I remember him needing to avoid romance for some reason, which is why this turn of events makes sense to me. In a way, I sort of respect the author to be clear about this sort of thing. Let's hope they can keep the story up and running too. I also forget her backstory, but I don't know if it would change much in how I read this chapter. Thanks for TLing this series.
I think that the maid had some "self-loathing" character trait or something?
I think it was helping her grow faster in magic as long as she thinks she is "unworthy" of MC´s affection.
As long as she or MC did not fall in love, she is growing stronger, as that would remove said character trait?
But yeah, I don't remember the exact reason either.
It could just be that he does not want to get into a relationship as he knows the world is going to go to shit in a few years ?
Still not sure why he has not mentioned this to anybody yet, even if he does not explain the whole truth...