Lucifer: Godless Reawakening-Chapter 263: Bet

It had been a hectic week. The written exams would begin in just two days, and every student was buried in revision, desperate to avoid a red mark.

Three red crosses meant repeating the year.

Second and third year students were allowed to repeat only twice before facing expulsion. First year students had it worse. They would have to go through the entire enrollment process again.

The pressure was heavy. No one wanted to lose a year of their life over carelessness.

That was precisely why William, despite sitting so close to his beloved, was not flirting with her.

They were in Emma’s room. Dorothy was with her other friends, hanging out in the library and won’t be coming back any time soon.

She leaned comfortably against his shoulder, quietly reading, while William focused on the notes she had prepared for him.

His brows furrowed as he went over the types of ores found across the world and their locations.

Maps and directions were his weakness. It had taken his father an embarrassingly long time to drill into him which side was east and which was north.

So now, he was giving this subject his full attention. He would not allow anything to ruin this exam.

Nothing—

"Is that me?" Well, he was distracted.

His concentration broke when he noticed the painting in her hands.

She was not studying at all. Instead, she was staring at a sketch that bore an uncanny resemblance to him.

"Of course it is," Emma replied calmly. "Though it still needs color and some refinement."

William blinked. "You can draw this well now? I remember you sketching strange things. Like that lady with no eyebrows."

Emma chuckled softly. "I’m full of surprises. One of these days, you might see me reconstructing the academy building itself."

William gave her a wry smile. "Why can I actually picture you doing that?"

"Ohoho~ well, I am quite intelligent, so it’s only natural."

William grinned. "Oh really? Let’s test just how intelligent you are."

Emma hummed and straightened up, turning to face him fully.

"Oh? And how exactly are you planning to do that?"

"Just a few questions. They probably won’t even appear on the exam, but since you claim to be the smartest, let’s see."

Emma narrowed her eyes, then her lips curved into a mischievous smile. "That wouldn’t be very fun... how about we make it interesting? Let’s add a bet."

William tilted his head. "What kind of bet?"

Emma leaned back against the wall, looking entirely too pleased with herself. "For every correct answer I give, you remove one piece of clothing."

William blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the boldness of her proposal. Then a short chuckle escaped him. "And what happens if you get one wrong?"

She waved a hand dismissively. "Don’t worry. I won’t."

William shook his head, unable to hide his smile. Her confidence only made her more captivating.

He stood up from the bed and stretched lightly. "Alright then. Let’s begin."

He deliberately leaned back against the table, positioning himself where her gaze could travel the full length of him without obstruction.

Emma drew in a slow breath. It was not the question that unsettled her. It was the anticipation coiling in the air between them.

"So," he began smoothly, "tell me... what is a man-made ore? Give me one example and the story behind its origin."

Emma smiled and shook her head. "Oh, my silly Will. Starting with something so basic?"

He groaned. "Just answer the question, you smug queen."

She gave a careless shrug and began, her tone calm and assured. "Man-made ores are not naturally occurring. They are created artificially, either through alchemical processes using potions, plant or animal materials, or by combining two or more naturally occurring ores. As for examples, there’s Kreig, Mriagg, and Nonitel."

She tilted her head slightly. "Let’s take Kreig. It was first developed by Sir Clark Portman about five hundred years ago. He discovered it after realizing his younger brother was struggling to haul coal from the mines, so he—"

Her voice faltered.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed William had already begun unbuttoning his shirt.

He was in no rush.

Each movement was slow, deliberate, almost cruel in its leisure.

Her words thinned for half a second, but Emma recovered quickly.

"...so he experimented with compressing residual coal dust with iron filings and binding agents derived from resin-based potions," she continued, forcing her gaze upward, determined to remain unaffected. "The result was Kreig. It burns longer, produces steadier heat, and is far lighter than raw coal. That innovation revolutionized transport in mining towns."

Another button slipped free.

William did not look at her hands or her face. He watched her eyes.

"Go on," he murmured.

Emma crossed her legs, maintaining her composure. "Because Kreig was lighter and more efficient, miners could carry triple the usual load. It reduced labor strain and increased profit margins across three provinces. That is why Sir Clark Portman was later knighted."

The shirt loosened around his shoulders.

Emma inhaled slowly. She would not lose because of something so trivial...she has seen him naked a couple of times in the past so surely this...

"You’re distracting the examinee," she said coolly.

William’s lips curved faintly. "Am I? You seemed confident a moment ago."

She narrowed her eyes. "Confidence remains intact."

"Good," he replied, sliding the fabric off one shoulder with deliberate slowness. "Because that was correct."

Emma’s heartbeat quickened despite herself, but she tilted her chin upward. "Naturally."

He draped the shirt over the chair beside him, revealing his bare body before her eyes.

Gah...why he has to be so hot?

"This is only the first piece, and you’re already gasping..." His eyes looked almost intoxicated, dark and magnetic as he added softly, "There’s still so much more to see, my dear."

Emma drew in another steady breath before asking, her voice lower than usual, "Would I be considered frivolous if I said I want you right now?"

William chuckled. "A little easy to fluster, perhaps. But still mine."

With a subtle use of telekinesis, he pulled her closer until she stumbled lightly against him.

Emma’s fingers pressed against his bare chest. His skin was warm beneath her touch, the heat seeping into her palm and racing straight to her heart. She lifted her gaze to meet his.

Her breathing turned shallow as she admitted, "I’ve heard people lose interest in each other after their first time. But here I am... feeling more drawn to you with each passing day."

William’s hand slid along her waist beneath the fabric of her top, guiding her gently onto her toes as he leaned closer.

"Are you speaking for me as well?" he murmured. "Even a single night apart from you feels unbearable lately."

The space between them thinned to nothing.

Emma’s fingers tightened slightly against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm beneath her palm. William’s hand remained firm at her waist, thumb brushing slow, absent-minded circles against her skin as if he were memorizing the curve of her.

Their lips met in a restrained kiss at first, warm and hungry. It lasted only a heartbeat before deepening, the hesitation dissolving into something heavier. His hand tightened slightly at her waist, drawing her flush against him, and she felt the heat of his skin everywhere they touched.

Emma exhaled softly against his mouth, her fingers sliding upward from his chest to rest at his collarbone. The kiss turned slower, deeper, and passionate.

He slowly lifted her in his arms, and carried her to the bed.

He wasn’t going to study today for sure.