Altair's arrival led Rinslet to form the Laurenfrost team, named after her family. A victory under this banner would elevate her entire house's prestige. As the eldest daughter of the Laurenfrost family, Rinslet fiercely guarded her family's honor, ready to face any challenge to uphold it, a mindset typical of a noble heir.

Originally, Claire, as the main heroine, would have formed the Scarlet team, with everyone joining her. Now, Rinslet's dominance established the Laurenfrost team, rendering the Scarlet team obsolete. The outcome remained the same, they'd win, but this time, the Laurenfrost name would shine brighter.

Kamito had no objections to joining Rinslet's team; he enthusiastically supported it. His goal was to compete in the Blade Dance festival, and being part of the Laurenfrost team was far easier than opposing it. Rinslet's prowess as a long-range powerhouse, backed by an immensely strong dragon spirit, offered unmatched security.

Thus, the Laurenfrost team was officially formed with three members: Rinslet, Claire, and Kamito. Though Kamito was the reincarnation of the Dark Elf King, he was currently human, joining as an elementalist. Altair, as a spirit, didn't occupy an elementalist slot.

When Headmistress Greyworth saw the team roster, she sighed deeply. With such a monstrous lineup, what chance did other teams have? She half-wished she could crown them champions outright. But as headmistress, she couldn't, so she approved their application for the academy's selection matches, hoping other students would survive.

Though Claire joined Rinslet's team, she harbored other plans. Seeing Rinslet's sudden surge in power, she knew it was Altair's doing. Just one day after their contract, Rinslet's transformation was staggering. Claire's envy and frustration led to her locking Kamito in the bathroom back at the dorm, whipping him in a heated "bondage play."

Kamito was utterly baffled. What was with this girl, always targeting him for no reason? Yet, every time he considered leaving, Claire's pitiful, abandoned-kitten expression made him stay. He was completely under her thumb.

Whipping Kamito didn't awaken his powers, though. It only led to Claire tripping and falling onto him, sparking a flurry of fanservice and chaos in the dorm.

Unable to draw power from Kamito, Claire sought another spirit to contract. She had Scarlet and, nominally, Kamito, but found him too weak. She decided to compete in the academy's internal matches, where the empire had sent a military spirit for an outstanding student to claim, aiming to excel at the Blade Dance festival and secure national glory.

Military spirits, used in warfare, were exceptionally powerful combat entities. Claire wanted this spirit to bolster her strength while Kamito remained unawakened, unwilling to rely solely on Rinslet.

To win the military spirit, students competed in the academy's selection matches, held in a coliseum open to the public. Imperial citizens and nobles could watch the elementalists' battles.

Claire signed up, and Kamito, unable to resist her, joined her.

With no pressing tasks before the academy's selection, and training not required daily, Altair took Est and Rinslet to the coliseum's spectator stands to watch Claire's performance.

Predictably, chaos erupted. A spirit went berserk, infecting other low-intelligence spirits, which began rampaging through the arena. Where protagonists went, trouble followed, how else could they shine?

But Altair's focus wasn't on the rampaging spirits. Upon entering the coliseum, he'd sensed a peculiar power from the observation deck, subtle, not overly strong, as if concealed. When the spirits went wild, that power flared, and Altair locked onto its source.

Black wings, a dark gown, lustrous hair, a purple dress, bare pale legs, and an angelic face, a beautiful dark-winged spirit girl.

Recognition hit. This was the protagonist's first contracted wife, Restia, the Demon Sword of Piercing Truth, and an avatar of the Dark Elf King.

With his dragon-enhanced vision, Altair could see every detail of Restia across the coliseum. Mature purple hues, nice choice, Kamito. But, frankly, Est was cuter.

Restia was indeed a beauty, capable of transforming into a powerful demon sword, but Altair wasn't interested. She was adorable, but not as much as Est. Her figure was impressive, but Hestia outshone her.

No reaction from him. He was a man devoted to his wives. His affection for Rinslet was fated, she was destined to be his. Perfectly natural.

Affirming his loyalty, Altair pondered. Restia, an avatar of the Dark Elf King, and Kamito, his reincarnation, together, wasn't that… himself with himself?

The Dark Elf King played a bold game.

Amusing as it was, Altair shifted to strategy after confirming Restia's identity. She saw Kamito as her awaited Demon King, striving to awaken him. Three years ago, she joined him in the Blade Dance festival, and after their victory, she attempted to assassinate the Elemental Lord. Separated by the Darkness from Another World, she'd spent the years seeking ways to restore Kamito's power.

Curiously, she chose to oppose him, acting as a villain to spur his awakening. Why not stay by his side to guide him directly?

Was she playing the "foolish older brother" Trope?

Altair disliked two types: riddlers and those who stopped him from riddling. He had no patience for Restia's "level-up-to-face-the-final-boss" game. He'd confront her directly.

