New found harem

The next day began with an air of tension that wasn't entirely unwelcome. Alice had already taken to following me around like a loyal shadow, her violet eyes brimming with curiosity and admiration. Aurora, on the other hand, had slipped back into her usual sharp-edged demeanor, though the occasional lingering glance betrayed her guarded exterior.

After a quick meal, Aurora crossed her arms and stepped forward. "We have six months to turn you into something that won't die in the first ten seconds of the Demon King trials. That means no slacking. Alice, you're helping with the combat drills."

Alice lit up at the mention of helping. "Of course! I'll do my best, Master—I mean, Kuro!"

Aurora's eyes narrowed. "And no calling him 'Master.' We're equals here, got it?"

Alice tilted her head innocently. "Oh, of course. As long as you're fine with me calling him 'Kuro-sama.'"

Aurora groaned, muttering under her breath before gesturing for me to follow her to the training ground.

The First Drill: Endurance and Coordination

Aurora wasted no time. She tossed me into a combat scenario with Alice, who seemed eager to test her newfound strength. The first few exchanges left me winded—her speed and precision were leagues above mine.

"Too slow!" Alice chirped as she darted around me, her silver hair glinting in the dim light of Purgatorio.

I swung my shadow blade, aiming to predict her movements, but she dodged effortlessly. "Focus, Kuro-sama. I'm not even trying yet," she teased.

"Stop flirting and fight him properly," Aurora snapped from the sidelines, her arms crossed as she observed.

Alice smirked. "Jealous, are we?"

Aurora's cheeks darkened slightly, but she didn't dignify the comment with a response. Instead, she summoned her own weapon—a slender blade of obsidian—and joined the fray.

"Looks like you'll have to handle both of us now," she said with a smirk.

What followed was a grueling test of endurance. Aurora's strikes were calculated and relentless, while Alice's movements were unpredictable, forcing me to think several steps ahead. For every strike I managed to block, two more would land, leaving me panting and sore.

"You're improving," Aurora admitted after an hour, lowering her blade. "Barely."

Alice clapped her hands, her smile radiant. "I think Kuro-sama is amazing! You're holding up against two S-rank demons, after all."

I collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air. "Yeah… amazing… sure…"

A Brief Respite

After the morning session, we sat around the fire, the tension from training giving way to a more relaxed atmosphere.

Alice leaned closer to me, her voice soft. "You're really something, Kuro-sama. Most demons would have given up by now."

I chuckled, rubbing the back of my neck. "I don't have the luxury of giving up. Not with everything at stake."

Aurora watched us from across the fire, her expression unreadable. Finally, she spoke. "Alice, why are you so loyal to him already? You barely know him."

Alice's gaze softened as she looked at me. "Because he saved me. When I was lost, he gave me a name, a purpose. I owe him everything."

Aurora's eyes flickered with something I couldn't quite place—jealousy, maybe? She stood abruptly. "Well, loyalty isn't enough to survive the trials. We'll need to push even harder tomorrow."

Nightfall: Bonds Strengthened

That night, as the others rested, I found myself unable to sleep. The weight of everything—my training, the trials, the souls I wanted to protect—pressed down on me.

I stepped away from the campfire, my shadow blade materializing in my hand as I practiced the movements Aurora and Alice had drilled into me.

"You're working hard," a familiar voice said behind me.

I turned to see Aurora, her expression softer than usual. "Can't sleep either?" I asked.

She shook her head. "I wanted to make sure you weren't overdoing it."

I smiled faintly. "Too late for that."

She stepped closer, her gaze locking onto mine. "Kuro, why do you push yourself so hard? You could've left those souls to their fate. You didn't have to help Alice. But you did."

I hesitated, unsure how to put my feelings into words. "Because… if I don't stand up for them, who will? I'm not strong now, but if I don't start acting like the person I want to be, I'll never get there."

Aurora stared at me for a long moment before sighing. "You're too good for a place like this, Kuro. It's going to get you hurt one day."

"Maybe," I admitted. "But I'd rather get hurt doing the right thing than live with the regret of doing nothing."

For the first time, Aurora's expression softened completely. She stepped closer, her hand brushing against mine. "Just… don't forget you're not alone in this. We're here too."

The warmth of her touch sent a jolt through me, but before I could respond, Alice's voice cut through the moment.

"Kuro-sama! What are you two doing out here alone?" she teased, stepping into the clearing.

Aurora pulled her hand back, her expression instantly guarded. "He was practicing. Unlike some people, he actually works hard."

Alice pouted, walking over to me. "Well, if Kuro-sama needs a training partner, I'm always available. Day or night."

The two women exchanged a brief glare before Alice turned her attention back to me, her smile radiant. "Rest now, Kuro-sama. Tomorrow, we'll make sure you're even stronger."

As I lay down to sleep, the weight of their presence felt both comforting and overwhelming. Aurora's cautious support and Alice's unwavering loyalty created a dynamic I wasn't sure how to navigate.

But one thing was certain: with both of them by my side, I wasn't alone anymore.