Amelia had been talking to Master about something or other, but once the two returned a short time apart, we all sat down to enjoy a meal together.
Carla-san wasn't just talented at baking cakes; she was perfect at every aspect of domestic life. Consequently, this lunch was on an entirely different level than the usual school cafeteria fare. It was truly, remarkably delicious.
"Phew... That was incredible."
"Seriously! I’ve never had food this good in my life!"
While Evi buzzed with excitement, Elisa and Clarice spoke of the meal with matching looks of satisfaction.
"W-well... it was certainly tasty!"
"Mm... it was wonderful!"
Amelia, however, seemed somewhat dazed. It left me feeling a little concerned.
"Amelia? Are you feeling unwell?"
"Ah! No, it's just... I'm a bit exhausted from the training, you know?"
"I see. That’s only natural."
"But I’m fine! Because what comes next is..."
That was right. The event waiting for us now was the one everyone had been looking forward to. Well, Clarice had been grumbling about one thing or another, but I was certain she would enjoy herself once things got underway.
And so, we headed outside.
◇
"Whoa! This feels great!"
"Yeah. In the sweltering heat of midsummer, this cold water is a godsend."
Evi and I had changed into our swimwear and made our way to a nearby river. At the moment, we were standing in a shallow area, simply letting the water wash over our feet. Further upstream, a waterfall cascaded down, and there were deeper sections where one could properly swim.
The river water was remarkably clear, perhaps because of the fish living within it. Sunlight filtered through the canopy at just the right angle; it was the perfect time for a dip.
"Still, Evi... you're looking shredded today."
"Heh... You’re not looking too bad yourself, Ray. You’ve got bulk I’d never have expected from such a slender frame."
"Hehehe..."
"Hehehe..."
Naturally, we faced each other and began striking poses. Our objective, of course, was to maintain the pump. As men who loved muscles, we cared deeply about our presentation.
By the way, Evi and I had both purchased new swimwear for today: boomerang pants. If we wore ordinary swim trunks, the definition in our legs would be obscured. Those who love muscles must display every fiber of their being.
That was why we had both settled on these inverted-triangle boomerang pants.
Neither of us had hesitated for a second.
Hmm... the cuts are looking sharp today.
As the two of us engaged in this muscular dialogue, the girls began to arrive one by one.
At the front was Master, her wheelchair being pushed by Carla-san. Master wore a pareo-style swimsuit with a brilliant blue bikini top and a polka-dot pareo around her waist.
Carla-san, for some reason, was wearing a competitive swimsuit... She looked beautiful, certainly, but I wondered if she had a background in competitive swimming. She was a woman of few words and even fewer expressions, remaining as mysterious as ever.
"Ho! You two are looking shredded!"
"Yes. And you look as beautiful as ever, Master."
"I think you look very lovely too!"
"Heh. Naturally. But Ray, Evi—standing together like that is a spectacular sight. You’re like statues of pure muscle."
Basking in her praise, we continued our posing... until Clarice’s voice rang out from behind us.
"Wh—?! Is that seriously you, Ray?!"
"It is indeed."
"I get Evi, but... what the heck is going on with your body?!"
"Heh. I'm the type who looks slim in clothes."
"No, no, no! That’s way past the level of 'looking slim'! Those muscles are insane!"
"I thank you for the compliment. And Clarice, that swimsuit suits you quite well..."
"Ugh... Is that sarcasm?"
"No. It is a genuine tribute."
"Fine, then! Hmph!"
She huffed and turned away, sending her elegant twin-tails fluttering.
Clarice was wearing a standard school swimsuit. The navy blue fabric was definitely the type designated by the academy. She had complained that she couldn't prepare anything else on such short notice, but she looked beautiful regardless.
Her legs were long and slender, and her limbs were quite statuesque for her height. Moreover, her skin was pale and pristine, without a single trace of a tan. She likely never missed a day of skincare. I have nothing but respect for that level of dedication in a woman.
Next to arrive were Elisa and Amelia.
"Uuu... this is so embarrassing..."
"It’s okay, Elisa! You’re super cute! Heh heh heh..."
"Amelia-chan, you’re the one I’m scared of!!"
"It’s okay... just, just a little bit. Just the tip! Heh heh heh..."
"Waaaaah! You’re terrifying!!"
Elisa managed to shake off Amelia—who looked like a predator with a lecherous grin—and ran toward us.
Her green hair was tied up, and though she wore a light cover-up, her bikini was clearly visible as she ran. It was pure white, top and bottom, as if reflecting her innocent soul. To describe her... she was truly an Archangel.
However, there was one thing. One thing that radiated an overwhelming presence.
It was far too magnificent to gaze upon directly.
And yet, my eyes were drawn to it... a magnetic sensation. Even I could not resist the temptation. Elisa’s "them" were a form of violence, a force capable of sparking a world war.
I will not explicitly name what "that" is.
For a man to speak of it would be the height of boorishness. That was why Evi and I performed the exact same motion.
"..."
"..."
We clasped our hands.
We offered a prayer.
We simply performed an act of worship.
Gratitude to the world. Thank you for bringing the Archangel Elisa into existence.
It was a ritual of pure praise.
Two buff men stood at attention, their hearts stolen by that overwhelming presence. Even our bulk was mere dust before such magnitude.
