Assuming the others had already returned, Takeru and his group exchanged brief farewells with Yui and the others and departed. The Reincarnator Hall was not conducive to extended conversation.
Though here, both Observation Haki and Takeru's mana perception were restricted to a very limited range, the possibility of special abilities eavesdropping on their conversation remained.
Thus, many matters were inconvenient to discuss here.
Beyond the risk of being overheard, another factor was the lateness of the hour.
Soon, upon his return, Takeru recognized the familiar ceiling. Confirming Wendy and the others were absent, he noted the time: approximately 10:20. He then again employed spatial transfer, returning to the villa.
Upon his arrival, Takeru saw Emilia and Rem were explaining Kumara's presence to Miu and Ai.
The sudden appearance of so many peculiar beings naturally startled the two. Salamence, Houndoom, and the others, though speaking was unusual, were Pokémon, so it's not entirely surprising. Yet the sudden addition of a little loli like Kumara piqued Miu and Ai's curiosity.
Most significantly, they keenly perceived the ears atop Kumara's head were genuine. This was their greatest astonishment.
"Takeru-sama!" With Takeru's appearance, Kumara, Wendy, Ryoma, and the others swiftly gathered beside him. In this unfamiliar world, the special connection to Takeru naturally fostered a degree of dependence.
Wendy and Ryouma differed from Beatrice and the others. They were not Takeru's followers but existed in a category more akin to items or equipment.
However, bound by Takeru's necromancy magic, they retained a considerable connection to him.
"Wendy, maintain your diminutive form. Ryoma, your duty shall be guarding this residence." Looking at them, Takeru rapidly issued commands.
"Yes!" Hearing Takeru's words, Wendy and Ryoma respectfully replied.
"Onii-chan, how is it that one trip out yields so many Pokémon and people?" Looking at Takeru, Miu appeared somewhat exasperated.
"Special circumstances. You need not concern yourself." Seeing Miu's exasperated gaze, Takeru vigorously ruffled her hair.
Hearing Takeru's explanation, Miu rolled her eyes.
"Oh, why did Karin, Lia-nee, and the others suddenly disappear earlier? Did you take them somewhere?" Suddenly, Miu recalled something and directly inquired.
"Yes. Enough of that. This time, I have a gift for you." Seeing Miu asking questions without stopping, Takeru hastily interrupted her.
"What? What is it?" Hearing Takeru mention a gift, Miu excitedly inquired.
Seeing her excitement, Takeru directly produced a Mana Seed and a White Whale Robe.
"What are these?" Though unaware of their nature, Miu excitedly accepted them and directly inquired.
"This is a Mana Seed. Similar to the Nen Seed, it awakens mana within you and enhances your magical affinity. You have always wished to learn magic. It may divert your Nen Talent, but if this is your desire..."
Both Nen Seeds and Mana Seeds were precious items. Yet gifting them to Miu caused Takeru no regret. She was, after all, the one he had raised since childhood, his closest family.
"Thank you, Onii-chan! I shall cherish this absolutely!" Hearing Takeru's words, Miu tightly embraced him. Though the household had grown increasingly crowded, she still sensed Takeru's deep affection for her.
"Onii-chan, do I just eat it?" Miu then curiously inquired.
"Yes. Consume it directly." Hearing her inquiry, Takeru nodded.
At Takeru's words, Miu swallowed it directly. Soon, she sensed energy rapidly transforming her.
Ai, watching nearby, gazed expectantly at Takeru. Though silent, her desire for a gift was evident.
"Ai, extend your hand." Seeing Ai's expectant expression, Takeru considered briefly, then selected a bracelet-type equipment from the remnants of Esdeath and the others' selections and placed it on her arm.
[Holy Spirit Bracelet: Strength +5, Spirit +8, Speed +5. Attached skill: Recovers 5 HP per minute.]
As the bracelet encircled her arm, the initially loose band contracted, soon fitting perfectly.
"Thank you, Master!" Gazing at the beautiful bracelet, Ai was deeply enamored. It was a gift from Takeru.
Moreover, she was astonished that upon donning the bracelet, she sensed that there's a remarkable clarity of mind and a considerable increase in her strength.
"Oh, Miu."
"What is it, Onii-chan?" Hearing Takeru suddenly address her, Miu, who had been sensing her mana, asked curiously.
"That robe. You may wear it during training or meditation." Looking at the puzzled Miu, Takeru directly stated.
"I see. Understood!" Hearing Takeru's words, Miu paused, then nodded.
Having settled matters with the two, Takeru next arranged accommodations for Salamence and the others. This was less an arrangement than a necessity, as they were essentially confined to the courtyard or the rooftop.
"Takeru, would you like to freshen up and rest?" Having witnessed Takeru settle everything, Rem hurried to his side and asked anxiously.
"No. I have some matters to attend to." Hearing her words, Takeru shook his head.
"I see. Is there anything we can assist with?" Hearing Takeru's words, Rem quickly inquired.
"No. It is nothing troublesome." Hearing her words, Takeru shook his head.
"Understood." Hearing Takeru's words, Rem could only acquiesce. The others watched Takeru curiously, wondering what he intended.
Subsequently, Takeru proceeded to a corner, produced the Star Soul Fruit Seed exchanged with Fujimiya Konomi, and moved to the villa's peripheral courtyard. With a mere thought, a small pit formed in the earth.
Then, Takeru planted the seed. The soil autonomously covered it.
Subsequently, his Senjutsu Chakra surged, transforming into vibrant, life-giving energy that flowed into the Star Soul Fruit Seed.
Sensing this special energy, the seed, as if possessing awareness, frantically devoured Takeru's energy, then sprouted and began to grow.
"What is that?" Watching Takeru's actions, Miu and the others were intensely curious.
Hearing Miu's inquiry, Beatrice and the others, equally unaware, simply shook their heads.
As time slowly passed, the Star Soul Fruit's tree steadily, resolutely grew upward. Yet its growth rate was unexpectedly slow.
The energy sufficient to blossom and bear fruit for a Green Spirit Fruit or a Blaze Fruit merely advanced this tree to approximately one meter.
Evidently, this fruit tree was exceptional.
Observing this, Takeru ceased further contemplation and continued its stable catalysis. Under his persistent effort, the tree rapidly reached four meters. Then, to everyone's curiosity, it blossomed. The flowers withered, forming dark blue fruits.
Sensing the fruits' emergence, Takeru did not pause but continued catalysis. Soon, the dark blue fruits slowly deepened to dark crimson, emitting a faint, delicate fragrance, which is a sign of ripening.
"So fragrant! Onii-chan, may I taste one?" Smelling the fruit's aroma, Miu directly inquired of the now-paused Takeru.
"You glutton. Are you not concerned it might be poisonous?" Hearing her words, Takeru rolled his eyes.
"It should not be, right?" Hearing Takeru's words, Miu paused.
Takeru, however, briefly inventoried the harvest. The first fruiting yielded merely eighteen fruits, fewer than twenty.
Without further thought, Takeru plucked one and bit into it. Instantly, the fruit's delicious juices flooded his taste buds. As fragrant as its aroma suggested, the fruit was exceptionally sweet and refreshing, granting him enhanced clarity.
Then, Takeru quickly consumed the entire fruit. Subsequently, he quietly perceived its special enhancement effects.