***

  Woke up to the face of my angel.

  No.

  It's been like three days, stop making it weird...

  Woke up to Sophia sleeping in the crook of my arm. We didn't have any spirits bother us last night, so I guess the whole staying in contact thing worked. We are kind of lucky that Sophia is such a clingy sleeper. The bed is big enough to easily fit three people, yet somehow she's half on top of me.

  The girl is eight inches taller than me. Kinda nice that she seems smaller in bed. I'm feeling rather conflicted. On the one hand, I'm living the dream - waking up with a beautiful girl in my arms every morning. But on the other hand, I've never been more frustrated. I haven't been alone in days, and now I have to sleep with one of the most beautiful girls I have ever seen. I’m getting a little worked up and I have no space or time to handle it.

  Back on Earth I was a one to three times a day kind of girl. To be fair a lot of that was a mixture of boredom and Internet access. I was a woman of culture. But it hadn't dropped off that much since arriving here. I would still flick the bean most nights.

  I haven't had the chance since we started our journey like six days ago. All that pent up frustration and horny is making me very aware of all the places that Sophia is pressing up against me. The girl is stacked as well. Easy Ds. Pressed up against my ribs. Fuck, this is actual torture.

  “Hey, Sister.” I start gently. “It's morning time.”

  “Uauhh?” Is the only response I get back from the sleep gremlin in my arms.

  Fuck, she's so cute I just want to hold her and squeeze her.

  But I don't. Instead I poke her gently. “Hey sleepy head, time to wake up.”

  How big beautiful eyes flutter open. She slowly focused on me with those baby blues and my body aches.

  This nun is weaponized frustration.

  Pull yourself together Tangerine, you are just horny and frustrated. She's not even your type really. She's too sweet and cute and nice. I think she might cry if she tried to bully you. Think of Erica, or Daisy. Those are girls that will pin you to the wall and mess you up. That's what you are into!

  “Good morning Tangerine.” She said with a dopey grin. “That was the first full night's sleep I’ve had in years.”

  “Glad I could be of service.” I smile.

  She just hugs me in response. Squeezes me tight and does that little kicking thing with her feet. Getting sleep must have made her happy. Which I understand because sleep is the best.

  I don't want to move, I don't want to stop this. She smells so good - soft like getting into a freshly changed bed.

  But I'm lying to myself. She is only happy because of the sleep. I am just a tool for that.

  "Come on. Lets get up, else we will miss breakfast."

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  "Yeah." There's that complicated look on her face again. "Yeah, breakfast. We should do that."

  I gently untangle myself from her. "You got any clothes for this realm?" I asked.

  "No, I just have what I brought from the Convent."

  "Are there rules saying you have to wear that stuff? You might stand out a bit."

  "No, no rules. I can wear anything. Those were just the clothes we got there."

  "We could try some of my clothes. Corset might be a bit of a tight fit though." I love my almost C's, ten out of ten, perfect shape. But I don't think her D's are gonna fit all that well. "Maybe we can ask Maria if we can get you some new clothes. You probably need some for the academy anyway."

  Sophia fetched the basin and pitcher of warm water that the maid had left. She began to take her clothes off to wash. Which is a bridge too far for me. I immediately turn around and face the wall.

  Blessedly she finished up quickly, and doesn't mention my strange behaviour. This whole situation is going to take so much getting used to.

  ***

  Breakfast was porridge again. Which is fine except one of the maids tried to offer salt, which no, gross. Porridge should at least be sweet.

  "Now that we have a class of twelve ready, the Academy will start next Orday." Maria said, over breakfast. "I believe we have everything that Tangerine needs but we will have to get some things for Sophia."

  The two of us just nod our heads in agreement.

  ***

  We were out in the city for the rest of the day. Sophia spent a good deal of the time clinging to me as it seemed the crowded streets stressed her out. I am glad she feels comfortable around me.

  We managed to get her the uniform and everything else she needed. We even stopped for lunch at a cute little tea room.

  If Maria wasn't around this would almost feel like a date.

  No, bad Tangerine. Stop.

  Sophia doesn't say much during the day. I'm pretty sure it's just because she's overwhelmed by everything. The City is a lot to deal with.

  We make it home by early afternoon. Sophia goes back to our room to pray or something. I spend the rest of the afternoon practicing my mana control. It's slow going and I still have very little control.

  Maria finds me when I am practicing. “Tangerine, I got you a present.” She said, handing me a little box with a bow on it. “For all of the good you have done lately. And how well you have handled the bad.”

  I open the box, inside there is a small golden ring, but it feels more complex than that. It’s slowly sucking in the mana around it.

  “It’s called a Sol Ring. Our master artifacters create them by harnessing the power of a star.” Maria said.

  “Is it eating mana?”

  “Storing it. To be used later, although the process does strip the mana of its original colour. The mana always comes out neutral.”

  “Like my core?”

  “Similar, yes.”

  I slip the ring onto my finger and I can feel the power there, itching to be released. I fed it some of my mana, which soaked into the ring, although there did seem to be a limit to how quickly it could absorb.

  I give Maria a big hug in thanks. It truly is a wonderful gift.

  Dinner was meat and vegetables. Some sort of reddish gravy over the top with a faint taste of beets.

  Before I knew it was time for bed, and I was back in the arms of my clingy nun.

  “All finished praying?” I asked.

  “Yes.” She said, “I have a feeling the Lord of Light is pleased and that I am exactly where I’m meant to be.”

  I just look at her sheepishly in response. God, I really hope that's true.

  ***