Astrid Hellen Troy Volker sat in her office scratching down her orders for the day. Her last week has been almost irresponsibly hectic for her schedule, with only a fragment of peace being tied in. The process of preparing an experimental summoning based off of just one conjecture that only one blasphemous wizard had was difficult and taxing, to say the least.

The fact that it worked was the largest surprise to everyone involved, including the wizard in question.

Astrid did her best to accept the fact that she summoned someone, including the fact that her mother gave her an ultimatum. Astrid needed to wed at least one otherworlder. It was just a pleasant surprise that she was able to summon her own otherworlder, with the specification that they needed to be [a good match for marriage in personality and taste.]

Nicholas, the blasphemous wizard in question spoke in a disdainful growl.

"I can't believe that the barbarian has no respect for the grace you are showing to it."

"Him. John is a male."

"To him."

"As far as respect goes, it is difficult to say how much I deserve from his situation."

"How could any man who stays in a room prepared with such fine cloths and care say that he is being kidnapped and imprisoned?!"

"A cage made out of gold is still a cage. I know this better than most."

"I saw it clearly in his eyes, he looked down upon us!"

"Only in the capacity born from his size."

"Are you really intent on marrying him? We can always try with one of the Japanese. They at least seem amicable."

"Don't be foolish. There's no chance of me getting what the family wants from them without the royal family getting involved."

"But then you have to marry that barbarian. Aren't you afraid?"

"I would be remiss to say that I am not, but with all things considered, he's quite amicable, even if we must address his eloquence in the future."

"It's not his words that frighten me, Mistress, it's his size and his eyes."

"Yes. His size is definitely a profound point. Height aside, I've never seen a human with so much muscle. His aether multiplier must be exceptionally high, along with the very fact that it nearly thrums just beneath his skin."

"It's only a matter of time before he figures out that he has a dangerous amount of strength."

"I'm certain that he already operates under such a belief, even if it is somewhat limited. He doesn't seem foolish, like the summoned heroes historically are."

"That is all the more reason to be wary, Mistress."

"Being further wary does nothing for us."

"Your father will be quite upset about the situation."

"Let him be. He lives off of the Volker money, he can live by Volker decisions."

"He still has the ear of the matriarch."

"Mother has already made her decision. I doubt he will change it, even if he does erode her resoluteness."

Nicholas remained quiet for a moment, tapping her fingers on her desk before Nicholas spoke once again.

"At least he seems to have some wits. I am concerned that he may have been completely ignorant."

"You know just as well as I do that brawn doesn't necessarily change intellect."

"Yes, but it often changes one's perspective. Those with great strength often elect to employ it instead of employing their mind."

Astrid chuckled.

"I suppose you have a point. Still, John never raised his voice, nor his hands. He spoke in a forthcoming manner, and touched upon his most core and sensitive issues first."

A knock on her study door interrupted the conversation.

"Enter."

"Thank you. Mistress, I've come to report that mister John Dirk has put forth a request."

"A request?"

"Yes. He requests permission to scribe copies of books from the library, so he may reference them when he loses the translation effect."

Astrid and Nicholas raised an eyebrow at the unexpected request. If anything, this was a very good sign that John was adapting to the situation, and intelligently thinking. It's clear that he was preparing for the future in an effective way.

"Very well. Have Charles arrange everything that John should need. You may also give him unrestricted access to the library."

"Should we also arrange for someone to teach him the letters, Mistress?"

Astrid thought about it for a moment before responding.

"Make it so. If John refuses the request, then so be it, but otherwise prepare a scribe to teach John about book binding and writing letters."

"At once, Mistress."

Astrid flicked her hand, indicating that it was time for Maria, the maid, to leave. Astrid went back to writing her own report on the situation. This was more good news. After several minutes of silence, Nicholas's irritating voice broke her concentration.

"Are you sure you trust the barbarian with the books, Mistress?"

"Simply because he is large doesn't mean that he's truly a barbarian."

"What other use could he have for such a build?"

"We don't know. There will be ample time to discuss it with him later. As it is, his keen thoughts are showing once again."

"It's true that he would be wise to make a translation script to aid in his comprehension of our language."

"While that is correct, that wasn't what I was referring to. He's managed to correctly assess that we have a library of books, and enough resources to provide him with whatever is needed to scribe copies as desired."

"Anyone would assume that if they saw his room alone, let alone the rest of the home! Your wealth and splendor is on full display for anyone with eyes!"

"You cannot assume things from our standards. Do not forget that a number of things we associate with wealth have little to no value to the Japanese who have already made a number of mistakes in the royal palace. Despite being in similar rooms, they mistaked their treatment as if the empire's wealth was lacking."