"Rinslet, go help Claire handle those berserk spirits."

The coliseum's civilians had fled, leaving Claire to fend off the spirits. Kamito, spiritless, could only watch. Altair sent Rinslet to assist.

"There should still be some of my power left in you from last time, right?"

"Yes, I can feel it, Master Altair." Rinslet nodded, touching her chest. "After fighting Claire, there's still some. It's warm inside me."

"Good. Go help Claire. I'll handle something else."

"Um, Master Altair…" Rinslet hesitated, then leaned into his embrace, blushing.

"There's some left, but it's not enough. With so many spirits, and my divine power not fully recovered, could you…?"

"I understand."

Surprised but smiling, Altair agreed.

"Please, Master Altair."

Rinslet clung to him, pressing close, tilting her head and closing her eyes, awaiting his kiss.

Kissing beside a battlefield felt like a harem protagonist cliché, locking lips, then exploding to crush the villain boss. As a harem lead, it seemed fitting.

Gazing at Rinslet's shy request, Altair closed his eyes and kissed her.

Her soft lips enveloped his, and as he savored the sensation, he channeled magic into her. Rinslet stood on her toes, tightening her embrace to press closer.

After ensuring she couldn't handle more, Altair pulled back. Rinslet released him, her eyes dazed and shy, licking her lips.

"All set now?"

"Yes." Rinslet replied, shy yet confident. "Filled by you, Master Altair, I'm at my strongest!"

Her left hand summoned Fenrir's magic bow.

"Watch my perfect performance, Master Altair."

Gripping the bow, Rinslet leaped from the stands into the fray.

Kissing on the battlefield, then the hero slays enemies, next should be the protagonist crushing the boss. But wait, Rinslet kissed him and went to fight. Was she the protagonist? Was he her harem?

Watching her confident stride, Altair entertained the odd thought before dismissing it. No way, Rinslet and Est were his wives. He was clearly the harem lead.

Nodding at Rinslet's back, he took Est's hand.

"Est, let's catch the mastermind."

He tugged, but she didn't move. Looking down, he saw Est staring up, eyes narrowed.

"Est?"

Caught red-handed. He'd forgotten to shield their kiss, unlike in the Elemental Realm, and Est had seen everything.

"Master, something wrong?" Est asked formally.

Was she angry? Though they'd only been together a day, Est had called him by name since he introduced himself. Now, switching to "Master" with a detached tone, she was likely upset about the kiss.

"Est, are you mad?"

"Master, Est isn't mad. Not at all upset that Master kissed another girl in front of Est."

She spelled it out, then turned away.

Altair chuckled. Her pout was adorable.

Though only a day had passed, he'd kept Est close, holding her, patting her head or cheeks, soft and comforting, while boosting her affection. With her contract's loyalty boost and possessive nature, Est's fondness for him was sky-high. Seeing her "husband" kiss another woman was bound to spark jealousy.

As a spirit, her reaction was envy rather than human rage. Otherwise, she might've grabbed a knife.

Altair knew how to soothe her. He crouched, hugging her close.

"Est, don't worry. I'm your contractor, your only contractor, so I'm yours. No one can take me away. You're my contracted spirit, my only one, my greatest treasure."

"Understand, Est? You're my one and only, my most important one."

Est smiled, satisfied, squinting happily in his arms.

"Altair, I want that too."

"Want what?"

"What you did with Rinslet."

Est wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Altair is strong, Est can feel it. But Est wants to be Altair's strength. Though I can't reach my true self now, I still have some power. So, Altair, give me your power, like with Rinslet. Then I can unleash greater strength to help you."

"I understand, Est."

How could he refuse his wife's request?

Holding her, Altair leaned down for their second kiss since her arrival.

Her lips were cool, perhaps due to her Queen of Steel nature, yet soft. He couldn't resist a playful lick before channeling magic.

"Mmm~" Est's small frame trembled, emitting a cute sound, just like Rinslet.

Unlike Rinslet, Est, even with one-tenth her power, could handle far more. Altair poured in ten times the magic he'd given Rinslet before stopping.

Satisfied, Est smiled, squinting at him. Unlike Rinslet, she felt no shyness, bold as the little girl who woke each morning in knee-high socks, draped over him.

"I won. That was longer than with Rinslet." Est said gleefully, clinging to his neck.

She cared about that?!

Altair chuckled, patting her head.

"Alright, Est, can you unleash your power now?"

"Yes. I can't use my full strength, but I'm strong now!"

"Then be my strength, Est!"

Altair stood, extending his right hand. Est placed her hand in his.

"Altair, I am your sword. All as you wish."

She transformed into the ornate longsword from their contract, its blade gleaming gold from the infused magic, resembling a holy sword.

"I feel your power, Est." Altair said, shouldering the sword, eyeing Restia on the observation deck.

"Now, let's teach that naughty dark spirit girl a lesson."

***

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