"Hey Kazuki, is it just me, or did you start working out recently?” Asks me the energetic baldie, staring annoyingly at my shape.

“What kind of question is that Taichi, you know I don't go to the gym.”

Where did he get this from?

“Ah, sure I believe it, just like I believe in all your lies!”

“I'm sorry to say this Kazuki, but this time I have to agree with him.” Now it was Hansuke, the wise perverted hairy. He talks as he reads. “In fact, I think you're taller than usual.”

Okay, both are becoming delusional right now... but whatever. I'm busy playing my mobile RPG, so I don’t want to be interrupted.

How long has it been since I started doing the ‘God’s Nightmares’ event? One month? Well, it must be something around it. While people continue to have more nightmares than usual, it's only natural that this event remains available. But even so, even after so long, beating this phase remains impossible for me.

Let's see here... I'm already equipped with the five stars demonic bow, enchanted +97. I'm also using the legendary discord set, also five stars. All my skills and passives are maxed. What else do I need to complete this shit? Seriously, at this point, I’m starting to believe that I need hack to beat it. Maybe it was an event created on purpose just to mess with the players…? No, it can’t be. Why would the developers do something like this? That just doesn’t make sense.

A purple head hair girl approaches our tables.

“Would any of you have any pencils left to lend me? Mine just broke...”

“Hana, please, take my whole kit!”

“Wow, imagine! I don't need that many, haha...”

Taichi then rummages through his pencil case and gives her his best pencil, or was it his only pencil? Hey man, how are you going to take notes later?

“Thanks!”

“For you—Cof! I'm always available to help a friend!”

As she grabs it, she reminds something.

“Oh, I almost forgot! I also wanted to ask you if by chance you are excited about next week's trip??”

“Trip? What trip?” Did I miss something?

“Yea! Haven't you seen the flyers on the murals? It's the school trip that was planned by the director himself! According to him, it's an attempt to entertain us, since because of the nightmare episodes, our academic performance is dropping really fast! He hopes that, with this, we can recover our energies!”

Oh, that’s true, I can really see a more tired look on everyone's faces. It's nothing serious yet, but if things continue the way they are, the situation could get only worse... Adults are being the first ones to get into a worrying state, as is the case of our stressed teacher Saori. Phew, at least Murakami and I are safe for now since we have access to Aether.

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“Of course, I'm excited!!”

“Well, as long as I can read my books...”

Answers Taichi and Hansuke.

“And you, Kazuki? Are you looking forward to it?”

"Um… Maybe it will be nice, why not?"

On second thought, I could take this opportunity to get even closer to Murakami. Yeah, that would be perfect! I know I already meet her and Loveta every day on Aether, but these last few days have been so dedicated to defeating monsters and evolving, that I've barely had any time to get to know them more. A chance like this maybe is all I need!

Sure, if you are wondering, I have no true salvation. After Phanta revealed the apparent hidden desire in my heart, I began to notice the truth. I like them both and want them both. In my defense, Phanta keeps talking in my head all the time, and sometimes I think she surpasses Hansuke in terms of perversion. This next week’s trip maybe will be the start of a new beginning in my relationships. If I manage to win over Murakami’s heart, maybe things will get softer between Loveta and me, since I can’t do much with her so as not to zero my chances with Scarllet.

“Well, I think it’s better I get going, haha…” Says Hana afraid of something “Thanks again for the pencil Taichi, and keep your hard-working at the gym Kazuki, it’s surely having nice results!”

Again this shit gym talk? They sure are in need of sleeping. Anyway, why was she afraid a second ago? Hold on, why are Taichi and Hansuke also afraid??

I take a look to the side and so I notice why. The one coming is Lamya! Holy—Won’t she ever give up?? Ever since she showed up in the class about three weeks ago, she keeps coming to my desk every single day to talk to me! And every day is something different and annoying! Ah, I can’t stand it anymore! Somebody, help me!

“Hello, my snail~ I made this snack for you.”

Taichi turns his head because he doesn't even want to see her face. Hansuke also starts his soft laugh from behind his book.

Assholes!

Lamya puts a pot full of food on my table and then opens it.

—Urgh, how it stinks! It looks like manure, no kidding!

“So Lamya... what’s the meaning of this?"

“Oh! It tastes like cotton candy! It's my newest experiment! Hihihi, open your mouth~”

Your new experiment?? And I'm the guinea pig?!

"Err... So, it turns out I'm not much of a cotton candy fan...”

Damn it! I have to come up with some excuse not to eat this stuff! I think I’ll die just to continue to smell it!

“Oh, that’s no problem my snail,” Says her with her creepy snake-like green eyes “If you swallow it down it will taste like strawberry syrup, hihi! Just try it!” Insists her with a spoon in her hands”

Oh, gods, please save me!

“Ryouzen, it's time.”

—Thanks for hearing me gods!

The one who just arrived to save my ass was Murakami herself. And what time could it be? The training time of course! Yeah, whenever we're on break, at least three times a week I go up to the terrace with Murakami, to let her hypnotize me. A training ground is created in my mind where I have to fight her using all the skills I have at my disposal.

We discussed this on Aether, and we came to the conclusion that I should take advantage of any and every moment to get stronger. As we are now bonded to Aether, and our souls are stabilized, hypnosis allows us to create a parallel reality in my mind, where I can access my 'awakening' abilities, and use them normally. And of course, this is definitely the best part of the day, since I have to lie on Murakami's lap while she whispers things in my ear!

“Hmph, how boring.” Says Hansuke annoyed.

This disgrace… I bet he wanted to see me more with Lamya, just so to keep laughing!

"Damn it, why don't you just tell me your secret?"

And Taichi whispers this to me. He still can’t understand what happened between the two of us. Haha, you know you’ll die without knowing, right?

"Oh, so my snail is going back to the ocean? Be careful, okay? Tides tend to be violent when they arise, hihi~”

No, I don't need to understand her words. Not at all!