Volume 9 Chapter 1 The Beginning of Summer
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It was the day for the announcement of first-semester grades.
I found my name on the ranking sheet posted in the hallway.
From the second year, the humanities and science tracks were separated. Last year my name was in the double digits, but now it was in the single digits, barely.
A little further down, I found Asari’s name, and further below, Mitsuki’s. All three of us had good grades. Since we had gotten full marks in dungeon training, our combined scores with the written exam were quite high.
The ranking sheet next to it was for the humanities track.
Chifumi’s name was near the top. Risa and Yurina’s names were… toward the bottom. Even considering practical training grades, this was it. Well, you could also say positively that they’d improved compared to a year ago. Let’s hope for the future.
By the way, the top of the science track boys was Komoda.
Today was also the last club activity day of the first semester. I was heading to my club, while my group members were each planning to head home.
I had joined the swimming club. After a swim, I’d confirm the summer break club schedule and prepare for the club orientation scheduled for early in the second semester. The swimming club’s tradition was to wear shark headgear over swimsuits to make an impression. Rumor had it that this was because the founding Shooting Club President was a user of shark-transformation sorcery.
By the way, I was in charge of guiding new students who came to observe. A relaxed position.
* * *
On the way home, while passing through the shopping street toward the station, I ran into Risa’s mother.
She was carrying grocery bags from the supermarket.
Apparently, her mother had recently been driving the Naruse family estate’s car herself for shopping and other outings, rather than traveling by train. She was no longer restricted in her activities now, and although she still wore a constraint collar, she could spend her free time freely.
Her appearance, which had lost some mass for a period, had returned to the solid sorcerer build she had when I first met her. Her expression had also softened, and she seemed mentally more stable. I couldn’t completely rule out the possibility that this was still an act, but outwardly she looked like a beautiful witch of an appropriate age for this world.
We exchanged a light bow in greeting and passed each other without any particular conversation.
* * *
I picked up my bicycle from the parking lot at the station nearest to our home and headed back.
While pedaling in a good mood, humming a tune, I spotted a familiar back. I rang my bell to announce my presence, and my younger brother Riku turned around.
”Oh, it’s you, Bro.”
”Heading home now?”
”Yeah.”
Riku, answering, was in his Junior high uniform.
My brother and I had attended the same Junior high. For normal brothers, the younger one would often wear hand-me-down uniforms from the older one, but that didn’t apply in our family. My skinny build’s uniform physically couldn’t be buttoned up by my sorcerer-built younger brother.
I stopped beside Riku. I decided to walk home with him while pushing my bicycle.
”First semester’s over, huh.”
”Yeah.”
”Do you have any plans to do something with your group members over summer break?”
”Nothing special. Same as always.”
”Are you studying?”
”Moderately.”
Riku’s expression as he answered was perfectly normal. This was a time when plain-folk Junior high students planning to take entrance exams would often attend intensive summer cram schools. Riku, being a Strong male, didn’t need to study hard since he was guaranteed admission to National High School. Riku’s Initial Strong-Females were also exam-exempt if they went to National High School together. Motivation to study tended to drop, making it a period prone to middle-school slump.
”High School is open admission, so that’s fine, but the problem is what comes after. You’ll be fighting against the sorcerers who gather there. It won’t hurt to polish yourself during your free time.”
”Yeah, you’re right. I think so too.”
Riku affirmed my words.
”Bro, during summer break you were doing nothing but sorcery training by yourself, right?”
”You remembered that. Well, right after enrollment, there’s the Instruction waiting.”
”…Should I secretly practice too?”
”If you don’t want to get counter-attacked, I think you should.”
The “Instruction” right after High School enrollment was the first bad-end branching point for a Strong male. To avoid it, you had to prove that you were stronger than your Strong-Female followers (your group members). More precisely, you didn’t need to be absolutely stronger. Even with a 10% win rate, as long as you won during the actual first Instruction, that was enough.
Given the nature of the Instruction, the key to victory was concealing information. No matter how strong you were, if information about your Inherent sorcery and techniques was completely exposed, countermeasures could be devised. Basic information was already known from the days spent together as childhood friends. To gain an advantage, the quickest path was acquiring new techniques and skills that the childhood friends didn’t know about.
