Admiration

Chapter 54 - Admiration

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[Seia POV]

(12:00AM Midnight - Girl's Room)

I, who was lying in bed were blankly looking at the ceiling during this quiet tranquility of night. Hearing the tiny breath of everyone who was already in their sleep on this time of darkness—were the beautiful starry night was slightly illuminating the room through the windows. Albeit very dim, it was enough for me to see my surroundings.

"I can't sleep..." I mused.

When I try to sleep, I always remembered the words that can't be removed to my thoughts. The words spoken by Sai which related to my history of my grandmother who passed away not too long ago.

When I was a kid, I already knew that my grandmother was an outstanding gunslinger even in her old age. She was actually the reason I start to be a gunslinger myself. I was admired by her skills that even such a kid myself who is still in her ignorant phase were able to recognize the skills of my grandmother.

Though, I never knew that my grandmother was actually the strongest gunslinger until Sai mentioned it.

"As expected of my grandmother..."

My heart was currently burning with passion because of my grandmother. One of the reasons of enrolling through the academy was to become an admirable gunslinger. And today, that ambition of mine is slowly becoming stronger than before.

I want to become the best gunslinger... Is I want to say but I wonder if I can do it.

"...Guh...! Mhm...!"

I who was pondering finally came back to earth when I heard a moan of someone. I anxiously turned my attention to that sound and when I finally saw it, Ah... It finally started to take effect huh.

Akari who was sleeping was groaning in pain caused by the forced of change in her body.

All of us were puzzled when we saw no reaction of Akari last night. We always thought that the sudden force of change to your body will happen at midnight after you consumed the full 『Mana Essence』. But I guess it was just late for her.

I tightly hold Akari's hands. "You can do it, Akari. I'm here..."

As a person who experienced it myself, I know what Akari is feeling right now. Though... to my surprise, Akari is enduring it quite well. As if, she's already used to it.

Ah, her past huh...

I kept supporting Akari throughout the hour she is in pain. Is it because that I'm overthinking something that I didn't notice it was already time when it finally finishes. Akari who was enduring the hellish pain for an hour before had returned through her slumber just now.

Looks like the girls didn't notice Akari during that hour. I guess they're really tired of that training huh. It was also because Akari didn't really made such a loud sound that can be the reason to woke them.

Well, I'm also started to feel sleepy. So I took this opportunity and closed my eyes giving myself to sleep after.

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[Sai Crimsonheart POV]

"Nee! Nee! Cute, right?"

Today, I was forced to wake up by these girls who were already energetic this early morning. Yes, it's about Akari.

Looks like the Mana Essence had finally work and thus forcefully changing Akari's body to adapt its body through her powers.

The current Akari right now has a bit different vibe than before. I mean physically, compared to her body that looks like she is a walking skeleton due to how malnourished she was these last days, she has now gained a few flesh in her body which made her look more attractive.

Though, unlike the rest of the girls, Akari didn't really change much at all. She just gained which is very important for me but that's it. She still maintained her petite body that if compared from the girl's group, she is probably the thinnest of them all.

But for me, that doesn't matter at all. All I'm glad is that she looks more healthier than before and that's all I want from her. As for her physique, I'm also attracted to petite girls, so I guess it's a win-win for me. I mean, even a woman with a modest chest has her own way of beauty.

"Yeah. Well, I'm glad you look more healthier than before" I replied.

"Mhm... Thank you, Aruji-sama"

"I'm still kind of sad that there doesn't to be any change from her at all, but I guess it's okay"

"Don't say that Lily, even with no major change, she still beautiful, you know?" I said wryly.

"You're right. Haha, you're really casual about your compliments huh, Sai"

"Yes. Master is very different compared to the other guys at the academy"

"Yikes, Haha... The boys would cry if they heard that..." I said, showing a strained smile.

"Ahaha..."

"Mhm..."

Man, these girls really like to tease me, are they? But well, being surrounded by these beautiful girls makes me conscious for some reason. I feel like everything is going well with me. It was laughable. Well, I'm also a guy so it makes me happy but t-there's no bad karma coming from me is there...?!

