(I'm back, sorry it took so long to update, I just moved to an area where the internet is pretty bad.)
Belfast studied Yuuto carefully. Her attention was drawn to the crown encircling the young man's head—an object that did not look like ordinary jewelry, but rather like a part of Yuuto's own body, pulsating with the energy of life itself. Belfast gave a small nod, then handed him a phone.
"Here, Darling. Please continue your training," Belfast said softly as she passed the device to him.
Yuuto took it, then gently shook the shoulders of Honoka, Kotori, and Umi, who were still asleep nearby.
"Honoka, Kotori, Umi… wake up. I need to continue my training now," Yuuto whispered.
Honoka did not budge at all; instead, she tightened her embrace around Yuuto's body, as if refusing to let go. Meanwhile, Umi and Kotori slowly opened their eyes and began to sit up.
"Sorry, Melusine… it looks like we ended up interrupting your training time," Kotori said apologetically.
Yuuto gave a warm, faint smile. "It's fine, Kotori. Honestly, I'm happy to be hugged by beautiful girls like you."
At that spontaneous tease, Umi and Kotori's faces instantly flushed bright red. They quickly stood up awkwardly, with Umi turning away and covering her face.
"Honoka, wake up! Melusine needs to continue his training!" Umi called out while trying to pull Honoka by the shoulder. Instead of moving, Honoka buried her face even deeper and hugged Yuuto tighter.
"I don't wanna! It's really comfy here—I don't want to let go," Honoka whined. She was completely clinging to Yuuto like a koala refusing to leave its tree.
"Honoka, stop being so stubborn!" Umi continued tugging, her expression growing irritated.
Yuuto fell silent for a moment, then gently stroked the top of Honoka's head. His touch was soothing—befitting both a knight and a true fae.
"Honoka, once I finish today's training, you can do it again during the break later," he said in a low, charismatic voice.
Hearing that, Honoka immediately looked up, her eyes sparkling. "Really?!"
"Yes, but later, during the break, okay?" Yuuto replied with a faint smile.
"Alright!" Honoka finally released her hug and stood up energetically.
"Hehe~ Awesome! I can sleep in Melusine's arms again later!" she exclaimed happily as she headed toward the spectator seats.
Seeing Honoka's behavior, Umi and Kotori could only stare blankly. A blush lingered on their cheeks, mixed with jealousy they could not quite hide.
However, Honoka's steps suddenly stopped right in front of Belfast. Only then did she realize that the Head Maid had been watching them the entire time with an unreadable gaze. Cold sweat immediately formed on Honoka's temples.
"B-Belfast…" Honoka murmured nervously.
Belfast merely smiled—a perfect, inscrutable smile—then lightly patted the empty seat beside her.
"Please, have a seat, Honoka," Belfast said gently. She then turned her gaze to Umi and Kotori, who were still standing stiffly behind her.
"You two as well. Please, sit."
The three could only nod obediently and quickly take their seats, feeling slightly intimidated by the Head Maid's elegance.
Yuuto, watching the interaction, could only smile wryly. He stood up and walked firmly toward the center of the spacious warehouse.
"Alright, now it's time for the main event," Yuuto murmured to himself. He began doing light stretches, preparing his body.
---
Yuuto landed softly on the apartment rooftop, almost without a sound. He carefully set Belfast down from his arms, making sure her feet touched the concrete surface comfortably.
Belfast looked at Yuuto with concern she could not hide.
"Darling… are you really alright? What you did earlier went far beyond the limit. That was too reckless."
Yuuto chuckled softly at her worry. "I'm fine, Belfast. See? I'm still strong enough to carry you all around the city if you want," he joked, subtly flexing his arm, which was still firm despite the sweat.
"Darling!" Belfast scolded him, her tone firm yet full of concern.
Yuuto finally let out a long sigh, his smile turning slightly awkward.
"Well… I admit it. I did go a bit overboard. Trying Marble Phantasm for the first time was more exhausting than I expected, hehehe~. But don't worry—after a short rest, I'll be completely fine."
"For tonight, I ask that you rest properly, Darling," Belfast said in a tone that brooked no argument.
They descended from the rooftop together. Belfast did not release her grip on Yuuto's arm.
Click.
The apartment door opened. As soon as they stepped inside, Belfast slowly released her hold.
"I will prepare some warm tea to help you relax," she said before moving gracefully toward the kitchen.
Yuuto nodded lightly and dropped himself onto the sofa, leaning against a soft cushion as he closed his eyes.