”Yeah, true… Ah, what should I do…”
Riku was genuinely troubled.
As far as I knew, I didn’t think any of the girls in Riku’s group were seriously considering a counter-attack.
”Is there something you’re worried about?”
”Marin is strong. Even if she has no intention of counter-attacking, if we both go all out, I don’t know how it’ll turn out.”
”Ah… yeah, that’s true…”
The Kuga clan’s Inherent sorcery was cheat-level to begin with.
Based on spatial domination, they had continuously incorporated abilities by mixing in blood from various family lines, resulting in a wide variety of branch abilities. From what I heard, each branch family had its own characteristics, and the details of their Inherent sorcery were closely guarded secrets. Even regarding Marin-chan from the sky branch of the Head house members, the information was at the level of knowing the basics but not the details. There were many rumors related to the Kuga. Among them, many were of doubtful authenticity.
A sorcerer group that, due to their high ability, was targeted by many enemy sorcerers, yet still reigned at the top of the 13th District. That was the Kuga clan.
Incidentally, in the Old Capital and the Imperial Capital, there were several Sorcerer bloodlines that surpassed the Kuga. Families using even more outrageous Inherent sorcery… there was no end whether you looked up or down. Sorcerers truly were terrifying creatures. …I got a bit off track.
”The sky branch family’s Inherent sorcery is sky-colored sorcery. If it’s as rumored, if you clash your steel fortress head-on, your win rate shouldn’t be bad.”
”If I can activate it, that is. …Marin is smart, so she’ll try to crush me before I can activate it. Besides, Marin surely has a hidden card up her sleeve too.”
Information concealment went both ways.
Even if you thought you were superior overall, you could be overturned by an unexpected move. I heard that Strong males getting counter-attacked was a common pattern. In fact, in my case, we didn’t have the advance information that Chifumi could create water dolls (decoys) that looked exactly like the real thing.
”All you can do is somehow devise a way to get to the activation point.”
”That’s just willpower talk…”
”In the end, it’s willpower. But decide the direction of your countermeasures carefully from the start. Eliminate assumptions and deduce from actual results and records.”
”Hmm…”
Riku. Struggle with it. Overcoming the wall is what makes a Strong male.
I know you care about Marin-chan. Once you succeed in the Instruction, you’ll be able to lay your hands on her legally. For the sake of your pink-colored days ahead, forge yourself now, even if you have to spit blood!
”I guess I have no choice but to do it…” Riku muttered, then changed the subject, shifting from his own situation to asking about mine.
”Bro, the fact that you’re doing Exchange Battle means you’re going to fight Manaka-san eventually, right?”
”Yeah.”
”Can you win? Manaka-san is a Head house member, you know? The Kuga of the Head house members’ main line—rumor has it she’s quite a skilled user even at this point.”
”It won’t be easy.”
”…”
”It’s fine. I’ve thought about various things, and this is a choice I made with resolve. I’ll win. I’ll probably have to use some dirty tactics, though.”
”…I see.”
Riku didn’t pursue it further.
I had countermeasures in mind for when I fought Manaka, and the plan was progressing smoothly. Manaka had a secret hidden card. It hadn’t been exposed yet, probably.
The two of us returned to the gate of our house.
We entered the grounds, and from the shadows, I released the apparitions.
The Snow flies, the Centipede, and the worms scattered to their designated positions.
”Bro, you’ve really gotten the air of a bug tamer. You’re in the position of the bug gym leader from the early game of an apparition collection game.”
”Then you’d be the steel gym leader from the late game? Isn’t that unfair? Steel is definitely stronger, right?”
”I don’t fight with steel the way you do, so I’m not even a trainer.”
Even though it was the same Tatemiya Sorcery, the effects were vastly different.
Was it the difference in our mother’s Inherent sorcery?
”That’s true. But let me correct you. I’m not a bug tamer. I don’t collect bugs because I like them.”
”Your main force is bugs, isn’t it? Until last year, you only had water-specialized apparitions.”
”No, Tempura and Kaname are still in the starting lineup. It’s just that my current trump card is the Centipede.”
”Between a bug gym and a water gym, the water one seems harder to clear.”
