Chapter 474: Dark Demon’s Last Leisure (4k)
In the end, Dark did not modify the schedule as Mrs. Cook had suggested.
After careful discussion, he constructed a system with Mrs. Cook as the main instructor and the other three tutors as assistants based on their respective strengths.
He then divided the mana spirits into four groups, each managed by one of the tutors.
The vampire noble and the phoenix girl were listed as key focus students, both under Mrs. Cook’s sole responsibility.
The wrestler eagle and lion beast, being combat-oriented mana spirits, were entrusted to Camilla.
Trash slime was the only grass-type mana spirit, thus assigned to Ms. Plant.
Thus, the groups were arranged as follows:
– Cook Group: Vampire Noble, Phoenix Girl, Piplup, Mana Spirit;
– Plant Group: Trash Slime, Ditto, Huhu, Big Milk Jar;
– Cyrus Group: Mana Book, Ibut, Eevee, Imp Beast, Baby Blue-Eye Dragon;
– Camilla Group: Wrestler Eagle, Lion Beast, Solo Sword Sheath, Deoxys, Meow;
Once all subjects were arranged, the tutors bid farewell.
It was close to mealtime.
Dark gathered the mana spirits and had them copy down the schedule.
Though most mana spirits frowned while copying, none protested.
Dark pretended not to notice.
Four hours of class time per day wasn’t much; they still had plenty of time… well, for homework.
—
At dinner,
Alvaraite asked Dark about the tutor arrangements. Dark detailed the specifics.
The benefit of having four tutors was that it allowed for a rotation system and individualized teaching, helping students master foundational knowledge faster.
Alvaraite was satisfied with his plan and said, “Today is Saturday, tomorrow is Sunday. Are you planning to start teaching on Monday?”
Dark nodded, “Yes.”
Alvaraite pondered, “My suggestion is to add weekends. After all, too much of a good thing can be bad. Starting next week, your classes will begin. You might need them every weekend.”
Dark furrowed his brow, “What do I need to do?”
Alvaraite emphasized, “Become stronger!”
—
Before this year, Alvaraite never demanded anything from Dark, even when he gave up sword practice due to hardship.
She didn’t need him to be outstanding, just to live a worry-free life.
But the appearance of Lion Beast and especially Deoxys made her wary!
If Dark walked the path of the hero—seemingly cursed by fate—even she couldn’t guarantee his safety!
Since the Easter Duel Festival, Alvaraite had been preparing.
External influences could be excluded, but internal issues needed Dark to handle himself.
In her view, becoming stronger than the deceased hero Bret, stronger than her Valkyrie self, or even stronger than the Saint who passed on the hero bloodline, was necessary.
Only then could he break free from fate and live peacefully.
She couldn’t imagine losing Dark.
Fortunately, the rapid advancement in mana technology hinted at a path toward “infinite possibilities.”
This era was no longer one where humans were easily manipulated.
Even if gods returned, they couldn’t treat humans like livestock again.
—
To avoid losing, Alvaraite prepared herself mentally, ready to push forward even if Dark refused again.
She was relieved that Dark had indeed grown more mature.
—
After dinner, mother and son strolled in the backyard, chatting near the Diessel seeds.
They sat on the lawn, gazing at the stars, listening to the water beasts’ playful sounds, feeling tranquil.
The atmosphere remained comfortable until Alvaraite teasingly asked about Dark’s feelings towards Diana and Rose.
They returned home separately.
Dark summoned the Soul of the Moon Goddess after extracting today’s “Capital Sin.” He asked Olivia to bring some tea and snacks, then sat in a circle with the mana spirits, chatting casually.
Since returning home, this was the first time Dark summoned the Moon Goddess’s soul.
Without transforming into “Armed,” she resembled a mechanical girl, aside from her metal body.
She also had enough mana to support general activities, similar to the Phoenix Girl.
The Moon Goddess’s soul wasn’t a mana spirit. If forced to describe, she resembled a sentient armor.
Similar creatures were common in dungeons.
“I thought you had forgotten me,” the Moon Goddess complained once her form appeared.
Dark awkwardly smiled and looked away.
He couldn’t tell her he truly forgot her.
The Moon Goddess lacked combat ability and her growth path was sealed, needing to absorb more root divinity to transform.
Before absorbing enough root divinity, she couldn’t cast spells.
She was destined not to become a mage or magus.
So Dark rarely considered her when planning studies for mana spirits.
“If you want to attend classes…”
After thinking, he said, “I can let you join the learning group as a mana spirit, with the card name ‘Moon Maiden,’ similar to the Phoenix Girl.”
“Classes? Will it help me become the Moon Goddess?” the Moon Goddess asked in surprise.
Dark hesitated, “No.”
Immediately, the Moon Goddess said, “Then I won’t attend.”
But Dark changed his mind, “But now I want you to attend.”
“What?” the Moon Goddess exclaimed.
Dark shook his head, “You must attend.”
Then he added, “From now on, consider yourself a mana spirit, card name ‘Moon Maiden.’ Understand?”
The Moon Goddess complained, “Who is the Phoenix Girl?”
“It’s me,” came the Phoenix Girl’s unusually cold voice, starkly contrasting with her fiery image.
