I had it rough yesterday.
The moment I hopped into bed, an awkward mood settled between Licia, Claire, and me.
We were restless, rustling on the bed, shifting our positions and turning to each other.
It was obvious that all three of us had our expectations for our first night sleeping together, but no one knew what to do or how to bring it up.
Our shame slowly lost to the warmth of our skins touching, and our hands slid down towards the places only lovers should touch each other on.
Once we noticed how much we'd been melting into each other, we shared a laugh and a night together.
Licia took the first turn, claiming she was my first wife, and Claire reluctantly agreed to wait, pressing me to finish fast while she shlicked beside us.
When I finally moved to her, I made up for it by giving her an extra turn.
She was fired up, saying she wouldn't lose now that she had experience, but when I noticed Licia was not done playing with herself and suggested a third round to Claire, she begged me for a break.
After we were finished, the two wore satisfied smiles on their faces, and despite how spent I was, I found myself wearing a similar grin.
Though when I thought about the future, a chill ran down my spine.
If things kept going like this, I wouldn't last another year.
It had only taken Licia one day without sex to get pent-up, and Claire was even more needy, despite not having nearly the same stamina as Licia and failing to keep up throughout the night.
While wondering whether I should impose limits or just enjoy their company to the fullest, I was surprised by a sudden request from Beatrice.
Beatrice: "...Have you already decided on how to use your powers this time?"
We'd just finished breakfast a few minutes prior.
Licia and Ellie were washing the dishes, while the other girls were distracted by the TV.
The moment I sat on the couch to join them, Beatrice took a seat right by my side, on the armrest.
Miwen: "I have some plans. Why?"
Our party wasn't doing badly on the weapons side; everyone had a way to defend themselves that worked well enough for the current floor.
However, I wanted to give Anna a shield and maybe a longsword, too.
Beatrice smiled softly, almost dismissively.
Despite the television's noise and the girls cheering at the movie, I felt buried by her silence.
Miwen: "...Is there anything you want?"
Even though I had a limited number of summons, as long as it wasn't anything dangerous, I wouldn't mind getting something she wanted for herself.
Her smile grew slightly, and she shifted a little, leaning closer to me.
I could feel her hand approaching my nape from behind the sofa, and with her body so close, I had to raise my head slightly to avoid her chest and look into her eyes.
Beatrice: "Fufu... If you don't mind... I'd be forever grateful if you could give me a Spellbook..."
Of course, she just had to ask for something dangerous.
I was planning on getting myself a spellbook eventually since I wanted to learn proper spells instead of relying on Formless Magic, but given the random aspects of my Gift, I was afraid to end up with something terrible in my hands.
Miwen: "And why do you want one?"
After I had just given her [Fire Magic] and [Water Magic], there was nothing more suspicious she could've asked for.
Beatrice: "Its speed makes Formless Magic useful for those fighting in the frontline... All you have to do is imagine the effect you want, and it'll come to life... However..."
She watched my reaction, but her words didn't surprise me too much.
Even though Earth had been exposed to magic for twenty years, we already knew the basics behind it.
Miwen: "Solid Magic is slower than Formless Magic since it requires a stronger foundation, but... That's not a problem for a mage fighting in the backlines, right?"
Though they often required a tool to help build a recurring visualization of the magic, as long as we bought Beatrice enough time, she could conjure proper spells.
Those would be much stronger than the normal, chantless magic we were using.
Beatrice: "We called them Spell Cast and Flexible Magic in my world, but... That is correct."
I had leaned so far away from her that there was now a gap between me and the armrest.
She wasted no time letting her weight fill that gap, her body softly pushing me away as her hand fell on my nape, caressing it.
Beatrice: "I could create my own spells, and I have quite a few memorized, but... Certain images and chants make for better spells, and I love learning from them."
Her index ran circles on my nape, her eyes still fixed on mine.
Beatrice: "In my research, I learned that Spellbooks are quite costly in this world..."
Unfortunately.
Printers could copy the words and images perfectly, but there was a component we couldn't mass copy that made Spellbooks different from any other book.
Mana.
Authors could leave behind traces of their own mana on the pages, which helped the reader get an instinctive feel for the magic described.
Weight, shape, proportions... Even the writer's intent, feelings, and knowledge could sometimes be transmitted to the reader.
It was like an interactive recipe.
The worst part was that those traces could be consumed, so even sharing Spellbooks could be hard, depending on how careless the previous reader was.
Miwen: "Prices vary, but... I doubt you'd want anything written by a nobody, huh?"
There were a few second-hand copies made by other magicians using the same words and images, but the different mana traces made them too inferior and unreliable.
Studying a first-hand spellbook could unlock a new skill; reading a second-hand one would not even be enough to level up the same skill.
Beatrice: "It's fine even if it's second-hand!"
She raised her voice more than I had ever seen her do before.
From the girls in the kitchen to the girls on the other sofa next to us, everyone turned toward her.
Beatrice: "I apologize. I didn't mean to shout. It's just that..."
She was far from shouting, though...
