When we returned to reality, we returned the estorations to Lily first.

'Make sure you thank Est-Oration properly for the Est-Oration. You've worked so hard for Lily, you know.

'What?　Uh-huh!　Thank you. Estoracion.

Est-Oration glows. Maybe now Lily should be able to use Esto-Oration. Oh, and I should also make sure to mention that.

''Later, Saint Bright Dragon King said it was fine, but I used the Est-Oration's treasure release, so be careful.

'Yes!　What?　Lily, I haven't even used it yet!　It's terrible!　Takt!

Hoho. I stretch Lily's cheeks.

'Do you have any idea how hard I've been working on this?　I'll make purification pills a staple of your diet.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry...

Totally....I'm sore at the thought of this happening at least twice more. Then Setia asks me.

'What do you mean by that analogy?　Mr. Takuto?

'Let's hear it after we eat the purification pill. We've gathered the ingredients and we're going to Noah's.

I bowed in the direction of Skaaha's mansion and headed to Noah's place. The only reason I was able to complete the ordeal was because of Master Skaaha's help.

When I head to Noah's place and report on the completion of the quest, an info comes.

''I've completed the request quest 'Gather the Dragonwood'.
"You have completed the special event 'Noah's Ship of Dreams'.

I guess that completes Noah's quest...I'm glad I made it in time.

'Thank you!　This is going to be my best ship ever!　Oh, what about the cannons and stuff?　If you have the money, we can put up to ten gates on it.

Okay, maximum.

...a quick answer.

'I promised to help Noah build his dream ship. We'll have to put the maximum on board to accomplish that, won't we?

At my words, Noah blinks his eyes and then smiles.

'You did!　You can take care of the rest!　I'll have it done by tomorrow night, so you can look forward to it!

It was surprisingly close to the edge.

'Oh. I'm looking forward to it.

I said, and left Noah's house.

When I got back to the reaping, I sent everyone a text message to clear the quest and logged out.


After finishing my dinner, I went ahead and took a bath to relieve my fatigue. I'm more tired than I expected.

I get out of the bath and log into the game. I go to the Battleship's training room to check on Lily's evolved strength. I start by checking her abilities.

Star armor seems to be an ability that makes your body wear light armor and improves your defense. It seems to have a particular defense against magic. It's a pretty powerful skill.

I'm going to have to say that I'm not going to be able to get it right. I'm sure you'll be in good hands.

When Lily flapped her wings, countless light bullets were shot out. It's like a feather thrower's version of light bullets. It's usually strong.

The Ark of the Covenant is a skill that confines the opponent with a wall of holy light like a ward. The difference between it and the warding is that it seems to have the power to seal the abilities of the dark-attribute enemies. Lily has become the natural enemy of Noah and the others.

The reverse scale is the same as Love Fire and the others' blood awakening. The degree of enhancement will be different than most. It's said that the reanimation allows you to recover all of your energy when you're in a pinch, and also strengthens you. So the dragon was using both of these at the same time.

I heard that he doesn't know how to read the stars. Then let's check it out in training.

It's been a while since we've trained.

'Yes!　Takt, we can win, right?

Yeah, I'm serious about this.

'The scarlet ring won't work anymore!

I guess...because that's why you're so bullish. Now, I wonder how strong Lily has gotten?

duel
Opponent: Tact and Lily
Time limit: 30 minutes
Victory conditions: no combat, time up
Referee: Ion

The duel begins, and we both hold our swords at the ready. Me and Lily are set up in the middle, not moving. That alone is a surprise, but Lily is deliberately showing an opening and inviting me to attack.

''Well...aren't you going to come rushing in like you usually do?''

'If you think it's going to stay the same forever, you're wrong!　Takt!

I see.

I laugh at the sight of Lily saying that. I feel like all the hard work I've been doing has paid off. I feel like my training isn't worth much if I can evolve and heal myself.

'Well, I'll go first then!

I close my gap and slash at him, and Lily comes along.

''Star Sword!''

Est-Oration shines and swings, but I slid Est-Oration and tried to slash at it, but Lily was quick to respond. I'm not going to be able to get my hands on it.

''Star Sword!''

The moment he tries to play, the course of Estoracion's thrust changes. So this is the effect of the star sword! So this is why you were so quick to respond earlier! I barely hit the scarlet ring and change the course of my thrusts, but Lily grabs my left hand.

'Star fist!'

Seriously! Defense, in time!

Lily's fist changes course unnaturally and I'm blown away. I hit the wall and fell into a large figure. This worked... the light sword and light fist were able to deal with it because it was a straight line attack and didn't change, but the star sword and star fist seemed to change once, not in a straight line.

This is why Lily was so quick to retract her sword and the course of her thrusts changed. This is a pretty tough skill to deal with... anyways, if you're wary of the change, you don't even know if it's coming in a straight line.

