Chapter 11

After experiencing a “real battle” in the form of the rival guild’s attack, I felt the weight of my own powerlessness.

No matter how inexhaustible my magical power was, it meant nothing if I couldn’t transform it into strength to protect my comrades.

Receiving Silvia’s “reward kiss,” I renewed my resolve. I asked her to teach me magic.

“Hmph, so the weak one chooses a thorny path of his own accord. Interesting.”

Silvia accepted my proposal with her usual haughty attitude, though something in her expression seemed almost pleased.

And so my days of magical training began.

Of course, my duties as a dedicated magical power source—my “nightly responsibilities”—continued without pause.

“First, we need to precisely understand your magical characteristics. Cultivate the magical power within your body and try to concentrate it at your fingertips.”

Silvia’s instruction started from absolute basics.

I attempted to refine my magical power as instructed, but it was harder than I’d imagined.

The magical power inside me raged like a turbulent torrent. Gathering it fine, sharp, and concentrated at my fingertips felt impossible.

(Damn it… I’m getting nowhere…!)

Sweat beaded on my forehead, and my concentration wavered.

Seeing my struggle, Silvia let out a deep sigh.

“…You’re not without talent, but your clumsiness is truly something. Well, considering the sheer volume of your magical power, I suppose it’s unavoidable.”

Exasperation crossed Silvia’s face. Yet in the depths of her crimson eyes, I sensed something like expectation directed at me.

When word of my magical training spread, Lunaria, Fiona, and surprisingly even Eleanor began appearing at the training grounds.

Of course, their purpose seemed less about pure support and more about offering their own commentary on Silvia’s instruction and fussing over me.

“Yuuto-san, pushing too hard is terrible for your health. For your break, wouldn’t you enjoy my special potion and a ‘nutritional kiss’?”

“Yuuto-kun! All this boring basic practice is no fun! Want me to teach you something practical instead? With a reward kiss included, naturally!”

“Yuuto Minagata. The fundamentals of magical manipulation rely on core stability—something my training also emphasizes. …That is, if you’re struggling, I could offer some advice. N-not that I want a kiss or anything!”

Faced with this three-way “support”—or rather, temptation—I could only smile helplessly.

Silvia tried to chase them away, though she seemed oddly amused by the whole thing.

Several days later, I finally succeeded in conjuring a small ball of light at my fingertips.

It was tiny, fragile light, but for me it was a massive step forward.

“…Adequate, I suppose. Like an infant taking its first steps.”

Silvia said it bluntly, but the corner of her mouth twitched upward.

And as a reward, she pressed a light kiss to my lips.

(Such a tsundere…)

Her clumsy kindness only fueled my determination further.

My magical power, it turned out, showed no bias toward any particular attribute. I had aptitude for all types of magic.

The problem was that my absurdly massive power was extraordinarily difficult to control and shape into actual spells.

Combined with Silvia’s foundational training, I began joint sessions with the heroines.

With Lunaria, coordinated healing and defensive magic. With Fiona, magical control amid rapid movement. With Eleanor, combinations of swordplay and spellcasting.

Their practical training, leveraging each woman’s specialty, accelerated my growth significantly.

Of course, between training sessions came frequent “magical assistance”—kisses from each of them.

Training in this harem state, Silvia-approved (?) though it was, proved both challenging and oddly lively and enjoyable.

I deepened my coordination with the heroines and gradually grew more comfortable handling magic.

Then, during one of these fulfilling days, Guildmaster Serena assigned Silvia and me a new mission.

It was an investigation of an ancient ruin.

“That ruin is believed to contain powerful ancient magic and artifacts of great value. Silvia, Yuuto—we need your strength.”

At Serena’s words, Silvia’s eyes gleamed sharply.

Ancient magic—a clue that might connect to her greatest wish.

And for me, a premonition that I might uncover hints about my own magical power’s mystery.

The mission would undoubtedly be dangerous, but I solidified my resolve to accept this challenge, carrying the bonds I’d forged with the heroines in my heart.

Chapter 12

The ancient ruin investigation mission—assigned by Guildmaster Serena.

Silvia pursued clues to ancient magic. I sought hints to unravel the mystery of my unique power. We undertook this perilous mission together.

Eleanor accompanied us as guard, and with full preparations in place, we ventured into the ancient ruin said to slumber in a remote mountainous region far from civilization.

“The air feels heavy… like the entire ruin is breathing.”

The ruin’s interior was dimly lit, with damp air hanging thick.

Ancient script covered the walls densely, and carefully crafted traps dotted the floor.

I deployed the defensive magic I’d recently learned, struggling to shield Silvia and Eleanor from the various traps.

“Yuuto, you’ve improved somewhat. But don’t let your guard down.”

Silvia offered occasional instructions, though her attention was largely consumed by deciphering the ancient script carved into the walls.

Eleanor remained vigilant, searching for signs of monsters.

We progressed steadily deeper into the ruin until we discovered something in the center of a vast chamber: a black crystal artifact resting upon a pedestal, radiating bizarre magical power.

“This is… tremendous magical force. I’ve never encountered anything of this magnitude…!”

Silvia approached the artifact with excitement, reaching out to touch it gently.

In that instant, everything changed.

The black crystal erupted with an ominous glow, enveloping Silvia’s body.

“Gah…ahhhhhhhhh!”

Silvia cried out in agony.

Her silver hair stood on end, her crimson eyes darkening to black.

Something was clearly wrong.

“Lady Silvia!? Hold on!”

Eleanor’s shout went unanswered.

Uncontrolled magical power surged from Silvia’s body like a raging storm.

“…Kill… All… Kill…”

A voice not her own—low and guttural—escaped Silvia’s lips.

Her eyes no longer registered our presence.

The rampaging Silvia unleashed a powerful attack spell at Eleanor nearby.

“Silvia! Stop!”

I cried out and tried to rush toward her, but the shockwave from her magical assault sent me flying.

Eleanor desperately defended against the barrage, but the power of a berserk SSS-ranked mage was overwhelming. She was gradually being forced back.

(How…how do I stop her!?)

Desperation drove me to search for a way.

The source of Silvia’s rampage was that black crystal artifact.

And if there was any chance of returning her to sanity… perhaps only my magical power could do it.

I struggled to my feet and ran toward the raging Silvia once more.

“Yuuto Minagata! Don’t be reckless!”

Eleanor’s warning fell on deaf ears.

I dodged Silvia’s attacks by paper-thin margins and threw myself into her embrace.

Then I pulled her close and pressed my lips against hers.

A kiss with everything I had.

My inexhaustible magical power flowed into Silvia, purifying and neutralizing the artifact’s malevolent magic.

“…Ngh… Yu… uto…?”

A flicker of clarity returned to Silvia’s eyes.

I held her tighter, continuing to pour my power into her.

The black crystal artifact shattered with a piercing screech, and the wicked aura consuming Silvia vanished.

She regained consciousness, but I had reached my limit.

Drained of magical power, I lost consciousness in Silvia’s arms.

As darkness claimed me, I heard Silvia’s voice through tears.

“Yuuto… for my sake… you fool…”

And I felt her lips gently touch my forehead.

I had no way of knowing then that this incident would bring a new transformation to my magical power.

Or that Silvia would fully come to recognize the depth of her love and gratitude toward me.