Reincarnated as the Villainess's attendant

The thing was, Zoemi wasn't actually using any sort of augmentation, no law of Capricorn, no law of Sagittarius, or even the power up from the transformation from the law of Cancer.

The speed he was catching up with Grazio in a ridiculously short time was his current physical capabilities that were built up together with his mastery over the star power.

Except for Mizoe, such a feat was impossible for the current magicians but completely normal for the martial artists because of the differences between spiritual energy and mana.

"!!!"

Grazio who was keeping an eye on Zoemi that whole time experienced quite a shock seeing the turn of events.

The red-haired boy turned pale and started sweating, not wanting to get passed, but it seemed to be a futile effort.

|Hmm... Alright, think about adult Miriette...|

Considering that Zoemi didn't want to upset Grazio like that, he decided to throw him a bone and focus.

In no time, the black-haired boy's face became flushed, as it did, he opened his eyes and slowed down his run by a lot, so much so that Grazio who was already almost at the hands-reach distance away from him started to get away again.

"Y-young lord Gra... Grazio...! Ple... please wait a bit...!"

"...?!"

Zoemi put his acting skills to a small test and played the role of an exhausted runner, shortening his breath, gasping, and gulping down his saliva in a way that suggested that he was having trouble with keeping up, which definitely made Grazio jolt and look back at him in shock.

"When...! When I copy a spell...! I can use it once... and I.. have to copy it again...! Because I am not that good at it...!"

The black-haired boy spoke up with an excuse he thought of as appropriate for the situation while making the most innocent expression that he could muster.

"...huh...?"

Grazio let out a small gasp, completely taken aback. There was a hint of suspicion in his eyes, but the black-haired boy dismissed it as something completely natural.

"I can only use it in bursts because I don't have much mana... although it also means that I can regenerate it pretty fast, so... am... am I allowed to copy your enchantments again – they are amazing for a fire magician...!"
"..."

Zoemi said, gulping his saliva for the tenth time in a few sentences, but still got no response from the frowning Grazio.

|Was I buttering him up too much...? In the past timeline, he would definitely not realize that anything was wrong...|

The black-haired boy thought to himself tensing up.

"Do whatever you want. I am not such a petty person that my permission to copy my enchantment is limited by time or number of uses."

It seemed, though, that Zoemi was worried over nothing as the next moment Grazio shrugged his shoulders and turned his head away from him in a very tsundere-like motion.

"Ah! Thank you very much, young lord Victureo!"

Zoemi breathed out in relief internally while showing child-like happiness on the outside.

Things seemed to be off to a good start, now he just had to keep up such an act for the rest of the training.

-------

"It's way too dangerous for us to be seen acting lovey-dovey. I am sure that my parents sent or paid off at least one spy in the Perserios castle. Knowing them, it's way more than one or two."

After a month have passed, Miriette seemed to be getting impatient – despite saying something that sounded like a strict reminder, she kept glancing at Zoemi expectantly.

The two of them were in the hallway of the Persersios castle, that despite not being hidden or anything, provided enough cover for the two children to have some privacy and a convenient excuse of they were caught together.

"But...?"

Zoemi raised his brows, feigning ignorance, and asked innocently.

"But... but... you know... there is a limit to how much we can hold back... even something small and innocent can ease up the building.. stress..."

Miriette lowered her head and blushed as her lovingly curled-up hair covered her face.

"..."

As Zoemi didn't respond and simply continued gazing at her, the dark-haired girl fidgetted and pulled her hair behind her ear showing off her rosy cheek before she glanced at the black-haired boy again.

"You know... innocent and sweet...?"

She added, moving her head so that it was obvious what she wanted.

"Well, I don't know... I mean, look over there, there's a servant looking at us right now."

"EH?!"

Zoemi breathed out and wondered, pointing out towards the other side of the hallway which caused Miriette to gasp in disbelief and look that way instantly.

"...eh...?"

But there definitely was no one there... actually, she didn't even have to check with her eyes, she started the conversation because she was sure that their surroundings were safe for some cute lovey-dovey action!"

"You...! Stop toying with me like that! Hmph!"

The dark-haired girl turned grumpy and scoffed, about to leave, but right as she was turning around.

*chuu*

"!!!"

Zoemi went in and sneaked a quick kiss on her angrily puffed cheek, stunning Miriette to a stop.

"Fufu~! Please forgive me, my lady. It seems that the age of my body is affecting me more than I thought. I can't seem to stop myself from teasing the girl I like~ Now then, pardon me as I have some additional, self-imposed training to do."

The black-haired boy chuckled before taking a step back and bowing deeply and leaving the hallway.

*pomf*

After he left, Miriette raised her hand and touched her face, covering the spot that Zoemi kissed with her palm before leaning against the wall.

Her face slowly turned more and more red and a messy love-struck smile crept its way on her delicate face.

"Uwaah... Not good... I love him so much that it is getting scary...! He knows me too well...!"

She mumbled to herself, feeling her heart beating so fast that it felt as if it was about to jump out of her chest and chase after Zoemi in order to receive even more of his affection.