A few days after Tenka and the Nibelcoles invaded Earth, before Shido's date with Kurumi.

"Shin, there's something I want to discuss with you."

With those words, Mio called Shido to her office so that they could have a private talk while everyone else was training.

"I've already decided what the next mission of the Spirit Team will be."

Mio explained to Shido how she wants to learn more about what they're dealing with, and to do that, she plans to have the Spirit Team spend a week in the Neighboring World, trying to gather all sorts of data.

But that mission will only take place in about a month. Before that, she intends to have Shido learn a few things.

"But why wait so long?"

That was the one thing Shido didn't understand.

He understood he had much to learn, both in terms of combat as well as a captain. For instance, he knows that, while rare, there are a few missions that see the NWET members stay a few days in the Neighboring World, and he has heard that those are more difficult than they first appear. Given the similarity of that to what Mio wants them to do, he figured he should probably try to learn a bit.

But even so, waiting a full month seems a little slow.

"I have my reasons. One of those is because there's a team going on a long-lasting mission next week, and I'd like Shin to join them. Girls don't like an inexperienced man after all."

Shido felt there was some double meaning to what Mio was saying, but he decided to not comment on it. He understood what she meant, as the leader, it would be best for him to have some experience before the real mission. Mio seemed a little disappointed, but continued.

"The rest has to do with the Spirit CR-Units. First, obviously, I'd like for more girls to get theirs, so do your best on your date with Kurumi. Second, I'd like to see if I can find someone for the Tiphereth CR-Unit. And lastly, this period when Shin will be away will also serve as an experiment."

"I see… wait, hold up. There's a spare Spirit CR-Unit? And what kind of experiment is that?"

Shido asked about the two points that confused him.

"It's not that there's a spare Spirit CR-Unit, it's just that I haven't found anyone compatible with that Sephira. Well, that's not entirely true, but the woman I found said she didn't want to join, so I have to look for someone else. Oh, and what probably caused your confusion was Kaguya and Yuzuru, right? They're compatible with the same Sephira, so when their time comes I plan to do a little experiment to see what will happen to a Sephira that is divided between multiple people."

Shido felt that he understood, although there were still things he wanted to ask. For instance, who was this woman who refused Mio? She wouldn't tell. What she did tell him was that, if she noticed any significant drop when doing the experiment she mentioned with Kaguya and Yuruzu's Sephira, she'll simply make a new Sephira for them.

Shido thought that that only brought up more questions, like, can she just make Sephiras? But he sensed Mio wasn't planning to answer him, so he didn't even ask and instead told his mother to proceed to the next point.

"As for the experiment… well, it's just to check the effects of Shin's ability. We know how Shin can use it, but we have to check for any possible side-effects, for example, what if the person is forced to stop after a long period of usage? One side-effect is already known, but we need to investigate for possible others."

"Wait, there's already a known side-effect?!"

Shido felt his heart get a little tighter. He had been thinking of his ability as something convenient and enjoyable so far, but what if he was somehow harming the girls without knowing it?

If that was a side-effect, then should he stop using his ability? But the Spirit CR-Units are clearly needed, the appearance of the Demon Kings made that clear. Yet, he can't simply discard the girls as if they were nothing.

"Hm, from the panic on your face, I probably expressed myself poorly. There is a known side-effect, or better put a consequence, of using Shin's ability, but nothing harmful has been confirmed yet. I honestly don't think there will be any bad side-effects, and in fact I'm hoping we might find something good, like a permanent compatibility increase or something."

"I-I see. Then what is this consequence you talked about?"

"Isn't it obvious? Sexual addiction. You can't possibly think you and the girls will be doing all these perverted things every day and not get addicted to it. But, like I said, hardly a negative thing."

Relief was the first thing Shido felt, then he felt a bit of anger. It didn't seem like it was her intention, but Mio ended up tricking Shido in a way that really wasn't good for his heart, and it made him wish he could get a bit of revenge.

Well, he soon let go of that feeling. While he did understand what Mio was saying, and he certainly couldn't deny that, even after just a few days, he and the girls were already showing some signs of addiction, he wished she'd have thought about her wording choice more.

Shido returned to his training after that. The day after, Mio had Ellen introduce Shido to the captain of the team he would be working with next week. Shido was told the various things he'd have to prepare, and so he got to work.

A week later, after Shido's date with Kurumi.

It was finally time for Shido to go on a long-lasting mission in the Neighboring World so that he'd be better prepared when it was time for the Spirit Team's mission.

Of course, he did say farewell to the Spirit Team girls before he left. Incidentally, before he left, he was told to use his ability on Tohka and Origami one more time, and that somehow turned into a competition of whose kiss Shido liked best.

Also, although Kurumi had cleared the conditions to get her Spirit CR-Unit, Mio said she would be acting as a control for the experiment, so she wasn't given her unit nor was she allowed to have Shido use his ability on her before he left. Kurumi seemed displeased, but Mio promised she would be compensated later, and for some reason that made Shido scared.

"Anyway, I guess it's time to go."

"Yup. Let's get going."

