"How about this one?"

"Hmm… It's definitely refined, but it feels like it's missing that sharpness it had during our sparring sessions."

"I see, I'll make adjustments... Try it again."

A month left until our journey.

In that time, each member of the group was making various preparations.

Among them, Siegfried was focused on creating his own technique, as I had advised him before.

The greatest help he could offer on this journey was through his martial prowess.

That’s why he was perfecting Siegfried-style Swordsmanship.

Swoosh!

The sharply drawn Black Blade swiftly chased its target and sliced it cleanly in half.

"Wow! That was amazing just now! It's perfect for the Battoujutsu you mentioned." (Battoujutsu means ‘drawing, striking, and sheathing the sword’)

The slash he just performed was a technique he often used in our sparring sessions.

It was a move where he would quickly draw his sword from his hip immediately after the spar began, delivering a rapid slash.

Siegfried seemed satisfied with his recent effort, showing a faint smile.

"So, it feels like this. Understood."

"What will you name it?"

"A name?"

"Yes! Every technique should have a name! Just like magic!"

Although you don't need to say an incantation to activate it, giving a name to a technique you create is a given.

It would also make it easier to teach someone else.

But then, Siegfried suddenly threw a wooden sword at me, as if excited by my suggestion.

"Whoa!"

"First, I'll teach you this technique, then I'll think about it."

"…What?"

"We don't have much time. Pick up the sword."

A joyful smile appeared on Siegfried's face. That’s the expression he often showed when he tormented me during training.

"Eeeeek!"

"Don’t run away! Ken! Come on!"

Siegfried was spending his time creating his own technique.

So, what were the others doing?

“Ken! Help me out again today.”

“Oh, ag-again today?”

“Yes, it won’t take long. Hehe.”

Emily approached me with an innocent smile.

And we moved to an empty classroom, where no one else was around.

It used to be a classroom, but now it was used as a storage room.

As I sat down in my usual spot, Emily pulled a chair next to mine and took a seat.

“Uh, uh, is it really necessary to sit this close?”

“Why, don’t you like it?”

“No, it’s not that I don’t like it.”

“Isn't it nice to feel close and connected?”

Emily, seemingly dissatisfied with my question, pressed her body against mine playfully.

She even grabbed my arm and hugged it.

“Sorry, sorry. I don’t dislike it, so please stop.”

I apologized, realizing I had misspoken.

But instead, Emily smiled mischievously and whispered in my ear.

“No.”

“Eek!”

Although it didn’t feel bad, her breath brushing against my sensitive ear made me let out a strange sound.

Emily giggled, finding my reaction amusing.

So, what were we doing in this empty classroom?

We were aiding Emily’s recovery magic.

To be precise, I was her test subject.

“I’ll finish up quickly, so bear with it for a bit.”

“Uh-huh.”

Then Emily took my hand and brought it towards her.

And she gently brought her lips to my hand.

And bit it.

“Ow.”

I felt her soft lips through the back of my hand, and along with the pain of her teeth sinking into my skin, I felt her warm body heat.

Soon, Emily removed her lips from my hand and used a handkerchief to wipe the wound.

“Sorry, did it hurt?”

“No, it’s okay.”

Despite her apologies, Emily’s cheeks were flushed, and she had a faint smile that seemed to suggest she was enjoying it.

And with her slightly rough breathing, a status window appeared before my eyes.

[System: Emily Epiris’ sexual arousal has increased.]

Every time we went through this process, this status window appeared, apparently due to her sadistic tendencies.

“Is there really a need to bite?”

“Ugh, knives are too scary…”

Emily turned her eyes away, flustered at my question.

Wasn’t it just that she wanted to bite?

After a moment, blood started to seep out from the bite wound she had made.

“……”

With reddened cheeks, Emily stared blankly at the sight.

“Emily?”

“Ah, ah! Sorry, I’ll heal it right away.”

Snapping out of her daze, she quickly came to her senses at my call, raised her hand, and covered the wound.

Closing her eyes, Emily increased her magical power and focused.

“…Mmm~”

As her magic flowed around her, it created a faint light.

“If it’s hard, why don’t you try using an incantation?”

“W-wait. I think I can do it without an incantation now…”

After concentrating a bit longer, Emily finally seemed to get the hang of it and carefully spoke the starting word.

“Vitia.”

Immediately, the light of the flowing magic converged in Emily’s hand and surrounded my wound.

I felt a warmth different from her body heat, and soon after, the pain from the bite wound she made disappeared.

“You almost healed it completely this time?”

“Yeah, I almost perfected the basic level now!”

Though it wasn’t fully healed, the bite mark was barely a wound anymore, and Emily smiled brightly.

She seemed to feel a sense of accomplishment from her growing skills.

“Hey, Ken. Can we try one more time?”

“O-one more time?”

“Yeah, I think I can do it perfectly this time.”

Emily’s face was flush, and her breath was heavy, as if she were possessed by something rather than driven by effort.

Reluctantly, I extended my hand again.

“Hehe, ah~”

Her approaching breath tickled my hand.

Once again, her moist lips wrapped around my hand and bit me.

“Ugh.”

After that, she bit me three more times.

Mary was examining the map, confirming the route to the tower during the one-month waiting period.

"Ken, could you help me confirm this?"

She was also eagerly preparing for this journey, ensuring everything was ready.

The necessary amount of food, the cities we needed to pass through, and so on.

Recently, she had even finished arranging the carriages.

Mary's magical prowess was reassuring enough, but her attention to these details was outstanding.

"Here, this path. What do you think, Ken? I'm a bit worried about the appearance of monsters."

"Uh, um. I can’t see it very well."

