At the Mansion:
Kazuma took off his gear and Magic Reflecting item and put them on the sofa to relax a little before another discussion.
"Now that we are all at the Mansion so I'll go first," Megumin calmly started before, "YOU TWO LIED TO ME! KAZUMA KICK THEM OUT RIGHT NOW!" She started shouting at Arue and Yunyun while Kazuma let out a tired sigh.
'Am I not going to get ANY rest around here? Well I am partially responsible for this mess but still, I thought my luck was good.' Kazuma thought.
"Please calm down Megumin." Kazuma said in a tired tone and turned to the other two Crimson Demons, "What did you guys do this time-" he asked them who interrupted him midsentence.
"We didn't do anything Kazuma san!" Yunyun defended herself while Arue asked "Megumin what do you mean by we lied to you?"
Megumin got visibly angrier and said "When I took you two in you both said that everyone in the Village respects me now but as soon as I went back today Bukkorori said 'Yo Joke Mage how's the Joke Magic holding up?' I obviously beat him up for that comment until he begged for forgiveness but that just means unlike your bold claims the other night I'm still not respected in my own hometown." Megumin eyed the two with an intense glare.
Yunyun and Arue nervously started to avoid her gaze before Yunyun tried to defuse the situation "Oh you know Bukkorori, he is always joking around. I mean he believed that Sokketo might fall for him of all people, do you really think he represents the entire Village's mindset? I mean Dad was nice to you today right?" Yunyun awkwardly said.
"Oh yeah? Then why were the rest of the Villagers also avoiding me while laughing at the Joke Mage comment? And the Chief is nice to everyone so it's not really anything significant." Megumin retorted.
"Megumin that's probably because you were beating up Bukkorori so the Villagers didn't want to engage in conversation with you and as for why they were laughing...well...Hey Kazuma san can we please go to the Police Station for the Formal Apology-" Arue tried to change the topic before Megumin slammed the table.
"I KNEW IT! They still think I'm a Joke Mage huh? Well I'll show them! Kazuma! Give me some mana right now so I can go and blow up-" as Megumin was saying that Kazuma grabbed her in his arms and hugged her tightly to everyone's confusion.
"Huh?" Megumin said in surprise as she looked at Kazuma's face while Vanir grinned.
"Are you seriously going all in on the 'Terrorist Loli' persona Megumin? You'll be hunted down as a criminal if you do that you idiot." Kazuma bluntly said and just as Megumin was about to punch his lights out he continued.
"Don't you remember what any of us said when you defeated Fufi? None of us here doubt your Explosion Magic or your abilities and you yourself know how much you've accomplished so why do you care what they think?" Kazuma's words put Megumin's anger to rest.
"You're right Kazuma. I may have overreacted just now, sorry you two." Megumin turned to Arue and Yunyun to apologise.
'Oh Thank Eris she didn't notice that I just stole and modified her speech she gave me when I was down.' Kazuma thought as Megumin now laid her head into his chest to rest.
"Really sorry for ruining your lovey-dovey session but we are still here you two. And Kazuma didn't you and this Devil have something important to tell us about ?" Aqua rained on Kazuma's happiness but he quickly remembered what they wanted to discuss.
"Right we wanted to talk stratergy in case of a worst case scenario, Moi Boy your urges can wait." Vanir said as he came forward and looked at Kazuma who quickly let go of Megumin who almost stumbled and fell down due to the sudden action.
"Oi I have no urges right now! As for the plan moving forward Vanir has left out a ton of spy puppets all around the vicinity of Axel and if they pick up any movement of the Demon King's Army or their Generals around Axel we have to respond immediately. So we have to be alert at all times." Kazuma explained the basic plan to everyone else.
"Now, we've gotten the main topic out of the way. Is there anything else that needs to be discussed?" Kazuma asked the group.
"Uhh Kazuma san, what about our Police case?" Wiz shyly asked Kazuma.
"You guys just need to go there and pay the fine while giving us a Formal Apology infront of the Police Chief. I don't see the complication." Kazuma responded.
"She actually means to say 'What about the bribery case Kazuma san?' as the police have confiscated Vanir san's potions. She wants to get them back." Yunyun explained.
"Yes Moi Boy, kindly use this Crusader's family name for getting them back." Vanir asked while Darkness looked somewhat unsure.
Kazuma turned to Darkness, "Can't you at least get those back?" to which she responded with "Kazuma the Chief is extremely strict about bribery cases especially ever since the whole Lord Alderp scam was revealed. I don't think even using my family name will help you get them back and I wouldn't recommend getting Lady Iris involved in this if you're thinking about asking her." Darkness' explaination was ruining Vanir's hopes of getting his potions back but he thought of another solution.
"I wasn't thinking of getting Iris involved in the first- Whatever! Vanir I'll pay you whatever the potions would've costed." Kazuma told Vanir who quickly responded with "They were the 'Special Potions' Moi spent a lot of time on." as soon as Vanir said that Kazuma rushed to his room with lightning speed and came back with his pockets stuffed with some stuff.
"I'll get your potions back Vanir. Everyone let's go right now." Kazuma said with a serious tone and quickly went outside in a speed which was almost blinding.
Kazuma slowed down upon seeing Arue shouting something.
"What is it?" Kazuma asked.
"Darkness san just said he is extremely strict so how will you-" as Arue was about to complete Kazuma simply asked "He's a guy right?"
"Yes but what does that-" Arue was once again interrupted by Kazuma saying "It will work." as they reached the Police Station.
"Here are all of their fines sir." Kazuma handed the Chief the fines.
"Okay, and the formal apologies given to you and Vanir san-" The Chief inspected the fines and asked while Vanir pulled out some papers and gave them to Wiz, Yunyun, Arue and Aqua. They quickly filled in the apologies and handed them over to Kazuma and Vanir.
"Here are the apologies signed by them and recieved by us with you as a witness. Is this complete?" Kazuma asked in a firm tone.
"Uhh yeah, rather freakishly quickly might I add. They're all free to go and we apologise if they caused you two any trouble." The Chief told Kazuma and Vanir before leaving.
