Danmachi: A Mage's Journey

After slipping out of his room, Akira admired the newly acquired coat once more under the early morning light.

The fabric shimmered faintly, its plush collar adding an extra air of extravagance.

With a faint chuckle, he muttered to himself, "This is seriously a handsome coat. When I get the chance, I'll wear it in front of everyone—definitely going to leave an impression."

Though most of the Astraea Familia was still fast asleep, Akira figured that one person had probably already risen with the sun—Kaguya.

She always helped Astraea prepare breakfast, after all. That made this the perfect opportunity to deliver his apology gift: the sword he had just gotten.

Now that he had gotten closer with everyone in the familia, they no longer fussed over him entering the girls' quarters—something that would've caused quite a stir when he had first joined. So, without hesitation, he made his way through the dormitory hallway.

"Kaguya-nee, it's me. Can I come in?" Akira called out gently as he knocked on the door.

Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing Kaguya in her morning robes. Her red eyes locked onto the katana Akira was holding, a brow rising in amusement.

"What are you doing here so early... and with a sword in your hands? Don't tell me you're trying to ambush me into a morning practice session."

"Forget it, come in."

She moved aside before he could respond, ushering him in with her usual no-nonsense demeanor.

The moment Akira stepped inside, he was struck by the distinct Far Eastern aesthetic of Kaguya's room.

Tatami mats lined the floor, and a faint scent of incense hung in the air. On a wooden rack by the wall rested the scarlet-hued Iai sword Higanbana, flanked by two elegantly forged wakizashi named Kodachi Futaba.

His gaze lingered longer than he realized.

Kaguya gave him a playful flick to the forehead and said, "Is this your first time inside a girl's room? You look completely fascinated."

Akira scratched the back of his head, slightly embarrassed. "Not exactly... It's just the first time I've seen a room so different in style. Yours is... really something else."

Kaguya's expression softened, a quiet chuckle escaping her lips. "So? What did you want to talk about?"

He stepped forward, carefully holding the katana in both hands, like an offering.

He said, "Well... I know I made you upset the other day. So I picked out this sword as an apology gift. It might not compare to Higanbana, but still... please accept it, Kaguya-sama."

Kaguya blinked in surprise. It took her a moment to remember the incident Akira was referring to—when she had lightly punched his head during a heated moment, more out of instinct than genuine anger. She hadn't actually been upset, but apparently Akira had taken it to heart.

Smiling, she waved her sleeve to hide her amusement and stepped forward to accept the sword. Her movements were graceful as she set it beside Higanbana, placing it with a degree of solemnity that caught Akira off guard.

"Thank you, Akira. That's very thoughtful."

Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she continued, "But... since you believe I was angry, do you know why I was angry?"

Akira paused, mentally recalling what Lyra had said to him earlier.

Jealousy, huh?

He nodded slowly. "...Yes."

Kaguya feigned surprise and asked, "Oh? Then how are you planning to make it up to me?"

Her teasing tone was unmistakable now. She leaned slightly closer, the corners of her lips curved in a wicked smile, her voice low and inviting.

Akira stared at her, his gaze uncertain for a moment, and then he stepped forward. His hand moved toward her shoulder.

He hesitated just a second before he leaned in, lips barely brushing against her ear.

"Then... how about I do to you what I did to the others?" He whispered.

Before Kaguya could react, Akira planted a light kiss on her cheek. It was quick, but warm, and it made her eyes widen just for a moment.

Then her expression shifted.

With a sudden grip, she seized Akira by the collar, dragging his face forward until their noses were nearly touching.

Her intense red eyes locked with his, challenging him in silence. Akira didn't flinch, but his breath caught in his throat.

Before he could retreat, Kaguya closed the gap.

Her lips crashed onto his in a firm, assertive kiss—far from gentle. Her hand slipped behind his neck to hold him still, her body pressing close. There was no room for resistance, only the heat of her sudden affection.

When she finally pulled back, a faint trace of moisture lingered on both their lips. Kaguya licked hers with a slow, deliberate motion. Her expression was smug, brazen, and utterly confident.

"Think you can tease me like that and expect me to blush like the others? Hah. What a naïve little brat." She said with a sultry laugh.

She gave his arm a light pinch and grinned without restraint.

Akira could only stare, dumbfounded and breathless.

'This side of Kaguya... might be even more dangerous. But also... oddly captivating.'

— — —

Twenty-Fourth Floor.

A monstrous beehive loomed ahead, oozing thick, foul-smelling mucus from its pinecone-like structure. Swarms of wasp-like monsters buzzed around it—massive creatures with golden stingers and twitching wings.

This was the Bloody Hive, a rare trap-type monster nearly seven meters long. Its sole function was to continuously spawn Deadly Hornets from its bloated body.

Anchored to the dungeon wall, it had already flooded the area with hundreds of the buzzing nightmares.

Akira darted between them, narrowly avoiding each poisonous sting. His blade shimmered through the air, slicing through the Deadly Hornets in elegant arcs.

Off to the side, Ais moved with a dancer's grace, her sword intercepting every attack with near-perfect precision. Her expression was calm and composed, even as she tore through the monsters without hesitation.

"Ais!" Akira shouted over the roar of wings.

"Try the technique I taught you!"

"Understood!" Ais called back.

She stepped back, raised her hand, and began chanting.

A powerful gale surged around her, forcing the surrounding monsters back. She grasped her sword with both hands as a turquoise wind wrapped around the blade.

"Haaah!" With a sharp cry, she slashed upward.

A wind blade surged forward—ten meters wide, roaring like a dragon—and cleaved the monstrous Bloody Hive cleanly in half. The severed halves collapsed, spilling ooze and twitching limbs onto the dungeon floor.

It was done.

Three days of magic training had borne fruit. Ais could now channel Ariel not just for speed—but for offensive ranged attacks. It was a critical breakthrough in her growth.

With the source of the Deadly Hornets destroyed, the remaining monsters were quickly dispatched by the two.

Akira walked over to her, eyes gleaming with praise.

He said, "Nice work, Ais. That wind blade looked stronger than before. You're improving fast."

He placed a hand gently on her head and smiled. "The next step is to try creating two wind blades at the same time. If you keep going like this, your wind will only get stronger."

Ais, usually stoic, raised the corners of her lips into a subtle smile.

She nodded with quiet determination and said, "Thank you, Akira. I'll continue training… and kill more monsters."

Akira chuckled and said, "Just don't go overboard, alright? Or Riveria-san might hunt me down. Remember—balance. Train hard, but rest properly too, okay?"

Ais nodded again, this time with a hint of amusement in her eyes.

(End of Chapter)

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