I've already said this isn't a life simulator!

"Yes, Miss Mei wants me to take her to see... It just so happens that we haven't seen each other for a while."

"Oh, so that's what it is~ I was just about to tell Mei about it~"

Alicia stepped forward slightly and stood beside Sakura.

"Mind if I come along? It's such a rare rainy day, I'd like to go have some fun over there~"

"That's certainly possible... I'm sure he'll be very happy."

Sakura simply smiled and nodded, not caring at all.

...She felt like she couldn't get a word in edgewise—that's what Raiden Mei thought as she watched the two people walk away.

Led by Sakura and Alicia, Raiden Mei arrived at a place even deeper than the "Deepest Place." The surroundings were filled with darkness, and a slightly damp smell filled their nostrils, as if the three of them had entered a flooded cave.

"……Um?"

Raiden Mei frowned because she noticed that when Sakura and Alicia in front of her were talking, strange bubbles would float out of their mouths... as if they were already in water, and she herself was experiencing the same thing.

More importantly, she had just felt a strong sense of crisis, a terrifying feeling like being targeted by a predator, as if something was about to physically devour her... However, this strange feeling only lasted for a moment, as if it were just her imagination.

But that strange and terrifying feeling still made Raiden Mei wary, and her hand unconsciously went to the hilt of her sword.

However, at this moment, Alicia cheerfully waved to the person in front of her.

"Wang~ We're here to play~?"

“…Alice, you shouldn’t have had anyone else come.”

"Hehe~ I just came with Sakura this time~ and Mei asked Sakura to bring her too~"

"……Ugh."

With a sigh of what seemed like helplessness, the deep darkness before them was gradually illuminated by a faint blue light, and everything around them seemed to be covered with a filter unique to the "ocean," carrying a unique beauty.

Following the sound, one can see a man dressed in dark "hunter's clothes". A dark, slender, strange greatsword is wrapped in azure water and floats quietly beside him, which is quite surprising. His white hair is like waves, and his golden pupils are like starlight. With his handsome face, he is quite pleasing to the eye at first glance.

However, compared to Raiden Mei, who was paying attention to him, his gaze was fixed on Sakura, and he spoke softly in a calm tone with a slight smile on his lips.

"It's been a while, Sakura."

"Hmm...this is a gift."

Sakura smiled and nodded, stepped forward, and placed the prepared candy bag in his hand. Xi Wang gladly accepted it, took out a pink cherry blossom-shaped candy from the bag, and popped it into his mouth.

"Thank you."

"As long as you like it."

"Alright, alright~ I know you two are perfectly in sync~ But there's something more important to do this time~"

Alicia stepped forward just in time to interrupt the two who were about to immerse themselves in their own world, and reminded them with a smile.

"Yes, Nozomi, this is Miss Mei, she's our [successor]..."

“I know… the rain told me something about her.”

Xiwang nodded, indicating that there was no need to introduce Raiden Mei to him, and then shifted his gaze to Alicia.

“Alicia, I don’t think she should come here to me… nor should she accept my [Mark], even if she is a [Herrscher].

"Please, just for Sakura's sake, give her a chance, okay?"

"……whatever."

"I knew Nozomi liked me the most!"

Alicia stepped forward lightly and affectionately nuzzled Xiwang's cheek. Then, as if remembering something, she quickly spoke to Sakura beside her.

"Ah, Sakura, don't be jealous~ After all, here in the Moku area, you're the most important one~"

"Alicia...you don't need to explain so much."

Sakura seemed helpless, but in the end she didn't say anything, as if she tacitly agreed with Alicia's statement... even the pair of animal ears on her head trembled slightly, as if she was somewhat happy.

"........."

Raiden Mei was speechless for a moment... Was this some kind of lighthearted love triangle comedy?

"Alright, Alicia, let's resolve this matter first."

Xiwang pushed Alicia away by pressing her forehead with her hand, then took a few steps forward and stood in front of Raiden Mei.

"Since you are going to accept my [imprint], then you will naturally have to undergo a [test]... Of course, it's not difficult."

"Appreciate further details."

Raiden Mei temporarily suppressed her random thoughts about the two women and one man in front of her and focused on the [Heroic One] in front of her.

