Several hours went by, and it was early in the morning. I woke up with tired eyes and looked up at the clock, noticing it was 6 a.m. I yawned and got out of bed with a stretch. It's a bit early, but I really wanted to do that idea I had in my head. I looked to my left and noticed someone familiar. It was Vieta clearly touching something on my desk, but I couldn’t see what was in the way. "Vieta? What are you doing here?"

Vieta quickly looked back, her face flush with embarrassment, and seemed a bit startled. "O-Oh, Master Tenshi, good morning," she stammered.

We both stood there, staring at each other in confusion. "What are you doing up so early?" we asked simultaneously. "Huh?" we both repeated.

"I’m just not used to seeing you up this early," I remarked. Then I added, "Actually, this is my first time being awake at this hour in the castle." I looked back at her with a casual smile. "I didn’t realize you were an early bird. But why are you in my room?"

Vieta looked away. "I just… decided to… clean your room, but I'm finished now, so I think I’ll be on my way."

Vieta attempted to walk towards the door without turning her body, keeping her hands clasped behind her. I thought nothing of it and called out, "Wait!" She halted. "Since you're already up, could you please bring me a few supplies, if you don’t mind?"

"I’m your personal maid, remember? Of course, I don’t mind. But it will take me a little while, depending on what you need and something I have to do for a moment."

I smiled. "Great, just a few things, all right?"

***

Many minutes passed as I sat in my chair in front of my desk. In front of me was a canvas, and in my hand was a wooden palette that had a few colors. I also held a paintbrush—everything I had asked Vieta to bring me.

I smiled and said, "Yes, this is exactly what I needed; just one more thing." Using my earth magic, I created a stone cup and filled it with water using water magic, then set it aside. I refocused my attention on the canvas while holding my brush up as I was now ready. "Now, it's time to draw the one and only." If I make one single mistake, then I’ll make sure to discipline myself for her! I exclaimed in my thoughts with determination.

***

A couple of hours went by, and one of the maids would be in Rias’s room to wake her up.

"Lady Rias, it's time you get up."

Rias would sit up and open her eyes. She would rub them as the maid would leave her a plate of a fish omelet topped and water in her bedside drawer and the maid would leave. Rias would put the plate on her lap.

Rias would take a bite out of it and swallow. "Why do things taste weird when I wake up?" She said with annoyance.

***

Thirty minutes went by, and Rias finished her breakfast and waited on the chair alone while tapping the ground with her foot. She no longer had her PJs and just had her normal everyday clothes back on. Rias sighed with annoyance and stood up. "The longer he takes the more late it will be for him to teach me magic," Rias said as she walked out the doors.

***

A couple of minutes went by before someone knocked at my door. "Come in!" I shouted.

Vieta entered carrying a plate of food. "Master Tenshi, I came to send breakfast—" Before she could finish her sentence, she glanced over and noticed my painting.

"Just set it down here," I said, gesturing for her to place it on the desk as I continued to focus on the canvas.

Vieta walked over and placed my food down. Her attention turned to my painting, which featured a black outline of Larah sitting in a tree while I lay on my back against her, smiling. The version of me in the drawing was six years old, and it looked so perfect it was almost as if a true professional had created it. "Master Tenshi, you’re really good at painting," she said, a hint of surprise in her voice. "If you don’t mind me asking, who is that girl?"

I turned my gaze back to Vieta with a hint of pride and a smile. "Thanks. She’s actually my—"

Before I could finish, Rias barged through the door. "Tenshi! Hurry up and—" She stopped mid-sentence when she saw Vieta and me looking at each other in confusion.

I looked at her with a poker face. Jesus, knock, for goodness' sake, lady. I would then look at her with a normal facial expression. "Oh, right," I said. "Just give me a minute to finish my food, Rias."

Rias raised an eyebrow and walked over to look at my painting, examining every detail. "How did you do this?!" She exclaimed with shock.

I would have some of the food in my mouth and chew it. "I hid sohm paining bah den," I said with my mouth full.

"Huh?" She questioned with an eyebrow raised while looking at me.

I swallowed. "I said I did some painting back then I guess you could say." Actually, I did do some drawing back then in my old life, it would usually be a bunch of anime chicks. I would look back at my painting. I’m actually surprised I still have it in me.