Beatrice: "You see... I was only called a witch because of how immersed I was in my research..."
Her tone returned to normal, but by now, it was already too late.
Claire: "Bullshit! Miwen! Don't buy that crap!"
The three girls on the other sofa, Claire, Mia, and Anna, seemed to agree, even if silently.
Though Claire was the only one to look for a weapon, Mia's eyes were sharp, and she breathed too evenly not to be fully focused.
Anna seemed hesitant, too.
Though like Ellie and Licia in the Kitchen, she only caught her breath, waiting.
Beatrice: "It's not a lie. My research earned me the title of witch... I'd only leave my house to participate in rituals and covens. Or underground auctions of Spellbooks and other artifacts."
Secluding herself to study magic was textbook witch behavior.
However, from what I had seen of her so far, Beatrice's teasing and reserved personality probably didn't help, either.
Beatrice: "...Suspicions and rumors started to spread with time, and eventually, I was denounced. Unfortunately, I was killed during the witch hunt and couldn't research anymore."
She let out a long, deep sigh.
For a second, it seemed like the part of the story that bothered her most was having her research forcefully stopped, rather than her heart.
It surprised me how open she was about it, though.
After Licia and Claire, I thought everyone's deaths were so personal that they'd only share it with me after we had established our relationship as partners.
Still, despite how casual Beatrice seemed about it, the air felt heavy, and we all had different reactions to her story.
While still seemingly doubtful, it felt like Claire was mostly holding on to her pride. She had her face turned, pouting with her arms crossed.
Mia stared to the side slightly, her lips curled downward.
The rest of the girls seemed just as conflicted, and even I felt her words sting deep within.
Beatrice herself was the biggest exception.
Besides the regret she showed about how everything ended for her, she seemed calm.
Miwen: "...I see."
For a second, I saw Mia and Beatrice's expressions change.
They watched me with wary eyes, their hands trembling.
The two had different, but equally sharp instincts.
Thanks to them, I corrected myself before the others could see it.
Miwen: "I'll give you one. And since it means so much to you, I'll give you enough to build your own library. Though it might take some time."
While I couldn't understand it myself, magic seemed to mean more to her than her own life.
This promise wasn't meant to bind her.
It was the same promise I'd made to all the others, only its shape was adapted to the witch's desires.
Beatrice: "Fufu... That'd be a dream come true."
She smiled with her eyes, tilting her head.
It was hard not to fall for the witch's charm when she showed such an honest side.
Miwen: "For now, here you go..."
I handed her a book.
The name on its cover read "On Fire Tornadoes", authored by a Zyliai Lyz.
Not a name I recognized, but it could be from a different world, like the girls were.
Unfortunately, no one else seemed to recognize it either.
Miwen: "Sounds like a fake name, but who knows?"
Still holding the book, Beatrice hugged me tight, pressing her chest against my arm.
Claire seemed ready to jump at her for that, and even Licia seemed a little jealous.
Bea's curves were hard to compete with, even for them.
Even though I only felt her body for a moment, the lingering sensation brought me a sense of accomplishment I couldn't put into words, nor risk thinking about it too much.
Beatrice: "...As I thought, you really are interesting."
She opened the book, whispering under her breath as she traced the pages with her finger.
I couldn't tell whether she was talking about me, my Gift, or the spellbook, but...
Miwen: "You're interesting too."
Once I had a second to think, I realized just how much sympathy Beatrice's sob story had earned her.
It'd be wonderful if the Kingdom could become a second chance even for a self-proclaimed evil witch like her.
But she was the one who told me not to trust a witch.
Even if yesterday she said it'd be great if I could trust her, and today she made herself vulnerable...
For the sake of everyone else, I decided to keep a watchful eye on the witch, while still allowing myself to feel for her.
Miwen: "Since I already have the menus open..."
Licia: "You're getting new skills!?"
She ran from the kitchen to the living room in a second, her arms rising over the sofa's back to massage my shoulders.
Miwen: "First things first..."
Since I used a ticket on the [Spellbooks Banner], I decided to only roll twice on the [Weapons Banner].
The girls all leaned closer to the table, watching with expectant eyes.
No more than a blink later, a spear and a sword rested over the table before our eyes.
While the spear was pretty basic, only granting a weak stat boost to strength, the sword caught my eye.
Through that, I didn't manage to get a shield, but I did get a sword that could probably fit Anna better.
[Roxy's Claymore
The captain of the East Army of the Niver Kingdom possessed a sword capable of shaking and even tearing the ground before her feet.
After the campaign in Wessmar, Roxy abandoned the sword, and legends started to spread about its uncontrollable power.
Despite the intense search, the claymore was never found.
This weapon provides a small boost to the user's strength and innate [Earth Magic].
Every swing causes the ground to quake in the direction the tip points to.
The power behind each quake is determined by the user's [Earth Magic] level and their strength status.]
The sword was massive, and I struggled to get it off the table with both hands.
Even though I was careful, the blade naturally fell slightly toward the ground, causing a small tremor that earned me a scolding from Licia.