"Can you kindly give Moi the potions back? They were Moi belongings but the Shopkeeper here accidentally gave them to you." Vanir asked the Chief who turned around.
"Really sorry sir but they are now in processing for being used as bribery. You will not get them back. Now I'm really busy so I'll be going-" The Chief said as he was about to leave the room before Kazuma came in front of him.
"Please sir I have a lot of work to do and no amount of convincing will get you those-" The Chief was cut off by Kazuma.
"I know that Chief and it must be really tough to have so much work but get no release from it or gratification, unless you visit a certain shop am I right?" Kazuma said as he pulled out papers from his pocket which looked like cash on first glance.
"Are you seriously trying to bribe me with money young man? I could have you arrested right here." The Chief told Kazuma in a firm voice, to which Kazuma responded "Oh I'm bribing you all right but it's not money. Look closer." as Kazuma said that the Chief looked closer and saw it was not money, but coupons.
"Those..those are platinum coupons for the Cafe right? Those given only to the best customers?" The Chief asked as he kept staring at the Coupons with sweat dripping down from his forehead.
"Of course they are Chief. They could be yours if you would be so kind as to ignore the potion case and take these instead." Kazuma persuaded the Chief like a Devil to take the coupons as his hands approached them.
He reluctantly stopped, "I can't. I've swore to never let bribery cases go unpunished-" the Chief said and Kazuma added on "Such a shame, these have special bonuses such as multiple preferences at the same time which feels just like the real thing. You could ask for any Noble, Luna san, that Lady Sergeant over there. It could be about Femdom, Police-burgular, lolis-" as Kazuma was saying that the Chief grabbed the coupons and picked up the potions case from the other room with lightning speed.
"It seems we were mistaken. These potions are not bribery, they were just given to me by a kind shopkeeper as a gift that I was too polite to accept. Please have them back. In case you need anything else sir come right to me." The Chief left the room as he said that while the other police officers and Kazuma's party looked at what happened in confusion.
"Nicely done Moi Boy, you're as shrewd as a Devil." Vanir said as he grabbed the potion case and headed out.
"Kazuma what did you say or give to the Chief that made him do a complete 180?" Darkness asked Kazuma who responded with "I have my methods." in a firm tone and walked on along with Vanir.
All of the girls watched as Kazuma gave a look of firm victory to Vanir who returned with a thumbs up.
"What do you girls think he could've given to the Chief? He was not carrying anything large which could be used as a gift." Aqua asked the group.
"I don't really think that the Police Chief would be persuaded so easily by any gift Aqua, he is rumoured to be almost impossible to break down and accept personal gifts. Maybe he just blackmailed him." Darkness theorised.
"I think he just asked him very nicely to give them back, although that might not be the case as we were also very nice to him. Not to mention just how serious and all business both Kazuma san and the Chief were so that is out of the question." Arue added.
"I also find it odd how serious Kazuma san was ever since Vanir san mentioned his potions to him. Megumin have you ever seen him like this?" Yunyun asked.
"Beats me, I've only ever seen this type of determination in the men of Axel when they're discussing something in private and a girl stops near them. Wiz what about you?" Megumin turned to Wiz.
"I've been here for quite some time but I can't help but feel there is a secret organisation of males in this town, not to mention I vaguely remember those potions being something something for men. I think we should investigate." Wiz suggested as all the girls got into a huddle to form a sort of a pact.
Kazuma and Vanir had already hid the potions in a part of the shop which Wiz did not know about.
"That should keep those out of the reach of the Walking Money Vacuums. What do you want to do now?" Vanir asked Kazuma.
"I'm going to the Guild to get some new skills. I'm thinking about learning an Intermediate Magic Skill along with something else. I hope Lynn is there today, haven't seen her, Keith, Dust and Taylor since some time now." Kazuma told Vanir who rubbed his chin.
"Even Moi has not seen that lot since the last few days actually. Probably gone for a long quest. Well if you see them good for you but if you don't you could always learn Moi Death Ray and Curse of Darkness." Vanir said while smiling.
"I doubt the number of points I have will be enough for either of those two and isn't that the spell which gives random annoying status ailments? And isn't Vanir Style Death Ray like gonna kill me if I use it? How are those helpful to me?" Kazuma asked Vanir.
"Just think about it! With Curse of Darkness you can practically pull the sickest prank on your opponent while the Death Ray will allow you to take out your target with you going down with him or her as the people around you two watch and think 'What's wrong with this idiot?'! Ah, Moi is envious that such a thing cannot happen to Moi." Vanir breathed heavily as he explained what Kazuma thought was his wet dream. "You still don't want to learn them?"
"I'm good. See ya." Kazuma left the store as he said that and went towards the Guild to look for Lynn. Meanwhile Kazuma's party and Wiz parted ways as Wiz went to the shop while the rest went to the Mansion.
Half an Hour Later:
Kazuma's party was lounging around the main living room of the Mansion.
"Where has Kazuma gone now? It's been quite some time now." Darkness asked while playing with Chomosuke.
"He is probably selling more of his stolen ideas to that cursed Devil to make more money to live like a NEET again. He'll be back soon." Aqua non-chalantly said while lazing on the sofa.
Megumin who was playing cards with Yunyun and Arue chimed in "We actually contacted Wiz about that some time ago. She said that Vanir said that Kazuma had gone to the Guild to do something. After that our communication was interrupted as some customer showed up and knocked over some stuff which made Wiz lose her concentration."
"Is he looking for a new quest already? Kazuma san's determination is extremely amazing I must say." Arue said as she placed her card.
"Or perhaps he wants to learn a new skill and has gone to the Guild looking for people willing to teach him. As far as I know Kazuma san he wouldn't really want to be doing anything major for a while now." Yunyun remarked.
"True." Everyone simultaneously said while Chomosuke also meowed in agreement.
The Mansion's main door opened and Kazuma entered with a somewhat disappointed expression.
"Welcome back." Everyone said to Kazuma without looking at him as they carried on their previous task of doing nothing productive.
"Hey guys." Kazuma said in a tired voice and everyone now shifted their attention to him.
