When the next day arrived, I got up first and began preparing some firewood. Flynn woke up next followed by Roy and Ella. Xara woke up last and the others were relieved that she was okay.

Also, it seemed after yesterday the others had a bit more respect for me as they listened to what I had to say without any hatred or disgust to be found. Well, except for Ella who looked a bit conflicted as to how she should talk with me. Still, she wasn’t against listening to my instructions and helping out so I just let her act how she wanted.

Thanks to everyone's cooperation, we were able to immediately get started on the remainder of the tasks we were given.

Also, while we worked, Flynn and the others talked to me about their weapons.

Apparently, since their families were teaching them magic from a young age, they were taught to summon their weapons to their side. Though it takes quite of bit of power to do so consistently. So they tried to avoid doing it too often.

At least that’s what Flynn and Ella said. As for Roy, he apparently just snuck in the gauntlets as a last measure against monsters.

But moving past that, we finished the last of our tasks about two hours before nightfall and since it was at least a six-hour trek to the base camp, we decided to just stay out here for one more night.

I prepared a few more huts so that everyone had one and we left the next day.

Making our way to the base camp, we happily chatted amongst ourselves until we finally arrived where we were met with two other groups that had finished their list of tasks. One seemed to consist of second and third years, and the other was…oh.

“Heh heeeh. Hey Riko. How ya doing?” I asked awkwardly. To which the MC walked over to us and merely glanced at me for a moment before moving over to Xara.

“Xara! Are you okay!? Nothing happened to you out there right!?”

“Err…I…uh…”

Xara seemed to struggle with coming up with a response. In fact, she looked a little…uncomfortable.

Just then, Ella stepped in between them.

“She’s fine. Don’t be such a worrywart, you weirdo.”

“W…Worrywart? Weirdo?”

If I had to guess, the MC more than likely thought his concern for Xara was perfectly normal.

While he was trying to process Ella’s words, Kimichi walked over to me.

“Hey. You’re the guy who helped me the other day.”

“Oh. So you were the one being attacked by that thing. Glad to see you’re okay Miss…Uhh.”

Kimichi chuckled.

“The name's Kimichi. Kimichi Romaiyozu.”

Naturally, I had to pretend this was the first time I’d met her. I mean it technically was. However, I didn’t want to seem like a creep who somehow knew all these random people’s names so I figured it’d be best to use this chance to formally meet with one of the heroines.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you Kimichi. My name's Axel Savoncho.”

I held out my hand and she shook it with a smile.

Once introductions were over, we entered the meeting site to prove we did our tasks.

I was wondering how they were going to check if we did all our tasks, but it turns out there was actually magic out there that could tell people if you were lying or not. Come to think of it, I believe they used it when trying to see if I was lying or not about my identity after escaping the dungeon hell hole. So I guess it shouldn't be surprising that they'd use that kinda stuff for other kinds of uses.

But anyways, the teachers had us come in one at a time to confirm we’d all completed our tasks. Once our whole group had been cleared, we were allowed to finally enjoy the base camp in all its glory.

Well, it was less of a base camp and more of a miniature castle that was just large enough to hold around a hundred people.

Each of us was given a room and I went to mine the minute I got my room key. Honestly, this felt exactly like the dorms.

Reaching my room, I opened the door and got a look at the inside.

“Whoa.”

I marveled at how slick the design was. This was just like a five-star hotel. You couldn’t even tell we were in the middle of a giant forest.

After receiving a fresh set of clothes, I got into the shower and washed myself down. Weirdly enough, even though we were only out there for about three days, I still felt like I stunk to the high heavens.

But moving past that, once I was clean, I went around to check out all the different attractions this place had to offer. And as I did so, I ended up running into Flynn and Roy and the three of us decided to try out all the different games.

First, we took turns playing ping pong, then tried seeing who could score the most shots with this world's version of basketball, and then stopped at the building's all-you-can-eat buffet. It felt like paradise.

However, all good things must come to an end at some point.

“Hey, commoner! Stop stinking up the place with your filth!”

“I agree! We don’t need people like you here ruining our fun!”

Yeah. A bunch of royal assholes saw us having a good time and decided to ruin it.

Deciding I’d ignore them, I began walking away when two hands rested on my shoulders.

“The only ones stinking up the place are you guys. If you didn’t always act so high and mighty, you’d see who the real filth is here,” said Roy.

“What’d you say!?”

“He’s right. You guys should leave before you ruin more people's fun,” agreed Flynn.

I was completely flabbergasted.

“Flynn…Roy…”

These guys were standing up for me?

Roy gave me a thumbs-up.

“Don’t worry dude. We’ve got your back.”

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Flynn nodded in agreement.

“You guys…”

After seeing these two take my side, the royal assholes took a few steps before leaving. Once they were gone, I turned towards Roy and Flynn.

“Thanks for that.”

Roy chuckled.

“After all we’ve been through, it’s no big deal.”

It still astounds me this was the same guy who mocked me mere days ago. But even so, I’d much rather take this version over the other.

So with that, we went around and continued exploring the place and had even more fun.

I think…I officially made my first true friends during this trip.

As night came, I waved goodbye to Flynn and Roy and prepared to head to bed.

But as I was slipping into some pajamas, I glanced at myself in the mirror.

“Is it just me, or do I look a little more built?”

“Well, you did go through another transformation. I’d be more surprised if your body didn’t change.”

