Chapter 17: A threat

[Sojutsu Skill evolved to D rank]

The beating Haruki gave to the skeletons upgraded his skill. His priority of snatching the pole-type weapons was worth it.

[Awakening progress: 0.99%]

Only a tiny fraction shy from a full percent. A satisfied grin formed on his face.

‘Status.’

[Quantifying your current status]

[Haruki Hayashi]

Species: Dragon [Current awakening progress 0.99%]

Age: 17

Gender: Male

Height, Weight: 179cm/74kg

Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

[Parameters]

Strength: 7 (E-)

Endurance: 8 (E-)

Agility: 6 (E-)

Magical energy: 25 (D)

Luck: 10 (E)

…

The awakening progress instantly increased his parameters. He gave a grateful smile to Medea.

“Thanks for the help. Can we return now?”

Medea returned a smile and wrapped him in her robe. Haruki made sure not to bother her too much this time.

They returned home.

***

Haruki sighed at his sweaty shirt. “I need another shower.”

“Then, I’ll prepare something to eat.”

She was confident in her cooking skill cultivated over countless years. With the modern knowledge from the Throne of Heroes, she wasn’t going to lose to the modern chefs!

Just as Haruki exited the room, Kaede appeared before Medea. She was wearing a white apron over a white turtleneck.

“Let me help you. I know what Haru likes and dislikes.”

Medea agreed with a nod. Nobody could possibly know more about her master than this doting mother.

In the kitchen, Medea changed to the clothes Haruki gave her and wore an apron. She followed Kaede’s orders to fry shellfish dipped in simple batter.

“The oil is too hot!”

“You overcooked it!”

“This sauce is too sweet!”

Kaede showed no mercy at her mistakes. Medea felt lost for words.

‘Why am I getting this treatment?’

She just wanted to cook something to fill Haruki’s stomach. Kaede trained her in bringing out the perfect taste of fish. Medea couldn’t help but compare Kaede to her aunt. Circe used to obsess over food like Kaede. She had earned herself a reputation as a witch for turning men into animals.

Medea finally passed Kaede’s hard standards.

“That’s a good daughter.”

“D-Daughter?”

Medea repeated, her voice shaking.

Kaede revealed a mischievous smile. “Would you prefer it if I called you daughter-in-law~?”

Medea shook her head. “Master and I don’t have that kind of relationship.”

Despite rejecting the idea, her mind wandered back to the time she went out with Haruki. The words he said to her echoed through her.

A normal life.

Cooking, teaching, and having a warm meal together—wasn’t she living a normal life with her master?

It was a hundred times better than her previous life.

Yet, it would all come to an end once the war ends. She would crumble into energy, then the Fuyuki Holy Grail System would absorb her. This was the fate of every servant unless they used their wish to continue living.

‘My wish is… revenge.’

She herself was confused at the lack of hatred in her heart.

Kaede sighed, a tinge of regret in her eyes. “Quite the indecisive one, aren’t you? Oh well. I know a woman like you wouldn’t mind Haru goofing around with his mother… such a pity.”

Medea was speechless again. Ignoring the awkward topic, she grabbed the dishes.

“Sakura is indeed a better choice,” Kaede commented.

Medea froze. Sakura shared a far deeper bond with Haruki than her. With the way they talked and trusted each other, Medea wouldn’t be surprised if they became a couple. Then why was her heart twisting as if someone thrust her Noble Phantasm through her chest?

Kaede couldn’t bear Medea’s twisted expression and gently patted her shoulders. “No need to have your heart broken, silly. Haru can take care of both you and Sakura.”

Kaede’s teasing smile irked Medea, rekindling her hatred for mature women. “Why would you do that when you also… love your son?”

“I don’t know. It was his wish to make a harem. I’m just giving my dear son a chance.”

“Harem?” Medea blinked her eyes. Her Master had a harem fetish on top of having forbidden feelings for his mother.

He was an odd one.

Most countries declared polygamy illegal. However, Magus pissed on laws like these every day. They held power above humans, why would they let human laws confine them?

“Sheesh. You don't have time to think about it now. Serve him breakfast and send him to school.”

***

Haruki donned his school uniform. Tanned pants, shirt, and shoes. He had a love and hate relationship with this dress. It looked so outdated compared to what he used to wear. Then again, it was the year 2004, almost two decades earlier than his original world.

As he took a seat at the dining table, Semiramis entered the room.

“My Master, how is your morning~?”

While smiling sweetly, she greeted Haruki. Her eyes had no emotion. The eyes of a snake ascertaining its prey.

This Empress was going to be a hard nut to crack. Haruki returned a grin. “Good, I guess. How was your rest?”

“Lovely. Master can leave the cooking to me~.”

“Nope.”

As if he was dumb enough to leave his food in the hands of Semiramis, the self-proclaimed World’s Greatest Poisoner.

She clicked her tongue. “You haven’t even tasted my special dishes.”

“Glad I didn’t.”

Medea came and served the dishes. Her apron gave her motherly charm he never expected from her. The tempura’s aroma filled his nose. He wasted no time digging in the food. The taste and crunchy texture were no different from what his mother used to cook for him. The momcon inside him almost shed a tear.

“Where did you learn this?”

“I saw it on the internet.”

Medea used the excuse Kaede prepared for her.

Semiramis casually grabbed a piece from his plate and brought it to her mouth. “Nothing special.”

Medea rolled her eyes. “Your Majesty shouldn’t bother with us.”

“I saw you train, my master. I must say I’m impressed by your moves and tenacity.”

Haruki frowned. “Those doves in the forest were yours?”

Semiramis’s smile brightened at his question. “I wanted to protect my master from any unforeseen danger~.”

“As if I’d believe that.”

Haruki shook his head. She must’ve wanted to gather information on him and Medea, which she got. She heard Medea’s true name from his mouth during the training.

Medea sighed at the realization. Unlike other servants, her Noble Phantasm had no use in combat. It took away her element of surprise. After all, Semiramis now knew she had no trump card that could flip the tides of battle.

A provoking grin surfaced on Semiramis’s face. Annoyed, Medea assumed a bloodthirsty smile. The same smile Jason’s kin saw before they fell under her prized knife. A nerve-shaking chill spread through the room.

“Semiramis… If you ever betrayed Haruki, I swear I will drag you to hell myself.”

A serious threat.

She was the type to eliminate her opponents instead of talking. Yet, she couldn’t duke it out unless Semiramis attacked first. Semiramis’s unchanging smile gave her this weird impulse of knocking the Empress off her high horses.

Semiramis dismissed the threat with a smile. She winked innocently at Haruki and Medea. “You two seemed to be mistaken. I never aspired to betray my cute, hardworking master.”

While his servants clashed with words, Haruki gulped down everything on the table. He ate over twice his usual appetite, yet he felt he could devour some more. Seeing the clock ticking close to eight, he stopped and packed a bento. He grabbed his school bag from his room and knocked on the table.

“Medea is going with me. You can do whatever you want here.”

Semiramis joined her hands under her chin. “My master has no orders for me?”

“Scout the Fuyuki City and take control of the Ryuudou Temple. Medea and I’ll get the materials for your fortress tonight.”

“Consider it done, my master~.”

The Queen of Assyria accepted the orders with a laugh that bewitched and drove countless men crazy.

Haruki shrugged and headed to the school with Medea in her spiritual form.

‘Sakura didn’t come today.’

She had always been here to pick him up for the Sōjutsu practice. Although she wasn’t exactly fit for fighting, she had stubbornly joined to spend more time with him. His usual lunch break was with her, enjoying the bento made by his mom and an extra made by Sakura.

‘It’s kinda lonely without her.’