Inside the lounge of the mansion which was lavish yet mysteriously homey with soft cushions, transparent curtains and a flickering hearth lit with bluish fire gave everything a faint dreamlike atmosphere.
Everyone had gathered in the main lounge after a short and frustrating expedition through the rest of the mansion that lasted until evening. Vastarael was leaning back against the curved edge of a long plush couch, his face tilted toward the ceiling in what looked like contemplation… but really, he was holding in a grin so large it would shatter his whole Divine persona if he dared let it slip. Narisva began, her legs crossed over the edge of the couch, her usual smirk tugging at her lips.
"So, we have a slight issue."
"No kitchen," Peroncerea sighed dramatically, plopping beside her with a pout. "Seriously, no kitchen. Not even a fruit bowl. We checked all the cabinets. They are all empty. What kind of luxury mansion doesn't have food?"
"One meant for beings that don't need food," Elyonari said calmly, brushing her silver hair behind her ear as she walked in with two sapphire mugs in hand that Vastarael made. "We've transcended mortal requirements, remember?"
"But not mortal cravings," Xander added with a groan from across the room. "I'd kill for some hot spiced meat stew right now. The streets smelled amazing."
"I mean, the coastal town is just a short stride away," Eldrigan offered with a shrug. "We can just go there to eat. I'm not dying for food, but I'm not surviving off air either."
"Fine," Farrynelle said with a smile as she leaned against him, "we'll go tonight. And try not to eat too much."
Then came the second, juicier realization of the evening.
"So... four bedrooms." Natalis declared, her tone completely innocent.
Eyes darted.
"So that means," Denisia followed up casually, arms behind her head, "someone's gonna have a very interesting night."
Vastarael choked. Narisva asked flatly, not even hiding the gleam in her eye.
"You alright there? You suddenly look... contemplative."
"I'm fine," he replied way too quickly, clearing his throat. "Just... processing. We've fought monsters and destroyed sealed pillars. Shared sleeping space logistics is just... logistics."
"He's lying," Adelasta said immediately. "He's been holding in his excitement for the past ten minutes."
"Adelasta—"
"He acts like he's the noble, composed monarch but he's just thinking how he's going to sleep on a single bed with three women without imploding."
Elyonari blinked. "Wait. Three?"
"Me," Adelasta counted, raising one finger. "You and Narisva. That's three."
"Oh." Farrynelle coughed into her palm. "Rest in peace, Veneri."
Narisva leaned forward lazily, her eyes half-lidded.
"It's a good thing the rooms are soundproof, huh?"
A collective wave of raised eyebrows rippled through the lounge.
"Wait, they are?" Eldrigan leaned in.
"They are," Peroncerea confirmed. "I tested it by blasting a high-frequency whistle while Adelasta was in her room. She didn't hear it."
"Divine-grade privacy," Xander muttered. "Bless the architects."
"This place just keeps getting better," Eldrigan muttered, trying not to smirk too hard as Peroncerea looked away with a flustered laugh.
"I'm still not over the fact that I got paired with them," Vastarael muttered, mostly to himself.
"Oh, don't act like you're the victim," Narisva teased, propping her chin up with one hand. "You're going to be the happiest man in the world by dawn."
"Hey I'm trying to be respectful."
"And failing," Adelasta added smoothly.
Elyonari stretched as she stared at her boyfriend with a grin.
"To be fair, Veneri's got a lot of self-control. He did live with Adelasta for five years and didn't do anything."
"Yes, but we weren't sleeping in the same bed every night," Adelasta interjected with a sly smile. "Now he has to sleep between three Divine-level women, two of whom occasionally sleep naked."
More silence. Farrynelle giggled, while Natalis and Denisia leaned toward each other whispering things that were definitely not innocent, which is ironic for divine beings from heaven.
"Alright!" Vastarael snapped, standing up abruptly, his face slightly red. "Enough teasing. We have a massive basement training hall and we should talk about that."
