Riding on the back of Kow-Chok, exiting the snow biome was easy. The warmth provided by his large reptilian frame protected us from the cold, and holding on to the furry fleece around his neck was easy. Axilia hugged me from behind, and Ling Xin hugged her to form somewhat of a secure 'train'. Yami and Lorelei were stored safely in my Space Locket. This way, no one would fall off.

In the matter of a few minutes, the Winter Storm was successfully passed. Kow-Chok was fast, after all. Each stride covered a good 200 meters and shook the earth as he went. Yes, the trip was pretty shaky and there was too much noise to hear anything what with all the wind and all, but it was worth it for the speed. I had instructed him to go as fast as possible, after all.

Upon stepping out of the snow biome, the Winter Storm ceased immediately, and we instead found ourselves in a normal mountain biome with forests down below. It wasn't a gradual change, but instead a very blunt and sudden stop. When it came to something like this, however, I didn't mind. I wanted to get out of that storm as soon as possible.

"This... where we part... human,

" Kow-Chok said, communicating with me in my mind. To Axilia and Ling Xin, however, it just sounded like growling.

I nodded in response. Thanks for the ride.

The large creature slowly shook his monstrous-in-appearance-but-in-fact-friendly head.

"No… thank you… human. Your help… good.

"

I chuckled. It was a fair trade. Don't worry about it.

"If you ever… return to… these lands… I will remember… favor. Count… on the Thaw'Kawl.

"

Got it. I'll hold you to that.

With a smile, I patted his enormous head gently several times. It growled in his throat, but I knew it was not hostile.

Now… we should get going. Farewell, Kow-Chok.

"Wait,

" he stopped me.

"What... human name?

"

I smirked.

"Xuan Kai. Remember it well.

"

Kow-Chok bowed the best he could with his massive frame.

"I… will.

"

No more words were necessary. I turned around and began walking away, descending the mountain just to get further away from the snow biome, and after a while, I could hear the tremendously loud footsteps of Kow-Chok slowly fading away. Once they were completely gone, I stopped my hike and took a deep breath.

"Alright… this should be far enough, right…?

"

He recalled the Ice Elves' Queen saying something about a barrier surrounding the snow biome set in place by her ancestors long ago, preventing any long-distance Space Magic to teleport in and out. But how long, exactly, did that barrier extend? Did it cover this mountainous region outside the snow biome as well? I certainly hope not.

"Here,

" I said, reaching out my two hands on either side of me. Ling Xin and Axilia each grabbed one tightly, and I began channeling my magic.

Level Three Space Magic — Warp Gate.

As a large hole of emptiness opened up beneath our feet, I closed my eyes and pictured the Long Family Manor. That's where the girls would be, according to Ling Xin. Several seconds later, I felt my feet being dragged into the abyss below, but it was not uncomfortable. I gave in to the feeling and let it pull me in, until I was at last swallowed by the empty space.

Suddenly-

SPLASH!

"W-Woah!

"

My eyes widened as I fell into something that felt like… hot water. My hands were separated from Ling Xin and Axilia's, who landed beside me.

W-What the hell?! I don't remember teleporting to a-

Oh.

As I stood up and looked around at the quite beautiful and bouncy scenery all around me, I realized what had happened.

"K-K-K-Kyahhh!

" Several familiar girls screamed.

"P-Pervert!

"

"W-Wait, you guys, it's me-!

"

But the next instant, I felt an impact on the back of my head.

And everything went black.

*****

- An Hour Later -

"Ugh…

" I groggily opened my eyes and sat up in a bed, realizing I was in fresh clothes. Judging from my own body's scent, I had been washed and cleaned too.

Hm…? Who did this for me…

And then, my gaze landed on the familiar girl standing by my bed. She wasn't too tall, but there was no doubt she was beautiful. A divine aura surrounded her, painting her like some kind of all-knowing goddess, delicate and way out of any normal man's league. She had a faint smile on her face, and tears in her eyes: a rarity for her.

"Master… welcome back.

"

I closed my eyes and smiled.

"Mei Gui…

"

She suddenly dove into my arms, and I caught her without any hesitation. Although it has only been a week or so at best, it felt like it's been years since we were last together like this.

"Master…

" She repeated over and over again, sobbing in my arms. Emotion was already a rarity for her, so if she was crying like this, it is clear just how much my sudden disappearance had an impact on her.

