“Just calm down.” I told Eri, and she nodded.

  “I will, I’m calm, I just… it feels se.” Se. “Not that I hate it though, not at all.” Not at all. Her thoughts were eg with her words, and while there were four ges to her status sheet, no, more than four, though the boosts to League aher stats clearly were a side-effect of the other ges, so could be set aside, the cause of the telepathy-like sharing of thoughts was clearly down to one ability.

  “It’s simply that your Lovers’ Link has Ranked up. Twice. I’m not sure how.” I said, bemused, and Eri ughed, squinting at me as her form resumed her ordinary appearance, snuggling close to me.

  “I think I know. Sometimes I feel when our bonds deepen, a fleeting feeling, like pure joy. I think… when I truly accepted myself and all my fws that wouldn’t make you happy, and resolved to move past them, I felt such a thing, though…” She flushed, an unusual expression of shame on her face, and her words halted, though her thoughts couldn’t be stopped. It was hard to tell, as I was having so much pleasure at the time. In your embrace. The embrace I dreamed of as I watched your back all these years. Her flush deepened, and I ughed, pulling her close for a tender kiss. When we were done, I reassured her.

  “Don’t worry. Haru struggled to trol her Telepathy, but you’ve got more experien practising your Skills such as Aether Manipution, and this is the same principle. You’ll be able to handle what you send and receive in no time.” I’m not finding it terribly difficult right now, my mental stats are high, and I have Split Thoughts. It might be an issue when I’m in high-stress situations with both bodies, and I don’t have the spare leeway to think about it, though… “Besides, your hohoughts are nothing to be ashamed about. And what was the sed time?”

  “When I repared to be everything and anything for you.” Eri admitted, her now bck cat ears flickering. “I don’t believe you are fwless, Akio. I realise that’s as stupid as me simply being the sort of gy, useless woman who would have driven you away in the end. But what I did realise is…” Even your fws are who you are. You’re too kind, and still a pushover for a pretty face. It makes me jealous, and angry, and furious… but that’s also me. If I deny who I am, theher of us is happy.

  I realised Eri was usihoughts as a way to vey very embarrassing things she would struggle to say to me, and I nodded reassuringly, and the thoughts tinued. But I don’t hate your fws. Or any of you. But I will help you overe those you wish to. And… there’s no shame in me using what I know t you pleasure. Shiro and Shaeu both say sex is fun because it’s seen as something shameful, so if you want to indulge in any fantasy safely, be it a celebrity, or someone you know, or someoh a boyfriend already, like your friend Hina-san, or even Aiko… then I don’t mind taking their form and pying with you. It’ll just be between us, after all… when I thought like this, that I could even ge myself impossibly for you, help you ge… I felt it again, strohan ever before. Something ged ihen…

  I was touched by just how far Eri would go for me, and I hugged her tightly. “Don’t worry, I’m not a pervert... not in that way anyway. I wouldn’t dream of toug even a fake version of my sister. Uh… well, I see the appeal of celebrities though…”

  Eri raised an eyebrow at me archly, as despite my iron trol some thoughts must have leaked. “I take her appearance, but I couldn’t replicate her personality. Besides, you’d die if she found out…”

  “Yeah, best stick to your safer earlier suggestions like Tamami-…” I ged the subject. “Though you’ll o improve your skills further, as that retty shoddy Benitsubasa.” I teased her, and she pouted adorably.

  “Of course, I’ve never seen her, have I? And I only have limited trol, I’ve not had this talent for a lifetime like Ginneka. Besides, copying an anime character into real life requires some promise. But I’ll make time and watch all your favourites. After all…” she raised one eyebrow slyly. “I’m the one who loves you most! Doesn’t the skill prove it?”

  “I thought you agreed earlier it doesn’t prove anything?” I asked, and she giggled, flushing again.

  Sure, but that was when I wasn’t winning. I told you, I’m still me, selfish, jealous Eri. The difference is, I realise that I still use that productively. To keep your quests and those you love in line, without making you feel bad about it. And I still… “o work with everyoo keep undesirables out. The worst thing that could happen is you fall for someone no good.” So far everyos in. There’s fri, because we’re human, with our own hopes, dreams, ideas and ambitions. The Adamant pn for one. But… we’re also reasonable, and itted to you and yoals. So… “…just don’t pick up someone who will destroy all we’ve worked for. Retionships are fragile, and… this tangle even more so.”