"She looks pretty," Rias remarked as she glanced back at me. "Who is she?"

I grinned with pride. "You’re damn right she's pretty! She's the greatest master of teaching magic of all time! After just one year of teaching, I already became a great saint-class mage. I could show you an awesome spell I learned from her one day, but let's save that for another time. I also planned to send this to her and make another one of just her." I continued eating while Rias returned her gaze to the painting.

"It seems like you have a lot of praise for her..." Vieta said, a hint of jealousy in her voice.

Rias turned to me again. "That's not fair! I’m pretty, too!"

I looked at Rias thoughtfully as I swallowed my food. "Listen, Rias, you’re definitely pretty, but matching her? Well, she had to come first." Rias slapped the back of my head in mock anger. "Ow!" I yelped as I spat out some of the eggs.

Vieta looked at Rias and said, "Lady Rias, can we please calm it down a bit?"

Rias took a deep breath. "Fine, I'll be nice and give you two months to create a colored painting of me. Got that?" she said firmly.

I rubbed the back of my head. "Ah, okay, okay, got it. I was planning to draw someone else next anyway, so I guess I'll have time." I would look back down at the desk as I continued to rub the back of my head. This little tsundere spoiled shit. Okay, maybe that's a bit much, but I guess she's improving a bit anyway. I would look up at the painting. I’m still waiting for you, master, and I hope you haven’t forgotten about me, I said to myself with a smile.

***

It was now the middle of the afternoon. Tenshi observed Rias as she focused on her work while Desha joined in, diligently completing the tasks I had assigned her. I would be wearing something more comfortable besides my lace-up vest, which felt more like something to wear outside.

Desha looked up at me and said, "You know, Tenshin, I thank you for taking me in as a student; this learning was something I needed in my life."

I smiled at her and replied, "Ahah, It's no problem at all," giving her a thumbs-up before returning my attention to Rias, pleased to see how well Desha was progressing. If only you were more like that. I wouldn’t be surprised if Desha succeeds on the final exam before she does.

"Done!" Rias shouted as she looked up at me. "Now, as you promised, teach me magic!"

I examined her work closely. "Well, you didn’t get everything right, but…" I glanced at Rias, who was giving me a menacing glare. "I-I guess there are some mistakes I can overlook because, honestly, that was more impressive progress than before." I couldn’t help but wear a terrified expression at first, but I calmed down and refocused on her work. Seriously though, she did much better than all her previous work. I can’t believe I’m actually impressed by her performance at this grade four level—or whatever this is.

I looked back at Rias. "All right, Rias, what element do you want to learn first?"

"Fire!" She exclaimed with excitement in her eyes.

Of course this little tsundere does, I said to myself while looking unimpressed.

"Tenshin, if you don’t mind," Desha said, and I looked over to her. "I would like to learn some, too; whatever Lady Rias is doing, I guess I want to see how easy magic is compared to learning sword."

"Out of anyone else, I wouldn’t have expected to learn magic, but sure, no problem. I just need to get our last and fourth student real quick. You two meet me outside in the courtyard."

***

Half an hour went by, and all three of us were in the courtyard. Vieta joined in as well, as I promised her, and I also had the magical guidebook with me.

"Okay, remember what I said," I instructed. "Keep your hand facing forward and let your mana flow through it. It should feel like goosebumps rising from your legs up to your hand. Stand up straight and focus; you can also imagine a flame lighting up in your mind if that helps. Is everyone clear on that?"

"Right!" all three of them exclaimed with determination.

"Begin!"

They all concentrated, trying to follow my instructions as they said, "I summon a flame from the energy within me. Fireball!"

Rias would be the first to conjure a small fireball. She opened her eyes to see it and gasped with pure joy. "Oh my God, I did it..." she said excitedly, her voice high-pitched with excitement.

Desha would also get it, and it would be pretty small. "Huh, guess this is as hard as Ria said it was…" Desha murmured.

I looked over at Desha. "Yours seems quite small, so if I’m correct, that could mean that you have a short potential, so it would take you longer to get up to other classes."

"Hm," Desha hummed as she thought about it.

I would look over at Vieta as she continued trying and grunted. "Vieta, you might be trying too hard," I said. "Maybe calm it down a bit—" I would be interrupted by seeing Vieta let out a huge fireball that was as big as half her body. "VIETA, STOP, STOP, STOP, STOP, STOP!"

