So, a week had passed and I hadn’t stepped a foot outside my room. I looked out of the window into the AA lobby, and it was filled with adventurers. I had mistakenly thought they were just chilling, but they were here to see me.


    Nilah, what should I do?


    Nilah didn''t respond as she was too busy ripping a pillow apart.


    Nilah! No! But I guess you’re bored.


    Illusions fixed the pillow. Well, they didn’t, the AA workers will be in for a surprise if this suddenly turns into a destroyed pillow but we can’t stay here.


    Nilah, we’re leaving!


    I got my stuff, grabbed Nilah and pulled on the [Dimensional Anchor]. We appeared in the park in Gittrian with no complications. Giving humans the slip is so easy. I wonder how long I can hide my identity now that my popularity is spiraling out of control. The AA was full of life as usual, so I put a mild illusion on myself, walked in, and decided to check my messages.


    Junk, junk, expired requests, fan mail, wow a lot of fan mail, don’t these people have anything else to do? Oh, a Special Request. Whoa this is fancy, whoever made this request must be rich. It had also been sent yesterday. Do I accept? It’s the only one that isn’t expired. What could go wrong?


    It was an escort request from Tails of Symphony. They were currently in Nelfim and needed to go to Gittrian; at least two of the three idols did. I guess a lot of circumstances made it difficult for them to leave. I could complete the request and get ideas for [Boss Music].


    I wondered why they didn’t take teleport gates when I remembered that only few AA have them operational. The one here in Gittrian was still under maintenance.


    Expected hazards: bandits, monsters, crazy fans. All made sense. Reward: whatever you wish.


    That is a strange reward… Will they give me a year’s worth of salmon? It’s worth a try.


    And thus, I accepted my first-ever direct request. It did alert the AA that I was here, though. These teleport gates don’t work, so rumors might spread that I’m either superfast or can teleport, both are true, but people don’t need to know that. Will I embarrass myself with my [Boss music] as I did with my archery? These are professionals and their music is insanely good.


    I absentmindedly walked to the register to officially accept the request. “What is your party size for this special request?”


    Just me.


    “I’ve seen the Silver Torrent demonstration! I’m a fan!” the clerk said excitedly.


    Uhh, thank you, just remember that I’m just a normal dude. Do you by any chance know how I can get rid of this fame?


    “Why would you want to get rid of it!?” The clerk typed for 5 minutes before she looked back up from her screen. “It has been processed; the clients have been made aware that you have accepted the request. Do you want us to arrange transportation? It will be difficult to get into the Aquini Kingdom, though.”


    I got this, don’t worry.


    “Be careful!”


    I’ll do my best.


    So, here’s the problem, I can’t get there too fast because that won’t make any sense. But they needed to be in Gittrian by the end of next month, which gave me… 13 days. I understand they are on a tight schedule, but this takes the cake.


    I should have asked what a realistic time fame was for arrival. I assume 6 days to and 6 back with 1 day to spare, judging from the time left. Nelfim was far though… Maybe it’s already known that I’m fast and that’s why.


    Why don’t I know what the public thinks of me? It’s time to question strangers!


    I disguised myself and stopped a random passerby.


    Excuse me, a strange question, what do you think of the Silver Torrent as an adventurer?


    “Oh, the Silver Torrent. He doesn’t seem to take many requests but whenever he does, he seems to do something crazy, there is a rumor going around that there is more than 1, like a triplet or a quadruplet that’s spread over the continent! Others say that he can fly at the speed of sound! Fans have a hard time tracking him down!”


    I see, thank you.


    I interrogated 4 more random strangers, and taking impossible quests or being everywhere and nowhere seemed to be a recurring theme. So, they do think I can teleport or there are more than 1 of me.


    I facepalmed. What have I done? No use in stalling for time, then. I should reach the border in a day or 2, crossing the border was a different story, though.


    Hiena, the border city, was my destination. It was heavily guarded and looked like a military city. This was still Hjuva, but the Aquini Kingdom had a decent relationship with Hjuva, so I assumed Hjuva was doing this to prevent Igrini spies from entering from this side.