Riku was satisfied with his own words. Riku’s opinion matched my impression too. Is this what being brothers is like?
”Games and reality are different. For me, the apparitions I can subjugate are the ones I encounter in dungeons. Since new apparitions get added to my roster, they should originally be in the rival position… but because the apparitions I got matched the dungeons I entered last year, it ended up like this. It was beyond my control.”
”In the beginning, you had just one Kaname, and you treasured it so much.”
”I still treasure it.”
”Really? Are you sure you’re not treating them roughly? It’s a precious gift from the Head house members, you know?”
I think it’s unavoidable that as the number increases, the time you can spend on each one decreases. Riku, who had been watching the Snow flies fly off, turned back to me.
”By the way, what was the letter from the Head house members about?”
”Head house members?”
”You got a letter from Yurai-san, right?”
He was talking about the letter from Yurai, a Majin of the same age as me from the martial god family.
”She said she’s coming to visit during summer break.”
”Eh? Really?”
Riku looked a little happy. Yurai had established a reputation as a generous character who acted like a big brother to Riku. Riku liked him.
”She wants to stay for two or three days.”
”Sightseeing?”
”She apparently wants a dungeon entry permit. She told me to match my schedule because she wants to go in together.”
”Huh. Which dungeon?”
”Yasoya Spirit Paths.”
”…Seriously?”
”Seriously.”
”Good luck with that. I can’t enter dungeons yet, so I can’t help you.”
Riku said just that one line and walked toward the main house.
That guy ran away from the troublesome matter. I understand how he feels. If it weren’t a request from Yurai, I’d want to refuse too.
Trying to enter the Yasoya Spirit Paths wasn’t a normal idea to begin with.
That place was an A-Rank dungeon. It was a bit special and had all kinds of troublesome aspects.
* * *
I returned to the detached building, ate the dinner Pape had made, and was taking a breather when Hinoki returned.
They had probably talked with Poplar about whether anything had happened while they were away and then come back.
This sort of task-handoff was already routine. If things were as usual, it would end with:
’Nothing special today either.’
But today was different.
’I have a report to make.’
”Good work… wait, huh? A report?”
I let the words slip out the same as always, carried by the flow of things. Hinoki propped their upper body up with a little stretch. I straightened my own posture and turned to face them.
’Did anything happen while I was gone?’
’Report from Poplar. There might be someone watchin’ the place.’
’Watching? What do you mean? Like, someone saw a suspicious person?’
’Sounds like they’ve been feelin’ strange mana waves outside the grounds every now and then. So they went to check, but when they got there—nobody was there.’
’Sounds like someone with fast feet.’
’…Here’s the thing. Apparently, there wasn’t ever anyone there to begin with.’
’Huh? ?’
I didn’t quite follow.
’Seems there was a Snow fly that just happened to spot something off. Basically, they were lookin’ out at the scenery when suddenly, right where they were lookin’, it felt like sorcery had been used. But there was nobody there. They went to check, and sure enough—nobody.’
’That’s horror-movie stuff. Was this at night? Or daytime?’
’The Snow fly saw it during the day. Apparently, it happens regardless of time—day or night. Same thing’s happened a few times now. Lately, the Snow flies on watch duty’ve been keepin’ an eye out, but it still happens.’
’Creepy. I really didn’t think Tatemiya(うち) would have any reason to be targeted by sorcerers…’
These days, the main business of the Tatemiya estate is agriculture. We’ve still got some of the old miyadaiku craftsmanship kicking around, but that’s about it. Not much to gain from watching us.
When I think of people who might hold a grudge against the Tatemiya family estate… the ones fighting us over land rights, maybe? But those guys are claiming we illegally occupy land my great-grandfather bought. They’re plain-folk—can’t use sorcery.
Then there’s the people connected to Utsui —the one I had that run-in with first semester. Or maybe someone I wronged back when I was still riding high on myself. There could be sorcerer bloodlines I don’t even know about that have it out for us. Probably oughta talk to Dad about this at some point.
As I mulled it over, Hinoki kept talking.
’Best guess? Either an invisibility Ability or some kinda clairvoyance surveillance. Details are still fuzzy, though. But maybe we oughta stay cautious.’
