Chapter 08: Balance I (+Omake)

The room was completely silent.

Aleph slowly opened his eyes, feeling a slight dizziness. He hadn't slept yet.

His conversation with Burroughs and the data absorption about his new equipment had taken up all his time.

With a sigh, he got up and walked to the window, opening it to let the cold air in.

From there, he could see the streets of Underworld illuminated by the faint lights of the camp. And that's when he noticed her.

Bronya was walking alone, her silhouette standing out among the metallic buildings and ruined streets.

For a moment, Aleph felt curious, but in the end, he paid it no mind.

That's when he heard the voice.

"Balance... Strength and chaos, stability and change... The wheel keeps turning."

A shiver ran down Aleph's spine. That voice wasn't Burroughs'.

He placed a hand on his head, trying to get his bearings.

And that's when he saw Stelle leaving the hotel.

Her expression was different—rather grim, actually.

Aleph's eyes gleamed with curiosity.

If he was hearing that voice, could she hear it too?

"Burroughs, do you have any idea what or who this might be?"

[… No. I have no records of this entity or who it could be.]

At that moment, a notification appeared before his eyes.

[Main Quest Acquired: Prove Your Worth in the Wheel of Balance.]

[Reward]

[+2 Levels]

[Essence System Unlock]

To hell with a good night's sleep. If Burroughs was giving him a quest, that meant this was real.

He slapped his cheek to wake himself up and made a decision.

"What a great reward... I mean, I can't just ignore Stelle wandering off alone to who knows where. What if she gets lost?"

Yes, it was definitely not about the quest and the rewards—it was just him worrying about his new friend. Yes, of course.

Convincing himself of that line of thought, Aleph didn't hesitate even for a second and jumped out the window.

The air hit his face as he fell, bending his knees as he landed on the ground.

Stelle was already moving further away in the distance.

Aleph started running after her, his breathing quickening.

As he got closer, the voice continued to echo in his head.

"Harmony cannot exist without conflict... nor can order exist without chaos."

The Balance Mission was about to begin.

...

Aleph followed Stelle through the silent streets of Underworld.

Despite the darkness and the cold, she walked with a confident stride, without hesitation or distraction.

The voice kept echoing in his head, each word etching itself into his mind.

"Only those who face their own existence can move forward. Only those who accept their purpose can truly exist."

Aleph clenched his hands in excitement. This was definitely not normal, and the thought of what it could be thrilled him.

A special event? A side quest? A boss raid?

Or… the legendary appearance of the protagonist's love interest—a woman with an unreal figure or a guy so incredibly handsome and charismatic that it would make him question his sexuality?!

Okay, maybe he played too many video games.

*****

Finally, Stelle stopped and looked back.

Aleph hadn't been as stealthy as he thought, and Stelle honestly believed he really needed to practice his hiding skills.

Who hides behind a beautiful trash can and leaves their hair in plain sight? Did he not consider his height?

Did he think she wouldn't notice when he hid at the corner of that building and peeked at her every time he thought she wasn't looking?

"... Aleph, creepy stalker."

"I am NOT!" he shouted indignantly before stepping out and standing in front of the expressionless girl, looking a bit sullen.

"Why were you following me?"

"Would you believe me if I said I was just taking a casual night stroll?"

"Nope."

Aleph sighed, trying to come up with an excuse.

"The voice… Did you hear it?"

The boy blinked giving a slightly odd look to the girl who was tilting her head to the side.

"Adorable... No, focus. What did she say?"

[Focus, Master, focus.]

"Ah, you mean that voice talking about balance and all that?"

The girl simply nodded silently and pointed forward.

Before them, a golden portal floated in the air, pulsing with unknown energy.

Aleph came to an abrupt stop.

"Okay, this is next level."

Stelle said nothing. She just stared at the portal indifferently and took a step forward.

The voice grew louder.

"Prove your strength. Balance the scales. Only then will you be worthy to continue the path."

Before Stelle fully crossed, Aleph felt his gauntlet vibrate.

[> Balance Mission Activated.]

Burroughs appeared with a notification.

