Getting spoiled in a woman dominating world

A few hours ago-

Brandon pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Charlotte was sitting on the edge of the bed, already wearing her boots, and as she looked up at him, a soft, warm smile curved on her lips... gentle in a way she only ever showed him.

He walked toward her ”Are you leaving again, Char?”

She nodded her head with a sigh ”Yeah... duty calls. The towers are appearing too often now. We need high-ranked personnel on rotation to keep the aberrants under control.”

”Mhm.” He sat beside her, and his shoulder brushed faintly against her while his gaze lingered on the cloak folded neatly in her hands.

Charlotte stood up, and before he could say anything more, she reached up and gently ruffled his hair.

Then she took up her cloak and draped it over her shoulders.

”I talked with Big Sister about you,” she said, fastening the clasp at her collar.

Brandon looked up ”Oh?”

”For now, keep a low profile. Don’t reveal that you’ve reached S-rank.”

Hearing this, he frowned slightly ”I see. Okay.”

She adjusted the edge of her cloak, smoothing the fabric down her arm. ”So... join the Academy tournament as just an A-rank Awakener. I’ve already prepared an artifact that can mask your true rank from everyone. You won’t have to worry.”

Looking at him, she gently pinched his cheek ”Also if you are ever in trouble, call me or Big Sister. Don’t forget that...”

He couldn’t help but chuckle at that ”Sure.”

Standing up, he hugged her in his arms, and she leaned into him without hesitation.

Moving his face, he pressed a soft kiss on her cheek, making her giggle.

She smiled, returning the kiss... and as she pulled back her lips from his cheek, her gaze flickered to his lips, but she quickly glanced away and kept her smile.

But Brandon had already noticed the way her eyes lingered on his lips.

Before she could turn away fully, he reached out and touched her wrist, gently guiding her attention back to him.

Hm? Charlotte blinked in surprise, and he leaned in slowly, giving her every chance to pull back.

But she didn’t.

Her eyes softened, and she gently parted her lips, inviting him...

Smiling in his heart, Brandon placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

Charlotte froze for the smallest moment, then melted into it as she rested her hand on his chest.

When he pulled back, her face was tinted with a faint blush she didn’t bother hiding.

She exhaled a tiny, shaky laugh as she looked at him ”...You shouldn’t do things like that,” she murmured, though her voice had that warmth she couldn’t suppress.

Tightening his hug on her waist, he just let out a chuckle ”Yeah... sure.”

He lightly pecked her nose ”I won’t do it.”

She just shook her head helplessly and swatted at his chest.

Smiling, he hugged her tighter ”I will miss you, Charlotte.”

She closed her eyes and hugged him back tightly ”Me too.”

---

Correcting the collar of his blazer, Brandon walked across the Academy grounds with Eira hugging his arm.

The early noon sunlight filtered through the crystalline glass panels overhead, scattering soft blue reflections over the path.

As they passed groups of students, Brandon felt dozens of eyes turn toward him.

He hadn’t been around for days, and rumors had started to sprout like weeds.

’Is that really Brandon Kael?’

’He’s back? When did he return?’

’He looks different...’

Eira tightened her hold on his arm, almost proudly, as if silently telling everyone: Yes. He’s mine.

They finally reached one of the indoor training grounds and as Eira typed a code on the panel, the doors slid open with a metallic hiss.

Inside, Elena and Calistra were locked in hand-to-hand combat in the center of the arena.

Elena fought aggressively, while Calistra was precise and controlled, letting Elena’s momentum crash harmlessly against her defenses.

The moment the doors opened, both paused mid-motion.

Elena froze, and her eyes widened in surprise ”BRAN?!”

She quickly jumped out of the sparring ring and sprinted toward him.

Her hair was sticking to her skin, sweat dripping down her temple, but she didn’t care.

”YOU’RE STILL ALIVE?!” she shouted dramatically, skidding to a stop right in front of him.

With a dry smile, he spoke ”...Yes, Elena. I am alive. Very alive.”

Smiling, she dabbed his hand ”Don’t disappear like that again! I thought you died or ran away or got kidnapped or-ugh!”

She slapped her palms against her thighs in exasperation ”At least send a text, Bran!”

Brandon let out a dry, awkward laugh ”Right. Noted.”

Behind her, Calistra, the ever-composed girl stopped a few feet away and gave nod ”It’s good to see you back,” she said quietly.

