Cid was bored.

After all Shades assembled, they wasted no time in preparing for a quick journey. What they did waste time in, however, was choosing a place for their training.

Delta shouted that there's nothing better than having a good hunt in the forest, completely missing the point that it was supposed to be their magical abilities' test. Zeta quickly chided her on that but noted that she would not mind if the place was closer to some kind of lake, or sea; Cid would bet one zeni that it was her cat nature speaking.

Gamma whined that it would be the best for them to stay near Alexandria, that one city that Mist Dragon guarded; apparently it has now become a literal city where they keep all the former Possessed until they relocate them to their new homes; really nice of them! And Eta agreed because her main laboratory is actually located there, too.

He also finally got to see Epsilon and Beta, and oh boy he wasn't ready for the view. Beta after all the passing years grew up. No, let him rephrase: she was tall. And busty. And she was still the same age as he is, meaning she could grow even more in following years. Epsilon was an even more bizarre picture. Her breasts were slightly bigger than Beta's, and she was a couple centimeters taller. Her curves were also more… accentuated.

However, everything he said about Epsilon was slime. No, really, her breasts, her curves, even her height was made out of slime! He once said that with her magic talent she could even conquer the nature itself should she find the right tools, and that's what she decided to do? But it looks like he was the only who noticed the fake, since Beta eyed Epsilon's features with obvious envy. Better not say anything, then, let them find it out themselves.

Oh, he didn't say which place they wanted to go? Well, that's because the whole time they were together they spent bickering about who's more worthy of being in his, Shadow's, presence. Epsilon argued that she received private lessons in music and magic, even going as far as mentioning that in training they wanted to go on she was invited by him personally, while Beta was only invited out of kindness. Beta retorted it with the fact that she received personal education in ways of literature and language as well as deciphering, allowing her to become a valuable asset of Shadow Garden (damn, they still went with roleplay?), however agreed that current training was mostly reserved for Eta and Epsilon.

Also they were squishing their boobs against his hands from each side, because of course they should do that, that's one of the most common harem tropes after all! Two busty heroines jealous of each other trap the Harem Protagonist right in-between and slowly come from bickering with each other to teasing atomically blushing hero together!

Well, now that he mentions it, one was actually not that busty on the inside, but well…

"Oh? Is Lord Shadow interested in me?" Epsilon noticed him staring at her (slime) boobs, "Well, that's to be expected," she smugly puffed her chest.

"M-m-m, not bad, Epsilon, you have indeed conquered nature," Epsilon slowly blinked and then Realization hit her as she slowly fell into chair, "Stand proud, Epsilon. You are strong."

"What… is this…?" and now she's sulking. Hello, he was giving compliments here? Why are you sad?

"Epsilon? Are you alright?" Beta is such a kind girl, worrying for someone she was bickering with not so long ago.

"…Get away, breast demon…" Epsilon blankly stared at Beta's huge, soft, perky, gravity-defying breasts.

"You're no smaller than me, though?" Beta frowned and came closer, practically pushing her curves into Epsilon's face.

Epsilon started shaking as she continuously stared at the natural mountains taking up her entire view.

"Master Shadow, what exactly did you mean by… conquering nature?"Alpha incredulously asked as actually petite elf awoke from her stupor and sent him a pleading gaze. Well, in that case…

"Nothing that much important, actually, but if she wants to, she can tell you," he casually answered.

"Epsilon, that would not put you in danger, right?" Alpha frowned at her.

"No, it would not…" Epsilon shook her head, accidentally hitting Beta's boobs, making the latter scream in surprise.

"Alright, that's enough," Alpha showed that she's alpha by forcing everyone to calm down, "Shadow-sama, as Assistant Leader of Shadow Garden I must notice that Eta and Gamma's suggestion sounds the most reasonable."

"That's indeed a sound decision," he nodded. 'If their words are to be true, Alexandria is packed to the brim with their newest inventions, which would make magic research way easier for me, but on the other hand…' "However, I actually wanted for you all to go to our first hideout with to relive our precious memories."

It took but a moment for them to process his words as they squealed in delight and piled up on him.

'At least it's soft…' he mused to himself as he felt Beta's breasts smothering his face.

"Alright, we are here," their Lord smiled as he looked at somewhat rusty hut.

Fond memories filled Beta's mind as she lovingly stared at the boy in front of her. In a moment of inspiration she took out her notepad with pen and…

'Magnificent Lord led his beloved subordinates back to that place. As he slowly halted his step, he longingly looked at the old building that once served as a shelter for lost young girls that had no knowledge of the future that awaited them…' she wrote passionately.