’Yeah.’
I checked the clock.
Still had time. I could head over to the main house and talk with them today.
’I’m gonna go talk at the main house. Hinoki , you comin’?’
’Y’all mind if I tag along?’
’Course not.’
And so, with Hinoki on my shoulder, I headed for the main house.
On the way, we passed near the tree where Poplar lives.
The Snow flies had increased in number, too. Summer’s coming. Snow flies don’t do well in the heat. Maybe I should prepare somewhere cooler for them.
Since I was at it, I swung by the fields.
Mom and Grandmother were in the middle of farm work. They spotted me and waved.
When I got closer, I was asked to carry a case full of eggplants. I made Hinoki grow bigger and set the case on top of them.
’So I’m just a cart now, huh… Well, s’pose it’s fine…’
’Thanks, Hinoki-chan.’
Hinoki balanced so the case Mom set wouldn’t fall. Mom stroked their back, gentle-like. Mom can communicate with yokai to some degree. Probably thanks to that bloodline that my inherent sorcery became the Ability it is.
Once we’d lined up five cases on top of Hinoki , the dirt at our feet started shifting, and an earthworm poked its head—I think?—out.
It was Moo.
’Of course, Moo-chan, you’re helping too.’
’♡’
Moo coiled around Mom’s offered finger and settled into her palm.
That little suck-up. Do you even know who your master is?
’Bro, don’t be so petty.’
Moo must’ve sensed my less-than-warm feelings, ’cause they started squirming and wriggling, trying to make their case to me. Hm. Continue. I’m listening.
’I dunno if that’s the right attitude for a master… though, I s’pose it’d be rude to say that to the person who’s been trainin’ a centipede with breedin’ as bait.’
’That wording is gonna give people the wrong idea!’
Sure, Asunaro’s a centipede, but their body is Risa. And yeah, lately they’ve been asking for… you know… all the time, so I’ve just been making it a condition for getting work done! I’m normal.
’Yeah? Don’t think I’m wrong, personally. …Anyway, back to the point. Moo’s bein’ obedient to Mom so you’ll like ’em. If you wanna shoot the general, first you shoot his horse, right?’
’Huh? Really?’
’Well, I mean… they probably don’t wanna end up as bait for Tempura or Kaname.’
’I’m not using Moo as bait.’
’We all know you wouldn’t do that, but Moo’s still new around here. Still, it works out for you, so maybe it’s a good thing?’
’……’
So Moo had been working hard to show they were useful, to prove they wouldn’t be abandoned.
Hearing that, I suddenly felt like this little earthworm was actually pretty endearing.
I took Moo from Mom, gave them a light pat, then set them down in the field.
’♡’
Moo burrowed back into the soft, shifting soil. They wiggled their tail—or whatever that was—as they sank in. What a sweet little thing.
’Bro… I dunno if I’m one to talk, but you’re pretty simple.’
’Shut up.’
After hauling the cases to the barn with Hinoki , we moved to the main house.
I explained the phenomenon the Snow flies had witnessed to Dad, who was inside.
He said nothing came to mind, but by the time damage actually shows up, it’s too late. He said he’d make sure Mom and the others stayed alert, too.
On the way back from the main house to the detached building, Hinoki spoke up.
’Your dad was eyein’ me, huh.’
’Yeah. Probably thinking about bug spray that works on you, right?’
Dad’s Ability is Tatemiya Sorcery: chemical synthesis.
Creating drugs with special effects is his specialty. If he observed our traits and seriously set his mind to making a pesticide, Hinoki in their current weakened state could probably be killed instantly.
’Maybe I oughta butter up your dad too…’
’I think today’s report already made a good impression.’
’Hope so…’
Chatting with Hinoki on my shoulder, I returned to the detached building and turned in for the night.
The estate grounds are protected by the kekkai our ancestors built, so I can sleep easy. Grateful for that.
—
Summary:
Exam results are posted, and the protagonist finds himself barely in the top ten, with his friends and acquaintances scattered across the rankings in both humanities and science tracks.
After club activities and an encounter with Risa’s mother, the protagonist meets his younger brother Riku on the way home, and they walk together discussing Riku’s upcoming “Instruction” and his concerns about facing Marin from the Kuga clan.
