Chapter 176: Returning Home

It was already midnight when Amon slowly opened his eyes.

The room was almost completely dark, with only the pale moonlight slipping through the curtains.

He remained seated on the bed for a moment before noticing that his phone was vibrating beside him.

’Who would message me this late at night?’ Amon picked up the phone and unlocked it.

His eyebrows immediately rose when he saw the message.

It was a picture of Sidney.

She was in the bathroom, standing in front of the mirror with the door slightly open behind her.

She wore nothing but a loose white towel that barely covered her chest and stopped high on her thighs.

The soft bathroom light made her skin look warm and smooth.

Her black-and-orange hair was damp and messy, clinging to her neck and shoulders.

One hand held the phone while the other lightly tugged the edge of the towel lower, showing the soft curve of one breast and the smooth line of her hip.

Her cheeks were faintly flushed, and she was looking at the camera with a small smile.

It was accompanied by a short message.

-----

I miss you.

-----

Amon stared at it for a moment before a small smile appeared on his face.

He quickly typed a reply.

-----

You’ll get punished for this when I come back.

-----

The reply arrived almost immediately.

-----

I’ll wait for you to deliver it.

-----

Amon stared at the screen for several seconds before letting out a long sigh. ’She’s getting way too bold.’

He put his phone aside and stretched his body, feeling the slight stiffness in his muscles after cultivating for so long.

His throat suddenly felt dry. Amon glanced toward the small table beside his bed.

The bottle he usually kept there was empty.

"Great."

He picked it up anyway, shook it once, and confirmed there wasn’t even a drop left. ’I’m thirsty.’

Amon stood up and walked out of the room.

He descended the stairs and entered the kitchen before taking another bottle from the cabinet.

After filling it with water, Amon was about to leave when his expression suddenly changed.

"....Anh~."

He thought he had heard something.

A faint sound had come from somewhere nearby.

’...Was that a moan?’ He frowned slightly. ’Am I getting weird thoughts again?’

He shook his head and started walking toward the stairs but he heard it again.

Amon stopped and he slowly turned around.

The sound had come from the hallway beside the kitchen.

’What the hell?’

Amon followed the faint noise until he stopped in front of a closed door. ’Isn’t this the bathroom?’

He stepped closer and placed his ear against the door.

"....Anh~."

The sound was faint, but he could hear someone moving around inside.

Amon’s expression became slightly awkward. ’Seriously? She is masturbating?’

His curiosity eventually won.

He activated his Truthseeker’s Eye and looked through the door.

A faint green solitude appeared on the other side.

He could see her silhouette leaning against the sink, one hand moving between her legs while the other gripped the edge of the counter.

The solitude was unintentionally blurred, but the rhythm of her movements and the way her head was tilted back left no doubt.

Amon immediately recognized the person inside. ’That’s definitely Marielle.’

Amon took a step back as a mischievous smile appeared on his face.

He raised his hand and knocked on the door.

The movement inside immediately stopped and a few seconds of complete silence followed.

Amon tried his best not to laugh.

"Marielle?"

A flustered voice came from inside. "Y-Yes?"

"Are you alright?"

"I’m fine!" Her answer came far too quickly.

Amon raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

"Yes! I’m completely fine!"

Amon’s grin widened. "Are you sure? You sound a little... busy."

There was a noticeable panic in her voice. "I’m not--! I was just washing my face!"

He could hear the embarrassment thick in her voice. "At midnight? Alone? With the door locked?"

"Go back to sleep!"

Amon grinned. "Alright. I was just checking."

Silence followed.

Amon turned around, but before leaving, he added casually, "If you need anything, you can always call me."

There was no response.

He chuckled quietly and walked back toward his room. ’Poor Marielle.’

He decided not to tease her any further.

After returning to his room, Amon placed the water bottle beside his bed and sat down again.

He looked toward the ceiling. ’What a strange night.’

Eventually, he closed his eyes and went back to sleep.

---

Morning arrived much sooner than Amon expected.

By the time he reached the basement, Marielle, Seraphina, and he were already standing in front of the teleportation platform.

The large magical formation beneath their feet was glowing with a soft blue light, while several mana crystals embedded around the room pulsed rhythmically.

Marielle stood beside the control formation and adjusted several settings. "I’ll see you two in two days."

Seraphina smiled. "See you soon, Aunt Marielle."

Marielle nodded before looking toward Amon.

Her face immediately turned flustered. "Take care of her."

Amon smiled. "I always do."

Seraphina immediately glanced at him. "You better."

Amon chuckled as Marielle stepped away from the formation.

"Alright. Go."

The portal suddenly brightened.

Amon grabbed Seraphina’s hand as the two stepped forward together.

"Goodbye, Marielle."

"Goodbye."

The moment they entered the teleportation portal, the world around them dissolved into brilliant blue light.

Amon felt the familiar spatial distortion surround his body before everything disappeared.

The teleportation portal fell silent.

Marielle remained standing there for a few seconds, watching the empty formation.

A faint flush still lingered on her cheeks.

She slammed her feet on the ground as the memories of last night appeared in her mind.

Dispite all the warning she had to do that when there were guest around.

"It wasn’t my fault." Marielle whispered softly. "I was doing what was needed...If not for him I wouldn’t have been in that awkward position."

It was all his fault!!!

She eventually turned around and walked upstairs, muttering under her breath.

"...That little bastard."