Nicholas closed his mouth. He knew the stories involving numerous mistakes already with the freshly summoned heroes. That's all powerful families were talking about right now.

"Perhaps he assumed that books weren't precious."

"Perhaps; however, it's the assumption that we own a library that has convinced me that he's evaluated us as at least well to do."

"Do you think he'll interfere with your duties?"

"I… I want to doubt it, but I'm sure there will eventually be unexpected issues. Now then, I'm done writing my report to the Matriarch. It's time I go and train."

"Will you not give up swordsmanship even once you're married?"

"You know my dreams well, Nicholas. It's why we even attempted your ritual."

"And I'm grateful for that, Mistress. I'm still uncertain of the results, even if it was technically successful."

"I am of a similar mind."

Astrid got up, and deposited her letter in a box that would be later tended to by a servant without her worry. The letter will naturally make its way to her mother. Astrid moved through the suffocatingly familiar halls of her home until she made her way to the garden.

There, a knight was waiting for her, like regular clockwork. Astrid had some comfort in working with her instructor, despite his mute nature. The large lizardman was closer a dragon-kin than a normal lizardman, but despite his size, he was incredibly skilled with a sword.

Without a single word being exchanged between Astrid and her instructor, Astrid moved into position and began her regular practice. Despite her body doing its best to avoid growing at any reasonable rate, decades of practice has begrudgingly yielded the painfully slow growth of her skills.

Hours passed, each swing taxing Astrid's limited stamina anew. Sweat covered her exceptionally petite form, and fresh blood was being shed from fine wounds. Astrid was being beaten with extreme ease by her instructor, hower his position to silently wait for her each day was more than enough to show that he was pleased with her willpower and growth.

Clank! Clash! Thud! Slam!

Astrid was once again thrown to the ground. The sun was slowly setting, showing that she had lasted into the evening now. Unfortunately, her weak body showed its limits now. She finally hit her limit after being thrown to the ground once again, and she could no longer get up with her own strength. The lizardman stepped forward, understanding the limit that was finally reached. He reached out his callused hand, helping Astrid to her feet once again.

"Thank you once again for today's practice, Sir Beckhart."

The lizardman, Sir Beckhart, nodded his head, with a faint smile of approval. While he generally kept his face impassive, it was impossible for him not to smile after training. This wasn't limited to just Astrid, but anyone who received his training firsthand without complaining.

Nicholas came up to Astrid once she was dusted off and standing on her own once again.

"It's time for your regular aether efficency measurement."

Astrid nodded with a displeased expression as Nicholas brought out the simple looking contrivance. The machine consisted of a blue aether stone set into a plain metal block, with a thin window revealing a disc marked with numbers at regular increments. Astrid grumbled as she reached her hand forwars towards the device.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Astrid touched the blue stone with familiar grace, and watched as the disc began moving. It didn't take long before it aligned with a needle, and the number '1' on the disc lit up blue.

"Congratulations, Mistress! Your training is finally beginning to pay off! You have reached an aether efficiency of 1.000!"

"Don't say it like it's so grand. It's the birthright of most adults to reach a value of 1 without any training."

"I know, but we both know just how hard you've had to work just to get the strength of a normal adult, especially as a nymph. It should be celebrated."

"I have only achieved what should have been a birthright."

"Hard work should be celebrated, especially for a daughter of Volker. The matriarch will be pleased with this auspicious occasion."

"Enough. Just send the report. Right now we have more pressing issues."

"As you wish."

Decades of training… it took Astrid decades to gain as much combat strength as a regular adult human. It's impossibly frustrating that it's taken so much work to even begin overcoming the limits of her own body. She sighed under her breath once she was finally alone, walking towards John's room.

"...I really hope you don't like weak women…"

Astrid went to knock on John's door when her tired mind realized that the door was fully open. John was busy at a desk writing with the last of the sunlight reaching his workspace. After talking with him yesterday, she hasn't had time to even see him once before now. The smell of ink, paper, and rose incense fills the room. A bowl on the corner of his desk is the only proof that John even ate anything, as there was no aroma from the bland food he likely ate today.

John has changed from the toga that previously covered him to a fine shirt and pants. The light brown pants and pale gray shirt seemed to just barely have been tailored to fit his huge frame. Astrid was thankful right now that John can't leave. It would be beyond embarrassing to show that house Volker couldn't properly cloth him immediately. The issue is the simple fact that it will take a few days to tailor acceptable clothing for his size.