Mildred was going along with Shido. Being the Spirit Team's only mechanic, outside of Karen, she would be going on this mission for the same reason as Shido. Of course, she'd also be accompanying them on the actual mission. Even the mechanics have to get involved in these kinds of missions.

And so they both left the new part of the headquarters building and moved to the normal part, where everyone else, who didn't know about the Spirit Team, was. It was funny to think that this was the part of the building Shido had been the least in, despite it being the biggest.

After walking for a while, Shido and Mildred eventually saw the person they were looking for.

"Hey, captain."

"Mily, I'm not your captain anymore, you know."

The captain of the team Shido and Mildred would be temporarily working with was Ryouko Kusakabe. She was Mildred and Origami's former captain before they were moved to the Spirit Team, and, while the person herself might not know it, Mio liked her, which was another reason why she was chosen.

Ryouko was a beautiful adult woman, probably about 10 years older than Shido. Both her eyes and hair are black in color, and she keeps her hair tied in a ponytail. She has been with the NWET since she was a teenager, so she has amassed quite an impressive record.

"Hello again, Ryouko."

"Ah, nice to work with you, Shido."

Shido offered his hand in a handshake and Ryouko took it. By the way, when they first met, Ryouko seemed a bit worried she'd have to babysit the boss' child or something like that, but, as she and Shido talked, she seems to have gotten more used to him.

Well, her hand was still slightly shaking, so she was probably still a bit stiff. Still, Shido was hoping that, by the end of this mission, they'd be good friends.

"Come on, let me introduce you two to the rest of the team."

"Oh, even me?"

"Yeah, we got a new member after Origami was moved."

Ryouko guided Shido and Mildred to where the rest of her team was waiting.

The three girls that were already there, looked in their direction once Ryouko, Shido and Mildred entered the waiting room. Ryouko then started introducing them.

The first was Hinako Shiizaki. She was a girl who didn't look much older than Shido, although she was apparently already an adult. She had long black hair and, for some reason, Shido felt a somewhat strange and creepy atmosphere from her.

"Um, nice to meet you."

"Ah, nice to meet you as well. Ouch."

"Hehe, this could be useful."

For some reason, Hinako pulled out a strand of Shido's hair. Ryouko and Mildred called her off, but from what they said, it seems that this kind of thing had happened before.

Next was Kozue Minowa. She had short wavy brunette hair and gave off the air of a mature woman. But Ryouko told Shido and Mildred to avoid talking about relationships near her, since she had just gone through another marriage interview and failed to get anyone. Shido found the word "another" peculiar in that sentence and Mildred told him that this wasn't the first time this had happened.

"Now that I look at him, he looks pretty cute. And I'm sure he wouldn't make a bad husband."

"Huh?"

"Kozue, please control yourself. You know whose son he is, right?"

Ryouko called off Kozue. Yet, somehow, Shido felt like a prey being watched by a predator.

And the last member was Mikie Okamine. She was the youngest-looking member, and she actually was even younger than Shido. Her brown hair was tied in pigtails. She had actually just recently joined the NWET, and had joined this team due to Origami joining the Spirit Team.

"Wait, Okamine? Do you maybe know Tamae Okamine?"

"Yes. She's my cousin. Why?"

"Ah, no. It's a weird coincidence, but she's my homeroom teacher."

"Seriously?!"

It seemed that there was already this unusual connection between Shido and Mikie. Hopefully this meant they would be able to become good friends, or so Shido hoped, considering she was the most normal-looking person he had just been introduced to.

Ryouko then continued to introduce the rest of the team, namely the mechanics.

This is the normal squadron formation in the NWET. Around 3-5 combat members and a mechanic for each member or two. The Spirit Team is a big outlier.

"Well then, now that the introductions are all done, let's get changed and get going. We'll have plenty of time to talk during the mission."

With a clap of her hands, Ryouko finished the round of introductions and hurried everyone so that they could begin the mission.

Mildred and the other mechanics went to where the combat members would equip the CR-Units while Shido, Ryouko and the others went to change into their plugsuits.

Of course, that meant going into the changing room. Foreseeing some problems, Shido asked if he should wait or go first, but Ryouko didn't seem to understand what he meant and simply told him to get in with them.

But Shido soon understood why. The changing room was different from the one in the Spirit Team's section. It wasn't just a row of lockers and a bench, there were actual small cubicles where one could enter, pull a curtain, and get changed.

Shido understood why Mio didn't give them that, it was an attempt to create erotic situations for Shido to use his ability. Still, in his heart, he began to direct a lot of complaints to his mother.

In any case, there seemed to be no problem for now. The girls took their plugsuits from their lockers and Shido took his from his bag, and then they all entered a different cubicle to get changed.

It was only after Shido finished getting changed that he noticed things weren't as good as it seemed. After all, regardless of how he changed into them, his plugsuit was still extremely revealing.

"What's wrong, Shido?"

Maybe Shido was talking a little too long, Ryouko came to check on him. In all likelihood, Mikie, Hinako and Kozue were also just outside waiting for him.

"No, it's just… um, the plugsuit is kind of relieving…"

"... Ah, I guess you are a boy. It's nothing to worry about, really, just think of it like we're wearing swimsuits."

