Ethan had survived pillow wars, jealous dates, accidental wardrobe malfunctions, and even a harem popularity contest…But nothing could prepare him for what he saw when he stepped into the divine arena.
It wasn't a battlefield — it was a glowing paradise. Floating platforms drifted in the sky, shimmering light bridges connected them, and in the center was a massive, ornate pedestal glowing with runes.
And on that pedestal was a single scroll.
Venelith, Goddess of Love and Lust, appeared above them in a shower of rose petals. Her voice rang out, smooth as silk.
"Welcome to your first trial. The rules are simple: retrieve the scroll and bring it to me."
"That's it?" Ethan asked cautiously.
Venelith smirked. "Oh, did I forget to mention that the platforms shift constantly, the scroll is guarded by my divine familiars, and the only way to reach it is through perfect cooperation?"
Ayaka, Luna, Hana, and Subject M immediately exchanged glances.
"This is going to end badly," Ethan muttered.
Trial Begins
The ground shook, and the first platform started moving. A countdown appeared in the air:
[Trial Start – 10:00]
"Ten minutes?!" Hana yelled. "We barely have a plan!"
"Then we improvise," Luna said, already dashing forward.
Ethan chased after her — only for Ayaka to grab him by the collar. "You're not running ahead without me!"
Subject M sighed and calmly followed, looking like she was strolling through a park rather than running for her life.
Obstacle One: The Swinging Bridges
The first challenge was a series of swinging light-bridges. Luna zipped across easily, but Ethan barely made it halfway before one swung hard and nearly threw him off.
Ayaka grabbed his wrist just in time, pulling him onto the next platform — landing them both in a heap.
Ethan's face turned crimson. "Th-Thanks—"
Ayaka smirked. "Don't thank me yet."
Luna cleared her throat loudly from the next platform. "Could you two flirt later?"
Hana jumped after them, her skirt flying dangerously high, earning a choked noise from Ethan and a glare from her.
"Stop looking!" she yelled.
[Pervert Points +150]
Obstacle Two: The Flirt Familiars
When they reached the next platform, they were met by… floating cherub-like familiars.
"Oh no," Ethan said flatly.
"Oh YES," Venelith's voice echoed from above, amused.
The familiars started giggling and shooting magical arrows — not to hurt, but to make them blurt out embarrassing truths.
Ayaka immediately confessed: "I once stole Ethan's hoodie and slept in it!"
Luna was hit next: "I secretly watch him train when he thinks no one's around!"
Hana tried to dodge but got hit twice: "I… like his cooking! A lot! And I may or may not have drawn him in my notebook—WAIT WHAT?!"
Subject M wasn't hit at all. She just smirked. "Mine aren't secrets."
Ethan nearly died of secondhand embarrassment, but the group somehow made it through, giggling and blushing.
[Bond Level Increased! Team Synchronization +10%]
Obstacle Three: The Moving Pedestal
With two minutes left, they reached the final platform — where the pedestal holding the scroll suddenly sprouted legs and ran away.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Ethan shouted.
The next minute was a chaotic chase scene:
Luna tried to tackle it but slipped, landing on top of Ethan.
Ayaka used wind magic to push it closer, but accidentally lifted Ethan's shirt in the process.
Hana leapt at it like a cat, but grabbed Ethan instead, both of them tumbling.
Subject M finally caught the pedestal by calmly walking in its path and tripping it with her foot.
"Got it," she said smugly, handing the scroll to Ethan.
With ten seconds to spare, they placed it on the glowing circle. The arena flared with light.
Aftermath
Venelith clapped her hands as she appeared again, looking thoroughly entertained.
"Well done. Messy, chaotic, but effective. You passed the first round."
Ethan collapsed on the ground, panting. "We almost died over a piece of paper."
Venelith smirked. "Oh, that was just the warm-up. Tomorrow's round will test not just your teamwork… but your deepest desires."
Ethan's stomach dropped. "...Define 'test.'"
Venelith only winked before disappearing.
The girls all turned to Ethan at once.
Ayaka: "So… hoodie thief, huh?"Luna: "Secret training admirer here."Hana: "Y-You heard nothing!"Subject M: "You heard everything."
Ethan groaned. "Tomorrow is going to kill me."