The sixth week of the academy had ended, and it was now the morning of the seventh week, with midterms right around the corner. It was time for the cadets to hit the books hard.

The curriculum covered laws related to Awakeners, frequent incidents they might encounter, and important case precedents. All of this would show up in the government certification exams for Awakeners.

Of course, these classes were difficult, and there was a lot to study. Cadets aiming for high ranks found themselves struggling to survive during midterms.

Neither Sia nor Alice was an exception.

—Mutter mutter.

“No matter how much I memorize, there’s no end…”

“When I first awakened, I thought the college entrance exam was pointless, but if I didn’t have that foundation, I’d be in serious trouble now.”

The two were in a café, hunched over their books and groaning.

Seeing my wives studying so hard made me smile.

‘They don’t even need to take the test to get an A rank, but here they are, aiming for S-rank.’

They really didn’t have to worry about failing. Even if they scored poorly, the government wouldn’t disregard Awakeners just for that. For people like Sia and Alice, getting an A-rank would be guaranteed even if they answered everything at random. I’d already explained that to them.

Their response?
*“I know, but I can’t get S-rank without trying my best.”*
*“Right! I want to be in the same rank as you, Yu-jin!”*
And so, they threw themselves into study mode.

I felt like giving them a big hug and showering them with kisses. Even though Alice hugged me every chance she got and Sia kissed me daily, I still felt the urge to show my affection.

“So, how’s your studying going, Yu-jin?”

“Well, honestly, it’s tough~.”

“Yeah, right. I bet you’ll score 100 again.”

“Hey, I’m only human, you know.”

Meanwhile, I was completely relaxed.

To the freshmen, it might seem like endless memorization, but after years as an Awakener, this stuff was second nature. Plus, I still had all the knowledge from before my regression. Studying wasn’t really necessary.

Still, I pretended to study with them…

‘The timing’s right, so why haven’t I heard anything? Did he forget…’

—Buzz.
[Incoming call – Gong]

‘I knew I could count on you, Gong!!’

—To deliver the news of the S-class gate.

I picked up, putting on an act of surprise.

“Gong? Hold on… Hello?”

[Yu-jin! An S-class gate has appeared in Washington, D.C….]

“Oh my gosh, unbelievable! Guys, now’s not the time to be studying.”

After the brief call, I quickly filled my wives in.

An S-class gate raid was happening in Washington, D.C., involving the elite U.S. clans and the Vietnamese Liberation Army led by Gong.

And…

“Get your clothes and gear ready and meet me in the chairman’s office in three hours. I’ll take care of the rest.”

They blinked in surprise before springing into action.

“I’ll grab my equipment from Dad!”

“M-Me too!”

—Scramble.

‘Quick and sharp. It was worth prepping them in advance.’

I chuckled, watching them move swiftly, then slowly stood up, mentally organizing my to-do list.

The first task was to inform my master.

—Step step.

“…Disciple?”

“Oh, Master! Didn’t expect to see you out here.”

“I was just picking up a delivery.”

As luck would have it, I ran into my master on the way.

Just as I was about to explain…

—Pause.

‘Wait. Why did Master pick up a package personally? Normally, they deliver it right to the dorm unless it’s something that’s been confiscated.’

Before I explained, a question arose. What kind of package would make Master go out of her way? I noticed “Prohibited Item” written on the box.

Did she order something that got seized by the chairman and had to retrieve it?

I asked quickly.

“What’s in the package? What did you order?”

—Flinch.

“Well…there are things like that.”

“……?”

She clearly didn’t want to answer.

I was curious, but prying further would be an invasion of privacy. I decided to let it go.

“Anyway, that’s not why I’m here. Master, there’s big news. An S-class gate has opened in the U.S.”

“Hm… Hmm? S-class?”

“Yes. It’s the S-class gate I agreed to tackle with Gong.”

Returning to the topic, I informed her about the gate.

My master’s reaction was no different from my wives’.

“Why are you saying this so casually? How much time until the flight?!”

“About two and a half hours? You just need a sword, so you can take it easy…”

“This is my first date—err, gate raid with you! I’ll go change my clothes, so wait a moment!”

—Dash.

I hadn’t expected her to be so surprised, but she was quite flustered when I said she’d be going with me, even mistaking “gate” for “date” in her response.

“Be at the chairman’s office by three!”

“Got it!!!”

With that, informing my master was done. Now, all that was left was preparing for departure.

—Bang.

“Chairman, Gong said an S-class gate opened in the U.S. Could you handle the departure paperwork?”

This was why I was so calm. As a cadet, there wasn’t much I could do myself. All the administrative work had to be handled by the chairman.

The chairman grumbled about being worked like a mule…

“All right, I’ll get in touch with the U.S. association.”

“…?”

Surprisingly, he agreed without protest.

Ever since our argument three weeks ago, his usual grumbling had noticeably lessened. Our usual banter was also gone.

Maybe he was still upset.

“Yes, thank you very much.”
‘I’ll bring him a souvenir when I get back.’

I decided to pick up a little gift.