Their conversation shifts to the protagonist’s own upcoming duel against Manaka, and Riku’s questions reveal both his worry and trust in his brother’s judgment.
The chapter ends with a return home, the release of the protagonist’s monsters, and a discussion of Yuurai’s impending summer visit, including his plan to explore the dangerous Yasoya Spirit Paths, an A-Rank dungeon, leaving both the protagonist and the reader with a sense of impending challenge.
The narrator returns to the Tatemiya estate to find reports of suspicious mana waves and invisible watchers, sparking concern about potential enemies from his past. After discussing the situation with Hinoki and his father, he helps his mother and grandmother with farm work, sharing a warm moment with an affectionate earthworm named Moo. The chapter ends with the narrator settling in for the night, reassured by the protective kekkai, while Hinoki remains cautious about the father’s potentially threatening abilities.
—
Trivia:
The protagonist’s name is never stated directly, maintaining the first-person perspective throughout the chapter.
Riku and the protagonist have different body types: Riku is a “sorcerer’s build” (muscular), while the protagonist is slimmer and couldn’t share uniforms with his brother.
The swimming club tradition involves wearing shark head masks to attract new members, dating back to a Shooting Club president who was a master of sharkification sorcery.
Risa’s mother had been physically diminished (lost mass) but has now recovered her former sorcerer’s physique, though the protagonist notes this might still be an act.
The Kuga clan’s inherent sorcery is described as “sky-blue sorcery” with spatial domination abilities, and they have absorbed various bloodlines over generations resulting in diverse branch family abilities.
The “Instruction” is a critical rite of passage where strong males must prove themselves stronger than their female group members; the protagonist notes that secret techniques and information concealment are key strategies for victory.
The protagonist’s monster collection includes Tempura and Kaname (his original monsters), plus Snow Flies, a Centipede, and Earthworms (Mimizu).
Yuurai from the Martial God family is described as someone who acts like a “big brother” to Riku, and Riku visibly seems excited about his visit.
The Yasoya Spirit Paths is an A-Rank dungeon, and Riku immediately nopes out of any involvement, recognizing the danger despite his initial interest.
The protagonist notes that Kuga-related rumors are plentiful, and many may be unreliable, but the clan’s dominance in the Thirteenth District is undeniable.
The protagonist’s plan to face Manaka involves “dirty tricks” and hidden trump cards that he’s been developing in secret.
Hinoki’s return with “news” breaks the established routine, suggesting a plot development is incoming.
The narrator’s inherent sorcery became what it is because of his mother’s bloodline.
Hinoki is currently weakened, making them vulnerable to the father’s chemical abilities.
The Tatemiya estate’s main business is agriculture, with only remnants of miyadaiku craftsmanship remaining.
The land rights dispute involves people claiming the narrator’s great-grandfather illegally purchased land.
Moo is a recent addition to the estate and is eager to prove their usefulness.
Asunaro’s body is Risa, and the narrator has been trading work for sexual favors.
Snow flies are sensitive to heat and may need cooler accommodations as summer approaches.
The kekkai protecting the estate was built by the narrator’s ancestors.
The narrator had a period where he was “riding high on himself” and wronged people.
Utsui is a sorcerer from the narrator’s past conflicts at school.
Notes:
• Mitsuki – Eldest daughter of the Onigahara estate, this 188 cm science-track classmate has short brown hair, a lean athletic build, an I-cup, and a mischievous grin. A determined vanguard and healer in Minoru’s group, she uses a golden mace and Oni-Transformation Sorcery. She bickers friendlily with Minoru, coordinates with Manaka’s companions, and uses recovery magic for service play and training.
• Asari – A tall (175cm), braided black-haired Kasakura honor student with an E-cup, this analytical, quiet, and pragmatic science-track strategist serves as Minoru’s devoted partner and Risa’s future host. Close to Mari and Nagase, she uses a hand-armor gauntlet and Silicic Armor to manifest crystal barriers, switching between Vanguard and Mid-guard. Polite yet lecturing, she is currently recovering from mana exhaustion.
• A – A student from South Middle School described as an idol who has been recruited into R’s high school squad.
