Journey to Godhood Begins in Frieren

That night, after a huge seafood barbecue feast, Shichen took Lala and the others back to the inn.

Most of the students had already returned. Unlike Shichen's group, they didn't have the luxury of cooking for themselves and making it fun.

At the girls' dorm entrance, Shichen gently patted Est's head, his tone soft and affectionate.

"Est, go hop in the hot spring with the others."

"You're not coming too, Onii-chan?" Est tilted her head up at him, eyes half-closed, clearly enjoying the attention.

By the way, she was wearing a classic navy school swimsuit—with thigh-high socks, even though they were completely soaked. She'd been walking around in that all day, claiming it was Shichen's "preference."

It almost convinced Lala to wear one too.

Shichen didn't remember ever saying he liked school swimsuits, but seeing tiny Est in one, with her soft silver hair flowing—it was surprisingly cute.

The thigh-highs were... a bold choice, though.

"Eh? The principal's joining us? I don't mind~" Risa grinned, blinking playfully.

"M-Me neither!" Mio raised her hand fast.

The two of them exchanged a look and said with a laugh, "Come on, his abs are worth the ticket alone!"

"No way!" Yui instantly shut it down.

"Huh? Why not?"

"You stare just as much as we do."

"I… that's not the point! It just wouldn't look right if he bathed with us. What if someone else saw?!"

"Oh~ so you're worried about other people?"

"Wait, Yui, do you actually want some alone time with the principal?"

"What?! No!"

"Isn't that what you're saying?"

"Lala, what do you think?"

"Hm? If Yui wants to soak alone with Shichen, I'm totally cool with it." Lala smiled sweetly.

"Ugh, why does it sound even worse when you say it?!" Yui groaned.

"Anyway! Bottom line—Shichen, you can't join us in the hot spring. Do you want to cause a scandal if another student sees?"

"I wouldn't mind, honestly."

"You—!"

"Alright, alright, I'm just teasing. We can soak together another time, deal?"

"Hard pass!"

"Hehe~ Est, stay and enjoy the hot spring with them a little longer. You can even crash with them tonight."

"Got it."

Est nodded seriously. "I won't come back and interrupt your... private time, Onii-chan."

"Wha—! It's not like that…" Shichen twitched.

"Private time? With who? What'd you do to Yami?" Yui glared at him.

"Nothing happened. If anything, it might be something... risky," Shichen muttered.

"Risky?"

"I've got it handled. No need to worry. You all enjoy your girl talk."

"Okay, Shichen!" Lala replied cheerfully.

"Alright, I'm heading back."

He waved and blinked out of sight, teleporting straight into his room.

…

As soon as he reappeared, he spotted Yami lying quietly on the bed. He stared at her for a second, rubbing his chin with a complicated expression.

Something about her was... different. And no, it wasn't just because of what happened last night—though that probably played a role too.

She wasn't under the blanket, nor was she nude. Instead, she was wearing a bold, all-black outfit—one that was honestly pushing it in terms of coverage. Her arms were wrapped in tight bands with claw-like gloves, and the rest? It was basically just strips of cloth placed strategically.

Everything essential was covered, but the rest left little to the imagination. Her waist, abs, shoulders, legs—everything was exposed. Only two long fabric strips ran from her chest to her thighs, then flowed behind like a cape.

Yeah. Totally looked like a fantasy-style cosplay or a designer "night outfit."

The biggest detail, though? The black horns on her head—sharp, layered like a demon's.

Shichen instantly realized what had happened.

Darkness Mode.

Yami's transformation state—the one that removed all internal restraints. The state where she could become a planetary-level threat.

When he woke up earlier, she'd already transformed and was sleeping in his arms. Gave him a serious jump scare.

She hadn't moved all day, though, so he set up a barrier and left with the others.

He didn't expect her to stay unconscious the whole time. Honestly, he didn't even know how she awakened this form. From what he remembered, this state only happened when her heart reached perfect calm.

Could she really have reached that just from... last night?

He laughed awkwardly to himself.

Was Yami actually... into that?

She did look ridiculously attractive right now, radiating confidence and power. But deep down, Shichen still preferred her usual, emotionally-flat self—easier to mess with.

"How did we end up here…"

"What do you mean?"

"Huh?" Shichen blinked. He looked over—and sure enough, Yami was awake, slowly sitting up with a wild smile on her face.

"You're awake?" he asked, surprised.

"Yeah. You were relentless last night," she said, her voice sultry and teasing now.

"Cough… that's only because you were too cute. But hey, are you okay?"

"Not really. Still sore. Pretty sure I can't walk right. I feel like I was molded to fit you."

She said it casually—even with a smirk. Words she usually would've never dared say.

"Want me to heal you?"

"Heal?"

Shichen walked over and gently picked her up, placing his hand on her lower back.

"Heal."

The light pulsed through, and her body relaxed.

"Whoa~ That actually worked," Yami said with surprise.

"Try walking."

She hopped down, took a few steps.

"Yup. Good as new."

"Perfect," Shichen smiled.

Then Yami suddenly stopped, turned to face him with arms open.

"So... you don't feel anything now?"

"Feel? Like what?"

"Heh. Not like you to play dumb."

She walked up to him slowly, red claws tracing her cheek.

"I do have one... urge, though."

"Let me guess: destruction?" Shichen raised an eyebrow.

"Nope~"

"Then what?"

She leaned in close, smirking.

"To get payback for last night."

"Payback?"

"Yep. You worked me way too hard. Now it's my turn~"

Her tongue flicked out to tease her lower lip.

Shichen blinked in confusion.

"…You serious?"

"Oh, very."

She nudged him until he fell back onto the low table, then straddled his lap.

"Didn't expect this from you," Shichen chuckled.

"Well, too bad~ You're not getting off easy."

"You're calling this revenge?"

"Scared?"

"Not quite."

"Heh. You don't have to act tough. I've read enough to know you probably don't have any energy left after last night."

"You clearly don't know me well enough."

Shichen wrapped his arms around her waist.

She wasn't wearing much, and he could feel just how little was between them.

Despite her transformation, she was still the same Yami—just with her walls down.

"I'm not buying it," she said, kissing him lightly.

"Then let's test it," he said, licking his lips.

"Better not run away halfway through~"

"I should be saying that to you."

Shichen flipped her over, pinning her down to the table.

Yami didn't resist—she wrapped her legs around him, her long hair suddenly growing and wrapping around him like silk chains.

"No escaping now," she whispered.

"Wasn't planning to."

That night, their "rematch" shook the room.

They didn't leave a single corner untouched.

~~~

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