A Reunion of Prestigious Elven Families? (5.6K)

"... It seems to be the same food from the school cafeteria..."

"Wow, that's amazing! Could this also be the power of ancient artifacts?"

The three of them looked at him in disbelief.

"How could that be? It's just a little trick."

Mahiro shrugged, then pushed the plate towards them, "Try it while it's hot, and see how it tastes."

At his prompting, Rose and Sherry each picked up a dish and began to taste it.

Result--

"Waaaaah!!"

Accompanied by a strange whimper, Rose and Sherry's cheeks flushed slightly, and at the same time, they suddenly felt a moment of disorientation, their jade legs, tightly bound by black stockings, involuntarily twisting together.

I never imagined these dishes were not only edible, but also so delicious!

The seemingly thin piece of meat in your mouth bursts with unexpected juices with just a gentle bite!

The juices from the grilled steak still maintain a certain temperature, and as you chew the tender meat, a natural sweetness from the meat itself bursts forth.

The flavor isn't overly complicated; the sweetness of the juices complements the tenderness of the meat itself...

Even Sherry, who wasn't originally that interested in meat, fell in love with this feeling!

"How does it taste?"

"Phew... it's delicious, Yotsuba Clan- sensei."

Rose suppressed her surging emotions and responded to him with a smile, maintaining a ladylike demeanor, provided she could ignore her slightly awkward legs.

Sherry, on the other hand, was already lost in a dream of delicious food. After finishing her steak, she picked up a freshly baked bread and ate it in small bites.

The same delicious taste made her absolutely addicted!

"That's good."

Seeing the happy expressions on their faces, Mahiro was very satisfied with their reaction.

These dishes were modified from the dishes provided in the college cafeteria, with some of his own creative additions.

Of course, this idea isn't for computer accessories.

"Hmm? Claire, why aren't you eating?"

Mahiro suddenly noticed that Claire was just staring at the dishes and had no intention of eating them.

He was about to ask that question when he noticed the basket she was clutching tightly in her arms, and her white fingertips gripping the edge of the basket.

Mahiro finally understood.

Even if you haven't had countless relationships, anyone with a modicum of emotional intelligence can understand Claire's current feelings.

So, during her brief moment of silence, Mahiro reached into the basket, took out a sandwich, and ate it under Claire's surprised gaze.

"Mmm, it's delicious, Claire, I really like it."

"... Really?"

It seemed that just because of that one sentence, even his slightly dim eyes brightened up again.

"Yes, of course. You should all try some; Claire made it herself."

Mahiro then took out a few more sandwiches and shared them with Sherry and Rose.

As for Est, she was completely absorbed in preparing her favorite tofu dish, utterly engrossed in it.

Although I was a little angry to see them eating the dishes that Mahiro prepared for Mahiro, I felt inexplicably satisfied when I saw how much they praised them.

A bright smile slowly appeared on her usually tense and aloof face.

And so, a lunch that almost turned into a bloodbath came to an end.

It was time for the afternoon swordplay lesson.

"Miss Est, are you really not planning to go back?"

"No. I'm tired of being inside the sword. After thousands of years away, I've come out again and decided to enjoy everything here. Besides—"

The tiny sword spirit made a small, capricious request in a calm tone.

She tugged at Mahiro's sleeve again.

"I have feelings for Mahiro and want to stay by your side."

"... Is this considered a confession?" Mahiro smiled unconsciously.

"Hmm, maybe. I might like Mahiro."

Est nodded.

Although she, as an elf, might not actually understand things like liking, one thing is certain.

If she disliked it, she wouldn't have Mahiro into a contract; if she wanted to refuse, she could still do so.

However, Mahiro sighed softly and placed his hand on Est's head.

Est didn't refuse; instead, she looked up at him with a puzzled expression.

"It's fine outside, but I need to use you for class in a bit."

"Can't."

Est refused decisively, muttering under her breath, "Mahiro never properly formed a contract with me, nor did she use any prayers to summon me, and she even used other weapons..."

Prayer?

He'd never even heard of that thing!

However, judging from her resentful expression and her understanding of Est, the sword spirit, Mahiro could understand what Est was jealous of.

It's simply because he's using other weapons that I'm unhappy about, just like yesterday.

In that case, it would be the easiest to handle.

