Cedric looked at Noelle's flushed face and finally noticed her embarrassment.
"Asta, Magna, the Captain has something to tell you."
Asta and Magna immediately froze before shouting, "Why didn't you say something that important earlier?!"
Cedric inwardly sighed. I literally just made it up, so how could I have said it earlier? Did you two want to stay here and watch the spring scenery with me?
With the two troublemakers gone, Cedric turned back toward Noelle.
"Miss, the troublesome ones are gone now, so why don't we talk honestly?"
At the same time, the surrounding trees began absorbing magical power faster.
Noelle's expression changed instantly.
"Let me down. I know I was wrong."
My magical power is draining so quickly! Could it be that the glorious reputation of Noelle Silva will be ruined here?
"What? I can't hear you," Cedric replied calmly.
Noelle clenched her teeth and said softly, "I said let me down. I know I was wrong… hurry up."
Her face was burning red, and the upside-down position made her feel dizzy as the magic around her continued draining.
After a while, her hands instinctively moved to cover the most sensitive part of her body.
Cedric's eyes inevitably caught sight of the white panties beneath her skirt.
Seeing the smile on Cedric's face and the wandering look in his eyes, Noelle felt so ashamed and angry that she wished the ground would swallow her whole.
Once Cedric had seen enough to satisfy his teasing mood, he released the tree branches.
The unsupported princess immediately fell to the ground.
Tears formed at the corners of Noelle's eyes as she landed. She had failed to protect her final dignity.
For the sake of the royal family's honor, this little pervert must die.
Just as she tried to gather her magical power, she realized her reserves were nearly empty.
Watching Cedric slowly approach, Noelle felt both frightened and furious.
Cedric looked at the delicate girl sitting on the ground.
She truly had the beauty of noble elegance, and those twin tails only made her look even more charming.
Without another word, Cedric lifted her over his shoulder and began walking deeper into the forest.
Noelle froze.
So this man is really planning to do something improper to me.
But… why does my heart feel so restless?
How shameless.
No, he's forcing me. I'm not happy about this at all.
When they reached a massive tree deep inside the forest, Cedric gently set her down.
He raised his hand.
Noelle immediately burst into tears and struggled.
"Why are you crying?" Cedric asked while wiping the tears from the corner of her eyes. "It makes you less pretty."
This bastard actually has a soft spot for beauty… No, I must kill him later to keep this secret.
Cedric held one of her hands and transferred a portion of his magical power to her.
Then he formed a series of hand seals.
"Secret Technique: Five Elements Seal."
A small pentagram-shaped seal appeared on Noelle's lower abdomen.
The sudden surge of energy made Noelle cry out softly in pain.
Cedric then spoke calmly, "Miss, my name is Cedric. May I ask your name?"
Noelle blinked in confusion.
What kind of situation is this for an introduction?
Does this person have strange preferences?
"Miss… what's wrong?"
After a moment of hesitation, she answered.
"My name is Noelle."
Cedric nodded thoughtfully.
"Miss Noelle, I want to teach you how to control your magical power."
Noelle's eyes widened.
"Are you trying to humiliate me?"
"Why would you say that?" Cedric asked.
"Give it up, you pervert," Noelle snapped. "Don't think I don't know what you're scheming."
Cedric sighed inwardly.
It seemed he had teased her too much earlier.
"I really want to help you. Watch."
Cedric coated his feet with magical power and stepped onto the trunk of the large tree.
Step by step, he walked upward until he reached the treetop.
"So? Do you believe me now?"
Noelle stared in shock.
Before she could respond, she tried to gather her own magical power.
A water sphere formed in her palm.
She pushed it forward.
The water ball curved through the air and came right back—
Splash!
It drenched Noelle completely.
Now soaked like a drowned rat, Noelle finally collapsed from exhaustion.
When she opened her eyes again, the smell of roasted meat filled the air.
Noelle slowly sat up and saw Cedric roasting meat over a fire.
"Oh? You're awake," Cedric said with a smile. "Miss Noelle must be hungry."
"No. I'm not hungry."
Tied to the large tree by branches, Noelle stubbornly turned her head away.
Cedric sighed dramatically.
"What a pity. This roast meat is golden, crispy, fragrant, and dripping with oil."
He took a bite.
"It's actually pretty delicious."
"Grrrrrr…"
Noelle's stomach betrayed her.
Cedric raised an eyebrow.
"Miss Noelle, you're really not hungry? Your stomach seems to disagree."
"I'm not! I don't! Stop making things up!"
Her stomach growled again.
Cedric chuckled and retracted the branches binding her.
"Come eat. I can't finish it alone."
Noelle stared at the golden roast meat.
Her eyes watered.
Her hands betrayed her as they immediately began grabbing food.
"Eat slowly," Cedric said while watching her devour the meat. "You're starting to look like a messy eater."
After she finished eating, Cedric asked again.
"Miss Noelle, how about learning magical power control with me?"
After everything she had gone through today, Noelle was too exhausted to argue anymore.
Right now she just wanted to eat and sleep.
Cedric began explaining calmly.
"Focus your magical power on the soles of your feet. Not too much, not too little."
"Try it."
Noelle followed his instructions like a puppet.
The training continued for hours.
By the time night arrived, Noelle was completely exhausted and breathing heavily.
Cedric raised his hand.
"Tree Magic: Three-Bedroom-Two-Living-Room Technique."
A large wooden house instantly grew from the surrounding trees.
Cedric carried the exhausted Noelle inside.
He even prepared hot water and placed a bathtub inside her room.
"You worked hard today," Cedric said. "Take a hot bath and get some rest. Good night."
After Cedric left, Noelle quickly locked the door.
She removed her clothes and slipped into the warm bath.
The next morning, sunlight shone through the windows of the treehouse.
Cedric stretched lazily.
"Hey, Noelle, wake up you sleepyhead."
When he opened the door, he saw Noelle standing there with dark circles under her eyes.
"Didn't you sleep well?"
Noelle clenched her fists.
Didn't sleep well?
I didn't sleep at all!
A girl staying alone with a suspicious man is terrifying!
"The bed was too hard," Noelle replied stiffly. "I couldn't sleep."
Cedric nodded.
"Wait a moment. I'll make you a mattress."
Under Cedric's control, soft plant fibers gathered together and formed a comfortable mattress.
"Why don't you rest first?" Cedric suggested. "We can continue training at noon."
"No need," Noelle insisted stubbornly. "I can manage."
Cedric ignored her protest.
"What manage? Sleep."
He placed her onto the mattress.
A soft scent of grass and wood filled the room.
Within seconds, Noelle's exhausted eyelids finally closed.
Back at the Black Bulls' base.
"What?! That brat Cedric is missing?" Yami roared.
BOOM!
Another wall was smashed apart.
"Magna, Luck," Yami ordered. "Go find that brat. If he doesn't come back, beat him up and drag him back."
Magna and Luck immediately stood straight.
"Yes, sir!"
As they left, Magna asked, "Hey Luck, where do you think that kid went?"
Luck closed his eyes and concentrated.
"Magna, be quiet. Let me sense his magical power."
After a moment, Luck's eyes suddenly opened.
"There! I can feel a strong magical source similar to Cedric's."
Luck grinned excitedly and dashed forward.
"Lightning Magic: Thunder God Boots!"
Lightning wrapped around Luck's feet as he sped deeper into the dense forest.