Vieta opened her eyes and saw the massive fire. She quickly put her hand down and stopped the fire before it got dangerous. She said, "Was that… it?" She asked while looking at me with confusion, and I would look at her while being shocked but also impressed.

Rias would turn over to her. "Hey, that's not fair! How come you can make one that big, and I can’t?"

Vieta would look at her, not knowing how to react or what to say.

"Well, you did good… I guess…" I said while being unsure how to react. That was actually pretty good. She might be close to the amount of potential Lumi and I have, but I’m not certain. I smiled as I looked at all three of them. "Well, great job to all of you. You are officially a novice-class fire magician." I looked at Rias. "And Rias, if you want to reach Vieta's level so much, I suggest you keep trying."

Rias met my gaze with determination. "I’ll do my best!"

I turned to Vieta. "And V." Vieta was focused on her hand, the one she used for fire magic. "Vieta?"

Vieta looked up and nodded as she realized I was speaking to her. "Yes, I apologize, Master Tenshi."

"It’s okay. I just wanted to say you have great potential. You also did well today, but try to maintain a calmer mindset; it looked like you were trying too hard."

She nodded. "I’ll keep that in mind."

I looked over at Desha. "And you did well, too. Just remember, your potential may be a bit limited."

Desha responded, "So, being a mage requires both luck and skill." She glanced back at her hand. "She wasn’t wrong after all. I guess there are many ways to think about it."

***

A month passed, and it was early in the afternoon. Nothing much had changed, but my bruise was gone. I also made the colored painting of Larah and me and made another one of just Larah and more of the other people I knew who were kept in my room.

Vieta has been a little more talkative, and Rias has focused more on her studies to get the chance to train in sword training or magic training. One is one she enjoys learning, and the other is one that takes her anger out on me.

Desha, Rias, and I were all in Rias’s room. Rias was currently studying as well as Desha, and I just sat back in my seat and chilled. Man, I am getting so much more used to living in the capital. Rias has been studying fine, and Vieta has been getting more talkative. This really can’t get any better. I let out a deep breath as I continued to smile.

"Done!" Rias shouted as she looked up at me.

I straightened up and grabbed her work to examine it closely. Glancing back at Rias, I said, "Uh, Rias, you umm..."

"What? Did I nail it?" she asked with a prideful smile.

"All wrong..."

Rias's expression shifted from confusion to anger as she pulled me by my shirt. "What do you mean I got it all wrong?!"

"R-Rias, put me down! I’ll explain!" She released me, though the fire in her eyes still burned bright.

Rias took her work back and pointed at a specific question. "This one had to be right! Nine times four equals thirty-eight!"

"No, that’s thirty-six. I’m not sure how you got that." I took her paper from her hand and pointed to each of her answers. "This first one is actually thirty, and this one here is sixty-five, and this one here is—" As I continued, Rias would get angrier. "Forty-five, and this one here is—"

Before I could finish, Rias lunged at me like a cat to tackle me, and I quickly fell back to dodge. "Ah!" I yelped as she tried to attack. I thought she was calmer for once now! What in the hell! I exclaimed to myself as I ran out the door and passed Vieta as she was about to come in with a broom.

"Get back here!" Rias exclaimed, anger evident in her voice as she tried to chase me down.

Vieta watched Rias pursue me with a puzzled expression. She glanced back into the room. Desha was observing the situation, and Desha met her gaze and simply shrugged her shoulders.

As I continued running through the halls, I shouted in fear, "RIAS! IT WAS A SIMPLE MISTAKE ALL RIGHT? I’LL HELP YOU CORRECT IT JUST PLEASE STOP CHASING ME DOWN!" Rias wouldn’t respond but continued chasing me. Maybe I made her work too much in the past months! Breaks exist, too, Tenshi! I think it’s time we all have one!

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

***

Half an hour passed, and I was wearing a thin brown winter jacket. I also carried a man bag and something square wrapped up in a small sack held on my other arm. Rias was wearing something comfortable to keep her warm that also made her look prettier, as Desha and Vieta wore the same outfits they always wore. We all exited the gate of the castle and started walking around the city.