"Kazuma is something wrong? You don't look too happy." Darkness remarked while Chomosuke went to Kazuma and snuggled up next up to his leg.
After petting Chomosuke Kazuma said "Actually I went to the Guild to look for some new skills. However I only managed to find one worthwhile doing so 'Lip-Reading'. Other than that a total waste of time." Kazuma picked up Chomosuke and sat down to play with her.
"Yeah that's actually not that bad Kazuma, did you lose a bar fight at the Guild to get you so worried?" Aqua asked Kazuma from the sofa.
"I'm not you so no. I actually wanted to learn an Intermediate Magic spell from Lynn and since it's been a while since I met up with Keith, Dust and Taylor I thought it would be a nice opportunity to catch up with the guys. But nobody has seen them in the Guild for a few days now." Kazuma clarified.
"I'm sorry but I don't think I'm quite familiar about whom you're talking about Kazuma san." Arue said in a confused manner.
"They are fellow Adventurers Arue and good friends with Kazuma san. Didn't I write you letters describing a blonde delinquent along with his party members? It's them." Yunyun clarified and Arue had an 'Oh right.' expression.
"Kazuma I'm pretty sure they're fine, they probably went on a long extermination quest. Did you ask Luna san?" Megumin asked Kazuma.
"Actually Vanir said the same thing so after I couldn't find them I asked Luna san. She said that they did take on a Dungeon quest three days ago." Kazuma said and Aqua chimed in with a "See, they're totally-" before he interrupted her.
"Please don't jinx anything you idiot. I thought that as well but then Luna san dropped a bombshell on me. She said that the Dungeon should've only taken them about a day to clear but it's been an entire extra day now so even she's concerned. If they don't come back tomorrow they'll send out a search party. I'm concerned something might've happened." Kazuma said as the rest of his party also looked a bit concerned.
"Kazuma I think we should go look for them with the search party after making some preparations today." Darkness suggested with no usual hints of her perversion.
"If it's a Dungeon I'll have to tag along as otherwise you lot would get swarmed by the Undead. Consider this a blessing." Aqua proudly said as stood on the sofa.
"Oi don't stand on the sofa,you'll ruin it. And for the record YOU are the reason we get swarmed by the Undead in the first place. If you cause too much trouble I'll abandon you again." Kazuma threatened Aqua who quickly sat down with a quite 'Yes sir.'
"I'll just wait outside the Dungeon waiting for you guys. Arue you go with them while Yunyun would hang around with me." Megumin said as she couldn't use Explosion magic inside.
"If it's a tough Dungeon Megumin wouldn't it make better sense for me to provide better support to Kazuma san and the others inside?" Yunyun asked in a confused expression and before Megumin could even respond Arue spoke.
"Actually Yunyun you and Megumin are more like the backup cavalry meant as the last resort should we fall in the Dungeon. You two would carry on our torch to the world and tell them about our-" as Arue was saying that Megumin was about to jump up in agreement to her words before Kazuma smacked Arue.
"NOBODY'S DYING DOWN THERE YOU CHUUNII IDIOTS! We are going for a rescue mission, what's the point if what you're describing occurs!? Yunyun if we call out for your help please come help us down there." Kazuma scolded Arue and Megumin before addressing Yunyun.
"You could've been a bit gentler you know.." Arue said while comforting her head while Kazuma ignored her.
"Darkness please gather the gear we need and Aqua grab as much food as you can so we can be topped up at all times. I'm sure if we find them they'll be hungry." Kazuma said as the two got up and did as he said.
"Kazuma what about you? Didn't you want to learn an Intermediate Magic spell?" Megumin asked Kazuma.
"Ah that's right! Megumin can you-" Kazuma was about to ask before he realised his mistake.
"Only Lynn, Wiz and Yunyun know those puny spells Kazuma while I can and will only teach Explosion Magic to my students! If you wish to be under my mentorship Kazuma you must-" as Kazuma realised that Megumin was about to rant some bullshit he ignored her and faced Arue.
"I'm sorry but I only know Advanced Magic. If you wish to learn that I would be more than happy to help." Arue told Kazuma who turned to Yunyun who looked kind of shy to teach him.
"Guess I'm going to Wiz then." Kazuma said as he went towards the door before Yunyun stopped him.
"Kazuma san wait! I can teach you an Intermediate Spell as well!" Yunyun pleaded to Kazuma while bowing in front of him.
"I mean you'd be just doing me a favour so please don't bow in front of me. Megumin are you okay with this? I swear we don't anything bad behind your back." Kazuma asked Megumin who was obviously giving Yunyun a death glare but then she sighed.
"That's not it. I would rather you go with Wiz to learn as Yunyun has a rather.. interesting side when teaching someone magic." Megumin told Kazuma who just smiled and said "I bet you're just jealous that we're gonna be spending some time alone." hearing which made Megumin somewhat irritated.
"You know what? Have fun you two. If you want her to teach you be careful and do as she says." Megumin told Kazuma who wondered what she meant by Yunyun's interesting side and why she wasn't coming along but he ignored it.
"Okay then Megumin while we train you manage the house and make sure Arue doesn't burn it down." Kazuma remarked before getting a chuckle from Megumin and Yunyun along with a tired look from Arue "That's the third time you've made that joke."
" Where do we start?" Kazuma asked Yunyun who said "I actually know a really good forest which I used to level up and train myself so let's go there. Teleport!" Yunyun teleported Kazuma to the forest with her.
Kazuma saw that they were in the middle of a dense forest which looked like a bad idea to him as his Enemy Detect told him that there were some enemies not far from their current location.
"So Kazuma san which spell do you want to learn?" Yunyun kindly asked Kazuma with a smile.
"Lightning I guess. Since I already know the other basic elements, Fire, Earth, Wind and Water I thought it would be nice to know all of them and complete my basics with Lightning." Kazuma said with a cheery tone as Yunyun responded with a "That's good to hear Kazuma san. Should we begin your training?"
"Of course! I'll be in your care Yunyun Sensei." Kazuma sarcastically said as he half bowed down to Yunyun.
