There's not much things going on in group chapter.

They all just have wholesome time and we move on to the plot.

Cid studied the strange souls.

What's so strange about them? Well, the fact that they had something attached to them.

He is not joking, there was something strange on these fives souls. He is no expert, but all previous ones he got their hands on (aka Knights of the Rounds) were somewhat balanced. Like, yes, they were not that strong and couldn't hold that much energy, but they actually were able to use that energy.

These five, however, completely relied on… Some strange thing that was strapped to them. And when he says "strapped", he means it: this… thing had something like… connectors slash drills that made holes in the soul layers and inserted itself into the soul… Kinda hard to explain, especially with having close to zero experience in this, but that's how he felt it.

And souls themselves were great! Large, brimming with energy! And all of that was completely destroyed because of that thing. They were absolutely unable to use their own energy unless it was done through it.

And that's strange.

What's even more strange, however, is the way how these souls got into his Pylon System. Yeah, after fight with Serpent his Pylons somewhat evolved and now could store the souls (which he immediately did with Knights' souls), but… Shouldn't he get them first? Y'know, get his hands on them so he could store them?

And what's absolutely bizarre is the feminine voice asking for his help, mere minutes before he felt the souls. His agreement did not change anything in his body, but now that he looks into Pylon System… Yes, indeed, for these few minutes the Faith energy was flowing somewhere else. So, he can actually redirect the Faith he gets and allow someone else to use it…

Damn, now he can actually play the role of a deity! You know, before that he only could sit on the throne in a cool way and sometimes grant heals, but now? When he can grant powers just by willing it? That opens perspectives!…

"Master Shadow, we are ready," a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.

He blinked and focused on the figure in front of him.

"Oh, Alpha," he nodded.

Hmm, seems like the time has come. The time to give the reward to all of them at once.

"Master Shadow, please follow me."

"Sure."

"Lord Shadow would definitely like to spend time with me more!" a silver-haired elf with a mole under her eye placed her hands on her hips.

"Hoh? I think he would be more interested in someone more… mature," cyan-haired elf with pigtails smirked at her opponent… wait, she seems a bit shorter- oh, she just removed these outrageous heels of hers she made the first time.

"Delta thinks you are stupid," dog-girl made her comment, "Bossman said he will take us all together, so why fight?"

"I agree with dog, "cat-girl's ear twitched, "and that should say something."

"I… prepared the machines…" sleepy brown-haired elf blinked at the scene.

"No, Eta, your 'semen extraction device' will not be used," the most mature-looking woman sternly pressed.

"Bummer…"

That was the sight Cid was met with once he stepped into the room. Needless to say… he expected something more organized, not this chaotic atmosphere.

"Everyone," Alpha turned the attention to herself, "Master Shadow is here. Behave yourselves-"

"Bossman!"

"Lord Shadow!"

"M-m-m…"

She was quickly interrupted by other Shades that decided that getting to him first was the most serious task in existence.

"My Lord! Tell that writer that whatever fantasies she writes on paper have no correlation to reality!"

"What?! Lord Shadow agreed to play everything out just as I wished! You just were too cowardly to do it!"

"M-m-m… so noisy…" Eta frowned and closed her ears.

"Bossman, I think it's about time we finally make babies!…"

Cid massaged his temples. He already could feel the incoming headache. When he was taking them one by one, everything was alright as he could just cater to their wishes, but now, when each and every one of them had opposite views on how their time should go?…

You know what? He is not dealing with that.

"…My Lord, should I-"

"Now will you cut it out?"

Both Beta and Epsilon turned to him, shocked.

"You were supposed to live in harmony with each other, not be at each other's throats," Cid tiredly looked at rival elves.

Both of them only glanced at each other in shame.

"Please, don't forget that you are one family," he sighed at their antics, "I understand that this was nothing more but a banter, but considering that it was supposed to be our bonding time together…"

"Um, sorry, Lord Shadow…" Beta closed her eyes for a moment and nodded with serious expression, "I am sorry, Epsilon, for making such a scene."

"Y-Yeah, I am sorry for causing that, too…" Epsilon shamefully looked to the side.

Cid sighed.

"Damn, you carried that over since childhood, now didn't you…"

"Excuse me, Master Shadow," Alpha interjected, "But they only behave like this when in our circle. On missions they are absolutely serious and will not endanger it over their banter."

"Oh, really?" he blinked.

"Yes, Master Shadow. It's all just a friendly banter."

Cid turned around to look at the two.

"I might have gone a bit overboard, but that's really how we usually talk with each other…" Beta sheepishly smiled.

"Yes, my Lord, you could say it's our morning routine, ha-ha…"

"Oh, sorry, then, for interjecting," damn, what a mistake from his side. Not cool, Cid, not cool.

"Don't worry about it, my Lord! Actually, it's rather heartwarming to know that you care about us so much that you're willing to chide us in worry that we are not getting along, he-he!" Beta beamed.

Epsilon only nodded fervently.

"Alright, then…" he sighed.