"Come on, Tenshi, can we hurry this up? What if she’s not there today?" Rias said impatiently, pulling me by the hand.

"Slow down, Rias. I’m sure Molly is still out there. Besides, why do you need me so urgently?" I asked.

Rias looked back at me. "Because if something bad happens, you’ll protect me, right?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Then why not bring Desha? She’s paid to be your bodyguard, after all."

"Oh, right," she replied, turning her attention back to the path as she continued to hold my hand.

I waited for her to let go, but she continued to hold it. "Uh, Hello? Tenshi to Rias."

"Ugh, fine." She would instantly let go and get beside Desha, and Vieta would come beside me.

I would say to myself, It feels like Rias is getting more clingy, but her temper hasn’t really changed much, hmm.

Vieta continued to look ahead and then said, "Master Tenshi if you don’t mind me asking, why did you bring me with you?"

I glanced back at her and replied, "I thought it would be nice to have you along. Come on, you can't tell me it's fun just laying around the castle all day," I said with a small smile.

"Oh, then Of course not, but promise me one thing."

I looked at her. "Sure. What is it?"

"I just don’t want to go outside the castle gates, especially into the forest."

I continued to stare at her, puzzled. "Okay, but why?" Then it hit me. "Oh, it's because of that kidnapper, right? Well, don’t worry; as long as no one knows you’re connected to the nobles, you should be safe. Rias has Desha, and people will probably see us as just normal civilians of Celine."

"That's not…" Vieta looked down, contemplating for a moment before looking back in front of herself. "Never mind, that's all I wanted."

I wondered what Vieta had meant to say. Huh, weird. I shrugged it off. "All right then."

We would go down a few steps, and I would stop. "All right, guys," I said, and everyone else stopped and looked at me, wondering what I was going to say. "I’m going to send something off; you two can go do your own things," I said while referring to Rias and Desha. And also need to learn more about how money works in this world, but can’t say that out loud, or Rias would go crazy saying why I am her teacher. I would look back at Vieta. "You can come with me if you want unless you want to stay with them."

Vieta would think about it for a moment and look at Rias and Desha, then back at me. "I’ll go with you."

"All right then, no problem." I looked back at Rias and Desha. "We’ll see you guys soon."

"Hmph, all right," Rias said as she turned around and walked away. Desha gave us a small wave and followed her.

I would look back at Vieta. "All right, let's get going."

***

Several minutes passed as we continued walking, and I found myself looking around. Vieta glanced at me, curious about what I was searching for. "Master Tenshi," she said. "If you don’t mind my asking, what are you looking for?"

I turned my gaze back to Vieta and replied, "Traveling merchant, remember I said I was going to send something off? So I’m on the lookout for a merchant I can pay." I returned my attention to the surroundings. "Just let me know if you spot anyone, like some random guy with crates or other stuff, probably riding a horse."

"Why don’t we look for a courier guild instead? Wouldn’t finding a merchant be too much trouble?"

I stopped and turned back to Vieta in surprise. "Wait, don’t tell me that’s this world’s version of postal service?!"

"Why yes, it is," she confirmed casually.

Wow, the more I grow into this world, the more different things I learn. I mean, not everything here is like an MMO. I remember that, in my old life, there was an online MMO game where I could send things to players or NPCs for side quests through traveling merchants. "Then show me the way, Vieta," I said with a smile.

***

A few minutes passed, and we found ourselves inside the nearest courier guild, waiting for the last person in front of us to finish their transaction. "You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen any isekai stories or other MMO games that featured something like this. I always thought the only way to send things was through traveling merchants."

"Ise… what?" Vieta asked, tilting her head in confusion.

I glanced back at her. "Never mind."

As the person in front of us completed their package drop-off and left, it was finally our turn. I approached the counter, where a bored-looking man awaited us.

"Location and package?" he asked.

I took out a small, wrapped sack and held it up. "I’d like to send this to..." I trailed off, glancing back at Vieta. "Uh, what’s the name of the country south of here?" I whispered.

Vieta responded, "Shefala."

I turned back to the man. "Uh, to the capital of Shefala. This is for someone named Larah Shirasu. She should be at the castle there."

"Got it. So, that’s the Zelwesla region, in the castle. That will be two mini gold coins and a silver coin."

