A wave of intense exhaustion washed over me as I collapsed onto the bed.
"Five... hundred... all done."
"Good work, Kaito-kun."
After what felt like an eternity, I had finally finished the five hundred repetitions of fainting and recovery Kuro had assigned me.
My head throbbed, the nausea was overwhelming, and the mental fatigue was staggering. This was truly, truly grueling.
"I wonder how many hours that took? It has to be night by now, right?"
"Hmm? No, I’d say it’s only been about four hours."
"What? No way... I could have sworn I’d been at this for over ten hours..."
Kuro’s casual mention of four hours made me forget my fatigue for a moment as I sat up. It took a hundred seconds for my magic power to bottom out, and I’d done that five hundred times. Even at a record pace, it should have taken much longer.
In response to my confusion, Kuro offered a bright, cheerful smile.
"I’ve desynchronized this room's time with the outside world, so only about four hours have passed out there. I’m not quite on Shiro’s level, but I can still manage a bit of time manipulation."
"I... I see..."
"Yep! So, starting tomorrow, we’re going to do twice as much as we did today."
"Wait, what?"
"One thousand reps!"
"Oh... is that so?"
Kuro was way more of a Spartan than I had imagined. Starting tomorrow, I’d be doing double? That meant over twenty hours of subjective time—more than a full day? Well, I suppose I’m definitely going to get stronger, one way or another.
"Speaking of which, how much did my magic power amount actually increase today?"
"Hmm... by about 0.025, I’d say. It gets harder to raise the higher your capacity grows, after all."
Wait, so even with this rapid growth, I’d only increased it by twenty-five times in a single day? Dammit, reaching a hundred was still a distant dream.
"Um, Kuro... I have a bit of a random question."
"Yeah?"
"Be honest with me. Where does my magic power amount rank compared to a normal human?"
"Erm... well, I’d say you’re about on par with an average ten-year-old child."
Just how little talent did I have? My capacity was pitifully low.
"Kuro, give it to me straight. My magical talent is..."
"Uh, well... honestly, it’s startlingly pathetic."
"Gah!"
"Kaito-kun!? It’s okay! I’m going to train you until you're black and blue! I’ll make sure you reach the level of a High-ranking Demon no matter what!"
"I’m... grateful. And terrified."
And so, my first day of training ended with a side of mild despair.
About a week had passed since I began my special training with Kuro, and my magic power amount had increased enough for me to feel the difference myself.
According to Kuro’s check, my current capacity was around 0.85. I was on the verge of finally breaking into the single digits. Even then, I was told it was only the level of a slightly talented commoner, but at least the results were showing.
Today, I was visiting Isis-san’s castle, where we were relaxing and reading books together.
Even though I was the one who asked for it, this past week of Spartan training had been brutal. Being here with Isis-san felt like a healing balm for my weary soul.
"Whoa!"
"Kaito?"
While soaking in the happiness of the moment, I happened to take Isis-san’s hand—and froze in shock.
Perhaps it was because the training had made me more sensitive to magic power, or maybe I had instinctively tried to gauge her power, but I could suddenly perceive Isis-san’s astronomically vast magic. No, "perceive" was the wrong word. It was more like I could finally understand that it was vaguely and tremendously massive.
It felt like placing my hands against a mountain so tall its peak was lost in the clouds, and trying with all my might to push it.
I finally understood. Even though my capacity had grown, I was still only at a level where I couldn't even begin to fathom the true scale of her power.
I thought I had understood it intellectually, but the actual wall I felt was despairingly, staggeringly high.
"Kaito... are you okay?"
"Eh? Ah, yes. Sorry about that."
"Today... you seem... tired. Did something... happen?"
"That’s... well..."
I hesitated for a moment. While I wanted it to be a surprise, this wasn't an issue that would be resolved quickly. If I tried to hide it now, I would only end up worrying Isis-san for a long time.
Having realized that, I decided to tell her everything.
I told her about how I had consulted Kuro about wanting to manage her magic power of death, how I had chosen the path of personal growth among the options Kuro gave me, and how I was currently undergoing hellish training to reach that goal.
When I finished, Isis-san looked visibly distressed.
"No! That... increasing magic power that much... is so hard. Kaito will... have to... suffer."
"I’m sorry for making you worry. But I... I really want to make you happy, Isis-san."