"All we need to do is withstand one blow."

As Xi Wang spoke, the azure water flowed quietly, placing the strange, dark greatsword in his hand.

"As long as you can withstand one hit and survive, you've passed the test."

"...Is that all?"

"Ha...do you think it's that simple?"

"No, I don't think so, it's just... never mind."

Raiden Mei shook her head... She had thought the so-called "assessment" would be a battle or something else, but she didn't expect it to be so "simple".

"Let me know if you're ready."

"Hmm, I can... now?"

The instant Raiden Mei finished speaking, Xi Wang was already in front of her, his strange dark greatsword held high, with azure water flowing behind him like waves, and then... he swung it down heavily on her.

There was no time to dodge! — Raiden Mei made a quick judgment and immediately drew her sword to block.

But then the force from the blade filled her with terror... It was too heavy; she couldn't block it at all.

And in the next instant, her figure was submerged by the azure water, and she was unable to exert her own abilities, losing consciousness in an instant.

…………

………………

"Hi~ Mei~ Are you awake~ Did you dream about me~"

When Raiden Mei woke up again, the first words she heard were Alicia's concern.

"I am..."

Somewhat dazed, Raiden Mei got up and shook her head. Once she was fully awake, she realized that she had been resting her head on Alicia's lap. It seemed that Alicia had been taking care of her after she had passed out.

Also, she was completely soaked in water, so it seemed she hadn't been unconscious for long.

"First of all, congratulations on passing the Lookout's [test]! That's quite an achievement!"

Alicia said with a smile, then gently pulled Raiden Mei to her side and whispered in her ear.

"But please don't rush to claim your reward yet~ After all... it's rare for them to get to spend some time together~?"

As she spoke, Alicia subtly gestured with her hand.

Following Alicia's directions, one can see that on the other side, Sakura is nestled in Xiwang's arms, breathing steadily, seemingly asleep. Her long, slender ears rest gently on the back of Xiwang's neck, occasionally nuzzling him affectionately to show her affection for him.

"...So that's how they're related?"

Raiden Mei asked with some curiosity.

"Hmm? Which one is Mei referring to?"

"You mean... a lover?"

"Hmm... I'm afraid that's not the case~"

"no?"

This made Raiden Mei even more curious.

"The relationship between Nozomi and Sakura... how should I put it? It's a bit complicated..."

"...Could it be related to you, Alicia?"

"Huh? Mei, how did you know? But let me make it clear beforehand, it's not some kind of love triangle or anything like that~ No, no~ I would never do such a terrible thing~ And don't even think about anything rude, Nozomi will be angry."

"...So what exactly is it?"

"Well... it's complicated anyway, let them tell you themselves~ Maybe you could ask Sakura? I think she'd be happy to tell you~"

After saying that, Alicia gave a slight gesture and turned her head to look. She found that Sakura had woken up at some point and was walking over hand in hand with Xiwang. Sakura's face still had a faint blush on it, as if she was a little shy.

"Ahem... Sorry, you saw some strange things."

Sakura coughed lightly and said, slightly embarrassed.

"It's alright, I just didn't expect... that you two are actually... lovers?"

Raiden Mei spoke tentatively.

"Ah...no, we wouldn't call each other lovers yet..."

"Well, what's the problem?"

The two answered almost simultaneously, but their answers were completely opposite.

"...That...Wang Man?"

Sakura's slender ears twitched suddenly, and then she looked at him beside her with a stiff expression.

"Is there a problem? Is this romantic relationship... so strange?"

However, Xiwang seemed not to see it, her expression remained as calm as ever, and there was still a hint of doubt in her eyes when she looked at Raiden Mei.

"...No, it's nothing."

Raiden Mei glanced at the calm-faced Nozomi, then at Sakura, who had become somewhat stiff with embarrassment, then at Alicia, who looked surprised and then overjoyed, and finally shook her head with a puzzled expression, indicating that there was nothing wrong with it.

...The relationship between these three people is really strange, I really don't understand it—Raiden Mei thought to herself.

[After the event concludes, the "Revelation" imprint will be activated.]

————【Event: A Glimpse of the Ocean (Choose Gretsch)】————

"Do you want to go see your brother?...Okay."