"Didn't I tell Mirrorheart to take all these down? Why are they still here?"
As soon as he entered the basement, Loren saw those strange contraptions and couldn't help but complain.
Naclis didn't reply; she simply examined the equipment, though with her knowledge, she couldn't even begin to imagine how these things were used.
Letting her mind wander, Naclis recalled that day when Loren had confused her with her Reflection, and the things Reflection had said afterward...
Before they knew it, they had arrived in the room. The soundproofing here was excellent-no matter what happened, no one outside would hear a thing.
"Alright, this is the spot."
Loren suddenly stopped, making Naclis's heart skip a beat.
"Naclis, help me bring out your Reflection. She's made some mistakes, and I... need to discipline her."
"What did she do wrong?"
As the original, she also bore the responsibility of keeping her in check.
"She... bit me..."
Loren hesitated for a long moment before finally coming up with an excuse. If he had told the truth, he wouldn't have been able to say it out loud.
"She dared to harm you!"
Upon hearing the reason, Naclis instantly erupted in fury. She reached her hand into Loren's shadow, grabbed Reflection by the hair, and yanked her out.
"Let go... ouch, ouch, ouch..."
Once dragged out, Reflection Naclis spotted Loren and immediately dropped to her knees before him:
"I was wrong, I won't do it again..."
Same lightning-fast apology, same apology without any real repentance.
There was no way Loren would believe her. He grabbed Reflection Naclis firmly.
"Finally got my hands on you... Naclis, hold her down."
"Understood."
Loren directly flipped Reflection Naclis over his knee, while the original Naclis pressed down on her shoulders.
"Let's see you act out!"
Loren poured a bottle of Healing Potion over his own hand and immediately started swinging.
Any damage inflicted was instantly healed by the potion, leaving no trace behind-but it hurt just the same.
Reflection Naclis let out a bloodcurdling scream, making even the original Naclis wince in sympathy. But she quickly reminded herself that it was her Reflection who had bitten Loren, and pressed down even harder.
This time, Reflection Naclis had truly crossed the line. Loren was furious-he still cared a great deal about social norms and propriety.
He was so worked up that even after he ran out of Healing Potions, he still hadn't cooled down.
"This isn't over yet. I'm going upstairs to get more potions. Stay right here."
"Yes..."
Reflection Naclis's voice sounded like she was on her last breath. Even so, Loren wasn't letting her off. Since she wouldn't actually get hurt, she needed to learn her lesson the hard way.
"Naclis, keep an eye on her."
"Understood."
When Loren stood up, Reflection Naclis had already turned into a limp noodle, her entire body gone weak-as if she had just been put through some terrible ordeal.
"What exactly did you do to make Master Mentor so angry?"
Naclis knew Loren well. If it had simply been a bite, he wouldn't have been this furious.
Clearly, there was more to it. Naclis suspected Loren was sparing Reflection's dignity by not saying everything.
"You really want to know, huh..."
After Loren left, Reflection Naclis dropped the act and broke into a grin, though her body remained just as limp.
It wasn't from the pain, though-it was...
"I do."
Seeing how mysterious Reflection Naclis was acting, Naclis couldn't help herself-she had to know what had really happened.
So Reflection Naclis leaned in close to Naclis's ear:
"I snuck up on Master Mentor while he was sleeping, and then..."
In an instant, Naclis's face turned bright red, as if she had heard something horrifying. She leaped backward in shock.
"Y-y-you..."
She pointed a trembling finger at Reflection Naclis, completely speechless.
"Alright, that's all I'm saying. If you want more, you'll have to pay. Figure it out yourself."
Reflection Naclis grabbed the chair to steady herself as she stood up. Even so, her legs kept shaking uncontrollably.
She looked at Naclis, then suddenly flashed a mischievous grin:
"Naclis, do you still remember how it felt last time?"
"What are you trying to say?"
Naclis didn't answer the question; instead, she turned it back on Reflection.
Reflection Naclis saw right through her-she was dodging, changing the subject.
"Here's the thing. I figure Master Mentor is almost over his anger. How about we swap places, just like last time?"
Reflection Naclis spoke with total confidence, utterly convinced that Naclis wouldn't refuse.
"Why should I help you?"
"I'm helping you."
Reflection Naclis hit the nail on the head, calling out Naclis's hidden desires. Naclis fell silent instantly.
"Alright, Master Mentor is probably almost back. Are you swapping or not?"
"Swap."
Naclis hesitated for a long time, but when she heard footsteps approaching, she finally made her choice.
"Hehehe..."
Reflection Naclis said nothing, just chuckled a few times. Then they swapped positions-Naclis knelt in front of the chair, while Reflection Naclis stood beside it.
Though now, she had to lean on the chair just to stay upright.
"I'm back."
Loren returned with an armful of Healing Potions, ones he had just asked Scarlett to pull out of her space.
Instantly, Reflection Naclis's expression turned cold and impassive, indistinguishable from the original Naclis.
As for Naclis herself, she kept her eyes shut. She couldn't replicate Reflection's expression, so she just pretended to be thoroughly beaten into submission.
Loren sat back down on the chair and resumed, pulling Naclis back over his knee.
Naclis clenched her eyes shut, her hands balled into fists, waiting for that familiar sensation. But this time, Loren didn't rush to begin:
"Take the bunny off."
"..."
Naclis bit her lower lip, overwhelmed with humiliation. But she showed nothing on her face and simply did as she was told.
"Never mind the shorts... ah, forget it..."
In the end, Loren didn't bother with those minor details. Naclis was completely silent this time, and Loren didn't think much of it-after all, she had already screamed her voice hoarse earlier.
Only when the newly fetched Healing Potions were also used up did Loren finally let out a breath.
"Do you know you were wrong?"
Naclis nodded. She didn't speak, afraid her tone might give her away.
"Alright, that's enough for now. It's almost dinner time. Come upstairs and eat."
Loren released Naclis and turned to leave. Reflection Naclis followed right behind him.
Seeing her usual position about to be stolen, Naclis instinctively reached out to grab Reflection Naclis-but this time, her hand passed right through Reflection's body.
In that moment, Naclis finally realized-she couldn't touch Reflection at all. This had all been her plan from the start.
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