Watching the match conclude, coupled with the mortal's words, he nodded and swiped the glimpsing mirror close with a swipe of his arm.

Some of the tension leaving his form.

Good. The accords still hold then, and none of us will be forced to—

"Oya~ is my little Trefor smiling?"

He twitched and turn a baleful glowing eye towards the imp who'd all but scampered up the sides of his throne, feet balancing atop his arm as she leaned in close and stared at him with mischievous green eyes.

"Get down, mother," he grunted, and the pointy-eared woman's smirk widened.

"As my lord wishes~" she said before spinning around, her long green locks smacking him harmlessly in the face as she jumped down…and then tumbled down the white stairs leading up to his throne.

"Ow! Owie! Ouchie!" coming to a stop right in the middle of his long suffering praetorians, the men and women, being professionals, continuing to resemble unmoving statues, even if he could feel their pleading eyes on him.

"Look! Look what a meanie my son is to his poor, old mother!" the imp said, jumping to her feet and exaggeratedly rubbing her posterior and her head, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

As if such a fall could damage a dragon…

He sighed, but such was his mother's nature.

"Mouu!" the woman, seeing that her antics failed to elicit a reaction, puffed her cheeks and strode towards the nearest praetorian…and kicked him in the shin.

"Gkh! My lady…why?" the poor man asked with a pained hiss, as his the dark metal around his leg partially caved in.

Huffing, the woman skipped up the steps and grinned like the imp she was at heart, arms behind her as she leaned in.

"Mmh~ mommy was right, you're smiling~!"

"I'm not."

He was the Lord of the Burning Crags. He didn't do…smiling. But, he could admit to some pleasure over the fact that the ancient pacts would remain in place.

And the fact that humans were seemingly starting to remember their existence and, judging by this 'Zero' were all for honoring the old truces?

Yes. If there was anything worth smiling about, that was that.

…not that he smiled.

"Mmh~ If you say so, still," his mom jumped on the left armrest, with him only barely managing to withdraw his arm in time.

"Mou~! Why so cold, Trefor?"

"It's either 'my king, or my prince', mother, remember that," he said.

The woman huffed and crossed her arms and legs. "Grumpy."

"I'm not 'grumpy'! I just follow our laws and traditions."

And unlike you, mother, I have lines I won'tcross.

"Stuffy."

He growled and for an instant, his power flared before he reined in it.

She always had that effect on him.

Seemingly satisfied, the woman uncrossed her arms and swiped the air in front of her, casting her own glimpsing mirror and the overworlders arena appearing once more.

"What is it now, mother?" he asked with a long-suffering sigh. "What was caught your attention this time? The match is already concluded. There is nothing left…to see…"

He groaned as the imp zoomed in. Zoomed in away from the center of the arena and towards that structure in the middle.

"Mother. No."

"Mother, yes~!" the woman said with a perverted giggle and with a flash of power the imp was replaced and what was balancing on his armrest was now a voluptuous tall green-eyed green-haired woman in a form fitting and quite revealing purple dress.

The grown imp fully focused on the blonde…being that apparently had some sort of master-student relationship with Zero.

"Mother, he's human," he tried again. For even if he didn't know the overworlder. And despite his seeming strength. His mother's interest…well, he didn't fancy the man's chances.

But her only answer came in the form of depraved giggles and so, he reached out with his own arm and, making a fist, shattered the spell.

Causing the woman to glare and pout at him.

"Why you do that, Trefor? I wasn't finished admiri—observing. Why, such disrespect towards your poor old mom…" a bloodthirsty grin spread across the voluptuous woman's lips and pressure radiated from her form, enough that his loyal knights below struggled to stand "Why, I should take you over my knee and—"

His own power rose like an erupting volcano, smashing into the imp's, causing her to flinch and recoil back while his power shielded his praetorians.

"You are welcome to try, if you so wish, mother. But you won't find it as easy as you remember," he growled and with a huff, the woman crossed her arms and stared away.

"Spoilsport."

Ignoring her pout, he sighed and leaned back on his throne.

Just another day in his life…

Perhaps…perhaps it wouldn't be that bad of an idea to let her go ahead and court that blood-knight. They do seem similar after all, and he's probably strong enough to…survive.

The thoughts were shameful, yes. But having to constantly deal with the imp while also juggling the responsibilities of his kingdom…

Even his patience had limits!

