"Are you finally done with your sunbathing?"
After Kars came down from Remilia's room, Cirno and the Great Fairy met him in the garden.
"You'd better hurry and cool me down." The heat felt similar to before, but perhaps due to his smaller body, his tolerance for the heat was much lower than it used to be.
After Cirno cooled him down, Kars felt significantly more comfortable.
"Now that you're fine, should we go out together? Let everyone know about the great Cirno's strongest power!" Hearing Cirno's plan, Kars shook his head. Not only would he never be foolish enough to follow her on such a mission, but his priority now was fixing his own physical condition.
"I don't want to run around looking like this, and I still have things I need to do, so I'll pass."
"That's too bad." Cirno was clearly disappointed that Kars wouldn't be around to witness her exploits.
"It's okay, Kars. If you have things to do, don't worry about us. We'll have time to play together later." The Great Fairy reassured him, hoping Kars would focus on his important matters and not worry about their little games.
"Also, the Scarlet Devil Mansion will be hosting a banquet soon. You two should come."
"A banquet? Don't worry! We'll definitely be there!" Cirno was enthusiastic about attending events like this. After happily accepting the invitation, she and the Great Fairy left the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
Later, in the Great Library, Kars sat before Patchouli, allowing her to examine his body.
"This really is quite fascinating. This is the first time I've encountered a situation like yours, Kars—a body capable of storing Sun-attribute energy. Perhaps this truly is a unique personal talent." This was why Kars had sought out Patchouli. He needed to understand his body's new ability to store and absorb the Sun attribute, hoping for unexpected insights. However, even Patchouli, the expert on Seven-Element magic, seemed to be encountering this phenomenon for the first time.
"So, I'm the only known case of this?"
"Yes, there has never been a documented case. So I can't offer much guidance. But I can confirm that this capability can be utilized very effectively. It may help you understand the full extent of your abilities, and it is far more convenient to use than the normal method."
Since the energy was drawn directly from his body, it was more convenient than relying on borrowing power from fairies and spirits. However, Patchouli couldn't offer any precise advice on the next steps. She could offer opinions based on her experience, but Kars would mostly have to figure things out for himself.
"It's possible your personal abilities are indeed strongly linked to the sun. You should continue developing in that direction. And you must learn to control this power. If you don't control it properly, you will revert back to this state."
"I understand." Kars nodded, sensing the small amount of Sun attribute left in his body. Despite continuous sunbathing, the recovery was still quite slow.
"I think this state is actually better, don't you think?" Koakuma wasn't fond of Kars's adult form. She much preferred him like this. When she held him, she could playfully tease him without him being able to mount an effective counter-attack, which satisfied her immensely.
The thought made Koakuma unable to resist grabbing Kars and starting to knead his cheeks.
"Ah, this is definitely the best! Your big form was no fun to bully. And this is payback for all those times you tickled me!"
"You fiend! You're taking advantage of me!" Kars's face was red from the kneading, and he was stuck in her embrace.
"When I grow back up, I will pay you back tenfold!" Kars glared fiercely. Koakuma wasn't scared; instead, she flicked him on the forehead.
"You're in my hands right now. Saying things like that just gives me more reason to do something even naughtier to you, you little idiot." Koakuma was already planning to maximize this rare opportunity before he grew back.
"So, Kars, you should just stay like this. I could hug you all day long."
"You wish! Do you think I'm that stupid? I'd be bullied by you every day, and I get absolutely nothing out of it!"
"I'll let you bully me back then." Kars rolled his eyes at Koakuma's offer. That wasn't the point! He knew if he actually tried, Koakuma would find a reason to retaliate, and he would end up being the one defenseless again.
Realizing this, Kars felt the urgent need to distance himself from her.
"Patchouli!" Kars struggled out of Koakuma's embrace and ran toward Patchouli.
Seeing Kars running toward her, Patchouli opened her arms and embraced him. Looking at Kars burying his face into her chest, Patchouli smiled indulgently and stroked his head.
"I actually agree that this is better. Given your age, this is really the form you should be in."
"Why are you saying that too?" Kars lifted his head from her chest, resting his chin on her soft breasts, a look of displeasure on his face. He was clearly upset that Patchouli shared the same opinion.
"A child should look like a child. Even if you walk around in an adult body, it doesn't change the fact that you are still a child. So, it's settled." Koakuma announced. Kars turned and stuck his tongue out at her, making a face. Koakuma retaliated with an equally exaggerated grimace.
Patchouli watched them exchanging faces in silence. Kars was the first to tire, allowing Koakuma to smirk triumphantly.
"You should just give up. You can't win against me now! As the victor, what should I do with you?" Koakuma wore a mischievous, suggestive look, wiggling her fingers playfully, like a perverse stalker. Kars immediately buried his head into Patchouli's chest, taking an 'ostrich' approach to the situation.