Chapter 171: Ch 171: Disappointing Outcome

An hour passed in silence, and Rin kept an eye on his people from the top of the room.

His surroundings were cool due to the barrier, but he felt bad for the others who had to fight in the scorching heat outside.

Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do about the weather or the summer heat. So instead, he looked at Reina and watched her expression grow paler over time.

It was easy to tell that her energy was being drained due to the constant use of her skill, and Rin was becoming more and more concerned for her.

"Reina, do you want me to get you some water? You don’t look too good..."

Rin handed her the bottle without waiting for an answer, and Reina took it and gulped the water down. She rubbed her forehead after finishing the bottle and let out a sigh.

"I’m alright. The skill is taking a little too much out of me right now, and I need to concentrate. So can you do me a favor and not talk to me?"

Reina asked, and Rin immediately gestured that he was zipping his mouth shut.

He wanted to help her, but there was little he could do for her. It made him feel guilty, and he went back to watching the fight to distract himself.

For now, this was the best Rin could do for anyone.

__________

Reina took a deep breath to control the pain in her head. But it did not help much.

The strain from constantly using her abilities was too much, and she almost regretted agreeing to this. But the lives of the companions she was saving made the pain worth enduring.

’Ugh, I wish I could just pop some pills and make this pain go away.’

Unfortunately, due to the sensitive nature of the situation and her body’s current condition, she knew that taking medicine was not the best solution. At the same time, she was avoiding potions for as long as possible so she would not suffer a penalty.

Twenty-four hours had officially passed since she started using her abilities, and there were still forty hours left. It made Reina wonder whether she would even be able to last that long.

"Reina, have something to eat. Do you want me to help you?"

Her eyes snapped open, and she looked at Rin. He held her meal in his hands and even extended the spoon toward her to feed her.

Somehow, his presence made Reina feel better. The irritation and exhaustion she had felt seconds ago started to fade, and she leaned toward the spoon and took the food.

"Are you alright? Would you like to take a potion?"

Rin’s eyes were filled with concern as he asked what she wanted. His presence felt like a sweet temptation that Reina wanted more of.

She did not know how a person’s presence could give her strength, but Rin was living proof that it could. She wanted to enjoy his company.

"Reina, are you alright? Did you get a fever from exhaustion? Let me check."

Rin slowly reached toward Reina’s forehead, and his hand tingled when it touched her skin.

She unconsciously leaned into his touch a little harder than she intended, and her body swayed before leaning against Rin’s.

The concern in his eyes deepened, and Reina knew she needed to say something to let him know she was still alright.

"I can...still hold on. So there is...no need to look that grim..."

Reina forced the words out, shocked by how fragile her voice sounded.

’Darn! I sound much worse than I actually am.’

The look on Rin’s face worsened, and Reina subtly leaned against him harder to hide her face.

"Reina, there’s no need to be so stubborn. If you can’t hold on any longer, then tell me. You’re not alone in this situation, so you don’t need to shoulder the burden by yourself either."

Rin assured her, and Reina felt a giggle threatening to escape her throat.

How could someone’s presence give her this much strength? She did not even want to think about it. All she wanted was to sleep in Rin’s arms.

And that was exactly what she did.

She ignored everything else, and for the next half day, she slept as much as she could to preserve her strength.

Finally, she reached her breaking point and could no longer hold on. So she grabbed Rin’s arm with what little strength she had left to signal that she needed a potion.

But her words failed her, and she collapsed.

"Reina, are you alright? Hey, don’t close your eyes. Reina..."

A potion bottle was pressed against her lips, but Reina did not even have enough strength left to open her mouth.

"Darn it! You’re leaving me with no choice here."

Rin complained, and anticipation bloomed in Reina’s chest as she felt him grab her face.

She was not a fan of romance novels, but even she was not clueless. Wasn’t this the point where the male lead force-fed medicine to the female lead with a kiss?

Was Reina finally going to feel Rin’s lips against her own? She wanted it.

She wanted to kiss Rin and feel his lips against hers. She wanted Rin to pin her down so she could feel his weight and—

A finger slipped into her mouth, forcing it open.

"Just take a little. Even the smallest amount will be enough."

Rin spoke desperately as he used his fingers to pry her mouth open just enough to pour a few drops onto her tongue.

The potion’s effect was instant, and Reina regained enough strength to properly drink it.

"Thank god! I thought I was already too late. You should have said something before things got this bad."

Rin sounded relieved, but Reina felt disappointed that he had not kissed her. And that realization instantly made her feel guilty.

’Bad Reina! You were practically dying, and Rin saved your life, and all you can feel is disappointment that he didn’t kiss you? What is wrong with you?’

She scolded herself internally. But that did nothing to lessen her disappointment.