—
Learning brings not just knowledge but also cultivation.
Dark realized the Moon Goddess was severely lacking in cultivation.
If left unchecked, even if she gained transformation later, she might lack the capacity to control Moon Goddess powers, causing trouble.
Since trouble was anticipated, it needed to be nipped in the bud.
Dark planned to assign the Moon Goddess to Mrs. Cook’s learning group, alongside the vampire noble and the Phoenix Girl.
Mrs. Cook, lacking mana talent, wouldn’t notice the Moon Goddess’s special qualities, making her a suitable teacher.
—
As night deepened, Dark told a few educational stories before going to sleep.
He and the mana spirits had only one day of leisure left.
On the last day before “summer tutoring,” he called for the head maid of the “Pisces Maidservant Team,” Janet.
Janet didn’t have “Golden Sacred Armor.” Her team handled “diplomacy” at the Duke’s mansion, essentially public relations.
However, with little need for diplomacy and the Duke disliking tea parties, she was bored daily.
Janet was a standard redhead beauty, always tying her long wine-red hair high, revealing her white neck.
Her skin was fair and smooth, naturally radiant.
Her manners were very refined, understanding etiquette no less than Virgo Vigo.
She was also knowledgeable about beauty, perfumes, jewelry, music, and arts.
Anything enhancing female charm, she mastered extensively.
Unfortunately, these skills were useless in the Duke’s mansion.
Even if dressed beautifully, no one appreciated her efforts.
Janet, summoned by Dark, had a lazy look in her eyes.
She watched her young master read intently, thinking he might be reaching an age for romance.
Her practiced skills, never used, might finally find purpose.
“Janet?” Dark shifted his gaze from “A World Tour.”
The floral scent of Janet’s perfume wafted through the summer breeze, tickling his nose.
“Good morning, young master,” Janet bowed slightly, revealing a deep cleavage.
Dark turned to look at her, seeing her flawless beauty.
His heart skipped a beat, but his face showed no change, “Is the fishing rod the old butler used still around?”
Janet, whose lips were already curved, froze momentarily.
But she quickly recovered, nodding, “Yes.”
“Hmm.” Dark nodded, “Prepare, I’m going fishing.”
—
Fishing…
A skill utterly useless for enhancing female charm.
Yet Pisces Janet excelled at it, her sole hobby.
—
After Janet left, Dark closed the book and stood up.
On the eve before “battle,” he decided to experience the dream retirement life early.
The weather was nice, with a slight overcast but no rain.
No scorching sun, the temperature was comfortable.
“Do you want to go fishing?”
“No.”
The vampire noble held Galileo, swaying it at Dark.
The poor fat cat looked despondent.
Dark didn’t insist.
He brought a few mana spirits interested in fishing, then went to call Aurora, heading to the backyard pond.
The backyard pond usually had no fish.
But when someone wanted to fish, fish appeared.
Yes, this was the so-called “Schrödinger’s fish.”
—
When Dark reached the pond, he saw maids pouring fish-filled buckets into the water.
The water beasts in the pond mistook today’s early dinner, diving in joyfully.
One maid glared, her “aura” overwhelming, silencing them instantly.
The water beasts swallowed saliva, watching fish swim, making “woof woof” sounds.
But as the maid with the fishing rod approached, even those sounds ceased.
All water beasts retreated to the pond corners, raising their front paws, showing they hadn’t stolen food.
“Young master, the fishing rod is ready.”
Janet placed the fishing rod and tools at Dark’s feet, then took another bag from behind, handing one to Aurora.
Aurora stared at the playful water beasts, forgetting to take it.
“Aurora,” Janet laughed, explaining, “Everyone here fishes like this.”
She distributed the rods to eager mana spirits, patiently teaching how to use them.
Deoxys, Meow, Lion Beast, Piplup, Baby Blue-Eye Dragon, and Ibut sat properly by the pond, fishing.
Others, not interested, gathered around Dark, curious.
Dark smiled, spending the morning fishing by the pond.
—
If this happened before, he’d probably leave after three minutes.
Now, looking at the calm surface, his heart calmed, occasional impatience dissipating.
—
Until a raindrop fell into the pond, Dark slowly reeled in.
“It’s going to rain.”
He wasn’t the type to fish in the rain.
Before leaving, he released the caught fish back into the pond.
The mana spirits mimicked him, except Meow holding the bucket.
Dark gently rubbed its head, “Take it back, Olivia will make a full fish feast for you.”
“Meow!” Meow was delighted.
Tonight’s dinner would be fish-focused.
—
After they left, a thunderclap echoed, followed by heavy rain.
Dark spent the afternoon playing mana chess with Aurora, enjoying the leisure.
In the evening, he extracted the last “Capital Sin” of the month, then checked the system panel.
On days eight, nine, and ten, he drew “Pride” twice and “Bliss” once.
“Pride” and “Bliss” returned to 90 points.
Dark’s stored “Capital Sins” were:
– Pride: 17;
– Bliss: 1.5;
– Greed: 9.5;
—
After careful consideration, Dark took out the “Elemental Egg” from his birthday gift.
…