Astrid looked at John carefully as he worked. She didn't feel particularly rude watching him work, as he left the door freely open. In a way, this was a good sign that he didn't want to shut himself in his room, hiding from her. She found it incredibly ironic that with her own weakness, her summoned partner was an incredibly large and well built man. Considering how comfortable he seemed in his movements, his body was likely originally this powerful and large.

Astrid's thoughts were interrupted as John called out.

"If you give me a moment, I'll finish what I'm writing. You're free to take a seat in the meantime, I won't be long."

"I'm shocked you noticed me. You seemed quite absorbed in your work."

"While it's something I need to do, it's mostly just to distract my mind. I'm still in a very unfamiliar situation and exceptionally keen towards my surroundings."

Astrid slowly moved into the room, and set her sore body down on a chair nearby.

"People who don't feel safe don't usually leave their door open."

"I never said that I feel unsafe, just unfamiliar. If you have any hostility, I'm amply aware there is little I can do to resist."

"Do you discredit your strength that greatly?"

"I am distinctly aware that despite the strange situation, I only have the strength of one person, and it seems to be a normal amount at that. I am also not a combatant."

"You're not?"

"No. Don't let my build fool you, I don't fight if I don't have to. Well, at least not with my body."

"There are many here who will look down on you for that."

"Are you one of them? I watched your training."

Astrid strangely felt shy at that comment. She had nothing to hide, but it was bitter that John had to see her lack of strength.

"No. To be entirely honest, I want to keep you as far away from any combat as possible."

"I assumed as much. What role do you want from me then?"

Astrid hesitated. It was dishonorable, but she needed to be as straightforward as possible during this early stage in their relationship.

"I want you to be a homemaker, if possible."

"A househusband, if you will?"

She felt embarrassed by his words, but they weren't wrong.

"That… That's correct."

"I take it that you need to keep me out of the public eye as well, so I won't be doing the equivalent of attending parties, correct?"

Astrid felt even more shame when that was pointed out so quickly to her. He wasn't wrong, but it still hurt to hear in such a blunt manner.

"Yes. That is correct as well."

"In that case, allow me to say this. At least for now, I don't have any real issues with the situation, and I don't resent you. I lack so much knowledge and context that sending me out would be difficult and disastrous for both of us."

"I'm glad to hear that. Thank you."

"Thank you for taking care of me in the meantime. So, besides my aether and bloodline, is there anything else you directly need from me?"

"Ideally your compliance."

"Let's treat that as a different topic at this time. Do you need any labor, efforts, or… materials from me?"

"Materials? I know the situation is strange for you, but please don't speak like we're intending on harvesting you."

"I won't if you don't have any intentions to do so. I can't think of anything you could gain from it, but my situation requires that I check with you, just to be sure."

"Is that what you think of us so far?"

"It's not. In truth, I'm glad you seem offended that I even suggested it. I apologize for upsetting you with that."

Astrid was taken aback by that whole exchange. She felt bitter when she realized that John was in a position where he would have needed to accept it if she had simply answered 'yes'.

"I forgive you, but please don't speak of it so lightly."

"I'm not. This entire conversation cannot be described as light, despite our friendly tones. I'm not hostile towards you, but even these small things are of vital importance to understanding my situation right now."

"Then excuse me for not fully understanding your intentions. As for anything else that I need from you, I don't have anything in particular. Ideally you can aid me in running the estate in the future, but right now that is a very low priority. Even if you don't elect to do so, I'd reccomended you find at least one hobby."

"I don't intend to do so, but will it be a problem if I don't do anything to aid you?"

"Realistically, no. As long as you can do your duty as a husband to embrace me and eventually give me a daughter, then that is enough. That's also assuming you follow the rule of not leaving the estate without me."

"Please don't think I intend to insult you with this, but if we do turn out to be compatible, will I be allowed to love you?"

"I need you as a husband. It's the most ideal situation if at least one of us can fall in love, doubly so if we both do. I don't know first hand, but it's well known that nymphs, like I, tend to fall in love fairly easily with our husbands if they're affectionate."

"I see. Um… I don't know if this is rude or not, but are there any traits of a nymph that I should be aware of? I am operating under the assumption that you already know about humans, and any of our potential quirks or traits."

"There are a few, but most are relatively minor. Do you remember when I asked you if you disapprove of me for any reason, besides my appearance?"

"Yes."

"When we embrace as lovers, a nymph will naturally synchronize with the aether of their partner. This will slowly make changes in the body of a nymph, drawing them to the preferences of their partner. This process is based of the desires of your heart, not your mind."

"So, as long as I do my duty as a husband, eventually your body will develop into my ideal body over time?"

"Yes."