  “I know. I holy still feel a bit bad about some of my decisions, but… thinking about it, there wasn’t any other way. But I’ll be careful now. I’ll…” I’m not going to say I’ll never love a those I have now. I’m not a fool. But at least I dht by everyone, and work out how I’m going to judge whether I love someone enough to offset the hurt to you all a new partner brings. I let my thoughts reach Eri and she nodded.

  “Yes. I wasn’t joking though. We all uand this was meant to be. Princess Eleanor, and Princess Mikasa, plus these two unknown Princesses of the Six Paths… surely even you see how things will go?”

  I nodded slowly. “It does seem rather predestined when you look at it. But holy, it wasn’t as far-fetched as it seems to merely be ce. Shiro happening to know me was the one big ce. I could have set my Anchor anywhere, so running into Shaeu…”

  Sure, sure. I see you haven’t fully accepted reality yet. Oh well, that’s good too, seeing such a cute side of you is something I enjoy. You’re all mine right now, and forever. Because I’ve marked yht? We have a bond that ever be broken.

  “That’s true. Oh well, let me fill you in.” I showed Eri the new description for Lovers’ Link in my mind, and her bck eyes almost seemed to glow with happiness. I was delighted too, for a different reason.

  This ability links the subtle bodies as of the Lovers together, allowing them to share irength each possesses. If nearby, the possessor and their Loved one freely share their thoughts and a portion of their strengths with each other, and even when separated by impossible distance or bitter strife, their linked hearts will allow two pert of the stronger Lover’s Statistics to be shared, up to a maximum of the partner’s maximum Statistics, as it Links through the ???????? of the Lovers, whiows no bounds of space or ????????.

  In addition, the Link freely share Aether, Adherend ???????? over the Link, though this requires loving sent of both parties. Refined or Aspected variants ot be freely shared at this Rank. It alsthens the potential of the pair of Lovers, allowing their maximum Level to increase up to a maximum of the Level of the other. It also allows the Lovers to sehe emotions and feelings towards each other and as it strengthens all effects increase, and the Lovers will find their patibility in romarengthened greatly. [Css: Legendary] [Type: Principle]

  “That’s….” Words failed Eri, and she had to vey her feelings though our new bond. I… maybe I don’t need a Favour to be useful to you now? Two pert per Rank is double before, right, and eleven Ranks… twenty-two pert of your stats added to my own, with no danger of it suddenly vanishing due to distance… I’m strong, right?

  I nodded. “Yeah, for example, Might, yours was around four hundred, and mine is a bit shy of two thousand, so… you’d have an effective Might of eight hundred… damn, that’s nearly doubling your stats. So… yeah, I’m certainly a bit less worried, but…” I pursed my lips, remembering Eri when she was cut apart by that damn Kijo, and Eri must have grasped that, as her expression softened.

  “Don’t worry, that won’t happen to me again… no, that’s the old Eri.” She was serious, and I was struck by just how adorable she was. I’d never have known this if events had taken a different course.

  I ’t promise we’ll all survive, or never be hurt. In fact, I think it’s a certainty we will suffer wounds and misfortune. But we all have each other, and you have us all. If… if any of us do fall, you have to stay strong for the others, okay? It isn’t just me who depends on you. Even Kana, who you would have refused before saying she didn’t need you to be happy, loves you Akio. It’s not for you to judge whether a girl loves you, her feelings are her own. You don’t have to reciprocate, as your feelings are just as precious, but if it’s mutual… there’s no point in holding back. I already have ten sisters, what’s a few more?

  “I’ll try ahe numbers down. After all, there’s so much I want to do with you, and all the others. Things like this.” I said dryly, aured to the opulent suite we were in, once more pitying the poor maids who had to up after we left. “The club was fun too, wasn’t it?” As Eri nodded, I returo the more serious subject. “As for standing on the front lines… yeah, you definitely have the strength now… but strength alone isn’t enough. I dare say Arisu-san’s stats are on a par with Aiko’s, but she has a Favour that renders strength moot. Otlefield it’s skill, and by extension Skills which are king. So hold fire for now araining, okay? I know you do it, sooner or ter.”

  “Oh? And what makes you so sure?” Eri asked, knowing the answer. “What else ged within me?”

  “Well, this, for a start, although…” I’m happiest because in the ged description for Lovers’ Link now that my Eye has strengthened and Eri has improved it, it firms a few theories I had about the nature of Qi aher, as well as elements, I believe. And also… There’s ara line here, which is rather… apt, I suppose. “…just listen.”