'This is great. I feel like a real RPG hero right now with a cute and gentle mentor who will guide me in my ways-'
"You're not doing a proper bow Kazuma kun." Yunyun remarked with a smile.
"What?" Kazuma looked confused as this was the first time she called him with 'kun' as if he was a kid and Yunyun clarified. " You just called me Sensei but still did that half assed bow. Do you really want to disrespect me like that?" she said with a smile and a cheery tone.
"No, sorry about that." Kazuma did not think much about it and did a proper bow this time.
"Much better. Now to start with Intermediate Magic you need to learn the basics. For Beginner class magic you really just need to know the spell's name and then say it to cast it. But for Intermediate Magic you need to know the mana flow as well. Then you can use it like this, 'Lightning!'." A thunderbolt shot out from Yunyun's hand and went into the forest. Kazuma took out his Adventurer Card learnt the the spell. "Are you getting it?" Yunyun asked Kazuma if he was keeping up.
"Uhh Yes Yunyun." Kazuma happily replied.
"It's Yunyun Sensei actually Kazuma kun." Yunyun said with a smile.
"Nice one Yunyun. So what's the next step-" before Kazuma could continue Yunyun's smile disappeared and her eyes glowed blood red with a psychotic expression.
"It's Yunyun Sensei actually Kazuma kun." she once again repeated with an angry tone that Kazuma could swear was from a possessed person.
"Uhh, right Yunyun Sensei. Everything is abundantly clear until now. Can you please tell me the next step?" Kazuma asked with sweat on his forehead.
"Of course Kazuma kun." Yunyun replied with her usual cheery tone. "Kindly concentrate and think about Lightning flowing through your arms now. Now take that flow and use Mana in the same way."
'So this is what Megumin probably meant. It's still fine and managable I guess but I didn't expect this from the usually shy Yunyun-' Kazuma's train of thought was interrupted by Yunyun who kicked him in the stomach.
"What was that for?!" Kazuma said as he grabbed his stomach and rolled around in pain.
"You weren't concentrating on what I told you and didn't even think about the lightning flow. If you did this in battle you would get hurt so I'm just simulating that. Do it again Kazuma kun." Yunyun told Kazuma as she picked him up.
Kazuma did as he was told this time and imagined lightning flowing through his arms. He then replaced that with the Mana flow and stretched his arm outwards.
"Lightning!" Kazuma shouted as only smoke flew from Kazuma's hand.
"Eh-" Kazuma wondered what went wrong before Yunyun grabbed his arm and Judo threw him onto his back.
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR YOU-" before Kazuma could complete his abuse ridden insults Yunyun's face approached his.
"Oh my, do you have any complaints about me Kazuma kun?" Yunyun said with a smile and glowing red eyes.
'Why is this normally cute girl so scary now?!'
"No Sensei. What did I do wrong this time?" Kazuma asked sheepishly and Yunyun responded with "You actually became too excited and diverted your mana flow in the end. It should be kept constant throughout. If you do it once you'll be able to do it instinctively every time after that."
Kazuma picked himself up and did as he was told. Feel the lightning, replace it with mana and then... Kazuma stretched his arm, opened his palm and shouted "Lightning!"
Some sparks flew from his palm and fingers as Kazuma had successfully casted an Intermediate Spell for the first time.
"Did you see that Sensei? I casted Intermediate Magic for the first-" Kazuma's happiness was immediately shattered as Yunyun kneed him in the face.
"What did I do wrong this time?!" Kazuma asked as he tended to his nearly broken nose.
"You call that an Intermediate Spell? It should be a Basic Spell called 'Zap'! Congratulations, you just invented the pathetic version of a great spell. Your mana manipulation needs training right now!" Yunyun said sarcastically before becoming serious again.
"Fine fine." Kazuma said while getting up in pain and hid his tears as he covered his bleeding nose with his hand which Yunyun noticed. She approached him with a handkerchief in her hand.
"Cast Create Water on this." Yunyun told Kazuma who did as he was told. After making the handkerchief somewhat wet Yunyun took his hand from his nose and gently blew on his injured nose. She softly patted the area with the handkerchief and said "Sorry about that. This area and my training here sometimes take over me."
Kazuma watched as Yunyun tended to his wounds, 'Even when she is overly hostile Yunyun is still such a nice girl. Could certainly do better without beating me up however.' he thought.
Yunyun then put back her bloodied handkerchief. "Are you better now?" she asked him in concern and he responded with a happy "Yes."
"Good, now let's get back to our training. You need to learn how to use mana more efficiently while casting Intermediate spells like you do with Basic spells. Now do this-" Yunyun started to explain before Kazuma said "Please I think this is enough for today."
"Nonsense, you called me Sensei and asked me to teach you Lightning. It'll just take a few minutes, even less if I get serious." Yunyun told Kazuma calmly.
'Is this Karma for what I did to Arue?' Kazuma thought as he started to do as he was instructed.
At the Mansion:
Aqua was packing supplies along with Megumin, Arue while Darkness went out to ask the Guild for more details about the Dungeon.
"Kazuma is probably having an easier time than us with Yunyun teaching him a new skill. I'm surprised you actually stayed here Megumin, aren't you the least bit suspicious about Kazuma?" Aqua asked Megumin.
"I trust Kazuma and Yunyun so I didn't need to go." Megumin happily responded while Arue chimed in "Actually I'm pretty sure the reason Megumin is so calm is because of how Yunyun acts while teaching someone new spells. I don't really think Kazuma san is having an easy time right now."
"Nothing goes past you does it Arue?" Megumin said while smiling but Aqua was confused.
"Wait what do you two mean? Yunyun is such a nice talented girl, how can Kazuma be having trouble being taught by her?" Aqua asked.
"Oh you'd think that." Both Arue and Megumin said as they told Aqua more about Yunyun.
"When we first came here in Axel a mage asked Yunyun to teach her some Intermediate spells. Poor girl was left in tears after that and lodged a complaint against Yunyun in the Guild." Megumin told Aqua while Arue added "In one of her letters she described how she was teaching magic to a newbie in explicit detail. I had to burn that one so that children wouldn't find it and get traumatised."
