Chapter 21: A Very Hands-On Lesson

[Balance: $11,350.]

Nero had spent some money on taxis recently, and although he normally received pocket money from the Morgan family, he had already used most of this month’s allowance.

Still, $11,350 was a considerable amount. Most people didn’t even earn $6,000 a month.

However, Nero knew he would need the money soon.

The ingredients required to strengthen his body were extremely expensive, and thanks to the Alchemy Emperor’s Knowledge, he now knew how to prepare a Mana-based strengthening concoction.

He finally had a reliable method to improve his physical strength. The only problem was getting enough money to purchase the ingredients.

Curious about his current condition, Nero decided to visit the mansion’s training room.

He approached the testing dummy and threw a punch with all his strength.

[0.6]

His Power Index remained unchanged.

Nero wasn’t particularly disappointed. He had expected as much since physical improvement required consistent training.

’Well, I guess I’ll have to work harder.’

He was about to leave when he noticed someone standing in the doorway.

It was Lilly.

She wore a fitted sweater that hugged her generous chest and a short skirt that exposed most of her pale thighs. Her arms were crossed beneath her breasts, making the already tight sweater stretch even further.

"You promised to help me with cooking," she said. "Did you forget?"

Nero blinked before remembering their conversation last night.

"Oh, right. I remember. Just give me a moment to shower first."

"Hmph. Fine, but don’t take too long."

Twenty minutes later, they were standing inside the mansion’s kitchen.

Several Mana-infused ingredients had already been arranged on the marble countertop, and Lilly was waiting for Nero to begin his explanation.

"The important part is how you handle the ingredients before cooking," Nero explained, picking up a Mana-infused vegetable. "You need to knead them in a specific pattern to activate the Mana inside."

He demonstrated the technique, pressing his fingers against several points on the vegetable.

"These points need to be pressed in the correct order. Otherwise, the Mana will dissipate."

Lilly watched carefully before nodding.

"Let me try."

She took another vegetable and attempted to copy his movements, but the Mana barely responded before fading away.

Lilly frowned and tried again, adjusting her fingers slightly.

The result was the same.

After several more failed attempts, her patience began wearing thin.

"Your explanation is terrible," she complained. "How is anyone supposed to understand such a strange technique?"

"You’re placing your fingers incorrectly. That’s why it isn’t working."

"Then show me properly!" Lilly snapped, pushing the ingredient toward him. "I only want to learn this technique so I can use it as a reference!"

Before Nero could respond, a familiar golden window appeared.

[Choice Detected: Bond With Someone Close]

[Option 1: Help Lilly learn the technique by guiding her hands directly.]

[Method: Position yourself behind her and physically guide her through the correct movements.]

[Reward: $5,000 (Common)]

[Option 2: Get angry at Lilly and make her work hard through fear.]

[Reward: Dictator Card (Rare)]

"..."

Nero was speechless.

’What the hell is wrong with this System?’

The first option wanted him to stand behind Lilly and guide her hands.

Wasn’t that practically asking him to hug her from behind?

And the second option was even more ridiculous.

’Get angry at her and make her work through fear? What am I, some kind of dictator?’

Although the Dictator Card was a Rare reward, Nero had no intention of treating Lilly like that.

What if she decided to delete him from existence using her Destruction Talent?

Besides, five thousand dollars was exactly what he needed right now.

After a moment of hesitation, Nero selected the first option.

’Well, she did tell me to show her properly.’

He took a deep breath before stepping behind Lilly.

"What are you..."

Before she could finish speaking, Nero reached around her and gently took both of her hands.

Lilly immediately stiffened.

"W-What are you doing?!"

"I’m showing you the technique," Nero replied, trying to keep his voice steady. "You told me to show you properly, didn’t you?"

"Y-Yeah, but..."

"Then focus."

Nero guided her hands toward the ingredient on the countertop.

Unfortunately, because of their position, he had to lean forward slightly to reach it.

His chest pressed against her back.

