[6 days later]
The warehouse was unusually quiet for mid-morning.
Selena trained silently in the gym corner—her breath controlled, sweat glistening down her arms.
I sat at the dining table, schematics scattered before me, fingers tapping my tablet as I flicked through blueprint revisions. A nearby construct hummed faintly as it calibrated itself.
From the floor between me and the gym mat, a familiar voice broke the silence.
"Ugh, I am so bored," Sara groaned dramatically, lying flat on her back and staring at the ceiling.
I didn't even look up. "Why don't you work out with Selena if you're so bored?"
Sara turned her head toward Selena, who hadn't missed a beat in her training. "I already did a workout this morning," she said defensively. "I'm not doing more."
"Then go visit your barn boy," I suggested dryly, still not looking up.
"He's on a mission," she muttered, pouting now.
I sighed. "Then I don't know what to tell you."
Sara propped herself up on her elbows and glanced around. "Nyx, aren't you bored too?"
Nyx sat behind me, perfectly upright on the couch like a statue, hands folded in her lap.
"No," she said simply.
Sara grinned wickedly. "Right, you enjoy watching Ren work."
Nyx hesitated before replying more softly, "It's… interesting."
Sara leaned toward her, eyes gleaming. "Interesting, huh? Is that what we're calling it now? You've been glued to her side all week. Are you taking mental notes for a fan club?"
There was a pause before Nyx quietly added, "I just want to learn… how she does things. She's very—" she glanced at me, then finished, "—focused."
I exhaled slowly. She's been following me around all week… even shares the bed, but never once gets in the way. She's different. She gets it right.
Sara flopped onto her back again. "Hey, Ren, what are you doing?"
"For the third time," I said without changing tone, "I am making blueprints."
"Blueprints for what?"
"Security systems and household utilities."
"Like… a water heater?"
"Yes."
"Are you building it today?"
"Tomorrow."
Sara sat up, affronted. "You've been saying that for a week!"
"It's my house."
"Ours," she corrected.
"Who's the boss of this house?" I asked flatly.
Nyx, tilting her head innocently, chimed in, "Isn't this a mansion?"
"It is, Nyx. Ren just doesn't know the difference," Sara teased.
I turned toward them with an exaggerated scowl. "Hey, I grew up in places like this. I do know the difference."
"Then why call it a house?"
"Because a mansion is a house. A large one. It's where you go to rest."
Sara shrugged. "Fair. So… what now?"
"Uploading blueprints. Then training."
Sara groaned. "Training again?"
"Yes. Look at Selena—she's been grinding for over an hour. You could stand to join her."
"Ugh. I don't want to."
"Too bad. You're joining."
From behind me, Nyx's voice was timid. "Can I join too?"
I gave her a quick glance. "Of course. You don't have to ask."
"Okay!" she chirped, hopping to her feet and jogging off to the gym with a light skip.
A smile tugged at my lips. She's like a teenager… still unsure if people want her around.
Sara smirked when she caught the expression on my face. "Aww, you're thinking your new girlfriend is cute."
"She's not my girlfriend," I muttered quickly.
"So not even a friend? Harsh."
"Sara. Don't push it."
She raised her hands. "Okay, okay. Just teasing." Then her tone softened. "It's hard to move on."
I nodded, my voice quieter. "I can't imagine… but I respect it."
"Then respect it."
Sara hesitated. Then, grinning again: "Did you at least sleep together?"
"Sara!" I barked, face heating up.
"I meant literally!" she laughed. "You're the one making assumptions."
I groaned. "Fuck."
"But seriously—is she not in your way?"
I shook my head. "No. She's… excellent at not getting in the way. Surprisingly so."
Sara squinted at me. "Wow. You're proud of that. You're smiling. That's terrifying."
"Shut up."
"You know she looks at you like you hung the moon, right?"
"She does not."
"She does. It's sweet. Weird. But sweet."
I tsked. "You and your mom are both so annoying at reading people."
Sara snorted. "Haha. Thank you."
Then I blinked, eyes narrowing. "Wait. Lina just arrived?"
Sara tilted her head, sensing it too. "If she were teleporting, I'd believe it. But she's walking. Weird, right?"
"Let's go check."
"That was the plan," Sara replied, standing.
I grabbed her arm. "Teleporting is faster."
"Agreed."
We teleported together to the main entrance. I opened the door just as Lina raised her hand to knock.
I blinked. "You know it's always open, right?" Then paused, seeing her full battle gear. "Oh."
Lina stood tall, eyes sharp, heat rolling from her aura like a rising sun.
Sara peeked around me and gasped. "Hey! Stop checking out our mom like that," she said, elbowing me playfully.
I elbowed her back. "Shut up."
Lina smirked. "You two haven't changed at all."
I raised a brow. "Why do you look like you're about to destroy a fortress?"
"We've got something to do, Ren. You're coming with me."
"Me?"
"Yes. Get dressed. Now."
I didn't argue. I vanished on the spot.
"Eep!" Nyx squeaked as I reappeared in the room.
"Sorry, Nyx," I said, grabbing clothes and teleporting out again.
Back at the entrance, I adjusted my belt, three swords nestled snugly in a custom scabbard.
Lina nodded at the design. "You made one scabbard for all three?"
"Easier to carry," I replied.
Sara, arms crossed, pouted. "Can't we come too?"
Lina shook her head. "No. Just Ren."
"Fine," Sara muttered. "Go have fun being mysterious warriors without us."
"That was the plan," I said, placing a hand on Lina's shoulder.
"Take us to Uwe's office, please," Lina instructed.
We vanished.
[Uwe's Office – Demon Castle]
Uwe barely glanced up from his desk. "Huh. You can teleport here even though you haven't been here before?"
I grinned. "Hehe, that's what you know."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Regardless," he said, folding his hands, "we have a minor issue to discuss."
"What is it?"
Leah stepped forward, arms crossed. "We need to plan how to get dragon blood from the clans that aren't cooperating."
I pointed at her. "Sounds like a you problem."
Leah rolled her eyes. "We know. The second issue, however, is one only you can solve."
I sighed. "Which is?"
"The first delegation from the human world will be traveling here. We need a guide and translator."
"Why the sudden visit?"
"Duke White arranged it. Gave us notice last night."
"Then can't he guide them? He speaks English, right?"
"He's staying behind to manage other affairs in the human world," Leah replied.
"He organized it and now I have to deal with it?"
Uwe nodded solemnly. "We're not thrilled either."
"Sigh… fine. When are they arriving?"
"Late afternoon."
"By carriage?"
"Yes."
I frowned. So the Sazanami isn't in the capital… I figured.
"I'm a terrible guide," I mumbled.
"We thought about using Artemus," Leah offered, "but she doesn't speak English at all."
"I'll do it," I said, waving a hand. I haven't seen her in a week…
Behind me, Lina smirked knowingly but said nothing.
Leah handed me a document. "Here's the list of visitors."
I skimmed it. "Only five?"
"All SSS-rank."
"Rank doesn't mean strength," I muttered. "Defense, agility, two range types… and the Saintess."
My eyes stopped on a code name I knew all too well.
"Yes," Leah said gently, "that's also why we need you there."
I frowned. Why would they send her? That's a big asset to risk in unknown territory…