I had another dream last night. But this one felt… different.
In the dream, someone was biting my neck—and something soft and squishy was pressing against my body. When I finally opened my eyes, I found Yuki lying on top of me, her fluffy tails brushing against my chest… while Alice had her fangs gently clamped onto my neck.
"Good morning, Yuki. Alice," I greeted with a sigh.
"Good morning, Master!!" Alice chirped, her wings fluttering.
"Ara~ Ares woke up… and also down here-" Yuki teased playfully.
"NO! N-Not there!!" I stammered.
"Ares, not fair!!" Yuki huffed, puffing her cheeks.
And that's how my date with Yuki and Alice began.
Before things escalated—especially with Yuki—I quickly got up and headed to the nearby waterfall for a rinse. We had fallen asleep at the training grounds Hilda prepared yesterday. As I walked through the forest trail, Yuki clung tightly to my arm, and Alice fluttered around, asking a dozen questions about every flower, tree, and bug she saw.
Eventually, we arrived at Manaya Village, a peaceful settlement near Dendroit Town.
The villagers' eyes locked onto us. They whispered and pointed, especially at Yuki's snow-white tails and Alice's bat-like wings.
"Who are they?" one curious villager asked.
I thought for a second, then smiled.
"They're my wives."
"WIVES!?" the villagers shouted in unison.
The entire square fell into silence. Yuki's and Alice's faces turned bright red. Just then, a refined and beautiful woman approached, walking with elegant poise.
"You're the Tamer everyone's been whispering about?" she asked. "I'm Zenith Freshard, wife of the village chief."
"I'm Ares Meledric, from Uruste Village," I introduced myself. "Pleasure to meet you, Miss Zenith."
"You've certainly made a name for yourself," she said. "And you're here for…?"
"I'm on a date with Yuki and Alice."
"Ara~ A date with both? How lucky," Zenith smiled. "Well then, welcome to Manaya."
She graciously offered to show us around. Alice fluttered ahead excitedly, stopping at every stall, sniffing foods, touching handmade crafts, and asking nonstop questions. Yuki stayed beside me, watching the villagers with a soft smile.
But something was… off.
As Zenith gave us the tour, I felt a subtle tremor beneath my feet. A strange sound—like something massive shifting under the earth.
"What was that?" I asked her.
Zenith paused—only for a moment—then smiled. "Just the earth settling. Nothing to worry about."
She quickly ushered us to a cozy restaurant.
Zenith's smile lingered too long. "Enjoy your date… while you can," she whispered, turning her back. "Enjoy your meal. My treat," she said before walking away.
As we sat down, I whispered, "Yuki, Alice… did you hear that too?"
"Yes," Yuki replied, her expression serious. "Something's beneath this village."
"Me too!! It felt like something big!" Alice nodded.
"But we should speak in private," Yuki added, ears twitching. "We're being watched."
"Then let's enjoy our 'meal,' shall we?" I said, purposely raising my voice. "Now my wives, place your orders"
Yuki's face flushed crimson. "Y-Yes, Ares… I'll take… this one."
"I want this, Master!!" Alice pointed enthusiastically at a dessert.
Despite Yuki's teasing nature, she always melted when I turned the tables. Alice, meanwhile, was pure energy and innocence—but always tried to follow Yuki's example, even if she didn't quite understand it.
We stayed in the restaurant until evening. Yuki's sharp senses never stopped scanning the area.
When we left, we acted casual—but the moment we stepped outside, Yuki vanished, sprinting toward the suspicious figure. Alice flew up, divebombing them with a shriek. I climbed to the rooftops, cutting off their escape.
"Why have you been watching us since we arrived?" I demanded.
They said nothing.
A flash of light—smoke bomb. And just like that, they were gone.
"We'll get them next time," I muttered. "For now, this date isn't over."
---
Later, we went to a quiet lake near the village.
Yuki stared at the water, her cheeks warm.
"This lake... it reminds me of our first date," she whispered.
I gently wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her close.
"Ares!? W-What are you doing!?"
"Just teasing," I smirked.
She leaned in and kissed me. "How about now, hmm?"
My face turned bright red. "Alright… you win."
Then I realized—Alice wasn't with us.
Following her trail, we found her stomping wildly around a Raroot burrow, desperately trying to catch one of the rabbit-like creatures.
"Alice!" I called. "Be careful—"
"Don't disturb me!!" she snapped. "I can do this myself!"
She pounced again—and missed.
"Please… you'll get hurt," I said softly.
"Master Hummel always said I had to prove myself," she cried. "And now, I want to make you happy!"
"You already do. Just being here… is enough."
"But I never asked for help from anyone—!"
Suddenly, the ground rumbled again—this time much stronger.
A Rank B Alpha Raroot erupted from beneath, spinning like a living drill.
It lunged at Alice.
Without hesitation, I threw myself in front of her—taking the hit.
Blood splattered across the grass, but my Blood Magic kept me on my feet.
Alice burst into tears. "Why!? Why would you—!?"
"Because you're my wife," I said. "It's a husband's job to protect those he loves."
"I-I can't live like this…" she cried. "I need to prove I can protect you too…"
"ENOUGH!!" Yuki slapped her. "Ares just saved you, and you're still saying that!?"
"Vulnerable equals danger… that's what Hummel taught us…" Alice whimpered.
"He's not here. I am," I said firmly. "Let me show you what I can do—for you."
I raised my hand and activated my Spirit Angel Magic.
A glowing Angelic Arm formed—holding a radiant blade.
With one clean swing, I struck the Alpha down.
Its body collapsed beside me.
I knelt in front of Alice, gently took her wing in my hand, and pulled her close.
"You can ask for help. Not just out of curiosity… but out of trust."
Alice's eyes widened, then softened.
"Y-Yes, Master…"
"Go ahead," Yuki smiled. "You can kiss him now."
Alice hugged me tightly and kissed me. Her kiss was warm, trembling—like she was still learning how to feel safe. For someone who had been taught strength meant silence, this small gesture was everything.
"Master… can I have your surname too?" Alice asked.
"You can—if you promise to ask for help when you need it."
"Master… not fair…" she pouted. "But for Baby, I will!"
"...Baby?" I blinked.
"You looked so cute but cool fighting that monster," Alice grinned. "I'm in love with you!"
I turned to Yuki, who was red as a berry. "I-I love you too, Ares…"
---
That night, we lit a small campfire and lay beneath the stars.
The two girls eventually drifted to sleep, snuggled against me.
I opened their status windows.
> Yuki Meledric
Race: Fox-kin (Frostvolt Ninetails)
Class: Assassin
Magic: Cryo, Plasma
Level: 354
Ability: Assassin Flash II – Boosts Agility by 150% upon activation.
> Alice Meledric
Race: Bat-Harpy (Divine Lightwing)
Class: Vanguard
Magic: Spirit Angel, Shadow
Level: 351
Ability: Vanguard Parry - 100% chances to successfully blocked enemy attacks.
As I lay back, I pressed my ear to the ground.
That rumbling from earlier—it was still there. Still alive. Still hidden.
Zenith definitely knows something.
But I'll investigate it later—once all my wives are with me.
Tomorrow is Reshia and Seraphine's turn.
And I intend to make that date just as special—if not more memorable than this one.
I closed my eyes… and let sleep take me.