief touch of lips before pulling back. Her eyes widened, filling with tears that spilled like falling stars. Before I could wipe them away, she lunged forward, pressing her lips to mine.
It was clumsy, lacking passion, but full of raw emotion. I held her by the waist and supported her trembling body.
Maybe this state was closer to the childlike girl I had first taken in.
When she finally pulled away for breath, she looked into my eyes. I cupped her cheek and brushed away her tears. Smiling, I willed her to smile too—and she did. We met again, lips to lips, this time both seeking the other.
Still, one problem remained. For a man, kissing is already foreplay. Truth be told, I had been hard from the moment our lips touched. And with her naked on my lap, it was already difficult to resist. The fact I held back this long was an achievement in itself.
”Ethelena… it’s about time,” I muttered.
She seemed to take that as permission, moving to strip away my trousers. I had expected this. Despite already climaxing countless times before, my body was as ready as ever.
She slid off my lap, grasped my erection with both hands, and licked along its length. Her small mouth and hands struggled to handle my size. It was almost comical, like a girl trying to bite into an oversized loaf of bread. Yet it was real—and she did not stop.
Ethelena’s small frame trembled as she drew near, her face a mix of effort and strain. Her flushed cheeks, heavy with struggle, tugged at my heart—I’ve never liked seeing her in distress. I reached out to gently pull her back, but her pleading eyes caught mine, shimmering with quiet desire. My hand, meant to guide her away, instead brushed her hair softly, as if praising her determination. No, that’s not what I intended…
Ethelena’s eyes softened with joy at my touch, her efforts growing bolder as if spurred by my gesture. The warm glow of her closeness, heightened by the faint hum of Sex Magic, sent waves of feeling through me. Whether it was the magic sharpening my senses or her nearness overwhelming me, the intensity surged too quickly, and I was swept away in a rush of emotion far sooner than I expected.
”Ethelena, I can’t hold back!”
The words slipped out as the wave of feeling peaked, wrapping us both in its warmth.
Ethelena eased back slightly, catching her breath, the moment leaving its mark on her—her hair and skin gleaming as if touched by the glow of our connection. She seemed to cherish it, her expression dreamy as she traced a finger along her cheek, savoring the moment’s intensity with quiet, almost sacred grace.
That’s the essence of a Succubus, I thought, watching her bask in the afterglow. Still, leaving her like this could spell trouble when her senses return. I was already planning another bath when Ethelena leaned in again, her lips grazing my skin with renewed passion, drawing me back into her enchantment.
Caught off guard by her sudden move, I let out a soft groan. Ethelena, undeterred, continued with a focus that felt almost ceremonial, as if purifying the moment with her touch. Her eyes met mine, bright with pride, as if she’d crafted something pure from our shared intensity.
Her attention reignited the fire within me. Sex Magic must have worked its charm, restoring my energy, because the urge to continue was too strong to ignore.
Ethelena tilted her head, a flicker of confusion in her eyes as if expecting praise, but my mind was consumed by the need to be closer. I pulled her into my arms, the heat of her body against mine overwhelming all hesitation. She stiffened briefly, surprised, but I pressed forward, lost in the rhythm of our bond. Ethelena’s breath hitched, her body arching as the moment carried us both.
Rational thought faded, replaced by a single drive to be one with her. Ethelena clung to me, her face a mix of overwhelmed emotion—tears and breathless gasps blending as the intensity pushed her past her limits. A dark, primal urge in me surged, urging me to deepen our connection with every motion. Her voice, reduced to soft, wordless sounds, only fueled my resolve, and I surrendered fully to the moment.
The rush was overwhelming, a flood of sensation that felt endless. Ethelena trembled in sync with me, her body responding as if drawing every ounce of our bond into her. The magic between us heightened every feeling, as if our souls were entwined, pulling us deeper into the moment.
I pressed a gentle bite to her neck, marking her with affection—a gesture she often used to claim me. It felt right, a way to show my love in this shared dance of closeness.