    Crossing the border with the idols is going to be such a pain in the ass…


    I headed toward the mountain pass I had gotten the students through 2 years ago. Still as poorly guarded as ever. It would most likely become our route to come back.


    Getting through was easy. The security was quite embarrassing, but that worked for me. I successfully infiltrated the Aquini Kingdom and headed over to Nelfim.


    It was spring, but it seemed summer in Nelfim. I couldn''t remember if this place always appeared to be so tropical. The city seemed well off and much had changed since the last time I was here.


    I was supposed to meet them at a lake. Something about a photoshoot. I wandered around and got stopped by 2 men who looked like they were on a beach holiday. “Hold up there! Beyond here is a reserved area, what is your business!”


    I showed my adventurer ID card.


    “Whoa!! You’re already here? That was fast! Come on in!”


    I looked at their attire and mine. Maybe I should also go for the holiday vibe.  Ok give me a second.


    I went out of sight and changed into a colorful shirt with palm trees, shorts and slippers. I had to hide Nilah because a sword doesn’t fit this attire. The sun shades went on a tropical drink got pulled out of my dimensional pocket and my summer look was complete. Perfect!


    A gentle breeze tickled my nose and I walked over to the two men but got sand in my slippers.


    So, you have returned my arch nemesis. Take me to your leader!


    “Uhh, sure.”


    A part of the beach, I mean lake, had been walled off by opaque crystal walls. I got led inside and saw a lot of people that I recognized as paparazzi taking a lot of pictures.


    “Oh, he has arrived.” A blonde woman with a pleasant voice put her hand up and I instantly noticed something. She had blue fox ears and a figure like any other vixen I had met before. Hourglass shape, big bust, and wide hips. A body made for seduction. She had toned light caramel-colored skin and blonde hair with some blue highlights, most of which suggested that she wasn’t from Kaledon.


    I will get successfully seduced if I’m not wary, as charm mana was leaking out of her. I normally didn’t pay this much attention to the details of other people.


    Not only that, but I might be already [Charmed] for all I know. It also didn’t help that vixens instinctively know what version of themselves they need to [Transform] to be extra appealing.


    I’m a man, so my [Transform] is garbage tier if the target has a humanoid appearance. I can only [Transform] into Agnis Oures, which is only a gender swap, so that’s simple. Anything more and… it won’t work well. Vixens however are masters in [Transform]. They have multiple versions of themselves, and that’s ignoring any other transforms.


    In short, a vixen gets who she wants, and that’s why I do my best to run away from Hisui. I might have to add someone else to this list if she discovers that I’m also a 9t. As there is a possibility, she has a version of herself that one-shots me if she [Transforms] into it.


    She walked over to me and her hips swayed hypnotically. Shit! She was totally my type.


    I need to act professionally.


    “It’s nice to meet you, Silver Torrent. I’m glad that you accepted our unreasonable request. But let’s talk with a little less, eyes watching.” Her voice wasn’t laced with charm, but I still felt a pull.


    Don’t tell me I did something stupid and fell in love at first sight.


    Ehh, ok.


    My ‘professionalism’ needed work… It was hard to concentrate. This chick had my full attention, and it was good that Raishin wasn’t here. I also noticed that she smelled like rain with a tinge of the ocean. Is this how I smell?


    “I’m going to talk to the Silver Torrent. Take a break!” The vixen said as I got led to a house made out of crystal.


    Distract yourself Agnis! I took a deep breath and exhaled. It’s time for Zen Agnis.


    This house… It was a bit strange to make one on the beach, ehh lake. This lake is so deceptive, it has no business looking like a beach!


    I stepped inside and encountered another beautiful woman. She had a pleasant earthy smell, long brown hair and a strange dress, she looked like the sand people from Saluk, not too dissimilar from Thalia. Are those crystals? Something seemed off. A goddess? No, a wolf?


    Huh, a crystal tail?


    “Oh, so you finally remember us?” The chick with a crystal tail walked over to me.


    Uhm, this is the first time I meet celebrities.


    “I don’t think he remembers Noelle; he never did…”


    The chick named Noelle flicked her finger which shut the door and pinned me to the wall. “So, can you finally explain to us why you locked us here in the ‘Human World’?


    Uhm, more context please?


    Noelle stomped and the whole house shook.