"Ugh…" He rubbed his throbbing temples. "I guess I got too absorbed in manipulating the probability of reality and lost track of myself."
His mind drifted back to the training earlier. As a Genuine Fae, altering the world was instinctive, but this was the first time he had tried it seriously—it still required adjustment. Even so, a faint smile formed on his lips as he recalled Honoka, Umi, and Kotori's laughter as they flew joyfully through the distorted reality he created. At least they had fun.
"I should check the group," he muttered.
Yuuto reached into his pocket and pulled out his flip phone. But the moment his fingers touched it, the device vibrated heavily—twice.
Yuuto froze. This vibration felt stronger and more urgent than a normal notification. It was the first time he had ever seen the device react like this.
With curiosity mixed with caution, he opened the flip phone to see what was happening in the chat group.
The next second, a flood of messages filled the screen…
---
Lady Avalon: Ara? It seems we've gotten a new guest this time. I wonder who's lucky enough to get lost here? ♪
Irene Belserion: That system vibration felt different. Usually it only vibrates once, but this time it vibrated twice. Is something different happening?
Yuuto Kido: Oh, so that vibration was for a new member? But if it was twice, does that mean something unusual?
Kuroneko: Very unusual. Normally this group—well, I mean, notifications for all previous members—only triggered one vibration. This is the first time this has happened.
Yamato: Hey, hey! Forget about the vibration for now! Let's welcome our new friend properly! Welcomeeee!
Hatsune Miku: Haha, you all get distracted so easily. But Yamato's right—let's greet them first.
Lady Avalon: Yes, yes! Hello there, sweet wanderer—or should I call you "fate"?
Lady Avalon: You might be confused right now, but welcome to the interdimensional chat group. Here, you can talk with people from many different worlds. Sounds impossible? Don't worry, I'll explain everything slowly.
Lady Avalon: Oh right, I almost forgot to introduce myself. My name is Merlin. If your world has legends about King Arthur, then you surely know me—the greatest, most magnificent, and of course, most beautiful flower mage!
Yuuto Kido: Sensei… you're exaggerating again.
Lady Avalon: Oh my~ What do you mean, my beloved student? First impressions are crucial, you know. You should also show your dignity more often so people will see you as a truly majestic figure! ♪
Yamato: Whoa, really?! That's amazing!
Lady Avalon: Of course, Yamato. You can trust every word I say. I'm a sincere and honest mage, after all!
"Trust her?"
Yuuto stared at the screen with a flat expression. For some reason, an instinctive urge surged within him, telling him to punch Merlin in the head right this instant. It seemed that even without Arthur's soul, his anti-Merlin instinct still remained.
Just then, Belfast entered the room carrying a silver tray with a teapot whose aroma was deeply calming.
"What is it, Darling? Why do you look so irritated?" Belfast asked gently, noticing the change in Yuuto's expression.
Yuuto looked up and let out a long sigh.
"Oh, Belfast… it's nothing. Sensei is just causing trouble in the group again."
Belfast smiled. With elegant and precise movements, she placed a cup of warm tea in front of Yuuto.
"Please enjoy it, Darling. It will help relieve your fatigue."
"Thank you," Yuuto replied as he accepted the cup.
Belfast then sat neatly beside Yuuto, quietly keeping him company. Yuuto was just about to take a sip when the flip phone in his hand lit up again.
"Oh… looks like our new member is finally typing," Yuuto murmured. He held the teacup right at his lips, ready to read who had joined their "group."
Two messages appeared simultaneously on the screen, causing the phone to vibrate twice.
---
Zelretch: That name…? Impossible… You're really there, huh?!
Hikigaya Hachiman: Sorry, it seems I joined the wrong group. I'll leave in a few seconds. Please continue your business and pretend I was never here.
Yuuto, who had just taken a sip of tea, suddenly widened his eyes. Instead of going down his throat, the warm liquid went into his airway due to sheer shock.
"Cough! Cough—cough!" Yuuto coughed violently, his face turning red.
"D-Darling?! What's wrong?!" Belfast panicked at once, quickly patting Yuuto's back and taking the teacup so it wouldn't spill.
Meanwhile, the chat group fell into complete silence for several moments—until Miku's message broke it.
---
Hatsune Miku: ???
The next second, a barrage of messages appeared almost simultaneously, each with wildly different tones.
Kuroneko: This… this can't be real, right? Why is that person able to enter this place?!
Lady Avalon: YOU?! YOU CRAZY OLD CORPSE!!! GET OUT OF HERE RIGHT NOW BEFORE I STUFF YOUR MOUTH WITH LILIES!!!