Ethelena mirrored me, her teeth grazing my skin, leaving her own mark. Her hand rested tenderly on her stomach, as if cherishing the bond we’d forged. Even if the magic within her might absorb the traces of our moment, her gentle touch spoke of a deeper hope—one I couldn’t help but share.
Our closeness has grown lately, and I wonder if we’re rushing toward something bigger. Could I be a father? The thought weighs heavy with doubt. I’ve never raised a child or known what it means to nurture one like my parents did for me. Could I love a child the way they deserve?
A sharp, earthy scent pulled me back to reality—the lingering trace of our connection in the air. We’d need to air out the room and clear the remnants. Ethelena, too, would need cleansing before her senses fully returned, or we’d both face her wrath—me physically, her emotionally.
With that thought, I carried Ethelena to the bath, her body relaxed in my arms, trusting and soft. I washed her gently, rinsing away the traces of our moment, then cleaned myself. A soak in warm water would soothe us both, preparing us for rest.
At least, that’s what I thought would happen.
The shower started normally, washing away the traces of our bond. But as the water cleared, Ethelena’s eyes sparkled with mischief. Before I could react, she spread a playful mat beneath us and pushed me down, her confidence taking over as she leaned over me.
Her touch was electric, teasing and precise, drawing a reaction I couldn’t hide. “Ethelena, where did you learn this?” I gasped, half-laughing, as her warmth wrapped around me in a way that felt both new and deeply familiar.
Her movements were natural, a graceful dance of Succubus charm that sent shivers through me. The sensation was intense, her touch both soft and commanding, and I couldn’t help but give in, my voice betraying my surrender.
We’d just cleaned ourselves, yet here we were, caught in the heat of another moment. Ethelena’s smile was radiant, her eyes gleaming with pride at the effect she had on me. I felt exposed, vulnerable, but her warmth made it impossible to care.
Noticing my flushed face, Ethelena leaned closer, concern flickering in her gaze. Before I could reassure her, she pressed herself against me, her touch both comforting and teasing, as if daring me to keep up. “Ethelena, where do you get these ideas?” I muttered, half-lost in the sensation.
Her closeness was overwhelming, her warmth nearly stealing my breath. Every move she made was deliberate, sparking feelings that left me dizzy. I tried to shift, to catch my breath, but she read my movements, keeping me locked in her rhythm.
Her teasing pushed me to the edge, and I couldn’t hold back a sound of surrender. In that moment, my lips brushed against her, drawing a soft gasp from her in return. The shift broke the spell just enough for me to breathe again, a lucky accident that left us both laughing softly.
I focused on her, letting my touch mirror hers. Her reactions grew stronger, her voice rising in a sweet melody of delight. The balance shifted, and I felt a surge of confidence. Her embrace tightened, as if holding me close, and I wondered if she saw this as practice for a future we might share—a thought that felt tender yet out of place.
My hand found her, exploring the softness that gave under my touch. A gentle press drew a gasp from her, her sensitivity matching mine. A flicker of frustration stirred—she sometimes treated me like a child, but I wanted more. “Ethelena,” I thought, “we’re partners. I don’t just want your love—I want to share it, to build something together.” The ring on my finger felt heavier, a reminder of the promise we made to face the future as equals.
I pulled away from Ethelena’s warmth, sitting up to press my lips to hers. She shook her head, reluctant to move from our closeness, but I gently held her chin and deepened the kiss. At first, she hesitated, but soon our breaths mingled, blending in a soft, sticky sound that echoed in the bathroom. Ethelena’s voice was quiet, muffled by the moment.
Eventually, Ethelena pulled her face away, looking down with a soft, sobbing sound. I’d pushed too hard, too fast. Her instincts, so strong in this state, might make her cry from the stress of my actions clashing with her desires.
While I was lost in thought, Ethelena had already moved to straddle me.
Her speed surprised me, but with the gap in our quickness, it’s no wonder I couldn’t keep up.
