Quickly closing his bedroom door, Naoki took several deep breaths before sitting on his bed: "Haaah... That should be enough. It seems I can't startle Waver suddenly anymore—he completely exploded and was terrifying. Or maybe Professor Kayneth really is like a monster to him?"
Not just "like" he absolutely is a monster.
"Well then... time to get serious!"
Closing and locking the window, applying a layer of Magecraft protection to the door and window, and finally drawing the curtains. After ensuring all security measures were perfect, Naoki pulled the Logos React Replica from his pocket.
Form simulation—for a Magus, this was clearly an insignificant ability, something so simple that any professional Magus could do it. There was no need to use a world-destroying weapon for such a task.
But in Naoki's eyes, this ability represented a possibility, a possibility only he could explore!
That said, it wasn't something to show off in front of Waver. Or rather, doing this in secret gave Naoki even greater satisfaction and excitement!
Carefully placing the Logos React Replica on the floor, Naoki took another deep breath, adjusted his mood several times, then activated all his Magic Circuits, channeling a massive amount of Mana into the Logos React Replica!
*ZING!*
A red light instantly filled the entire room. The Philosopher's Stone, now in a specific shape, underwent visible transformation, as if an invisible hand were sculpting it, bit by bit, into a humanoid form.
"Hmm... this part needs to be bigger... both sides symmetrical... Yeah, like that, then slimmer here, more curved here... Good, just like that. Finally, the clothing parameters... Ehehehe..."
Unaware that he had accidentally let out a madman-like evil laugh, Naoki meticulously adjusted the Logos React Replica's parameters—though from the way his hands moved, no one would think he was doing anything serious. Or rather, he was definitely doing something insane with the Logos React Replica!
"Alright! Parameters complete! The whole process is done! Simulation start!"
With Naoki's voice full of excitement and anticipation, the red light gradually faded, and the previously blurred human figure became clearer.
It was the body of a woman, with features and proportions so beautiful they seemed impossible in the real world—as if she had stepped out of a fantasy.
A slightly vacant expression, white hair tied into twin braids, a tight white outfit wrapping around her entire body... Though there were still some imperfections, seeing this simulated figure appear before him, Naoki immediately shouted: "Yes! Huge success! Kiana simulation complete!"
What was the proper use of the Logos React Replica?
This was the proper use of the Logos React Replica!
Creating faces, shaping bodies, making waifus!
Though he had always seemed indifferent to beauty, Naoki didn't consider himself uninterested in women. On the contrary, he was a perfectly healthy and normal teenage boy in every way!
Don't be fooled by the fact that he'd been single for over a year, showing no interest in Merlin, Gray, or Misaya, and having no desire to find a partner—the truth was, he just hadn't found the right one!
Merlin was too much of a jerk.
Gray? The UK had comprehensive criminal laws.
Misaya? A human-ghost romance?
What kept him from escaping singlehood wasn't his subjective will but objective factors!
And now!
Those limiting objective factors would no longer exist!
"I'm gonna soar to the top!"
"What are you shouting about in your room? Naoki—"
Just as Naoki reached the peak of his excitement, the previously tightly shut door suddenly swung open, Merlin's voice ringing out as the lights flicked on.
"SHIT...."
The sudden interruption froze Naoki in place.
And upon seeing the scene inside the room, Merlin almost instantly understood what was happening and swiftly pulled out a camera from who-knows-where, snapping a photo!
*CLICK!*
"You—"
"Hehehe, got some good blackmail material." Merlin laughed like she'd just won the lottery. "So this is Naoki's hobby, huh? I was wondering why you never made a move despite living with a beauty like me—turns out you're into this type..."
'Why didn't I make a move on you? Because you're a jerk, ever thought of that?'
Merlin tucked the camera away and covered her mouth: "Hihihi, but don't worry, I'll keep this a secret, absolutely no leaks ★"
'I don't believe you! You've got 'troublemaker' written all over your face!'
Naoki was in full panic mode—he'd been so excited he'd forgotten about Merlin! Thinking back, the simple protections he'd set up might've been enough to stop Waver and Gray, but to Merlin, they were like paper!
"So Naoki's into this type? White hair, a bit ditzy, twin braids, lots of 2D elements. Hmm, is there a tsundere aspect too?"
"Please, just stop..."
In utter despair, Naoki cut off his Mana flow, reverting the Logos React Replica back to its spherical form, then glared at Merlin: "Don't tell anyone... No! Delete that photo!"
"Yeah yeah, the King's orders, of course I'll obey. But..." Merlin leaned closer to Naoki. "Even if it's the King's command, I won't follow it unconditionally. Even if just for formality's sake, this hush money... hmm! You get it!"
This jerk was seriously good at blackmail!
"I don't have money."
"I don't want money. I just wanna borrow this little toy to play with. Back then, for various reasons, I couldn't realize a lot of ideas, so..."
"Don't break it."
"Got it. Here, take the camera—delete it yourself."
Quickly snatching the camera and wiping away his dark history (along with all the other photos inside), Naoki was just about to raise his head and say something to Merlin when what he saw was himself—wearing cat ears, a maid outfit, and even a tail.
What the—
"What the hell is this?!!"