Greetings!

First of all, thank to all of you who read or reviewed the first chapter, I'm really glad you liked it!

I don't know if I'll be able to keep a good rythm for the story, but lol, words come so easily for this one.

Of course, quality over quantity, but portraying these situations is very easy... I'm getting better at it.

Then... please enjoy this one too!

Relie's expression was serious. It was quite unusual for her.

"What mission?"

Lux asked, gulping.

Relie had a mischievous character; last time she pretended they were going on a training field, only to take them in the moving Ruin Ark with the purpose of finding a way to save Philuffy.

She was capable of doing such things, Lux knew that.

Relie slowly nodded with gravity.

"Tell me, Lux-kun."

"Y,yes?"

"Do you happen to remember the game I organized last time the form for the requests piled up too much?"

The tension in the room suddenly dropped. If Relie wanted to give him a secret mission or something like this, she would not talk about such trivial things… so Lux thought.

But immediately, he remembered the infamous game.

Because the requests made by the girls of the Academy piled too much, Relie had found a solution back then.

She had started a game where Lux had to keep a red colored form for an entire hour… but anyone who would snatch it from him would be able to monopolize him for an entire week.

Because of this a giant Lux-hunt had taken place, and it eventually ended with Krulcifer tricking him and getting the form.

It was also the first time Lux could see Krulcifer in underwear, an accident both remembered to this day.

"Yes…"

Lux answered, trying not to think too much about Krulcifer underwear this day.

"You know, Lux-kun, I didn't want to come this… but because of your repeated absences, the requests piled up too much and the students are about to go wild if they don't have their share of you. This is a serious matter. Riots could take place anytime."

"…"

Faced with Relie's explanations, Lux felt everything was out of place in this Academy but he kept his mouth shut.

Besides…

"W,wait, don't tell me you want to run this event again?!"

Lux started to panic.

"No, I won't. Besides, it would only make one winner… again. No, I have another solution. Because right now, I have an entire room occupied by request forms, I had to find something to appeal the students."

Relie explained and pulled off a big wooden box from under her desk.

It looked like the box they used at first for the request forms but…

"Come on, Lux-kun, please take one."

Relie asked Lux to pull one form from the box's opening.

"Yes…"

Anguished, Lux put his hand in the box and grabbed the first paper he felt in his hand. There was a number on the verso.

"Go on, read it."

Relie's face was still neutral but she was emanating a devilish aura.

Lux unfolded the form with a bad feeling and read the words.

Then.

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeh?!"

"My, my, Lux-kun, what is going on?"

Relie teased him.

"Bu,but, what is this?!"

Lux complained, his face suddenly red.

He did not wait for an answer and grabbed several papers in the box. All of them had the same kind of words and sentences written.

Lux turned his gaze towards Relie, who grinned.

"You see, Lux-kun, I–"

The next day…

(Why did it turn like this…)

Lux could not help but to wonder, uneasy. He could feel his heart pounding, filled with anguish.

This morning, Lux was summoned in an empty reunion room with the curtains closed, making it very dim.

The only things here were a table, a chair, and another black curtain splitting the room (and the table) in two.

Lux was sitting in the chair in the other side, so he could not see people entering the room.

On the table, there also were a pile of letters with numbers written on them. Amidst this mountain of papers stood a particular box device with a sort of stem coming out of it.

From Relie's explanations, it was to reproduce the Dragon Voice function, the one allowing a Drag-Knight to communicate with his allies like telepathy.

The device was linked to a headset on the other side of the table. What Lux would say would be recorded and transmitted in the headset.

Lux did not understand the purpose in there. After all only a curtain was separating the room, so if he had to talk with someone, even hidden behind, it would be possible to talk and be heard without this device.

Suddenly, someone entered the room with a quiet noise. Lux straightened and hesitated to greet her, but kept quiet.

The curtain did not suppress all noises, so Lux could hear the one taking place in front of him at the table.

A muffled and timid feminine voice came from behind the curtain.

"N,number one, please!"

"Y,yes!"

Lux searched for the letter with the requested number marked on it and unfolded it.

He cleared his throat and approached his mouth from the stem.

"Ah… you are so beautiful today. Heh? Why would I say that? Hehe… it's a secret."

Lux read those words, whispering and dying from embarrassment.

However.

"Hya?!"

The girl in front of him let out a small cry and judging by the noise almost fell off from the chair.

Then, she left the room in a hurry.

