Chapter 57
The champions of the First Spring Cherry Blossom Shuriken Throwing Contest were the "Erza & Cana" team.
Marshall and Levy secured a top-ten reward.
The contest tested control and accuracy with thrown weapons. In this regard, nobody was a match for Erza.
Winning the competition brought Cana no joy.
Since that day, a gloomy mood hung over her. Levy’s unusual behavior made her realize an issue she had ignored before...
’If Marshall falls for a girl in the future, bringing a "sister-in-law" into the picture, should I offer my blessings?’
’This is a given, right? A brother finds happiness, and a sister offers congratulations. If the "sister-in-law" turns out to be Levy, that is a good thing—making our bond even tighter...’
’—I ought to think this way. It is the correct mindset. But... what is this lingering ache in my chest?’
’Why does the thought of Marshall having an intimate lover bring forth feelings not of comfort or joy, but... jealousy?’
’This feels wrong.’
’It shouldn’t be like this...’
’I am no malicious woman. I ought to be a good sister. Yet why... this biting reluctance.’
Cana knew Marshall was different from that bastard father of hers, Gildarts.
Marshall was a responsible child. He disliked endless adventures, he preferred staying with family.
’But within a "family"... are there degrees of closeness?’
’Marshall will grow up one day. He will marry another woman and form a new family of his own. When that time comes, will he remain close to his sister?’
’If Marshall leaves me behind too... I cannot accept that!’
’Yet I am just his sister. What reason do I have to stop it?’
Thirteen-year-old Cana fell into confusion.
’Annoying. Frustrating. Hateful. Living like this was fine. These happy days could last a long time. Why do I let my imagination run wild?’
’If only something could make me forget my troubles...’
Cana recalled getting drunk on fruit wine at Marshall’s house.
The memory of that sensation felt wonderful.
’Perhaps I can find a chance to try it again?’
’But drinking in secret feels wrong...’
Cana hesitated.
...
Meanwhile, following the date, Marshall fell into a gloomy state.
He discovered his system possessed a dishonest streak.
Several days of pure happiness yielded less inspiration than a single kiss from a beautiful girl!?
’This evil system is encouraging me to conquer beautiful girls!’
’The audacity! How could it do this!’
’What!? Is this my truest inner desire? A pervert blaming the system?! Bullshit!’
Marshall was a proper gentleman.
Teasing younger girls was one thing, but pursuing an immature girl was out of the question.
Marshall lacked that level of depravity and had no desire to get electrocuted.
Of course, putting the younger girls aside, Marshall approved of this system. He enjoyed getting close to beautiful girls.
The main issue remained... he was too young!
’Dammit! Possessing skills with nowhere to use them, facing a treasure chest without the key—how could this not cause depression.’
Marshall shifted his focus to the "older women."
For the sake of inspiration points, he had no qualms about acting like a gigolo.
He knew transformation magic; he could turn into an adult and become an arsonist of hearts!
Before that, Marshall needed to test the reliability of the system’s unorthodox methods.
’First target—I choose you!’
"Virgo, do you like me? Want a hug? I don’t mind at all!"
"..."
The busty, mature Virgo smiled at Marshall, uncertain what kind of fit her eccentric master was having this time.
"Little Master, do you require Virgo’s comfort? As a domestic service Celestial Spirit, I cannot provide emotional services."
"...Then if I want a hug, will you refuse?"
"Virgo rejects such unreasonable requests in general, but for the Little Master, Virgo has no choice but to obey."
"Forget it. You make me sound like a villain..."
Marshall lost interest.
Virgo resembled a robot, devoid of inner voice. He struggled to guess her true thoughts.
"Speaking of which, have you always had this personality, Virgo? Its so rigid and boring."
"Virgo is a service-type Celestial Spirit. My personality undergoes fine-tuning according to the master. Master desires a crisp, capable Celestial Spirit who gets things done, so I maintain a serious personality."
"Ah? That sounds awkward. You switch personalities? Isn’t that exhausting? Can’t you be your true self in front of me?"
Marshall sighed.
Virgo’s dedication to service bordered on extreme—fitting for a Zodiac Spirit.
"Little Master, are you certain you want Virgo to revert to her true self? Modifying my personality might disappoint you."
This piqued Marshall’s interest:
"Oh? Is your true personality terrible? Change it and let me see. Don’t worry, I won’t blame you!"
"Then please summon Virgo again, Little Master."
When Virgo reappeared before Marshall, little seemed to have changed, save for a pair of iron handcuffs on her wrists.
A whip was thrust into Marshall’s hands.
’?’
’What is the meaning of this?’
While Virgo maintained her expressionless face, her gaze burned with intensity, giving Marshall a bad feeling.
A moment later, Virgo turned her back, arched her rear, and uttered words that made Marshall’s vision go dark:
"Little Master! Please whip me to your heart’s content!"
Marshall: ???
"You... you’re a...?"
"A minor personal hobby! Little Master, you are the first to accept this side of Virgo. Come on, spare me no pity. I am ready!"
"..."
Watching the rear swaying before him, Marshall fell silent.
His expression shifted, caught in a psychological struggle:
Demon Marshall: ’Hehehe, a masochistic Celestial Spirit at my disposal!? Fantastic! This is exactly what I wanted!’
Angel Marshall: ’No! You are an upstanding youth with nine years of compulsory education. You cannot indulge your desires!’
Demon Marshall: ’My desires?! This is Virgo’s desire! We are a perfect match! What reason do I have to refuse!?’
Angel Marshall: ’...You make a fair point. Aight count me in!’
Inner consensus achieved, a sadistic smile spread across Marshall’s face as the long whip swung down!
"!"
"Ahhhh~~~"
[Inspiration Points +666]
"!!!"
"Kyahhh~~~~~"
[Inspiration Points +999]
[Inspiration Points +999]
[Inspiration Points +999]
Marshall’s face flushed.
Virgo wasn’t the only one reverting to her true self; he seemed to have awakened some dormant aptitudes of his own.
’Ah~ Subarashii~’
’Guhaha, hahahahahaha!!!’
’Yes, that’s right! This feeling—this is what I’ve wanted all along!’
Even better, the meditation upgrade energy he thought would take another two weeks to gather reached full capacity!
’What am I waiting for!? System, allocate points!’
[Meditation LV3 → Meditation LV4]
"Little Master!!?"
A second later, Marshall’s eyes rolled back, and he fainted.