He nodded at her with a faint smile ”Mhm.”

Elena clapped her hands together, ”Okay, enough reunion! You-” she jabbed a finger into Brandon’s chest, ”-are going to train with us. Tournament starts tomorrow, and I refuse to let you get rusty.”

He nodded his head ”Oh sure. I’ll join you.”

Eira finally released his arm, stepping in front of him with a sigh ”I’m going to the pistol range. I still have calibration drills to finish before tomorrow.”

Then she cupped his cheek and kissed him softly in front of the two girls.

”If you miss me,” she murmured, brushing her thumb along his jaw, ”just come find me.”

Elena rolled her eyes but smiled and Calistra looked away politely, pretending not to notice.

Brandon chuckled, gently touching Eira’s hand ”Alright. I will.”

She gave one last small smile before turning and leaving the room.

Then Elena smacked Brandon’s shoulder ”Okay! Warm up! Let’s see how much you’ve improved... or how much you’ve slacked off.”

Brandon exhaled softly and began to remove his blazer ”Fine.”

---

*thud* *thud*

The sound of fists colliding, feet striking mats, and bodies shifting with speed echoed across the training hall as Brandon and Elena moved in a tight circle.

Elena’s hair whipped through the air as she darted around him and lunged first as her left fist shot toward his jaw like a bullet.

Brandon tilted his head just enough that her knuckles sliced past his cheek.

The air whistled, and he caught her wrist mid-extension, cupping the back of her hand, and twisted gently, redirecting her momentum rather than stopping it.

She spun with it, refusing to lose balance and her leg snapped up in a high arc toward his temple.

Brandon dropped under the kick and swept his leg out in a low crescent.

Elena barely jumped in time and clicked her tongue. ”Since when were you THIS fast?!”

Brandon straightened, rolling his shoulders. ”Since always.”

”Cocky,” she muttered and then launched herself forward again.

Brandon stepped through, and his forearm brushed aside her jab as his palm redirected her elbow, while his shoulder absorbed her knee strike before it fully connected.

She ducked low, trying to sweep his ankle.

He jumped, and before she could stand straight, his heel came down at an angle, stopping just short of her shoulder as she instinctively blocked with both arms crossed over her head.

The impact shook her guard, and her knees buckled.

She slid back several feet before regaining footing.

”...Ow,” Elena muttered, shaking her arms out ”You hit like ten bricks stacked on a truck.”

Brandon gave a small shrug ”You told me not to go easy.”

”Oh, I meant go easy. Like... VERY easy.”

She rushed him again and struck with a spinning back kick but Brandon caught her ankle mid-spin.

Her eyes widened ”What-”

He gently flicked her foot upward, ruining her balance.

Elena flailed in the air for a second before planting her palms on the ground, flipping backward and landing with a shaky breath.

”Stop doing that,” she complained.

”You’re leaving your hip open,” he said with a deadpan look. ”Anyone can catch that.”

”You didn’t catch it last time we fought.”

”I grew.”

She exhaled sharply, then sprinted again and Brandon stepped in at the same time.

The collision of their movements created a brief, sharp gust between them.

Elena threw her hardest punch at his chest.

Brandon slid his torso to the right, just enough for her fist to graze his fabric, then he pivoted behind her guard.

His palm landed on her mid-back, pushing her forward glide as she stumbled two steps.

As she turned, Brandon quickly pinched her cheek implying ’I could have hit you, but didn’t.’

Elena blinked and then let out a soft sigh ”You win.”

”Again?” he asked softly.

Elena wiped sweat from her brow and cracked her knuckles. ”Again.”

She dashed forward, and again Brandon moved before she did.

He shifted his weight, slipped behind her defense, hooked his arm under hers, and brought her down in a flawless shoulder throw.

*thud* Elena hit the mat with a controlled roll before groaning fainly ”Argh.”

Brandon stepped back, giving her space.

Calistra finally spoke ”You weren’t like this before.”

Brandon blinked at her. ”Hm?”

”You’re... calmer,” she murmured. ”Sharper. You’re reading her rhythm before she even commits.”

Elena raised her hand weakly from the floor ”Translation: you’re ruining my self-esteem, Bran...”

He extended a hand and she took it, letting him pull her up.

Elena wobbled, ”Okay... I admit it. You’re better than me now. You need to buy me food for this later.”

Chuckling, he nodded ”Sure, for now... let’s continue practicing.”