Akira stretched lazily on the bed, letting out a satisfied sigh. That was, without a doubt, the most comfortable sleep he had ever had since arriving in this world.
Rubbing his eyes, he shuffled over to the window and opened the curtains.
Right after that, he was met with a curtain of darkness. It seemed that night had already fallen.
Before his stomach could start protesting, Akira started making his way to the kitchen.
As always, Ryuu was standing quietly by the kitchen doorway, like a gentle guardian. The moment she saw him, her calm voice greeted him warmly.
"You're awake, Akira?"
"Yeah. I slept really well, Ryuu. How did it go? Did you try out the magic item?"
Ryuu shook her head, her expression turning serious.
She said, "Astraea-sama said it can only be used three times. No one dares to use it unless it's truly necessary."
Akira's face twisted with mild exasperation as he said, "Really? How am I supposed to know if there's anything to improve if no one uses it? I can make ten of those a day, you know, as long as you don't waste them on teleporting for snacks."
Ryuu chuckled softly, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.
She said, "You worked hard to create those. Everyone just… doesn't want to see you push yourself too hard."
With that, she opened the door, and the two entered the kitchen together.
— — —
After dinner, Akira stood in the center of the hall, holding a small, clean needle.
"Alright. Everyone, prick your fingers and give me a few drops of blood. One by one. No mistakes, please."
Now a self-declared blood mage, Akira's voice carried both amusement and seriousness.
Neze turned to the hesitant elf beside her and teased, "What's wrong, Celty? Want me to help you with that?"
"Thank you, Neze." She muttered, embarrassed but grateful.
Ryana, meanwhile, stood behind Akira, playing with his long, silky hair.
"Sure enough, no matter which version of Akira you are, you're always this handsome." She giggled, already twisting his hair into a neat three-strand braid.
Unfazed, Akira extended his hand. Blood flowed from his palm into the air, guided by magic. As each droplet from the others was drawn in, he delicately merged their essence with his own, infusing the magic items one by one with a detection enchantment keyed to their unique blood.
The process was precise. Quick. Efficient.
When the last item was completed, Alise held up her necklace and posed dramatically.
She asked, "Well? With this necklace, doesn't your dazzling captain look even more beautiful?"
Everyone laughed and echoed in agreement. "It suits you, Alise!"
Then came Kaguya. She approached Akira without a word, turned her back to him, and handed him a necklace. The meaning was clear.
Akira smiled faintly. He brushed aside her smooth, jet-black hair, revealing the nape of her neck, which glistened slightly under the light.
A faint floral scent rose in the air. Carefully, he clasped the necklace around her neck.
That act… stirred something in the others.
Predictably, the rest of the girls quickly swarmed over.
"Me next!"
"Do it for me too, Akira!"
Seeing thw commotion, he sighed. Knew this would happen.
Eventually, only Ryuu and Lyra remained.
Akira walked behind Lyra, who was already sitting down, and teased, "Milady, may I have the honor of placing this necklace on you?"
Lyra scoffed, handing the necklace to him with a mock haughty expression, "Hmph, go ahead. I'll see if I can get Finn to do the same afterward."
As he leaned in, his breath brushed her ear. "I won't let you escape, Lyra-nee."
Lyra froze.
'He really doesn't hold back anymore... Treating us all like his harem, huh?'
But despite her complains, her heart thumped uncontrollably.
'But this feeling... being pursued... it's strange. And... kind of nice.'
Her face slowly turned red.
Finally, Akira turned to Ryuu, who was sitting down wordlessly, face flushed, and simply tilting her neck. He didn't say anything either.
He gently clasped the necklace around her.
Meanwhile, Alise—who had been the only one to put on the necklace herself—watched in quiet envy. Just as she was about to turn away, a hand reached out and gently pulled her to a chair.
She looked up, stunned, as laughter echoed around her.
Akira smiled softly and said, "Alise has been easy to understand recently. A proper captain would've taken the initiative by now."
He lifted her long red hair and removed the necklace, only to put it back on himself, with great care.
Alise sat frozen, her cheeks burning under the teasing gazes of everyone around.
— — —
Early the next morning, Akira avoided the front door. There was a good chance someone would be waiting for him—likely another eager companion wanting to tag along.
Throwing on his hooded cloak, he slipped out through the back wall, silent as a shadow.
He gripped a handhold, vaulted over the wall effortlessly, and landed like a feather on the ground.
Circling around, he made his way to the Twilight Manor of the Loki Familia.
Sure enough, a guard stood at the entrance, alert.
As Akira approached, the guard straightened, suspicious. Akira removed his hood and offered a friendly smile.
"Good morning. I'm Akira of the Astraea Familia. I have a dungeon appointment with Ais Wallenstein. Could you let her know I've arrived?"
The guard's eyes widened. "Ah! You're that Akira—the rising star of Orario?"
Akira chuckled modestly and said, "I suppose that's me."
"Please come in. Our captain has already instructed us—any member of the Astraea Familia is welcome when it comes to escorting Ais. Go right ahead."
With a nod of thanks, Akira entered the halls of the Loki Familia, the day's new adventure just beginning.