Doing his best to appear calm, he let out what he imagined a fearsome grunt was supposed to sound like, cracking his neck left and right, stretching his arms one at a time, and surreptitiously also checking around him.

But none was staring at him. Or rather, nobody was staring at him with anything but barely veiled apprehension.

So, where did that feeling of doom come from?

Hii! I feel like someone just walked over my grave! Hii!

"Idiot! Smoothbrain! Baaaaaka!"

Yuha frowned, only half paying attention to the words, his focus on his clenched right fist, he opened his hand, he closed it.

"Lout! No good… Are you ignoring me, Yuha?"

Eyes flying wide, he tore his gaze away from the limb, and towards the woman who was staring at the ground, fists shaking and murmuring to herself.

"And after I searched so hard to find all those words—I mean, 'hmf!'"

Stepping closer, his hands landed on Tatsumaki's shoulders and he pulled her in close, hugging her to his chest.

"Ah, no, I'm sorry. I wasn't ignoring you, Tatsumaki," he said, and even though the woman could not see it, shook his head, while flush against his body, the woman whimpered. "It's just…" he sighed, and patting the girl's head, he let go.

Tatsumaki only reluctantly doing the same with a tiny pout.

"Just what?" the woman asked with a cute huff, floating up to eye level, cheeks flushed as she crossed her arms.

Hehe just a bit higher. A touch of telekinesis disguised as a gust of wind and I'll be able to see her pantsu!

Tatsu's eyes narrowed, even if her face resembled a ripe tomato and she smacked his head.

"Idiot!"

Oops?

She huffed and closed her eyes.

"Tell me, what is it that has you so distracted?" the girl asked and floated up some more before landing on his shoulder.

Yuha's lips pulled into a frown.

"It's been two days since the tournament, yes?"

And two weeks and some change since I've made my debut.

"Yeah. What of it?"

"Well, given that neither you nor Fubuki have helped me train these past few days—"

"Cause my little brat of a sister is right! Judging by your foolish decisions, it's clear that you do need a break, Idiot!"

He shook his head.

Their opinions differed on that, but that wasn't the crux of the matter.

The sisters might have decided he needed a break or some-such, but that didn't mean Yuha couldn't train by his lonesome, meditation, heavy weights, katas and other such means were still available to him.

A frustrated sigh escaped his lips as he stared at his arm again.

"Yuha…what's wrong, h-honey?"

It was a good thing he was standing and not walking, for Tatsumaki's words would've likely resulted in him stumbling and falling on his ass.

Still, his heart beat quite a bit faster as he flashed a brilliant smile Tatsumaki's way.

"N-nothing, h-honey," he replied, and if the way his g-girlfriend's telekinetic grip on his shoulder tightened, it was a good thing she wasn't floating freely either.

"But…"

"But?"

He made a fist and thought about how to put it.

"I've grown stronger."

The woman huffed, and he was pretty sure, rolled her eyes.

"Is that it? Of course you have. After all, you've been receiving training from me and the brat both, Idiot!"

He did not reply.

But his thoughts were a different matter.

No. You don't understand… He stared at his vi's reading, projected in his vision. In two days, without gravity training and given the tiny injuries I suffered? That, coupled with my own unassisted training…how the hell did I jump ten whole points?

The vi's reading remained the same, powerlevel: 60.

How…

'Thump! Voomp!'

"Stop twitching."

By her side, Lily whined.

"But I can't! It feels…It feels tingly!"

Fubuki resisted the urge to sigh, opting instead to keep her eyes in front of her as they flew through the air, speeding towards Z-city.

Or rather, as she flew and carried Lily along with her, enveloping the younger girl in a field of green energy.

For the night after Yuha's match, they'd visited him to celebrate his victory…as well as berate him for his stupid decision.

But mostly to celebrate, and even the gremlin had been tolerable for once.

Still, as the night winded down, she remembered how Yuha had been worried and how he, by the end, had all been but lost in his own world. And how it had taken her and the gremlin's joined efforts to break him out of his fugue.

"What's wrong, Idiot?" Tatsumaki asked, after with a silent nod and a brief mental conversation, they'd taken turns snogging their Idiot.

Yuha sighed and glanced at her sister.

"It's nothing, I was merely pondering the frequency with which strong enemies appear and the danger you girls are in."

