A cluster of fireflies, like orange lanterns, suddenly scattered, resembling scattered stars, while blue-glowing plants gently swayed by the lakeside.
Bai En, who had returned from the Royal Capital, stood in the shallow water by the lake, the end of his wide black robe immersed in the water.
The night lake water was icy cold.
He slowly removed the red-striped fox mask from his face, revealing a handsome countenance, then exhaled slowly, the slightly cold night breeze carrying damp water vapor as it was drawn into his lungs through his nose.
The sudden intake of cold air brought Bai En back to his senses from the stimulating battle he had just experienced.
"You're back."
"Tsk... I only intended to spar with Nozel, but then Jack, the Magic Knights Squad Captain of the Emerald Mantis Squad, and Kaiser, the Magic Knights Squad Captain of the Purple Orca Squad, both showed up. Even Magic Emperor Julius arrived in the end."
The young man's soliloquy echoed over the lake.
"Good thing I reacted quickly, otherwise, it's not certain if I would have made it back safely."
"Knowing that several of the Magic Knights Squad Captains were having a gathering, I should have acted from a distance..."
"However, this exchange of blows yielded significant gains. At least I gained a clear understanding of the practical power of the Six Eyes and the new Magic, and even a further understanding of the Magic Emperor's Time Magic."
Bai En's azure eyes dimmed, but his dark pupils remained bright and sharp.
Maintaining the Six Eyes requires a certain amount of Magic power. If the Magic power maintaining the Six Eyes is interrupted, the Six Eyes will dim.
While prolonged maintenance of the Six Eyes offers many benefits, such as extremely low Magic consumption when casting spells, 360° observation without blind spots, and precise Magic replenishment, its drawbacks are also very obvious: it easily fatigues the brain... increasing the burden.
One needs to consume a large amount of sugar through sweets.
This also made Bai En gradually develop a liking for overly sweet desserts. Perhaps if this continues, he will soon become a sweet tooth like a certain Satoru.
The fine, messy slashes of [Dismantle] rapidly cut and tore at the fox mask and black robe Bai En had taken off, grinding them into powder that scattered with the cold wind blowing across the lake.
Having cleaned up the 'tools of the trade', Bai En turned and walked into the forest, which was encircled by orange fireflies.
This night raid on the Magic Knights Squad Captains made him clearly realize one thing: the difference between strong and weak might be due to Magic, but the difference between strong and strong... largely depends on Magic.
After this incident, Bai En's path forward became clear. Firstly: accelerate the excavation of the Sky Elf's potential through combat, and then travel to the Heart Kingdom to complete the tempering of the final cooking utensil.
Secondly: further develop the Limitless Magic under Six Eyes, instant movement in terms of mobility, and devise special Magic to counter "Space Slash" and "Time Magic."
If all else fails... he should at least max out his escape skills, right?
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
At the Aqua Deer base, the lights in the hall were still on.
Everyone seemed to have just returned from the Star Festival in the Royal Capital.
Gosen and Sesk had long lost the depression and gloom they had when packing up their stall. Both of them were hunched over the table, intently staring at the pile of yul, their mouths fixed in pervert-like smiles, their eyes completely engrossed.
It seemed their luck was good; they had won quite a bit gambling at the tavern?
Bai En raised an eyebrow and greeted everyone in the living room, "I'm back, good evening everyone."
"Welcome back~"
"Good evening~"
Fragil and Nancy lay sprawled on the sofa, responding weakly. Piles of various items surrounded them: clothes, beauty and health potions... and food.
The mountain of items made Bai En feel he had underestimated women's desire to shop. So, even in another world, women enjoy shopping?
Shortly after Bai En entered the living room, Rill also returned to the base from outside. He maintained his usual high energy, his short legs running like pinwheels.
"Everyone, everyone~"
"You're all still awake, are you waiting for me?"
Everyone looked back for a moment, then abruptly turned away without responding. They seemed to have grown accustomed to Captain Rill's various eccentric behaviors.
"Eh? Everyone seems so cold."
Saying this, Rill suddenly covered his mouth, his voice becoming faint: "Could it be... I'm being ostracized?"
He observed everyone's actions in the living room: Gosen and Sesk were dividing the gambling winnings on the table, piece by piece; Bai En walked to the kitchen, seemingly wanting to make something to eat... Upstairs, Eric and Francis were holding billiard cues, apparently playing pool.
'No, I must get their attention!'
Rill made up his mind. He walked to the center of the living room and clapped his hands, trying to attract everyone's gaze, "Alright, alright, everyone, please look at me! I have something very important to tell you all!"
"Everyone heard the news at the grand ceremony today about organizing the selection for the Royal Knights Squad, right?"
"So, who wants to sign up?"
"I heard they'll select elites from each squad and then launch a counterattack on the Midnight Sun's base. It'll be very dangerous, won't it?" Gosen muttered as he put the yul he had received into a bag: "In the previous Royal Capital defense battle, even the Magic Knights Squad Captain of the Crimson Lion Kings Squad lost an arm."
"Whether he's alive or dead, there's still no news."
"I'm not one of those elites in the Order of Knights Squad either. I'd rather honestly stay home and guard the gate, and occasionally go flirt with girls..."
As Gosen spoke, he looked at Sesk, who was also counting his money bag beside him, and asked, "What do you think?"
"What do I think?" Sesk murmured. After putting his money bag into his pocket, he raised his hand and said to Rill, "Captain Rill, I want to sign up for the Royal Knights Squad selection."
"Huh?" Gosen lowered his voice, "Are you crazy? That's very dangerous! It's completely different from those usual minor skirmish missions! People will die."
"I know."
Sesk nodded, "That's precisely why I want to go. It's a great opportunity to make a name for myself. I didn't join the Magic Knights to live a mundane life."
"..."
Gosen suddenly felt a sense of being stabbed in the back. They were both equally lazy and laid-back in their daily lives, and now you tell me you aspire to achieve great deeds and make a name for yourself?
Pain... it was truly too painful... Sesk secretly whispered into Gosen's ear: "I heard that Mages selected after participating in this Royal Knights Squad selection will receive a reward of 600,000 yul. If they return victorious, their monthly salary will increase significantly."
Hearing this, Gosen's eyes changed rapidly. First, there was the heartache of being betrayed by a friend, then he slowly became surprised and shocked, finally settling into calm.
He sat up straight in his seat: "Um~ Captain Rill, excuse me."
"I think Sesk is absolutely right. How can one only pursue the mundane aspects of life and royal princesses? I also want to participate in the Royal Knights Squad selection. I don't seek to make a name for myself, but merely to contribute my own strength to the Clover Kingdom!"
...