Armonia, standing in front of me in my office, spoke.
"The issues you mentioned will be improved starting today."
"Ohh, as expected, you're quick."
Armonia and I held a meeting in the COO's office—my office.
The improvement Armonia mentioned earlier was about the clothing of our ship's crew.
"To be honest, it's been bothering me for a while, but since you didn't say anything, I assumed you liked Lena's outfit."
"No way, there's no way I'd like such shabby clothes…"
It was called a maid outfit, but the clothes Lena was wearing were nothing like the alluring outfits I'd seen in games.
The maid outfit and underwear Lena wore were made of cheap, low-quality fabric.
What she had on was the attire of a servant doing hard labor day in and day out.
It was the kind of outfit that didn't exude even a hint of the charm of a maid uniform.
"I'll send you a list of designs after we finish the meeting. Please choose the ones you like."
"Okay~"
"Then, let me move on to the second agenda item: the Seed of Yggdrasil."
The Seed of Yggdrasil.
A reward obtained after defeating the tutorial boss.
While inside Yggdrasil, it would accumulate energy, and once fully charged, it could block one deadly attack—a rare item.
Moreover, it wasn't a consumable but a permanent one.
However, since we didn't yet know the exact efficiency or method of energy charging, we'd been treating it as if it didn't exist.
But why bring it up so suddenly?
When I looked at her with a puzzled expression, she immediately explained.
"Do you remember how the seed was absorbed into your body?"
"Ah… yeah, I remember."
The seed wasn't stored in my inventory but was absorbed into my body.
"That seed… I believe it can also be used in other worlds."
"Seriously!?"
According to Armonia's explanation, the seed inside me has been detected reacting even while on the ship.
Although the accumulated energy is still at 0%, once it reaches 100%, there's a high possibility it can be used in other worlds, Armonia said.
"Whoa… this is seriously insane."
"Suho… the next time you go to Yggdrasil, this could be a tremendous opportunity."
"…We might be able to get more seeds?"
"That's correct."
Regression—though I can't do it at will, I've gained ways to deal with it, and most importantly, my abilities continue to carry over.
In that case, there's a high chance we can obtain this seed again.
"However, if they find out you already have a seed, it might raise suspicions."
"…Even if we gloss over it, the type of reward might change."
And there's no guarantee that having two seeds would be beneficial…
For now, there are no restrictions on bringing the seed onto the ship.
Though we still lack critical information about the seed, the fact that it can be used in other worlds is satisfying enough.
"Now, the next agenda item. We've received 500,000 Enels."
"…Huh? What? Why?"
"Zodiac sent it."
Honestly, if Enels suddenly appeared, there's no other explanation.
Unless a god invested Enels in us as part of reviving a delisted company…
But why send this much Enel all of a sudden?
Armonia quickly cleared up my confusion.
"It's thanks to Han Yeo-reum's regression. They were struggling to understand the phenomenon until we provided them with information."
"Ah, I see…"
I happened to be summoned alongside Han Yeo-reum and witnessed regression firsthand, which Armonia detected and managed to break.
But Zodiac had been completely baffled by the unexplained time reversal phenomenon.
If this were a game, it would've felt like a bug.
In exchange for providing information about the phenomenon, we received 500,000 Enels.
"In addition to the 500,000 Enels, the success reward has increased. If we succeed in climbing beyond Han Yeo-reum's regression, they've notified us that they'll pay triple the original reward—30 million Enels instead of 10 million."
"Huh? Triple all of a sudden?"
"It's because they perceive regression as an extreme threat."
Armonia continued her explanation.
"Moreover, the Enels spent on the Regression Blessing are a massive drain even for the Sanctuary. If the climb fails, the damage will be catastrophic, so Zodiac sees this request as an opportunity."
"Ugh… regression really is the worst…"
Even though I'm enjoying an insane situation thanks to Han Yeo-reum's regression!
Every time I see Min Ha-yeon working hard to help me, it warms my heart.
As I pondered the 500,000 Enels, an important realization suddenly struck me.
"Ohh! Then we can make living quarters!"
"That's correct. However, it would be better to discuss and arrange them together rather than doing it arbitrarily."
"Okay!"
With that, we concluded the meeting and called in the three women.
...
...
...
"Are you really okay with this?"
"I love it!"
"Me too, nya! It's my first time living with a friend, nya!"
Beatrice and Viola outright wanted a shared room for two.
From the start, the two had been hanging out in Viola's quarters, reading comics and having fun, so this was a welcome arrangement.
And we decided to give Lena the quarters Viola had been using.
Armonia proposed creating one more facility—a dining hall.
"But everyone's been eating just fine in the hallway…"
"It's not exactly hygienic."
Currently, during mealtimes, we ate at a table and chairs set up in the middle of the ship's hallway.
But Armonia inwardly disapproved of this, and I naturally accepted her proposal.
The facility was created immediately, and the five of us went inside to look around.
The dining hall was more luxurious than expected.
Given the image of a spaceship, I'd been worried when the idea of a dining hall was first proposed.
I'd imagined eating at dull metal tables with chairs bolted to steel floors, giving off prison vibes.
But after stepping inside, I regretted my preconceptions.
Luxurious tables, chairs, and tableware were neatly arranged.
The walls weren't dull gray metal but a blend of white and green wallpaper that stimulated the appetite.
The total cost for the two facilities was 250,000 Enels.
Half of what we had.
But…
"Not a waste at all."