The map she was showing me was partly obscured by Mary’s fluttering hair.

We were currently in the academy library.

As befitting an academy that hosts many distinguished guests, it had a building dedicated solely to the library, making it quite spacious.

Mary and I were in a secluded corner discussing our plans.

But there was one issue with the seating arrangement.

It was the fact that we only used 1 seat…

Mary was sitting on my lap.

"M-Mary? Why are you sitting on my lap?"

"......"

She didn't respond, just twitched her shoulders at my question.

For a moment, she stayed silent, leaning her body against mine.

Her fluttering hair tickled my nose, and a pleasant scent filled my senses.

The warmth from her petite body was palpable. Honestly, it's not that I dislike it.

After a moment, Mary slowly turned her head to look up at me.

"Recently, haven't you been spending a lot of time with Emily and Raphne?"

"…Yes?"

It's probably about practicing recovery magic or assisting in weapon crafting.

Mary, who brought up the topic, looked at me with an expressionless but somewhat gloomy face.

"I felt like I was being left out."

"L-left out? I also consider you very close, Mary."

"But recently, I've seen you getting close not only to Raphne but also to Emily."

Suddenly, the warmth around her body turned into a cold aura.

Why does she seem upset about something?

"So, I tried to get closer too... Am I making you uncomfortable?"

The chilling aura vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving Mary looking up at me with anxious eyes.

Of course, it's physically uncomfortable, but not psychologically.

It's just that her closeness makes me nervous.

Since she's sitting on my lap, as a man, a small mistake could lead to a disaster.

But looking into her moist eyes, I shook my head with a smile.

"Uncomfortable? ...Not at all."

"Alright, then shall we continue looking at the map?"

Satisfied with my answer, Mary smiled softly and lifted the map back up.

This time, she held it higher so I could see it clearly.

After busy days spent on our respective preparations, several weeks flew by in an instant.

Now, there's about a week left until the scheduled date.

It's time to hand over the equipment I carefully crafted after much deliberation.

In fact, the actual crafting didn't take much time, but deciding what to make consumed most of it.

First up is Emily.

"You made this for me?"

Emily, who received the round shield I made, looked surprised and then smiled with joy.

"Thank you!"

She hugged the shield, smiling, and even shed a few tears.

It seems she really liked it, which made me feel proud as well.

For Emily, who will be responsible for healing, I made a shield for protection.

A round metal shield.

Embedded in the centre is a Mana Absorption Stone, which provide excellent defence against magic attacks, and it underwent rune processing to make it lightweight.

Next is Mary.

"A staff?"

"Yes, I thought this would be good for you, Mary."

For Mary, who specializes in magic, I crafted a wand-like staff that's easy to hold in one hand.

Even though she's already skilled in magic without it, the staff is equipped with an Amplification Stone and a spell to aid in mana control, allowing her to use her specialty ice magic more comfortably.

"...This is nice."

Mary swung the staff a few times and tested her magic.

Something like a serpent made of ice crystals danced beautifully in the air.

After confirming its performance, Mary held the staff tightly and smiled.

Since she's usually expressionless, the smile, with a blush on her cheeks, looked even more radiant.

“I'll cherish it, Ken. Thank you so much.”

Next, I went to Adrian.

Like Mary, he might not necessarily need equipment, but having something is definitely better than nothing.

"Is this for me?"

“How's the size? If it doesn’t fit, I can get it adjusted.”

“No, it fits perfectly. Haha, I’m amazed at how well you know my hand size.”

“…I just eyeballed it.”

What I made for him is a glove-like magic tool.

Unlike Mary, who primarily uses magic, Adrian sometimes uses weapons, so I crafted something suitable for him.

The engraved runes and effects are similar to those on the staff.

“This is incredible… Ken, I didn't know you were this talented.”

After snapping his fingers a few times to create flames, he looked at his hands in amazement, having immediately confirmed the glove's effects.

And finally, Raphne.

“Wow, Ken made this for me...”

Raphne, who received the item, looked at it with sparkling eyes.

I hoped she would like it as much as I expected, and fortunately, she seemed pleased.

Raphne twirled the long spear in her hands a few times.

Even though she never formally learned spear techniques, Raphne demonstrated perfect skill.

“It’s just right! I love it so much! Thank you, Ken! I’m so happy!”

What I made for her was a spear.

A long spear that glows with a golden light.

After much deliberation on what to make for Raphne, who is adept with various weapons, I settled on this.

Of course, it’s not just an ordinary spear.

“Look, if you channel your magic here.”

“Wow! It shrank!”

As I demonstrated by channelling magic into a specific part of the spear, it shrank to the size of Mary’s staff.

“Depending on where you channel your magic, you can extend the length of the shaft or increase the size of the spearhead.”

An ever-changing spear.

This spear, much like Sun Wukong’s Ruyi Jingu Bang, would have been impossible to create without studying the related designs while repairing Aspetra. (Name from popular media)

The design itself is quite intricate, but the result is very satisfying.

With this spear, it can be used in a variety of ways depending on the length and it’s easy to carry.

So, the main equipment for the party is now complete.

Now, we just need to wait for news from Adrian.

The remaining week was spent checking our plans and preparations to make sure everything was in order.

On the promised day.

Late at night after the sun had set.

Wearing the hooded cloaks provided in advance, we gathered at the entrance of the Academy.

“Is everyone here?”

Emily and I split the storage of food and luggage using our Subspace Pockets.

As for other important items, each person carried their own.

The six of us gathered.

Each of us displayed determined expressions as we finished our preparations for the journey.

"We'll be back soon."

Nodding at my words, we set off on our journey, leaving the Academy behind for a while.

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