Aqua was left stunned at what they were revealing while Darkness who had returned was eavesdropping on the way to the storeroom, heavily breathing.
In the Forest:
A few Goblins charged at Kazuma who used Lightning several times to push them away while Yunyun just watched from the back.
"HELP ME SENSEI! I'LL RUN OUT OF MANA LIKE THIS!" Kazuma pleaded to Yunyun who just said "Just use Drain Touch on the almost dead ones then."
Kazuma clinched his teeth and did so. "Can't you please just bring Chunchunmaru to help me out here?" Kazuma asked.
"No, you need to defeat these using Magic only Kazuma kun, otherwise your Mana situation will never improve." Yunyun said as she effortlessly disposed off those which came near her, while Kazuma was nearing his limit.
Kazuma breathed heavily and said "Please let's just go. If there were so many goblins here there must be a Rookie Killer here as well and it would surely come here if we stay." while draining out a goblin and going towards Yunyun.
"That's a great idea actually. Ankle Bind." Yunyun cast a spell to lock Kazuma into a single place and he was unable to move.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS FOR!? PLEASE JUST LET ME-" Kazuma angrily shouted at Yunyun who just put a finger on his mouth with glowing red eyes.
"When in life and death situations you will learn to draw out more Mana than usual so you need this. Don't worry, you may get injured but I won't let you die." Yunyun eerily told Kazuma and stepped out of the way as some rustling was coming from the bushes while Kazuma could detect something moving and followed it.
A Rookie Killer unexpectedly pounced towards what he saw as an easier meal, Yunyun as she was off guard. Kazuma however knew it's presence and as soon as it pounced he casted a proper "LIGHTNING!" which launched a powerful thunderbolt at the Rookie Killer who was stopped in it's tracks.
Yunyun looked at Kazuma with surprise and joy. "Kazuma kun- I mean Kazuma san! Not only did you save me but you cast a proper spell as well! I see this as a massive success, unbind!" Yunyun gleefully released him from her magic.
"Uhhh actually can you catch me? I used up a lot of Mana for that one." Kazuma stumbled on his feet and nearly fell down before Yunyun caught him and he had his face buried in her chest.
"Are you fine Kazuma san? Let's just go back- Wait are you breathing so heavily?!" Yunyun worriedly asked as she prepared her Teleport spell.
'Ah so soft. This wasn't so bad-' Kazuma's thoughts of satisfaction were interrupted by his Enemy Detect as he sensed that the Rookie Killer was still alive and had lunged at Yunyun.
Without much time to react or warn her Kazuma did what he thought was best. He threw Yunyun away with all his remaining strength and tried to get some distance from the Rookie Killer as well. Yunyun was confused at what he had just done but her thoughts were dismissed the moment she heard his blood filled scream as Kazuma was slashed in the chest.
Something in Yunyun snapped as soon as she saw that. Everything went black, except for Kazuma and the Rookie Killer which was blood red for her.
A message was being displayed in Yunyun's vision. 'You have successfully contacted the Crimson Demon Attack Server. What would you like to activate, Instakill or Torture?'
"LIGHT OF SABER!" Yunyun cut off every single one of the creatures limbs while it roared out in pain. It was now unable to escape.
"I will make you feel pain." Yunyun said in a low demonic voice as the creature now cowered in fear. "Freeze Gust." she iced the creature's cut limbs so it wouldn't bleed out and die quickly.
"Inferno" Yunyun casted a normally devastating spell but somewhow contained it to the shape of a small ball of intense energy and brought it close to one of the creature's eyes. It melted the eye slowly as the Rookie Killer cried out in pain. She did the same with the other eye and made it totally blind while freezing it's bleeding eye sockets shut.
Yunyun then pulled it's ear open and casted "Tornado" into it, instantly causing it's eardrum to burst and then freezing it shut as well. The Rookie Killer was now unable to even howl anything in pain as it had died from this attack.
Angry at how frail it was Yunyun started to cast Burning Flashes on it's dead body, "How dare you die so fast when I had to take Kazuma's revenge on you! He died trying to save me from you for my mistake!" Yunyun kept casting her spell on the puddle of meat and bones that were left of the Rookie Killer until she felt a hand touch her head.
"Huh?" Yunyun turned around to see Kazuma trying to stand weakly with his chest wounds covered in ice. Her vision turned to normal as tears filled her eyes and she hugged him.
"KAZUMA SAN!" Yunyun shouted but was immediately pushed back.
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?! CAN'T YOU SEE THAT I HAVE MAJOR INJURIES ON MY CHEST RIGHT NOW?! I LIKE YOUR BOOBS BUT NOT TO THAT DEGREE! AND STOP CASTING MAGIC ON THAT ALREADY! IT'S BEEN DEAD FOR SEVERAL MINUTES!" Kazuma shouted at Yunyun before falling down and grabbing his chest "Ahh..hurts to shout...".
Yunyun then comforted his back and said "But I saw you get slashed in the chest and die-" with a sorrowful tone and he replied with "No, you saw me get slashed. Luckily it missed all my bones and vital organs so as soon as I regained some mana I cast Freeze to close the wounds. Then I saw you.. well.." Kazuma said as he pointed at the crater left behind due to her fury as Yunyun blushed.
"Why did you ...jump in to save me..." Yunyun trailed off as she asked the question which confused Kazuma.
"What do you girls have me pegged for? A guy who would let his friends and teammates get mauled by monsters? I would've done that for any one of my friends, with some hesitation of course." Kazuma explained his actions and then continued "Is this a good point to end your lesson?"
Yunyun then wiped her tears and bowed down to say "I'm very sorry for going overboard Kazuma san! Please forgive me!"
"Just teleport us back home already then, I might die again if Aqua doesn't heal these." Kazuma said as he pointed to his ice covered chest wounds and Yunyun immediately teleported back home with him.
Kazuma and Yunyun opened the front door of the Mansion and entered.
