Chapter 305: “Don’t Call Me ‘Sis’!”

—Three Days Later.
Tenth Demon Castle.

“Hmph… Removing environmental rendering—your made-up term!—and focusing purely on summoned illusionary monsters does maintain their combat strength.”

Lucifa sat cross-armed on the throne, puffing her cheeks.

About two days ago, Will and Shuna had barged in with the excuse, “We’re hiding from trouble and have nowhere else to go!”—then proceeded to freeload off her food and drinks!

Well…

Though now that she thought about it, the two had been grinding dungeon floors nonstop, clearing everything up to the boss rooms before backing out. They’d basically farmed a year’s worth of adventurer activity in days.

So really… She was the one benefiting here.

“Just so we’re clear… If you’re expecting high-level training, this ‘weak little Dungeon Empress’ can’t help. I’ll probably get steamrolled in one hit.”

“That’s fine.”

“I mean it! Something’s different about you. Compared to… one month ago? Two?”

Lucifa scratched her head.

It wasn’t just his gear—

A strange white earring pulsed with elder demonic energy.
A collar that looked suspiciously like it was part of some adult play but stored ancient magic.
His blood—already carrying an odd scent before—now reeked even stronger.

“Ah, I see! Marriage makes a man stronger, huh? ‘Husbandly Fortitude’ or something?”

Shuna, who had been watching amusedly, snorted.

“We… didn’t actually get married.”

“Huh?! But you had gifts ready, heartfelt vows, even planned to help—what happened?!”

“Tell you if you lose this fight.”

“Y-You’re on! You don’t know this, but I’ve gotten way stronger—!”

Normally a coward after losing once, Lucifa perked up at the royal gossip.

“Heed the call of the Tenth Empress! By the demon’s eyes, manifest the deepest fear—blurring dreams and illusions, return to this world—!”

Purple light glowed beneath her hood as she raised her hand—

And a gigantic slime, easily two stories tall, materialized before Will.

Its gelatinous body wobbled, its single eye menacing—but still just a trash mob at heart.

“Without the ‘deepest fear’ mental effect, it is stronger. Give it a shot.”

Will summoned his staff—a black-and-white crystalline orb embedded at its tip.

“Good. Should hold up for a few rounds. Let’s go… Tai Chi Staff!”

“What kind of name is that?!”

“Half black, half white—totally ‘Tai Chi,’ no?”

Lucifa turned to Shuna, baffled.

“Aren’t you his… guardian? Why is he weirder now?”

Shuna just smiled warmly, watching Will proudly.

“If you’d seen him a few days ago… This version is much cuter~.”

Lucifa’s expression flattened.

What kind of man has an empress’s engagement and flaunts his relationship in front of me?!

“And Lucifa, your chant wasn’t any better.”

“Sh-Shut up! I can name my magic however I want!”

Squelch.

The slime attacked first—spitting volleys of pressurized bubbles.

Will dodged effortlessly—sidestep, backstep, roll—each motion crisp. Overkill for slime bubbles, but he was practicing.

Then—

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three fireballs, precisely aimed, shattered the slime’s structural integrity, reducing it to a puddle—

Leaving only the core, still two meters tall, looming over him.

It leaped, body flattening midair—

And Will lowered his staff, extinguishing his spell.

“Too fast—wait, what?!”

Lucifa nearly canceled the illusion.

Shuna clamped a hand over her mouth.

“Mmgh?!”

“Relax. He’s testing something.”

Her gaze was knowing.

“He’s probably seen this exact move countless times in his dreams.”

The slime hung suspended for a split second—

Then slammed down.

CRACK!

Lucifa peeked through her fingers.

Instead of crushed flesh—

A glacial barrier, hovering inches above Will’s head, had frozen the slime solid.

He flicked it.

Shatter.

The illusion dispersed into motes of light.

Clap-clap-clap.

Shuna applauded, beaming.

“Perfect!”

“Just a warm-up. Still rusty with some things.”

Will vaulted onto the platform.

“You scared me! I thought you were trying to die!” Lucifa huffed. “But… yeah. You are stronger.”

“Says the one who summoned that slime. Not bad yourself.”

“Flattery won’t get you extra rations.”

Shuna analyzed silently:

1. Reactions—Sharper, aided by faint demonic glow in his left eye.
2. Casting—Near-instant, no incantations.
3. Defense—Eir’s “Ice Wall” spell, pre-loaded into his collar.

…

Not bad.

She’d prepared compliments like “Your casting pose is cool!” or “Nice outfit!”—but they weren’t needed.

“No feedback, Shuna?”

“Nope. You did great.”

“Hmm… But I asked you to critique me~… Shuna sis…?”

He tilted his head.

“Ghk—!”

Her weakness.

“Y-Your dodging… c-could be smoother. You don’t need both feet planted to—to cast anymore…”

She fumbled through the critique, face red.

“A-And! D-Don’t call me ‘sis’!”

“But you call me ‘Little Will’~?”

“—TAKE YOUR FLIRTING TO YOUR ROOM!”

Lucifa yanked her hood over her eyes.