Back in his room, Hozuki Nozomi was met with an amusing sight.
Frieren, the elven mage, had half of her body stuffed inside the treasure chest, rummaging around as if she were searching for some hidden treasure. Meanwhile, Fern stood to the side, pressing a hand to her forehead with an exasperated expression.
"Frieren-sama, what exactly are you looking for?" Fern sighed.
"I can't see anything. But if I dive in completely, maybe I'll find something interesting?" Frieren mused, her voice carrying a mix of curiosity and mischief.
Hearing this, Nozomi immediately rushed forward, wrapped his arms around her waist, and effortlessly lifted her out of the chest. "Please don't joke about something so ridiculous, Frieren-san."
Dangling in his arms, Frieren blinked, momentarily caught off guard. His concern for her, though subtle, was evident in his actions. Something stirred in her chest, a faint flicker of warmth. However, true to her nature, she quickly masked it with a nonchalant shrug and wriggled free from his grasp.
"I was merely conducting an experiment. The mechanics of this treasure chest are truly bizarre." She brushed herself off before pointing at the chest. "Besides, if what you say is true and we were spat out by a treasure chest mimic, doesn't that mean the mimic itself could be the real treasure chest?"
Fern's face darkened. "Frieren-sama, please don't bring up the treasure chest mimic again. I'd rather not relive that nightmare."
Nozomi raised a curious brow. "So, what does it feel like to be swallowed by one?"
Fern grimaced while shooting a wary glance at Frieren, who looked like she was already contemplating testing it again. "It was awful. When we got swallowed, it felt like we were transported into some dark, empty void."
She shuddered, her arms crossing over her chest. "The worst part was the slimy saliva and digestive fluids surrounding us. If not for our magic barriers, we would've been in serious trouble. Ugh, just thinking about it makes me nauseous."
Frieren, on the other hand, simply waved her hand dismissively. "You're exaggerating. If there was a magic tome hidden inside, it would've been worth it. That's why, no matter what, I'll always open treasure chests."
Fern groaned. "I can't deal with you sometimes."
Nozomi chuckled before turning back to Frieren. "So, did your little experiment lead to any results?"
Frieren pulled out a small notebook, flipping through the pages. "As I suspected, since you're the owner of this treasure chest, your chances of obtaining high-level items are significantly higher than ours."
She tapped the page before continuing, "Fern and I both tried opening it earlier. All we got were some basic necessities—pajamas and underwear."
"That's... rather mundane," Nozomi remarked.
Frieren hesitated for a moment, then glanced at him with a slightly awkward expression. "Actually... would you mind sleeping with Fern tonight?"
Fern's entire face went red. "F-Frieren-sama! What are you even saying?!"
Frieren raised an eyebrow. "There's no helping it."
She lifted her staff and directed it at Fern. Almost instantly, a faint glow surrounded the young mage's body, and she tensed, her legs squeezing together as her breath hitched. A ripple of magic energy surged through her, causing her to shudder slightly.
"See?" Frieren pointed out. "Thanks to the dragon's baptism, your physical constitution and lifespan have changed. However, it comes with side effects."
Fern clutched her arms around herself, visibly struggling to suppress the restless magic swirling within her. "W-What does this have to do with sleeping together?!"
Frieren turned to Nozomi and pointed her staff at him. Immediately, he felt a familiar surge of power within him. But unlike Fern, the energy inside him remained stable, controlled.
"Did you see that? Nozomi received the same baptism, yet his magic remains completely steady. If you, Fern, stay close to him, your magic should synchronize with his and calm down."
Fern's face was burning at this point. "T-This is a magic experiment?!"
Frieren nodded. "You'll learn how to regulate your magic, and Nozomi will gain better insight into the baptism's effects. Two birds, one stone."
Nozomi smirked. "Of course, I'd be honored to sleep next to the lovely Fern."
Frieren gave an approving nod before turning to her apprentice. "Well, Fern?"
Fern hesitated, fidgeting. Finally, she let out a defeated sigh. "I-If it's necessary... then I suppose I'll try."
Her voice grew quieter as her embarrassment reached its peak. After all, this was her first time sharing a bed with a boy. There was no way she wouldn't be nervous.