Lux, aghast, was still trying to understand what was going on when another person entered the room.

"Number twelve, please!"

A girl's voice, again.

Lux chased his thoughts and again picked the requested form.

"Say…would you come to pick some flowers with me? And maybe… we could run away together."

"Ye,yeshh!"

Lux read the paper, and this time, the girl answered with a feverish tone.

He heard her getting up on her feet, however, at this moment, the door opened again and footsteps resonated along with brawl sounds.

Lux quickly understood that the girl was being dragged away.

"Let me go!"

"Come on, come on, it's over now. You know the rules."

"Yes. You are not allowed to make visual contact."

"Here, don't push everyone! One at a time!"

After this, the "meetings" succeeded. Each time a girl would enter the room, she would give Lux a number and Lux would read the related letter aloud.

"Oh? You like sewing? No, I don't think it's boring or cliché. Since you are dedicated and serious, it fits you just fine…and you look beautiful when you work."

"Kyah!"

Some were longer and some shorter, though he could not explain why.

"Eeeh… did someone already tell you that your collarbone is very cute? I'm serious."

Lux could not help but to find some of the letters very, very strange. However, each time he did as he was bid to...

"Gyah?!"

The girl in front of him would gasp or let out a muffled cry, much to his surprise.

Even though Lux was reading compliments, with nothing lewd or irrelevant, he could not help but to feel that he was doing something obscene.

Otherwise, he thought, why would the girls react like this?

Lux did not know that this… event was the result of the Triad's visit to Relie.

They had all agreed that there were too much requests for Lux to ever clear them.

So Relie had thought of something that would content all the girls of the Academy.

She took advantage of one morning where Lux was busy with his chores and made an announcement to all the students.

The requests forms would be cancelled, she told them… but in exchange, a proper compensation would be set.

The students obtaining the best results at the next exams would earn the right of having Lux whispering them (sweet) words of their own choice, excluding of course irrelevant content in a closed room.

Depending on their grades, the students would have the right or not to ask for longer lines.

This perspective greatly motivated the girls of the Crossfield Academy, and was the true reason behind Krulcifer and Lisha intense studying.

For obvious reasons, the event needed to guarantee the students complete anonymity.

So the technicians of the campus were tasked to create a device that would allow Lux to speak to the girls without visual contact and to provide a great experience too.

Using a Drag-Ride Dragon Voice function was out of question for the reason that Lux could not hold it so long. Equipping a Drag-Ride was extremely exhausting.

Fortunately they came up with the headset and microphone system: basically, for the girls wearing it, it would be like Lux was whispering directly in their ears, tickling their senses too.

On another note, the Triad checked the forms and letters, to make sure they were conform and completely anonymous.

Lux felt his throat was a bit dry after all the lines he had said.

He regretted not anticipating that and wished he could take a break to go and drink some fresh water, but there was no way to leave the room unnoticed.

Lux's only issue was the unique door of the room… with maybe dozens of girls waiting behind it.

Lux sighed and readjusted the stem of the device.

At the same time, the next girl entered the room and sat. Lux also noticed there were only four forms left on the table, the other already read set aside.

"Number fifty-five."

The voice was vaguely similar to someone Lux knew but Lux did not think about it: after all, it was a girl's voice, partially muffled by the curtain. Of course he could mistake it.

"Mmh? Do I have something against sister and brother romance? Well… it's not like I never considered it. After all, family is important. Very important. No, to be honest, family is the most important thing to exist. So… yes, I think that family bounds don't matter when it comes to love. I mean it."

Lux read the letter with mixed feelings. Maybe it was the person's fantasies, but it was quite… irrelevant.

He too had a sister, and to be honest, Lux could not see dating his own sister. Not only it was illegal, but also morally wrong.

"Baka Nii-san…"

Lux thought he heard a whisper when the girl left the room, but maybe it was only his imagination.

Then, the next one entered the room and took place in front of him.

"N-number forty-nine!"

(Eh? This voice…)

Lux thought, intrigued. Even with the curtain, the voice of the girl seemed familiar.

Opening the letter, Lux froze. For some reason, it was much longer than the previous ones.

"Fiuuu…"

Lux took a deep breath and read it nonetheless.

"Ah, yes. I promise to be your devoted knight. To secure us a future together and not to frail with other girls."

(Eh?...)

Lux stopped for a second and tilted his head. However, he was quick to start reading again.

