When I got home, I went straight to my room. It was already nighttime, and I just wao shower so I could go to sleep. For some reason, I felt exhausted. I need a skill that improves my stamina.

  I walked through the hallways, making a list of what I o do tomorrow in my mind.

  I could keep training te better armor, but that wouldn't help me improve. So, I decided te just one sword or piece of armor per day and theo the dungeon.

  That's the ideal pce to increase my rank.

  I earn far more points farming ores aing bosses than I do by f ons.

  It would be different if the system gave me a big bonus for each item I fed, but that's not the case.

  When I reached my room, I opehe door. Hephaestus was lying on the bed, waiting for me. I thought she would be w te again, but that wasn't the case.

  "You got back ter than I expected," she said with a smile.

  "I spent too much time talking and ended up staying there lohan I pnned."

  "So, how was it?" Hephaestus sat up and approached me. She was wearing a light white shirt and just a pair of panties. I g her thighs and started feeling a little excited. Hephaestus pced her hands on my chest and then kissed my lips.

  When our lips parted, she started sniffing me.

  Sniff~~

  Sniff~~

  After taking two sniffs, she looked into my eyes.

  "What's this?" she asked.

  "What?" I was fused for a moment, but when I heard her words, I uood why she was bothered.

  "This smell… Isn't this a woman's perfume? Why do you smell like a woman?"

  "Ais, Tiona, and Tiohere, didn't I tell you?"

  "I know that! But why is their perfume on your clothes?"

  "I don't know. I didn't even touch them."

  "..." Since I was telling the truth, Hephaestus calmed down. "I know you're not lying, but I still don't like it. Go take a shower and ge your clothes."

  "I was going to do that anyway."

  Still a bit annoyed, Hephaestus y back down while I headed to the bathroom.

  I took a hot shower, put on clothes, and then climbed into bed.

  "Hey, are you mad?"

  "I'm not mad."

  "Your expression says otherwise. You're definitely mad. I didn't do anything, okay? Why would I look at another woman when I have you?"

  "I know you wouldn't, but it still bothers me."

  "You're being really jealous." I got uhe covers like Hephaestus and hugged her from behind. "You don't o be jealous. I'd never betray you. I only have eyes for you," I whispered in her ear.

  Hephaestus turo look at me.

  "I trust you. I'm sorry."

  "You don't o apologize. I know it's hard not to be jealous of such a handsome and amazing man like me."

  "..." Hephaestus eechless for a moment before turning away. "Arrogant idiot."

  "But am I not handsome and amazing? Hahaha." I hugged her and ughed.

  "... Yes, you are handsome."

  "And amazing?"

  "I'll only call you amazing when you bee the best bcksmith in the Familia like you promised."

  "Are you serious?"

  "Of course not. You are amazing—the most amazing man in the world, and that's why I chose you to be by my side."

  Hephaestus turo look at me again, this time with deep affe in her eyes.

  I felt my heart rad suddenly got flustered.

  "Why are you embarrassed now? Didn't you want to hear that?"

  "I'm not embarrassed," I replied.

  "Hahaha, you are embarrassed~~ You're so cute."

  "I'm going to sleep." I turo the other side, and this time, Hephaestus hugged me from behind. She ed her leg around me and pressed herself against me.

  "Good night," she whispered in my ear, sending a shiver through my body.

  "Good night."

  ####

  When I woke up the m, Hephaestus was no longer in bed. I washed my fad headed to the dining room for breakfast. As soon as I walked in, Nina greeted me with a smile.

  "Good m. Did you sleep well?"

  "Yes, I had a great night."

  "You look happy. What happened?"

  "I had a versation with Hephaestus st night that made me really happy. I guess I'm just really in love."

  "That's adorable."

  Nina walked closer and served me breakfast—toast with red jam. For drinks, there was tea, coffee, and a fruit smoothie. Of course, I chose the smoothie.

  While I ate, Nina stood in the er of the room. I turo her and asked, "Nina, have you ever been in love?"

  At my question, her smile briefly disappeared before quickly returning.

  "No, I've never been in love," Nina said in a light, casual tone. "I never really had time to fall for someone."

  "What do you mean?"

  "I've always worked a lot, so I never had time to meet someone special." Nina looked into my eyes befng away. "It must be nice, right? The feeling of being in love."

  "If you fall for the right person… It's the best feeling."

  "I hope I find the right person someday."

  "You're a beautiful, kind woman, and you're an amazing cook. It won't take long for you to find someone special."

  I was being ho. Nina is the kind of woman many men would love to date.

  She eechless.

  She stared at me for a few seds, then, with a sad expression, said, "Thank you."

  She lowered her head slightly in gratitude.

  But she still looked sad.

  ####

  I went to the training room and gathered some materials te. Today, I decided to use iron si's faster. I heated the metal, and as I began shaping the sword, I realized everythi easier.

  With each strike of my hammer, the effort I o put in decreased signifitly. Everything was moving much faster than usual.

  I dropped the hot metal into the oil basin, and a loud hiss filled the air.

  I lifted the bde and exami—there weren't many imperfes.

  "It's almost perfect."

  After treating the bde and finishing the polishing, I took another look. My refle shone ial. Even without the system activating, the sword looked beautiful!

  Satisfied, I began sharpening one side of the bde.

  Slowly, the sword took shape.

  Once I fihe hilt, the system activated.

  [Probabilities have been temporarily increased.]

  Due to the quality of the fe, probabilities have been enhanced.

  Then…

  [You have fed a Level 1 Legendary Sword]

  When I saw the system message, a wave of excitement hit me.

  At the same moment, a golden light burst from the sword.

  I shielded my eyes with one hand, uo see the transformation. When the light finally faded, new system messages appeared.

  [The skill "Magiha LV3" has been added to the sword.]

  [The skill "Movement Boost LV3" has been added to the sword.]

  [The skill "Leion LV3" has been added to the sword.]

  "Three skills… and amazing o that."

  I felt like I had reached my peak… Even though I knew I was still far from it.

  ParodyGirl