In the chairman’s office at the Mikumo Trading Company headquarters, Akane addressed Frau as she looked over the invitation Kaito had sent her.
"A party hosted by Kaito... I’m looking forward to it, but man, the social pressure. No matter how you look at it, every heavyweight from every corner of the world is going to be there. It’s a goldmine for networking, sure, but I can already feel a stomach ache coming on."
"Well, I shall leave that to you, Chairman. I intend to enjoy the party myself. After all, I am also an invited guest this time..."
"You’ve really got some nerve, you know that?"
Since she was an acquaintance of Kaito, Frau had also received an invitation. Unlike Akane, who had to work the room to build connections for her company, Frau had no professional obligations to fulfill.
Besides, with a party hosted by Kaito, individuals like Alice would be taking the security very seriously. There was no need to worry about the venue’s safety, meaning Frau didn't need to stay glued to Akane’s side as a bodyguard. Honestly, if something managed to happen despite that level of security, someone of Frau’s caliber wouldn't have been able to stop it anyway.
"By the way," Frau added, "it seems the World Maid Association received a request to provide waitstaff for this shipboard party. It’s caused quite a stir in the maid community."
"Really? Well, Kaito has a ton of friends, so hiring extra help makes sense. Still, serving at a party where the Six Kings, the Supreme Gods, and even the Creator God might show up? That’s a nightmare job."
"Indeed. There is a minimum requirement for Maid Power just to apply, but since it is such a prestigious opportunity, applicants are flooding in. The final selection will likely be decided by a lottery with incredibly high odds."
"Hoh... Hey, quit working 'Maid Power' into casual conversation so naturally. What’s worse is that I’m actually starting to accept it. I hate myself."
Akane muttered her exasperation, but Frau continued, looking almost wistful and completely unfazed by the comment.
"The motivation among the maids is truly impressive. Chairman Ein has already hand-picked several candidates, and apparently, some have already begun 'mountain seclusion' to prepare for the event."
"Wait, why are they secluding themselves in the mountains?! That has nothing to do with anything! They’re supposed to be serving food, right? What are they doing in the mountains!?"
"Chairman, what are you saying? When a maid speaks of mountain seclusion, it goes without saying that they are performing the Three Great Maid Austerities..."
"No, it doesn't 'go without saying'! Stop making that face like it’s common sense! Let me remind you: you maids exist way outside the bounds of common sense. For that matter, what the hell are the Three Great Maid Austerities!?"
Akane’s heartfelt shout echoed through the room. She was reaching her limit with the absurdities of the maid world, but unfortunately, the explanation was far from over.
"The Three Great Maid Austerities are traditional training methods used to elevate one’s Maid Power. They consist of three trials: Rock Breaking, Waterfall Splitting, and Cloud Cutting. It is said that a maid who completes them will see their Maid Power increase by as much as five thousand points. I, too, underwent them in the past to sharpen my own skills."
"That’s just hardcore combat training! What does any of that have to do with being a waiter?! How does splitting a waterfall help you serve guests!?"
"Chairman, what are you saying? The technique for splitting a waterfall and the act of serving guests are two entirely different things."
"Then why the hell are they doing that training!?"
Akane was exhausted from playing the straight man, but her personality wouldn't let her stay quiet. Her brain knew she was only going to get another nonsensical explanation, but she couldn't stop the impulse to push back.
Frau wore a look of mild exasperation, as if she were the one dealing with someone difficult. "I told you, didn't I? Completing the Three Great Maid Austerities increases one's Maid Power by five thousand. Maid Power is the literal quantification of one's skill as a maid. This value directly correlates with one's proficiency as waitstaff. Therefore, to summarize..."
"To summarize?"
"If you split a waterfall, you become better at serving."
"HOW DOES THAT EVEN WORK!?"
Naturally, no one outside the maid profession could possibly accept such a "super theory." Akane’s scream was the loudest it had been all day.
The Three Great Maid Austerities
Rock Breaking A maid must naturally possess perfect mastery over her physical movements. Any first-rate maid should be capable of pulverizing a massive boulder into fine sand using nothing but her own limbs.
Waterfall Splitting For an elite maid wielding a Maidric Aura, parting a waterfall is child's play. A maid should be hindered by nothing except her master’s commands. She must be able to push back the weight of a waterfall through the sheer force of her aura alone, without moving a muscle.
Cloud Cutting The movements of a true maid hold dominion over the heavens, the earth, and the sea. While parting the sky or splitting the ocean is trivial, only a third-rate maid would use such power for violence. A first-rate maid must perfectly control and sharpen her strength to the point where she can slice through the clouds in the sky without stirring even a single breeze.