The next day.

"Hmm…" Cirrus gets up and feels much better than before.

Chirp! Chirp!

"??" Cirrus looks out to find the rising sun. "It’s morning? Shit, how long was I…" His thoughts cleared for a second and a number came to his head. "15 hours… I was asleep for 15 hours… huh? Is this what it feels like to be smart?"

Cirrus goes and takes a shower.

"Huh? Neat."

He dresses and begins his day by taking a break and reorienting himself with this new, updated body.

Walking downstairs, he heard some voices besides Lenoa and Nox. After taking a few more steps, he recognized the voices.

He entered the kitchen to find Eupheme and Ai eating with Nox and Lenoa.

"Uhh, what’s going on?" he said as the four of them enjoyed a good breakfast.

"Ah, Cir—"

"Cirrus!! Come and eat!!" Shouted Ai, interrupting Lenoa.

Ai’s sunny disposition truly livened up the room.

"Hm? Cirrus, did you get more muscle?" Eupheme said to Cirrus as he was taking his seat.

"Probably, so why are you two here?" said, getting a plate from Nox.

 "We came to see you!" said Ai. "Word spread really fast that you returned, and Eupheme said she knew where you lived, but I didn’t think it was so well hidden!"

"Only mages come here, so you have to be rather smart to find a store of this high quality!" Lenoa said with a grin.

"Oooh!! I see that only the worthy can find your store. But then, how do you make money?"

"Her customers have deep pockets," Cirrus said.

"Hmm, maybe I should do that as well. It would be easier to get loyal customers, but… hmmm, never mind." Said Eupheme. "Oh, can I see Brilliant Nightmare when you are done eating?"

"Sure, can you pass the bacon?"

Lenoa passes the bacon.

"So, are you going to go on another outing?" asked Ai. "Or are you going to go into the Dungeon?"

"Neither. I plan on relaxing for a day or two."

"Oh! Then will you have a spar with me!"

"… Aren’t you level 1?"

"I’m close to level 2! I just need to do something impressive!"

"Uh… sure, after we're done eating—"

"Done!" she said with a clean plate.

"…" Nox was stunned.

Just a few seconds ago, she saw a plate full of eggs and bacon, and the next they were gone. She could still see egg bits on the corners of her mouth.

"Why don’t you warm up in the back!" said Nox. "Cirrus will be done in a bit!"

"Okay!" She got up and took a spear to the back.

"… Has Ai been going into the dungeon with you, Eupheme?" Cirrus said.

"She has; she’s actually very talented, and she has been taught well." She said, finishing her plate. "Now, if you aren’t going out to the dungeon, I’ll inspect your weapon to see if it needs any maintenance from that fight."

"Thanks, it’s always nice to have a pro look after one's weapons!" Cirrus said.

"Thanks for the compliment, but if it's bad, I'll have you undergo a 2-week training session since you also have the Blacksmith ability."

"Haha… it’s in my room on the far right next to the door."

"Hm."

Eupheme goes upstairs.

"You should have brought Ai sooner, Cirrus." Said Lenoa, getting up and putting her plate in the sink. "She’s a vivacious girl! Sweeter than you, Nox." She said as he went to the front of her store.

"You know you can’t handle more of my sweetness! Besides, Cirrus has most of it!" Nox said, picking up Eupheme’s plate and her own to the sink. "Well, since we aren’t going to do anything today, I’ll be out! See ya!" She then got her cloak and left through the front.

"… Guess I’ll be spending time with Ai."

 

After eating, Cirrus cleaned his plate and went outside to find Ai cleaning up the back.

"Your training area is pretty dirty, Cirrus." She said.

"Well, I rarely train with another person here, so… yeah."

"Hm, well." She places the broom aside and takes her spear. "Should we start?"

"I’m not stopping you?"

She swung her spear around and came at Cirrus.

"Haaaa!!"

She made quick thrusts, followed by slashes.

Cirrus could easily see through the attack and dodge with minimal effort.

"Quicker, read your opponent and attack with quick shallow attacks."

"Gr! Why shallow! Don’t you wanna take them down!"

"Yes, but if you simply break the flesh, then you can bleed them out and your opponent won’t get the chance to grab your spear like this."

Cirrus then grabs the spear by the neck.

"Then I’ll just do this!"

Cirrus could hear a slight click as she drew it down towards the spear’s shaft and saw that it detached.

If not for his reflexes and instincts as a level 6, he surely would have been cut down.

Swish~

 Cirrus took a step back in reaction.

"Heh~ so it is like my weapon," Cirrus said, looking at the spear portion of the weapon. "Seems your talent lies with the sword."

In Ai’s hand was an Aikuchi, a katana with no guard. In her hands, it seemed very dangerous, yet very fitting for her.

To Cirrus, her eyes were focused on him and her fox ears were high up. To Cirrus, it was like looking at a predator on high alert.

"Lord Susanoo taught me well; now get ready!" She uncharacteristically said this, dotting her way to Cirrus with excellent footwork.

"Very well!" He then held the spear part as a dagger and clashed with Ai. "Let’s polish each other’s techniques!!"