[Test Field detected. Proceed with caution is advised.]

Aleph let out a snort before stepping in.

"Like I have a choice."

Without further hesitation, he crossed the portal after Stelle.

The trial had begun.

.....

The world on the other side of the portal was an ethereal and unreal space.

The ground seemed solid, but it had a golden glow and reflected the sky like a mirror.

Fragments of ancient structures floated around them, like ruins trapped in the void.

Aleph and Stelle took a few steps forward, cautiously observing their surroundings.

Burroughs displayed a warning.

[Unknown Dimension. No conventional escape routes detected.]

Aleph scoffed.

"Great. I always wanted to get trapped in an unknown dimension before breakfast. What's next, is Cthulhu going to invite us for coffee?"

Stelle ignored his remark and looked ahead.

A golden circle appeared in the air, and three silhouettes emerged from it.

Two were ethereal constructs in the shape of ancient warriors, made of pure energy.

The third...

Was a hooded figure, wrapped in an aura that seemed to be a perfect balance between virtue and malevolence.

"Those who seek the truth must prove they are worthy."

Its voice resonated in the void.

"Demonstrate your strength. Only those who can bear the weight of balance may proceed."

Without further warning, the constructs attacked.

"Here we go!"

Aleph shouted as he took a combat stance, a wide grin on his face.

...

Stelle dodged a downward slash and countered with a brutal swing of her bat, sending one of the ethereal warriors crashing into one of the floating ruins.

Aleph raised his hand and cast Bufu, freezing the ground beneath the other enemy's feet, making it lose balance.

The fallen construct immediately recovered and lunged forward with incredible speed for its size. Stelle barely had time to block the impact with her weapon.

Aleph clicked his tongue and charged Mabufu, unleashing a freezing wave that slowed both enemies' movements.

The hooded figure remained motionless, observing the fight. It seemed to play a role closer to a referee than a combatant.

The enemies were strong, but Stelle and Aleph fought with surprising synchronization.

Despite never having trained together, their attacks complemented each other perfectly.

Finally, after a well-aimed slash from Stelle and a Bufu-charged punch from Aleph, the constructs dissolved into golden particles.

The hooded figure tilted its head.

"The first obstacle has been overcome. But balance is not proven by strength alone."

The environment shifted.

The floating ruins rearranged themselves, creating a sort of path suspended in the air.

Aleph felt a strange sensation, as if his stomach was twisting.

"I don't like where this is going..."

Stelle looked at the path with her usual lack of expression, but even Aleph could notice her nervousness from the way she gripped her bat tightly.

...

The air in the golden temple was heavy.

Before them, a massive scale floated in the air, with two plates made of an unknown material, glowing with an ethereal light.

The hooded figure's voice resonated once more.

"Balance is more than power and will."

"It is judgment."

"Before you, your choices will be weighed. Who you are... what you have done... and what you will do."

"Balance demands accepting all that you are... and all that you will become."

Stelle and Aleph exchanged a glance before stepping forward.

As soon as they did, the scale began to react.

On the right side, a bright light appeared, projecting images of moments when they had helped others.

— Stelle scavenging the Underworld dumps, lending a hand to the people.

— Aleph securing supplies for Natasha.

— Their battles so far and what had led them to fight.

But on the left side, a dark shadow emerged.

— Stelle eliminating enemies without hesitation.

— Aleph recklessly sacrificing his own safety with a wide grin.

— The fights where there was no room for mercy.

Even their past misdeeds appeared.

— That time he almost ran someone over.

— That moment when he had the chance to save someone attempting suicide but failed due to his fear of heights.

— Or... even that time when, like a true coward, he thought about ending his own life over something stupid.

The scale wavered from one side to the other, unstable.

Aleph felt his heart pounding.

They wouldn't show that here, right?

No, no, he shouldn't even be thinking about that.

"...So what? We're just watching what we've done?"

Burroughs appeared in his interface.

[No. This seems to be a test to see if you can accept all parts of yourselves.]

The hooded figure spoke firmly.

"Balance is not about choosing only one side."

