Two days passed in a flash.
During this short span, Leon had already collected the blood samples of Lili and Haruhime to assess the energy requirements for their angelic reincarnation.
Just as he had expected, the two girls—while diligent and faithful—didn't possess remarkable innate potential. The energy value needed for their reincarnation was modest: 10,000 each.
However, the remaining energy points had dropped to just over 10,000. It wasn't enough for both at once. So for now, he put the plan aside.
He would wait until the magic stones from Demeter arrived—then reincarnate them together.
Today was the day Leon had arranged to meet with Demeter.
Early in the morning, he left the library and made his way through the familiar streets of Orario, heading toward the residence of the Demeter Familia.
Her home was a modestly sized manor, more accurately described as a cozy villa, nestled quietly in one corner of the city.
When Leon arrived, Demeter was already waiting at the entrance, her expression graceful as always.
"Long time no see, Leon," she greeted, her soft voice like a breeze. "You really didn't come see me even once before our agreed time…"
Though her tone remained gentle, Leon felt a strange undertone—a subtle edge to her voice that reminded him strangely of passive-aggressive sass.
He gave a light chuckle and shook his head.
"You know how chaotic things have been between the Hestia Familia and Apollo Familia. I've been busy training Lili these past two days—I barely left the compound."
"Hehe, just teasing," Demeter replied playfully. "Come now, I've already prepared the magic stones. Follow me."
Turning gracefully, she led him inside.
Before long, Leon was brought to the room where the magic stones were stored.
"Uh… is this your bedroom?"
Leon blinked in disbelief.
Though spacious, the room had a distinctly warm atmosphere—cozy furniture, lace curtains, scented flowers, and a faint, almost romantic fragrance.
Yet within that delicate space were more than twenty boxes of magic stones stacked neatly on one side.
"…Is this really where you decided to store them?" Leon asked, eyes twitching as he scanned the pile.
"Of course!" Demeter answered with a laugh. "I don't trust the warehouse with so many precious magic stones. What if something happens to them?"
If you're worried about safety, shouldn't you store them somewhere with guards or at least a lock? You can't just leave them in your bedroom! What if someone sneaks in when you're not around?!
Of course, those complaints only echoed in his mind. Outwardly, he merely smiled awkwardly and started preparing to store the magic stones in his system storage.
But just as he moved to act, Demeter's voice stopped him.
"Wait, are you going to store all of these in your library?"
"No need," Leon smiled and shook his head. "I have a space magic tool that allows me to store items instantly. I'll just take them with me now."
With a single graceful motion, Leon waved his hand and the twenty-plus boxes of magic stones vanished into thin air, sucked into the spatial storage.
Demeter's eyes sparkled in amazement.
"Ara~ What a convenient magic that is!"
"It's quite handy, yeah. Especially when hauling loot back from expeditions," Leon said with a small laugh.
Just as he was about to turn and leave, thinking the exchange was complete, he felt a gentle tug on his hand.
"…Why are you in such a hurry?"
Demeter's voice was soft… too soft. Her gaze lingered, cheeks flushed faintly, lips slightly parted.
Wait a minute… no way. Is she—?!
Before the thought could fully form, Demeter stepped closer.
The warmth of her breath and the closeness of her face erased all doubt.
Ah… it's just like Tiona two days ago.
Several hours later, Leon returned to the library, his expression distant and complicated.
"Hey! Leon!" Hestia called cheerfully from behind a stack of books. "Did you get the magic stones?"
"Yes," Leon answered in a composed tone, nodding. "All of them."
"Great! Lili and Haruhime are inside. Are you going to do the angel reincarnation now?"
Leon gave another nod. "Yes. It's time."
"They're in the inner courtyard. Go find them yourself," Hestia said casually, resuming her book organizing.
At this point, Hestia had become so at home in the library that she treated it as her divine office.
Leon entered the inner courtyard.
Inside one of the rooms, Lili and Haruhime were seated together, discussing the upcoming war game. With Bell training non-stop in the Twilight Manor, the two had been receiving their own guidance from Leon.
Whether it was close combat or magic, Leon was vastly superior to them. He had become their most trusted mentor.
Mikoto, on the other hand, had gone back to the Takemikazuchi Familia to sharpen her skills and hadn't returned yet.
"Leon, you're back!!" Lili exclaimed the moment he walked in.
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Are you going to give us the angel reincarnation you promised?!"
Leon had already informed both Lili and Haruhime of the plan and to ensure absolute secrecy, he had them both sign a World Contract.
To Lili, it wasn't just about power.
The real reason for her excitement was because Leon had told her: once she was reincarnated as an angel, she and Leon would be eternally bound.
That, to her, was more precious than any strength. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel•fire.net
So ever since Leon made the offer, Lili had waited eagerly.
Now that he had returned from Demeter's, this had to be the day.
"Leon-sama…" Haruhime's soft voice rang out from the side.
She looked up shyly, her cheeks glowing red, and her fox tail swished behind her in quick little flicks.
Leon narrowed his eyes slightly. He knew that look.
This girl is definitely thinking about something inappropriate right now… and I'm probably the center of it.
"I've got the magic stones," he said calmly. "Let's begin."
With a single motion, Leon summoned the Angel Reincarnation Pool, and it materialized in the center of the room, glowing softly with holy white light.
So this was it—the legendary Angel Reincarnation Pool Leon had spoken of.
"Leon, what do we do now?" Lili asked, stepping forward. "Can we just enter it directly?"
"Not yet," Leon shook his head. "I need to provide it with energy first."
He then opened his system space, and box after box of glowing magic stones began to appear in his hands.
He poured them, one by one, into the pool.
Lili and Haruhime watched, stunned by the sheer volume.
Do we really need this many just for the two of us?!
Their eyes quivered with emotion.
"Leon-sama is… so kind to us." Lili murmured, heart thudding in her chest.
Haruhime nodded silently, her gaze softening.
How can we ever repay him?