Chapter 3: Loving Embrace

A half-demoness swung her sword ornately at an Elf wielding a staff inside a boxing ring.

Allana let out violent shouts as she increased her speed of attack, though her opponent's defense was too strong for her to break through. Eventually, she slipped up and revealed an opening, which her opponent took advantage of to Bonk her on the head.

Growing irritated, she snapped, "What the fuck was that for?"

Alexander rolled his eyes and shot back, "In a real fight, your opponents are not going to go easy on you, are they."

She grew defensive and retorted, "If I was using my usual Sword Art, you'd be dead by now."

The elf put his hands on his hips and reminded her, "Yeah, and if you weren't worried about other people countering your main art, you wouldn't be practicing with me, would you?" He carefully approached and maneuvered around her while leaning his staff against his body. Tenderly, he began to rub the woman's shoulders while adding, "You've been making a lot of progress. Why not call it a day?"

Allana tensed up momentarily and complained, "But the tournament is tomorrow."

Alexander nodded and added, "All the more reason for you to rest your brain so you'll be ready." He kissed her cheek and added, "Like you said, since your Advanced Swordsmanship evolved into Holy Swordsmanship, you'll be sure to land in the top three."

Allama sighed and began to relax while whining, "But I need to get first place. I need that quest item."

The elf nuzzled her neck and consoled, "I know, but going into the fight clear-headed will serve you better than exhausting yourself now."

The half-demon finally let the fight leave her as she gazed at her boyfriend's face. With happy eyes, she kissed him playfully and conceded, "Fine, I'll rest for now, but I want to practice later tonight."

Alexander chuckled and responded, "You're lucky it's summer break."

Allana looked back with teasing eyes and responded, "I could say you're the one whose luck it's summer. We've been having dates two or three times a week."

Eyes growing affectionate, the young man responded happily, "Yeah, it's been amazing." His gaze deflated as he grumbled, "I wish I didn't have summer classes."

His girlfriends spun around and snuggled into his chest, teasing, "Oh, my poor Advanced AI and Integrated Technology Major, are you overworked."

The elf pouted and nodded like a battered victim, causing Allan to laugh. He smirked and added, "Hey, not all of us have rich parents. I need to earn my keep somehow."

Allana eyed him and challenged, "And who said my parents were rich."

Alexander looked at her knowingly while remarking, "My Christmas bonus, for one, as well as all those playtime extensions you keep mentioning."

The half-demoness scowled and grumbled, "Was it really that obvious." After her boyfriend nodded, she pouted, met his eyes worriedly, and asked, "It doesn't bother you, does it?"

The elf was surprised and blurted, "Of course not…!" Winking, he added, "Dating a trust fund baby sounds great." Seeing Allana's cheek puff up with irritation, he quickly added, "Hey, do you take me as a guy who is blinded by money…" He hugged her adamantly and added, "I just want to be worthy of you."

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Allana gulped at this, her heart full of emotion, as she hugged back tightly and purred, "Don't think like that. You're already more than worthy." Leaning back to look him in the eyes, she added teasingly, "Perk of being a trust fund baby, I can date anyone I want."

Alexander smiled, feeling reassured, and leaned his head against hers, "Thank you." He kissed her cheek, then added, "Though I assume your family would prefer you date an AI Programmer rather than a jobless bum."

The woman nodded at this quickly, her eyes glowing with understanding, "Definitely…" Perking up, she added, "Ooo, maybe you could get a job at The Ludere Corporation. They'd love that."

The young man let out a wistful sigh and commented, "Now, that would be the dream." Eyes lighting up, he added, "But I did apply for their summer internship next year. I just need to have my resume accepted, pass the project phase, and ace the interview."

Allana grew excited hearing this and encouraged him, "You're a really smart guy, I'm sure you'll get in."

The young man's face went pale as he clarified, "There are only twenty spots total and over 100,000,000 applicants."

Upon reflection, the girl offered, "I could get you a letter of recommendation."

Alexander's eyes grew conflicted as he looked away and grumbled, "If I'm going to get in, I want to do it on my own."

Allana felt sad that she couldn't help her boyfriend but was even more attracted to his deep sense of responsibility and honor. She nodded and kissed his cheek, commenting, "You're sexy when you act all noble."

The elf blushed and stammered, "I, I'm just doing the right thing."

Allana sank into his chest and poured, "I know, it's incredibly attractive." With big eyes, she asked, "So how long till we get to meet up in Eden."

Alexander's eyes lit up at this as he blurted, "I'm done with the Green Mountains. I even found a cool Secret Area…"

Allana covered his lips with a finger and warned, "Remember, no spoiler till we meet up."

The young man nodded before continuing, "Anyways, now I'm back at Camelot, and I think I'm going to be a mage."

Allana rolled her eyes at this and complained, "Magic users are a dime a dozen. You should at least aim for a rare class."

Alexander smiled impishly as he responded, "Hey, I have a few tricks up my sleeve." Pondering this, he added, "I also need your advice…" The girl's eyes grew curious as she nodded for him to continue. Avoiding any key details, he explained, "I have a chance to join an organization I think I'll really like, but it comes with a lot of restrictions and not a lot of benefits. It'll probably slow my growth down a lot. Should I join it?"

Without hesitation, the girl nodded, "Absolutely, you have to live your own life and have fun. You don't need to make compromises just to get stronger faster." She fluttered her eyes teasingly and added, "I'd prefer for you to get stronger faster so we could play more together, but that's just me being greedy."

Inwardly, she was also relieved, as keeping him away from her guild meant keeping him away from her friends, family, and admirers. She talked a big game about being able to date who she wanted, but that didn't mean her actions didn't come with consequences. While she didn't necessarily fear such things, she couldn't deny they were a factor she had to consider whenever she did anything, let alone something as important as a romantic partner. Her life was constantly split between her passions and her responsibilities, and so far, they had only conflicted mildly. However, the longer she and her boyfriend's data, the more she realized a massive contradiction was looming in her future. When the two spheres of her relativity fought, she wasn't sure which would win, and such a concept scared her. Thus, part of her preferred for things to stay as they were, safe, stable, and free, though her heart had a mind of its own and didn't like standing still.

The elf let out a deep sigh of relief while meeting his girlfriend's eyes and responding in a happy voice full of attraction, "Well, I like you when you're greedy." He kissed her softly on the lips and added, "And thank you; this means a lot to me."

Allana hungrily wrapped her arms around his head and purred, "I love you."

Alexander's heart began to pound as he responded with equal emotion, "I love you too."

His girlfriend beamed at this and then jumped up on him with zeal. The elf tried to catch her as she locked him in a kiss, but they soon toppled over onto the ground. Losing themselves in the passion, they began to passionately make out till a powerful force tore them apart, and a warning read:

image [https://imgur.com/asIxErY.png]

Lying on his back, Alexander blurted out, "God damn it."

Allana laughed almost hysterically at this but soon crawled over to his side. The two snuggled together gently, having identified this act of tenderness as something the system would allow. Alexander couldn't help laughing as well, and the two relaxed happily into each other's loving embrace.