"I think Kazuma and Yunyun are back Megumin!" Aqua shouted from the living room and sounds of footsteps approached the entrance.
"Aqua can you heal me?" Kazuma weakly asked upon hearing which a curious Aqua came from the living room along with Megumin and Arue.
"Kazuma do you want me to kiss your boo-boos on the slighest inconvenience-" Aqua said in a tired tone before she exited the living room and saw Kazuma's condition. After seeing it she shut up.
"Kazuma san you were gone for quite some time so I take the training went well..." Arue trailed off as she saw the two.
"So I see you have come crying back to me to teach you Explosion Magic instead...Kazuma?" Megumin froze.
Darkness emerged from the storeroom carrying a box filled with old equipment, "Kazuma you're back already? Can you help me repair some of this- AHHHHHH!" Darkness shouted as soon as she saw his condition.
'Ah right. I didn't think through how this would look.' Kazuma thought and before he could clarify,
"KAZUMA! ARE YOU ALRIGHT!?" Aqua rushed to Kazuma immediately to support him up and started to heal him. She turned to Yunyun, "Megumin told me how you train others in magic but this is too far Yunyun! If you think I will let you off easy think again!" Aqua berated Yunyun angrily who just stood there silently in guilt and Kazuma couldn't clarify the situation as he couldn't speak while being healed around the chest. He tried to sign but it was ignored. Megumin stood silently.
"Yunyun what did you do to Kazuma?! He wouldn't have done anything worthy of this punishment! Answer me!" Darkness asked with genuine anger and none of her usual masochism.
"You did this to the man who not only asked you to mentor him in magic but is also your 'best friend'?! And then you ask why you have trouble making friends!" Arue angrily told Yunyun in disgust before Megumin came running and grabbed Yunyun by her collars.
"HOW DARE YOU HURT MY KAZUMA!" Megumin angrily said as her eyes burnt a Crimson Red and Yunyun started to cry.
Kazuma was now healed and immediately rushed to Megumin. "OI LET HER GO!" Kazuma pried Megumin's hands off Yunyun.
"But Kazuma she-" Megumin tried to justify her actions before Kazuma gave her and everyone there an earful.
"LISTEN TO ME FIRST YOU IDIOTS! Yunyun saved me from a Rookie Killer which caught me off guard slashed at me while we were training. I froze my wound while Yunyun killed it. If you think Yunyun did this to me then explain how can a Mage leave behind those large clawmarks you saw on my chest?!" Kazuma defended Yunyun while the others looked in disbelief.
"That does make sense, but it doesn't explain why you would be caught off guard Kazuma. Your Enemy Detect skill should negate that." Aqua said suspiciously as just like always, she was smart only when inconvenient for Kazuma.
"That is actually because-" Kazuma tried to make up another lie before Yunyun got up.
"Please stop Kazuma san. I have to come clean." Yunyun said as she faced the party.
"It's all my fault. Even if I wasn't the one who did this I still hurt him quite a lot back there while training. I had used Ankle Bind on Kazuma san to train him and while we were doing so a Rookie Killer caught me off guard and lunged at me. Kazuma san saved me with his Lightning spell and rendered it immobile temporarily." Yunyun told everyone what had happened.
"But how did Kazuma end up getting injured like that?" Darkness inquired.
"Unfortunately Kazuma san used up a lot of Mana and nearly fell down so I let my guard down to catch him. Kazuma san on the other hand was still alert and pushed me away, taking the attack himself." Yunyun explained the rest with regret in her tone.
"Luckily that thing only managed to penetrate my chest and I was able to survive long enough to close my wounds while Yunyun went Beast Mode on that thing. Which reminds me why did you do that? I have never seen you like that even when you were possessed." Kazuma faced Yunyun as he remembered how brutally she had killed the Rookie Killer.
"I actually don't remember, I just remember seeing red after I thought the Rookie Killer had...killed you. After that I just went with some instinct which told me I had to torture that thing until I felt your hand on my head." Yunyun said.
Megumin remembered how similar this was to the time when she took out the Kobloids who killed Kazuma and didn't say anything, because it's also what happened to her right now before Kazuma stepped in.
"Regardless of what it may have been, Yunyun you should have been more alert in the first place. Given how much you tortured Kazuma you are banned from training anyone else. Got it?" Aqua told Yunyun in a firm tone.
"I agree, I won't teach anyone any magic." Yunyun said with confidence.
"Kazuma if you still want to learn more Intermediate Magic you can always go Wiz or Lynn. But given what happened this time one of us will always accompany you if you do so." Megumin told Kazuma before turning to Yunyun, "I'm sorry for assaulting you Yunyun." she apologised as she straightened out Yunyun's collar.
"I'm sorry for letting Kazuma san get injured Megumin." Yunyun apologised as well, all the while Kazuma stared at Megumin and Yunyun.
'Thank Eris they are not that mad at each other, I can't take more infighting in the group anymore.' Kazuma thought.
"Is everything alright Kazuma? You've been staring at Megumin and Yunyun for quite some time now?" Darkness asked in concern.
"I'm just waiting to see if they start making out with each other." Kazuma immediately hid his actual thoughts with some random bullshit which made Megumin and Yunyun blush.
They both separated from each other immediately. "AS IF! I'm YOUR more than friend in the first place you perve!" Megumin shouted at Kazuma with a blush while Yunyun had a face which was just a tinge lower than her Crimson Eyes.
"Well at least this is an indication that Kazuma san is still somehow not traumatised." Arue remarked happily and Darkness added "I seriously cannot get your mindset Kazuma. Anyways what are you going to do now?"
Kazuma got up, "I'm going to go eat something and sleep. We have to join the search party tomorrow if they don't return so it's best if all of you rest as well." he left in the direction of the kitchen.
Kazuma started to eat some leftovers and thought to himself 'What the hell could be in that Dunegon? Dust, Lynn, Keith and Taylor are one of the best parties in Axel and that Dungeon shouldn't even be that tough to begin with. Lady Eris please let them be safe and-' Kazuma's thoughts were interrupted.