Anyways, regarding my plan for today. I plan on going through the 『Dungeon』 together with Seia and Akari. Well, it's not really a 『Dungeon』 but only a 『Mini-Dungeon』.

Nonetheless, I really need to attain that sword so that we can progress in this upcoming hell with ease. Moreover, it will also be an experience for Seia by taking her to that place who is supposed to be her home with her late grandmother.

I tried to invite the two, but they kindly refused me saying that they have important things to do. That's unfortunate but I'm happy that Luna is starting to think about herself more.

And so, with that plan set in stone, I started to prepare myself and left the Villa together with them.

* * *

The place we were headed now is another suburban from the capital where the Dungeon was located as far as I remember. While I wore my typical clothes which is a long sleeve, the two were wearing very cute casual clothes.

Seia wore a white turtleneck and a black skirt, combined with a black pantyhose which made her attract all the boys that we encounter on the way. Of course, Akari will also not lose in terms of appearances. Although, she wore the same black dress with a belt in her waist given to her by Lily, it still won't make her any less inferior to Seia whose current appearance is fresh from my eyes.

"Ah... Now that I've remember..."

While nearing the Dungeon at the capital, I remembered the time when I felt two items that appeared in my pouch during that time when I was in Ebonland. The only thing I know is that one of them is the 『Aegis Shell』, so I rummage through my pouch to know what it is.

"Sai?"

Seia who was baffled at my action starts to ask me in puzzlement. Ah, there it is.

What I took from my 『Magic Pouch』 is a scroll that looks very old and felt like it was about to rip any seconds.

"Hm? That is..." Seia asked.

"It's called 『Ability Scroll』 Seia. That item can give you a skill. Though, I wonder what skill is in there?"

Oh? Looks like Akari explained it on my behalf. This is my first time seeing this item so I'm glad that Akari knows this. I guess it was a MOD I'd never seen before but let's see what the contents are.

In doing so, I unfolded the scroll and read the letters written in the old scroll.

⟨⟨Adrenaline⟩⟩

"A Skill which will multiply your damage by 2x for 5 seconds when activated. Once used, it will drain your mana completely as a fuel to use this skill. Has a cooldown of 5 minutes before it can be used again."

Oh, looks like a nice skill. Having doubled damage is very huge considering the damage of the late game weapons will be at the end of my journey. Well, it will be a long time before I get to reach it anyways.

Also, Isn't this one of Sora's skills? I wonder how he got it though.

I placed the scroll on the ground and put my hands at the center of the paper. After a brief moment, a light suddenly appeared from the scroll—blinding us then disappeared after a few seconds.

⟨⟨Adrenaline⟩⟩ Skill Acquired.

"That was very bright..." Seia said, covering her eyes with her hands. "But what did you get, Sai?"

"It's called ⟨⟨Adrenaline⟩⟩. Apparently, my damage will be doubled when I used it at the cost of all my remaining mana" I replied.

"Heh... That's cool" Seia cheerfully said.

"Right? I'll try to show it late but anyways, we should move now"

"Mhm" Seia and Akari nodded.

I urged the two onward and we began walking. Not so long after, since we're already near it, we finally reached the Dungeon, or should I say...

"An Old House huh..." I mused.

The place looks like one of those traditional isolated houses that you often see on the movies. And it's pretty old at that. A house just the right size for a family. This place was located at the other side of suburban area and just opposite of the suburban area where Rina-san's Villa was located.

"Yes, this is where me and my grandmother used to live" Seia's eyes started to swim around checking the place. "My... It's been a while, so It's expected to be this dusty..."

"Shall we get in then?" I declared.

"Yes"

"Mhm"

The three of us then started to enter the place. While we explore the place, I noticed Seia is looking frail when I saw her expression as we explore the place. A warm smile and her eyes that contained full of this place's memories. She clearly misses the place.

"Seia, if you think you want to let out something, we're always here, okay?" I told.

"Eh? What's with that all of a sudden...?"

