"That is right," Kabe said firmly.
He slung an arm around Elfman, who was actually a little taller than him, and led him over to the couch in the first floor living room.
"Listen. You are the man of your family. You want to help Mira support the house and take good care of Lisanna, right?"
Elfman nodded without the slightest hesitation.
"Yeah, of course!"
"Good. Hold on to that resolve. Now close your eyes and feel the magic particles flowing inside your body."
Elfman did as he was told, slowly closing his eyes.
"Now I need you, as a real man, to call out to magic with your heart and make it answer your summons."
A real man...
Elfman repeated the words silently in his heart.
Unbidden, memories surfaced of the days when, after Mira awakened her magic, the three siblings were discriminated against and driven out of their village.
During those harsh days wandering outside, he had lost count of how many times he wished he could be a man who could stand tall, someone who could step in front of his sisters and shield them with his own body from wind and rain.
And now, this was his first step through the door of magic, his first step toward becoming that man.
He absolutely could not keep letting Mira cry, or make Lisanna worry.
"Please... Partial Take Over, Black Bear!"
In an instant, a faint purple magic circle appeared beneath Elfman's feet.
When he opened his eyes again, his right arm had already transformed into a powerful limb covered in black beast fur, thick and muscular.
"I did it! I actually used magic!"
Elfman jumped straight up from the couch, shoving his furry, clawed arm in front of Kabe's face, shouting in excitement,
"Big brother, look, I learned Take Over magic!"
"Yeah. Congratulations, Elfman. You are now a real mage," Kabe said, clapping lightly to congratulate him.
Elfman's eyes instantly turned red. He lunged forward and grabbed Kabe in a tight hug, sobbing with joy.
Kabe helplessly patted his back a few times, then pushed him away.
"Alright, wipe those tears and snot off your face and go tell Mira and the others the good news."
"Yeah!"
Watching Elfman bolt upstairs in excitement, Kabe could not help the small smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth.
Maybe it was his mental age showing, but Kabe found he liked playing the role of the reliable big brother more and more.
Seeing the kids in the guild untangle their worries with his help gave him a deep sense of satisfaction.
"But seriously, why is everyone upstairs? Damn it, Elfman, you are a big boy now. From now on you live on the first floor with me!"
When he thought about how there were four girls upstairs tonight, each with her own style but all cute in her own way, Kabe's heart filled with jealousy toward Elfman, who could freely go up and down.
Tomorrow I am definitely telling Mira to move that brat downstairs too.
Harboring such dark intentions, Kabe returned to his own room alone. Out of sight, out of mind, he washed up early and went to sleep.
...
Early the next morning, Kabe was dragged out of his dreams by the loud laughter of the girls outside his door.
Rubbing his sleepy eyes, he opened the door and saw the girls gathered in the living room, chattering away and laughing about something.
He leaned lazily against the frame and complained,
"What is all the ruckus about this early? Do you not know some people are still sleeping?"
"Kabe, you..."
Levy turned with a smile, ready to greet him.
The moment she saw what Kabe currently looked like, her whole body froze, and she let out a sharp scream.
"Ah! You, you... why did you come out without putting on clothes?!"
"Huh? I am wearing something."
Kabe tugged at the only piece of clothing on his body, his underwear, completely unbothered.
"What is there to be embarrassed about? Back when Gray was at his worst, he would walk around completely naked. It is not like you have never seen that."
"T-that is completely different!
And that was Gray when he was a little kid. After you drilled him for two years, at least he knows enough to wear proper pants now!"
Levy protested loudly, her face burning, then turned away in a huff.
But her curiosity got the better of her, and the corner of her eye kept sneaking glances in his direction.
Her over-the-top reaction left not only Kabe speechless, even Mira, Laki, and Lisanna gave her a look that clearly said, "You are such a newbie."
Ignoring the blushing Levy, Mira hopped up onto the couch, eyes shining with pride as she announced,
"Listen up, Kabe. After discussing it, Laki, Levy and I have decided to form the Hot Love Beautiful Girls Squad.
Before we find our own long-term partners, the three of us are going to cooperate as a temporary team and take jobs together."
"Hot what now?"
Kabe tilted his head, his face full of question marks.
"That stupid name is obviously Laki's idea."
"What, you have a problem with my squad name?"
Laki yelled back, puffing out her very modest chest with exaggerated pride.
"Can't be helped. I am the one who has the best grasp of magic among the three of us right now.
So of course I claimed the naming rights without hesitation."
"Oh, then you are so amazing," Kabe said in a tone used to coax children, casually brushing it off.
Mira jabbed a thumb proudly at herself.
"But, since I am the only one among us with actual mission experience, the position of captain obviously has to go to me.
Laki can only hold the deputy captain spot."
Levy raised her hand at this point.
"And me, I am the team's strategist."
...
There are only three of you. Do you really need roles that detailed?
Kabe grumbled inwardly, but after a brief bit of thought he still gave a nod of approval.
"Not bad. Your little squad is actually quite decent.
Mira has great strength and attack power, she can be your main offense.
Laki's magic has good control and decent firepower, she can support and cover.
Levy's Script Magic speaks for itself, and she has a lot of knowledge stored up. Calling her a little all-round support would not be wrong."
Hearing that even Kabe, this "senior," acknowledged their team, the three girls all broke into bright smiles.
"But..."
Kabe suddenly changed tone. His figure flickered and, in the next instant, he appeared right in front of the three girls and gave each of them a sharp knock on the head.
"But that still is not a good enough reason for you three little brats to wake me up this early in the morning!"