City of Alexandria.
Morning rose slowly over the ancient city veiled in a thin layer of mist.
Sunlight pierced through the white vapor like blades of light, touching moss-covered stone walls and old towers that had stood in silence for hundreds of years.
Behind one of the city's deepest districts stood a large structure—an ever-active production facility for berry- and grape-based alcoholic beverages.
Inside, the air felt different.
It did not smell like metal.
Nor like wood.
The production chamber was filled with rows of pale-white fermentation instruments, all made of Dark Matter—an unusual material resembling living porcelain, reflecting light with a cold sheen.
Tall cylinders stood in neat lines, connected by fine pipes that channeled fermenting liquid with a speed and precision impossible for the technology of this world.
Inside each tank, wine and berry extracts rotated slowly, wrapped in layers of law-fields that regulated pressure, temperature, and fermentation time down to the molecular level.
Alpha stood with her arms folded, her sharp eyes fixed on one of the tanks.
"No matter how you look at it, it's still unreasonable," Alpha said quietly. "A process that should take decades… forced to mature in just twenty-four hours."
Beside her, Gamma examined a Dark Matter panel displaying the flow of production data, her fingers moving swiftly with the precision of a seasoned administrator.
"According to Ash-sama's design," she said respectfully, "the liquid's structure is accelerated as if time inside the tank itself is being compressed. The flavor, aroma, and depth of fermentation develop like a beverage aged for twenty-four years."
A faint smile touched Alpha's lips.
"With technology like this… Shadow Garden won't just dominate the battlefield, but the economy as well."
Gamma nodded slowly.
"And Alexandria will be its center."
Light footsteps echoed across the factory floor.
Chi emerged from behind the rows of Dark Matter tanks and bowed respectfully.
"Alpha-sama, Gamma-sama," she reported briefly. "Construction of the training grounds has been completed."
Alpha turned her head.
"Eta and Lambda?"
"They're waiting at the site," Chi replied. "Eta-sama wants to conduct structural field tests, and Lambda-sama requested Alpha-sama's presence for the final inspection."
Gamma closed the Dark Matter panel with a smooth motion.
"The timing is perfect," she said. "If both the training facilities and production lines are active, Alexandria will be fully operational."
Alpha gave a small nod.
"Good. Let's go."
Chi saluted once more.
"I will lead the way."
Amid the low hum of Dark Matter machinery and the faint scent of fermentation in the air, Alpha stepped forward—toward the next phase of Shadow Garden's grand design.
***
Fifteen days had passed, and winter had turned to its next chapter. The snow melted away, leaving damp earth and lighter air.
The temperature grew warmer, flowers began to bloom, and new buds emerged.
During those days, many things happened.
First, Gabriel was now living with Beatrix.
They sparred from time to time, while at night Gabriel often wandered—clashing with bandits or stray members of the Cult of Diablos—while refining the principles of his ki.
From that chain of battles, his own Zetten style gradually took shape: movements that flowed like brushstrokes across a canvas—gentle, yet decisive.
Second, ten days ago, during one of his nightly routines, Gabriel saved a Therianthrope Spirit Fox named Yukime.
Seeking strength, Yukime asked for guidance—and Gabriel accepted, with the mindset of a "blind" master who teaches his disciple through sensation, breath, and flow.
Now, it had been five days since Yukime began training under Gabriel, learning the Principles of Ki and Breathing Techniques.
Near a waterfall stood a Japanese-style house—created by Morgan through Magecraft. The wood was smooth, the roof simple, and the sound of falling water formed a naturally soothing rhythm.
On the veranda, Gabriel sat while sipping warm tea.
Beside him, Morgan carefully peeled an apple, her small knife moving without pause. Without saying a word, she brought a slice of apple to Gabriel's mouth.
Gabriel complied.
He bit into it obediently, then chewed slowly.
"Funny, isn't it," Morgan's voice echoed directly in his mind through telepathy. "You, this 'blind' one, are actually not bad. Your daily life is normal—walking practice, duels, drinking tea… only one flaw."
Gabriel stopped chewing.
"What?" Gabriel asked in his thoughts.
"You can't look at other women," Morgan continued softly, almost amused. "That's good. No need to fix it."
Gabriel immediately broke into a cold sweat.
"Fay… my reason for not relying on my eyes all this time is to refine my Ki Principles and my Zetten style."