I would look through my man bag and realize I only had ten copper and two silver. Shit… I would look back at Vieta. "Do you have any money?" Vieta would shake her head. I would look back in front of me. Okay then, I’m going to have to play the spoiled brat here just this once. I would look back up at the man. "Listen, can we get one small discount? I’m literally connected to the nobles around here. My name is Tenshin Trius."

The man would look at me with a scoff. "Yeah, right. Listen, if you don’t have the money, you can leave."

"No, I’m a Trius. I mean it! Just give me a small discount, all right? Is it that hard to tell? Don’t I resemble Terits even a little?"

"Okay then, since you’re a noble, how about you go and get some coins there and come back? Leave me a big tip on the way back, all right?" he asked with a grin.

I started to get a little more frustrated. Okay, this is stupid, but anything for my goddess. This dumb little shit better listen. "Well, you don’t have to be such a dick about it, man! I’m a saint-class mage and a noble! Take it!" I would grab the ten copper and two silver and throw them down on the counter.

As we continued to argue, a random girl walked by. She scratched her head and looked over at our argument.

"Master Tenshi…" Vieta murmured as she shook my shoulder, knowing I was getting a bit too angry.

The man would make a small shooing gesture with his hand as he said, "Listen, kid, you get on out of here and take your money till you get an extra silver. This isn’t a place for jokes."

I shouted, "KILL YOURSELF YOU DUMB F—"

"Excuse me," The woman behind us out the door said as we all looked back at her. It would seem to have been a demi-human with black hair and a furry tail with triangular-shaped animal ears that could be by any animal. She looked familiar as I looked up at her red eyes. "If you don’t mind, I could help pay if you’d like."

As I looked up at her, I said to myself, Wait a minute, don’t I…

She walked up to the counter, reached into her pocket, and pulled out a silver coin, placing it gently on the surface. "There. I hope this helps," she said, offering a soft smile.

"Wait a minute, aren’t you the same girl I met in the area with a bunch of stands?" I asked, surprised.

She smiled and nodded as Vieta looked at her in confusion. "It's nice to meet you. When I saw you during that whole argument, I just wanted to return the favor."

Vieta glanced at me, puzzled, while I continued to look at the girl in confusion. "Huh, return the favor? Wait, are we both thinking of the wrong person? Sorry, the person I met was someone I bumped into and then left."

"No, you really did help..." She sighed. "Never mind. I just hope you'll accept the kind gesture."

"...Okay, well, thanks," I replied, smiling back at her

Before the girl headed off, she looked over at Vieta as Vieta curiously looked at her, and the girl gave a smile back at her and waved at both of us. "Goodbye now."

She walked off as I also said, "Bye." Well, whoever she was, she seemed to have been a nice girl.

***

A few minutes went by, and Vieta and I walked back to find Rias and Desha. I yawned as we both started walking back, and I said, "Man, that guy was a bastard…" I said tiredly as I kicked a rock.

Vieta looked at me and said, "Master Tenshi, you seem a little exhausted. Is that why you got angry all of a sudden? And who was the girl?"

I looked over at her. "No, I’m good. And I just thought she was someone I knew."

"Oh… All right." Vieta would look back ahead of herself, and so did I.

I would put my arms over my shoulders. Guess she is kind of right; I am a little tired. Turning out to be my night-owl self again.

***

Several minutes later, Rias was clapping enthusiastically as Molly finished her song, standing in the same spot where she always performed. A few other people were watching from a distance, but the crowd wasn"t very large. "Wow, that was amazing!" Rias exclaimed, her eyes shining with pure joy.

"Thank you again, Lady Rias! You’re always so kind," Molly replied, equally happy.

I walked up to them with Vieta and greeted Rias and Desha. "Hey, Rias and Desha, we’re back." I then looked over at Molly. "And Molly."

"Oh, hey Tensei, Tenlee…? Tenshi! Yes, that’s your name! Sorry about that," Molly responded.

"No worries," I reassured her. Actually, now that I think about it, I think Rias and Vieta should know a little something. I looked back at Rias. "Hey, Rias. You know, she is actually the reason why I was able to find you and Vieta after getting kidnapped."

"Really?!" Rias asked, completely baffled as Vieta was surprised.

Molly looked at me, confused. "Kidnapped? Helped? I don’t think I’m following," she said with a nervous smile.