• M – A first-year student at District 13 High School and the childhood friend of Anonymous Student 0006, described as an atavistic strong-female who looks plain but possesses significant power.
• S – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has taken B from North Middle into his squad.
• T – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has recruited K and N from East Middle into his group.
• Chifumi – Eldest daughter of the Takino residence, this 160cm, J-cup kimono-clad sorcerer is Minoru’s childhood friend, Lead Majo, and trusted partner. Sporting a long brown side-tail, her bright, casual personality bridges his group with Manaka’s companions. Wielding a staff with flowing ice/water magic, she manages household admin and rearguard combat while secretly protecting him from the truth.
• Yurina – A stoic, analytical 165cm Plain-folk vanguard with a black ponytail and G-cup. A humanities student and eldest daughter of seven, she uses a katana and Severing Sorcery in Minoru’s party. She protects Chifumi, fights alongside Mitsuki, and addresses Minoru-sama with polite deference. Efficient and loyal, she trusts his judgment despite feeling unsettled by his escalating violence.
• Risa – A curious humanities student (167cm, light brown semi-long hair, H-cup, black eyes) and the youngest Naruse sister. Playfully assertive and protective of Minoru’s group, this mid-guard sorcerer has no inherent magic but wields magic pistols and Hinoki’s power. When Asunaro takes control, her eyes turn red, enabling fire and lightning sorcery. She is also known to bake cookies for Tatemiya.
• Yuri – A cheerful, energetic, and curvy Higashi High first-year student dating Shibuya. While calculating, she is fiercely loyal, even winning a third-place Best Couple Award with him. She was an acquaintance of Kibe Yurina in middle school. Known for being aggressive toward Hayato and displaying overt favoritism, she is defined by her intense relationships, vibrant spirit, and distinct presence.
• R – A first-year student at District 13 High School who has successfully built a squad and added multiple girls, including M and A, into his group.
• Komoda – An eccentric, polite male sorcerer and leader of the influential Komoda house, he is Minoru’s second-year classmate who speaks with casual familiarity. He commands a Sword-Hammer Cave squad, manages travel and intel, coordinates with Ryota’s group, and seeks an alliance with Minoru. Outperforming Shoji’s team, he cleared the surface layer by purifying a giant scaled earthworm boss.
• B – A student originally from North Middle School who was added to S’s group.
• K – A student from East Middle who followed N to National High School out of care, successfully remaining pure through N’s protection until a misunderstanding involving Anonymous Student 0008 led to her capitulation.
• Naruse – Naruse is the paternal surname of sisters Anri, Risa, and Momono, separate from their mother’s magical Shoji line. Led by their influential hotel/dungeon manager mother, this wealthy old-money sorcerer family and merchant guild provides institutional support to local establishments. They reside in an understated, modest private estate featuring an integrated dungeon and a small dojo.
• N – A student from East Middle with an eccentric personality who entered National High School due to complex family circumstances and used herself as leverage to negotiate a protective agreement for K.
• Riku – Second son of the Tatemiya family estate and Minoru’s younger brother, this second-year middle school student is frequently the subject of gossip. He is a user of the Tatemiya Sorcery: Iron Fortress.
• Strong-Females – A social designation within the world’s hierarchy.
• Marin – A strong-willed daughter of a Kuga branch family, she is Riku’s first companion and a follower of Minoru’s younger brother. As a devoted supporter of Manaka, she closely imitates her appearance and fashion, while harboring a deep resentment toward anyone who looks down on others.
• Mari – A former Free Girls member and childhood best friend to Asari since elementary school, she now belongs to Ryota’s group as a “First-Push Strong-Female” (associated with Shoji’s group). Born into a plain-folk family through atavism, she possesses an impressive physical build and resides in a typical suburban home.
• Kuga – Worn on Manaka and Marin’s garments to symbolize kinship, the Kuga family name carries heavy social weight and authority. This distant lineage, marking the farthest point from the narrator’s home, has a strained relationship with the Tatemiya family due to Minoru being abandoned by Manaka. A family member working as hotel staff also reports Anri’s visit to the sealed dungeon.
