''So? What am I supposed to do here?''

''Eh? Observe them or something. Can't leave guests bored like this, no?''

Zircon forest, night.

For whatever reason, the other Aurora has brought the whole family here. From the usual Chloe, Luxia, Sierra, who are affiliated with Zircon, to 'friends' like Claire, Nydia, and Scarlett... and even the somewhat unrelated Amelia is here. Behind them, the slightly larger, floating Skylar watches with a nervous face. 

''If you want them to level up, why not take them out to hunt monsters already?'' I furrow my brows at the nonchalant Aurora. ''There's nothing here.''

''Technical skills are more important than levels. They'll have to leave the system behind someday anyway.''

At that, the children turn to one another, clearly perplexed. As their representative, Skylar raises her hand, ''What do you mean by that...?''

Aurora, unlike me, likes explaining things to people. Holding up her index finger, she smiles, ''The system is merely something Neveah created to complete her plan. Once this planet is no longer under threat, it will be abolished. So, don't take it for granted.''

''I wanted to ask, too, how do you want to go about it? People's not going to adapt well if their systems are stripped away.'' I press. ''Don't tell me you have no plans.''

These days, the one expression I don't understand the most is Aurora's smile. How should I say it... 

''...Can't tell what you're thinking.'' I unknowingly mutter.

The girls must have heard that sentence somehow, since I hear Chloe chuckle right after, ''You're finally having a taste of your own medicine, Aurora.''

''...''

''Well, we'll have time to solve it if we win.'' Aurora shrugs. ''For now, I want you guys to be able to get by on your own.''

''Um... you mean without the system...?'' Skylar nervously replies. ''How exactly can we create that kind of environment...''

''Good question.''

As if waiting for this moment, a figure steadily emerges from the bushes nearby. It's Anna, the system's administrator.

[Good day.]

While the girls are still perplexed at the strange figure, Anna has already pulled up their system panels and, without resistance, put her marks on them.

[I can temporarily revoke the system's permissions to interfere with your bodies. As requested, this session will last four hours. Good luck, ladies.]

Not long after Anna retreats, symptoms begin to appear among the students.

''Ugh...''

''It hurts...!''

Without the system's help, their mana must be running wild right now. The mages, especially, are on the verge of losing control altogether.  Looking at that sight is a bit painful, but with me here, there's no risk of anyone injuring themselves.

After all, this is Zircon, and with some ice chains here and there, everyone should calm down in a few moments.

''Today's their first day, so let's cut them some slack. Moving around a bit and exercising mana should be enough.''

''...Why are you saying it like I'm supposed to be teaching them?''

For a moment, I stare at the smiling Aurora, feeling somewhat irritated. The more I interact with this person, the more I am adamant that she's not me. No way.

In the end, since today is coincidentally a rest day for me, and with Aurora strongly persuading me to take care of these girls, I reluctantly agree to help.

''Calm down first, you guys... try not to move until you can feel everything clear.''

That is to say, Skylar is already doing a good job mediating the potentially chaotic situation. Yes, while that slacker is long gone already. I wonder where she is all the time.

''Miss Aurora, can you help them regulate their mana with me?''

''...Coming.''

So, how did it come to this?

''Boss's hands are always so cold!'' 

''...''

Luxia intertwines her fingers with mine eagerly, her twin tails bobbing. I suppose this is the only way...

If I had to make an analogy, I'd say a person's mana forte is similar to a water tank, with a valve to dish out water. Now, these girls' tanks have been essentially weakened, and the valve is threatening to break at any time.

As someone with a higher aptitude for magic, I can certainly assist them, which is best done with physical contact like this.

''Say, don't you think this is like we're having some special connections?'' Luxia snuggles toward me, the stars in her eyes gleaming. ''Oh, but I guess we already have such links before this.''

''Don't provoke them...''

Intentional or not, Luxia's more-than-scandalous and dramatic wordings cause the girls to stare at us grudgingly. All except Scarlett and Amelia, who seem rather confused.

''I also need help with mana regulation, teacher!'' Nydia raises her hand and wings.

''Me too~!'' Sierra adds amusingly.

Even the silent ones are so menacingly pressuring me. Normally, in a group of strangers or even 'friends,' I'd go straight to Chloe first, but these girls aren't just my friends. It's such a hard decision to make...

''Please help me, teacher!''

But somewhere along the lines, an impostor has spoken up. Claire, who is already holding Skylar's slightly translucent hands, yells at me, her cheeks reddening.

''W-Wait, my child?! Am I not in front of you right now??''

''Ah, I can't see anything~!''

''Hic... I'm hurt!''

It is such a mess... but as the true owner of this place, I can't let a trivial commotion like this persist.

''Stay still.''

As soon as I utter those words, with clear and precise pressure behind them, the scene finally falls into peaceful silence.

''Practice before your turn comes. Do it seriously.''

After things have calmed down somewhat, the girls gradually begin to regain their composure, as well as control of their mana. Since the Zircon forest is vast and sturdy, it can easily accommodate any accidental output, too. I suppose in this regard, doing it here is much better than in the academy training ground.

''Not to mention the annoying eyes we'll receive...''

''...Why are you here?''

But as the group diligently practices, one idiot seems to have slipped out.

''I'm already used to it.'' Amelia puffs out her chest. ''Befitting a genius, hmph!''

As much as I want to deny it, this girl adapts quite easily compared to the others. Even Chloe is having to try many things to get used to her new abilities, and Amelia's fully winging it right from the start.

''Boss, I wanna do something more exciting!''

''Aurora, spar with me...!''

Looking around, the mood is really high, too. After experiencing a breakthrough of sorts, they must be itching for some action.

But... how should I say this... I don't want to be their opponent at all. I still have many things to do, after all. 

A survey of Zircon's renewed landscape is due today, and my owl siblings also said they wanted to go on a walk with me yesterday.

''Hm?''

Fortunately, just in time, I sense a large presence shooting into Zircon. The dragon has come back, bringing the horror team along. I'm sure they have had an excellent hunting trip and gained many levels.

So... it wouldn't hurt to pair them with these girls, right?