Miwen: "...Anna?"
I stood before her, dragging the sword through the floor.
Anna: "Y-Yes?"
She stared blankly at me, tilting her head.
Miwen: "...It's yours."
As I pushed the hilt towards her, she blinked a couple of times.
Anna: "Eh? Are you sure?"
It was one of the best weapons the gacha had blessed me with, but...
She instantly proved it suited her best by lifting it with much less effort than I did.
Anna: "T-Thanks..."
She raised her arm, stepping forward to hug me.
But then she changed her approach, extending her hand instead.
Though I laughed internally at her awkwardness, I shook her hand with a smile.
Licia: "Now we get to the good part?"
I sat back on the sofa, and she started massaging me again.
Miwen: "Yeah."
With the six tickets I had left, I got another level of both [Physical Prowess] and [Last Man Standing].
Those were already great, but a laugh escaped me when I saw the triumphant return of the [Faster Tree Climbing], which rose to level 6.
It might've made me the world's fastest tree climber.
Mia: "...Did he break?"
She waved a hand over my face, tilting her head.
Licia: "Mhm. I think this is his favorite skill..."
Her words only made Mia more confused.
Mia: "Why...?"
Ellie: "I get it! C-Climbing trees is fun... I used to do it a lot when I was younger."
She sounded oddly excited for a second before her voice trembled.
I didn't have the courage or the energy to correct any of them, so I moved on to the most interesting parts.
[Physical Prowess] was the best result among the skills I already had, but I also seemed to get three new skills.
[Spear Throw] was probably the worst among the bunch since it required mana to be activated and only increased the perforating ability of thrown spears.
[Block Analysis], the second new skill, was immediately more useful since it'd allow me to hide the stain that was [Faster Tree Climbing] on my stats.
Unfortunately, it wasn't guaranteed to hide all of my stats, especially against higher levels of [Appraisal] and other info-gathering abilities.
Miwen: "The last one is [Stamina Increase]... Increases the user's total energy and decreases energy consumption... Always active but can be turned off..."
I paused.
This skill was exactly what I needed to ensure surviving the night battles with Licia and Claire, but I wasn't the only one who realized it.
Claire: "Oh... That sounds pretty good. How about-"
Her eyes flared up, and her lips curled into a mischievous smile.
Miwen: "Maybe another day."
What she lacked in energy, she made up for in enthusiasm.
While the [Stamina Increase] should be immensely useful for our Dungeon Raids, there'd be no point to it if I died before the next morning.
I could not share it with them.
At least, not before I had more levels myself.
Because it was necessary, and totally not to distract Claire, I also claimed the [Kingdom Points] and spent 30 of the 120 I had received on clothes again.
Since last time I focused on the girls, I decided to start by taking Mia's [Movement Speed Up] for myself.
The skill was at a higher level than I was, so I could only get the level 9 version, but I planned to get more levels from her.
Mia: "...I trained hard to get that skill leveled up."
She didn't mean anything by it. The comment simply escaped her mouth.
I hadn't thought about it before since the girls had lost all of their skill levels when summoned, but...
Even if sharing the skills around didn't reduce their levels, I could see how it'd sting someone who actually put in the effort to raise them.
Her frustration was valid.
Miwen: "Do you want something in return?"
I should've started with that.
Mia: "Hm.... Yeah, I heard you can bake cake?"
I wasn't talking about food, but...
That worked.
Miwen: "Yeah. Next time we pass by the market, I'll buy strawberries. Unless..."
Since I had already made strawberry shortcakes last time, I decided to try something else.
That would have to wait until after today's Dungeon Raid, though.
Miwen: "Speaking of which, Licia..."
I shared the [Movement Speed Up] skill with Licia as well, leaving me with only 35 Kingdom Points.
It was well worth it, though.
She was so happy that I earned myself a kiss on the cheek.
Claire: "W-What about me? I mean... I'm not saying I want anything, and I definitely don't need your help to get stronger, but..."
I didn't have enough points to share Mia's skill again.
However, I had just the thing for Claire.
Claire: "Eh? What do you want me to do with this?"
She looked at the [Culinary Arts] I gave her and tilted her head with so much honesty that I gave up spelling it out for her.
Since everyone had gotten something, or at least the promise of something, I decided to give Ellie [Culinary Arts] as well.
Unlike a certain someone, she'd been helping us out since the first day she was summoned and seemed eager to try her hand with the different utensils I had lying around.
Claire: "Hey..."
Before heading out, she rested her head against my arm, her voice sweeter than ever.
Claire: "You can't tease me this much..."
Miwen: "It's against the rules?"
Claire: "Yeah..."
She was competitive in too many ways to count.
Luckily for her, my willpower always melted under her cuteness.
With the last of my points, I gave Claire the [Physical Prowess] skill, and she thanked me with a warm kiss on my cheek.
Claire: "Ah! But don't get me wrong. I'm not saying I'll do anything for a skill, you hear me?"
She hurried me out of the door, hiding her flushed face while pushing me.