"Oh yes," Elyonari said, smiling sweetly. "Let's shift topics before someone combusts."
The basement was, in fact, a marvel. It stretched beneath the mansion. It was built to allow full Divine Transformation battles without collapsing the structure above. Vastarael had tested the durability earlier and noted it was constructed from a substance that was almost indestructible by anything below Sixth Enlightenment.
"I can already see myself burning half of this place down," Narisva said wistfully.
"You'll try," Eldrigan muttered. "I'm going to practice full-body barrier casting."
"I might just nap down there," Xander said, earning a look from Farrynelle.
Vastarael clapped his hands once.
"Alright. I want to tell you all something. We have a beach all to ourselves."
That got everyone's attention. Peroncerea, who had been using Eldrigan's shoulder as a pillow, yawned and looked toward the balcony. "Wait, we do?"
"Yeah," Vastarael said, stepping aside so they could all see the glittering shore below the cliffside. "A beach, clean sands, beautiful waves, no spectators. Ours for as long as we're on this island."
"Why are you saying this like you're about to propose a world-changing event?" Xander asked, half-joking, already stretching his arms.
"Because I am. I want us to enjoy ourselves."
That took a moment to sink in.
"You mean like… relax?" Elyonari asked slowly.
"Exactly. We've been pushing nonstop since we got into this whole test cycle. It's been four days of hell to get here. So before training begins three days from now, I say we make today count."
"You're oddly energetic," Adelasta muttered, narrowing her eyes with suspicion.
"That's because I have a plan. We're going to throw a divine beach gathering tomorrow morning. Food, drinks, maybe some light music, and no one's allowed to talk about training, fighting, Enlightenment, or who almost died."
"Wait, food?" Denisia blinked. "Didn't we already establish the kitchen is non-existent?"
"I'll cook," Vastarael said confidently. "I'll handle all the meat and spices myself."
"You cook?" Natalis raised a brow.
"I've been in the Fallen Bridge for years," Vastarael said dryly. "You think I survived on air?"
"But…" Narisva cleared her throat, lifting one hand casually. "I can cook too."
Everyone turned to her.
"Can you wake up early to cook breakfast for everyone?"
"No," she said flatly. "I'm a late riser. Like, very late."
"Then you get lunch and dinner with me," he said, smirking. "I'll take breakfast."
"Fine," she mumbled, pulling a pillow over her head. "But if I wake up and you've overcooked anything, I'm teleporting it into your boots."
"So you're serious about this?" Eldrigan asked, arms folded as he leaned against the wall.
"Dead serious. We've got money, right? We're all from massive Dynasties, famous bloodlines, ruling castes, or divine lineages. Everyone can chip in."
"You're making us do a shopping list," Adelasta said with the flattest voice possible.
"Yep. We're going to town tonight. Together."
"This is giving village life nostalgia," Xander muttered, standing up and stretching.
"Honestly," Elyonari said with a small laugh, "I'm not opposed."
The Andelaris twins, however, looked confused.
"We're Divine," Natalis said slowly. "We don't really need these things."
"Pleasure isn't about need," Vastarael said, his tone shifting into something oddly wise. "We're immortal. Immortal means forever. And if you don't find joy in simple, beautiful things like food and friendship and watching the stars while holding something warm in your hand… you'll go insane."
"Not being able to eat," Denisia muttered thoughtfully, "does sound a bit miserable."
"See?" Vastarael said, pointing at her.
"Fine," Natalis sighed, tossing her hands up. "We'll play along."
"Everyone else, prep for a night walk," Vastarael said. "Wear something light."
"You're really taking this seriously," Farrynelle giggled as she looped her arm around Xander's. "I'm not complaining. I could use some fresh town air."
"I'm getting that meat," he replied, already walking toward the stairs. "And spices. Lots of them."
They all began preparing slowly, getting up from the lounges, moving lazily but with rising excitement. Vastarael sighed and smirked.
"It's about time I brought Earth food to Spheraphase."