—
Later that night, after dinner, Nozomi made his way to Frieren and Fern's room. The moment he stepped inside, he was greeted with a rather unexpected sight.
Fern had already bathed and changed into a white nightgown, the fabric hugging her slender figure. The gentle glow of the lantern light highlighted the subtle curves beneath the soft fabric. Her usually composed demeanor had been replaced with obvious nervousness as she fidgeted slightly, avoiding his gaze.
Beside her, Frieren had also changed into a matching nightgown, though she remained as relaxed as ever. Her delicate face, framed by her silver twin ponytails and pointed elf ears, carried an almost ethereal charm. There was something mesmerizing about her presence, a beauty that felt both timeless and untouchable.
"Alright, Fern, don't be so stiff. Hurry up and lie down," Frieren urged with an exasperated sigh.
"Ugh..." Fern pouted slightly but, knowing that this was necessary to stabilize her magic, she obeyed without further protest and lay down.
Nozomi blinked. "And me, Miss Frieren? What should I do?"
Frieren crossed her arms and looked at him lazily. "You lie down too—hold Fern."
Nozomi didn't need to be told twice. With permission granted, he moved behind Fern and lay down, wrapping his arms around her waist with a natural ease.
The moment their bodies made contact, Fern stiffened, her entire frame trembling. The heat from his body pressed against her, and that strange sensation from last time stirred within her again. Her heartbeat quickened uncontrollably as a soft, unfamiliar warmth spread through her chest. She could feel her magic power reacting—overflowing instinctively, as if drawn toward him.
Her face turned red as she fidgeted slightly, but in doing so, she became painfully aware of the firm presence behind her.
"Ngh!"
She froze, not daring to move an inch.
She gulped. After what happened last time, she already knew what that was. Her voice trembled. "N-Nozomi-san, d-don't move..."
A chuckle came from behind her. "You're the one who's moving, Fern."
That only made her embarrassment worse. She curled up slightly, her face practically steaming.
Frieren, who had been observing this whole exchange, coughed lightly. Though she was over a thousand years old, she had never been this close to a human couple in such an intimate situation. And now, she had to assist with magic? How bothersome.
"Alright, Fern, turn around and face Nozomi," she instructed nonchalantly.
Fern's eyes widened in horror. "E-Eh?! Face him?!"
"Yes, you need direct contact to establish a stable magic link."
Fern shook her head frantically. "T-This wasn't part of the agreement!"
"Quit complaining and do as I say. Do you want your magic to run wild or not?"
Fern whimpered in protest but reluctantly turned around, now facing Nozomi directly. Being held from behind was already overwhelming, but this—this was a whole new level of embarrassment.
Their faces were so close, she could feel his breath. Her hands, trembling slightly, rested on his chest.
"U-Uhm... Nozomi-san, please don't misunderstand... This is just for the magic connection."
Nozomi, amused, blinked at her innocently. "Of course. I understand completely."
Fern, clearly unconvinced, closed her eyes and inched closer. Her lips, soft and trembling, pressed against his lightly.
Nozomi's eyes widened slightly before he instinctively wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer.
So this is a magic connection...
He was making a killing.
"Mmph—!"
Fern let out a muffled sound, her eyes shooting open. She hadn't expected him to respond so enthusiastically! This was—this was definitely a kiss, not just a magic connection! Panic flared in her mind.
She wanted to pull away, to scold him for going too far. But before she could, Frieren raised her staff and pointed it at them. "Alright, let's begin."
A surge of magic filled the room.
Nozomi immediately felt the power within him react. The wild, unstable energy in Fern's body started to resonate with his, smoothing out and stabilizing. This was Frieren's method—magic resonance. A technique only a high-level mage like her could perform without causing harm.
But in order to guide their magic properly, she had to maintain the resonance throughout the process.
Which meant watching them.
Frieren coughed again, looking away slightly, her own face heating up.
Nozomi, on the other hand, was having quite the experience. Fern was soft, warm, and completely flustered in his arms. As the magic continued to intertwine between them, she gradually eased into it. Her resistance faded, and she began responding instinctively, her hands gripping his shirt tightly.
This was a necessary magic ritual, after all.
And if he happened to enjoy it...
Well, that was just a bonus.