"It's alright now, Mei Gui…

" I said, patting her head gently.

"I'm here.

"

Suddenly, the door bust open, revealing the other girls behind it. Qing Yue was the first, and promptly jumped into my arms as well, crying just like Mei Gui was.

"Sniff… Big Brother Xuan Kai… I thought you weren't coming back…

"

"Relax, relax,

" I chuckled, stroking her hair lovingly and pressing her head against my chest.

"Your big brother doesn't die that easily.

"

Feng Mian sighed and walked into the room as well, resting one hand on her hip and the other wiping away a tear from her eye.

"Mou… do you know how worried everyone was?

" She said with a faint smile.

"Even Obsidia and Lin Luo-

"

"No we weren't!

" Lin Luo hurriedly cut in, a blush on her face. Then, meeting my gaze, she gave a decisive 'hmph' and looked away, leaning against the wall. But she didn't leave the room, and that was more than enough to prove Feng Mian's words.

Obsidia, on the other hand, merely shrugged.

"I was only worried no one would be there to fulfill our agreement. I do not want to have committed all this time for nothing.

"

"Right, right… all that talk, but don't think I didn't see you cryi-

" Yu An Yan began, but was cut off by Lin Luo once more.

"Shut it! As if you're any better!

"

"W-What?! I never cried-

"

"That's… a lie, sis.

"

"Grr… An Xue, whose side are you on?!

"

I smiled warmly at their sisterly arguments, and sighed in relief. Nothing had changed while I was gone. These girls were as lively as usual, and even the most unlively ones—Lan Xiao Su—could be seen biting her lip and wiping her tears as she looked at me from the back.

Axilia was standing outside the doorway, looking ready to slaughter all of these girls, but Ling Xin held her back—thankfully. She also most likely explained everything to the other girls already while I was unconscious, so…

But… there was one problem.

"Uh… where's Amane?

" I asked, cutting through the noise.

"Oh… right. About that…

" Feng Mian sighed deeply, explaining like the older sister and leader of the bunch.

"… Apparently, some trouble came to her tribe. Her mother fell sick with an illness, and she has to take on the role of matriarch. Most likely… we won't be able to see her again. She was really pained to have to leave without seeing you, though…

"

I clenched my fists tightly. There was nothing I could do about that.

"But… we do still have quite a few days left of our June Break, before school starts again, no?

" Lan Xiao Su inquired curiously, stepping forward. She was being more talkative and engaging—good to see.

"We could visit her…

"

But I shook my head.

"No.

"

"E-Eh? But… why?

" She tilted her head, and the other girls seemed confused as well.

"First off… I never saw her in a romantic way like I see with you guys. If anything, she was more like an… immature little sister to me, like Qing Yue used to be. However, unlike Qing Yue, Amane is just simply… too innocent. I'm sure you all can tell by now, but I tend to be a calamity magnet.

"

"A woman magnet too, fufu~

" Ling Xin giggled, pulling Axilia into the room but still not letting her go wild.

"But basically, what master is trying to say is that the catgirl is far too innocent. She still thinks—and behaves—like a child. She will only be a burden in the future—not to mention her love for master is quite fickle too, like playing house. She doesn't yet truly grasp what love really means.

"

Mei Gui's ears perked up and she whipped her head around to glare daggers at Ling Xin upon hearing the word 'master' used twice, but I interrupted before she could do anything.

"Right, exactly what she said. She'll find another love later on in life, and I wish her all the best. But in case some of you haven't noticed, I've been purposely doing my best to stay distant with her. I have already taken most of your virginities, but I never touched her body in any way.

"

"So… you're just going to leave her be, never seeing you again?

" Yu An Yan said, folding her arms.

"She'll think you died, you know.

"

"Good,

" I replied.

"If she knows that I'm alive and chose to abandon her of my own will, it'll only hurt more.

"

"And that's what you call a white lie,

" Qing Yue analyzed with a smile, backing away from my chest.

"But that aside… Big Brother Xuan Kai… you have some other explaining to do.

"

She glanced at Ling Xin and Axilia, then back at me with that same smile.

Oh, god. It was that smile. The one that seemed all angelic and innocent on the surface, but in reality held indefinite amounts of torture and devilry within it. One misstep, and I would end up in hell. Qing Yue's sexual techniques—as I've experienced myself in bed—were great, yes, but she could also make me suffer just as easily.

I gulped.. There was no running from this one.