While I tried to make sense of it, almost escaping reality, Ethelena lowered herself. The warm, tight sensation sent a shiver of pleasure up my spine. I let out a soft groan as she pressed my shoulders, guiding me to lie flat on the floor.
Ethelena gazed down at me, her eyes teary, moving her hips skillfully while keeping me still, as if she didn’t want me to act. What was driving her to do this?
”…I,”
Words spilled from Ethelena’s lips. Until now, she’d never spoken in this wild state.
”I… will be Tatara’s mother!”
For a second, my mind blanked. What was she saying? If anything, I wanted her as my wife, not my mother. But she pressed on, words spilling out with raw pain.
”Tatara was lonely! He cried inside! So I will become your mother and make that loneliness go away!”
”…No, Ethelena. I want you to be my partner, my wife. That’s the life I want with you.”
She shook her head stubbornly, eyes shining with a distorted tenderness. “If Tatara ever returns to being that lonely child, it will be okay—because I’ll protect him! I’ll be the mother he lost!”
Her voice cracked. Even as her body sought me in earnest, the truth of her words hit deeper than anything physical. This wasn’t some strange fetish—it was her heart, trying to rewrite the hurt she had seen in me.
”Ethelena…” I said softly, straining to keep my voice steady despite the intensity between us. “I don’t need you to take that role. Just being here beside me, as yourself, is enough.”
She faltered at my words, her face shifting from desperation to something gentler. For a moment I thought I had reached her.
Then she clung tighter, whispering: “If I bear your child… if I bring you into me… then I can truly become your mother.”
I almost laughed at the absurdity, but her eyes told me it wasn’t a joke. It was the only way she could frame her need to protect me, to give back for everything I had given her. The words were twisted, but the feeling was real.
”Ethelena, listen,” I said, pulling her closer. “You’ve been protecting me all along. From the moment you came into my life, you’ve given me a reason to be myself. If not for you, I might have disappeared into nothing but my skills.”
Her trembling slowed. She covered her face with both hands, crying softly. “…Really? I was… protecting you?”
I gently pulled her hands away so I could see her face—red, wet with tears, messy as a child’s. I kissed her lightly, then looked into her eyes. “Yes. Always.”
”Yeah.”
Her eyes softened. “Then… it’s okay if I’m not your mother, but your wife instead?”
”Of course. I already proposed to you. Be confident in that.”
”…But I still want to give you my milk.”
”…Wait, that part was serious?”
I buried my face in one hand. That so-called “play” wasn’t just instinct—it was her own wish. Her desires ran deeper than I expected.
”I’ll go along with as much as I can,” I sighed. “But at least tell me first so I can be prepared.”
Compromise. That was all I could do. I’d put up with nursing play if it made her happy… even if it felt like it was grinding down my dignity.
”And one more thing,” she added.
”Yeah?”
”Let’s make lots of babies.”
”…Alright.”
”So you’ll never be lonely again, Tatara. I’ll give birth to as many as it takes.”
I nodded, but added firmly, “Your body comes first. Birth is dangerous, no matter what. Even if it doesn’t happen, just being with you is enough for me.”
Succubi were said to have easy births—an adaptation to keep their bloodline alive even with frail bodies. I remembered an Archangel explaining that in class. Still, “low risk” didn’t mean “no risk.” Better to worry too much than too little.
”And also…”
”Mm? What else?”
I had let my guard down. Her childish innocence made me forget, if only for a moment, that her nature was succubus at its core.
”Tatara, give me all your desire.”
Her voice struck me like a spell. A powerful charm, a binding command. My vision dimmed, and thought slipped away.
What I remembered after was fragmented. Rough embraces. Shouting her name again and again. My own jealousy, possessiveness, pouring out unrestrained. And Ethelena, who at first looked confident, reduced to nothing but moaning my name while moving with me until dawn.