'Yay~!　I beat Tact~!

I'm not done with you yet.

What?

I'm going to get up. Ahhhh... my stomach hurts. I check my legs and body to see if it's still affected... I slash at Lily.

'Wah!　Mwah!

Lily is surprised at first, but she responds to my swordsmanship, and we continue to strike each other with swordsmanship. Aeon and the others, who were watching, speak.

''Tact-san and Lily... it looks like you're having fun.

''Big sister Lily...probably stronger than big brother Tact. I can't believe she's dealing with big brother Takut's sword.

'You've evolved and fully developed Lily's talents... wasn't that what Tact was saying?　That one day I'll be able to cross myself.

Aeon recalls when Farida told him. In the beginning, Takht had indeed said. That one day he would be stronger than he was... and that time is apparently today.

'Sister Lily is pushing Tact-sama, isn't she?

No. Lily's getting impatient.

'What?　What's the rush?　Lily's pushing the tact...

Livina has a valid question. Currently Lily is quickening her attacking hand and trying to somehow break the tact, but the tact will not be broken.

''I don't think the current Lily-sister would be in a hurry for no reason.

Lily can probably see the future. It's this and the effects of the super-senses that have allowed her to respond to Takt's attacks. And Tact is aware of this and is measuring the ability of his skills.

'Does that mean Lily sees a future where she's going to be attacked by Mr. Tact and is scrambling to do something about it before she's done?

'That's the way it is...I'm not used to the skill, so this is not an option. Right now Lily has lost all faith in the future. That's what the fact that you've hit Tact and that you're able to deal with Tact's attacks has made you do that... and Tact is going to set it up.

I get ready, duck Lily's attack and go on the offensive.

''Acceleration!''

'What?　Star Sword!

Lilly also deals with Acceleration's acceleration. But Acceleration is faster than Acceleration's acceleration!

"Star armor!

Lilly keeps his guard up. We'll just have to do that, won't we? The acceleration is cut off, and without a moment's hesitation, Lily pops a scarlet ring into the sky. Payback!

Body blow!

'What?　Star wall!

My body blow is blocked by the star wall, and the star wall disappears. No...

"Release.

The Scarlet Ring returns to my hand. I used Famille and stocked up on aposes with delayed magic.

I slash at Lily and she rushes to defend herself. My attack is over your future, Lily!

"Illusions.

My attack is seen through and a completely different slash catches Lily.

'Time's up!　Winner Lily!

It stops just before it hits the scarlet ring lily. I guess it was superfluous to be stuck with the star armor... then the info comes.

'The level of your agility skill has reached 20. The Agility skill has evolved into a contraction skill.''

Oh! I've learned to shrink it! But a loss is a loss.

"Lily... you win. You did good.

'Yeah ...... and yay!　I did it!　Aeon!　We beat Tact!

It was even worse than I thought it would be. The combo of super senses and star readings was unbelievable. Feints didn't work like a super sense, and my attacks were all detected. Furthermore, the fact that my hand was exposed by the star reading was tough. The first attack must have been Lily seeing the future in advance. It was my mistake for not checking all the moves.

Most importantly, Lily didn't have many big swing attacks this time. Even with the big swing, she was still thinking clearly about what to do next... my job is done.

'I guess Lily's done with my training now.

'Yes!　...... What?

What do you mean?　It was supposed to be a promise to you until you were strong to begin with.

I think I did, but...

Lily asks Aeon for help.

'I haven't beaten Mr. Tact yet. Please train me.

Neither have I.

You're both cheating!

You say that, but once you two evolve, you'll both graduate.

Lily wants to fight Tact too!

'Seriously fight Ix over me. I'm sure you'll be a good match.

The action prediction and star reading battle is moderately interesting.

"Master...please don't push Lily. For that matter, I need to train with the Master as well.

Dismissed. Ix is graduating, so you'll have to train with other graduates.

"Mmmm.

You can't be puffed up. Then comes Farida.

'Tact... was he serious about fighting earlier?

Of course he meant it, right?

I heard that Tact blew a huge cow out of Setia?

I certainly didn't use rune magic. I couldn't exactly use it... but Lily made a fuss when she heard that.

''That's right!　Takt, you didn't really fight!　So,

'You know better than anyone that I was serious about fighting, don't you, Lily?

But... but...

You're a bastard.

'I'm not saying you won't fight at all, so try training with Ix for a while. I'm sure we'll learn a lot from each other.

Uh... okay.

Then I get a text from Nao-san. She said she was at the shop now, so I headed to Nao's for the first time.

'I'm sorry to bother you,'

Mr. Tact, welcome.

I looked at the store and saw a lot of silver jewelry. It's like we're showing each other.

