Ella abruptly lifted her head, her expression a mix of panic and shock.

She met Shia's warm gaze, his eyes steady and confident, brimming with certainty. It was as though he had complete faith in his judgment. Ella quickly turned her head, trying to escape his intense focus.

"What nonsense are you talking about? I don’t know what you mean!"

Her thoughts were in complete disarray, a chaotic tangle she had no desire to face in this moment. However, before she could move further away, a strong yet gentle hand pressed down on her soft, rounded shoulder, turning her firmly to face Shia.

She refused to look directly at him, lowering her delicate face slightly, her head tilted away. His large, firm hands all but enveloped her slender shoulders. The dry warmth of his palms sent a shiver through her taut body.

Shia seemed entirely unaffected by her denial or obvious attempts to evade him, continuing the conversation with unshaken composure.

"Though it's difficult, reviving the dead isn’t entirely impossible," he said softly.

"In fact, the Seven Shields Academy has methods—more than one, even."

Her shoulders still held firmly, Ella couldn't avoid him any longer. Curiosity and a flicker of hope drew her gaze toward him. How could this be true? She had been a lecturer at the academy for years and had never heard of such things.

Her reputation wasn’t confined to the students; even among the faculty, she was a standout figure. Shia caught her skeptical look and offered a faintly regretful smile.

"Unfortunately, those methods involve forbidden techniques—secrets even someone of your status as a lecturer can’t access."

Ella’s gaze dimmed almost imperceptibly. It made sense. How could such a possibility exist? Everything she had tried so far barely held a sliver of hope. But if there were a chance within the academy…

Her thoughts spiraled, a tiny flicker of anticipation forming despite herself.

"Only the most extraordinary students, those who excel in both talent and accumulated merit, might gain access to these forbidden techniques."

Shia smiled warmly. "So, Aunt Ella, wouldn’t you agree that our goals align perfectly?"

She understood his meaning. He wanted to rise within the academy, and to achieve that, he needed her help. In return, he would assist her in finding a way to resurrect her late husband.

Yes, that must be it!

Shia’s unyielding gaze affirmed her guess. A mutually beneficial deal—what could be better? Yet, a knot of complex emotions twisted in Ella’s chest. She felt exposed, as though every layer of her carefully guarded secrets had been stripped away.

Her dual identity as a double agent, her true purpose—everything seemed to lie bare before this boy.

How did he know? Who exactly was he?

She stared at his youthful yet striking face, mere inches away. He radiated an aura both enigmatic and ancient, like a primordial beast. Despite his lean, youthful physique, she felt he held immense latent power.

This mysterious young man, who seemed to see through her so effortlessly, stirred something deep within her—awe and trepidation. And with awe comes the beginning of submission.

Her lips parted slightly, her voice husky. "You…"

Who are you? Why would you help me? The rest of her words stuck in her throat, unspoken. But in their shared gaze, Shia understood.

He gave a gentle, harmless smile. "I’m just a good person, Aunt Ella. I genuinely want to help you achieve your goal."

Ella quickly shifted her gaze, unwilling to let her emotions betray her. A good person? She wasn’t sure. All she knew was that she had no way to resist him. What choice did she have but to accept?

"Alright."

A way to revive the dead within the academy? Ella had been teaching here for so many years and had never found any evidence of such methods. Even if Shia seemed so confident, she couldn’t fully believe him. But the crushing weight of her hidden efforts and her hopeless future were undeniable. The pressure had been enormous.

After all, Ella was just a woman, yearning for the warmth of a family. Her husband’s untimely death left her to face everything alone. Now, someone was offering to share the burden. Was it so wrong to let him?

"Alright," she repeated softly, her gaze meeting Shia’s as she nodded.

Shia’s face lit up with a radiant smile. "Aunt Ella, as part of our agreement, would you like me to give you a massage? Consider it a small token of my gratitude."

Ella instinctively refused, but before she could react, her long, shapely leg was suddenly lifted. Her delicate foot, clad in silky black stockings, was cradled in his firm grip.

The abrupt movement tipped her off balance. She fell back onto the couch, her body arching slightly as she quickly braced herself with her hands.

Her heart raced as she looked down at his hand wrapped around her soft, slender foot, heat rushing to her face. "Y-You’re too bold!" she stammered, her voice shaking with embarrassment.

The skilled movements of his fingers gliding along her sole sent jolts through her, an almost unbearable sensation that made her petite frame tighten instinctively. His touch was too practiced, too precise—it left her flustered beyond measure.

"Aunt Ella, you’ve been under a lot of stress," Shia said earnestly, his fingers applying firm yet gentle pressure.

"You’re exhausted. Let me help you relax."

His fingertips worked deftly over the sensitive points of her foot, stopping to press and circle over key acupressure points. Ella’s body softened under his touch, a weak protest forming on her lips. She wanted to pull her leg away but found herself unable to escape the intoxicating relief his massage brought.

"From your feet alone, I can tell you haven’t been sleeping well, Aunt Ella," Shia murmured, his voice laced with concern. "Your shoulders are tight too. Let me guess… constant tension, right?"

Ella’s initial doubts began to waver. Could he genuinely be trying to help? Bit by bit, her resistance crumbled.

Before she knew it, she had repositioned herself on the couch. Now lying facedown, she rested her cheek against the soft leather, her arms folded beside her head. Her long, violet hair was swept aside, revealing the graceful curve of her back.

Her slender figure was accentuated by the deep-V design of her dress, which exposed her smooth, fair skin. The elegant curve of her spine led to the enticing swell of her ample chest, the fabric struggling to contain her generous proportions. Her back rose and fell gently, her delicate shoulder blades like butterfly wings fluttering with each breath.

Shia’s gaze lingered, utterly captivated.

"Such a beautiful back," he remarked, cracking his knuckles in preparation. "Not giving it a proper scraping treatment would truly be a waste."

Ella’s voice trembled with both anticipation and uncertainty. "I-Is this… really necessary?"

"Absolutely," Shia assured her, his smile growing wider as he flexed his fingers. "Trust me, Aunt Ella. I’ll take good care of you."

He leaned closer, determined to give his all. After all, bringing ancient practices like this to another world was practically his duty.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com