"It is about accepting both and moving forward."

Aleph closed his eyes.

He recalled everything he had done up to this point.

Every decision, every battle, every foolish mistake made in a moment of arrogance.

There were moments when he had chosen to help, but also moments when he had been a complete bastard.

Both were a part of him.

He took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"I don't regret what I've done, and even if I did, it wouldn't change anything."

"You accept the weight of your existence."

Stelle looked at the scale, her eyes reflecting her determination.

Calmly, she took another step forward.

"No matter what happened... I'll keep moving forward."

"You accept the weight of your path."

The lights and shadows on the scale began to merge into a single golden glow.

The scale balanced.

The temple began to tremble.

The hooded figure raised its hand.

"Very well, you have overcome the trial."

"Receive your mark as those who have understood the most fundamental principle of Balance."

A golden symbol briefly appeared on their foreheads before vanishing.

Burroughs displayed a notification.

[Congratulations, Master! You have unlocked the Essence system.]

[Additional reward: +2 levels.]

Aleph smirked slightly.

"Well... I guess that was worth it."

The hooded figure began to fade away.

"Remember... balance is not static. It is always in motion."

The golden surroundings started to disappear.

And then...

Both woke up in the real world.

Exchanging a silent glance, they began walking back to the hotel.

....

Back at the hotel, the morning light filtered through the window.

Aleph felt his body heavier than usual, but also... stronger.

Soon, his door opened, and his visitor entered without caring about his current state.

Stelle had a slight smile.

"That was interesting."

Aleph scratched his head.

"I just want to sleep a little more..."

Before they could relax...

Knock! Knock! Knock!

A familiar voice shattered their peace.

"Hey! Time to get up! Whoever doesn't get up has to train with Dan Heng!"

"...Why do you say that like training with me is some kind of punishment?"

It was March 7th.

Aleph sighed.

"...Great. Now the day really begins."

******

The group arrived at Wildfire's base, where Natasha, Oleg, and Sampo were already waiting for them.

Sampo was the first to greet them with his usual carefree smile.

"Ah, my friends! I'm so glad to see you're all in one piece. You have no idea how much I worried about you..."

March 7th glared at him.

"Stop exaggerating. If we were called here, it means it's time, right?"

Natasha crossed her arms seriously.

"A lot has happened in a short time, but now that you've rested, it's time to prepare for the ascent to the Upper City."

Sampo raised his hand enthusiastically.

"And, of course, I will be your reliable guide on this dangerous journey. After all, I was the one who brought you here, so I'll be the one to take you back!"

Aleph raised an eyebrow at him.

"...I'm not sure if trusting you makes us brave or just idiots."

Before Sampo could reply, Seele rushed into the base, her breathing heavy, an alarmed expression on her face.

"Bronya is gone!"

Everyone fell silent.

Dan Heng frowned.

"What?"

Seele held up a letter in her hand.

"She left last night while we were sleeping. She left this behind."

The group quickly gathered as Seele unfolded the letter and began to read aloud.

To: Seele, Stelle, Dan Heng, March 7th, and Aleph.

I know this will seem crazy, but I can't ignore what we've discovered.

Madame Cocolia raised me since I was a child, taught me what it means to be a Guardian of Belobog and to protect its people. But now, with everything we've seen, I must face her.

If the Stellaron is truly the cause of everything… if my mother has done what we believe she has… then I must stop her.

I can't just sit and wait while you all risk everything for the city I should be protecting.

If I fail and don't return, please go to the Landau siblings. Gepard and Serval are honorable and have influence in Belobog. Show them this letter—they'll recognize my handwriting and give you their support.

I trust you. Don't let Belobog fall into darkness.

Bronya Rand.

The silence that followed the reading was heavy.

Seele clenched the letter tightly.

"That idiot… she shouldn't have gone alone!"

March 7th frowned in concern.

"What do we do now?"

Dan Heng closed his eyes for a moment before speaking.

"Right now, our biggest concern should be the Stellaron. I mean, we could go after her, but honestly, that would only make things even more complicated."