"Right, Master Shadow," Alpha collected herself, "Obviously, we have different opinions on how to proceed with our time together. So, I propose this: you, Master Shadow, decide what to do."

"Me?" he blinked at her.

"Indeed," blonde elf nodded seriously, "I think it would be for the best to let Shadow lead his Shades."

Everyone else though about it for a moment and nodded.

"Well, if you say so…" he went in thought.

You know, he was kinda tired of being in bed each time. Sure, it was a good time, but when it's done each few hours, it's slowly getting bland! He would rather use that time to either practice his Eminence style or research magic… Or spend time with girls, just in another way!

Hmm… Actually, why not? They all had their share of lewd things, why not just sit and drink some nice tea accompanied by yummy sweets?

That's exactly what he told to Shades. They thought over it for a moment and admitted that, indeed, they all have too different of an opinion on what is perfect intimate moment, but a lunch together? Yeah, that one is great!

And so they sat together in the conference room… Yes, that one where a beautiful chair that probably costs more than everything else in that same room combined was. And yes, they said that this chair was his by right.

Yeah, that was kinda relaxing. Just sipping tea and eating sweets… Perfect. In the meantime, he can think of what he should do next… Hmm, these strange soul attachments, spatial abilities, apparent ability to grant power, hmm… So much to do…

Hold up, he just remembered something!

"Say, Gamma, there's gonna be a Bushin Festival in few days, right?"

"Indeed, Lord Shadow; Bushin Festival is to be held in two days," businesswoman nodded seriously.

"You don't happen to have a list of current participants on hand?" he inquired. That one should be there, right?

"Umm… No, Lord Shadow, but I can call Nu for that," Gamma somewhat saddened.

"It's fine, you did not expect our time to turn like this, so I am not angry. But yeah, please do call Nu for that," he leaned back in his chair and sipped tea.

Gamma livened up and smiled at him.

"May I inquire why would you need a list of participant for Bushin Festival, Master Shadow?" Alpha leaned in.

"Oh, I just heard that people like to go there to check out their abilities, so I want to see if there's someone with potential."

"Understood," Alpha nodded seriously.

"Forgive me for interruption, Lord, Ladies," Nu came in and bowed.

"I have called you, so you did not interrupt anything. Show it," Cid immediately went into Shadow mode.

"Understood," Nu took out the paper, "List of participants, from 30 minutes ago."

He skimmed through the list until he found the one he was looking for.

'Annerose Nichtsehen, former member of Velgalta's Seven Blades, Named Number's level of power… Possibly higher…'

There she is! The third heroine! She actually participates in tournament just like he expected!

He smiled.

"Gamma, once we are finished, I have a task for you…"

Annerose was standing in front of arena's entrance.

She was monitoring to make sure no one that was not ready for the tournament participated in it. Because if they did, they would surely suffer from injuries. Moreover, the mockery from other participants could surely ruin all their dreams in pursuing the sword, and what if one of them could become a powerful warrior in the future? She does not want to crush a delicate seedling!

So yes, she was monitoring the entrance to make sure no one not ready enough signed in. She already turned away some young children — and those are usually the targets of other participants! — that wanted to get in to play heroes. When they grow up, they can participate! It's too dangerous as of now!

Yeah, these ones are good… This one looks bulky, maybe can… This one is barely walking with a dead man's face, she will let- Hold up!

"Hey, you! Stop right there!" she walked in front of slow walking black-haired middle aged man with bags under the eyes.

"Me?…" he placed hands on his chest as he hunched over; his voice was hoarse as if he did not have a gulp of water in days.

"Yes, you! Clearly, you are on your last legs, yet you still wish to participate! What about your health?!"

"…Oh," he looked over her, "Appreciate the concern, lady…"

"Annerose!" he really didn't recognize her?

"Lady Annerose, I still wish to participate."

"Ugh!" Annerose clutched her head in frustration.

"Understand your worries, but I am more than ready to participate," man pressed, seeing her state.

"Fine! Go sign yourself in! You are clearly not a child, so do it!" she sighed and went out of the way. "Just don't say I didn't warn you!"

He looked at her once more and chuckled.

"What? Something's funny?!"

"Nothing, just thought you have a good heart."

"Ah…" she lost any wish to continue bantering, "Uh, yeah, thank you."

He chuckled again.

"Just a bit of advice, though! If you see that you can't fight back, just give up! No need to get injured because of ephemeral glory!"

"M-m-m, thank you. I'll give an advice, too…"

As strange man passed near her, he straightened up and looked her in the eyes as his gaze turned unexpectedly firm.

"Do not underestimate your opponents."

Annerose's eyes widened, but before she could ask, he was already limping towards the entry point.

She placed her hand on her chest, feeling the fast-beating heart.

"So, when is he going back, again?…" Alexia inquired innocently.

Claire cursed her brother once more.

If you need to get away from academy on your world-saving deals, at least make sure you have a good enough reason, you idiot! It was five days!

Yeah, that's pretty much it.

Now we can move on to the plot.

And Cid forgot about academy, his mob persona is so ruined.