"Well, get inside," Shadow chuckled, "it's been so long… I kinda miss these simpler times…"

'As he reminisced about their first days together, he gently touched the old creaking door and pushed in. A dusty, webbed interior revealed itself. Silver-haired elf's gaze shifted to the old bed; once pristine white like shining moon, it has now turned dull gray like rainy autumn day…' Beta's pen came to a halt.

"Damn, this place sure saw better days," their Lord noted, "then our first day will be clearing this place up and then getting all together and sharing our stories, I think. We can train later."

'Lord Shadow sadly smiled at the state of their old home. However, his spirit remained indomitable. He ordered his beloved subordinates to get ready as he himself stepped into the building. And it answered back; as his mere presence fills people up with hope, so did the old building lit up, awakening from its slumber…' she wrote more.

"Delta, Zeta, I think it would be the best if you got us something to eat, be it meat or vegetables," were his first orders.

"I got it, Bossman!" wolf-kin immediately ran into the forest.

"Our Lord's will shall be done," feline-kin bowed seriously and disappeared from their sight.

'As their Leader gave his first orders, loyal servants happily obliged with the task. Wolf bragged she would bring the biggest boar she would find while feline noted that an exquisite fish lived in these places. What was so exquisite about that fish, you may ask, dear Reader? Oh, that was the first fish cat ever caught together with her Master…' Beta's eyes shined.

"Gamma, Eta, please re-count our supplies. We should have prepared enough, but it's still won't hurt."

'The business tycoon seriously nodded upon receiving a simple task of counting supplies, seemingly unaffected by the fact that conditions of old building were incomparable to that of a grand palace she built for her Master. Scientist jolted awake upon hearing Lord's command, slowly floating to the bag and inspecting its contents with interest unmatched by even her will to research,' writer got fired up.

"Beta, Epsilon, you are to prepare food. Please give it your best shot," he turned to them.

"Ah, my Lord, you shall not be disappointed!" Epsilon fist-bumped.

"M-m-m! We will do our best!" Beta happily nodded and quickly wrote one last part before preparing the ingredients:

'As silver-haired elf received her order, she could not be more happier. After all, what princess does not wish for her beloved knight's happiness? And what's better way to bring that happiness than to surround him with love and warmth?'

"And we, Alpha, will start cleaning all this up…"

'As the night befallen upon them, they all found themselves sitting in now cleared up building. Wolf proudly stared at the boar's grilled meat, as if saying "I hunted it!" Feline carefully picked up the cooked fish and evenly split it up among everyone. Blue-haired elf took out her freshly baked cookies, however upon seeing tycoon trying to get them jokingly shook her finger. Silver-haired princess gave the last touch to her dish and placed it in front of everyone, allowing her lord to get the first taste…'

Beta kept recording their first day.

'As everyone had their fill, princess' golder-haired friend clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. She came up with a simple game: they would sit in a circle, place a stick in the middle, and someone would spin it. Once stick stops pointing at someone, the one who spun it has to give a kiss to the one who got pointed at. It might be a quick peck on the lips, it might be the most intimate experience to ever receive…'

Silver-haired writer blushed to her elf ears as her chest felt warm.

'Of course, some results were more desirable than the others. Each and every comrade of Lord wished nothing more than to receive even a speck of his attention. On the other hand, Wolf and Feline were reacting to each other like… dog and cat…'

She barely contained her giggle.

'In the end, princess finally got what she was wishing for. In a twist of fate, the stick she spun pointed at her beloved Knight. Unable to contain her happiness, she jumped into his strong embrace and pulled him into the most passionate kiss…'

Elf gently touched her lips, as if to reminisce the most wonderful taste in the world.

'As they retracted, she longingly looked into his eyes and placed her head on his firm chest, closing her eyes and allowing his trained yet surprisingly gentle hand to ruffle her soft hair. Princess listened to her Knight's calm heartbeat, knowing that she was the most safe in his hands…'

She looked to the side to see Lord Shadow sleeping peacefully.

'Yet even Knight has to rest. As he succumbed to his dreams, Princess carefully placed him comfortably in her own embrace and gave him a peck on the head. She blushed at her own boldness and lovingly stared at his sleeping visage. Of course, he thought that her kiss was merely result of a game. She waited for a day when she would confess herself properly to him, and that day would surely come soon…'

Beta closed her notebook. After a moment of consideration, she placed it in her bag, After all, its usual place had a better use today…

Blushing elf gently placed her Lord's head in her cleavage. After a moment of struggle, he relaxed and deeply inhaled, as if to feel the soft flesh properly, not realizing how much it tickled the poor maiden. As Beta blinked her heavy eyelids, she softly smiled. Ah, how she wishes this moment would last forever…