Succubus Sex Sorcery was terrifying. By the end, I must have released thirty times—maybe more. I prayed I hadn’t actually reached fifty. In the end we collapsed together, still holding on, and fell asleep.
In my dreams, I met Baral again. I thought he would kill me for what I had done to his daughter. Instead, he patted my back and told me I’d had it rough. I cried, even in the dream.
When I woke, it was still early. Barely two hours of rest, yet I felt strangely refreshed. My body was clean, though messy traces still clung to us both. I left her sleeping, showered, changed clothes, and started preparing breakfast. Despite the “battle” until dawn, today was still a school day. After class, Tatia would come by to work on her armor, and I also needed to fetch Torakuma, since the city mayor had finished the paperwork for her stay at our home.
The house was about to get lively. That thought, surprisingly, filled me with excitement.
Once breakfast was ready, I returned to wake Ethelena. She was still wrapped in blankets, sleeping peacefully. I couldn’t help but smile as I gently shook her shoulder.
”Come on, wake up. It’s a school day.”
”…Nnnh… morning already?” she mumbled, sounding like a child. But I could tell this was her true self, not the rampaging state from last night.
”Breakfast is ready. Go wash up.”
”…Okay…”
She crawled out from the sheets. Her horns were back to their small form, her succubus power diminished. But her chest… was clearly larger than before.
”Eh… wah!?”
She stumbled and nearly fell face-first onto the mattress. For someone as graceful and athletic as her, it was bizarre.
”…My breasts got bigger!?”
Her shocked cry filled the room. She hadn’t noticed her hair had grown too, long again like when we first met.
”And this… is Tatara’s room!? Did you drag me in here for experiments!?”
”Come on, give me some credit. I didn’t invent anything weird, and I definitely didn’t test it on you.”
That kind of thing was more for some other protagonist in an ero-game. Not me.
”…But I swear I went back to my room last night…”
”Class Up or the red moon—something triggered it. You lost control and attacked me again.”
”…No way…”
She buried her face in her hands. I thought of explaining more, but held back. Pushing her now might only make it worse.
”Hey, Ethelena—” I leaned closer and kissed her quickly on the lips. Five seconds of warmth before pulling away.
Her face flushed red as she stared back at me.
”Good morning.”
”…Good morning. That was a sneak attack, Tatara.”
”You left yourself wide open.”
”…Mean.”
She pressed her forehead against my chest, sulking. I stroked her hair lightly, then nudged her toward the bathroom.
When she returned, she wore her hair in a ponytail. It suited her perfectly. I must have stared too long, because she smirked knowingly—she remembered I had once said I liked that style.
”Today after class, we’ll have to pick up Torakuma and help Tatia with her armor. But before that, we’ll need to shop for… undergarments.”
”…Yeah. Mine don’t fit at all. I think I went up two cup sizes overnight.”
”…That’s not normal.”
Probably a result of Class Up. Whatever rank she’d advanced into, her body was now even closer to the idealized form of a succubus.
”Maybe I’ll take Torakuma and Tatia with me to buy them,” she said casually.
”Good. I won’t need to come then.”
”Nope. You’re carrying the bags—and picking designs. I’ll need your opinion.”
”…That’s not just shopping. That’s you roping me into something way more embarrassing.”
She only smiled. “We’re practically married already. They’ll understand.”
I seriously doubted Tatia would. But Ethelena’s smile left me unable to argue.
And so, after our usual bickering, the two of us headed to school together. In my inventory, I carried two commissions for classmates who hadn’t picked them up yesterday. Delivering them during class would be quicker.
I handed Ethelena one of the prototype cloaks I’d been making as armor. It was supposed to hide her figure, but the way her chest strained against the fabric only made it stand out more. Still, she seemed happy with the gift, so I let it go.
On the way to school, she drew stares from every man we passed. By the time we stepped into the classroom, half the boys were gawking openly. I moved in front of her without hesitation, blocking their view. Their annoyed clicks of the tongue echoed behind me just as a familiar presence bounded over.
