She was thinking of only finding trouble with Muku when Audrey is around. That way she will always have a way out.

Even if she's punished, the punishment won't be as tough as it normally would be if they were alone...

Luckily for her Muku didn't notice anything weird with her or she might have gotten in trouble at that very moment.

He wasn't paying attention to their soul-link at the moment so he missed the minute emotions she felt.

If she was feeling something intensely, he would sense it even if he didn't want to. So the link was like an alarm which only went off under significant pressure...

"What's this hell-level training you're talking about anyway?" Audrey asked curiously.

"Oh, nothing much just something which is only possible in my mindscape..." Muku replied nonchalantly.

"Wait! You can access and manipulate your mindscape too now?!" Freya exclaimed in surprise before Audrey could say anything.

Her reaction was understandable though. After all the girl has suffered because of her mindscape in the past. And even though she had gotten over it, and now knew that it was normal for a person to access their mindscape, just that she was an early bloomer... It still slightly affected her due to the undeniable truth that she hadn't yet come across anyone else who could access and manipulate it.

The others had tried to access their mindscapes but had no idea where to start.

There was no teacher and Freya was no help either as she didn't know how she learned how to manipulate hers. It was something she spontaneously learned how to do after all.

Their failure made her feel a bit weird since she knew that they were absolute geniuses. So for them to be unable to do it... It was odd to say the very least.

Sure they had been mostly occupied with other matters, but still... Logic has never been able to stop the brain from worrying if it was determined to worry no matter what...

So yeah, knowing that Muku could do it too now really made her happy beyond reason. It was nowhere near as happy as she was when Muku returned, but it was definitely high in her short list of happy moments...

"What? Did you think you'd forever be the only one who could do it? Well too bad for you, I can do it too now! Hmph!" Muku replied in an exaggeratedly proud tone.

"No, no. That's not it. I'm actually happy that you can do it too now" Freya replied hurriedly and awkwardly to avoid being misunderstood.

"Hehe. You never change do you?" Muku laughed briefly while looking at Freya.

"Yes? Huh?" Freya was confused.

"I mean, you're still so awkward, timid, and super easy to bully. Honestly, I'm surprised you weren't kidnapped before the apocalypse because you totally fit the kidnap-victim model" Muku spoke freely as every word cut deep into Freya's soul.

"Ah! Please stop. I'll try myself to improve" Freya begged him to stop as she covered her face in shame.

"Haha. Nuh I was just joking, you don't need to change. At least the change shouldn't be inspired by what someone says. And besides, you've changed plenty already. I mean, while you're still everything I said, you're more vocal and open now. Which I say is all you need for now. So don't think about it too much. Anyway, how's Iris?" Muku explained himself to Freya.

"I'm fine. I didn't think you'd actually remember me... What do you want?" Iris replied as she took over Freya's body. It seems the girl had been overwhelmed by Muku's words so she abandoned her body.

"Whatever do you mean? You're a valuable ally. So of course I'd ask about you. Do I need a reason for such a thing?" Muku replied while avoiding eye contact with Iris.

"Spit it out" Iris spoke seriously as she refused to be fooled.

"Fine. There might be some stuff from the past I wanted to ask you... But that's only because you kept on asking about it. Originally I was just asking about your well-being" Muku replied.

All the girls rolled their eyes and his obvious lie. Like who couldn't tell that he wouldn't have bothered with Iris if he didn't have something he wanted to know. Did he think that the plant fairy was stupid?

"...I hate you. But fine, I'm curious to know what you want to ask. So I'll entertain you this once" Iris looked at Muku without saying anything for a moment before replying.

She had believed for a moment that he cared about her. But it seems her instincts were right... But why would she care whether he cared or not... Was she somehow getting influenced by Freya's instincts?

Yes, that had to be it. The girl's absurd level of mindscape manipulation could probably do such a thing even without her actively doing anything...

Iris couldn't let things be as they were if that was the case. If she did that, she might soon join the long list of girls simping for Muku.

A fairy longing for a human mate's affection?... Simply preposterous! It had to be stopped!...

"Thank you for humouring me, but not now. We'll talk later" Muku replied as he dismissed the matter.

"Whatever" Iris replied as she made herself comfortable on the seat.

"So big brother. Are you going to teach us how to access and manipulate our mindscapes too?" Hope asked.

She and the others understood that the matter Muku wanted to talk to Iris about was private. So they didn't ask.

They were curious and wondered what the matter he couldn't tell them was. But they were all well-mannered girls. So even if they were curious, they couldn't bring themselves to ask.

And they trusted Muku enough not to pry. If it was something they should know, they were certain he would tell them about it eventually.

"Sure. But you do know that learning everything is going to be tough right? From fighting, to the force technique and now this. You'd better prepare because once we start, there's no quitting. Even if it hurts like hell" Muku replied in a slightly eerie tone.

"Gulp... So it's okay to skip it if I choose not to start at all?" The timid and lazy Hope who didn't like doing anything too troublesome asked Muku warily.

"Nope", Muku gave a simple answer with a bright smile on his face.

"Oh come on brother. You can't back me into a wall this much! This is the second time today too!" Hope complained as she tried to pinch Muku's arm to show her defiance.

Unfortunately for her, Muku tensed his skin so she couldn't pinch him even if she used all her strength. Which she wouldn't even try for fear of hurting him. So yeah, she was completely cooked...

"Fine. If that's what you want. I'll go easy on you. You're my cute little sister after all. If never wish to trouble you" Muku replied as he playfully pinched Hope's cheeks.

"Hehe. Really?" Hope replied happily.

She knew her brother wouldn't be too serious with her.

"Yes. Sure. Just beat Raya in a fight and you've got yourself a deal" Muku spoke.

"... What?! But isn't she R5 like you? Brother this is not fair? You're bullying me! How could you!" Hope complained after a moment of silence as she lightly hit Muku.

Emily's, Layla's and Chloe's lips twitched as they looked at the interaction between Muku and Hope. Sometimes it really looked like they were a couple who were brazenly flirting in front of them. And this was one of those times.

Such times made them wonder if they should also apply for a sister position. After all, Hope was clearly getting more action with Muku than they were.

They all looked at Audrey who was smiling peacefully with envy. The lady had already sealed the deal so she could leave worry-free knowing that she would get her chance to do more than what Hope was doing with Muku and it was guaranteed. Unlike them...

One had to wonder what they would think, feel or do if they knew that Jade had also sealed the deal and joined Audrey on the worry-free life list...

At the very least, Emily would flip out.

Freya was still in her mindscape not paying attention to what was going on outside, so she didn't think anything of the situation.

Elsa and Iris just looked on with keen interest in their eyes. To them, what was happening was pretty much a live reality show which they could watch up close and personal. With participatory rights too.

It was every gossipy girl's dream!

"Don't worry... She will match your strength. So there's no need to worry about the fight being unfair. And how can you say I'm treating you unfairly? If anything, I'm favouring you since the others don't even have a choice" Muku replied as Hope continued hitting him and complaining.

"...Oh. okay. I guess that makes sense. Fine. I'll fight her. But she better not use too much strength or I won't speak to you anymore" Hope replied after thinking a bit.

"Great. We'll do it... Hmm?" Muku was replying to Hope when he paused and looked in a certain direction.

Raya who was playing with Audrey also paused and did the same...