Morning sunlight spilled through the curtains, painting the room in soft gold. Tenra opened his eyes, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he glanced at the two girls curled up beside him.
To his left, Tosca slept soundly, her white hair fanned across the pillow, her head nestled on his arm. Every so often, her little nose would twitch, as if chasing after some sweet dream.
On his right lay Yubelluna, still and serene in the afterglow of last night's passion. She'd given herself to him completely, and the two of them had tangled together until deep into the night.
It was impossible not to compare. Tosca's innocence was endearing, but Yubelluna—her allure, her fiery devotion, the way she surrendered herself—was something else entirely. She was temptation incarnate, a woman who could make a man lose himself, body and soul.
Tenra couldn't help but marvel. In his previous life, a woman like Yubelluna would have been far beyond his reach. Now, not only did he have her—there would likely be others in the future.
Such was the privilege of power.
With strength came the right to savor the world's wonders, to wield authority, to win the hearts of remarkable women.
That was the unchanging law of this world.
"Tenra-sama…"
Yubelluna stirred, her eyes fluttering open. After last night, her beauty seemed to glow with an almost ethereal radiance. Tenra leaned in, unable to resist stealing another kiss from her parted lips.
"Rest a little longer, or you won't have the energy to keep up with us at school later."
Satisfied, he finally let her go. Yubelluna blushed, her cheeks tinted with a rosy glow.
Tenra dressed, tucked the blankets gently around both girls, and slipped out of the room.
It was still early. Kalamaina and Xuelan's group hadn't woken yet. Only the maids, Bürent and Malie, were in the kitchen preparing breakfast. They greeted him shyly, faces tinged with pink.
Tenra scratched his nose. He didn't need to ask—word of Yubelluna's "promotion" had clearly gotten around. He merely nodded in greeting and headed for the training grounds.
Despite his arsenal of Sacred Gears and overwhelming power, Tenra refused to let himself grow complacent. He'd never abandoned his sword training. Over the years, he'd learned from countless masters, sparred with legends, and forged his own style through countless life-and-death trials.
There might be a handful in the world whose swordsmanship surpassed his—but not many.
As usual, he planned to run through his forms before breakfast. But when he arrived at the training ground, someone was already there.
A petite girl with short blue hair, tied in several playful bundles—Mira, his loyal soldier and staff-wielder.
Among his peerage, Mira was one of the youngest, just a few years older than the twin sisters Ile and Nel. She specialized in staff techniques, and at the moment, she was in the midst of an intense morning practice.
She darted and spun, her long staff whistling through the air, each strike sending ripples through the atmosphere. With a final, powerful swing, a thunderous boom echoed across the grounds.
"Tenra-sama!"
Spotting him, Mira stopped, wiped the sweat from her brow, and hurried over.
"Mira, you're up early. Still working hard, I see."
Tenra ruffled her fringe, a note of pride in his voice.
"It's nothing, really. I can't use magic like Yubelluna-neesan, and I don't have Kalamaina's sword talent. All I can do is train harder, so I don't hold everyone back…"
She bit her lip, voice trembling. "Tenra-sama, am I… am I useless?"
The words were barely above a whisper, but the anxiety in her eyes was plain.
Mira was the weakest of his peerage. Even the youngest, Ile and Nel, had outpaced her after their training with the Phenex family. In a world where the strong thrived and the weak were left behind, Mira feared being discarded.
Tenra chuckled, shaking his head. He tapped her gently on the forehead.
"What nonsense. You're my retainer, Mira. Who dares say you're useless?"
He crouched down, meeting her gaze with absolute seriousness.
"I don't have any talent for magic either. I couldn't even awaken the Phenex bloodline. People used to call me worthless, but I never let it make me bitter or afraid. I never gave up on myself."
He smiled. "There are natural-born geniuses in this world, but there are also geniuses who are made—through effort."
He wasn't just trying to comfort her. He meant every word. If not for [Sacred Gear Plunder], he might not even measure up to Mira.
And Mira wasn't as lacking as she imagined. The Phenex family didn't waste resources on dead weight. Compared to most, she was already extraordinary.
For a moment, Mira just stared at him, her confusion and fear melting away, replaced by a spark of hope.
That's right—hard work could be its own kind of genius. Tenra-sama was living proof.
"Tenra-sama, I understand!"
She nodded vigorously, her eyes shining with new resolve. Her gaze toward him grew even more admiring.
Tenra grinned, pleased by how quickly she'd bounced back. She really was a sharp girl.
A thought struck him.
"Mira, let me see your weapon."
Mira blinked in surprise, but obediently handed over her staff.
It looked like a plain wooden pole, but it was actually a custom-made magic staff, crafted for her by the Phenex family. Sturdy, reliable, able to amplify her skills. But in Tenra's eyes, it was still lacking.
He turned his wrist, and a silver iron staff shimmered into existence in his hand.
"Tenra-sama, is that…?"
Mira's eyes widened. As a staff user, she immediately sensed its power—a rare and formidable Sacred Gear.
"This is the [Ruyi Iron Staff]," Tenra explained. "I took it from a Church believer once. It's every bit as legendary as the famed [Ruyi Golden Staff], just less well-known because it never found a true master."
He offered it to her. "From now on, it's yours."
Mira instinctively caught the staff, but her expression turned panicked. "Tenra-sama, this Sacred Gear is so precious—I can't possibly…"
Tenra just smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead.
"Mira, you're far more valuable to me than any Sacred Gear. Take it. Use it well."
Tears shimmered in her eyes. To have a master who cherished her so deeply—Mira would have gladly given her life for him, right then and there.
"But… but—"
She still hesitated, torn between desire and self-doubt.
Tenra only sighed, amused. And before Mira's stunned gaze, another [Ruyi Iron Staff] materialized in his hand, shining with the same silver light.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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