"Are you saying we should just leave her to her fate?!" Seele snapped at Dan Heng, her expression furious.

"I never said that, but too much time has passed. Even if we wanted to rescue her, that might no longer be possible. At the very least, you can be sure that as the Supreme Guardian's daughter, they won't kill her."

Seele grit her teeth.

"That's it? You're telling me to just feel reassured by that alone?"

"It's better than nothing."

Natasha nodded seriously.

"Then we can't waste any more time. Wildfire will do its part here, but you need to handle the rest."

Sampo grinned and stepped forward.

"Then get ready, friends! The Sampo Express is about to depart for the Upper City. I guarantee this is an extra-special, one-of-a-kind service—you'll be completely satisfied!"

Aleph sighed.

"…I don't know if I should feel relieved or worried."

Seele glanced at the others with a firm look.

"We leave now."

With their mission clear in their minds, the group prepared to depart for Overworld.

*******

With news of Bronya's departure, the group wasted no time. They packed what they needed and gathered at the entrance of Svarog's base, where Sampo was waiting with his signature confident smile.

"Alright, friends! As your trusty guide, I'll lead you along the path to Overworld. An ultra-exclusive route brought to you by the great Sampo Koski! No tricks, no ambushes… this time."

Seele shot him a sharp glare.

"If you get us into trouble, I swear you'll pay for it."

Sampo raised his hands in mock innocence.

"Wow, so suspicious! But I get it, I get it—my reputation precedes me. But in this case, you can rest easy."

Natasha approached, looking slightly worried.

"The cable car will take you to the industrial zone of the Upper City. It's not a route Belobog's Guards use often, but don't rule out the possibility of patrols or surveillance."

Dan Heng nodded.

"As the Supreme Guardian's heir, Bronya won't have trouble moving around up there… but we will."

Natasha crossed her arms.

"Sampo's contacts will be waiting for you. They'll provide you with more discreet clothing, patrol schedules, and restricted areas of the Guard—among other things. With that, you'll be able to move around more safely."

Aleph smirked slightly.

"It's always good to have allies among the authorities."

Sampo spun on his heels and pointed to an entrance.

"Alright! The Sampo Express is departing now! If you have any doubts or second thoughts, this is your last chance to turn back."

Stelle walked past him without hesitation, smacking her bat against her hand with enthusiasm.

"Less talk, more action."

Seele and March 7th followed without a second thought.

Dan Heng sighed, adjusting his spear before walking after them.

Aleph looked at Natasha and Oleg one last time.

"See you when this is all over."

Natasha smiled.

"Good luck."

The group disappeared into the cable car, heading toward their next destination.

**************************************************************************

Omake: Princess Maker - The Showdown of the Century

The common room of the Astral Express was usually a place of rest and quiet conversation.

Today? Definitely not.

"You can't be serious!"

Kafka crossed her arms with a haughty expression as she stared at Aleph, who mimicked her with a deep frown.

"Completely serious."

The other members of the Express watched with expressions ranging from confusion to curiosity.

In front of them, Stelle sat on a couch, eating a cookie with total indifference.

Himeko sighed and set her coffee cup down on the table.

"Alright, what's going on now?"

March 7th, with an amused smile, was the one to explain the situation.

"Well… turns out Kafka has declared herself Stelle's mother because 'fate has guided her to her,' and Aleph called that nonsense because he's her 'de facto older brother,' since he's the one who's been with her the most in battle."

Dan Heng, leaning against the wall, closed his eyes in resignation.

"So, basically, they're fighting over who has more right over Stelle…"

"Exactly."

Meanwhile, the two "responsible" parties continued arguing.

"Listen, kid," Kafka said, her tone dripping with pure contempt and self-satisfaction. "A mother is the foundation of her daughter's emotional development. Stelle needs a stable, refined maternal figure like me."

Aleph let out a sarcastic laugh.

"Ha! Refined? Please! A good older brother is someone who protects her on the battlefield and teaches her the importance of strength. Besides, a mother would set limits, and Stelle is as free as the wind. She clearly fits better as a little sister!"