Mahiro come up with an idea, he put on an exaggerated yet distressed expression and inadvertently complained:

"Oh dear, if Est won't let me use it, what am I going to do for the rest of the class? There's no other way but to use those swords that are even more dazzling than Miss Est's."

"...!"

In that brief moment, Est was deeply shaken!

Seeing this, Mahiro his advantage, leaned down and whispered in his ear:

"Miss Est, you wouldn't want to see me use other weapons and leave you standing around, would you?"

"Ugh..."

Est let out a small, mournful cry, turned her head, and puffed out her cheeks slightly, saying:

"You bastard, I don't Mahiro like you anymore, Shin-chan."

After saying that, Est transformed into a streak of light, which in his hand became the Demon-Slaying Holy Sword that he had seen in the shrine that day.

At the same time, he heard Est's voice in his mind—

[The ruthless steel queen, the holy sword that slays demons and monsters--]

[Transform into a steel sword, grant me power!]

[Mahiro, remember my prayer well, and use it properly to summon me next time!]

"Yes, yes, dear Miss Est, I've got it."

Whether or not he uses it is his business.

Chapter 197 The Elven Noble Families Reunite? (5.6K)

Sword skills lesson time.

Compared to yesterday, there were far fewer people attending the course today.

The number of students was reduced from fifty to twenty-four. His strictness caused many students who lacked talent and were unwilling to work hard, and who just wanted to coast along, to give up.

They chose to skip the elective course altogether.

This didn't really matter to Mahiro; in fact, it fulfilled his wish.

Even if only Claire and Rose are left in the classroom, he will continue teaching.

After all, quality is more important than quantity.

It's better to train two elites than a bunch of good-for-nothing disciples.

As for the course content, it was almost the same as yesterday: first, basic exercises, then personal guidance, and finally, pair practice.

Claire's rival is naturally Rose.

As time went by, their skills improved rapidly through constant competition.

Rose was already very talented; even in the academy's entrance exam, her strength had already reached the "strategic level" standard, which was in the top 0.3% of the academy's evaluation system.

She's almost on the same level as Princess Alice.

As for Claire, she has an inherently competitive personality, and with the enhancement of her body by the potion, her strength improves dramatically every day, making her almost unrecognizable.

Soon, the two of them had reached a level of skill that was significantly higher than others in their grade, and even in the entire school.

Mahiro was very pleased and enjoyed it, feeling like he had personally nurtured an account that was about to take shape, even though graduation was still a long way off.

By the way.

As for Shadow Garden, they have already moved their base to the capital, and Gamma's merchant guild plan is proceeding smoothly.

However, the name of the chamber of commerce is not "Yoshikoshi" as in the original work, but "Arcadia".

That's right, after discussion, Seven Shadows chose to follow his naming convention.

The various modern goods sold by the Chamber of Commerce are highly sought after by residents throughout the kingdom, and even attract people from other kingdoms who come specifically to buy them.

For a time, the Arcadia Trading Company was unparalleled in the capital city of Midgar.

Meanwhile, the Shadow Garden was also expanding rapidly in secret.

Especially the recruitment of members.

During the day, Mahiro attends classes at the academy, and at night he sometimes goes out with Seven Shadows under the guise of "taking a walk" to rescue girls possessed by Demonic Possession.

Just like this night.

"Ha... ha... ha..."

Under the pitch-black night sky, a young girl was fleeing through the forest, her long, bright pink-gold hair flying wildly in the wind.

Her pristine long dress was torn by tree branches, revealing her fair and delicate skin covered in grime.

Even though the surrounding vines left hideous scratches on her delicate body, bleeding profusely and causing her to shed tears of pain, the girl dared not stop for a moment.

Just because--

"Catch that little elf girl, don't let her get away!"

Not far behind the girl, several soldiers were in hot pursuit, while the unleashed hunting dogs raced through the jungle.

The increasingly close and rapid footsteps could be heard, and even the barking of the hunting dogs was clearly audible; the pursuers were getting closer and closer.

A tear slipped unnoticed from the corner of the girl's eye, gradually blurring her vision.

"Waaah... Someone... Someone please save me, Daddy... Mommy... God! Anyone will do!!"

Her name is Victoria.

Originally a saintess in the Church of the Elven Kingdom, she always lived a life of devotion to the gods and helping believers.

Being able to help believers is the happiest thing for her every day.

But everything has changed today.

Everything from the past has completely collapsed.

The once devout believers all changed; they no longer called her "Holy Lady," but instead called her "the devil."