”Yo! You two are as lovey-dovey as ever!”
”Morning. You’re way too energetic for this hour.”
”Good morning. Thanks for today too.”
The idiot grinned, soaking up our greetings, and I decided to use the timing to get business done. I pulled two blades from my inventory and handed them to him.
”Sorry I didn’t open shop yesterday, had an expedition. Here’s your order—check it.”
”Man, you work fast! Let’s see…”
He drew the iron sword right there, eyes scanning the blade. Not a warp or chip left, the edge polished to a dull gleam.
”…Damn. This is better than when I first bought it.”
”I tuned it to your grip. Should feel more natural now.”
”No kidding. Having a Crafter around is a godsend.”
He sheathed it with a satisfied nod, then reached for the second blade—the first actual commission I’d made. His hands were tense.
”Just so you know, it’s a normal sword.”
”…Not one of your experimental monstrosities?”
”Like you’d ever handle something like that. I forged it the old-fashioned way, with my current smithing skills. Optimized to your habits, but nothing crazy.”
He drew it cautiously. The blade was thinner than the first, honed to a single edge. His breath caught.
”…A straight single-edged sword.”
”Yeah. With your style, thinner is better. Boosts sharpness while keeping durability. Try it.”
He didn’t swing, just went through basic forms, testing balance. Watching his careful checks, I could see him fighting to keep his grin down.
”…This is way better than I expected. I can’t wait to try it in drills today.”
His voice was restrained, but the excitement bled through. Coming from the top of the exploration track, that praise hit hard.
”It’s not a shop model. If you want one in steel or Demonsteel later, just order it.”
”Count on it. You really are the right guy for the job, Tatara.”
He bowed slightly as he sheathed the blade, and even a simple gesture like that looked annoyingly cool. I wanted to carry myself like that someday.
After that, class went smoothly. In common lectures, the topic was Mimic Chests. Ethelena tilted her head, realizing I already knew more than the teacher explained. No way could I admit it was all game-knowledge from a past life, so I’d have to make up an excuse later.
Then came specialization. I set up in my workshop—iron, steel, a few mana stones on the bench—and waited for the two apprentices.
Before long, hurried footsteps thundered down the hall. Too heavy and too fast to be anyone but Shamir. The door slammed open, and there she stood, drenched in sweat, chest heaving. I fished out a towel, but before I could hand it over she burst out:
”Senpai! I finished the Appraisal theory—you were right!!”
I blinked. The words sank in slowly, then spilled out of me.
”…Wait. Seriously?”
”Yes!”
Her beaming answer sent a wave of emotions through me. Pride, relief, maybe even fear. But as her senior, only one phrase fit.
”…Welcome to our side, Shamir.”
It sounded like a final boss line, but her eyes lit up. She grinned, fierce and unafraid.
”Yes! Please keep teaching me about this world!”
”Of course.”
I’d need to report this to the city mayor: Shamir had become the first Crafter besides me to master Appraisal under the Tatara Theory. That thought was still sinking in when Est appeared behind her and smacked her on the head.
”You idiot. I get that you wanted to brag, but don’t sprint full speed from class to here!”
Her sharp tone was uncharacteristic—probably ordered by the teachers themselves.
”…Good afternoon, Senpai. Please take care of me today as well.”
”Yeah. You too.”
The same calm greeting as always, but beneath it I caught something sharper: frustration. Est had been overtaken.
Shamir had beaten her to Appraisal, and Est hated to lose—especially to her closest friend. She tried to hide it, but it was obvious. To everyone but Shamir.
Don’t worry, Est. You’ll get there. With your discipline and will, you’ll master Appraisal too. Rivalry will push you both forward. Just trust me to guide you.
Someday, the two of you will stand beside me at the top. And together, we’ll make sure this technology doesn’t vanish a hundred years from now.
(Tatia event still ongoing. Urgently need tips on how to write “perfect cool-guy moves.”)
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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