Saki's eyes widened as he entered the dark kendo club room.
The lights were opened and multiple girls came out of their hiding spot .
" Surprise !! " They shouted. They wore birthday hats and balloons were erected saying ' happy birthday '
He turned to Katase who just smiled .
" Happy birthday " She said.
Saki was shocked to say the least . His birthday was actually Saturday but how did she know? And why did she create a whole birthday theme for a person she barely knew ?
' Asking now will be rude let me just celebrate. ' Saki thought.
He smiled and thanked everyone there.
From then on the club was used to cut cake , sing karaoke and all that. Saki met with a lot Kendo club girls who expressed their wish to invite him to kendo club.
The most prominent was Murayama who they talked a lot.
" By the way you seemed to accept your birthday real quick . No questions ? " Murayama asked. She was perceptive and had noticed a bit of apprehension on Saki
" I thought it would be rude "
" You can ask me Saki " Yes they were already in first name basis now.
" How did you know it was my birthday and even then why get me a birthday party " Saki asked.
Murayama smiled.
" Katase said you seemed to have forgotten us but to really think that was the truth " Murayama said.
" You told us your birthday 9 years ago. We were friends for like a month or so . Katase , you and I used to play most of the time and then one day you just left. So you can say this was personal " Murayama said.
" Hmm . "
Saki thought for a while and he could recall meeting to girls a while back but he was mostly on the move and the downside of that was that he met too many people.
" Its okay if you cannot remember "
" I do remember you . We would go to the forest to look for bugs every now and then . I am surprised you can remember me "
" You did make an impression then . "
Murayama watched some few kendo club girls and Katase sing in front. Katase beckoned the two of them to go in front . Murayama stood up .
" Lets go Saki , it is going to be fun "
Saki wanted to refuse but the girls coerced him until he agreed.
He went there and sung with all of them . It was fun and he enjoyed the day.
After 9pm the party ended . They had eaten cake and now it was time for announcements from the Kendo club captain. She expressed how glad she was all of them showed up and how the party wa great with them. She then expressed her will for Saki to join them and all the girls agreed. Saki had made a good impression albeit unknowingly.
He was too engrossed in fun to act so he remained the fun Saki , the one who will actually talk to you and get to know where you live , have a fun conversation on your topic of interest and all of that. He was certainly a different guy in their eyes.
" Saki would you be willing to join us ?" Murayama asked.
Saki hesitated.
" Join us " One of the girls said.
" Yeah join us . " Another said.
It soon became a chorus until Saki relented. He had had a good time and the group had managed to bring back memories from a happier time . The least he could do was agree.
" Alright "
The group erupted in cheers clapping for a new member in their group.
From then people slowly departed with Saki being among the last.
Before he departed he thanked Katase and Murayama.
" I had a very good time thanks to you . "
The two were just happy he enjoyed himself.
" Yeah we did too "
" See you tomorrow Saki " Katase said.
" Yeah and do not be a stranger " Murayama added.
On his way back he called Miki.
" Hey Auntie. "
" Ah yes Saki "
" I will be staying with a friend of mine today , is that alright ?"
" Of course , is it a girl ?" Miki asked inquisitively with some slight mischief in her tone
" .... No " Saki said with a deadpan . Miki really wanted him to get a girl did she.
" If it is a girl remember to use protection " Saki did not say anything
" Goodbye " He said before cutting the call.
He then headed to their new base of operations. It was a normal house and no one would actually believe it housed supernaturals.
He entered the house and was assaulted by a sweet aroma in the basement. He could feel to people in the house. One was Mittelt who was practising the [ The holy spear technique ( A grade ) ] which he had acquired in the dungeon previously.
And the one in the basement he could sense was a human yet a fallen angel at the same time . Mittelt who was covered in sweat stopped training when he sensed him .
" Ah Saki , you are here " She said as she approached him . Mittelt was now wearing sports cloth revealing her toned abs. She had wrapped her hair in a pony tail and that seemed to make her look more beautiful. Mittelt was beautiful yes but now her beauty had nearly doubled.
" I see you are training. "
" Yeah , that book is amazing . I managed to clean up most of the accumulated bad energy waste in the past 5 hours. That alone has made me thrice as strong. I am certain now I can face Raynare and win with ease " She said proudly.
Saki congratulated her yet felt a twinge of fear . Did that mean most supernaturals were limited by toxic energy ? The thought of that was disturbing and at the same time a business opportunity.
" I can sense another present in the basement . "
" Oh that is Arcana , she is a half-human fallen angel. She is a tech and alchemist freak "
Saki looked at her .
" Is she trustworthy ?"
" Very . Perhaps I should introduce you to her " Mittelt said and then escorted Saki to the basement. The sweet smell increased and once they reached the basement he saw a beautiful blue haired girl around his age.
She had airpods in and was deeply engrossed in alchemy. She had all the tools there and ingredients.
Mittelt walked up to her and tapped her.
" Ah Mittelt , I told you not to disturb me when I am working " Arcana said as she turned her chair to face Mittelt . But then she noticed Saki.
" Ah is this Saki ?" Arcana asked.
She did not even wait for Mittelt to respond as she quickly reached to Saki studying his body.
" Hmm , your muscle mass is low yet your energy " Arcana muttered .
" Can I have a sample of your energy ?" She asked. She had this curious look . Honestly Saki was entranced , she was beautiful . Beautiful long blue hair , violet eyes and hot body . But when it came to benefits he did not play.
" I could but then you will have to give me something of equivalent exchange. " Saki said.
