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nAt first, Layn's request put everyone on the spot, making them unable to react to it in any way or form. For a short moment, the ancients simply weren't sure how they were supposed to react to his words in the first place. But just a few glances at the pile of treasures later, and some 'knowing' smiles started appearing.

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"Since that's the case, I don't think there should be any problem…

" Speaking up, Karter turned his head away from Irea. Scratching his chin, he laughed before completely ignoring the girl's stare.

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"Leader!

" Clearly bothered by the sudden change in the atmosphere, Irea protested to Karter, only to see his face remain its is position.

"And now what?

" Spreading her arms, Irea fell to her knees. Rather than tired or terrified, she appeared to be just helpless, clueless about what she should do.

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"Now, you will enjoy your ride.

" Moving up, Layn approached the girl before rustling her hair with a mischievous smile on his face. Retracting his hand, the archmage then squatted in front of the girl, spreading his arms lightly to the side.

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"Uhmm… Are you really sure?

" With her face already all red, Irea asked. One of her hands was covering her lips as if she didn't want anyone to see her speaking what she just did.

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"I wouldn't use my wish for it if there was any doubt in my heart. Come on.

" Shaking his hands, Layn hurried the girl up. Glancing with the corner of his eyes, the archmage could feast on the sight of this clearly embarrassed girl stepping forward before obediently leaning over his back.

n'In the end, why not enjoy the moment while working for the future?' Thinking to himself, Layn forced his face to remain still when the soft flesh of the girl's tights rested on his hands. With his fingers sinking into her hot skin, just the stimulus from his arms was enough to go any man crazy.

nBut then, Irea leaned completely forward, resting her upper body against his back. Instantly feeling the softness all over his skin, Layn shuddered lightly when Irea's breath struck his ear.

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"Here we go!

" Forcing himself out of the dreamland, Layn activated the reinforcement formation that he prepared in advance, before gently standing up. Now that her legs could no longer support her, Irea sank even deeper on Layn's back, tightening her embrace to keep herself on top of him.

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"Aren't I too heavy?

" Irea's whisper quickly reached Layn's ear. Given how she didn't ask it with a normal voice, it was rather obvious that she was actually minding her weight.

n'I guess some things don't change no matter the historical period.' Shaking his head horizontally in response to the girl's question, Layn fixed his hold over his body before making the first step. After a momentary adjustment to the new centre of weight, the archmage quickly realised that what should be a slight hurdle, even with the reinforcement formation in his pocket, didn't pose any challenge to him at all.

n'Maybe it's the effect of this ancient magic? It's heavily oriented about one's body after all…' Pondering over the issue, Layn couldn't help but be reminded of the girl on his back as soon as he managed to stop thinking about her.

nWith her warmth, her smell, her softness surrounding him from all sides, it was no wonder the archmage had some troubles forcing Irea out of his head.

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"Tell… Why did you request something like this?

" After a relatively long moment of walking, Irea seemed to calm down enough to ask this question. Unknowingly forcing Layn back into the abyss of thinking about her, Irea rustled slightly on his arms.

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"It might be hard for you to believe, but I already benefited from your help a lot. You can consider it my way of paying you back. Weren't you tired, back when I decided to take that Kerren guy on?

" Rather than hiding his intent, Layn decided to just be honest. In the end, he had no ties in his current life. For a pack animal like a human, having some form of companionship was vital.

nBut the truth was, for an archmage like Layn, offering even just a scrap of knowledge was of great meaning. Used to discovering the truths of the world from the slightest hints and assumptions, learning so much about ancient magic was something that greatly exceeded any of the favours that Layn obtained in his previous life.

nEven if her lessons were fully practical without even a hint of the theory behind them, Layn still benefited greatly from them. Not only because he managed to learn about a new kind of magic. The other major point that made the archmage feel so indebted to the girl, was that she gave him the keys to the path to security.

nBecause as soon as Layn would stumble upon an expert or just a natural talented cultivator capable of overcoming formations, compared to the raw physical strength of the ancient magic, he would be nigh powerless.

nIn the end, even though Irea's question seemed like an invitation to a discussion, the girl decided not to pick up the topic. Hanging silently from Layn's neck, she quickly started dozing off, only to fully relax and fall asleep just a few moments later.

n'Isn't it a testimony to how tired you were?' Even now, Layn has yet to hear the girl complaining about being exhausted. While the signs of it were obvious ever since the moment she used all of herself to push Layn's cultivation, she didn't voice even a single whine, she didn't allow others to learn directly from her how tired she was.

nAnd just that determination, although unnecessary, was something that Layn could wholeheartedly admire.

n'Eh… To a point, doesn't she resembles you quite a lot, Yelna?'

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