I looked back at her. "I think about a month or so, I asked you if you had seen anyone suspicious or if you had seen Rias. You pointed somewhere, and after a bit of running, I found them. If you hadn’t pointed, Vieta, Rias, and I would have been dead."

Molly took a moment to think and then remembered, "Oh yeah, that’s why you were acting so frantic and left without saying much else."

I nodded in agreement.

Rias looked at her with happiness shining in her eyes. "This is why I love you! Thank you!"

"Thank you so much," Vieta said as she bowed in gratitude.

"O-Oh, thank you—I mean, you’re welcome. Jeez, I didn"t realize I did that much," Molly replied with a nervous smile.

I smiled as I reached into my bag. "I just wanted to give you a thank-you gift for that." Been meaning to give her this for a bit now, and here we are.

"No, no, I think I mentioned this last time, right? I don't accept—"

"Money. I know, I know," I interrupted. "Trust me, it"s not money." I pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to her. "Here."

"Huh?" Molly placed the ukulele behind her back and took the paper from me. Her eyes lit up with happiness when she saw that it was an outline drawing of her. She quickly looked back at me. "Is that me?!"

I nodded. "Yeah, I’m not the best at coloring, but I hope you like it."

"I love it! This is definitely something I would choose over money. Fan art!"

"I’m not really a fan— you know what, never mind. I’m just glad you like it," I said as I scratched my head.

Rias leaned closer to me, locking her eyes with mine. "You kept your promise to make mine right, didn’t you?"

I glanced away, uncertain. "Oh, um… Yeah, of course."

Rias diverted her gaze, a smile playing on her lips. "Hmph, good. Because if you hadn’t, you wouldn’t see another day. But since you’re working on it, I’ll let you live."

I looked at her with a poker face. Jeez, she’s as crazy as always. Truthfully speaking, I haven’t actually started it. I would look back at her with a usual smile. "Well, I think I’ll be heading back to the castle now. You are free to do whatever, Rias."

Rias nodded. "I’ll stay."

I nodded back and looked back at Molly. "And bye to you too, Molly."

She smiled as she looked at me. "Thanks again for the gift!"

I nodded, waved and walked away as Vieta also waved and quickly followed before she was left behind. She looked at me and said, "That was kind of you."

"To be honest, I just had nowhere else to put it, but you know then I was like, next time I or any of us go out together, I could give this to her."

Vieta nodded as she understood.

I took out a pencil and notepad. I would start writing down some stuff. Other than that, I think I am starting to understand how the currency in this world works a bit more.

Vieta looked over at me curiously at what I was writing. "What’s that?"

"Just trying to learn how money and stuff works in this world. So mini copper, copper, mini silver, silver, mini gold, and gold is this world"s— I mean, is the currency around here, right?"

"Why, yes. Some allow trading, but besides that, I think that is all."

I looked at her. "Oh really? Sweet!" I looked back at the notepad. "That means I’ve figured it all out now." Okay, let me reread this. A mini copper coin is about one cent; a copper coin is about ten cents. A silver mini coin and a silver coin are the same numbers, just in dollars. And then, last but not least, a mini gold coin is twenty dollars, and a gold coin is fifty dollars. Mission has been completed. I would look back in front of me and see the same stand that sold the aphrodisiac. I stood still and gasped. Oh my god, it’s still there! I have the money now, it’s just in the castle!

Vieta also stopped and looked at me, confused. "Is something wrong, Master Tenshi?"

I continued to look there and be deep in my thoughts. No, I need to save up. I can’t forget what I’m here for.

"What are you doing?" Rias asked as she was right behind me.

I quickly looked back, heard Rias behind me, and saw Desha. "O-Oh, Rias, Desha! Sorry, it"s nothing."

Rias would raise an eyebrow. "You sure? You have that note thing on your hand and looked at that stand over there."

"It"s nothing! Promise."

Rias looked at me as she got a little annoyed. "I demand you to tell me!"

God damn it, this little… "I’m just counting the prices of things to learn how money works around here. It’s important to understand so you can navigate life, you know? Like in Desha’s story, remember?" I said, feeling a bit nervous.

Rias looked at me with a hint of suspicion. "That makes a little more sense, but I noticed the way you looked at what’s over there. I can buy it for you, you know."