''There are a lot of silver accessories...''

''It's because the ingots came out of the zombie event. Thanks to that, my skill level skyrocketed.

Ah... you gave me an ingot too. That was the reason...

So what's the deal?

'Actually, I'd like you to make a silver ring out of it.

Nao-san is surprised when I produce a diamond.

'It's a diamond!　Huh?　A silver ring with diamonds?

Well, you know...

''I need it as a requirement for a class change and a special move. I hope you won't mention it too much.

'So that's what you mean, after all!　Well, I'll take care of it!　I'm going to do everything in my power to make and show you a great ring!

Huh? What's wrong with your reaction? When I asked her about it, she gave me a girlish answer.

'Because an engagement ring is a girl's dream. And when I look at Lily and her friends, I don't see them as NPCs, and I still want them to be happy.

Pressure....no, I guess that's what giving an engagement ring is all about.

Do you have a design request or something?

Have you ever heard of Lily the Dragonized?

'Yes. It's a beautiful dragon, isn't it? Is that how you designed it?

Please. Let me add three more. A regular silver ring, the dragonized form of Ion, and a nature-inspired look.

Nao laughs at me. They know who I'm giving it to just by ordering the design. Then Nao-san makes a suggestion.

'The silver ring is for Mr. Tact, right?　A regular silver ring is tasteless, so why not use an emblem?

It's definitely a special ring, for sure. The plain ones are awful... or maybe they're supposed to have a name or something on them, but there's a lot of them. I think a leaflet emblem would be appropriate.

"That's it, please.

'I understand!　As for the time, I can make a silver ring immediately, but I need a little more time for a diamond ring. I already have an idea of the design, but it's my first time with a diamond and I'm nervous about getting an engagement ring.

All right. The time is fine. Just keep this to yourself. I'm not very good at this.

'Hmm...okay. Then I'll email you when it's ready. The diamonds are already machined... and I expect to have two delivered tomorrow night.

It's surprisingly fast. When I asked him about it, he said it was because he's used to using only silver every day, so he's used to it.

The money will be paid later and the ring request is done.

I'm tired today, so I'll log out now and prepare for tomorrow.

Name Tact, Summoner of Favor, Lv 1.

Vitality 120
Magic power 270
Strength 120.
Defensive Strength 70
Agility 90
Dexterity value 176

skill

Fighting Lv26 Kicking Lv23 Staff Lv35 One-handed sword Lv33 to Lv34 Spear Lv20 Sword Lv20 to Lv22　
Throwing Lv 11 Chanting destruction Lv 1 -> Lv 3 Magic manipulation Lv 3 Summoning magic Lv 39 Sealing magic Lv 26　
Rune Magic Lv 5, Rider Lv 34, Alchemy Lv 23, Mining Lv 28, Logging Lv 33.　
Dismantling Lv 42 Appraisal Lv 32 Identification Lv 40 Rapid Magic Lv 4 Fire Magic Lv 4　
Earth magic Lv 5 Sea magic Lv 4 Dark magic Lv 5 Sacred magic Lv 11 Lightning magic Lv 32　
Explosive magic Lv 37 Wood magic Lv 27 Ice magic Lv 29 Space-time magic Lv 43 Beast magic Lv 4　
Delayed Magic Lv 10 Continuous Chanting Lv 15 Underwater Action Lv 15 Shunsoku Lv 20 -> Shrinkage Lv 1 Reading Lv 16　
Cooking lv40 Feeding lv8 Fishing lv20 Synchronization lv17 Engage lv1　
Linkage Lv 8

Name Lily, Dragonute Hope Lv 1

Vitality 160
Magic power 160
Muscle strength 276
Defensive Strength 120
Agility 130
Dexterity value 122

skill

Star Fist Lv 10 -> Lv 11 Flying Lv 28 One-handed sword Lv 38 -> Lv 39 Large sword Lv 33 -> Lv 35 Hammer Lv 13　
Danger prediction Lv 7 -> Lv 8 Supersensory Lv 1 -> Lv 3 Dragon's eye Lv 1 -> Lv 3 Star reading Lv 1 -> Lv 3 Physical destruction Lv 1 -> Lv 3
Star Armor Lv 1 -> Lv 2 Star Wall Lv 1 -> Lv 2 Star Rain Lv 1 Ark of the Covenant Lv 1 Star Light Lv 1 Star Light Lv 1 Continuous Attack Lv 14　
Focusing Lv 1 Super regeneration Lv 1 Star Qi Lv 32 -> Lv 33 Light magic Lv 12 Star Waves Lv 10　
Reverse Scales Lv 1 Dragon Technique Lv 13 Dragon Magic Lv 3 Dragonization Lv 7 Dragon Breath Lv 5　
Revival Lv 1: Star Dragon's Blessing Lv 6.