I was jolted awake in the most pleasant way possible. Lira's lips wrapped eagerly around my morning wood, her golden eyes filled with hunger and devotion. She greedily serviced me until I finished, and properly woke up, ready for the day.
It wasn't the first time she had woken me up like this; she had grown bold during our time on the airship, and I had requested she do this whenever possible. But now there was one crucial difference.
Mae.
She had stubbornly refused to use her own little single room last night, claiming she wouldn't be "banished" when her "magnanimous master" had space enough to share. After some arguing, she'd fallen asleep on the sofa across from our bed.
When I pointed this out to Lira post-act, she froze, cheeks blazing crimson. Slowly, like someone about to face a firing squad, she turned her head toward the sofa.
Mae's small form was curled under a blanket. Motionless.
We both sighed in relief until Mae's sing-song voice cut through the silence.
"Can I stop pretending to be asleep now? I really want to get my hands on your pistols, Master, so I can give them a little tune-up."
Lira let out a strangled squeak and collapsed onto the sheets, pulling the blanket over her head. "Just kill me now!"
I groaned, tugging on my clothes before Mae could push things any further. She was sitting up by the time I walked over, already holding one of my mana pistols with far too much interest.
"What do you mean by tune-up?" I asked warily.
Mae twirled the pistol around her fingers like a toy. "I noticed yesterday, they're raw output only. No modulation, no regulation. They fire however much mana you channel. Functional, sure, but inefficient. I can add a manual limiter in fifteen minutes, thanks to my programming magic. Give you some control."
"If you're confident, go ahead. I'll head downstairs and order breakfast while you work." I gave her a pointed look. "And try not to tease Lira too much about this morning."
Mae pressed her lips together, failing to suppress a grin. "I'll try, Master. But honestly, I don't think I've ever heard her make a schlurping noise before in all the years I've known her. Truly educational."
From beneath the blankets came a muffled wail: "STOP TALKING!"
Shaking my head, I left them to their antics and went downstairs.
The receptionist greeted me with a polite smile, far warmer than when I first arrived at this hotel. Perhaps word of my actions yesterday had spread. I ordered breakfast for the three of us, coffee included, and was told it would be delivered shortly.
"Oh, and one other thing, sir," the receptionist added. "There's a skyfaring group currently in the city who may be suitable for your escort mission. They're available later today if you wish to discuss terms."
Perfect timing. I asked to schedule the meeting after lunch and returned upstairs.
I opened the door to find Mae perched smugly at the table, tinkering with my pistols, while Lira had bundled herself under the blankets with her ears covered like a sulky child.
Breakfast arrived shortly after. We ate together, Mae's laughter bubbling up every time Lira refused to look her in the eye. The rest of the morning was peaceful, spent studying and practicing, though I could feel Lira simmering with indignation beneath her calm exterior.
By afternoon, a knock at the door announced the arrival of our guests.
The door opened, and five women strode in with an air of quiet confidence. Their formation was tight, purposeful. Even without weapons drawn, their presence radiated danger.
"We are the Valkyries," the eldest said, her voice low and commanding. She was tall, with cropped silver hair and striking green eyes. A scar traced down her jaw, only enhancing her sharp beauty. "I am Captain Serana. Human."
She stepped aside to allow the others to introduce themselves.
A younger human followed, perhaps barely out of her teens, with long auburn braids and a bow slung across her back. "Alenya, scout and archer. I spot threats before they spot us."
Next was a wolf-kin woman, her furred ears flicking as she crossed her arms. "Kaelen. Warrior. My claws and steel will tear through whatever boards our ship." Her amber eyes dared anyone to question her.
The fourth woman stepped forward gracefully, her horns curling elegantly from her dark hair. "Veyra, of the demon clans. I specialize in wards and bindings. Should devils swarm, I can buy us the time we need."
Finally, the smallest of them, a cat-kin with quicksilver eyes and a tail that flicked constantly. "Miri. Pilot. If the ship goes fast, it's because of me. If it crashes… well, you'll never know, because I won't let it."
The introductions complete, Serana explained their capabilities. "We travel aboard the Skyfang, a medium-class ship reinforced for combat. She's fast, sturdy, and crewed by us five alone.
Against up to twenty sky devils, we can hold the line. Beyond that… the odds tilt. For the voyage to the Academy's island, we will charge five gold coins. Reasonable, considering the protection we provide."
Mae whistled. "A bargain, Master. They could've asked for ten, easy."
Lira shot her a look. "You don't set the prices, Mae."
"No," Mae replied innocently, "but Master does. And if Master wants to be generous, who am I to argue?"
Lira groaned into her hand. "Stop calling him that in front of strangers!"
The Valkyries only exchanged amused glances. I get the impression they had met Mae before, and knew what she was really like.
I cleared my throat and looked Lira, who nodded. "Five gold is acceptable. When do you depart?"
"In two days," Serana said. "Dawn. That should give you time to prepare."
We spent the next half hour discussing practicalities: what cargo was safe to bring aboard, how meals and sleeping arrangements would be handled, and what their expectations of us were.
They needed no additional crew, but welcomed coin for supplies if we wished to stock the ship with luxuries. I provided them with 2 gold coins immediately and told them to make the 10-day journey as comfortable as possible.
When the Valkyries finally departed, Mae stretched dramatically. "Well, that was exciting. A whole party of gorgeous women willing to protect us for a handful of coins. Master, your luck is disgusting."
"Our luck," Lira corrected sharply.
"Of course, big sis," Mae said sweetly. Then, after a pause: "Though I did notice how Captain Serana kept glancing at Master. Can't blame her. He is the strong, silent type… except when you're schlurping on him."
Lira's face turned scarlet, and she threw a pillow at Mae, who dodged with a laugh.
"Why are you like this?" Lira groaned.
"Because it's fun watching you squirm."
I intervened before another pillow war broke out. "We have two days before departure. That means tomorrow and the next day are for shopping. Supplies, equipment, and anything we want for the journey. If we're sailing with a crew like the Valkyries, I don't want to show up unprepared."
Mae raised her glass of dwarven water in salute. "To shopping, then. And to our master's ever-growing harem!"
Lira groaned again, but even she couldn't hide the smile tugging at her lips. I could tell that under the bickering, these two were great friends.
Two days. Just enough time to get everything we needed, and maybe survive Mae's endless teasing along the way.