"Hmf! We're heroes, Yuha. Danger is part of the job, or do you take us for some delicate flowers that need protection?"

"I can't believe it, but I agree with my sister."

"No, nothing of the sort," the man said, shaking his head. "Of course, even if it's stupid from my part, given the chance I'll strive to protect you, but no, that's not my problem."

"Then what is it?" she asked, leaning a bit across the low table, staring deep into his eyes.

…and not having to feel shame for being so emotional as she did, for Bang and his disciple had the good grace to move to another room a few minutes earlier.

"I'm…" she bit her tongue and steeled her will. "I'm not the most experienced in all this." And wasn't that an understatement? "But we're supposed to support and help one another, are we not?"

"What mistress said!"

Yuha sighed and curiously, his gaze alternated between her and Lily, the man, in a rare display of worry, gnawing on his lip.

"Ah." Her sister said, and Fubuki almost reeled back, for Tatsumaki's eyes were wide with worry as well as she stared at them. "I think I get what this is about now."

Yuha inclined his head.

"You're probably right, Tatsumaki," he mumbled and focused back on them, taking a deep breath as he did before gazing at them with intense eyes.

"Fubuki. Lily."

"Y-yes?"

"Eep?"

"As I did for Tatsumaki some days prior, I have an offer for you girls, as well," he raised an arm, and clearly to emphasize his point, a scarlet aura blazed around him for an instant at the same time as a tiny glowing orb appeared hovering over his open palm. "My power. My 'Ki', is not unique to me. Or rather, Ki is not unique. I can…'unlock' I suppose is the correct word, yours, if you so desire it."

The aura around him faded as did the orb, and before a wide eyed Lily could shout in the affirmative, he held up his palm.

"But, there are risks. And so, much as I would like for you to be stronger, I must tell you of them first…"

And so he had.

And so they'd decided.

Yuha had been right to warn them.

Spying Z-city far ahead, she focused and her new power rose at her call.

It was easy, and similar enough to her esper powers. The esper powers that, she could tell, flowed far easier now.

But the price…

She glanced at the still squirming Lily.

The moment Yuha reached deep within her, Fubuki felt as if she'd gone a few rounds with Superalloy while Lily…well, it was a good thing Tatsumaki had been there and at Yuha's urging had reinforced the young girl before he'd done whatever it is he did.

Fubuki never wanted to hear her scream like that again. Still, by the next day, she was mostly fine.

And today…

"Lily. Stop squirming," she growled.

"B-but, mistress!" the girl whined, turning imploring eyes towards her. "I can't help it! Yuha will get married to that skunk of a redhead, and the woman's daughter is also making doe eyes towards the oblivious doofus! The competition grows!"

Fubuki sighed and smiled, shaking her head. Yeah. Lily was back to full health. Still, the young woman's worried squirming was annoying. And telling her, again, that the marriage was ceremonial, wouldn't help matters. After all, she'd tried that before.

But yes, Yuha was a fool for deciding something so big on a whim, but even so…

More fool I for deciding to bring her along as I test my improved powers…

"Why? Why is everyone bigger than me? Do I need even more milk? Or should—"

"Lily…" but her growl did not stop the girl.

Fubuki sighed.

Yuha, out of boredom more than anything else, once again brought up his smart-phone and checked the e-mail from the association, ignoring the notifications from the company, for he'd set it up so that truly critical notifications would all but take over his screen in times when he was out of danger. Like say, now.

So, given the fact that nothing took over his screen, demanding his attention, the little notifications up top, and wow the number had kept growing, were no doubt of little importance.

No doubt, advertisements for new waifus or powers or some such.

All of things he cared little about. Nor did he have the coin for.

So, he once again checked his e-mail as he strode through the streets of Z-city.

Making sure to stop and smile when passerbys demanded his attention, smiling, shaking their hand, giving them an autograph, posing for a picture, that sort of stuff.

But beyond that…

He was wondering aimlessly, and he wasn't sure why.

The e-mail hadn't changed.

It proclaimed him to be the number five A-rank hero.

He sighed and put his phone away, the item dematerializing back to…wherever it is, it went.

Coming to a stop before an intersection, and waiting for the pedestrian light to turn white, he smiled and waved at a pair of pointing girls before crossing the road at the pedestrian crossing.