The last task on my list…

“Haru, Winterer, Daddy’s going to America. For the next few days…”

—Grab. Hug.

“Daddy, don’t go. I’ll be lonely if you leave.”

“……”

Detaching my daughter.

America was far, and this gate raid would likely take a while. Even with a quick operation, it would be at least a five-day trip.

Naturally, my clingy little Haru wasn’t thrilled. She hugged me tightly, insisting I stay.

“Dumpling head. If you go to an S-class gate with your skills, you’ll die. You’re weak.”

“It’ll be fine. You saw how strong my master is. She’s going with me.”

“I don’t care. Don’t go. What if Haru cries?”

Even Winterer, with worry in her eyes, seemed to have grown attached to me.

…A few weeks ago, she wanted to kill me, and now she’s worried I’d die if I left.

How cute.

“Aww, are you worried Daddy might get hurt?”

“Wh-Who’s Daddy? You’re not my dad!!”

“Haru’s my daughter, and you’re her older sister, so…”

“I’m older than you!!”

I playfully teased her to break the awkward tension.

It worked wonders.

“Come on, Sis. Call him Daddy, too. Then we’ll be a real family. The three of us, a trio of dumplings.”

“Wh-Why would I…?”

“Please, Sis.”

—Sparkling eyes.

Haru, who had been begging me, turned her pure, shining gaze onto Winterer.

It was an attack too strong for any reluctant villain to withstand.

“Ugh… uh…”

—Tremble.

“…D-Daddy.”

“Sis, good job.”

And so, I gained another daughter, one going through her rebellious phase.

The heartwarming atmosphere was a nice bonus.

“All right then, Haru?”

“Daddy. What…?”

—Smooch.

“…!!!!!?”

“Wait with Sis for just five nights, okay? You’re a good girl, so you can do it, right?”

Not missing the chance, I kissed her on the forehead. Haru’s cheeks turned a deep red.

“Y-Yes. Hehe.”

“Hey, dumpling-head Daddy, if you leave, I’ll be—”

—Smooch.

“…Huh?”

“Winterer, please take care of Haru while I’m gone. I trust you as her responsible older sister, okay?”

I gave Winterer the same treatment, a symbolic show of trust now that we were a “family.”

Her reaction was predictable.

—Blush.

“U-Uh… what? Okay?”

Winterer was clearly flustered, her face turning bright red even at family-level affection—a true reluctant villain.

“All right, see you both in five days! I’ll try to call every day, so don’t feel too lonely!!”

—Dash.

Taking advantage of their momentary bewilderment, I made my escape.

I wanted to spend more time with them, but I was on a tight schedule. If I lingered, I might be late, so I had no choice.

—Creak.

“I’m back… Oh, you’re all here already?”

Returning from the chairman’s residence to the office, the group was waiting.

“Honestly, why are you so late?”

“Haru wouldn’t let me go, so I had to calm her down.”

“…If that’s the reason, I understand. Oh, Yu-jin, I got your gear too.”

“Thanks, Sia. You

’re the best.”

—Wink.

“Remember that. Haha.”

Sia was fully equipped with her artifacts and various tools.

“Yu-jin, leave interpreting to me! I’ll translate everything for you!”

“Alice, you’re amazing as always. Thanks.”

“Of course! As a teammate, it’s only natural!”

Alice, equally prepared, gave a confident smile.

“I-I didn’t bring anything special… I don’t speak English, and my gear…”

“Don’t worry, Master. Just having you here is a relief. It’s an S-class gate, after all. We wouldn’t dare go near it without you.”

“…Right. If it’s a matter of strength, leave it to me!”

Caught between them, my master’s face brightened at my words. She’d be one of the three joining me in the S-class gate raid.

“So… Chairman, what about the travel permits?”

“I already obtained them. There’s a condition to refrain from monetary compensation and to leave immediately after the raid.”

“Not bad, really. I thought they’d demand a hostage.”

“With an S-class gate appearing in the U.S. capital, they wouldn’t dare try that.”

“That’s true.”

The chairman seemed to have worked hard. He’d wrapped up the negotiations in just three hours, befitting his S-class ranking.

It seemed my master wouldn’t be treated as a VIP, though…

“Is that okay with you, Master?”

“I’m accompanying you to this gate raid… Such trivial matters don’t concern me.”

My master didn’t mind, so it wasn’t an issue.

“All right then… Sia, Alice, Master, let’s go.”

“Sure. My assistant arranged a car to the airport.”

“What should I do? I’m already so excited!!”

“Don’t get too carried away. Stick close to me once we’re inside…”

And with that, we set off for the airport amidst lively chatter, leaving behind the chairman, Haru, and Winterer.

Then…

“———Yu-jin. What in the world…”

—Ding!
[The S-class gate reacts to the subject’s ‘???’!]
[The gate’s estimated danger level evolves from S-class to S+++!]
[The dungeon master has been killed….]
[The transcendent ????? has entered, drawn by the gate’s ‘???’….]

“…”
‘I’m sorry, my friend. I knew this would be chaos, but not to this extent.’

The most formidable raid party in Awakener history was about to face an unprecedented S+++ gate.