  Prodigy Of The Lower Worlds is a Css obtained by those who have climbed the fourth horizon and reached a level of profi a Skill that exceeds what is normal, in worlds starved of resources and opportunities, a feat even the Multiverse reises. Even in the scattered, numberless worlds of the Near and Far Reaches, or the Pantheons, it requires talent and effort to reach such heights, though amongst beings as plentiful as grains of sand, there are always numerous geniuses, many others who have mastered such a climb. Though few have ever climbed to such a peak through pure emotion and a Skill of sutangible, ephemeral nature, grasping themselves and others to such a pure extent. The Ranks of Skills will increase more easily, and prehension of information will increase. It will be easier to pass bottlenecks, breach walls and climb pinhough this again is depe on effort and talent. Skills that affects learning and knowledge are further easier to increase. Intellect will increase greatly as the Css strengthens.

  “Is it me or is your Eye mog me?” Eri pouted, though at the bes of the Css, she was eted, as learning Skills was the thing she wanted most of all.

  “Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve seen something simir. It was back when it was Self-Examination, rather than my Eye. But that in itself is illuminating, if you think about it?”

  For a moment, Eri uzzled, before she nodded again, uanding. Oh, I get it. So it’s like that.

  “Yes, anyway, it’s not all good news.” I tio s her, and at her Spirit Pledged Css, which had also maxed out, I frowroubled. “Eri… you…” Words failed me, and Eri sighed.

  “Don’t be like that. Just tell me.” She enced me. “Didn’t we just agree we aren’t perfed we’ll work through our issues together, to eventually overe them?”

  “Fine. You win.” I sighed, and she grinned impishly.

  “Good. I simply adore winning. Aiko used to tease me that in the anime and manga you used to enjoy childhood friends never won. So I’m carrying the fg for them all.”

  Spirit Pledged is a token of the unbreakable bond freely given by a Noble Faeduine and gratefully received by the recipient. It is a mingling of spirits, a deep bond, facilitated by the sharing of powerful spiritual energies. Strength flows between those so bound, and skills known by either are easier for both to grow, as knowledge is shared on a spiritual level, and impurities will gradually be expelled from the Pledged One's body, as more Spirit Water is absorbed during the act of sharing essend Lunar Chakras. A small amount of Adherence will stantly be geed slowly for the Noble Faeduine of this Pledged bond, aspected towards Devotion, Love, Trust and Sacrifice. The Spirit Pledged will die if the Noble Faeduine she is bound to perishes, though if the Pledged dies first, their spirit will be passed whole to the safety of their beloved Faeduine’s arms…

  “Do you see why I’m angry?” I said, and Eri snorted, not bag down.

  “No, I don’t. I’m Oshiro Eri, you told me so!” She looked me in the eyes, unwavering vi present. “I’m not going to follow you into death, despite what I’ve told you in the past, via suicide. That would be wrong. But… life without you isn’t worth living. So I guess this Css decided for me. I feel sorry that I won’t be around to help those that remain with their grief, but… all you have to do is not die. It’s not like you age out now, is it? Besides…” Shaeu and Hyath will die when you do tht? Why should I be singled out?

  “Yes, but… I also die if Hyath or Shaeu die! Kin Bonding might forestall that, but I doubt it and we ever test it. The skill could be useless when it ts! So if they die, you die!”

  Eri seemed uned. “So what? At least it means Shaeu and Hyath ’t assassinate me when they want to overthrow my tyranny as first wife.” she joked. “And at least I don’t kill you with my death. That’s why I’m at Rank eleven, and they haven’t even hit te!”

  “This isn’t a ughing matter…” I assured her, and Eri rolled her eyes at me.

  Sure it is. I believe you won’t die, so it’s a non-issue. Besides… “You shouldn’t badmouth Kioration. Without it, Tsukiko would be gone. Such a power is always going to have fws. Even Tan thinks it’s rare. As for Hyath and Shaeu… it’s a Fae thing. And you know they don’t want you to die, so it makes them less reckless. You think I’ve had an uhy retionship with you, Hyath… I get it. I love her, she’s so… well, she’s suffered more than we imagine, but she’s still capable of loving you, loving us. I wao be happy. But she needs more than waiting on you hand and foot, even if she is that sort of Fae.”

  “I know. Hyath… she ime. For the Fae it’s been a blink of any eye since she came to us. But don’t ge the subject!” I pined.

