We arrived at the entrance of the dungeon by 9am and I submitted the Kings Sceptre to Emilia.

They fed me some story about having to perform an inspection to see if it was genuine so theyd be keeping it a while.

Because the exam was planned to end at dawn on the 2nd day there were no classes planned so we could all rest.

It was ideal for a birthday party.

I cast Transfer <Gatom> and we arrive outside my home the blacksmith & appraisers shop <Solar Wind>.

When I opened the door my mother who was inside turned to me immediately.

Welcome back Arnos-chan!

My mother runs over with more force than normal and hugs me tightly.

Shes crying for some reason.

Mother was worried because you didnt come home yesterday.

I said it might last all night through to the morning.

I know, but even so Arnos-chan is only a month old. I was still worried.

My mother smiled and said again

Welcome back Arnos-chan. Welcome back.

Fumu. Worried so much just because I didnt come back for 1 day. My mother should know my magic power to some extent. Its an embarrassing feeling.

Im home.

My mothers face lit up with a big smile.

Welcome back Arnos-chan.

My mother hugs me again.

Ohh?

Did you finally notice mother?

Her gaze turns to Sasha but for some reason, she seems startled. She has an expression like shes noticed something.

Morning. It will take until morning. It will take until morning..

Now she looks upset.

It was a staying out all night declarationnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!

Whats that?

But I already said I might not return until morning.

I think the meaning between your statement and your moms are different. Sasha says in a quiet voice.

Hmm. Is this another thing thats changed in this age?

What other kinds of meaning can Ill return in the morning have?

What other you say? That iserrrmyou know.

Sasha becomes flustered all of a sudden.

What?

.Its..Its a good thing..

Fumu. I see. I dont understand at all.

My mother rushed up to Sasha while I was thinking.

Sasha-chan!

Whawhat is it?

My other hugged Sasha tightly.

Sasha-chan!

What? What is it!?

Sasha shrinks back at the force of my mother.

My mother pats Sashas head and looks like shes made up her mind about something.

Are.are you okay? Was he properly gentle?

Sashas face goes blank.

.You see, I want to avoid this misunderstanding. As for being gentle, it wasnt needed.

Sasha calmly corrects my mother however what my mother hears causes her to open her mouth like shes received a great shock.

.Eh? Whats wrong?

No, nothing. Its fine. Its fine Sasha-chan. Different people like different things. Un, its fine, its alright.

My mother acts like shes understood something and is trying to convince herself shes happy with it.

Sasha looks like she wants to know so she asks my mother again.

What is it? What do you mean?

But..

Its fine. Just tell me.

Saying it cant be helped my mother whispers in Sashas ear.

Everyone has their own preferences. As long as you arent too violent getting rough is a good thing.

Are you stupid!!

Sasha becomes bright red and yells out before putting her hands to her head and shaking it.

Its a misunderstanding. Coming home in the morning didnt have that kind of meaning. Misha is here too. See?

Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! Coming home in the morning with 3 people!! Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!

The force that is my mother cant be contained today either it seems.

Is Misha-chan fine as well?

Misha leans her head to the side.

.fine?.

Unlike Sasha, Misha doesnt seem to understand too well either.

Umm errm. Would it be better if Sasha-chan wasnt here? I understand. I wonder..? Should I.?

When my mother asked fearfully Misha just shakes her head.

3 people was fine.

At that moment the door to the workshop opened with a crash and my father appeared and the first thing out of his mouth was.

Arnos. Father was, even father was like this back in the day. Youre too quick to climb the steps of adulthood. One of these days you could fall down Hahaha.

I didnt ask father.

But when I heard you were with 2 people I was so jealous. You didnt do both at the same time did you!?

My father slaps his hands on my shoulders while yelling and looking upset.

Arnos. This is advice from your father who actually fell down those stairs.

My fathers face now looks serious before he continues.

How did you do it? Teach me.

Where did the advice go?

Erm Misha-chan. How did you go up so many flights of adult stairs? How did Arnos do 2 people?

What are you asking your sons classmate about father?

.He was gentle..

Anyone can do it as long as theyre gentle? I s-

My father opened his mouth like hed realised something before looking at me like hed seen something horrible.

Were you such a technician Arnos?

My father seems to have greatly misunderstood something.

Like I said its a misunderstanding. Today is our Birthday so Arnos invited us!

Sasha makes a desperate appeal.

Hearing that my mother who was still in shock made a fist like she was determined.

Thats right. Even if the people themselves say they are okay its not something you can just openly talk about.

It seems the misunderstanding has not yet been resolved.

Its alright. Mother will always be an ally of Arnos-chan. Ill always support what Arnos-chan wants to do.

My father nods at my mothers words.

Thats right. If Arnos wants to do something it cant be helped. If you want to do it..

Why does my father seem full of regret now?

If thats what youve decided then Ill start preparing a feast right away. Its Sasha-chan and Misha-chans birthday. Right, Ill bake a cake too.

When my mother was about to go into the kitchen I remembered something.

Aah, thats right. Misha Ive got something for you.

Misha watches me.

What?

Hold out your hand.

Misha puts out her left hand like I asked.

Done.

Fumu. Her ring finger looks like the best fit. Whatever, any finger should be fine. I place the <Ice Lotus Leaf Ring> on her finger.

Misha brought the ring to her eyes and looked at it in amazement.

Happy Birthday Misha. How do you feel about turning 15?

Misha looks at me with her usual deadpan expression, however, a tear ran down her cheek.

In a trembling voice, she said

I was scared.

As I thought she would be.

She endured it for a long time.

You dont need to be strong anymore.

..Nn

Misha nodded as tears continued to fall.

Seeing this a smile bloomed on Sashas face and she held Mishas shoulders.

And-

I understand Misha-chan. It was scary but you held out.

My mother who doesnt know anything speaks up.

.Understand..?

Un. I was also scared during my proposal. No matter how much you believe it will go okay its scary until its done. In Mishas case, theres also Sasha-chan too.

Mishas eyes go round.

But its okay. Arnos-chan will definitely go through with it. Misha-chan and Sasha-chan. Im sure he will make you both happy.

Me and Sasha didnt know what to do with those words.

However.

Fufufu

Misha laughed

Make us both happy?

Un, thats right. Is that okay?

Misha thinks a little and laughs again.

It was like a flower had bloomed.

Nn.

It was a heartfelt smile from a girl who had suppressed her own heart until now.

TN.

With this Chapter 1/Arc 1 is finished. The /arc is the demon sword tournament arc.