Jaune Arc: Unlimited Enhancements

A/N: This is not my best chapter since the setting of Orario is kind of screwing with me regarding what it would be like to have a date there, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless.

...

The 100th floor. It isn't what I thought it would be. There was nothing on this floor except for a crystal, which was brimming with power. Having played many games and read numerous manga and similar media, I know that it is a dungeon master crystal, a crystal that controls the dungeon.

Upon looking at it, I feel somewhat disappointed. I reached the 100th floor, hoping to face an enemy, but I only learned that it contains the master crystal, which I have no interest in. Thankfully, I have completed my mission and received what I came here for in the first place.

Dungeon Crawler – C-rank:

Gain access to the world of Orario and conquer the 100th floor. Do not accept Falna. Rewards: [Bane of Monsters] and 5,000 EP. (Complete)

Well, that's over, I suppose. It was rather disappointing. Then again, perhaps I'm just too powerful for this world. I hold an S-rank in Body and A-ranks in Mind and Spirit. I'm not entirely sure what that means, but this world only rates a C. I didn't bother looking back at the crystal. I left the area and made my way back to the surface. The return trip would take just as long as getting here. It might be a hassle, but at least I can keep farming my EP, which I've already accumulated more than enough of. Thank you, Enhanced Monsters.

...

A few days later...

Ah! Oh no! I'm feeling a bit anxious! This is going to be one of my initial dates after reincarnating! Oh, Oum! I hope I don't mess it up! Okay, to start, I'm dressed appropriately for the occasion. I ensured I looked neat. Breath is fresh. Check! Hair is styled. Check! Valis? Check! Flower for the lady? Check! Alright, I believe that's everything I need for now. Let's go!

I made my way to Hephaestus Manor. It appears just like any other day during my visits. Yet, for some reason, some of the guards seem somewhat stressed. What could have triggered that? I brushed it off because it isn't my concern right now; I have my own matters to attend to.

Makin' my way downtown, walkin' fast~

Faces pass and I'm homebound~

Starin' blankly ahead, just makin' my way~

Makin' a way through the crowd~

Sheesh! I'm so darn nervous that I started singing. Come on, Jaune. Breath in, then out. Repeat. Whoo! There we go, I'm feeling much better.

I approached Hephaestus' office door and knocked, knowing she would be inside as we had agreed to meet there. After knocking, I stood patiently, feeling both anxious and eager for her to open the door. This was it; there was no turning back. She is my girlfriend, and I shouldn't worry; we've already shared our feelings with each other. The purpose of this date is to get to know each other better, not to evaluate one another. Furthermore, it's the perfect opportunity for me to reveal everything about myself, including that I don't originate from Orario, or rather, this world we inhabit.

As the door swung open, I was mesmerised by the scene before me. Hephaestus stood there, illuminated by the gentle evening light streaming through her window, adorned in a gown that seemed crafted by the gods themselves —fitting, since she is one. The colour immediately drew my attention: a rich, midnight red that glimmered like embers in dim light. It hugged her figure perfectly, conveying elegance without effort.

The dress featured an asymmetrical neckline, exposing one shoulder while the other was elegantly draped with a wide, braided leather strap; a detail only she could envision. It evoked memories of the smith's apron she frequently donned in her workshop, yet now it contributed to a more refined silhouette. The gown fitted snugly around her torso, flaring at the waist, boasting a diagonal cut that was shorter in the front to accentuate her legs while flowing longer in the back, reminiscent of a molten tail.

She wore a slender, dark metal belt, crafted in a smoky steel hue. Small rubies were set into it, faintly glowing like smouldering embers. I wouldn't have been shocked if she created it herself. Knowing her, she likely did.

"Wow! You look divine!" I exclaimed. There were no words that could encompass what I was witnessing. The minute details were merely observations of different aspects that could be seen, but when combined, they left one utterly speechless.

"You don't look too bad yourself," commented Hephaestus. The suit I'm wearing is one I crafted using [Iris – A-rank], a spell I recently mastered through [Thought Partition]. This spell is quite helpful as it creates items from my magic and manifests them according to my imagination.

[Iris – A-rank]

Iris can be utilised to create a wide range of items, from magnificent castles to jewellery and clothing. However, its capabilities go beyond this. As long as the user possesses sufficient magic, it can even generate an entire planet, complete with a diverse ecosystem of flora. However, the current rank does not allow for the creation of intelligent beings.

"Shall we?" I asked, extending my hand for her to take. Once she grasped it, I led her to our first stop.

The first place we visited was a building I recently created. I learned to use [Iris] specifically for this purpose and I'm planning to utilise it fully. Inside, there was simply a dining room and a kitchen. I had already prepared the food earlier, and it was ready to serve. However, before that, I pulled up a chair and gestured for Hephaestus to take a seat. I then pushed the chair towards the table, which had a candelabra and flowers.

"Wow! I must admit, this place feels incredibly romantic. The lighting creates a lovely mood, and the flowers are stunning, but I've never encountered this building before. It appears somewhat out of place," Hephaestus commented. I was aware she knew Orario well, so it was no shock that she noticed this location felt, well, out of place.

"That's because it's something I recently created with my magic," I said. Since we would be discussing ourselves, I felt there was no reason to conceal anything. I intend to share details about myself with her.

I headed to the kitchen to fetch the pasta I had made earlier. Since I wasn't sure about Hephaestus's food preferences, I decided to cook something I'm good at: carbonara. I prepared every aspect of the meal, from making the pasta from scratch to preparing the sauce.

Once I placed our meals on the table, we started discussing different facets of our lives. She shared stories from Tenkai before she came to Orario. To my surprise, when it came to my turn, she didn't appear as shocked as I had anticipated. She noted that she had her suspicions. Honestly, I wasn't trying to hide it, was I? If I were, then I'd be quite terrible at it.

Today's date was quite simple, yet we thoroughly enjoyed it as we learned more about each other, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Some may view it as dull, but I confidently say that I prefer a low-key date where I can connect with the person I love over an extravagant one that reveals nothing about my partner. This was all I needed.