"'As free as the wind'?" Kafka raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Oh, sweetheart, she does whatever she wants because no one has taught her proper manners. She's a diamond in the rough that needs a mother's hand to be polished."

Stelle took another bite of her cookie and nodded towards March 7th.

"What about her? Isn't she supposed to take care of me too?"

March 7th lit up.

"Exactly! I have more right than both of them combined! I was the first one with you!"

"Objection!" Aleph dramatically pointed a finger, causing everyone to give him a strange look. When had he put on that blue suit? "Being the first doesn't mean being the best choice!"

Kafka smirked confidently.

"That's true. Which is why I'm the best choice."

"Hey!"

The situation was spiraling out of control.

Finally, Welt, who had been silent the entire time, sighed and adjusted his glasses.

"So, how do you plan to settle this?"

Himeko took a sip of coffee and smirked mischievously.

"Easy. They take care of Stelle for a day, and we see who does it better."

Silence filled the room.

Stelle stopped eating and squinted at everyone.

"…Oh no."

What would happen to her afternoon nap?

********

The day of the trial began with a tense atmosphere aboard the Astral Express.

Stelle, the "child" in dispute, yawned as she looked around.

On one side, Kafka, smiling, wore an elegant wine-colored dress and held a teacup with grace. Behind her, Blade and Silver Wolf watched with very different expressions—Blade was resigned, while Silver Wolf barely paid attention, too focused on her console.

On the other side, Aleph wore an apron with the Abundance symbol on the chest. No one knew where he got it, and no one dared to ask. March 7th, his improvised ally, held a sign that read: "Official Big Brother Team™."

Dan Heng, Welt, and Himeko sat safely on a couch, ready to watch whatever was about to unfold.

"Alright," Welt said in a neutral tone. "The trial will consist of three parts: food, education, and free time. Each will take turns proving they are the best guardian for Stelle. In the end, she will decide the winner."

"Wait…" Stelle narrowed her eyes. "Why wasn't I consulted about this?"

"Silence, child!" Aleph ruffled her hair energetically. "It's for your own good."

"Of course, darling," Kafka added with a smile that was far too sweet to be genuine. "Adults don't need children's approval for their decisions."

Stelle blinked.

"…I feel like I'm trapped in hell."

Dan Heng nodded seriously.

"You are."

March 7th stomped her foot.

"Time to start! First test: Food!"

.....

Round 1: Food

Kafka went first.

With elegant movements, she placed a beautifully arranged plate in front of Stelle, decorated with a variety of refined desserts—small macarons, exotic fruit tarts, and a steaming cup of tea.

"A lady must learn to appreciate fine dining," Kafka said melodiously. "Eating too fast or too much is vulgar."

Stelle looked at the food, then at Kafka, then back at the food.

She calmly picked up a macaron.

Took a small bite.

And then…

"This isn't filling me up!"

"…Excuse me, what?"

Stelle devoured all the desserts in five seconds and looked at Kafka with hunger in her eyes.

"Do you have more?"

Kafka maintained her smile, but a vein popped up on her forehead.

"Darling, good food is about quality, not quantity."

"Yeah, yeah, but… give me more."

Aleph burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! My turn!"

With a snap of his fingers, he presented a platter full of homemade food: rice, grilled meat with thick sauce, a well-served salad, and warm bread.

Stelle nearly cried with joy.

"Now this is food."

She pounced on the plate like a wild beast.

Kafka watched the scene in horror.

"This… this is a disaster."

March 7th slammed the table with a victorious grin.

"Point for Official Big Brother Team™!"

Aleph let out a mocking laugh as he shot Kafka a look full of disdain.

.....

After the culinary competition, the group moved to the Astral Express's library.

Kafka settled into a luxurious chair that appeared out of nowhere, elegantly crossing her legs.

Aleph, on the other hand, pulled out a portable whiteboard and a marker, ready to do whatever was necessary.

Stelle yawned.

"Can I go?"

"No!" Kafka and Aleph shouted at the same time, glaring at each other.

March 7th chuckled quietly as she took out a notebook to jot down notes—surely a future opportunity to tease Aleph.

