"Something wrong?"
Shiho Miyano blinked at Eriri.
Eriri blushed faintly, stammering, "Um, Shiho sis, tonight… could you help me…?"
Shiho's expression turned complicated. "Eriri, you're falling too?"
Knew it inevitable, but so soon.
"But you don't need my help. Go to Master directly."
Eriri hugged her arms, fidgeting. "Too… too many people."
Oh.
True.
Shiho fell silent.
Thin-skinned first time with audience—overwhelming.
She thought, smiling. "Fine. Leave it to me."
As early peerage senior, face enough.
"Shiho sis, eternal gratitude!"
"Your kindness—lifelong remembered."
Eriri bowed deeply, pink fists clenched.
"Not that dramatic."
Shiho laughed, curious inwardly.
Spirited.
Wonder how she'd do?
Back in room, Eriri opened wardrobe.
After long deliberation.
You—school swimsuit.
Sexy unmatched.
Different lane.
Eriri grabbed scissors, hesitated, then modified.
Night like water.
Kaiser under light, new magic tome.
With Magic Heart—persistent learner.
"But unusually quiet tonight."
Glanced time, murmuring. "Last time's aftermath too much?"
"They haven't recovered?"
Unaccustomed to evening idleness.
Knock knock!
"Doors open."
Kaiser's gaze playful.
Slide.
Door opened.
Visitor—Kaiser's eyes flickered.
Eriri approached slowly in pale blue school swimsuit.
Petite frame youthful under modest cover.
Most importantly…
Kaiser's gaze downward… pupils contracted.
Sensing stare, Eriri's legs twisted.
Too shy.
Shouldn't have altered.
Kaiser breathed deeply, steadying surge, smiling. "Didn't know you had tailoring skills."
"Um… joined handicrafts club—confident in alterations."
Face fully flushed, Eriri whispered barely audible.
Heat of moment—went all in.
Now regretting.
"Anyway, perfect timing."
Kaiser waved tome, beckoning.
"Suits you in here—come see."
Truthful.
Eriri's skill needed imagination—versatile combat.
But special magic useful as surprise.
Eriri blinked puzzled.
Rhythm off?
But stepped closer, peeking.
"Sorry—can't see."
Kaiser smiled gently, arm encircling her into embrace.
"Master—"
Eriri froze, face blazing.
Looked down—Kaiser flipped page, pointing content.
She blanked, mind empty, body stiffening.
"Mmm… Master, this… magic…"
Feeling magic curve shift under guidance, form transforming rapidly.
Magic flowed; Eriri weakened gradually, eyeing Kaiser pleadingly.
"Eriri, very dedicated."
Kaiser met her gaze.
Simultaneously, finger hit key step; deeper magic insight.
"Master, bad heart."
"Why tease me?"
Praised, Eriri's fair skin pinkened fully.
"Haha, today's Eriri too cute."
Kaiser smiled, claiming lips lightly.
Though distracted briefly, magic altered multiple times under control.
"Hmph, Master mean."
Eriri huffed cutely, glancing down.
Bit teeth, shifted.
Meanwhile.
Just-sleeping Hitagi Senjougahara snapped eyes open.
New peerage—senior backstab day one.
"This voice… whose…"
She sighed softly, burying under blanket.
But mind echoed high notes.
Can't sleep.
First day—targeting her?
…
Morning.
Hitagi yawned to dining hall.
Seeing panda-eyed Hitagi, Akemi Miyano giggled.
Schadenfreude oddly refreshing.
Laughed at, Hitagi flushed, nearly fleeing.
"Sis, what's funny?"
Shiho smiled. "Remember when you looked like that?"
Akemi: "…"
Others laughed.
Smiles don't vanish—transfer.
"Right, noise stopped?"
Vermouth listened, licking lips lightly.
Words out—all eyes brightened.
"???"
What?
Eerie feeling?
Seniors suddenly terrifying.
Hitagi dazed, answered instinctively. "Seems gone."
Instant—stair thunders.
Bang bang bang!
Living room emptied—only Izumi Tomori and Hitagi remained.
"Ara ara, peerage more interesting than thought."
Izumi recovered, smiling. "Miss Hitagi, join me?"
"Huh?"
Hitagi's mind crashed.
Where?
Seeing, Izumi shook head, taking her hand.
Same-day join comrades.
Help if possible.
Hitagi puppet-like, followed upstairs.
Entering—familiar yet alien thick air assaulted.
Nose twitch—odd emotions.
Sight: stacked figures in tower.
Izumi froze.
Impactful scene.
Prepared, still shocked.
If you want to read more than 20 chapters early feel free to visit patreon.com /Archus
