Help! My Overprotective S-Rank Master Who Loves Me Too Much Won't Let Me Go on Quests! - Chapter 40: Aria-san is an Eighteen-Year-Old Girl!

Chapter 40: Aria-san is an Eighteen-Year-Old Girl!

“…Aria-san?”

I had expected Aria-san to still be at the Waterland in the Small Ocean, but she had returned to the lodging before us. Considering her speed with wind magic and the fact that Milena and I had walked back, it wasn’t too surprising. And of course, it made sense for Aria-san to be in this lodging since it was originally meant for S-rank adventurers, and I was here thanks to her.

However, what did surprise me was Aria-san sitting there with an angry expression and her legs crossed.

“…I was really surprised to see you at the Waterland in the Small Ocean. It was amazing how you managed to adjust your magical power just before the water reached the audience seats.”

I tried to lighten the mood with genuine praise, but Aria-san remained resolute and didn’t change her angry demeanor.

“I also need to work harder on my training to become a magician like you, Aria-san.”

…It seemed like my attempt to soothe her with praise had crossed some line, as Aria-san uncrossed her legs and spoke.

“You should be working hard on your training, but you were out on a trip with Milena.”

“Eh? Oh, well, since Milena-san wasn’t with us when we went to the Shuteridone-san’s hometown, she wanted to go out with me when I mentioned it.”

“Really? So, you went out with Milena alone?”

“…Yes.”

I felt like I should add more reasons, but I didn’t know what else to say. So, I just nodded honestly.

Then Aria-san asked calmly,

“Since we’re talking about it, who do you care about the most: Milena, Shuteridone, Me, or that succubus?”

“Eh…!?”

Aria-san had undoubtedly been a significant influence on me, and Milena-san was always kind. Shuteridone-san, though I had known her for a shorter time, was a cool adventurer, and Etenela-san had become an important presence in her own way, despite the short time we had known each other.

I couldn’t possibly rank them… I was about to say as much, but I could sense from Aria-san’s eyes that she was genuinely seeking an answer.

…I had a strong intuition that I should be clear with my answer now.

So, after careful consideration, I spoke my thoughts.

“I don’t want to rank anyone or compare them… but I believe the one who supports me the closest and has become the most significant in my life is Aria-san.”

I didn’t lie. It was how I truly felt. When I said this, Aria-san stood up and embraced me tightly.

“I feel the same way, Adin-kun…! …I’m sorry. Recently, it felt like you were drifting away from me, and I was afraid you might actually leave me. It’s pitiful that I’m feeling this way even though I’m your mentor.”

“That’s not true… I think you’re wonderful as a mentor and as an S-rank adventurer, but please, just for once in front of me, be a normal eighteen-year-old Aria-san.”

“Adin-kun…!”

Aria-san hugged me even more tightly and whispered in my ear,

“Then, Adin-kun, just for me, or rather, as much as you can, act like a fifteen-year-old boy and let yourself depend on me.”

“Fifteen-year-olds don’t usually act that way!”

After that, Aria-san and I had our usual playful banter, but there was a deep sense of closeness between us, even more so than before.