Elisa's "them" were... something that could return all of creation to nothingness.
While they possessed the power to start a war, they also possessed the power to end one.
Embodying such a contradiction, that which was Ragnarok and Apocalypse, Dystopia and Utopia, was already... God itself.
No, the Archangel Elisa was the universe itself.
"Eh?! W-what’s wrong with you two?!"
"It seems God was here..."
"Truly..."
The flustered Archangel Elisa was also wonderful. And as they swayed with her slight movements, Evi and I offered our gratitude to that "overwhelming presence" once more. O world, thank you for manifesting the Archangel Elisa in this realm...
A few tears escaped my eyes. Ah, I’m truly glad to be alive...
As Evi and I continued our worship, Clarice stood beside us, staring intently at Elisa.
"They're huge..."
"Eh...?"
"They're so huge!! Give me some of that!"
"Fueee..."
Perhaps her capacity had been exceeded by the absurdity of the situation, as Elisa could only let out a "Fueee..." But that, too, was a delight. Before the Archangel Elisa, all was good. This "Fueee" was the breath of the Archangel—a sound capable of healing any wound in an instant.
"Fufu... kufufu... Elisa is cute, and Clarice is cute too... ah, how wonderful... heh heh..."
Amelia arrived while mumbling to herself. Her crimson hair was tied in a bun, and her supple, long limbs highlighted her excellent physical balance. Her proportions were perfect, likely a result of our recent training; she had lean muscle in all the right places. Amelia was a masterpiece in her own right. Her swimsuit, a crimson shade matching her hair, was stunning. The bikini—especially the top—was a magnificence that rivaled even the Archangel Elisa.
And so, Evi and I offered our worship to Amelia as well.
Gratitude to all the swimsuits in the world.
Gratitude. Overwhelming... gratitude...!
In the face of such a presence, we simply prayed with feelings of respect and awe.
"Hey, you meatheads! I don't have any of that!"
Clarice let out a roar, her twin-tails practically pointing to the heavens in rage. I stole a quick glance at her, and then Evi and I offered some gentle support.
"It’s all right, Clarice. Everyone grows at their own pace. There’s no need to rush."
"That’s right! I’m sure something good will happen eventually!"
"No! Even if it’s just for the pose, worship me too!"
"Clarice..."
"W-what?! Just because your muscles are impressive doesn't mean I'm intimidated!"
I stepped closer to Clarice and placed a hand on her small shoulder.
"We cannot do that. This act can only be performed during a time of heartfelt praise. Even as a lie, it cannot be permitted. Therefore, we will pray for your growth instead. I am certain that you, Clarice, will become an even more magnificent woman in the future."
"...W-well, if you say so, fine! N-not that I care either way!"
Clarice turned her head away, her face flushing bright red. Then, Amelia, who had been stealthily creeping up from behind, suddenly pounced on her.
"Wait—?! Amelia?! What are you doing?!"
"Heh heh heh... Clarice’s body is quite nice too..."
"Eh?! W-who are you?!"
"Heh, heh heh... fufu..."
"N-noooooo! Danger! I sense extreme dangerrrrrr!"
Amelia, who had clearly transformed into a different person, attacked Clarice without mercy.
She began feeling up Clarice’s body. Clarice tried to flee, but Amelia used the martial arts I had taught her to completely pin Clarice down, then continued to enjoy her physique with a predatory smirk.
Well... they're both girls, so I suppose it’s fine.
"Hmm... it seems Amelia has a keen interest in the female form."
"U-um... she touched me a lot too..."
"I see. However, Elisa, you are beautiful. Before such angelic beauty, I suppose gender is irrelevant."
"...T-thank you..."
Elisa’s entire body, not just her face, turned a deep shade of crimson as she looked down. Just then, Master raised her voice.
"Hey, Ray! Praise me too! I'm beautiful too, aren't I?!"
"Well... you are beautiful, Master."
(Since she's a gorilla on the inside, it would be presumptuous to even compare her to the Archangel Elisa.)
The moment I whispered that under my breath, Master unleashed her sorcery. It was truly instantaneous.
"Prima Materia—Encoding—Material Code."
"Material Code—Decoding."
"Material Code—Processing—Deceleration—Lock."
"Embodiment—Material."
She was being serious. A massive icicle manifested, hurtling toward the crown of my head. I instantly recognized the code. This was the real deal. She was exercising the full strength of the former Ice Sword Sorcerer.
Should I dodge?! No, should I use an Anti-Material Code?!
But... I wouldn't make it in time. No, this was—death.
I ran my own Inside Code with everything I had and leaped into the river. It was a close call. At the absolute last second, I evaded the strike.
With cold sweat and river water dripping from my hair, I stared at Master.
"Hah? Who’s a gorilla? You want to die... hmm?"
"Master is a beautiful person, inside and out!"
"I am, aren't I?"
"Yes!"
I bared my teeth in the most radiant smile I had ever produced in my life. I was certain that I would never be able to surpass this forced smile for as long as I lived—that was how much I feared for my safety.
And so, we enjoyed our time by the riverside.
By the way, Master had fully intended to hit me with that. No... seriously... I vowed then and there that I would never say anything unnecessary ever again.