"So, that leaves nymphs to be considered generally good partners, doesn't it?"

"Yes, especially since nymphs generally don't give birth to half-races. In our case, a child beteeen you and I will either fully be human, or fully a nymph. Half nymphs are exceedingly rare, though tragic."

"Tragic?"

"They rarely last long. They tend to suffer from swelling disease, and die within days after birth, if they lived that long in the first place. Only one half nymph has ever lived to adulthood in history, and even then, it's a sad tale."

"I'd like to read about that later, but if it's a rare problem, then I won't worry about it for now. So, you've mentioned synchronizing aether, along with the fact that you need me for my aether. How will I go about giving you aether?"

"A very tiny amount will be constantly shed from your body, bostering the amount around you over time. Other than that, direct contact is needed, given that you likely can't utilize the aether yourself. The more direct contact, the better."

Astrid watched as John silently nodded his head, before holding his hand out. The confusion must have been deeply apparent on her face, as John began to speak in his deep bass voice.

"You brought me here for my aether. I have no intentions of ignoring your needs. This is as much contact as I can offer for now. I'm still too shaken to do more today."

Astrid blinked in confusion before her mind caught up to just what was happening. Gracefully, she moved to hold his hand. It was awkward in practice, as his large hand wrapped fully around hers. The warmth of his large hand quickly transmitted into hers.

Then, a faint trickle of aether began to leak into her hand at a slowly growing trickle. It was an almost frustratingly small amount of aether that began to enter her body through the skin contact, doubly so compared to its nearly thrumming appearance yesterday. It was similar to the amount that the summoned heroes shed simply by existing. It was like getting one drop of water at a time, while lost in the desert. It's precious, but not enough.

Astrid felt uneasy with the silence, and spoke intending to break it.

"Your hands are quite large."

"Does that bother you?"

"No, not at all." Astrid paused, debating the level of honesty she needed, before making her decision. She continued in a gentle voice. "You don't produce much aether."

"Is it a problem of production, or a problem of contact?"

"A mixture of both. Your aether production will naturally grow as we draw it from you, especially as we empty your natural bowl."

"My bowl?"

"People naturally store a set amount of aether, and this is often called your bowl, but summoned people naturally have small bowls that don't easily expand. Despite that, you generate aether, and the more frequently your bowl is drained, the faster it will grow. Can you feel the energy leaving your body and entering mine through your hand?"

"Not at all."

"That is concerning. You're the only one from another world who can't. I'm sorry."

"Does it change anything?"

Astrid thought about that question.

"No, I guess it doesn't. You lack the ability to use aether, even if you could feel it. Your body might be able to utilize some of it to bolster your strength, but that's all. If you can't even feel the aether, even that may be difficult."

"A shame, but that's fine."

Aether debated about something, but she was already being quite shameless, all things considered. She had no right to ask, but she needed to ask John about something important.

"John."

"Yes, Astrid?"

"What type of woman do you crave?"

"I take it, you're asking because your body will naturally move towards my preferences if we get married, yes?"

"Yes."

"I can understand your anxiety in that case. I can't answer your question for sure, but I can tell you what I think my preferences are, if you're alright with that."

"That's good enough, as long as you're honest. Many people are fairly aware of their preferences."

John actually looked anxious for the first time in Astrid's eyes. The large man generally remained quite calm at all times, even if he was anxious, but now he clearly looked uncomfortable.

"I… uh… I prefer tall women."

"Tall?"

"Taller than myself at a minimum."

"Were there many such women back where you're from?"

"No."

"Interesting. Tall…. What else?"

Astrid watched with growing investment at John's words. He was hesitant, but her expectations were already growing. At the very least, being taller was a very good thing for strength. Taller people tended to have a higher aether efficency, and were stronger on average.

"Uh… I like women with a healthy amount of muscle, and generous feminine proportions."

"So… you're saying that you prefer women with large builds, similar to your own build, correct?"

"Yes."

"While I won't undervalue that, are there any odd traits?"

"Not that I know of. Preferring a woman with a larger build than my own is already considered an odd trait as far as I know."

"Just to be clear, do you like the idea of a woman who's weaker than you?"

"Um… it's actually the opposite. It's embarrassing to say, but I often fantasize about having a partner who is not just stronger than myself, but far stronger."

"That is unexpected, but very welcome in my case. Even if I lack femininity, strength is quite welcome in my specific situation."

"I never said that I prefer women without femininity, I just don't consider being small or weak being feminine."

Astrid had so many thoughts about that small statement that her mind froze for a small moment. Perhaps it wasn't a bad idea to summon a man with the sole criteria of being an ideal husband.