"Don't eat those leftovers Kazuma, Chomosuke accidentally knocked them over so they've been on the floor." Aqua worriedly said and as soon as Kazuma heard that he spat out everything.
"What the hell is wrong with you?! Why would you keep it around if it's inedible?" Kazuma washed his mouth and asked in anger. "Also stop sneaking up on people while they're eating."
"I was going to make some art with it but that's not the important thing right now Kazuma." Aqua said as she came closer, "Why did you lie about wanting to see Megumin and Yunyun make out back there? Are you that insecure about letting us know what you're thinking that it's better to be called a lecher?"
Kazuma sighed "Your brain really starts working overtime when I don't want it to. I lied, big deal. I don't want another fight in the team so there. Happy?"
Aqua was a bit surprised but managed to hide it and said "You call Megumin a Tsundere but you're no better. It wouldn't kill you to be honest a few times you know that? If it does then I'm here to bring you back." Aqua smiled as she said that.
"I'll try. By the way can you sew my shirt? That asshole really did a number on this, which I didn't think was possible given how much damage the spikes already did." Kazuma said as he handed Aqua his bloodied and torn shirt who reluctantly took it given how dirty it was.
"Ahh poor Kazuma, where would you be without me?" Aqua asked to which Kazuma immediately responded "In a bigger Mansion with a harem." and proceeded to leave the kitchen.
Before Aqua could cry and verbally abuse Kazuma he stopped. "Actually, I don't know where I would've been without you. Probably dead in a ditch somewhere or nowhere as happy as I am these days, so thank you a lot Lady Aqua." Kazuma said with genuine appreciation which Aqua never anticipated.
"Oh! Uhhh, you're welcome I guess." Aqua said in a confused tone as Kazuma smiled and left. "Good night Kazuma, if you have trouble sleeping I can set up a small bed for you in my room. " Aqua said in a happy tone .
"Can I drink your best bottle there?" Kazuma asked teasingly and Aqua didn't register it as a joke.
"Don't push your luck your Kazuma." Aqua said threateningly and Kazuma sighed.
"Worth a shot. Although I think pushing my luck is the only thing I'm good at. Good night Aqua." Kazuma smiled as he said that and left.
Aqua grabbed her sewing tools and began fixing his shirt. 'Idiot thinks I can't notice him hurting in the part when he said pushing my luck is the only thing I'm good at and tried to hide it with a smile.' Aqua thought as she sewed the slash marks shut.
'Still, he somewhat opens up now and then so it's really two steps forward and three steps back. Or is it three steps forward and two steps back?' Aqua debated with herself as she had already fixed Kazuma's shirt and cleaned all the blood on it with her powers.
Kazuma's Room:
Kazuma had put on his tracksuit's undershit and lowers to sleep more comfortably.
He laid there in the bed tired as hell and drifting to sleep, then a knock came.
"Kazuma are you awake?" Megumin's voice came from the other side which somewhat woke up Kazuma.
"I am now. What is it Megumin?" Kazuma said in a somewhat tired tone.
"Can I come in? I wanted to say somethings." Megumin asked Kazuma something which instantly gave him energy and he said "Of course, come in." in a somewhat manly voice.
Megumin shyly entered the room in her pajamas and stood in front of Kazuma who was sitting on his bed. She stood there silently while somewhat blushing.
"What is it you wanted to say Megumin?" Kazuma asked Megumin who sheepishly said "I wanted to apologise Kazuma."
"Huh? Why do you want to apologise to me Megumin? Did you pick another fight with someone else as well today?" Kazuma questioned Megumin who seemingly gathered some courage and grabbed his hands.
"I'm sorry for not listening to you on the Earthworm quest today. Had I been more careful you wouldn't have died again today." Megumin told Kazuma with some regret in her voice.
"I'm also sorry for not stopping you from going with Yunyun to train while I fully knew how she acts when she is training someone." Megumin said something which confused Kazuma.
"Yeah, why did you let me go if you knew?" Kazuma asked.
"Because I was jealous and angry." Megumin's quick and unfiltered response surprised Kazuma.
"I was jealous that you would spend some time alone with Yunyun and that you might get attracted to her. I know that I don't have much to look at unlike Yunyun so the fear of losing you was very real and I got angry when you mentioned me getting jealous when I tried to warn you so I thought 'You know what? Let this guy reap what he has sown.' But after what happened, I can't help but feel partially responsible." as Megumin was saying this some tears formed in her eyes.
'This girl...she actually cares so much...' Kazuma thought as his heart skipped a beat.
"Please, don't hate me for what happened today." Megumin pleaded to Kazuma with tears while he immediately got up and started to wipe them.
"What are you talking about Megumin?! I was the one who waltzed off with Yunyun instead of going to Wiz or waiting for Lynn. And I wouldn't cheat on you with anybody, even if they have a killer bod." Kazuma told Megumin as he wiped her tears.
Megumin looks at Kazuma's face and sees that he is not lying. She immediately hugs and before he can hug her back, "Too...tight.." Kazuma let out a few words which Megumin registered immediately and let go. Kazuma coughed and comforted his neck.
"Sorry for ruining the moment but please be gentler Megumin. How about we try again?" Kazuma said as he opened his arms for a hug. Megumin ran into his arms and hugged him gently.
"I love you Kazuma." Megumin muttered into Kazuma's ears. He could ruin it with an awkward joke or chicken out.
"I love you too Megumin." Kazuma took Aqua's advise and spoke his heart for once.
Both of them separated from the hug together and stood silently for a few seconds.
"So uh, good night Megumin." Kazuma said as he waited for her to go.
"Good night Kazuma." Megumin said as she walked away from Kazuma, and towards his bed.
"Uhh Megumin, I thought you were going to sleep." Kazuma asked Megumin.
"I am. Right here, with you, just like we did back home until Sylvia showed up. Any problems?" Megumin responded with a determined look on her face and a glow in her eyes.
"Absolutely no problems." Kazuma said in a manly voice and immediately joined her in the bed.
Both of them were now sharing a blanket on the bed and stared at each other.