    “15 years ago, you locked us in a cave, forcing us to endure the ‘Human World’!”


    15 years? What are you talking about? I was in Hourai 15 years ago, wait you guys probably don’t know what Hourai is…


    Noelle stomped again. “We do! We grew up there!” 6 more crystal tails appeared.


    Ohhh.


    “Ahh so you do remember?”


    I’m sorry, uhm can you tell me what your friend is talking about miss eh,,.


    “Giana Kahlua. Turn him around, Noelle, he truly doesn’t remember. He needs a reminder.” Noelle turned me around easily. Such brute strength…


    Hey! I thought you needed an escort!


    I tried to break free when I felt Elgards eyes on me. It didn’t seem to do anything to me, but I did start to remember something. Something about 3 annoying chicks back in Hourai who pretended to be allies but were probably spies.


    Wait? Pinda?


    “It’s Giana!”


    “Oh, good job he remembered! Now tell us why did you kick us out of Hourai!?” Noelle started shaking me.


    Hey easy there, I’m fragile!


    “Can you please tell us? Noelle is convinced that it was out of malice, Yv… Yvonne and I thought so too, but I started to get doubts over the years.”


    Uhh, you were suspicious, so I had to remove you!


    “I knew it!” Another stomp.


    “Noelle, calm down, I sense deception.” Giana closed in and her gaze intensified. “Can you please tell us?” She was very close and forced me to I look away. Zen Agnis is in trouble.


    Uhh, I forgot.


    “Noelle, I’m going to use [Empathic Bond].”


    Huh? What is that?


    I tried to break free but Noelle seemed to have blocked my teleports. Right, crystal wolves are good at stabilizing things, I can’t teleport as long as she doesn’t allow it, this sucks. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Giana put her hand on my chest and I felt a strange sensation as if she was going through my body.


    Oh no, this is a bad idea.


    The memory played off of when Hourai got attacked. I gave a map of the cave to Pinda who seemed to be Giana all along. Our fight against the slave traders played off and how I noticed we couldn’t win. How I made sure they couldn’t catch the chicks, and how I exploded in blood. Giana recoiled the moment that event played off.


    “This… Noelle, let him go… we were wrong…”


    “What happened? What did you see?” Noelle freed me and stepped back.


    I fixed my tropical shirt. It wasn’t made in Jarn, so rough treatment will rip it.


    Giana put her hand on Noelle’s chest, and Noelle recoiled moments later.


    She stormed at me, lifted me with one hand and pinned me against the wall, again. “Why didn’t you just say so!”


    I forgot! I told you!


    Giana’s gaze intensified. “More deception!”


    Stop being such a 9t!


    “Well… thank you for doing that. We are aware of what happens to female slaves in the north… thank you.” Noelle let me down and hugged me.


    Oh, this is awkward. So, am I safe now?


    Giana shook her head. “No. I am aware that our race is reckless, I am a healer, so I will give you a checkup.”


    Uhm, that’s also a bad idea. Why are you two so intimidating?


    “Noelle!”


    Hey this is assault! A crime!


    Noelle had grabbed me again, quite gentle this time and Giana placed her hand on my chest again.


    So ehh this [Empathic Bond] thing, what is it exactly?


    “It makes me experience the things you have experienced and connect to you on a more emotional level.”


    Uhm, have I told you that that’s a bad idea?


    “And why is that exactly?” her eyes glowed pink purple as she used [Empathic bond] again. So it’s charm magic… why am I not surprised?


    She recoiled and went again; she kept going after recoil and started crying after the 3rd recoil.


    “Giana, are you ok? Agnis… what in Hourai have you been through…”


    Please stop her, this is a very bad idea!


    “I’m sorry, Giana is determined to see this through.”


    But why…


    “Something you have forgotten a long time ago.”


    Giana kept going and I begged her to stop.


    One recoil was different. She screamed and collapsed to the ground. She couldn’t stop crying. I suppose that’s the first time I took an insane amount of damage. Probably near my birthday with that demon.


    She got up and continued. For some reason, it seems like she was more in pain than I was when it happened. She continued until a very big recoil. She couldn’t get herself to stand up the tears wouldn’t stop flowing from her eyes.