"...You'll get it later"

Seia didn't reply back after that. Perhaps thinking of something.

Setting the cringe reminder aside, we continued to search the house trying to find something that will get us into the Dungeon. If I remember... this here is... Ah, I got it.

On one of the rooms on the first floor had a bookshelf that is positioned in an awkward place. There's probably a secret room here covered by the bookshelf, so I moved the bookshelf away to expose the placed kept hidden by who knows.

"I found it Seia, Akari, come here" I told.

It was an underground area similar to that vault where my father hides his treasure.

After a while, the two finally came. Seia probably didn't know this since she's currently showing a face showing that it's the first time she saw it.

"This is... My Grandmother's..."

"Yeah... Shall we go then, you two?"

"Yes"

"Yes, Aruji-sama"

Both of them meekly nodded at my command. I took a [Torch] in my hand and the three of us started to head downstairs.

* * *

We proceed through the underground ending us to a passageway. The place that came into view at the end of the passageway is an underground cavern. it was pretty large and there even had some underwater lake running down on it.

"Be careful, you two" I told.

We continued to head straight forward fully relying to my knowledge in the game. And while the three of us advance into the cavern, we passed through an abandoned cell which I can probably guess is the reason why they called it a 『Dungeon』. And what's with that smell?! It's stinky...

After a while of walking and enduring the smell of ass, our search had finally come to a close.

"T-this is the place, right?" Seia timidly asked, covering her nose.

"Yeah..."

"Heh... I didn't know my grandmother was hiding something like these... Interesting"

"What a bizarre place..." Akari mumbled.

There stands a wooden cabin placed at the center at the end of the passageway. A very fantasy like place. It doesn't really look much old, so I guess it was built only a decade ago.

To my surprise, there's even a [Demon's Tusk] just beside the Cabin. Our former strongest gunslinger probably knows about it but lucky for me.

Anyways, I approached the abandoned cabin and slowly opened the door and search for a switch in hope that there's a light to illuminate the dark room. Luckily, it didn't take me much to find the switch and flipped it open.

"Heh..."

Pretty neat and compact. It has everything a person need in order to live without a problem. Also, a perfect place for someone to hide their treasure.

"Not bad..." I mused.

Inside the cabin, the wooden walls were all covered with the trophies of the Bosses the owner had been defeated before. And it was many of them. That's the strongest gunslinger for you.

I didn't saw any items or materials that gets my interest, so it was probably hidden somewhere in this cabin.

"Wow...! Is this a trophy?! That's so cool!"

Seia who's enthusiastically checking everything that kept her attention was looking mesmerized at her grandmother's achievements. It was very fun to see as her thick tails were aggressively wagging in excitement. Meanwhile, Akari was following her, happily checking her friend's enthusiasm as she roams around the place like a kid.

"Yes, a "Boss Trophy" is a rare drop from a Boss Monster. Knowing this, she must have slayed Bosses countless times. And for your grandmother to get this many... I say that she is very amazing" Akari explained.

"Right?! I knew it, mother really is awesome"

As for me, I'm currently searching every nook and cranny of this place trying to find the Sword which is the reason I came here. Though, I've tried to check every place one by one by I can't seem to find it.

Of course, I was planning on asking Seia's permission first before I take it. I'm not that shameless that I'd get other people's stuff whatever I want...… Yeah.

"Where is it..." I muttered to myself. "Is it not here after all..."

As the three of us were separately minding our business, Seia who was carelessly roaming around the place suddenly stepped on something.

"Eh?"

What we heard is a clank that came from a machine or something. Unfortunately, it was too late for the three of us as the machine has already been activated before we only noticed it.

Or so we thought...

"Wha—?!"

"?!"

All of us were left dumbfounded from the sight of someone sitting in front us. But out of the three, Seia is probably the one most surprised by this situation.

"....Eh?"

A white-haired old woman wearing a turtleneck and a long skirt and is currently sitting from a chair. She was looking straight at us but looks distant for some reason. After a bit of silence, the old woman's lips parted.

"Seia"

"M-mother...?"