"Mr. Victor, welcome home."
When Victor returned home two days later, he was greeted by a surprising sight as soon as he entered the manor.
He saw Kanae and Kanao Tsuyuri wearing black and white maid outfits, diligently cleaning the spacious living room with practiced efficiency.
"What are you doing?" he asked, though he had to admit the maid uniforms suited them both remarkably well.
Kanae paused in her dusting and replied with a gentle smile, "Obviously, we're cleaning."
"After all, we can't live here for nothing if we're going to stay permanently. We noticed that your place is quite large and you're understaffed, so we took the initiative to become your maids."
She gestured proudly at their outfits. "We bought these uniforms online!"
A hint of accomplishment appeared on her face as she spoke. They had only been in this world for about half a month, yet they had already mastered online shopping, a testament to their adaptability and intelligence.
"Then I'll leave the household management to you from now on," Victor said with satisfaction.
He had originally been considering whether to hire professional servants to help maintain such a large estate. After all, there was only Krul as a maid, and if he left all the domestic tasks to her alone, she would surely be overwhelmed.
It seemed that concern was no longer necessary.
This arrangement was actually perfect. Kanae and Kanao Tsuyuri were family, after all. There was no need to hide anything from them, regardless of what might happen in the future.
As soon as he settled onto the sofa, Kanae approached with a cup of steaming tea, her movements graceful and practiced.
"By the way, where are Shinobu and Krul?" Victor asked, looking around the expansive seaside manor and noticing the absence of the other two residents.
Kanae explained politely, "Shinobu went out to buy ingredients for tonight's dinner."
"Krul went to Totsuki Academy."
"Why did Krul go to Totsuki Academy?" Victor asked with surprise.
"Have you forgotten? Last time you mentioned wanting Krul to learn proper cooking techniques, so Miss Erina Nakiri specially arranged for her to attend advanced culinary classes at Totsuki Academy."
After Kanae's explanation, Victor recalled that this was indeed the case.
He hadn't expected that Erina Nakiri had actually taken his casual comment seriously and acted upon it.
Of course, it couldn't be ruled out that Erina was using this opportunity to strengthen their connection and get closer to him.
But it didn't matter. He was the beneficiary either way, so she could do whatever she pleased.
Afterward, Kanae and Kanao Tsuyuri continued their cleaning duties with quiet efficiency.
Victor reclined on the sofa and opened the chat group interface.
[Stelle: You have no moral principles! You actually came to deceive and attack a little girl who is less than one year old!]
As soon as he came online, he was greeted by Stelle's resentful complaint.
[Victor: What's the matter?]
[Lumine: Your Stelle just had a sparring match with Kiana, and Stelle lost miserably.]
My goodness, Victor thought. Right after returning home, she went to spar with Kiana?
[Stelle: I don't accept it! This guy is playing dirty with sneak attacks! Otherwise, with her strength, how could she have defeated me?]
[Kiana: If you're bad, then practice more. If you can't afford it, then don't play. The past was the past, and the present is now.]
[Bai Yuekui: To be honest, sneak attack tactics are indeed part of one's overall strength.]
[Kiana: That's right! If you lose, you lose. Don't be so embarrassed about it.]
[Stelle: Let's do it again!]
[Kiana: I won't. I'm tired and I don't want to compete with you right now.]
She wins and runs away, a true professional!
[Stelle: Damn it...]
[Victor: Now that both Stelle and Kiana have reached the Foundation Establishment stage, what about the rest of you?]
[Lumine: I just broke through to the tenth level of Qi Training two days ago.]
[Belle: Still hovering at the eighth level of Qi Training.]
[Bai Yuekui: I've reached the ninth level of Qi Training, and I'm close to breaking through.]
[Belle: Why is Boss Bai progressing so fast?]
It was clear that Bai Yuekui had practiced for a shorter time than her, yet she had surpassed Belle without making a sound!
[Bai Yuekui: Maybe it's because I have better talent?]
[Victor: In terms of talent, you two are roughly the same. I suspect it's because Boss Bai has more time to practice than Sister Belle.]
[Belle: Now that you mention it, that seems to be true. I've received more commissions recently, and I have less time for cultivation.]
[Belle: It seems I need to give myself a few days off.]
The younger generation was catching up, so she couldn't continue being lazy.
[Shinobu: I'm the same as Belle, both of us are at the eighth level of Qi Training.]
[Rin Tohsaka: Just now, I successfully broke through to the fourth level of Qi Training.]
[Shinoa Hiiragi: I envy Sister Rin's talent. I'm still hovering at the second level.]
They were newcomers who had joined the group at the same time, but their talents were vastly different.
[Victor: Keep up the good work, everyone. I'll make some Essence Gathering Pills for you in a few days to increase your cultivation speed.]
After reaching the Golden Core realm, Victor was gradually able to refine more advanced pills. Essence Gathering Pills were among them, capable of greatly increasing cultivation speed for practitioners below the Foundation Establishment stage.
[Lumine: The boss is generous!]
BOOM, !
"Hmm?"
A deafening explosion suddenly echoed across the landscape, diverting Victor's attention from the chat group.
He turned and looked out the window, spotting thick smoke rising in the distance like a dark pillar against the sky.
He immediately expanded his spiritual consciousness to investigate what was happening over there.
"What happened?"
The explosion also attracted the attention of Kanae and Kanao Tsuyuri.
Although they had also begun practicing cultivation, their realm was still low, they remained in the third level of Qi Training, and the range of their spiritual awareness was limited.
However, the location of the explosion was just outside their detection range.
Therefore, they could only ask Victor and try to find out from him what had occurred.
Victor said grimly, "Something that shouldn't exist has crossed over from another world."
"You mean monsters?"
Having lived in this world for some time, the two of them naturally knew that this world was experiencing dimensional collisions with another reality.
From time to time, various creatures would arrive here from that other world.
Victor nodded. "That's correct."
"I'll go over and investigate. You two stay home and don't go out."
After saying that, Victor transformed into a streak of light, flew out through the window, and soared toward the direction of the explosion.
In just moments, he arrived above the blast site.
What came into view was scorched earth and ruins, with a massive crater in the middle spanning several dozen meters in diameter, like a meteorite impact site!
"Hmm? That... Alisa?"
With a single glance, Victor spotted a familiar figure lying motionless in the devastation.
At that moment, she was lying quietly among a pile of broken rubble and debris.
Why is she here?
Wait!
Could this place be... the street where my rental apartment was located?!
Although the explosion had destroyed this area beyond recognition, Victor could still discern some familiar outlines among the ruins.
He hadn't realized it immediately, but now that he looked carefully, this was exactly where his old rental building had stood!
This explained why Alisa appeared here.
Victor flashed forward and instantly materialized beside the girl, carefully gathering her in his arms and examining her condition with gentle thoroughness.
Fortunately, she wasn't seriously injured, merely unconscious from the shock and impact.
It must have been the protective talisman he had given to Alisa that had shielded her and prevented her from suffering greater harm.
This was truly a blessing in disguise.