Jaune Arc: Unlimited Enhancements

I was smirking at Saphron and Terra. They were staring at my current abode.

"What in the world? How did you manage to buy this type of house? Prices in Vale are sky-high compared to Argus, yet here you are with such a purchase, while Terra and I have been saving for years and still can't afford the down payment for a mortgage," Saphron remarked. Her mind raced, trying to figure out how I accomplished this. I could explain, but I can't help but find her confused expression adorable.

"She's right, Jaune. It seems impossible. Also, you're just a student for now. There's no way you could be earning so much so early in your career," Terra remarked. Like Saphron, she was baffled by the situation.

"To clarify, I didn't purchase the house itself; I bought the land. I built the house based on the blueprint that my girlfriend and I created together, but she was solely responsible for drawing it up," I explained. I noticed their heads nodding, but then they halted and stared at me intently.

"Uhm... Did I hear that right? Did you just say you have a girlfriend?" Saphron exclaimed, clearly astonished. After all, I hadn't mentioned being in a relationship. Oh! This revelation would surely surprise them when they meet Hephaestus, who is significantly older than I am. I can't help but wonder what their thoughts will be about her. I hope they don't get any notions about her age relative to mine.

"Yes! She's in here. Let me introduce you to her; she's an amazing woman!" I said. I opened the door to the house, and we stepped inside. As we did, they immediately felt the shift in temperature. The interior is consistently kept at around eighteen degrees Celsius.

"Wow! This place is amazing. But, it's kind of empty," remarked Saphron. This was a very normal response since Hephaestus and I have just settled in. The house lacks pictures or decorations. Still, I appreciate the minimalist style.

"That makes sense, especially since we just moved in a few days ago. Hephaestus and I aren't really into interior decoration; she leans more towards practicality. But since you're all staying here now, feel free to add your personal touch if you'd like. I don't mind, and I doubt Hephaestus would either," I said to Saphron. I can see a noticeable sparkle in the couple's eyes. They will likely enjoy it for some time since the place is quite spacious.

"Are you sure? Like, we can make it with a bit more of a woman's touch?" asked Saphron. This baffled me. Why did she have to ask me about something like that?

"I think it would be wonderful. Additionally, it could help you all feel more at home and less homesick after being in Argus for a few years. It would also benefit Adrian," I mentioned to her.

"Oh! That's wonderful! You know, many men would go to great lengths to keep their home's style as it is. For some reason, they believe it diminishes their masculinity when their partner adds a woman's touch," Saphron remarked. Now I understand why she asked me. She assumed I might feel emasculated. Huh? Those men must have some insecurities if that would bother them.

"Well, just do what you need to do; I don't have those insecurities. I'm completely confident in my sexuality; something so trivial wouldn't jeopardise it," I said to her. I'm sorry, but I really don't care about that. I understand that some guys might shy away from wearing pink because they think it's gay or whatever. That's just foolish.

"So, Jaune. How about a tour of your house?" asked Saphron, eager to explore its features. Although she had already seen the entrance hall, she had yet to visit the kitchen, living room, dining room, and other areas.

I gave them a tour of the entire place. They were shocked to know that I own a massive amount of land and that the backyard is more of a forest than it is a backyard. Then, when I showed them the underground training room, they were shocked at how grand it was, since I used the entire 25 hectares to make it, which would be even more amazing when we add the simulation room.

Next, we arrived at the leisure area, which includes the spa, sauna, steam room, and pool. Saph wanted to swim, but I suggested she could do that later after she unpacks their belongings, all of which are in my [Inventory].

Afterwards, we made our way to the farm area, which was sparse, but I began cultivating the land. It's challenging for an average person to manage such a vast area without heavy machinery. Nevertheless, I find joy in the process since I'm not typical and can endure long hours of manual labour without getting tired.

Before the last area of the tour, we went to the living room to rest, as Saphron and Terra were weary from all the walking. The house's size made it challenging to navigate. However, there are still areas I haven't shown them, such as the library, bedrooms, private studies, and the workshop. This should have been the final segment of the tour, but their exhaustion from all the walking caught up to them.

"I thought the house was impressive on the outside, but the inside is something else. If you did not buy the house, and you built it from scratch, how did you get it completed in half a school year?" asked Saphron. It just did not make sense to her.

"I didn't finish it in half a school year; I did it in just a few minutes," I told Saphron. This left the two women even more confused than before. So, I showed them a small-scale demonstration by creating a replica of the house.

"What is that? How did you do that? I've heard that Huntsmen and Huntresses possess something called a semblance; is that what it is?" Terra asked. She discovered this concept while she was still dating Saphron.

"No, this isn't a semblance. I've seen Dad use his many times, but it feels different," Saphron said. I smiled at her, knowing she would understand it isn't a semblance. That's why I was cautious at Beacon and only used [Blut], erasing people's memories whenever I used magic. However, now I don't have to do that anymore.

"You're correct; it's not a mere semblance. I don't possess Aura at all. This is magic, a power that people believed to be fictional. Yet, fairy tales often contain a kernel of truth," I explained. Noticing their concerned expressions when I mentioned lacking Aura, indicating no protection, I elaborated on everything I could do with magic. Fortunately, my explanation helped ease their worries.

"So, you possess magic that allows you to replicate Aura's effects and much more?" Saphron inquired, intrigued about the possibilities of this magic.

"I can perform seemingly impossible feats, such as resurrecting the deceased, though there are limitations on these spells. If the individual has been dead for over three hours, I cannot revive them," I explained. This would serve as a prime example of magic's capabilities.

"That's... That's unbelievable! How can something like that happen? Bringing the dead back to life is a divine act! Does having magic grant you such power?" Terra questioned. It was a frightening thought for her. If magic could accomplish such feats, many would desire it, and not everyone would have good intentions.

"Magic is an incredibly potent force, and those who wield it are often pursued. This is why the Maidens were erased from history, hidden away to keep them safe. Yet, even though they possess magic, they lack the unique abilities I have; their powers are limited since magic is merely energy that can disrupt and reshape the fabric of reality. It's essential for you to learn how to harness it for your needs," I explained to Terra. She exhaled softly in relief upon realising that not all magic users possess my exceptional gifts, though she was still taken aback.

"Wait! The Maidens actually exist!" exclaimed Terra, astonished to discover that the fairy tale she had been told since childhood was true.

During our conversation about magic, another person joined us. As she arrived, Saphron and Terra gazed at her in astonishment. The being before them embodied perfection, from her skin and hair to her graceful demeanour.

"Saph, Terra, this is Hephaestus, my girlfriend," I said to them. They stared at me in disbelief, then glanced at Hephaestus before looking back at me.