" Will joining you work ? You are creating a secret organization right ? As long as I get to study you I don't mind " Arcana voiced her opinions.
Saki was shocked that Mittelt told Arcana everything but then again she would only tell someone she trusted .
" Yeah that will work . Shake my hand " Saki said as he raised his hand. His hand caught up in blue flame and Arcana did not hesitate to shake his hand.
" Good now the deal is sealed..... " Arcana closed on Saki , held his head and kissed him. The kiss was long and passionate . She tasted like blueberries. But something else happened , he felt a small portion of his energy get sucked out , not a lot but noticeable.
Mittelt eyes widened and she blushed slightly seeing this. Arcana separated from Saki .
" Was that really necessary ?" Mittelt asked.
" It is the easiest and quickest way to gain energy " Arcana said.
" Yeah but that was a long passionate kiss , was that necessary ?" Mittelt asked.
Arcana smiled and went back to work. She took a test tube with some markings engraved on it and closed her mouth near it. Saki watched in amazement as she released his energy in gaseous fumes into the bottle. She closed the bottle not allowing energy to escape.
" Alright Arcana enjoy yourself but not too much " Mittelt said.
" Yeah yeah " Arcana said waving them off.
The two went upstairs and Saki immediately headed to the kitchen while Mittelt headed up the stairs to shower.
After having his lunch , he immediately entered the 3rd dungeon .
Its power level had been raised to an astronomical 250 whereas Saki had 190. There was obviously a power level disparity but Saki had learnt something when fighting Mittelt. There was always going to be someone stronger and someone tougher than him . Playing it safe was always an option but the world is unpredictable so he needed to hone his survival senses.
The 3rd Dungeon was something Saki would have thought in his wildest imagination. The area was like a mini open world . Everything was hot and no life existed save for wyverns , drakes and dragons.
Saki immediately coated himself with mana but even then he struggled . His energy control was great but not so great. If he was struggling to protect himself what about fighting those beasts ? He had learnt that the difficulty level had changed and now even the environment could be a contributing factor but this was absurd.
It was training time though . He dared not seat so he stood and practiced in coating himself with mana. He stayed for 80 minutes before it started failing so he jumped out of the dimension.
[ You have survived in harsh weathers for 80 minutes
Rewards : How to enhance your mana quality [ D grade ] ]
Saki discarded the message and headed to the sitting room where Arcana and now Mittelt sat watching tv.
" I knew you were hot but not this hot boss " Arcana said. Saki was currently releasing a lot of accumulated heat and the cold room quickly turned warm
" It was a hot place I was in "
" Do you need help " Mittelt asked.
Saki shook his head.
" Not in that sense , but I wanted to know how to increase my mana control let's say to endure hot temperatures like that " Saki said.
Mittelt shook her head.
" I do not know "
Arcana too shook her head.
" Though if you are close with the Sitri heir she can help you " Arcana suggested. It was common knowledge the Sitri household excelled in their control on demonic energy.
Saki gave his thanks and was about to leave but noticed something familiar with both Mittelt and Arcana.
Their charm had slightly increased and also their energy had something of his in it .
" I sense something different " Saki said.
" Oh I liquidized your energy and got a bit curious . " Arcana said.
" And you two drank it ?"
Mittelt blushed slightly .
" You have to understand boss that energy was simply out of this world so of course I would experiment . Speaking of which I need more , maybe with it I can create many more things for example beauty products. " Arcana said.
Saki did not say anything , Arcana joined him because she wanted to study him
" Later then . Can you replicate something for me ?" Saki asked.
" Just show me and I'll see. "
Saki removed the mask of the unknown from the inventory and threw it to Arcana . She grabbed it and started studying it . Her hand felt its texture , her eyes saw its energy and engravings . After a few seconds , she looked up to Saki
" Yeah , though not of this quality . You gotta tell me who made this " Arcana said.
" Secret "
" Ok boss , I'll have the results by tomorrow morning " Arcana said deciding to not ask any more questions.
Saki ascended the stairs but was stopped by Mittelt.
" Here , take this . It will help with your mana pathways " Mittelt said as she handed him a vial .
" Thanks ?" Saki siad. He had damaged mana pathways ? But he felt he progressed well.
" Just take it before you sleep and you will wake up completely well " Mittelt said.
Saki went to his room . It had Mittelt's personal touch so it was a bit weird to his tastes but he did not mind. He fell to his bed and took the vial Mittelt had given him. She couldn't harm no kill him in the contract and currently Mittelt was more impressionable so it was not far-fetched to say she did it out of friendship
He curled himself and soon drifted off to sleep.
Meanwhile Mittlet and Arcana were chatting .
" He is something else. His energy , his unique power and where he gets all those things is just a mystery . " Arcana said.
" He is mysterious. Perhaps through his mother's side he got the blood of the Shinto gods. He is after all their descendant " Mittelt said.
" Oh you already studying him ?" Arcana asked as she grinned foolishly at Mittelt.
" Just curious . Someone like him you are bound to be curious. " Mittelt said.
" I will take your word for it. As for your hypothesis I do not think that is plausible. I have seen divine energy and that is not it ."
" Ok "
" So when do we start our nightly escapades ? I am already itching to get my hands on some test subjects " Arcana said as a crazed grin appeared on her face.
" ... "
A/N :
I will be updating three chapters a week with each around 2500 to 3000 words but...
50 powerstones = 1 extra chapter
100 power stones = 2 extra chapters
150 power stones = 3 extra chapters