Juliet was still sweating and flushed when she crossed the door of Jacob’s house. It was rather lively and cozy, tended in such a way that it gave a homely feeling as soon as one entered.

The girl felt someone running behind her and panting hard to catch up. Finally, she turned and smiled toward Jacob.

Juliet did not know what the little guy had done, but one thing was for sure, there was now a bond between them. And not just any bond. It was something so deep and intimate that even thinking about hiding something from the other would be only wishful thinking.

Jacob had always been a bashful and inconspicuous guy. She obviously had talked to him a couple of times since they were classmates; however, that was the extent of their mutual knowledge. Yet, somehow, he had turned into this new person who had just saved her life.

“Juliet, for Peter’s sake, slow down,” Jacob said.

He had some disease she could not remember the name of, which made him very weak. Whatever he had done to save her had taken a toll on him. He had not been sweating that much before healing her.

“What’s up, Jacob?” she asked nonchalantly.

It made no sense for her to be shy around him. The connection between them spoke loud and clear; therefore, she would do the same. And there was something in Jacob she had to know that she needed to know. She had always been an adrenaline junkie, and now he had just become like the wildest attraction to her, more enticing than climbing Mount Everest.

“Where are you going?”

She was enjoying this little guy’s face more than she thought possible. He was not only cute but also mysterious. There was something hidden behind the weak exterior he showed everyone else. And she could feel it. She could feel someone way more mature than Jacob residing in his body. She could feel his pain, his confusion, his extremely strong emotions. The guy in front of her wielded such knowledge that only a divine being should have had in his hands.

She could also feel his shyness around her, his embarrassment, and how awkward he felt.

He was like putty in her hands at the moment.

“To get some water,” she winked.

He had to know what she was doing, but it was working nonetheless. The little teasing even made apparently, had a massive effect on Jacob.

“Uhm, Juliet, I think it would be better if—”

“Hello?” Joseph peaked from the door.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“Joseph?” the girl was surprised to see the massive douchebag in front of her. Joseph had always complained about living in St. Peter and wanting to go back to Rome. The guy was an enormous dick and treated every other person as if they were nothing. Only a few people like Helena had the guy’s complete approval and veneration.

“Juliet?” he was clearly surprised to see her.

However, when he suddenly widened his eyes, Juliet could not understand what was happening.

What’s this creep staring at, she thought.

Joseph scanned Juliet head to toe, then Jacob right after.

“Were you guys in the woods…?”

“Yeah,” Juliet said without overthinking.

“Oh my, so you were having…” Joseph caught himself. “Wow, I did not know that you two—my bad? I don’t know. Whatever. I’m going to lie down, Jacob. Please, guys, don’t do anything while I’m at home: I need some time for myself. Jacob, I think I found some weird power like you were saying, mate. Thanks. Sorry about before.”

Joseph quickly scampered away in the living room, delicately closing the door behind himself.

Only then it came to Juliet that she and Jacob were both very flushed, sweaty, and still panting.

“Ohmygodyoulittlesh*t,” she almost cried.

“Well, that ought to put me higher in the social ladder, at least,” Jacob laughed, suddenly more comfortable with the whole situation.

Juliet turned toward him, staring daggers.

“It’s not funny!” she screamed.

“Well, it is.”

“You wish you were doing that stuff!” Juliet was not a prude, but she was also not experienced like her normal behavior would otherwise suggest.

“Nope, kid, I did not. Maybe when you are a hundred years older”, Jacob said.

She balled her fist tightly and then almost doubled over when he came in front of her and, to her great shock, patted her head.

“Come on, kid. You know. We have work to do.”

Juliet knew from her bond that Jacob’s age was not what he looked like. She did not see how that was possible, but she was also sure that the person in front of him was way older than any other person she had ever known.

Looking straight at Jacob, it was as if she could see a silhouette of a much taller man, muscular and rough, handsome and heroic.

“What work?” she suddenly asked.

“You are the strongest person in all St. Peter right now. You might not have noticed, but both your Qi and Mana are at the 3rd level out of ten of the first realm of cultivation. So it’s not that much compared to what’s out there, but you are a king in St. Peter – well, a queen. Of course, there are many realms and stuff, but I’ll explain that later.”

Jacob suddenly paused and took her hand, squeezing it.

“Juliet.”

“What?” she asked, now on the defensive.

“You are the only person who will ever know who I am until I say so. Is that clear?”

She did not know how the situation had evolved as such. A few minutes before, she was playing with the guy like a fiddle. Now, instead, he looked sure of himself and behaved like an adult instead of a shy teenager.

“I promise,” she murmured.

“Good. I have some stuff for you… Would you mind getting on your knees? I need to pass a lot of knowledge to you, and you are a bit too tall for my arms to stay up there all the time. I’m quite tired. I’m afraid that if I climb on a chair, I might fall.”

She perceived the pure intentions behind the request and said nothing. Instead, she simply put a chair pillow below her knees while Jacob put both hands on his head and started humming softly.

Juliet felt a rush of information go into her head. She could suddenly see her Meridians and—

Creeaaaak

“Oh my God, I’m sorry, I just wanted to get a snack. I’m sorry”, Joseph found them in an awkward position and immediately slammed the door closed.

“Ohmygodyoulittlesh*t,” she almost cried.

Jacob chuckled.

Outside, a figure with blood all over himself peaked from the window.