Journey to Godhood Begins in Frieren

The test of courage ended just like that. In the end, only two teams made it across the finish line.

Originally, more teams should've completed it—but thanks to a certain someone's participation, everyone else got wiped out.

Technically, only one team really counted. Shichen's group didn't qualify—they had way too many people and didn't even form through the random draw.

But Shichen didn't care. He's the principal. His word is final.

Even though everyone got scared half to death, the moment it ended, they were all full of energy again—some even bragging about how terrified they were like it was some kind of achievement.

That was the only planned activity for day one of summer camp. Once it wrapped up, the students were free to head back and get some sleep.

Still, since they were at the beach, it'd be a waste not to soak in the hot springs before bed.

Shichen had Yami and Est join the girls for the hot spring while he stayed behind to help the innkeeper wrap things up.

There was a lot to clean and organize.

The most important thing? Reviewing the footage of the test of courage. He planned to screen it back at school sometime—so everyone could see just how ridiculous they looked when they were scared.

What surprised him, though, was that the innkeeper seemed… excited watching the video. Like, genuinely into it.

Maybe she had a weird kink.

Once everything was done, Shichen finally left. By the time he got to the men's hot spring, it was already empty.

Maybe the guys just weren't into it.

He could still hear noise coming from the girls' side, but he didn't hear any specific voices. He soaked for a short while, then got out.

When he returned to his room, Yami and Est were still gone. He wondered if Yami was too embarrassed to come back.

After all, he did tease her a little hard today. It was the first time he kissed her.

Sure, those daily "growth-promoting massages" were also questionable, but at least they'd become routine.

Maybe he rushed things.

Shichen felt a little down—looked like he'd be sleeping alone tonight. Still, he and Yami had gotten closer. That was progress.

It'll get easier from here.

…Actually, wait. He just remembered—Est would definitely come back to keep him company.

Tonight might finally be the night he gets to test just how agile those little feet of hers are.

After today's flirtation with Yami, it felt like the perfect time to fulfill the "promise" he may or may not have made to Est.

Even if he wasn't 100% sure it existed—if it made Est happy, he'd make it happen.

Knock knock knock. Footsteps sounded outside, heading straight for his door.

They were uneven. Clearly two people. One set of steps sounded lighter.

Click!

The door opened. Est stepped in first.

"Onii-chan, we're back!" she announced, then launched herself toward him.

Shichen opened his arms and caught her with a grin, setting her on his lap and gently ruffling her silky silver hair.

"What took you two so long?"

"We got held up by the girls Lala brought along—they wouldn't stop asking questions."

"Ah, I see…"

Shichen smiled and glanced at the door. "Yami, are you just gonna stand there?"

"…Mm."

Yami shuffled in with tiny steps, quietly closed the door behind her, and leaned against it, not moving.

"What are you doing? Come here." Shichen waved her over.

Yami pursed her lips, took a deep breath, and slowly made her way toward him.

As soon as she got close, Shichen pulled her straight into his arms.

Her face, already pink from the hot spring, turned a deeper shade of red.

"Are you gonna bully Yami again?" Est suddenly asked.

"Hehe, it's fine. Your health is more important, Onii-chan. I won't interrupt." With a sweet smile, she turned into a beam of light and returned to the seal on Shichen's hand.

"…Tch," Shichen muttered with a smirk.

"You're gonna mess with me again, aren't you?" Yami asked.

"How can you call it messing with you?" Shichen held her close, gently.

"You messed with me earlier today," she mumbled, turning to look at him.

"Come on, you looked like you were enjoying it."

"I wasn't! I hate lewd stuff!" she snapped, cheeks burning.

"Then why didn't you run?" he leaned in and whispered in her ear with a grin.

Yami shrank back and turned her head with a pout. "I-I couldn't! There was no way to get away."

"Did you want to run?" Shichen's tone suddenly turned serious.

"Huh?" Yami blinked at him.

"What's wrong? Don't believe me?"

"It's not that… What are you getting at?"

"Just curious. Not that I'd let you go anyway."