"No, that's not…"

It seemed that Ryouko misinterpreted Shido's concern. But he couldn't find the words to properly express himself, and even if he did, it's not like it'd change anything.

Shido took a deep breath and then stepped out. Naturally, everyone looked at him.

As described before, Shido's plugsuit isn't like a suit at all, and more like boxer briefs, or, in other words, underwear. Not only that, they were quite tight-fitting and, while not uncomfortable, they left little to the imagination in regards to his package.

Mikie's face got bright red as she saw Shido, Ryouko averted her eyes, but also blushed. Kozue and Hinako, however, were looking at him with nothing but surprise and a bit of excitement on their faces.

"T-this is, because my compatibility is so high, the plugsuit was made to get in the way as little as possible."

"I-I see. Yeah, that makes sense. And it'll probably be covered once you equip your CR-Unit, so it'll probably be fine."

Ryouko did her best to regain her composure and told everyone to hurry on to where they would equip their CR-Units. Per Ryouko's suggestion, Shido followed behind the girls.

On the way, he couldn't help but compare their plugsuits to the Spirit Team's girls'. Excluding the personalized ones, they were basically the same, only the Spirit Team's was smaller and thinner.

No matter how much Shido tried, he couldn't make out their nipples or cameltoes, when he very easily could with the Spirit Team. He remembered Mio said it was for the sake of lowering the compatibility needed for a Spirit CR-Unit, but it probably was also another means of helping Shido to use his ability.

In any case, they eventually arrived where the mechanics were and began to equip their CR-Units. Since people weren't supposed to know about the Spirit Team, Shido wouldn't be allowed to use Da'at, though he was taking it in its dog tag form in case an emergency occurred, which meant he'd have to use a normal CR-Unit.

Luckily, the one who came to help him was Mildred, so he felt a bit more at ease. Although they haven't talked much, they're both members of the Spirit Team, so she knows his situation and Shido considers her a friend.

"Wow, now that I look at it up close, it looks really big! It's kinda frightening."

That surprised comment from Mildred got rid of all the ease Shido felt, and even earned him a few stares from the girls around. She probably didn't mean anything bad by it, but it was still troubling for Shido.

Incidentally, the combat teams are essentially completely female due to men's low compatibility with the CR-Units. While there are more men in mechanic roles, it is still largely female dominated, since they also need to make use of Realizers sometimes. In Ryouko's squadron, like most squadrons, there were no men, meaning Shido was currently the only male around.

Still, Shido somehow managed to get through it all. Luckily, even the standard CR-Unit was able to provide him enough coverage that people could now directly look at him without getting embarrassed. Though there was no way to forget Mildred's previous comment.

"Alright, I see everyone's ready. Since we have some first timers here, I'll explain how we'll proceed with the transporting of our things and the mechanics."

In summary, what they would do was combine their territories into one to essentially erase the effect of gravity in an area and they would transport their stuff that way. The mechanics would fly along with them using a special attachment to their CR-Units. It wasn't exactly the most comfortable ride, but the other option was to go with the baggage, which was even less comfortable.

Obviously, no one was against this plan, so they all gathered their stuff in one place. In general, each person was taking a medium or large travel bag filled with what they think they would need, such as clothes and other things. The mechanics then began to put the attachments on the CR-Units. Mildred would be going with Shido.

"Looks like everything's ready. Everyone, deploy your Territories."

Hinako and Kozue immediately followed Ryouko's signal. Mikie was a second behind, but she also expanded her Territory. Shido was also a second behind, but that's because he had to be careful to not force his CR-Unit too much.

Everyone was amazed at the feeling of Shido's Territory. In all likelihood, he could have probably followed Ryouko's plan with only his own Territory.

"Hehe, that's my captain."

Mildred seemed strangely proud. Incidentally, due to their height difference, Mildred's feet weren't touching the ground after she was secured to Shido's CR-Unit.

Regardless, they started making their way to the Neighboring World. Thanks to the boost by Shido's Territory, they arrived much faster than scheduled, which made Ryouko really happy since it meant they could take it easy for the rest of the day without compromising their schedule.

In the Neighboring World, there were two house-like buildings that looked out of place. Those were special buildings often prepared for missions like this, and it's where Shido and the others would be living during this mission.

One was their living quarters, the other was something like a garage or hangar, where the mechanics would help them put on and take off their CR-Units. Obviously, there's no way they could keep using them for days on end, even just using the CR-Units for a few hours is already quite tiring.

Taking off their CR-Units was the first thing they did after they arrived. Then, they began to get their stuff in order in the living compartments building.

"You really are amazing. I guess that perfect compatibility wasn't just for show."

"Haha, thanks."

Ryouko said to Shido once they entered the living compartments building. Maybe she was used to close contact with her team members, but she put her arm around him as she gave his back a few light taps.

Since she was still wearing her plugsuit, it was a bit troubling for Shido since her breast kept pressing on his arm. Still, he felt happy to be praised.

After he got changed into some more comfortable clothes, Shido took a deep breath and looked around.

He would use this opportunity to learn and, next month, when he came here with the rest of the Spirit Team, they would do their best to find out the truth about the Demon Kings, and how to save them.