Wife, Child, and Friends' Changes...

Today had the finest weather Aincrad had seen all year. The forest seemed to have gained something extra; faint, unusual chirps and calls of birds, beasts, and insects drifted from every corner, making this already beautiful place even more alive. Beneath the cloudless sky and in the gentle breeze, it was truly a perfect day for an outing...

Deep within the forest, Asuna sat on the sofa in a wooden villa, dressed in cool, casual homewear. Holding a garment that had already begun to take shape, she carefully stitched and mended it. Judging by the deft movements of her hands, her tailoring skill proficiency had to be quite high. She clearly enjoyed herself as well, a faint smile lingering on her incomparably beautiful face...

After a year, Asuna had changed greatly. Outwardly, aside from growing a little taller, her chestnut hair becoming longer, and her figure becoming even more curvaceous, eighteen-year-old Asuna had not changed much. Yet her entire body now radiated the gentle, graceful aura of a mature woman. Compared to a year ago, her charm had increased by far more than a little! If Asuna went out again now, she would surely attract even more admirers, and her old fans might well go completely mad over her. Unfortunately, ever since she had left the Blood Pledge Knights, Asuna had never appeared in public again...

In other words, aside from Kirito, Liz, Sachi, Shion, and Silica, who occasionally came to visit, no outsiders had the good fortune to witness Asuna's changes...

However, anyone who thought Asuna had changed only in appearance and temperament would be terribly mistaken!

Although Asuna liked a peaceful life, she was also someone unwilling to admit defeat. Even though she was no longer in the Blood Pledge Knights and no longer participated in the clearing