Even though his smile remained outwardly in place. Inside, he couldn't help but be confused.

For now that his power had grown, he could hear even in his base state the faint nudgings and pleadings coming from deep within, the same nudgings that helped him save Kisha and, hopefully, make the right choice in agreeing to become King consort.

Where are you leading me? What are you trying to tell me?

He wondered.

Yuha could easily ignore them, but, so far, they hadn't steered him wrong, and if his suspicion as to what they were was correct.

Well…

Still, it'd be nice if they were more clear.

For after Tatsumaki left a couple hours prior and just before he could get back to training, they started blaring in his head.

This better be worth it. He grumbled and tried to follow the faint signals, walking for a few minutes more before coming into a wide open plaza near the middle of Z-city.

A confused frown on his face as he strode near the middle, stretching his growing Ki-sense, even powering up to, the mostly invisible, kaio-ken stage five to further boost himself and yet…

Nothing.

Zilch.

Nada.

He could sense nothing. No strong monster approaching, or anything of the sort.

At least, nothing nearby, faint hints of…somethings could be felt coming from beyond the bounds of the city.

But as for within the city itself.

Nothing.

Strained smile in place, he spun around and prepared to walk away.

Of all the useless, time wasting—

But then a terrified female scream made his neck snap to the left, towards a terrified civilian that seemed to be in no immediate danger, and yet was pointing at the sky.

The rapidly darkening sky.

Odd. The forecast said the skies would be clear todaaay—ah crap.

For following the woman's gaze, his eyes fell on a humongous meteor, rapidly descending towards Z-city.

"Yuha!"

"Yuha!"

His eyes fell on a familiar pair of girls, closing in on him.

Fubuki wanted to cry.

For just as they'd arrived, just as they'd found their boyfriend…

She whimpered as the colossal meteor continued to descend.

There was no stopping it. She wasn't Tatsumaki, and even if her power flowed freely and she could tell could grow well beyond what Fubuki had thought possible but a few days prior…

It was cold comfort now that death descended.

No! It's unfair! Why now! Why just after I finally started to get ahead in life and I finally found a b-b-boyfriend?!

Her eyes fell on the wide-eyed man, and her heart blazed.

Raising her hands, gritting her teeth, she prepared to give it her all, no matter how futile it might be.

And, if the worst came to pass? Then she'd at least be able to shield Yuha and Lily, even if it killed her.

"M-mistress…"

Yes, this was her only choice and so—

"Kaaaa—"

"Eep"

Ignoring Lily's panicked squeak, Fubuki barely managed to keep them floating, for the wave of rapidly growing power that slammed into her, all but caused her to lose her focus.

"Meee—"

Turning wide eyes back to her boyfriend she could but stare, as the man's muscles had once again swollen, and he was glaring at the meteor above them, his eyes cupped by his sides and a brilliant white-bluish orb of power contained between them.

"Haaaa—"

A power that rapidly grew to eclipse even the man's own terrifying strength, which Fubuki could only now sense with her new power, this 'Ki' and the wondrous abilities it seemingly conferred.

"L-look! It's Zero! We-we're saved!"

The crowd cheered.

"Meee—"

And Fubuki swallowed, paling slightly.

What strength…

"HAAAAAA!"

With a thunderous roar, one in which Fubuki could swear she could also hear a scary creature in. A flash of pure white, a tremendous conical beam of energy shot forth as Yuha raised his arms, the beam spreading wide.

Wide enough to capture the whole of the descending meteor and, after a few seconds, where Yuha seemingly grew taller, it ended.

The man letting his hands fall by his sides as sunlight streamed down again and the surrounding crowd cheered.

Fubuki blinked. Oh. I fell down… well, that explained it.

"Fear not brave citizens, for I am here!" her Idiot said, smiling and giving a thumps up to the surrounding people.

"Yuha, you dummy…" Lily said, and jumping to her feet, dusting the rear of her dress with one hand, they walked towards him.

Tatsumaki's eyebrow twitched as she stared at the trio of cretins sitting around the table. Their expressions contrite.

She massaged her nose.

"Can't I leave you three idiots alone and out of my sight. For five minutes?!"

For those wanting a clearer mental image, Trefor's mom looks like Fire Emblem's Sothis.

And being the troll she is, delights in switching between her loli and full grown form, much to Trefor's consternation...