"...!" Lilly’s body went rigid the instant that happened.

Nero wasn’t doing much better.

’This is way too close!’

He could feel the warmth of her body through their clothes, and her strawberry-blonde hair occasionally brushed against his face.

What made things worse was their difference in height and the way she was standing.

Her round butt was now resting against his thighs, and every time she adjusted her position, the contact became more noticeable.

’Soft...’

Nero immediately shook the thought away.

’Focus, damn it! You’re supposed to be teaching her!’

"Place your fingers here," he explained, overlapping his fingers with hers. "Start with a little pressure, then gradually increase it."

Lilly tried following his instructions.

"L-Like this?"

"Yeah, but you’re pressing too hard. Relax your fingers a little."

"O-Okay..."

Her voice was unusually quiet.

Nero guided her hands toward the next point, which required him to lean forward again.

This time, Lilly instinctively shifted backward to make room for his arms.

Unfortunately, that only brought their bodies closer together.

"...!"

Nero immediately stopped moving.

’Did she just...’

Lilly seemed to realize what had happened as well.

Her face grew hot, and she hurriedly adjusted her stance.

"D-Don’t misunderstand! I was just trying to stand properly!"

"I didn’t say anything!"

"Then stop acting weird!"

’You’re the one acting weird!’

Nero wanted to complain, but considering their current position, he decided to keep his mouth shut.

He could smell the faint lavender fragrance coming from her hair, and having her so close was making it difficult to concentrate.

Meanwhile, Lilly was having similar problems.

Normally, she would have pushed away anyone who dared get this close to her.

But Nero was genuinely trying to teach her, and his hands had remained on hers throughout the lesson.

Besides, she had been the one demanding that he show her properly.

’Still, does he really have to stand this close?!’

Lilly pressed her lips together, trying to concentrate on the vegetable instead of the person behind her.

"Alright, now move your fingers to the next point," Nero instructed. "Repeat the movement three times."

Lilly followed his guidance, but her fingers were still rather stiff.

"You’re pressing too hard again. Here, like this."

He adjusted her hand once more. However, the moment he leaned closer to explain, his breath brushed against her ear.

"Eek!"

Lilly’s shoulders jerked at that.

Nero immediately pulled his head back seeing this.

"W-What happened?"

"Nothing!"

"..."

"Just continue teaching!"

Nero couldn’t help wondering whether this was really worth five thousand dollars.

Still, he continued guiding her hands, carefully demonstrating the correct amount of pressure.

This time, the Mana inside the ingredient finally responded.

A faint glow appeared around the vegetable as the energy began circulating properly.

"Oh!"

Lilly immediately forgot about her embarrassment.

"It worked!"

"Yeah. That’s the right pattern."

Nero continued guiding her through several more repetitions. Although their position remained rather awkward, Lilly gradually became more familiar with the technique.

Eventually, she managed to complete part of the sequence without his assistance.

[Choice Completed: Bond With Someone Close]

[Reward Distributed: $5,000]

[Note: Physical proximity accelerates emotional development. Use this knowledge wisely.]

"..."

Nero almost wanted to curse.

’What kind of advice is that?!’

Was this System seriously encouraging him to get physically close to girls?

However, he was relieved that the choice was finally complete.

He released Lilly’s hands and stepped away.

The sudden absence of his warmth made Lilly unconsciously straighten her back.

"You should be able to practice on your own now," Nero said in a slightly nervous tone. "You’ve already understood the basics, so we can continue tomorrow."

Lilly remained unusually quiet.

She was still holding the ingredient, and her cheeks were slightly flushed.

"...Fine." After a moment, she nodded. "I’ll practice."

"Alright, then. I’ll be going."

Nero turned toward the door, feeling rather relieved that the lesson was finally over.

However, he didn’t notice Lilly watching him leave.

She remained standing near the counter, thinking about how close they had been just moments ago.

Her heart was still beating faster than usual.

’What the hell was that...?’