Seven Sins System Chapter 679. The Real Motive

Seven Sins System Chapter 679. The Real Motive

I pulled out my notebook.

Flipped past the cat with horns.

And started sketching a map for my section of the woods. Just in case one of the first-years or my team wandered too far. The trail to the west cliff wasn’t tricky, but knowing this forest? Mana flows could shift terrain like a drunk architect with commitment issues.

I scribbled in a few danger zones. Soft soil here. Old thorn grove there. And a spot where mana leaks had warped the trees into brittle, bone-white spires.

“Alright,” I muttered to myself, tucking the notebook away. “Back to the infirmary.”

The mission started at 13:00. Lunch at 10:30, gear-up by 11:00, and ready to board by 11:30 sharp. That gave me just enough time to kick back in the infirmary and wait for my substitute to check in like usual.

I was unlocking the door when—

“Doc.”

The voice stopped me mid-turn. Calm. Low. With just a hint of something sweet underneath.

I turned slightly. “Julia?”

She stood behind me, arms crossed, lips pressed but amused. Coat unzipped halfway, hair bouncing against her collarbone with each lazy step toward me.

“Well, who else would sneak up on you this early?” she asked, one brow arched like I’d offended her by not guessing sooner.

“Could’ve been a surprise inspection,” I said dryly.

“I’d hope your surprise inspections don’t smell like mint and chaos,” she smirked.

I pushed the door open. “Come in before the hallway gets jealous.”

She followed, her boots soft against the tile. As soon as I closed the door, I turned back toward her—

And that’s when she kissed me.

No warning. No hesitation.

Just her lips on mine, warm and fierce.

I froze for a heartbeat—then melted forward, kissing her back with a quiet hunger. My hands found her waist first, then slid up along her back, fingers splaying across the curve of her spine like I didn’t want to let go. I pulled her closer, just enough to feel her heartbeat sync with mine through our coats.

She sighed into me, like she’d been waiting for that answer.

One hand curled in the collar of my coat like she didn’t care if the world burned, as long as she got to taste this moment first.

When she finally pulled back, her eyes were sharper. Watching me. Searching. Testing.

And she didn’t let go.

“So,” I said, still catching my breath. “You came just to kiss me?”

“No,” she said plainly, leaning her hip against the side counter. “I came to check if you're okay.”

I blinked. “You kissed me to check?”

“You look calm,” she said, eyes narrowing slightly. “Too calm. Which usually means you’re about to implode.”

I exhaled and dropped into the infirmary chair. The cushion gave that slight creak it always did under me. Familiar.

“I’m not imploding.”

Julia crossed her arms again. “Puriel was there. The whole meeting. Across you. You didn’t even flinch.”

“I made my decision,” I said simply. “That’s all.”

She tilted her head. “And you’re not second-guessing it?”

“No.”

My voice was flat. Firm.

And that was the truth.

She studied me for another beat, then came closer, crouching slightly in front of me. “Then let me ask the real question—are you okay with how it feels?”

That one landed differently.

She saw it in my eyes.

I didn’t answer right away.

“I’ve been worse,” I finally said. “I’ve been confused. I’ve been broken. I’ve been desperate. But now?” I looked at her. “Now I’m steady. Maybe numb in places. But steady.”

Julia rested her palm on my knee, thumb stroking gently. “You don’t have to pretend for me.”

“I’m not pretending.” I paused, then smiled faintly. “Not this time.”

She leaned in and kissed my forehead. It lingered. Then she pressed her cheek against mine, lips near my ear.

“I believe you,” she whispered. “But if you ever feel like crumbling… crumble here. Not alone.”

I turned my head, brushed her temple with my lips. “Thank you.”

There was a beat of silence.

Then she grinned. “Also, I came to steal your spare mana packs.”

I laughed, finally—low and warm. “Ah, there it is. The real motive.”

“You know me.” She stood, winked, and walked over to the supply cabinet like she owned the place. “Combat instructor by morning. Thief by mid-morning.”

“I should report you to supply division,” I called after her, mostly out of habit.

She glanced over her shoulder with a smirk. “You won't. I kissed you.”

“…Damn it. She’s got immunity.”

I leaned against the infirmary bed, arms crossed. “Why do you need extra supplies anyway? I know it’s not for you. You’re too good to need backup.”

She paused mid-rummage. “It’s for Fiona.”

I cringed. “Ah… right. Fiona.”

The name tasted like guilt on my tongue. “I forgot to train her lately. Is she any better now?”

Julia gave a noncommittal shrug as she pulled a few potions from the cabinet. “She’s improved. Still slow on the draw, but less likely to faint if someone gets impaled.”

“Progress,” I muttered. “But you’re still grabbing extra just in case, huh?”

“You know her,” she said simply, shutting the cabinet with a soft click. “She means well, but she panics.”

“Yeah, I know.” I winced. “She’s… kind of unreliable.”

Julia nodded, not unkindly. “Still has heart though. And she’s trying.”

“Mm,” I murmured, watching her move. The easy sway in her steps.

She looked free in a way that reminded me of who I was before all this emotional chaos started clouding my judgment.

“You need anything else?” she asked, tossing a gauze pack my way.

I caught it without thinking. “Just you not dying out there.”

Her grin was sharp. “You will save me again if it happens.”

She kissed me again. “I’ll see you,” she said, tossing me a wave.

Then she was gone.

I leaned back in the chair and stared at the ceiling. My fingers touched my lips, where hers had been moments ago.