"So, is this where you've spent so much time training?" Mikahil asked, pointing to the massive line of women from various races trying to enter the capital of the Human kingdom.
"Yeah, and I still lost to you... There's no way I can go back to training with them. They're crazy, and if they find out I lost to you..." Praia increased the strength of her hug, resting her head on Mikahil's shoulder.
"I just need to defeat them faster than when I defeated you," Mikahil said.
"Not if you do that, they will come after you," Praia pouted, looking at Mikahil with swollen cheeks.
"But that's the plan, princess. I'll teach them a lesson just like I did with you," Mikahil said, reaching over and squeezing Praia's cheek with his free arm.
"Humhunun, okay... I don't like it, but I can't cause more trouble," Praia grumbled, restraining her urge to cut any girl who gets close to Mikahil.
Mikahil released Praia's face and stroked her head, thinking, 'That's right, good girl, keep it up.'
"Hehehehe," a smile formed on Praia's face, her eyes closed as she seemed to be enjoying the head pat.
'Hunf... Looks like the tables have turned,' Mikahil recalled all of Praia's failed attempts to put a collar around his neck.
"Alright... Let's go in already," Mikahil said, pulling Praia and starting to walk toward the massive building.
'I don't know if I can watch him do that to the queen...' Praia looked to the side, seeing Mikahil's face sporting an excited smile. 'Well, there's nothing I can do. After all, he would have to do it anyway, so it's good that he's enjoying it.'
"And I'm also number one, so there's nothing to worry about, hehehehe," Praia blurted out without realizing.
When they were nearing the gate where their daughter was waiting, Praia recalled something and stopped walking, saying, "Mikahil, wait. You can't just walk in like that. Take this." A circular red portal appeared beside Praia, and she reached her hand into it, retrieving a black mask with three blue stripes diagonally crossing from one side of the mask to the other.
Surprised by what just happened, Mikahil asked, "Is this a spatial magic?"
"Yes... I've been training with my mother for a few years, but I can only store and retrieve objects. I haven't fully mastered it," Praia explained as she placed the mask in front of her face, leaving only her eyes visible, and continued, "So, what do you think? Do you find it unattractive?"
Mikahil responded, "No, the mask is beautiful... I didn't know you were skilled in magic." He looked as the portal closed.
"It's still difficult to control, since I struggled to increase my mana... but I managed to gather enough to stabilize the portal," Praia said, extending her hand to give the mask to Mikahil.
Mikahil took the mask and examined it with the system. There didn't seem to be anything different about it; it was just a piece of painted wood. "Aren't you pushing the boundaries a bit by giving me this? I know I'm handsome, but I'm not going to start charming every woman."
"It's actually the opposite. Since I knew you would leave the village at some point, I prepared this mask in advance. I made it during my training when I realized that most women outside our village have never seen a real man before," Praia explained, looking at Mikahil seriously and then continuing, "I'm not sure how other women will react, so I did this as a precaution."
'Hmm, during that voting, I'm pretty sure I heard some saying no, so it makes sense not to attract unnecessary attention,' Mikahil thought as he placed the mask on his face. Even though it lacked any magical enchantment, it fit perfectly, making Mikahil wonder if Praia hadn't adjusted it once she returned to the village.
"So, how do I look?" Mikahil asked, placing his hand in front of the mask as if he were contemplating.
"Hideous, and that's perfect. Now nobody will pay attention to the masked man. Hehehe, let's just go inside already," Praia clapped her hands. ' But his hair is still too nice; I should have made a mask that covers the entire head. '
Mikahil shrugged. "If you say so, then it must be true."
After their preparations, Mikahil and Praia passed by their daughter, hearing the complaints of the other women that quickly silenced with just a glare from Praia. When they reached the gate, Mikahil removed his mask and handed over a letter from Kileana.
"Alright, so you are that person. Very well, the two of you may enter," the gate guard spoke.