    Please go help her.


    “Giana!” Noelle ran over and I left the crystal house to lean against a palm tree.


    So, these three chicks have survived and became idols, eh? I had completely forgotten about them. I hope they had a better experience down here than we had. Giana had her ears and tail out in the open. It is the Aquini kingdom after all, but still bold, especially since fox ears and especially blue fox ears are extremely rare.


    Noelle ‘ran’ out of the house, as she wasn’t particularly fast, and looked around. “Oh, you haven’t escaped, Giana told me to not let you leave.” Noelle grabbed me and dragged me back inside.


    Giana was still crying on the floor. “Agnis why?”


    Why what?


    “Why do you do this to yourself? Do you hate yourself?”


    I don’t, I’m just unlucky, that’s all…


    I was still a bit confused about this all. It could be my terrible memory, but I didn’t remember being close to these women back in Hourai.


    Giana pounced on me. “Remove those illusions! Show Noelle!”


    Wait, what? Why?


    “I will remove them if you don’t and my illusions will be stronger with Noelle helping me!”


    7t and 9t are an insanely powerful combo. Any illusion can be reinforced by the 7t, meaning; she isn’t bluffing.


    But why do you care so much.


    “Do I need to punch you? Listen to Giana!”


    So aggressive…


    I reluctantly removed the illusions. Noelle gasped and stepped back. “What…”


    Giana sobbed and started to heal the bite mark scars.


    “Is this what you saw, Giana? What could even…”


    I decided to stop resisting and let Giana heal me. A 9t that can heal, how strange. She is also stupidly good at it.


    I was scar free after 10 minutes but Giana didn’t get off me. She used her [Empathic Bond] on me again. There was nothing that bad after that event, so there was nothing to stop her for. It didn’t seem to affect her negatively besides crying, that much trauma in a short term is probably deadly. This chick is strong.


    She stopped and hugged me causing Zen Agnis to go on a holiday, this was too much for me, how am I supposed to win against a vixen?


    “We need to look out for each other.”


    I glanced at Noelle, who shrugged.


    Giana wiped her tears and got off me. “I’m sorry for that. But I made up my mind. Noelle, we’re going for the best-case scenario!”


    “I honestly didn’t believe you, but I’m still glad it turned out this way.”


    Giana smiled as she noticed that I was staring. “Can you excuse us for a bit? I need to get ready for the escort.”


    Uh, sure.


    I left the crystal house and tried to process what just had happened. Did this chick just go through my last 15 years in 2 hours? How am I supposed to feel about that? All I know is that [Empathic Bond] is one of the most overpowered skills I’ve ever encountered so far. But… she is a 9t, it would be strange if she didn’t have overpowered skills.


    I got a refreshing drink and I watched over the lake that looked like a beach. Was this an illusion? It’s hard to tell, but if Noelle stabilized it, it might as well be reality.


    I managed to get Zen Agnis back and almost fell asleep since it took so long.


    “Giana is almost done, and I’m sorry for being so aggressive.”


    Don’t worry about it, happens all the time.


    “Well, it''s bothering Giana a lot because she also thought the same, it didn’t help that some of our concerts had to be moved, and the reason could be traced back to you. It was you who fired off those ‘Judgement Bolts’ at Itris didn’t you?”


    Oops, sorry about that.


    “It’s fine, you didn’t do that to annoy us. Giana… she told me about what she experienced with [Empathic Bond]. The memory of what happened will leave her soon, but she will never forget the feelings…I always thought that she needed you, but I think you need her too. That’s why you should marry her!”


    Uhh what? Aren’t you supposed to make sure no random guy comes near her?


    Noelle wagged her finger “Tss, I know how you foxes behave, this is no problem. Moreover, you’re from Hourai, people from Hourai always stick together! You’re not some random guy”


    You do know that childhood friends never win in series, right?


    “Well, we weren’t really friends, so that isn’t a problem!” Noelle said with a smile and patted my back in an overly friendly manner.


    That… hmm you have a point. Either way you’re celebrities, celebrities and a nobody don’t go together… wait I’m not a nobody…


    I put my head in my hands.


    Noelle slapped my back. “Hahaha! Welcome aboard! I’m glad to finally have a younger brother!”


