"With that, this conversation is over. The king is waiting for you, so it's better if you go soon."
"Alright, Director Hao. Professor Virelle, I'll see you in class tomorrow."
Enrico bowed to both of them and then waved goodbye to Angela. While she continued cleaning the room, Angela grew even more annoyed—her young master had been hunting nonstop, and now he had to go talk to the king.
'I'd better prepare his dorm after this room. That way I can give him my special massage to help him relax.'
She had noticed Enrico's body looked tense, and it was likely he still had inflamed muscles. Fortunately, during those two years she had created a perfect technique for that. Satisfied with her thoughts, she resumed cleaning the director's office in a better, more organized way as her lady had requested.
[What's your plan when you go to the Elf dimension?]
'My first plan is to bring down some of the loyal followers of Elaris's sister, and I'm also going to release the Dark Elves there.'
[Release the Dark Elves?... oh right, the Val'Drakar dungeon.]
Enrico had promised to free those elves. Now that he had reached the necessary level to release them, he realized that, at least at first, he needed to eliminate one specific person who followed the evil god that tried to sacrifice the Dark Elves.
[So you're planning to kill that crazy follower, right?]
'Exactly. After that, I'll be able to free them more peacefully…'
He planned to bring Valença with him if she reached the sixth circle, since she would certainly want to join him in battle to fulfill Val'Drakar's wish.
As he walked, Enrico's muscles began to ache, so he rubbed his shoulders. He would have to ask Yumeha or Angela to help him with that—two years of fighting daily to survive had caused his body to fail him repeatedly.
'I lost many times because my body gave out.'
He remembered some Nartheis who almost killed him during those two years—mainly three that caused the most trouble. One had eight arms and ran like an animal, another was a wolf, and the last was a black fire bird.
"Maybe it's because you didn't hide very well, so they found you quickly."
A voice came from his shoulder. Looking there, he saw a doll with a cross covering her face, sitting calmly while inspecting her nails. He glanced around to make sure no one was present and began communicating with her through his mind since they shared a connection.
'So you woke up? Good. Get out of my body and go fulfill your part of the plan already.'
'How mean. You could at least say please.'
'Sorry, but no. I'm still not satisfied with your plan that almost got me killed.'
[That's right, Enrico! I hate that woman too. You'd better not trust her.]
This Nartheis was the Rank Ranviu one Enrico had fought in the cave of the magic zone. He discovered she was inside him when she awakened him from his sleep. At first he thought she was the one who always took over his body, but he noticed her affinity was different.
[I still can't believe there are two Nartheis inside you. How did I not notice?]
'Calm down. She already said another system is helping the Nartheis inside me, so it makes sense.'
[No, it doesn't make sense. You can only have one system.]
Ignoring his system, Enrico flicked the small Nartheis on the head, making her squeak in pain.
'Go find your children. They must be worried that you haven't returned.'
'Fine, fine. Looks like this system is furious anyway. Goodbye, Enrico. I'll see you when we start our plans.'
'Goodbye, Cruxaria.'
Waving at him, Cruxaria summoned a spell that teleported her somewhere only she knew. He had made a contract with her, so their minds were connected, meaning she could also see the system—hence her comments about it.
[And may she never come back.]
'Actually, I think she will return.'
Ever since the system realized she could see it, Cruxaria had become a threat to it and the constellations. From the very first day, it kept its eyes open most of the time to keep Enrico safe.
'She doesn't seem that dangerous compared to the other Nartheis inside me.'
[But she's certainly more annoying. That other Nartheis hasn't spoken or taken over your body once in two years.]
'You're right…'
Without a doubt, those two years had made him much more cautious for the sake of this body. Even though he could erase himself, for some reason the original Enrico still hadn't appeared.
'At least that eliminates one of the cursed souls of this body.'
Of course, she still had a connection with Cruxaria—if she wanted, she could return to her body whenever she wished, especially if she wanted to surpass the level she had reached.
"Enrico, my rematch!"
"My rival, it's been a while."
"My best friend, when are you going to fight me? I desperately need a battle!"
Stopping on his way to the king, Enrico looked at Kai, Lira, and Grakka, who all had excited expressions. The moment they saw each other, irritation spread across their faces.
"You two should move. I've been waiting two years for this."
"You weren't the only idiot. We've been waiting like crazy for this moment too."
Both Kai and Grakka drew their weapons—he with his sword and Grakka with her axe—while Lira ignored them, simply waiting for his decision.
"You two should leave. You haven't even reached the sixth circle, so why insist so much?"
"So what if I didn't reach it? I came to fight him exactly because of that! The stronger my enemy, the stronger Grakka becomes!"
This fight would definitely escalate, so it was better to interrupt before it went too far. Besides, he didn't want Grakka getting seriously hurt—the difference in level between them was huge.
"Sorry, but—"
Suddenly, a shadow appeared behind him. His eyes sensed it, and he prepared a punch—but when he saw, from the corner of his eye, the wild beauty with tiger ears, he lowered his hand and received the hug from behind.
"Good thing you're here. I have to tell all of you that these rematch—"
Feeling something wet on his cheek, Enrico froze as he saw Danyana licking him, her gaze full of excitement… and lust?
"Of course my soulmate could never be anyone but you."