Once inside, a woman with brown hair and eyes, dressed in an imperial uniform, accompanied them until they reached a carriage where they entered, allowing Mikahil to finally remove the mask.
"Even with the mask, I received some strange looks. I thought I was more sought after," Mikahil spoke, glancing at the woman in the imperial uniform, who responded while looking directly at Praia. "Miss, you know the reason. It's best not to cause any trouble. After all, those who looked at you unfavorably are the ones who know past."
"Still, How can they be so foolish? Didn't they see where he came from? If all the women in that village respected him, there's no reason to look at my Mikahil like that," Praia spat on the ground.
"Hatred isn't something that can be easily dissipated. We don't know their reasons, but I don't really care either. I don't want anything to do with them," Mikahil said, resting his head on Praia's thigh and continued, "This city seems gigantic. Wake me up when we reach the castle."
Praia smiled and said, "Of course."
The woman in the imperial uniform looked at the scene and turned her head to the side, resting her elbow on the window and gazing outside the carriage.
An hour and twelve minutes passed, and Mikahil woke up, his eyes opening to the sight of Praia's two sleeping mounds.
"Oh, you're awake, sir? Well, if possible, please wake up Miss Praia as well. We're arriving in about six minutes," the woman in the imperial uniform said.
Mikahil got up and poked Praia's ribs, making her wake up with a small laugh. "Hahaha, Mikahil, what are you doing?"
"We're arriving. Unless you want to stay in the carriage, it's better to stay awake," Mikahil answered.
"Okay, okay," Praia yawned.
The six minutes passed, and the two arrived in front of the castle. The woman in the imperial uniform opened the door and exited first, saying, "We've arrived, Sir Mikahil and Miss Praia."
After Mikahil and Praia disembarked, they were escorted by the woman in the imperial uniform into the castle, accompanied by two maids. When they arrived in front of the throne room door, the two maids said, "Miss Praia, we let you accompany the young master as part of your group, but now..." Before the maids could finish, Praia was already stepping away from the door, stopping in the middle and saying, "What are you two doing? You can't stand there either, right? Also, I'm hungry, so make me something to eat."
As the maids and Praia disappeared from everyone's view, the woman in the imperial uniform touched the door of the throne room, which emitted a strong white light when opened. "Please enter, and I think you're already aware, but Miss is a little eccentric."
"Don't worry, I like women like that," Mikahil said as he entered the white light.
When Mikhail entered the throne room, he was met with the sight of the queen wearing just a white shirt. The room's atmosphere shifted as his presence caught her attention. The woman's golden eyes blinked with curiosity.
"So, this is what a man looks like?" she purred, her voice carrying a playful tone as her blue hair cascaded over her shoulders and down her back, the white tips adding a touch of ethereal contrast. The casual elegance with which she wore only a simple shirt accentuated her carefree demeanor.
Her demeanor changed as she slightly reclined, propping herself up on her elbows and looking at him with more direct interest. The white shirt she wore extended just enough to provide modesty, and her black undergarments hinted at a subtle contrast beneath. The room seemed to brighten, almost as if responding to her presence.
With her focused gaze on him, she spoke, "Surprised to see a queen dressed like this? Or would you prefer I wore nothing at all? After all, that would be easier, don't you think?"
The queen's curiosity was evident in her voice as she assessed him, attentive to how Mikahil would respond to her provocation. Her golden eyes seemed to dominate the entire room; nothing would escape her gaze.
'What the hell is this? How can she have this level and these stats?' Mikahil thought, surprised by the system screen in front of him. The impact of this revelation was so strong that he couldn't even fully enjoy the scene before him.
[Name = Merissa Oxivean]
[Age = 28]
[Level = 1]
[Abilities - 5] [All Can Be Easily Copied]
[Race: Human]
[MANA: 25,000/25,000]
[STRENGTH: 80/100]
[AGILITY: 80/100]
[RESISTANCE: 80/100]
[STATUS - Pure]