  “Or what? You’ll listen to me and like it! As a good wife, I have to listen to you, but also tell you off when you are being an idiot! That’s why we are all getting stronger. But the Fae aren’t like us. I know they don’t want you to die if they do, but it be helped? Shaeu’s skill may be a miracle, but I think it also caused this. Other Fae couples don’t die if the other does, right? I’m sure Asha would be the same way, except there’s no way she afford to die right now…”

  “Yes, otherwise her Tree dies, and the Territory will stall out…” I agreed, and Eri gave me a withering look of annoyance.

  Sure enough, you really are de times. I see Intellect really doesn’t help with emotional intelligence. But I love you anyway, fws and all. Besides, I suppose it’s more fun this way, just… “Everything is risk and reward. I admit I don’t have many skills you do to help you grow them, but… Shaeu and Hyath would risk anything to make you stronger. And if you’re stronger, you protect us, ’t you? After all, Tsukiko is here, alive again.”

  Looking fondly at Eri, defeated by her arguments, I admitted I couldn’t win this one. All right, I get it. I never liked it from the start, I’m not worried for myself, but… yeah, we’re all in this together. And if something es along that kill Shaeu or Hyath, let alone me…

  Then we are all screwed anyway. Eri finished my thoughts. Now I’m getting used to this, don’t you think you use it to help me learn more elements and skills, like we do with Haru-san and the twins?

  “Probably.” I agreed. “Anyway, your st ge, other than a nice boost to your League from maxing out your Csses, as well as an boost to your Charm, is that Dark Temptress reached the maximum as well.”

  Dark Temptress is a Css which draws upon the aspects of Darkhat point towards lust, jealously, possessiveness and allure, turning them into power, as well as a little aspected Adherence of Love, Passion, Loyalty and Grace. Charm will dramatically increase, and the effects of Charm will also be increased signifitly. The charisma and physical beauty of the Temptress will increase, and Skills reting to Darkness element, mental manipution, love and lust will also increase. So long as the Dark Temptress is loved by the object of her desire and she believes and knows this, she is able to resist the Charm of others and gmours, curses and simir abilities that affect the love and loyalty she feels will often be resisted, and will have signifitly weaker effects even if not.

  “It’s grown strooo.” I admired it. “And it’s not problematic at all, which is odd, sidering it’s a Temptress css.”

  “Of course it’s not. I’d rather die tha anyone else. I uand Tan, you know. She could have solved a lot of her problems with Allure, but… it’s siing, the thought of doing that to someone we don’t love or desire. She followed her father’s wishes, but fortuhe Buddha walked on by. You won’t though, will you, Akio?”

  No, I guess not. On a logical level, the wager was a calcuted gamble. Having Tan fully in our camp, it makes sense, and … I’d be fully fident of reag Astral Emperor with her support, even against our many enemies. But… as a woman, Tan’s mysterious, aloof… but she’s been good to Shiro. I definitely don’t hate her… no, that’s tsundere. Of course I like her, now that my initial antipathy towards her treatment of Shiro and those damn tracts faded. I misjudged her. She’s not evil, just somewhat cold and driven to succeed. And at heart, despite her long life, she’s a lonely woman, still hurt by that Buddha jackass. Though I suppose I should thank him if I ever meet him. Since if he stopped to admire her, Tan might never have e, and she’d be a different person. I’ll then punch him in the face for being a dick!

  “I’m sure Tan would be thrilled to hear that.” Eri giggled. “Holy though… I’m going to work hard. I now have multiple ways to train, and multiple boo make it easier. If I ’t match Shaeu, then I’m not worthy to stand at your side!”

  “Don’t talk like that. Not everyone o be strong to be with me.” I said, and Eri giggled softly.

  “I know. But I want to do everything I . For you… and for me.” I never had pride before, only need and greed. But now… I want to love myself like I love you. And I and will. After all, your Eye says so, and it would knht? Now… Eri squirying to vey me a plex thought, some images, and I ughed.

  “You want more? You won’t get any Skills out of it, I’m sure.” I teased, and she flushed.

  “I know. But… being loved is its own reward…” With that I kissed her, and we once more joined in both body and spirit, me not even sparing a thought for the poor maids anymore…

  ********

  There was a kno the door, and making sure Eri was covered by the thin b as she slept peacefully after our passionate lovemaking, I spoke. “e in.”