"I also promise to come every morning at the Drag-Ride workshop, to give you a massage when you need it…"

(Th,this is…)

Lux interrupted his reading again and frowned. He could also hear the girl moving on her chair.

"I always liked how you sleep in your workshop, I think it is very cool, as the fact that you truly are a genius when it comes to Drag-Ride engineering."

Lux finished with a low voice.

Strangely, this letter did remember him of someone.

(Maybe, this is someone who wants to be treated like a princess?...)

Lux thought so, puzzled.

Suddenly, the door burst open and the sounds of a fight could be heard.

"What are you doing! I didn't do anything wrong!"

"Ehh, even if you're a princess, the rules are the rules. No recording."

"Yes. We detected a Drake recorder activity."

"What are you talking about?! I don't–"

"Oh? So what is this thing in your hand?"

Lux heard again groans and the sound of someone struggling.

"I got it. It looks like some kind of miniaturized recorder… perhaps to intercept a Dragon Voice signal."

"Yes. It's a shame the princess uses her engineering skills to do such shameful things."

"What? Give it back!"

"It's over now. Don't oppose any resistance and follow us."

"Nooooo!"

The door closed and after that ruckus, a surreal silence reigned in the dim room.

"Err…"

Lux made a wry smile.

He was now almost certain of the identity of the girl, but…

The next girl came to take place as he was reflecting about it.

"Number seventeen, please."

Her tone was composed and calm, in total contrast with the previous girls.

"Y,yes."

Lux unfolded the form.

"I will always defend you, for you are my girlfriend and betrothed. Even if you're far away… even if we're separated, I'll always come to find and rapture you… because you are mine. And even if your chest is modest… I don't care. I like you as you are, and to be honest, I always had a liking for delicate chests. Truly, it doesn't bother me at all. Not at all. You have my word, I really think that flat is justice."

(Wait… again, I… it reminds me of…)

Lux had an uneasy feeling, and heard the girl in front of him coughing lightly before leaving.

"Right now, was it…"

He murmured, dubious.

It was exactly the kind of thing an exchange student he knew very well would want him to say. But maybe, it was just his imagination?

"Well… only one left…"

The expected visitor did not make him wait for long and came in the room a few moments later.

"Th,then, number thirty two, please."

The voice was quite flustered, and made Lux's heart flutter for a second.

"I always thought you were a reliable, strong senpai. I know that you train harder than anyone to protect and guide us, and I am very happy to have you by my side. Yes, I know that such feelings are not permitted, but… I always considered you as my model and I really want to know you better. I will always listen to you, if you have anything you want to share. Of course, I will not mind if you also talk to cats, flowers or even birds when I am not here. It is okay for you to do that if you feel lonely, there is nothing weird at all."

Lux paused.

(Wait, this is totally weird and embarrassing?!) Lux thought with panic.

However, there was no reaction at all from the girl hidden by the curtain.

But all of sudden, the same person dashed to the door with so much force that the ground trembled.

Again, this incredible strength and these lines reminded someone to Lux, but he only had suspicions and no certitude.

Eventually, Lux spent the next minutes to collect the forms before leaving the room too.

That being said, he felt incredibly embarrassed with what he had just done. Technically speaking, he had only talked, and not even dangerous words… but still, it was like he had done something very obscene.

The Triad was waiting for him outside.

"Good job, Lux-kun. Thanks for your hard work!" Sharis greeted him.

"Yes. We have avoided a riot thanks to you." Noct said.

"But because of this, we didn't get our turn... I'll request proper compensation to the headmaster!"

Only Tillfur groaned and pouted.

"Hehe…"

Lux could only smile wryly.

"Mmh, you're not wrong. Or maybe… we can ask Lux to do it right here, right now?"

Sharis suggested with a mischievous smile.

"Oh?! For real?"

"Yes. It seems suited to the situation. Come on, Lux-san."

"Wh,why now? I thought I was done? Wai,wait, why are you circling me?!"

Lux panicked, seeing the Triad closing on him with unclear intent.

"Resistance is futile. Just do as we say."

Sharis' hands passed under his armpits and her arms locked Lux. However, because of this close contact, Lux could feel her breasts pressed against his back.

"E,eh?!"

Lux let out a pitiful and panicked moan and tried to resist, but no matter how much he moved, he could still feel tis sensation.

After several seconds of struggle, Sharis suddenly understood the reason of his embarrassment and her cheeks became red too.

Despite her confident and mature behavior, she too had feelings for Lux and when she suddenly became aware of the intimacy of this contact, she let go of him.