"…Then what's the point of even asking?" Yami rolled her eyes, though her heart relaxed a little.

"It matters. I want to know what you think."

"Why would my opinion matter?"

"Because I want to know—do you like your life right now?" Shichen rested his chin on her shoulder, voice gentle.

"…I… don't hate it," Yami mumbled, looking away.

"I asked if you like it."

"Fine, I like it, okay? I'd like it even more if you stopped doing pervy stuff!"

"Well, that's the problem. I happen to really enjoy pervy stuff."

"Ugh…"

"So… what if I want to do something right now?" Shichen whispered in her ear.

His breath tickled her skin. She froze. "W-Why are you asking me?!"

"Take a guess~"

"I'm not guessing! A-And I can't escape anyway… you're just gonna mess with me…"

"So you're saying yes?"

"No! I just… can't say no."

"Haha~ You're such a tsundere, Yami."

"Tsundere?! I know what that means—and I'm not one!"

"Oh yeah? Guess we'll find out in a bit if you're saying one thing and feeling another."

"Ugh!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Shichen bit Yami's ear. She let out a muffled gasp, her fists clenching tight as she bit her lip, determined not to make a sound.

But it was totally pointless. Shichen had actually picked up a few tricks from practicing all day.

Just some light teasing and Yami was bright red, unable to stop herself from mumbling.

Nom nom:

After teasing Yami's ear, Shichen spun her around to face him.

Yami's eyes were hazy, but she still noticed that Shichen's eyes were even more bloodshot than hers—a vivid, mesmerizing crimson.

Shichen opened his mouth, fangs extending: "Yami, just for a sec."

He leaned into her neck, his fangs gently piercing.

"Mm!"

It didn't really hurt, or rather, it wasn't painful at all. Yami just felt her blood moving, and then something else entirely.

A sort of burning sensation in her chest.

Shichen held Yami tight, like she was a doll, greedily drinking her blood.

It was cool, almost metallic, but not unpleasant. In fact, it was incredibly good.

But Yami's blood didn't awaken any of the familiar spirits in his divine fragment.

No big deal though. Shichen pulled away from her neck, and red lines trickled out, running down her fair skin.

He swallowed, looking at Yami's now dazed face.

"Shichen..." Yami proactively wrapped her arms around him, tilting her head up, wanting a kiss.

Shichen leaned down, meeting her, and their lips became stained with blood.

After a long while, Yami, who still hadn't figured out how to breathe during a kiss, pulled away, slightly out of breath.

Shichen still held her, smiling as he reminded her, "Eve, you were totally the one who started that~"

"I—I was... Wait, how do you know my name?" Yami snapped back to reality quite a bit.

"There's nothing I don't know."

"Did you, like, stalk me?" Yami asked calmly.

"Idiot."

Shichen playfully flicked her forehead.

"Ow." Yami winced, rubbing her forehead, and looked at him confused.

"Do I need to stalk you? If I wanted to know, wouldn't I just ask?"

"Then—then how did you know my name?"

"It's not important. You just need to know I'm all in for you."

"Shichen..."

"Eve, now I'm really going to mess with you." Shichen held Yami and slowly lowered her onto the bed.

"W-what are you doing?" Yami asked nervously.

"You've probably read a bunch of those kinds of books lately, right?"

Yami stayed silent. "Heh~" Shichen chuckled softly and got to work.

Shasha~ Shasha~

Suddenly, the room got a lot brighter, like a perfect, unblemished flesh had appeared, reflecting the light.

It was pure, flawless, not a single imperfection.

Shichen couldn't help but kiss, not missing an inch.

Yami just kept her eyes closed, not looking at him.

At a certain point, the inevitable happened. She suddenly opened her eyes, a frown creasing her brow.

"I set up a barrier, no one can hear us," Shichen said softly, trying to reassure her.

But at that moment, Yami was too preoccupied to answer.

This night was just getting started. Some students were already asleep, others were still gossiping, but their principal? Well, he was getting his workout in.

~~~

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