"Hmph, let's see if he dares to call me dumb after this… Also, who is Pinkie Pie, and why did he compare me to her?"

"Alright," Welt said with a business-like smile. "The test consists of teaching Stelle something useful for her daily life. Kafka goes first."

Kafka smiled confidently.

"Dear, in this universe, knowledge of etiquette and manipulation is essential."

She handed Stelle a book titled How to Persuade with Style.

"We're going to practice how to get what you want without even asking for it."

Stelle stared at the book in disbelief.

"…This sounds suspiciously like brainwashing."

"Shhh, don't call it that. Call it the 'art of persuasion.'"

Kafka placed a hand on Stelle's shoulder.

"Watch and learn."

She turned toward Blade, who stood in a corner with his arms crossed and a completely indifferent expression.

"Dear Blade," she said sweetly, "could you fetch me some tea?"

"No."

"Could you fetch me some tea, please?"

"No."

Kafka blinked.

"Blade, would you mind fetching me some tea~?"

"…No."

A tic appeared on Kafka's eyebrow.

"Listen to me: Bladie, go get me some tea this instant."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Silver Wolf, without taking her eyes off her console, muttered:

"Impossible challenge."

Stelle leaned toward Aleph.

"…Why is she teaching me something that doesn't even work for her unless she uses her abilities?"

Aleph smirked.

"Because in her ideal world, you'd be a better version of her."

Kafka sighed.

"Fine. Apparently, Bladie is somewhat… immune. But this is still an important skill."

Welt nodded slowly.

"Alright. Aleph's turn."

Aleph smacked the whiteboard with the marker and wrote in big letters:

"Class 1: Basic Survival on the Astral Express"

Stelle tilted her head.

"Huh?"

Aleph grinned.

"Alright, first—lesson number one: 'Don't mess with Himeko when she hasn't had her coffee, and for the love of everything, never disrespect the drink in front of her.'"

He turned around and pulled out an image from a classified file (probably stolen), showing Himeko with a demonic expression chasing Dan Heng with an empty coffee pot in hand.

Dan Heng sighed.

"…Why do you keep bringing that up?"

"Because it's important," Aleph said before writing the second lesson.

"Never take bets with Sampo."

March 7th burst out laughing.

"That's a golden rule."

Aleph continued.

"Lesson three: If something explodes on the Express, it's probably March 7th's fault."

"Hey!"

"Though sometimes, it could also be Pom-Pom's fault."

"Thank you!"

"But in this case, it's a fifty-fifty chance."

March 7th pouted.

"This is unfair…"

Finally, Aleph wrote the last lesson on the board.

"If Kafka offers you a favor, it means she's manipulating you."

Kafka smiled calmly.

"Well, do you have any proof of that, darling?"

Stelle looked over both lessons and then crossed her arms.

"I have to admit, Aleph's life lessons are better… Or at least they would be if I didn't already know most of this."

Welt took notes.

"Point for Team Fatal Mom."

Kafka puffed out her chest, both smug and slightly unbothered.

"I suppose traditional education just isn't what it used to be."

Silver Wolf glanced at Stelle.

"If you want something useful, I could teach you efficient farming, maybe some hacking, and how to steal credits from other accounts."

"Yes! No more poverty ever again!" Stelle shouted, stars shining in her eyes. "We could even buy that leash for March 7th like Dan Heng suggested, so she doesn't get lost or escape during missions!"

"WHAT?!"

"Stelle… don't rat me out."

Aleph and Kafka stared at her in horror.

"NO!"

Silver Wolf rolled her eyes and went back to her console. So boring.

Welt stood up and looked at the group.

"Alright, let's move on to the final test: Free time."

.....

After the disastrous life lessons, Welt announced the last test.

"In this phase, we will observe how both of you take care of Stelle during her free time. We will evaluate who can provide her with the best experience for growth and entertainment."

Aleph and Kafka stared at each other like lifelong rivals.

"Stelle, come with Mommy! I'll take you shopping to make you look like a true lady."