"But I’m... already... happy enough. Because Kaito... is here. So... such recklessness is..."
"I want to make you even happier than you are now."
"Kaito..."
I was truly happy that she cared enough to try and stop me. But there was a reason I couldn't back down on this.
It wasn't just about being able to go on dates in the city. There was a specific goal I wanted to achieve by solving this problem.
"I... well... I want us to have a wedding. A grand ceremony where we can be blessed by everyone!"
"——!"
Yes, that was my true objective. I wanted to fulfill the dream she had long ago abandoned. I wanted to see her smiling happily in a wedding dress, surrounded by the cheers of a crowd.
When it came to controlling her magic power of death, it should be possible as long as it was within the reach of my own magic power, even without direct contact. Of course, to control it from a distance would require a magic power amount and precision far beyond the minimum line Kuro had set... but it shouldn't be impossible.
If there was even a chance, I wanted to take it.
"A... wedding... between me... and Kaito..."
"Yes. Once I can control your magic power of death... I’ll propose to you properly."
"Ah... ahh... Kaito... Kaito!"
As she listened to me, large tears began to fall from Isis-san's eyes, yet she wore a look of radiant, heartfelt joy.
"Kaito... can I... be selfish?"
"Of course."
"Work hard... fulfill the dream... I gave up on. And then... make me... the happiest... bride in the world."
"Leave it to me!"
I nodded firmly, my determination set by the wish she whispered with a trembling voice.
The day after I shared my resolution with Isis-san, I sat at the desk in my room, thinking seriously.
In practical terms, suppressing her magic power of death required a massive amount of magic, and I was still nowhere near that level. No matter how high the wall, I could eventually clear it if I climbed bit by bit, but it was going to take a long time.
At this rate, it isn't enough. At this rate, it's taking too long.
But Kuro isn't free all the time. The hours she can spend training me are limited. If possible, I want to keep training even when she isn't here.
However, Kuro has the pocket watch magic tool. And besides, if I faint without her there, I won't have a way to wake up... wait.
Shiro-san, please. Give me that cursed magic tool from before.
(Certainly. Please go on a date with me in exchange.)
Thank you. The date is a deal.
Alright! Now I have the training tool. As for the Fruit of the World Tree, I have plenty of those from Lilliwood-san.
Kuro said that magic power grows best when you drain it to zero and then recover... but she never said it wouldn't grow unless I hit zero.
In other words, if I use this tool for only ninety seconds instead of a hundred—consuming ninety percent of my magic power—and eat a Fruit of the World Tree right then, I should be able to continue the training on my own!
I don't know how much the efficiency will drop, but I'll just have to make up for it with sheer volume.
I can deal with the headaches and nausea through willpower alone. I just have to keep pushing myself.
Kaito-kun's brakes are broken as usual.
Natural God: "Do you want talent?"
Kai-chan: "Eh?"
Natural God: "Right now, for every date you go on with me, you will earn one 'Shiro Point.' By collecting these points, you can exchange them for various luxury prizes."
Kai-chan: "What?"
Natural God: "Here is the list."
~ Shiro Point Exchange Rate (Limited to Kaito) ~
Glorious Tea: 1 Pt Shallow Grande: 3 Pt God Realm Souvenir Set: 5 Pt 【Recommended】 God Realm Hot Spring Trip 2 Days 1 Night (With Creator God): 10 Pt 【Sale】 God of Space-Time 1-Day Rental: 50 Pt Various Growth Corrections: 100 Pt each Various Talents (Average): 500 Pt each Various Talents (Genius): 1000 Pt each 10x Experience Points: 5000 Pt Demon Body (High-ranking Demon-class): 10000 Pt 【HOT】 God Body (Low-ranking God-class): 10000 Pt Demon Body (Peerage-class): 50000 Pt God Body (High-ranking God-class): 50000 Pt Protagonist Correction: 100000 Pt Reincarnation Cheat Greedy Set: 1000000 Pt
Natural God: "They are very luxurious."
Kai-chan: "No, what is this weird point system? Are you trying to remodel me? Denied! Absolutely not! And since when was Chronoa-san a prize? ...Though, I guess the one I’m a little interested in is the overnight hot spring trip. Last time it wasn't just Shiro-san and me... wait, no."
Natural God: "The 【10x Points, Hot Spring Trip Automatic Exchange Campaign】 has just begun."
Kai-chan: "Wait a second—"