Everyone smiled in satisfaction at my words.
***
Finally, the day came to return to the Hero Academy.
After saying their goodbyes, Beatrice and Viola left the warp room.
The two women remaining here:
The first was Armonia, wearing her captain's uniform and giving a brief briefing.
"While you're away, no unusual signs have been detected at the Hero Academy. Still, please be cautious."
"Yeah, got it."
Next to Armonia stood Lena, dressed in a neat crew uniform.
"Master, please take care of yourself."
"Yeah, I'll be careful."
During the earlier meeting with Armonia, we'd discussed clothing, and I suggested making a crew uniform since we'd be working together.
Lena's proportions were outstanding, so anything she wore fit perfectly.
Like Armonia's uniform, it was black with white stripes.
Her long pink hair was neatly tied up, and she wore a cap.
Above all, Lena's outfit suited the atmosphere here perfectly.
"Starting with this mission, Lena will assist you during your sleep. I'll leave only after confirming you've fallen asleep."
"Well, sleeping is just sleeping…"
"Please be careful. While I'm away, you won't be able to use Enels."
"Huh? Can't Lena use them instead?"
I wondered if Armonia hadn't granted Lena that permission.
Even though Enels were important, given Lena's trustworthiness, it wouldn't hurt to allow limited use.
But it wasn't a matter of permission.
"Enels aren't something I can delegate to others at will."
"Ah… right, you said using them is like making a direct request to a god?"
"Correct. I can't transfer or delegate that authority."
In short, the key point was that Enel usage would be impossible while Armonia was away.
"Lena, let me reiterate: if anything happens, don't hesitate to report to me immediately. If you hesitate and miss the timing, the Suho's life could be in danger."
"Yes, I'll keep that in mind."
Lena bowed sharply to Armonia as she answered.
Given her innate qualities as a soldier, she adapted quickly and grew accustomed to such situations.
Bringing her along was definitely the right call.
But would there really be life-threatening situations while sleeping…?
Though puzzled, I didn't voice my thoughts.
Well, the world doesn't always operate on common sense.
After wrapping up the conversation, I headed to the Hero Academy.
***
Main gate of the Hero Academy.
My first thought upon seeing it?
'Ugh… I don't want to go to work.'
[Personally, compared to Yggdrasil, the danger level here is lower, so I feel more at ease.]
'Still, it's work… Nothing's worse than a workplace, except a battlefield.'
[…]
Watching the morning sun slowly rise, I went through the Academy's entry procedures with the security guards.
Given the nature of the facility, the process was quite complex. Then, a limousine quietly pulled up in front of the gate.
From inside the limousine…
'Whoa… a cadet? Damn, she's stunning.'
A girl with wavy black hair and an air of excellence stepped out of the limousine.
Though she wore a cadet uniform, her aura was undeniably mature.
Her expression, initially blank, slowly turned toward me.
'No way… Did she fall for me at first sight?'
[…]
Why? Why no answer?
The limousine driver got out and approached the girl, who'd been staring at me.
From this distance, I couldn't hear what they were saying, but the driver spoke to her gently.
The girl, who'd been nearly expressionless, began to smile faintly and converse.
As I watched them, a guard spoke to me.
"Your identity has been verified. You may enter."
"Thanks."
Dismissing my thoughts about the two, I entered the Academy.
On the way to the faculty building, I spotted the cafeteria but paid it no mind.
I'd already eaten before coming.
Thinking about it, having a dining hall on the ship was a great idea.
Eating together improved the atmosphere and made meals much more enjoyable.
I arrived at the faculty office. The moment I stepped in, I felt the weight on my shoulders.
Cho Seo-hyun—what kind of nagging would she unleash on me today?
'At least she's usually asleep in the mornings… Wait, she's awake…?'
The partition always set up around Cho Seo-hyun's desk by the window was gone.
And she was tapping her desk with delicate fingers, muttering to herself.
"Ugh… this'll completely ruin this week's practical training…"
"…Good morning, Instructor Cho Seo-hyun."
"Ah… you're here?"
Unlike usual, Cho Seo-hyun fidgeted as she acknowledged my greeting.
But right after, she went back to grumbling over the papers on her desk.
Sensing a problem with the classes, I asked her:
"Is something wrong?"
"Ah… remember the VR training we talked about last week?"
"Yes."
"The network still isn't fixed, so it's been postponed."
"Ah…"
Originally, VR combat simulations were scheduled to start this Monday.
It was training where cadets would face and learn to handle rarely seen monsters.
And this week's curriculum had been built around it.
With the VR training canceled, alternative practical training had to be arranged, but the sudden notice had left Cho Seo-hyun scrambling.
"But I can't just teach them haphazardly…"
Until now, I'd thought Cho Seo-hyun was just a perfectionist sensitive to mistakes.
But, listening to her mutterings, she seemed deeply responsible for her work.
Her worries for the cadets were palpable.
In contrast, the other instructors' chatter was all the same…
-"Ugh, what a hassle… I don't care about anything else, but I wish we had smartwatches to make grading easier…"
-"Seriously. Did we come here to suffer like this…"
-"It's not even worth the pay… Dealing with these kids…"
No matter what benefits the consulate provided, they were still heroes forced into this.
Watching Cho Seo-hyun mutter to herself, I thought:
'She's nicer than I thought.'
Noticing my gaze, she suddenly turned to me.
After studying me intently, she asked:
"…What's your main weapon?"
Anxiety crept into my chest at her question.
***
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