    Huh younger brother?


    “Well, you’re 22, right? Giana and Yvonne are 24, and I am 26.”


    Why is everyone older….


    Noelle gave me a thumbs up and nodded approvingly. “Just give up and get together with her.”


    You might want to tell her to be more careful. She just pounced on me like it was nothing, in a bathing suit. She is quite… big and soft...


    “The seeds of seduction have sown! Good job Giana!”


    What a weirdo. Wait didn’t you have the hots for Raishin? Let’s talk about that!


    “Yup! At least I don’t lie to myself! It seems he goes by the Crazy Firecracker now, still as handsome as ever!”


    What is that supposed to mean…


    “Sorry that it took so long.” Giana came out of the crystal house. She was wearing black leggings and an interesting cardigan; she was exposing her belly and her cleavage. Zen Agnis wanted to take a hike, but I still need him, else I will fail this escort.


    Noelle poked me with her elbow. “She’s pretty, eh?”


    Let’s just get this escort thing going, why do you guys even need it? Shouldn’t you be strong enough to not need one?


    “Well firstly, Noelle wanted to punch you because it didn’t sit her well that everyone was praising you after that latest video that was released.”


    Oof.


    Giana pulled a letter out of a strange place and handed it to me. “Also, we had gotten a lot of strange fan mail that concerned us so we could use some more help. They were especially targeted to me”


    They must be really in to you.


    I said after reading through some highly disturbing fan mail.


    Noelle frowned. “Well, we had some aggressive ones they started after we revealed our tailed identity, they were saying that they liked Giana’s spirit. They kept using those words. At least they’re consistent.”


    I got a bad feeling about this. At least staying serious will be quite easy now.


    Can I have more details about that? And why would you reveal that…


    “Huh? I’m sure it’s nothing. And we stopped physically aging a while ago, it will come out sooner or later Also! It seemed to improve the public’s view on beast kin!” Noelle said with a melodic tone. I have to keep reminding myself that Noelle is an idol too. She might not be the lead singer, but she can still sing phenomenally.


    Wait, that was your doing?! Whoa that’s wonderful! But I am convinced now. I will get you to Gittrian safely.


    Noelle poked me with her elbow. “Hehe, taking things seriously now, eh? Want to do your best for Giana eh?”


    Hmm, sure, let’s go with that!


    I got up.  Well then let’s go!


    “Is there something you should tell us Agnis?”   I couldn''t place the look Giana was giving me but it was uncomfortable, so I looked away.


    I might be overthinking, don’t worry Giana.


    Noelle grinned. “Hehe, should I make a room for you two?”


    Oh, but can you catch me!?


    “I can’t but Giana can!”  Oh?


    “Give it a rest Noelle! Let’s get ready.”


    The paparazzi had already cleaned up and it was just us. How odd, were paparazzi always this well-behaved?


    We returned to the AA of Nelfim and it became apparent that various other adventurers had volunteered for the escort and would go with a caravan. Quite outdated but the continent was still in a mess more or less as the Aquini kingdom is still at war.


    Hey, how are we going to pass the border?


    “With our charm!” Giana and Noelle made idol poses.


    Normally I would say that that’s silly, but that might actually work. You can find me on the roof of one of these wagons.


    The caravan got readied, and the adventurers were chatting. The idols drew a lot of attention, and I tried to stay at a distance to not get caught in random bullshit.


    “Won’t you share a wagon with us?” Giana asked as she gestured to a peculiar wagon.


    I pointed at some adventurers, who seemed envious that I was getting familiar with the idols.


    Would be inconsiderate to those guys.


    “But…”


    “Don’t worry, Giana, you will have more than enough time to seduce him.”


    You know what? I think you will be a good match for Raishin, Noelle, you got my approval!


    I gave her a thumbs up after climbing on the roof of a wagon to rest. Someone complained to me to get off because I might rip through it, but I ignored him. If my weight destroyed the roof, they have different problems.


    “Let’s make a plan!” Noelle and Giana entered the idol wagon.


    It was fancy, and I wondered what these managers were thinking. Isn’t it obvious in which cart the idols were? I also forgot to ask where their third friend was.