• Manaka – Manaka Kuga is an elegant, sharp-featured Shisei High student, authoritative circle leader, and strategist for the top-tier Kuga family’s Founding Strong-Females. Minoru’s refined yet direct childhood friend, she uses a short staff for spatial/air-shaping sorcery. Known for her aristocratic bearing and “-chan” honorific, she manages security, led a year-long deception, and orchestrated an exchange battle request.
• Snow flies – A species or group of creatures on the estate. They observed the suspicious mana waves and reported them. Sensitive to summer heat. Their numbers have been increasing.
• Centipede – A former high-level Apparition currently reduced to a powerless, disembodied state. It speaks with a manipulative, merchant-like tone.
• Tatemiya – Tatemiya is the family name of Minoru, a pragmatic protagonist in a world with reversed beauty standards. He leads a strong-female harem with analytical detachment, treating interactions as transactions. Strained by Manaka abandoning Minoru, the family has tense ties with the Kugas. Associated with a symbolic residential gate, the name connects to Manaka’s father’s social circle.
• Tempura – A pistol shrimp monster captured in the wild by Minoru. Despite being a former stray, he has won their master’s favor. He serves as the instructor for younger monsters and maintains a gruff but caring demeanor. He is in a romantic relationship with Kaname. A senior monster who scolds Kram for skipping sorcery training. She is mentioned as being holed up with Kaname-chan.
• Kaname – A proud catfish monster with golden curled hair who considers herself the leader of all monsters serving Minoru. She was given to the Tatemiya estate from the Takemani head house as a growth blessing when Minoru was small and has lived there for over a decade. She speaks in refined ojousama speech and initially clashed with Tempura but eventually developed romantic feelings for him. Mentioned as being with Tempura.
• Hinoki – An older classmate and powerful anomaly who speaks with a warm, blunt, Kansai-influenced dialect. Using they/them pronouns, they have a shy yet contrary personality and interact casually with the protagonist. As a mediator in the supernatural community, they secure bodies and support others, having bestowed fragments of their power upon Pape, Kram, and Risa.
• Pape – A Mannequin-type monster with a special nature. She serves as the boss of the shallow layer of the Commercial District dungeon. She has evolved from a lazy Torso into a diligent servant who prioritizes cleaning and proper attire. She aspires to become a butler and is influenced by Hinoki-sama’s power, which has made her fond of caregiving through clothing. A monster created as a dungeon boss who has spent many years in that role. Their monster history is exceedingly long. They follow rules properly and play cat’s cradle with Clam.
• Poplar – An Aberration who serves as the queen of a snow fly colony and Minoru’s shikigami, she remains at the detached house to guard the nest.
• Utsui – Classmate from Shisei High School Academy. Leader of another expedition group. Reached the 25th stratum. Previously taunted the protagonist in the Guidance Room. Uses Warifu with twelve people for boss battles.
• Grandmother – The matriarch of the Tatemiya house who dotes on Minoru.
• Moo – An earthworm creature that lives in the fields. Named “Moo” (モー) which is the sound a cow makes, creating a cute absurdity. Affectionate toward the narrator’s mother and seeks approval from the narrator. Uses a heart symbol (♡) to express affection.
• Asunaro – An anomalous White Centipede monster who received a fragment of Hinoki-sama’s power. Known as Lady Asunaro, she resides in Risa’s body, serving as a second interpreter. Saved by Minoru (whom she affectionately calls “Prince Charming”), she speaks with a flat tone but has genuine emotions. Her name is heard during the goodnight sequence, and she belongs to a group with a large presence.
• Yuurai – A member of the Martial God family (Bushin-ke), same age as the protagonist. A majin (demon god) who wrote to the protagonist about visiting during summer break. Wants to explore the Yasoya Spirit Paths dungeon together. Described as generous and charismatic, particularly liked by Riku.
• Yuu – Minoru’s childhood friend and Yui’s twin, this Futami twin is a Mid-guard in Manaka’s group. Dressed in a striped swimsuit or Jirai-kei/gothic-lolita fashion, she underwent a character shift from soft and timid to bubbly with sharp commentary. A needle-using Shape-Proxy Sorcery user who teases Minoru, she motivated the Founding Strong-Females’ plan before being eaten by the Phantom.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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