"W-Wait, you don’t actually know what it is, do you?"

"No, but you seemed to really like it."

I smiled. "Great! So, you can just give me the money— wait…" I said as my smile faded. "It isn’t your money, is it?"

She shook her head. "No, but that doesn’t mean I can’t ask Aunt Tali to give me some."

Damn it, I mean, I could just let her do that, but then I’d also be teaching her to be more spoiled… but the aphrodisiac, I’m… curious… God… damn it… " I sighed. "Listen, Rias, I appreciate the offer, but I suggest you use your own money instead."

Rias looked at me in shock. "What!? What do you mean, use my own money? That’s stupid! She has the money, and I will give it to you for whatever the hell that is."

I replied, "Look, Rias, thanks for the offer—it’s kind of you—but you can't keep being like this. It’s called being spoiled, and using other people's money all the time won’t get you anywhere in life. Sometimes, you have to use your own."

"Oh, come on!" Rias complained.

"I mean, look at me. I get paid to tutor you, and Desha gets paid to guard you. You should earn your things by working hard, too." I glanced over at Vieta. "And Vieta…" Vieta tilted her head, wondering why I was looking at her. "Vieta, how much do you get paid?" I whispered.

"Uhh, ten copper a week," she answered."

Damn, that’s low! I looked over at Desha. "And you?"

"Thirty silver a month," She answered.

I looked back at Rias. "I’m supposed to earn ten gold a year, and we don't always ask others to buy things for us… well, not as much as you at least."

"Okay..." Rias replied, trying to think, but she couldn't come up with a response.

"How about this? Once we get back to the castle, we can ask your father for an allowance, which means you would receive money if you keep doing your studies."

Rias’s eyes widened, and a smile spread across her face. "Yes! Okay then!"

I smiled back at her as Vieta scratched her neck.

***

A week went by, and Rias, Desha, and I were all back in Rias’s room, and they both were currently studying.

"Done!" Rias shouted as she handed me her work.

I grabbed it and looked over it carefully, and I smiled at her. "Good again, Rias. Nice work."

"Heh, of course I did," Rias said with pride as she nodded.

Crazy to think Rias has been getting calmer. I mean, this time for real. Sure, maybe it could be because she isn’t failing this time and getting paid for how well she does, but I do see the change.

Rias looked back up at me. "Oh, and also—"

She was interrupted by a knock at the door. "Uh, come in!" I shouted.

Vieta entered the room, holding a small box in her hands, and looked down at me. "Is this a bad time, Master Tenshi?"

"No, not at all. What's up?" I replied.

"Well…" she murmured shyly, opening the box and handing it to me.

"Huh?" I took the box and was shocked to see what was inside. "I-Is this?!" I looked up at Vieta in disbelief. "Is this my wand?!"

Vieta scratched the side of her head, looking a bit bashful. "Well… yes. I heard you say you didn’t know how to build it, so I decided to make it for you. I apologize if it took too long; you probably would’ve built it a while back if I hadn’t taken it—"

"No, thank you!" I interrupted, focusing back on the wand. I examined the blue stone at the top of it. "To be honest, I completely forgot about it. If I still had the kit with me, I would’ve never completed it." I looked back at Vieta, smiling. "Thanks, Vieta. I really appreciate that you did this."

Vieta looked at me in surprise, unsure how to react, as she had anticipated my disappointment. "Oh, I-I’m glad you like—"

Before she could finish, Rias interrupted and glanced up at Vieta, a hint of jealousy clear in her expression. "Oh, come on! You took my moment! You know what?" Rias reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, fancier box. "Here, take it!" she exclaimed, slamming the box down in front of me on the table.

"Jeez, relax," I muttered as I looked back at her. I looked back up at Vieta. "Really, thank you." I looked back down at the gift Rias gave me and set the wand down as I opened the box. All right, let's see what she has for me then. I looked into the box in shock as I realized it contained the aphrodisiac. "Oooh my god!" Vieta would also look down at it with curiosity.

Rias glanced down at it, disappointment evident on her face. "Aww, is that what you wanted? I thought there would be a wand or something else in the box, but all you wanted was a drink or… potion?" She looked back up at me. "Is it really that important?"

