The next day.

Meanwhile, Selena and Lumina.

"Haa, haak, heuu-eut!"

Lumina whined and struggled with the housework. Today was also the day Selena had decided to do a thorough cleaning.

’Damn it, it looked easy on the surface. Why is it so hard? It’s even tougher because I’m using muscles I don’t normally use!’

Sweat beaded on her forehead like pearls, and her breathing grew rougher.

Her body was screaming in various places, but she ignored it.

Watching Lumina struggle, Selena smiled warmly. It was a smile that seemed to hold all the warmth in the world.

’Hehe, I’m not just making her clean, I’m making her train! If she gets used to using muscles she doesn’t normally use, her body will repay her. Please do your best as my nephew’s partner, fighting♥’

After almost a full day of thorough cleaning, the end was finally in sight.

While cleaning the master bedroom, Lumina discovered something and reached her hand deep inside. Something was visible under the bed.

"W-what is this?"

A box came out from under the bed. When she opened it, she found restraint devices and thin ropes.

They were tools that would only be used for nighttime activities. Selena rushed over from behind and snatched them away.

"Ohoho, everyone has their secrets. Lumina does too, right? Ohoho♥"

"Uh, uhh...."

Watching Selena laugh it off, Lumina couldn’t dare to say a word.

Even with that smile, something akin to killing intent was hidden within her.

’Scary Aunt!’

After finishing all the cleaning, Selena stroked Lumina’s head.

"You worked hard helping with the cleaning today. Here, I made chocolate pancakes, so eat as much as you want!"

"Oooh, I can’t resist sweets!"

Lumina’s face, which had been clouded with fatigue, instantly brightened. When she’s like this, she’s even more impulsive than Lucian.

Selena and Lumina took their seats in the kitchen. Selena talked about various things.

"...Lucian, whom I trained with all my heart and soul, is the strongest in the world♥ I trained him so he wouldn’t lose to anyone!"

"Ah, ahh....I see."

With chocolate pancake crumbs around her mouth, Lumina was astonished.

’He was actually an amazing guy. As expected, I’m interested. Let’s get to know him better while mating!’

Lumina grinned, licking her lips. The pancake crumbs were promptly captured by her tongue.

* * *

The Warlock I knew was definitely a guy who looked like a dark wizard.

But why is that guy impaled by tentacles? What did he do to get like that?

’What is it, an enhancement or a mutation? Even so, a C-rank means he’s the same Level 40 as me. He’s worth it!’

I lightly warmed up my body, then charged in an instant. As I closed the distance and thrust my sword, a tentacle, longer and thicker than an elephant’s trunk, took the hit instead.

Screech! Splatter!

The tentacle recoiled, spurting blood. But it regenerated quickly.

I clicked my tongue, seeing the torn part regenerate as if by magic.

[Dark Release]

Fwoosh!

The Warlock pointed at me. Then, mana condensed right in front of me and exploded instantly.

"Hmph!"

I rolled sideways to dodge, but darkness gathered where the mana exploded and began to engulf the surroundings.

It disappeared shortly after.

But that wasn’t the real deal.

[Dark Wave]

Pah-haang!

"Gah!"

Dark Wave, and a magic spell activated three times in a row at that, sent my body flying like paper.

He’s spamming magic like that?

The damage was more painful than I expected.

’I have a shield effect, and our levels should be the same. Why does it hurt so much?’

As if there was a level difference.

The Warlock slowly approached. Mages are too slow, that’s the problem!

Just as I was about to close the distance in an instant, the bastard suddenly vanished like a shadow.

[Annihilation]

An overwhelming magical power was felt from behind me. I turned and threw a roundhouse kick, but the Warlock had already finished casting his spell.

[Dark Wave]

Pah-haang, Pipipipipi!

"Kuaaaak!"

I flew through the air, then kicked off a nearby building fragment to close the distance again. The Warlock waved both hands like a conductor, muttering something.

The mana reaction appeared even more intense.

[Fiend’s Protection]

Black flames enveloped the Warlock’s entire body, then instantly spread in all directions.

It was too late to dodge. The black flames engulfed me.

Hwaaaak! Haaaaa!!!.

"Damn it! Ugh!"

I rolled on the ground and barely put out the fire. It was truly unbelievable.

’Earlier it was 4th Circle, now it’s 5th Circle magic? Is that even possible? A Warlock’s limit is 4th Circle, isn’t it?’

For some reason, the Warlock’s level had risen. Was it simply because his Abyssal Value was high?

Or was it a mutated individual? Looking at its appearance, the latter is more likely.

I clenched my fist. I knew I was at a disadvantage. The Goddess’s words were right.

However, I recalled the temple debris flying away due to the magic earlier.

’No, I will fight.’

’That bastard dared to cast magic here! Even if it’s just debris, he blew away the fragments that made up the temple! I can’t stand by and watch that.’

’You promised, didn’t you? That I would rebuild this place. So, protecting this place is also my role.’

I took a breath. Gripping my sword, I slowly advanced.

The Warlock still glared at me with ominous orange eyes.

As if inviting me to come at any time, with mana scattered around him. As if taunting me to go near him.

’Hehe, it’s Show and Prove time!’

I activated my aura.

I kicked off the ground and dashed forward.

’Let’s assume it’s an enhanced or mutated individual and fight. The level difference is almost 5. There’s no time to raise my Stats right now, so full power!’

I cut through the wind and charged. The Warlock slowly retreated upwards and retaliated.

[Dark Wave]

Pah-haang, Pipipipi!

The Dark Wave dangerously swept towards me. I kicked off the ground and dodged sideways.