Reborn With the Infinite Gods System

Mass release In honour to the support {14/10}

Vol 3 Chapter 101: Depressed Mage

Axel's eyes fluttered open, the remnants of sleep slowly slipping away, revealing the familiar comfort of his bed beneath him. A soft warmth pressed against him, and as the haze of sleep lifted, he realized his hand was resting on something warm and soft—Trisha's waist. She lay close to him, her back nestled against his chest, her breathing slow and steady as she remained deep in slumber.

His fingers curled slightly, feeling the curve of her waist through the fabric of her pajamas—an outfit he had come to know well, a crop top and light, airy trousers, her favorite for sleeping.

She slept like a candle, unmoving, her breath shallow and calm, rarely stirred by noise or movement. She loved the warmth of his body, and she often pressed herself closer to him unconsciously in the night, seeking the comfort that only his presence seemed to bring. Axel let out a long, quiet sigh, slowly sitting upright in the bed, careful not to disturb her.

He glanced down at himself, dressed in his usual sleepwear—simple shorts, which had become his default over time. Who needed pajamas when a pair of shorts sufficed? He rubbed a hand through his short, deep red hair, fingers ruffling it as his ever-present gloom settled over his features once again.

This sadness—it was something he could never quite shake off. The weight of it lingered with him always, like a shadow, a reminder of his past and his loss. His mother's death had marked him, carving a wound that never seemed to heal fully. It had been months since her passing, and yet the pain remained as fresh as the day it had happened.

Axel let out another yawn, his thoughts shifting to the present. Today was a significant day. He mused on the fact that it was the annual Binding Day, the day when ten-year-old children across the land had their bindings, the ceremony that would link them to their powers. And for Axel, it was also a day he had been dreading—Seo Jihnyuk had invited him to get tested for his current rank as a hunter.

It had been nearly a year since the last battle, and despite his growing strength, Axel felt a pang of anxiety at the thought of being tested again. What did it matter? He had done well enough with the temporary B-Rank certificate he had been issued after the fight.

It allowed him to stay under the radar, to surprise people with feats that exceeded their expectations, to toy with their perceptions of him.

The benefits of keeping a low profile had been plenty. He'd been able to level up quietly, killing Fateks, without drawing too much attention. But the downsides were equally frustrating. At most gatherings, he was still looked down upon, treated as if he were less capable than the others.

Even worse, his payment was always low, a fact that stung deeply even though Trisha was the one providing for them both. It was as if the universe was reminding him of his past, of the days when he had worked hard only to receive so little in return.

A bitter smile tugged at the corner of his lips. So far, he had come to envy the life of an S-rank. They could choose whether to work or not, and regardless of their decision, they were paid handsomely. It was a life that allowed for laziness, a life where doing nothing still meant a big paycheck. Who wouldn't want that?

His thoughts were interrupted by the soft stirring beside him. He glanced down to see Trisha's eyes fluttering open, her gaze finding him with an unreadable expression. She was awake.

"Good morning," Axel said quietly, his voice still laced with the remnants of sleep. But in the back of his mind, a question lingered—one that had been nagging him for weeks now. How had he ended up in her bed?

Oh, right. He had finally mustered up the courage to ask her out, breaking through the barriers of his past and allowing himself to indulge in something new. They'd had a wonderful time together, one that made him forget the weight of his past, if only for a little while. After that, he'd started sleeping in her room more often. Not that anything happened, not yet, anyway.

He was still figuring things out. They both were.

At most, they would snuggle up together, exchanging intimate gestures, feelings he was still somewhat foreign to. Axel's experience with relationships had been minimal, and while he felt a deep connection to Trisha, he wasn't entirely sure how to progress things.

There were moments when it felt like she wanted more, like last night, when she had clung to him more closely than usual, her body pressed against his with a need that he didn't quite know how to respond to.

Trisha sat upright, her long dark hair cascading down her back as she moved out of bed. She stretched her arms above her head, a small sigh escaping her lips as she turned to face him.

"I'll make breakfast while you get a shower," she said, her tone oddly distant. "We can't be late for the binding test."

Axel raised an eyebrow, noticing a slight shift in her demeanor. She was acting differently this morning, quieter, more withdrawn. The way she had woken up, her usual affectionate nature tempered by something he couldn't quite place. Was she... mad at him? Or was there something else?

The thought lingered as he stood up, grabbing a towel and making his way toward the shower. Last night had been different too, hadn't it? The way she had held him, clinging to him with an intimacy that felt more urgent than usual. Could it be that she had wanted something more from him? Had he missed a signal, a cue?

The hot water poured over him as Axel stood in the shower, his mind replaying the events of the previous night. He had noticed it—how she had snuggled closer, her touches lingering a little longer than usual. But his inexperience had held him back, unsure of how to respond. Was this what she was upset about?

Stepping out of the shower, Axel quickly dressed and made his way to the kitchen, where the scent of breakfast filled the air. Trisha was at the stove, her back turned to him as she cooked. He approached her slowly, unsure of how to start the conversation.

"Trisha..." he began, his voice hesitant. "About last night—"

She turned to face him, her expression softening slightly. "Axel, it's okay," she interrupted, her voice gentle but firm. "I know you're still figuring things out, and so am I. I'm not upset, I just... I want us to be on the same page."

Axel felt a weight lift off his shoulders at her words. He stepped closer, his hand reaching out to gently brush her hair behind her ear. "I don't want to mess this up," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I care about you, Trisha. I just... I'm not always sure how to show it."
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She smiled, a warmth returning to her eyes as she placed her hand over his. "You don't have to figure it all out right away," she said softly. "We'll figure it out together."

For the first time that morning, Axel felt a sense of relief wash over him. Maybe things weren't as complicated as he had made them out to be.

Meanwhile in Trisha's mind. She wondered how her piece of a trash boyfriend could barely read the room.

***Author's note***

Borrow me gun I need to shoot Axel down. I would have easily read the room. This guy has ruined my mentorship. Hahahahaha!

Thanks for reading, awaiting your support

I made the same mistake again... I published this under volume two instead of three