I quickly closed the box and tucked it into my pocket. "Yeah, it's just some fancy drink, and it's nothing major, really. Thank you so much; you’re just as amazing as Vieta, Rias. I really appreciate it! Okay, back to studying now!" I spoke quickly, feeling a little sweaty.

Vieta tilted her head, continuing to look down at me as she said, "Master Tenshi, what is that potion-looking bottle anyway?"

"N-Nothing!" I exclaimed, avoiding Vieta's gaze and giving her a thumbs-up instead.

"And guess what, I earned all of it through my allowance and counted them all up by myself," Rias said as she nodded with pride.

"Yeah, thanks, Rias, thanks," I said while giving a thumbs-up and continuing to sweat.

Rias raised an eyebrow, her arms crossed, and said, "Oh, and why are you acting really strange all of a sudden? Come on, what is it?"

"I said nothing! Back to it—" Before I could finish, Rias reached into my pocket and pulled out the aphrodisiac. "R-Rias, what are you doing?! Give it back!" I tried to grab it, but Rias moved her hand away and removed the lid to smell it.

"I don’t understand. It smells sweet, though," Rias said as she took a sip. I quickly stood up and snatched the bottle away from her, noticing some of the liquid had dribbled onto her lips.

"Hey!" she exclaimed, looking back at me.

I peered inside the bottle, hoping Rias hadn’t consumed too much, but I realized a small amount was missing. "RIAS! YOU IDIOT!" I shouted as I tightened the lid and slammed the bottle down on the table.

Rias stood up, pointing at me. "It's your fault for not telling me! And it’s just some juice that didn’t even taste that good!"

I would facepalm myself and look back at Rias. "It's not just regular fruit juice, you idiot! I’m sorry for reacting this way, but your brain is going to be fried!" Rias would slap me. "Ow!" I yelped as she slapped me.

"I’m not an idiot! And what do you mean fried?"

Vieta would try to intervene to break up the fight even though she barely had control over it. "Lady Rias, Master Tenshi, can we please calm it down?"

As we argued, Desha picked up the bottle to examine it. Recognition filled her face as she realized its design. "Of course, what was I expecting from his son…?" she muttered. She looked back up at Rias. "Lady Rias."

"What!?" Rias exclaimed as she looked back at Desha.

"Tenshi is right; you shouldn’t have drank this."

I looked at Desha with shock. "Wait, you know what it is?" I would instantly go to my knees and bow my head. "Sorry, Desha! Please forgive me! It was meant for just me, I promise!"

Desha looked down at me. "Don’t sweat it. Taren would’ve just let it happen with a grin. Get up." I would get up and sigh with relief.

Rias looked down, clenching her hands tightly as she struggled to contain her anger. "Desha… what did he give me?" she asked.

Desha walked over to Rias and went down on one knee to whisper the explanation to her. As she spoke, I slowly backed away, quietly attempting to open the door.

Vieta watched me retreat and said, "Master Tenshi—"

"Shh..." I whispered urgently, placing a finger to my lips.

Once Desha finished explaining everything, Rias appeared shocked and flustered, tightening her fist even more. "Tenshi..." she said menacingly as she glanced toward the barely shut door. "Get back here!" she shouted, jumping out of her chair.

In an instant, she ran out the door and leaped at me.

"AH!" I screamed, losing my balance and falling to the ground due to her push. She got on top of me and continuously punched me in anger.

"AH! AH! AH!" I shouted with each punch. "I’M SORRY! DESHA! HELP!"

Desha would sigh. Vieta would take a step to try and help, and Desha would say, "Leave it. I got it." Vieta looked back at her as she spoke and walked to the door to stop the situation.

All of a sudden, Rias stopped punching me and hiccupped as her anger went away to confusion and blushing as she looked at me right in the eyes. Has she already been…? I said to myself. I smirked and took the opportunity to try and grab her thighs, but Desha would quickly pick her up by the arm. Nooo!

"All right, Rias, let's get going now," Desha said as she took Rias back to the room.

"I feel so fuzzy and hot," Rias would hiccup again. "And tingly…"

I would sit up and rub my eyes. But that quick though? Damn, Rias was weak unless it really was that strong. I then noticed Vieta looking down at me with a poker face as I had a black eye and a few bruises. "Hehe, sorry, Vieta," I said nervously.

Vieta would just sigh.