Morgan let out a soft chuckle—the sound didn't escape her lips, only echoing inside his mind.
She fed him another slice of apple.
"Say ahh…"
Gabriel sighed… but still ate it.
Not long after, Gabriel sensed two familiar flows of Ki approaching.
From the distance, Beatrix came into view carrying several fish tied together in a bundle.
Walking beside her was a Beastkin—a spirit fox with snow-white hair and clear blue eyes.
Yukime.
As a beast race, her physical traits were obvious: a pair of upright fox ears and nine tails swaying gently with each step.
Her face was beautiful, her figure graceful, wrapped in a simple white kimono that contrasted with the surrounding nature.
"Tonight's catch is pretty good," Beatrix said casually, lifting the bundle of fish slightly.
"Yeah," Yukime replied cheerfully. "The water's cold, but there are plenty of fish."
As they stepped onto the porch, Yukime immediately gave a small bow toward Gabriel.
"Goshujin-sama—"
"Stop," Gabriel said calmly before she could finish. He raised a hand slightly, a faint smile on his lips. "I already told you. Don't call me that."
Yukime blinked, her tails swaying uncertainly.
"Eh… but—"
"Just call my name," Gabriel continued. "Or, if you must… sensei."
Yukime fell silent for a moment, then nodded quickly. "…Alright, No Name-sama."
"That's still too formal," Gabriel muttered under his breath. "Just No Name isn't that hard, you know."
Beatrix glanced at them briefly, then shifted her attention to Morgan.
"This house always feels… peaceful," she said shortly.
Morgan gave a faint smile. "The waterfall helps."
While the conversation carried on, Gabriel's thoughts drifted elsewhere.
"Fay," his voice sounded through telepathy, "maybe it's just a feeling… but why does it seem like a lot of women end up drawn to me? Beatrix, Yukime… or is this world just like that?"
Morgan fell silent for a few seconds.
Long enough to show she was genuinely thinking.
"Want the honest answer?" she finally asked.
"Go ahead," Gabriel replied through telepathy, brief and calm. "That's better."
"Don't overthink it," Morgan said flatly, her usual sharpness in place. "You're active, strong, and not an idiot. In this world, that's already enough to draw attention. Worrying about it won't change anything."
Gabriel let out a quiet breath.
"I guess you're right," he said in his mind. "There's no point dwelling on that kind of thing."
He took another sip of his tea, while the sound of the waterfall and the light conversation around them blended into a day that, for once, felt peaceful.
After a moment, Gabriel tilted his head slightly toward Yukime.
"Yukime," he said calmly. "How did yesterday's Ki principle training go? Are you starting to feel it?"
Yukime paused.
Her tails swayed gently before she gave a small shake of her head.
"…Not completely," she admitted honestly. "Using all five senses at once without reinforcing them with mana is… difficult."
She lowered her gaze slightly.
"I usually rely on mana to sharpen my sight or hearing. But what y—what you taught…"
Yukime quickly corrected herself.
"…what you taught is different. This isn't a supernatural ability. It's purely technique."
Gabriel nodded slowly.
"Right," he said. "The principle of Ki isn't about adding power to your senses."
He set his teacup down, then raised one finger.
"It's about realizing that your body is already reading the world, even when you don't consciously tell it to."
"The pressure of the ground under your feet, the change of air against your skin, the intent that leaks out before movement… all of it happens at the same time."
A small smile touched his lips.
"Most people cover that up with mana, because it's a comfortable shortcut."
Yukime looked at him seriously.
"…But without it, it feels like trying to listen to too many sounds at once."
"That's because you're still trying to listen to them one by one," Gabriel replied gently. "Don't listen. Just let it come in."
He paused for a moment, then continued, his tone a little lighter.
"Don't worry. If it feels too difficult, it just means the method doesn't suit you yet."
Gabriel rose to his feet slowly.
"I'll find a way to make this easier to understand. A way that doesn't force it."
Yukime gave a small nod, her eyes quietly shining.
"…Thank you, No Name."
___
Author's Note:
Don't forget to add your favorites, leave sweet comments, and all your Power Stones. 😌
Come on... don't be shy, or I'll be embarrassed too~ 😏
As for Date a Live being the next World, that's true. But please be patient until you reach Chapter 70. 😆