"No way! Big brothers take their little sisters to train and do fun stuff! Let's go break things and, if it gets out of control, blame someone else!"

"That sounds a little dangerous," Welt murmured.

Stelle sighed.

"Just take me to do something decent."

Shopping with Kafka.

The group headed to a luxury boutique in a random city.

Kafka examined the outfits with a critical expression.

"Darling, you need a style that reflects your distinguished yet deadly nature. Something that says, 'I'm beautiful, and I'll take you out with a smile.'"

"That sounds like a threat," Stelle commented, watching as Kafka held up a black dress with red and gold details.

Silver Wolf, who had somehow joined the trip, looked at the clothes with complete indifference.

"This is all useless."

Soon, Stelle walked out of the dressing room in her normal clothes.

Kafka looked at her curiously.

"Why didn't you change?"

Stelle gave her a neutral but intense stare.

"The chest… was way too loose."

Aleph soon appeared, holding a black cap with gold details in his hand.

"You just need a hoodie and a cap. That's real style!"

He pointed at Silver Wolf.

"She gets it!"

"That's the spirit."

Silver Wolf nodded approvingly.

Kafka sighed.

"How did I end up surrounded by people with no sense of fashion?"

Himeko, who had appeared out of nowhere with a cup of coffee, raised an eyebrow.

"I'd say your mistake was thinking you could get Stelle interested in fashion."

"…You're right."

Stelle shrugged.

"Can I keep the cap?"

"Yes," said Silver Wolf.

"No," said Kafka.

"I say yes," said Aleph.

...

Training with Aleph.

In a clearing on some random planet, Aleph and Stelle stood facing each other, bats in hand.

"Alright, little sis, time for some serious training!"

"…Little sis?"

"Come on, prove you deserve the title of Bateman Jr.!"

Stelle sighed and adjusted her grip on the bat.

"Not sure I want that title."

March 7th, who had appeared with a bucket of popcorn from who-knows-where, watched with interest.

"This is gonna be fun."

"Get ready!"

Aleph charged at Stelle with a side swing.

She blocked it effortlessly, spinning to launch a counterattack.

The sound of bats clashing echoed through the air as their strikes grew faster.

March 7th began narrating the fight like a sports commentator.

"And here we see Aleph using his classic side swing, but Stelle counters with a perfect block!"

"Why do you feel the need to narrate?" Dan Heng asked, appearing suddenly with a book in hand.

"Because it's fun."

At that moment, Stelle struck Aleph harder than expected, sending him flying into a tree.

"Oof!"

Stelle rested the bat on her shoulder and looked at him with a slight smirk.

"…Bateman Jr., huh?"

Aleph got up and grinned confidently.

"Alright, I see the student is learning quickly."

"That means I won, right?"

"…I don't know. We never decided if this training was scored."

Stelle frowned.

"Stop making up rules."

March 7th clapped.

"Nice! Now we just need a rematch with bets!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

.....

Finally, after the activities, the group returned to the Astral Express.

Welt observed them calmly before giving his verdict.

"You both took good care of Stelle… in your own ways."

Kafka smiled smugly.

"Which means I won."

Aleph crossed his arms.

"Not so fast. She clearly had more fun with me."

Stelle sighed and raised her hand.

"I propose a tie."

"What?!"

"Yeah. If we keep this up, it'll never end."

Welt nodded.

"A wise decision."

Kafka and Aleph exchanged distrustful looks but eventually, albeit reluctantly, accepted the truce.

Silver Wolf, eyes still on her console, muttered:

"The real correct choice was just letting Stelle do whatever she wanted from the start."

Stelle patted her on the head.

"Thanks, Silver."

"Whatever. Now leave me alone."

And thus, the parenting war ended in a technical tie… for now.

Blade watched the entire scene with a deadpan stare.

"Can I kill them all now?"

**************************************************************************

...Stopping writing is hard; I ended up getting carried away. I'm not completely satisfied with the chapter, but I've already rewritten it twice, so I'll leave it as it is. I added the Omake because it came to me while I was writing, and if more ideas come up in the future, I'll probably add them the same way.

Anyway, what did you think?