How Are Babies Made?

Twilight Manor.

"Yawn~"

In the quiet hallway of the women's dormitory, Tiona stood in front of Aiz's room, leaning against the wall with a sleepy expression.

Since she had secretly followed Aiz and Charlie into the Dungeon, she was punished by having to stand guard outside Aiz's room all night. Her task was simple: to make sure Aiz didn't sneak out again.

In fact, Tiona wasn't the only one being punished—Bete, who had caused a ruckus in the city, was also penalized.

The Guild fined Loki Familia for the damage caused to the inn by Bete's actions.

*TAP* *TAP* *TAP*

Suddenly, soft footsteps approached. Riveria appeared at the end of the hallway with a calm expression. As she approached Aiz's room, Tiona straightened up, her sleepiness vanishing.

Riveria gave her a gentle but firm look.

"Aiz is still in her room, right?"

Hearing this, Tiona scratched the back of her head.

"She's still inside. After arguing with Loki last night, she hasn't left her room."

Last night, there was an internal conflict within Loki Familia. The reason was simple: Loki had asked Aiz to stay away from Charlie.

The relationship between Loki Familia and Hera Familia was extremely strained due to past events. This was why Loki tried to convince Aiz and the other exclusive members to keep their distance. In reality, it was just Loki's personal jealousy over Aiz's closeness with Charlie.

Normally, Aiz would have obeyed. However, to everyone's surprise, she refused to follow that order, which made Loki even more resentful of Charlie, despite only having met him once.

Afterward, Aiz gave no explanation regarding her relationship with Charlie and returned to her room.

"This is the first time I've seen Aiz act like that. There's no doubt about it—she's a girl in love!"

Recalling the events of last night, Tiona was both excited and surprised to see this new side of Aiz.

"You know Loki won't let this happen. Besides, Charlie Avalon isn't a simple man. If not, why would Hera-sama recruit him into her Familia? That man is special."

"Riveria, from the way you talk, it sounds like you know something about Charlie that I don't. This is the first time you've seen him, right?"

Tiona looked at Riveria suspiciously after hearing her words.

"I don't know much about Charlie Avalon, but… He's no ordinary man, that much I can say." Riveria responded ambiguously.

As a member of the Royal Elf Family, her knowledge surpassed that of many. She understood a little about the Sacred Text, the language used by the gods.

So, her heart was shaken when she saw Charlie's status, displaying EX ranks in all basic abilities. Riveria had doubted herself after seeing that, but only after she spoke privately with Loki and received confirmation from her did she believe what she saw at that time.

If not for him being part of Hera Familia, Riveria might have fully supported the relationship between Aiz and Charlie.

"I'll check on her. Make sure Aiz doesn't sneak out again."

But before Riveria could knock, the door to Aiz's room opened on its own.

At the threshold stood Aiz, her usual expressionless face and golden hair shining under the light.

"Good morning, Riveria, Tiona."

"Good morning, Aiz."

"Morning, Aiz~"

After the three women from different races greeted each other, they began walking together toward the dining hall.

Aiz suddenly remembered an important question she wanted to ask yesterday but hadn't had the chance to because the timing wasn't right.

"Riveria, Tiona, how are babies made?"

"..."

The atmosphere instantly grew silent.

Tiona's eyes widened, and she even thought she had misheard.

Riveria was visibly startled, her face paling for a moment.

"W-What?"

Riveria stammered, a rare moment where she lost her usual composure.

"Aiz, why are you suddenly asking something like that?"

Even Tiona, usually cheerful and open-minded, was stunned.

"Eh?! Aiz, where did that question come from?!"

"..."

But Aiz simply remained silent, staring at both of them calmly. Her face was expressionless, showing no signs of embarrassment or awkwardness.

Riveria took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure.

"Aiz, this... isn't a question that can be answered lightly. Why are you suddenly interested in this?"

Aiz still didn't budge and refused to reveal the truth. She had promised Charlie she would keep their kiss in the Dungeon a secret.

"I just want to know, that's all."

Tiona scratched her head, confused about how to answer a question that everyone else seemed to know the answer to.

"Eh... Aiz, are you seriously asking that? Do you really not know how babies are made?"

"Mhm. I used to think kissing could make someone pregnant, but I was wrong. Char—... Someone told me to ask my female acquaintances about it."

Riveria and Tiona immediately figured out who was behind Aiz's question.

Charlie Avalon!

"So, how are babies made?" Aiz asked again.

She looked at the two of them, waiting for an answer.

However, Riveria was still confused and hesitant. She wasn't sure how to explain this to Aiz, who was so innocent and unaware of anything outside of battle.

"I'll leave this to you, mama-san."

Tiona threw the responsibility to Riveria beside her.

"Don't call me mama! I'm only 99 years old, I'm still very young." Riveria replied, slightly irritated.

Perhaps because she had taken care of Aiz since she was a child and paid so much attention to the younger members of Loki Familia, people had started to see her nurturing nature as maternal. As a result, some executives like Gareth and others called her "mama" to tease her.

"..."

After thinking for a moment, Riveria didn't want to give Aiz a full explanation of sexual education. She felt it was too early.

"Aiz, maybe this isn't the right time to talk about that. Some things are better learned... In the right way."

"I want to know." Aiz said quietly.

"This..."

Faced with Aiz's stubbornness, Riveria felt a headache coming on.

'Could Aiz be going through a rebellious phase? This is all that man's fault. Aiz shouldn't get close to him, just like Loki said. That man only bring bad influences on her.'

Riveria blamed Aiz's change on Charlie.

"..."

Seeing her remain silent, Aiz looked slightly disappointed.

"Then I'll ask Tione."

"Wait, Aiz!"

Worried that Aiz would be misled by the knowledge Tione would share, Riveria reluctantly agreed.

"Alright, let's discuss this after breakfast in my room."

"Thank you, Riveria."

"But... Promise me one thing. After you find out, don't try it with any man before marriage."

Riveria looked at her firmly.

"Understood." Aiz nodded softly.

"You're too overprotective, Riveria. Aiz has the right to make her own life choices." Tiona commented.

"Say that after you've had experience raising a daughter yourself."

"Ahaha... I was just joking. Mama-san just doesn't want Aiz to be taken advantage of by some fuckboy."

"..."

Aiz didn't fully understand what they were talking about.

"Aiz-san, good morning."

As they arrived at the cafeteria, Lefiya approached Aiz like a puppy greeting its owner.

"Good morning, Lefiya."

"Ah~, Aiz-san is as beautiful as ever."

In Lefiya's eyes, Aiz stood out from everyone else. The elf was beginning to daydream about the two of them feeding each other during breakfast. Unfortunately, her illusion was shattered as a white-haired youth swooped in to snatch Aiz away from her side.

"Aiz-san!!!"

Unable to distinguish between imagination and reality, Lefiya unconsciously shouted loudly, drawing everyone's attention in the cafeteria.

"Why did you suddenly shout, Lefiya?"

Riveria frowned.

As Lefiya's mentor, she was quite concerned about her.

"N-No, it's nothing, I just remembered something bad."

With teary eyes, Lefiya looked at Aiz sadly.

"???"

Aiz tilted her head, not understanding why Lefiya was looking at her like that.