"So where do we go from here? Do we continue where we left off that night or-" Kazuma was interrupted mid sentence as Megumin immediately went inside the blanket and rested on his chest, just like the second night in the Village.
"You tell me, I'm already here." Megumin said seductively as she stared directly into Kazuma's face with her eyes glowing and a blush on her face.
'Wait is this it?! FINALLY! Should I take one of those potions?! I don't want us to pregnant just now but I can't just get up and pop one here in front of Megumin-' Kazuma's mind went haywire as he thought of what to do until Megumin spoke.
"Kazuma, something hard is poking my leg, is that you? Do you need some help with it?" Megumin asked Kazuma with what he could only call lustful eyes as all logic flew away and he acted on his urges instead.
"Well to start off we should kiss first-" As Kazuma was saying that his Enemy Detect skill hit him and,
BLAST!
A large boom was heard by everyone in Kazuma's house in the night and woke up those who were sleeping.
Along with the large boom were sounds of loud shouting. Shouting which sounded alot like Aqua.
"What happened?" Megumin quickly got out of the blanket and checked Kazuma's windows while Kazuma couldn't believe his luck.
"KAZUMA! Come out here and help me defeat this...I don't know what it is but it's trying really hard to get away after encroaching on our property!" Aqua shouted as she bombarded the skies with spells which hit her barrier, creating the large blasts.
Kazuma rushed downstairs and exited the house faster than everyone else,"I'LL KILL WHATEVER FUCKING THING INTERRUPTED ME THIS TIME!" Kazuma murderously shouted as he swung Chunchunmaru around along with his Dynamite sticks.
"That's the spirit Kazuma! Unfortunately it teleported away before I could trap or seal it so we can't really do anything." Aqua told Kazuma in a ditsy manner.
"THEN WHY DID YOU CALL ME OUT HERE?!" Kazuma angrily asked Aqua.
"Is the safety of our Mansion none of your concern?! By the way what were you doing right now? It's night, what in heavens could be so important?" Aqua asked Kazuma in an offended tone.
Kazuma sighed, "Nothing, just wanted some relief." after saying that Kazuma went back with drooping shoulders.
Arue, Yunyun, Megumin and Darkness came outside in their pajamas.
"Aqua who is attacking us right now!?" Darkness shouted while looking around.
"Where is the enemy?" Arue asked as she looked around while keeping her wand handy.
"Show yourself cowards who dare strike us in the night!" Megumin shouted while Yunyun tried to calm them down.
"The neighbours are probably asleep right now please keep it down- Kazuma san are you alright?" Yunyun shifted her attention to Kazuma who was entering the Mansion depressed.
"I'm going to go sleep, really tired today." Kazuma went inside while the rest of them looked towards Aqua.
"Is something wrong with Kazuma san?" Arue asked Aqua who did a 'Dunno' gesture with her shoulders while Megumin silently went inside.
"Kazuma." Megumin called out to Kazuma who looked back.
"Really sorry about that. Should we go and continue?" Megumin asked Kazuma.
"I mean sure but literally everyone is awake right now. Do you still want it?" Kazuma asked Megumin. She sighed and said "Well, we could still just sleep together without doing anything you know. How about it?"
"Yeah, that actually sounds good." Kazuma happily remarked as both of them quickly went to Kazuma's room together.
Sometime Later:
Kazuma and Megumin were sharing the same bed and blanket yet again, but this time while talking actively in whispers so as to not alert the others.
"Wait a minute Kazuma, you are saying that you actually had a girlfriend who wanted to marry you in the future back in your country?" Megumin asked and before Kazuma could respond, "Just out of curiousity how can I reach her?" she asked with glowing red eyes.
"Oi there's no way you can reach my homeland and for the record, no I have never had a girlfriend in my life. She was just a female childhood friend." Kazuma clarified.
"But you said she promised that you two would get married. It's not like I can let these challengers go-" Megumin was cut off by Kazuma who cleared her misunderstanding "That was just a childish promise. When we grew older I saw her riding on a bike with a senior of mine and hugging him like her life depended on it. In hindsight she was probably just taking advantage of me in the later years for lunch money."
Megumin went silent and heard his backstory. "After that I tried going back to school but I got stuck with the rumour that I'm the guy who got cucked by a senior so I avoided going to school on certain days. Before I knew it, I was a Shut In NEET." Kazuma ended his backstory while rubbing his eyes due to exhaustion and recounting the painful memories.
"Well now I have a different reason to go blow up that bitch. Where does she live in your country?" Megumin angrily asked.
"Why are you seriously so adamant about doing that? You'll be a murderer you know?" Kazuma asked Megumin with genuine confusion.
"I can at least acknowledge and respect the girls who genuinely like you but I'll never forgive those who try to take an advantage of you!" Megumin declared while Kazuma managed to calm her down.
"I mean it was just something we said as kids so I don't really think it mattered much-" Kazuma was interrupted by Megumin who put a finger on his lips.
"Stop right there. Do you know how old I was when I made a pact to only use Explosion Magic? Five." Megumin proudly told Kazuma.
"Well given how stupid and impractical that pact is it makes a lot of sense now that a literal five year old thought of it." Kazuma told Megumin who got visibly offended by his statement but kept her calm.
"I'm tired. I'm going to sleep." Kazuma closed his eyes.
"Kazuma keeping your word is a testament to what a person you are! If she couldn't keep such a word then she was never to be trusted to begin with. Look at me, I still only use Explosion Magic for offense and similarly I won't ever leave your side- Kazuma are you listening?" Megumin ended her rant when she noticed that Kazuma was no longer responding. She got up slightly to see that he had indeed fallen asleep.
'He must have been really tired today. I mean it is to be expected, he did a lot today.' Megumin thought as she watched him sleep. 'He looks so peaceful and innocent when he is asleep, nobody would guess how much of a pervert he actually is. Even the speed at which he takes things in our relationship makes me rethink if he is actually perverted or if it's just a front.' she then approached his sleeping face.
'Whatever he may be' Megumin kissed him on the lips, 'I like him.'
"Goodnight Kazuma" Megumin whispered as she fell asleep on his chest and used his arm as a pillow.