— Aiz's Training (Long, Emotional, Growing Attachment)
As soon as Aeron stepped onto the rooftop garden, Aiz was already waiting.
She sat quietly on the stone bench beneath the fig tree, sword across her lap, golden eyes watching the horizon with a stillness that only she could manage.
Aeron approached.
"You're early."
Aiz nodded. "I wanted to warm up."
"Did you?"
"No."
He smiled softly. "Why not?"
She looked at him.
Her cheeks warmed just slightly.
"…I wanted to wait for you."
Aeron's chest warmed too — but he kept his voice calm.
"Then let's start."
They moved to the open space.
Aiz drew a wooden practice sword. Aeron summoned one from thin air — created from nothing, smooth and weightless.
Aiz raised her stance.
Aeron watched her form, observing everything without judgment.
"Your grip is tighter than yesterday."
Aiz blinked. "Is that bad?"
"Only when you're nervous."
She froze.
"…Nervous?"
Aeron stepped behind her, gently adjusting her elbows.
Aiz's breath hitched.
"Soften here," he murmured. "Let the sword be an extension of you. Don't force it."
Aiz's cheeks turned faint pink.
"O-Okay…"
They trained for hours.
Aiz pushed herself hard.
Sweat dripped down her temples.
Her breathing grew heavy.
Her steps staggered.
Aeron caught her wrist mid-swing.
"Enough."
Aiz blinked. "I can do more."
"I know," Aeron said, his voice soft. "That's why you need to rest."
Aiz lowered her sword slowly.
"…You always notice," she whispered.
Aeron tilted his head.
"Notice what?"
"My limits. My movements. My breathing. You see everything."
Aeron looked at her gently.
"I care."
Aiz stared at him — long, searching, conflicted.
"…Aeron," she whispered, "when I'm with you, my chest feels warm. I don't understand why."
Aeron stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"You don't have to understand it. Not now."
Aiz's heart thudded loudly.
But she nodded.
She stood beside him quietly, their shoulders touching, the city breeze brushing past them like a story unfolding.
---
— Haruhime Gets Bolder (Soft Jealousy, Cute Tension)
After training, Aeron descended to the fourth floor where Haruhime was re-arranging dresses on mannequins.
When she saw Aeron, her ears perked immediately.
"Aeron! W-Welcome back from training!"
Aeron smirked softly.
"You can always tell?"
"Of course!" Haruhime said proudly. "Your mana feels… lighter afterward."
She stepped close.
"Are you hungry? I can make tea."
Aeron chuckled. "Tea sounds nice."
Haruhime practically sparkled.
She served him in the small break room, arranging snacks with delicate precision. But something was different today: her eyes kept drifting to his hands… his shoulders… his face.
Aeron noticed.
"…Something on your mind, Haruhime?"
She jolted.
"N-No! I was just… thinking."
Aeron leaned forward slightly.
"About?"
Haruhime blushed.
"…Aiz spent a long time with you again."
Aeron blinked. "Are you jealous?"
Haruhime hid her face behind her sleeves.
"M-Maybe…"
Aeron touched her hand lightly.
"Haruhime."
She peeked over her sleeves, red.
"You don't need to be afraid. I'm not going anywhere."
Haruhime's heart melted.
"…Thank you."
She leaned lightly against his arm, small and warm, and Aeron allowed it with a calm smile.
---
— Demeter & Riveria Cross Paths (Jealous Tension)
Later, on the second floor, Aeron inspected new potion racks.
Two women approached from opposite sides.
Riveria.
Demeter.
They made eye contact.
Riveria's polite smile hid a storm.
Demeter's gentle smile hid determination.
Aeron sensed danger immediately.
"Ah. Riveria. Demeter. Good afternoon."
"Hello, Aeron," Riveria said, voice composed but eyes sharp.
"Aeron~" Demeter said warmly, touching his arm. "I brought new seeds for your rooftop garden."
Riveria's eye twitched.
"You two seem close," Riveria commented.
Demeter smiled innocently.
"We are."
Riveria tilted her head.
"That so?"
Aeron stepped between them before an elf–goddess rivalry ignited.
"Riveria, I could use your help evaluating magical stability in the new enchanted fabrics."
Riveria straightened instantly.
"Of course."
Demeter giggled.
"Aeron~ I see what you're doing."
Aeron sighed.
"I'm preventing a disaster."
Riveria pretended not to hear that.
— Freya Tests Him (But He Doesn't Break)
As the sun set, Aeron locked up the first floor.
Employees went home.
He stepped outside—
—and someone blocked his path.
A tall, silver-haired man with cold eyes.
One of Freya's strongest children.
"Master Aeron," the man said. "Lady Freya requests your presence."
Aeron stared calmly at him.
"And if I decline?"
The man stiffened.
"…I was instructed to insist."
Aeron smiled faintly.
"Tell your goddess she can come talk to me herself."
The man froze.
"…You dare—"
"Yes."
Aeron stepped forward.
Wind swirled around him — faint but unmistakably powerful.
The man stumbled back, eyes widening.
"You… are not normal."
Aeron tilted his head.
"Correct. Good observation."
The man fled.
Aeron shrugged and went back inside.
— Business Management (Aeron Expands the Shop)
Aeron walked down to the lowest basement level — a plain stone floor with no shelves.
He placed a hand on the ground.
Creative Mode activated.
The world bent to his will.
Blocks formed.
Walls expanded.
Stairs spiraled downward.
Lighting appeared without torches.
A vast underground chamber took shape — enormous, structured, immaculate.
Aeron spoke casually:
"Let's add an alchemy lab… a storage vault… and room for a future forge."
The ground responded instantly.
When he finished, a six-floor megastore now had a six-floor hidden base beneath it, invisible to everyone.
Aeron nodded, satisfied.
"This should keep things running smoothly."
---
Scene 6 — Nightfall: Aeron Alone on the Roof
Aeron returned to his rooftop garden.
The moon glowed above.
The fig tree rustled softly.
He sat alone, finally breathing.
Until—
Steps.
Riveria?
Aiz?
Haruhime?
Demeter?
No.
Silver light glimmered.
Freya emerged from the shadows.
She approached slowly, gracefully, dangerously beautiful.
"I wanted to see you," she said quietly.
Aeron didn't move.
"I noticed."
Freya stopped an arm's length away.
"You frightened my child today."
Aeron sipped his tea.
"He insisted."
Freya smiled.
"You really don't fear me."
"No."
"And that's why," Freya whispered, "I want you even more."
Aeron looked at her calmly.
"And that's why you won't get me easily."
Freya's breath trembled.
"I adore challenges."
She stepped back.
"I'll return soon, Aeron. You won't escape me forever."
She vanished into starlight.
Aeron sighed.
"Gods…"
He leaned back under the moon.
"And this is only the beginning."