"E,excuse me!"

Lux seized his chance and ran away without question.

"Hey! Come back here!"

Tillfur shouted.

However Noct was looking at Sharis with a disappointed glare.

"Ha,ha ha…"

Sharis laughed forcefully to dispel her embarrassment.

"We should ask headmaster Relie for a special reward. Maybe a triple date with Lux-chi?"

Tillfur suggested, with a hint of hope.

"Well… maybe… but it doesn't seem fair."

"Yes. But the competition is serious too, with many rivals.

Sharis looked uncertain but Noct asserted a truth.

Then, the three of them sighed heavily and decided to call it a day.

The days following this trial were particularly rude and exhausting for Lux.

The first reason was that every time he would enter a room with students, they would look at him with bewildered expressions.

Embarrassed silences welcomed him everywhere. Lux felt like a prey with hundreds of hunters' eyes on him, as if he could be assaulted any moment by a horde.

Lux's own classroom was not safer and much to his surprise, his close friends acted the weirdest.

Several strange incidents took place.

First, Airi, his little sister, who would usually scold and tease him anytime, anywhere, was strangely quiet. She would answer vaguely, and even blush when he would talk to her.

When he tried to took her temperature with his forehead, a gesture he had done dozens of times, she cried and told him it was too early for this, leaving him clueless.

Compared to Airi, Lisha would literally jump and shout at him with a red face every time he would talk to another girl, calling him a liar and an oathbreaker.

This even included the times Lux simply greeted his comrades or thanked them for any small service like holding a door: no matter the reason, each time he spoke to a girl (even the teachers), he would be faced with Lisha's unexplainable wrath.

Because of this, Lux would avoid her as best as he could, but she would search for him in the entire Academy.

It was not rare to see Lisha burst into a room and shout "WHERE IS LUX!" and making everyone jump scare.

On another note, Krulcifer also caused a commotion when during a lunch, she asked Lux if, as she thought, he had a liking for girls with a modest chest.

When it happened, all the girls in the cafeteria looked at their own chest. While the ones gifted with a prominent bosom sighed sadly, all the others smiled in hope and straightened their posture.

Celis and Lisha, present at this moment, looked like they were about to cry. Philuffy did not care, but Yoruka, who again appeared out of nowhere, forced her breasts into Lux's own hands, "to check if they are to Aruji-sama's liking".

Yoruka had not taken part in the previous event as she did not care about studying or anything not related to Lux's safety and procreation… or maybe because, thanks to her own Divind Drag-Ride, she had intercepted the Dragon Voice signals and listened to every Lux's words this day.

Because of this, Yoruka's already exaggerated and out of proportion manners seemed amplified.

She would always barge in the worst moments, either to grope Lux, made him grope her, or boost his interactions with the other girls.

Last but not least, Celis would not even talk to Lux. She was not pouting or anything…

However, every single time Lux talked to her, even for a simple greeting, she would turn red as a cherry, stammer, and eventually dash and run away at maximum speed a few seconds later.

All of his efforts to try to talk to her would be pointless, as Celis' endurance was almost limitless.

When Lux tried to chase her to at least get an explanation, Celis only accelerated and easily distanced him

After one exhausting week, Lux fell in his bed.

(Why do I have the feeling, I often end my day like this…)

Lux thought so and sighed.

The behavior of his friends worried him. Even he suspected that it was related to this weird event but there was no certitude.

"Haaa… Relie-san's plan was supposed to make things better, right?..."

Lux sighed again, deeper this time.

He closed the eyes, thinking that taking a good rest was the only thing he could do for the moment.

(But, I'll have to find a way to talk to them…)

His thoughts were blurred by fatigue.

(Because…it's sad like this... being alone again…)

Lux, dizzy and slowly falling asleep, could not and did not notice the shadow that appeared at his side.

A devil grin appeared on the silhouette's face.

Getting into serious business, aren't we?...

On another note... Lux is just one of my favorite MC, if not the favorite.

To say his character changed my behavior and way of seeing things is not an exaggeration.

Lux is truly the hero, who will take on himself no matter the cost to help and save the others. That's what a true hero does.
As I exposed it in Nia Chronicle, a true hero is not always popular and cheered by the crowd.

The definition of the hero in DanMachi is also very correct in my opinion.

Ah, I'm talking too much. I hope you liked this chapter too, and I'll see you in the next one (or PM, if you want to discuss).

Please give me your opinion, thank you very much!