Valença got out of bed. She had dreamed about training with Val'Drakar and ended up waking up with a bad feeling. Besides that, she had slept very little. Going to the bathroom, she began washing her face to stay awake and, soon after, started getting ready.
"I have to help Enrico free the Elves, and we're going to start today."
She slapped her own cheeks twice to push away any thoughts that might make her feel bad and left the room. While walking, she saw Serenya farther ahead. She seemed to be thinking a lot.
'Could she be thinking about how to become stronger?'
Valença passed Serenya with a small smile, like someone who believed she was ahead of the other girl. If that was what Serenya was thinking about to win Enrico over, then it was a shame, because Valença was confident that she had the advantage.
Serenya noticed Valença passing in front of her with that smile and immediately became irritated.
'Tsk. She'd better not be arrogant, because I'm going to surpass Circle Two as well.'
Besides, Serenya was the leader and Enrico was her subordinate. So, it did not matter if Valença was ahead of her in power; to Serenya, she was still at an advantage because she already had a better relationship with Enrico from the beginning.
"Besides, I'm prettier, hohoho."
"Why are you laughing, leader?"
Serenya looked back and saw Enrico. Somehow, he seemed healthier than he had been over the past few days. She had not seen him like that in some time.
'It doesn't matter. This is good... Does he look more handsome?'
Serenya quickly turned her head, her cheeks slightly flushed, trying to hide her reaction as much as possible.
"I simply remembered something, subordinate."
Enrico smiled at her, making her cheeks become even redder. The two began talking as they walked down the hallway.
Yumeha appeared right behind Enrico, like a guard watching Serenya as if she were a new challenger. Well, in Yumeha's mind, she was already practically married to Enrico. She only needed to make it official, so the others did not stand a chance.
'Of course, if Master wants more girls, they'll have to convince me, and even if they convince me, I'm the first.'
With a happy smile, she followed the two, imagining herself helping her Ketsumei with everything. She could hardly wait to turn eighteen.
Enrico said goodbye to Serenya, who said she was going to visit her mother, and continued walking with Yumeha toward the training field. Along the way, he began planning a new training session with her so that she could create a new Yokai. Yumeha quickly nodded. She had only been waiting for her master to begin creating a new Yokai.
When they arrived at the training field, they found Kai training with a wooden sword. He struck the wooden dummy and cut it in half without using magic.
Enrico looked at his stats and realized that, in just a few days, from Saturday until that week, Kai had increased his Circle to 86%, starting from the 80% he had previously.
'That's absurd. Is he really that excited to fight me? It must be that protagonist ability when they're excited.'
If he continued like that, Kai would reach Circle Two that week. As he approached, Enrico saw Giulio, Liam, and Camila.
'They seem to have strengthened their friendship quite a bit. That's good.'
"Master, are we going to start creating my Yokai now?"
Yumeha was quite excited to discover her new power now that she had reached Circle Two. Everything was thanks to her master, so she was very grateful to whatever deity had placed Enrico in her path.
"First, I'm going to start a different training session with him. Then, you, Yumeha..."
Enrico pointed toward Kai, who had started resting. Yumeha immediately became dejected. Not wanting to leave her like that, Enrico stroked her head, making her blush as her imagination once again began taking her to the idea that the two of them were married.
'I really can't wait...'
After calming her down, Enrico approached Kai. Before reaching him, he heard a conversation about how Kai could try to win that fight.
"Maybe you have a chance if he's too confident."
"Yes. Maybe he'll lower his guard now that he's reached Circle Two."
"Since you don't know him well, Giulio and Camila, let me tell you that Enrico isn't like that... I think."
Liam tried to explain, but ended up remembering that Enrico might have held back against Lan. He had to admit that, ever since Enrico had become thinner in that dungeon and fought like that, he did not know what his true limit was. The only time he had managed to see something close to it was when Enrico fought Elowyn and her subordinates.
Upon hearing that discussion, Enrico realized that they were coming up with a strategy to give Kai some chance. He looked at the protagonist, who seemed worried, but not about the fight.
'He must be worried that I'll hold back against him.'
Enrico had to admit that he felt sorry for Kai. His friends were thinking that his only chance of winning would be if his opponent lowered his guard. However, that pity quickly disappeared.
Kai was the protagonist, his second favorite character, and the one with the most potential.
Feel sorry for him?
What Kai needed at that moment was to become stronger.
"Kai, shall we start?"
Everyone noticed Enrico approaching with Yumeha, who was walking behind him while daydreaming. Kai stood up to get his sword, which he had left where the wooden swords were kept.
"Yes, I am."
"All right. Just rest a little longer so you're at one hundred percent. From what I saw, you were training."
Kai sat down. He wanted to fight right away, but Enrico was right. If he was not at one hundred percent, what was the point of having that rematch?
[Finally, some action. Watching you make those girls blush was getting boring.]
'Is what I'm sensing from you jealousy?'
[I would never feel something like that. Now, what's more important is what you're planning to do with the protagonist?]
A demonic smile appeared on Enrico's face, making the system start to worry. Licking his lips, Enrico had been excited to do that for a long time, but the protagonist was not ready yet.
Now, however, he was.
'Finally, I'm going to awaken his first magic.'
[If that was all, then why are you making that smile?... You're not planning something bad, are you? Why aren't you explaining it to me? How annoying...]