Even though they were almost lifeless, the girls still managed to finish the entire menu. With how much they’re eating, I guess our daily food expenses would cross 100,000 Credits after three meals.
However, after filling their stomachs, they completely fell asleep on the table. Having no other choice, I moved them to individual rooms, one at a time. I wish I hadn’t dismissed my clones so early.
After spending a few minutes doing this, I started cleaning up the table and utensils before going to bed and sleeping. Fortunately, after I laid down on the bed, the sky outside started to dim like it was at night. I guess it has a feature that makes it dim if everyone is already resting for the day.
That night… Nothing much happened.
As expected, I was the first one to wake up, and I quickly moved to prepare for breakfast. However, I was already getting sick of cooking, and I didn’t want to use my clones too early, so I just silently sneaked out of the training space.
Then, I went around the capital, looking at stalls and buying as much food as I could. I mean, since time stops inside the [Spatial Storage] anyway, why not stock up to the limit of my pockets?
I spent a few hours looking around for delicious food and even went to order at early-morning restaurants to be doubly sure. When I was finally able to empty my on-hand cash, which totals over 20,000,000 Credits, I finally turned back and returned.
As soon as I returned, I tried to detect their presence but noticed that they were still asleep. All of them. Just how did my clones train them to become this tired?
While waiting for them to wake up, I set up the table with the food I bought. There were a lot of varieties, from meat to vegetable dishes, and even fish and soup were added to the mix. As I was about to finish setting the table, a few loud footsteps echoed, making me look up to the second floor, where the girls’ sleeping quarters were.
“Food! I smell food!”
Fang rushed down the stairs and jumped to a vacant seat, quickly downing whatever she could put her hands on.
“Fang, that’s bad manners. At least try to use the utensils.”
Although I don’t really mind it, eating manners should be taught early. After hearing my warning, she quickly slowed down and took the plate before filling it with a mountain of food.
“…”
With her pace, I guess she could finish half of the food alone.
As she was eating, the rest started running down one after another and sitting around at the table before eating breakfast. It was a peaceful scene, far from our almost daily battles lately. I guess times like these aren’t that bad.
After that, we moved on to our morning menu. Again, we repeated the same thing as yesterday, with Fang and Ember fighting against Igni while Fina, Yorm, and Judy did individual skill-chaining training.
They were improving at a pretty rapid pace, which was something I was thankful for. For example, Yorm was now able to use three skills in a seamless chain. I guess soon she’d be up for simultaneous skill activation.
For lunch, I took out a portion of the food I bought again. This time, the girls didn’t rush and ate at a snail’s pace while chatting around. After this, there was the hellish man-to-man training after all. They must be mentally preparing themselves for what’s to come.
“Alright, time for the afternoon session!”
I made exactly six clones and made them train the girls with whatever menu they came up with. During that time, I spent the afternoon reading ancient books while drinking coffee inside the villa.
Outside, I could sometimes see the girls running around with sweat covering their faces. I felt bad for them, at least a little, so for dinner, I prepared the most extravagant ones that I have. Tomorrow is the last day of our training, after all, so we should enjoy it while it lasts.
That afternoon, at exactly the same time yesterday, the girls came crawling in completely out of gas. I smiled wryly since I knew this would happen and supported each of them to the chairs one at a time.
Although they still managed to eat a part of the food, even though it was so appetizing, they could only finish half of it. Fortunately, they didn’t slump down on the table like yesterday and managed to groggily walk to their separate quarters.
After I confirmed that they all entered their rooms safely, I tucked the remaining food into the [Spatial Storage]. After all, it’s a waste to just throw them away. Wasting food is a big no-no, even if you have the money for it.
After cleaning up, I undid my clones and went to the master’s bedroom. The same as yesterday, I just can’t get used to how large the bed is. After all, it feels like I’m an ant stuck in the middle of a giant’s bed.
Just as I was about to close my eyes and go to sleep, my ears picked up on faint noises coming from outside the door.
“Hmm?”
This noise… Are the girls going for a nighttime dip in the bathroom or something? But the sound of their footsteps is getting louder. As I guessed, a knock soon came from the door.
“… Yes?”
Although I could slightly guess what was to come next, I still asked. Fang quickly opened the door and peeked inside, her ears flat on her head as if afraid of something.
“Leader… Can we sleep with you tonight?”
“Alright, alright, you can—wait… We?”
As I asked, the door opened wider, revealing everyone standing behind Fang.
“Yes! Ember said, the more the merrier!”
Without even waiting for my confirmation, she rushed ahead and jumped on top of the bed before crawling closer, snuggling to my right side. The rest of them followed, leaving no one behind. Even Yorm and Judy came along as if it were the most natural thing in the world. ．
Soon, the bed that I thought was too big suddenly felt like it was a bit lacking. Fang and Ember sandwiched me from both sides, while Igni went to my right thigh, using it as a pillow, and Fina moved to the other thigh and did the same. The two little beasts moved on top of my chest, sleeping like I was a cushion or something.
“…”
Well, I’ll just say that it was different from what I imagined. Still, sleeping like this would be a bit hard, but it’s definitely not something I hate. Yep.