Hearing Nia’s voice from within the grimoire lying on my nightstand, I walked over and picked the book up before lying down in the bed.

The mattress was so fluffy.

“You look like you’re enjoying yourself.”

I shrugged. And opened up the grimoire.

Appearing next to me in her physical form, Nia gave me a look of curiosity.

“Sooo…looks like you and that succubus are growing closer.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Don’t even try. The closest we’ll probably ever be is friends.”

“Ehhh. Is that so?”

She gave a rather mischievous grin.

“In that case, don’t mind me then.”

Without a moment's hesitation, Nia got onto my chest and started rubbing her body against me.

“What’re you doing?” I asked with a bored look.

“Trying to get you excited.”

Huh? Did she really just say that?

“Where the heck did this come from?”

“Oh come on. You know you want me. Just go ahead. I’m all yours.”

With a sigh, I sat up, leaned close to Nia, and picked her up before plopping her onto the ground next to the bed.

“Ow!”

After that, I put the grimoire down and got under the covers.

Nia gave me a small pout.

“You’re no fun.”

“I’m not a lolicon.”

“Lolicon? What’s that?”

Instead of answering, I closed my eyes and tried to get some sleep.

Suddenly, I felt someone's breath in front of me.

Opening my eyes, I saw Nia lying there.

“At least let me do this if you’re not gonna let me do anything else.”

I let out of sigh.

“Fine.”

Nia gave me a joyful grin before closing her eyes.

The two of us lied there in silence for several minutes.

In order to pass the time, I decided to start a conversation.

“Say…What was going on with you earlier on during the trip? You went silent for quite a while.”

“Why do you wanna know? Were you worried about me?”

“Of course I was.”

Nia didn’t seem prepared for that answer since her next words appeared to get stuck in her throat.

A few seconds later, she continued speaking.

“Well, I guess you could say I was preparing.”

“Preparing?”

“Yeah. You see, back when you first found me, I was prophesied to be claimed by a certain person. A boy with a kind soul who despite being of lower standing was still trying to make his way in the world. One who had people around him to watch his back. So when you treated me so poorly after we first met, I was at a complete loss. And until this point, I struggled to really imagine you as my master.”

“So you were mentally preparing yourself to accept me as your master?”

Nia nodded.

“For grimoire spirits, the future is set and stone. So when you showed up to change my future, I was both intrigued and concerned. Especially so when you kept hitting me in the head.”

“...I see.”

Giggling, Nia turned to look at the ceiling.

“Now, I think I’m finally ready to accept this future. And I look forward to what it has in store for us.”

Hearing that, I smiled and petted Nia on the head.

“Same here Nia. Same here.”

With that, the two of us went to bed side by side. Ready for whatever came next.

The rest of the week flew by in the blink of an eye and despite each day being similar, today there was one major difference.

“Xara’s been avoiding you more and more lately? And that’s supposed to be my problem?”

The MC nodded his head. Causing me to groan in frustration. Apparently, over the last few days, the MC has been trying to hang out with Xara. But not only is she refusing him every time he offers, but she’s also doing everything in her power to avoid the MC. Never elaborating as to why. Leaving the MC completely lost.

Personally, I haven’t really noticed since every time I’ve met with Xara she meets me with a smile and we enjoy talking with each other. So whatever the problem was, it didn’t have the same effect on me.

“Please just help me with this! I’ll do anything you want if you do.”

“And what kind of stuff do you think I’d want you to do?”

“I…I could lick your boots!”

“Are you a masochist?”

“No!”

The fact that that’s the second time he’s offered that concerns me.

But I guess I was technically the one who told Xara to stop clinging to the MC so it might be a teeny tiny bit my fault.

With a sigh of resignation, I looked the MC in the eyes.

“Fine.”

“Really!? Thank you!”

At that moment, the MC tried to go in for a hug and I dodged out of the way causing him to crash to the ground. Geez. Something told me this was gonna be one awkward thing to resolve.

“I just wanna stop clinging to you. And your desperation’s been kinda freaking me out.”

Or Xara will get straight to the point. That was surprisingly easy to resolve.

“Well, there you have it.”

The MC fell to his knees.

“I’ve been…freaking her out?”

As he thought about those words, the MC's face went pale white. And after that, he collapsed to the ground.

Wow. This went both really well and really poorly and I honestly can’t tell how this whole thing was gonna turn out.

Returning to the academy, we all rode with our groups. Thankfully, the ride back was much easier as all five of us chatted pretty much the whole time.

Before I knew it, the hour blew by in the blink of an eye.

Once we were back, Sirin appeared next to me.

“Report: Three groups tried stealing the island during your absence.”

“Really? Damn. Maybe we should make a warning sign or something. Cleaning up these guys sounds like it's becoming a real pain.

“You don’t know the half of it, Master.”

Reaching my dorm room, I got a quick shower before slipping back into my normal uniform.

Starting tomorrow, it would be the weekend.

Not having any plans, I was considering just going back to my island.

I did need to get my hand repaired after all.

Besides that, I guess I was free to do whatever I wanted.

Maybe I should try going out and exploring the town below the school, or meet up with Flynn and Roy. The possibilities were…well, I was gonna say endless but those are pretty much the only things I could really think of doing. Still, it’s better than having nothing to do.

With that in mind, it looks like my time here at this school was slowly starting to take a turn for the better.