Takumi had just settled into bed, feeling the comforting weight of the blankets and the warmth of the inn around him. Aqualis had curled up at his feet, purring contentedly, and the soft sounds of the night outside had begun to lull him into what should have been a peaceful sleep. But as he lay there, staring at the ceiling, something began to nag at the back of his mind.
Wait a second…
Takumi blinked, a frown slowly forming on his face as a realization dawned on him. I'm a god. I don't need to sleep!
He sat up abruptly, the blanket falling off his shoulders as he looked around the room, his mind racing. What the hell am I doing? I don't sleep! I haven't needed to sleep since—well, since I became the Universal God!
Aqualis, disturbed by the sudden movement, opened one eye and gave Takumi a sleepy, questioning look, as if to say, Is this really necessary?
Takumi ran a hand through his hair, feeling equal parts amused and annoyed with himself. "Seriously, what was I thinking? I'm lying here like some mortal who actually needs rest. I've got universes to oversee, worlds to create, and here I am, pretending I need to get some shut-eye."
He shook his head, swinging his legs out of bed and standing up. Aqualis let out a resigned sigh, stretching lazily before hopping off the bed to follow him.
"Well, I guess if I'm not going to sleep, I might as well do something productive," Takumi muttered to himself as he started gathering his things. "It's about time I got back to my duties—those worlds aren't going to create themselves."
As he strapped on his gear and checked his weapons, Takumi couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation. He had been so caught up in the adventure, in the thrill of being with his friends, that he had completely forgotten about his responsibilities as the Universal God. And now, while everyone else was peacefully dreaming away, he was about to head out and do some serious cosmic maintenance.
Aqualis trotted over to him, watching with curious eyes as Takumi prepared to leave. The cat let out a questioning meow, as if asking, Where do you think you're going at this hour?
Takumi crouched down to scratch Aqualis behind the ears, a fond smile on his face. "Don't worry, buddy. I'm just going to take care of a few things—nothing too crazy. I'll be back before anyone even notices I'm gone. You keep an eye on the place while I'm out, okay?"
Aqualis blinked slowly, clearly unimpressed but willing to tolerate Takumi's plan. With a final pat, Takumi stood up and headed for the door, moving as quietly as possible so as not to wake anyone.
As he stepped out into the cool night air, Takumi took a deep breath, feeling the crisp breeze on his skin. The town was quiet, the streets empty, and the sky above was dotted with stars. It was peaceful—a stark contrast to the bustling, adventure-filled days he'd been having in Ardynia.
Alright, let's see what I've been putting off, Takumi thought as he activated his godly senses, reaching out with his mind to connect with the universe at large. He could feel the pull of his various creations, the worlds he had shaped and the beings he had brought into existence. There were small matters to attend to, like balancing the ecosystems of a few planets, tweaking the magic systems of another, and—oh, right—preventing a minor apocalypse in a world where the sun was about to go supernova.
"Oops," Takumi muttered, his eyes widening slightly. "Guess I'd better take care of that first."
With a quick thought, he focused his power and disappeared from Ardynia, teleporting across the vast reaches of space to the endangered world. When he arrived, the planet was in the midst of a chaotic panic, its inhabitants running for cover as the sky burned with the intense light of their dying sun.
Takumi floated above the planet's surface, his arms crossed as he surveyed the situation. "Okay, okay, no need to freak out, everyone. I've got this."
With a casual wave of his hand, Takumi stabilized the sun, cooling its surface and reversing the supernova process. The light dimmed, the sky returned to its normal hue, and the inhabitants of the planet slowly emerged from their hiding places, staring up at the sky in awe.
"There we go," Takumi said with a satisfied nod. "Crisis averted. Now, what's next on the list?"
He moved through the universe with the ease of someone who had done this a thousand times before—because, well, he had. In one world, he helped a group of fledgling wizards unlock their true potential. In another, he guided the growth of a newly formed civilization, nudging them toward peace and prosperity. And in yet another, he settled a dispute between two rival dragon clans, ensuring that the delicate balance of their world remained intact.
All the while, Takumi kept a running commentary to himself, mixing humor with the seriousness of his tasks.
"Honestly, these dragons need to learn how to share their treasure hoards. You'd think after a few millennia, they'd figure it out…"
"Okay, so you want to create a new type of magic that involves singing? Sure, why not? Let's make it happen."
"And that's how you avoid a planetary extinction event in three easy steps. You're welcome, universe."
As the night wore on, Takumi finished up the last of his tasks, feeling a sense of accomplishment. He had taken care of everything that needed his attention—at least for now—and it had only taken a few hours. Not bad for a night's work.
But as he prepared to return to Ardynia, Takumi found his thoughts drifting back to Veronica and the rest of the gang. Despite the satisfaction of fulfilling his duties, there was something about being with them—about sharing adventures, laughter, and quiet moments—that made him want to get back as soon as possible.
Alright, I think that's enough godly work for one night, Takumi thought with a grin. Time to head back to where the real fun is.
With a final glance at the stars, Takumi focused his power and teleported back to Ardynia, arriving just outside The Moonlit Haven. The inn was still quiet, the only sound the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze. Takumi entered silently, careful not to wake anyone as he made his way back to his room.
As he opened the door, he found Aqualis curled up on the bed, his tail twitching as if he'd been dreaming of something exciting. The cat opened one eye as Takumi entered, giving him a look that clearly said, Took you long enough.
Takumi chuckled softly, closing the door behind him. "Yeah, yeah, I'm back. And you'll be pleased to know that the universe is still in one piece."
Aqualis let out a soft purr, settling back down as Takumi climbed into bed. Despite not needing sleep, Takumi felt a sense of contentment as he lay there, knowing that he had taken care of his responsibilities and could now focus on what really mattered—his friends, their adventures, and maybe even a little more time with Veronica.
As he stared at the ceiling, Takumi couldn't help but smile. Life as the Universal God had its challenges, but it also had its perks. And as long as he could balance his duties with the fun of living in Ardynia, he knew he was in for one hell of a ride.