[Now it’s your chance player Kazuki! Grab her like an animal!]

Stop it, I’m not going to do that.

[But what's the problem? You are alone!]

I know, but if I did that, I would destroy my chances with Murakami. So no, I’m not going to put my hands on her right now.

[But Scarllet doesn't need to know~ Hehe! Think carefully! This is the best gift you could give to Loveta! Don’t you like her?]

Yes, I do, but—

[Then why are you hesitating? You didn't think twice before grabbing her the first time you saw her~]

Shit! I’ve already told you that was a case apart! I didn't know the dream world was real!

[And what's the difference between being real or not? A man without instincts is equal to failure! Free yourself from the chains that restrain you and become the gorilla player!]

…To think that Phanta would become a hardcore Hansuke in Aether, phew, I think I deserve this. Ah, by the way, I ended up coming here earlier than usual, as I was extremely tired yesterday because of tests. I was able to confirm that Taichi was fine and that the guy we chased yesterday was indeed an imposter. I still don't know who he was, or what his intentions were, but as long as he doesn't show up again, it should be fine.

But anyway, as I showed up earlier at Aneesa's inn, I thought I'd explore the city to relax a little. But then, just before leaving, I noticed Loveta in bed, sleeping in the most beautiful way possible, which ended up catching my attention. Phanta obviously noticed the situation I was in and started talking in my ear just like usual.

Well, considering the fact that Loveta already likes me, of course she wouldn’t mind it. But that’s a different story when it comes to Murakami. I must not put my hands on Loveta before both are conquered! Yeah, I’m a man who thinks carefully about the future of my harem.

"Ah... Kazu... be more... kind... Umm~...”

So… what might she be dreaming about right now? Dammit, just by imagining it, my nose starts dripping…

Wait a little longer Loveta, just a little longer! Once I have you two under my thumb, I'm going to reverse my schedules on Earth and enjoy every night in this beautiful bed!

[This is not the best way to play player Kazuki, it's good to show what you feel for her from time to time...]

I'm already decided Phanta, it can't go wrong, after all, I can't risk getting one before the other. I still have Murakami's heart to conquer!

[Well-spoken player, but remember that things don't always flow the way we want... Acting on instinct is also part of the game.]

Thanks for the advice, but my mind is already made up, it can't go wrong.

[......]

I quickly go down the stairs.

“Ara, it’s Love-chan's boyfriend~ Are you going to keep your other girl company?” Asks Aneesa noticing my arrival. She was at the counter.

"Wait, has Murakami been through here today?"

“But of course! She always comes down early to do her morning training~”

Morning training? Strange, she never mentioned this before...

“Where is she right now?”

“Right in the backyard! Good luck~” She gives me a wink.

Yeah, Aneesa continues the same way, thinking we're in a three-way relationship... What can I do, that's just what is expected of someone who always sees us going in and out of the same room. Again, how I wish that were the case.

Anyway, why not check out Murakami before visiting the shops? I'm really curious about this morning’s training of hers.

I head to the backyard, and soon I see her kneeling in the grass, in a pose of deep meditation. Her stability necklace was again glowing and floating. Above her hands, she developed some kind of shiny, golden object—which soon crumbles. She sighs.

I then ask her “What were you trying to create?”

“Hum? Ryouzen??” She becomes startled by my sudden arrival. "Did you go to bed early?"

“Yes, I was tired yesterday… You know, school tests.”

She smiles. “Yes, I understand you. Good thing these were the last ones of the semester, right?”

I happily confirm. “Yes, thank gods they're gone. Exams now only two months from now!”

“Um, about what you asked, this is my preparation before battles. I do this to explore and develop my limits a little more. I can't evolve like you, but I try to at least train the state of my soul.”

So that's why her necklace was glowing like that? Makes sense.

“...What I was trying to create just now was the Excalibur.”

"Wait a minute, the Excalibur? Isn't that the sword of King Arthur??”

“Indeed, but of course, it's not the real thing, it's just a copy.”

“Yeah, it couldn't be... But it's still impressive how you can manage to identically replicate any type of sword. Like, I've already seen you creating katanas, foils, and so on. But by the way, why was the creation of Excalibur pushing you to your limits? All the others I saw you creating until yesterday didn't do that with your necklace.”

“Um, how can I explain?” She bows her head in thought “Well, to put it simply, my awakening is related to the idea that I carry with the item I want to create. So, if I consider a certain sword to be very powerful, the result of my creation will be equally powerful. In this case, as I consider the Excalibur being the strongest sword of all, therefore, the energy I will consume to materialize it will also be high.”

“Oh, I think I understand. But it's still important to be careful not to overdo it, right? I wouldn't want to see you going to meet the bishop so soon...”

After all, if this necklace of our breaks, we become more successive to the oscillations of our emotions. Then it would become nearly impossible to continue living here without it. Like, we could lose our memories, be sent to earth because of fear, lose the sense of space, and so on.

She laughs. “Could I know why you're not a big fan of his?"

“From the bishop? Ah, how can I put it... I just harbor my doubts about him and the Empire. As you said, the Empire doesn't seem to pay much attention to what's really important, like trying to end the nightmare episodes or fighting the moonstrucks, and the bishop remains with them although knowing all this. Besides, he wanted to force you to stay there, or am I wrong?”

...I'd better omit the part where I think he is a stud trying to persuade her.

“In parts… He wanted me to stay there because he thought I could still be of use to them for whatever reasons. After all, like it or not, I'm still a human creator. But you are right, if it wasn’t because of the emperor’s consent, I’d still be ther—"

“What?”

Murakami was about to complete her sentence, but right after the next instant, she was gone.

I look around.

Shit, where did she go? Has she woken up already??