  It was Yu-mi, looking rather exhausted, who slid the door open. Her nose wrinkled, and she sighed. “It reeks in here. Just how many times did you… uh, never mind, I’m not sure I want to know the answer. Anyway, are you going to be all right without sleep?”

  “Yeah. Even Eri doesn’t really now, not with effectively more tha hundred Fortitude. But sleeping is still pleasurable.” I o do it more as well, if only to see if I get any more visions.

  “Seems like you had plenty of pleasure to me. Well, far be it for me to tell you what to do, I’m the girl you turned down, after all.” She wio show she meant no offense. “Anyway, we will be taking a limousio the airport in a few hours, to be flown ba a private jet. We’ll be in Tokyo soon. But if you yourselves up first, we have time for a nice breakfast and a bit more shopping. Besides…” she looked at the bed pointedly. “I’d really like to be a long way away from here before the maids see the state of your bed.”

  “Yeah, me too.” I ughed. I stretched, yawning, and Yu-mi flushed, gng at my toned chest. “Thanks for your help this trip, Eri and I have definitely worked things out.”

  “No need. I only helped a little, setting a suitable pce for a heart-to-heart and interjeg a little when I thought I had something to say. Hinata-nim…” she smiled, addressing her respectfully. “…told me enough about how she thought you and Eri here were thinking, so it was easy for an outsider like me to say things that would make you think. But holy, you did most of it yourself.” She g the sleeping Eri. “I guess she realised she had to ge.”

  “Yeah, I still feel… no, wait.” I shook my head, stopping the usual destructive route. “No, I feel proud Eri thinks I’m worth finding a new, rger dream for. It’s not a sacrifice if it’s what she wants. For me to tell her how to feel is wrong.”

  “Well aren’t you learning?” Yu-mi said softly. “I guess the lessons might just stick after all.”

  “Hopefully. But Eri says I be a bit dense about interpersonal matters. Speaking of…” I addressed Yu-mi seriously. “…I feel a bit bad taking your iance. I admit I could use the money, and sure, if you partner with us, your pany will profit, but…”

  “If yoing to say something like you’ll pay my dad back, I’ll be angry.” Yu-mi said solemnly, surprising me. “I’m happy to have paid to save Yu-jun. And… I think a sacrifice of such magnitude will make Hinata-nim and the other leaders of Adamant look favourably on me.” She sat on a fortable sofa, looking at me, her brown eyes showing ation. “I’ve always been popur. I am cute, you know! Maybe there are a few in our circle of friends rettier, but I’m still top css. My dad’s also not head of the biggest of the Chaebols, but again, we’re det. So I’ve always been popur, but he best. And now…” she flourished her phone. “I’ve been receiving calls and messages non-stop. Especially from those who weren’t at the club. I’ve never been more popur. And I like it! Besides…” She shrugged, and her serious expression turned impish. “This is a new world. I didn’t realise, but… what my dad does doesn’t matter anymore, and clever girls like Hinata-nim have realised. It’s time for the younger geion to step up. And you are all at the heart of things. I’m going to work my Adamant until I’m at the top alongside Hinata-nim and the others… And you won’t regret it.”

  “I won’t try and a ge your mind.” I promised, respeg her drive. “Don’t worry, I won’t abuse my authority over you.”

  “You say that now…” she giggled. “…but who knows, I am pretty and charming.” As I opened my mouth to protest, she merely ughed harder, and I realised I was being teased. Yeah, I be slow, but even I learn. After all, I’m surrounded by women who like to tease me all the time.

  “Holy though… if I turned down this opportunity, just kept my lifestyle of partying, fun and simple pleasures, I’d regret it, I’m sure. So… I’ll grasp the ce that fate threw my way. And I’m not a girl who does anything by halves, as you sae partied!”

  With that excmation, Eri’s eyes fluttered open. She yawned, and looked at me fondly. “Good m, Akio.” She then realised that Yu-mi was here. “And a good m to you. What’s up?”

  “It’s time to head back to Japan.” Yu-mi answered. “But if you freshen up, there’s time for a little shopping first. After all, don’t you want Akio to spoil you?”

  “I’ve been spoiled plenty.” Eri flushed. “But yes, we do o up. Uh… sorry you had to see this.”

  As Yu-mi ughed, I found myself ughing too. What a relief. Korea went as well as could be expected, and some other matters that troubled me have been resolved. otential new options with Shiro’s new Skill, and I have a number of Favours ready for experimentation and disbursal, as well as some ideas on how to get more and also oher pn… yeah, I ’t pin…

  ShipTeaser