Going to sleep after getting snu-snued by several Sekirei was by far the easiest thing for a man to do. And waking up the next day I continued spending time in Matsu's workshop but this time with the rest of my Sekirei as I grinded at my crafting skill.
My not-so-little harem at this point was just sitting around me with Musubi and Akitsu snuggling up to me for a light doze. As Tsukiumi Matsu, and I did some reading.
Though on my end, it was me trying to read some fantasy books to see if I could get some actual magical skill or something. As with all the horror stories the others had shared with me about some of the bad groups out there.
Combined with my own experiences. I was a bit worried about meeting and trying to negotiate deals with other mages in this hellscape for their magic.
But our moment of relaxation was broken as the leader of our group in Feixaio strolled on in with her calling out. "Matsu, one of the fridges in the storage area went out, according to Fubuki."
I perked up at that and asked hurriedly. "Which fridge? And did she say if any of the food unfroze and got ruined?"
Feixiao shrugged and said plainly. "No idea, I am just giving Matsu the heads up before I go clear the way to that weirdo Tabane."
And with that, Feixiao strolled away, seeing her leave... I had an idea as I followed behind her with the half-foxian's ears atop her head, twitching before she smiled lazily with a head tilt towards me and called out.
"Whatcha want Jake? If I see any high value POI's I will give them to ya don't worry."
I shook my head before I said bluntly. "I was hoping that when this trade deal with Tabane is done. And if you have some spare time, you can train me to be stronger."
There was a pause as she gave me a thoughtful look. She likewise looked me up and down before she kicked back slightly as she leaned against a wall to say in amusement. "Why do you want me to train you Jake? You already got a little gaggle of warriors willing to train you."
She shrugged and said evenly. "Musubi is a very talented hand-to-hand fighter after all. And hell, I am sure that despite the cost of broken bones. Karasuba would also 'happily' help train you as well."
I shook my head before I said firmly. "They are strong, and talented for sure. But as for teaching others? Karasuba is very strong, but I can already see her cutting off a limb should I piss her off somehow."
Less said about how Musubi was an adorable and beloved airhead... But I then said bluntly. "You, on the other hand. You went through systematic superhuman training that has made planet killer's on mass. You yourself have insane strength and skill that doesn't belong in this sealed hellhole."
I took a breath before I finished. "Not only that, but your fighting style is the least restrained and the best one for me to learn from with how I can use literally any magic source. To say nothing of possibly being able to pick up Path/Imaginary energy the better.
And Feixiao being the Merlin's Claw. The general of the Xianzhou Yanqing was arguably the most directly martial-minded among her fellow generals that I knew of. Her use of a giant battle axe, and a gunblade that she could use at the same time showed her skill.
Feixiao gave me a long look before she made a thoughtful noise and then grinned as she said. "You know what... You use your fancy, third-party connection out of this universe. And if you get me some good booze, you know... The real good stuff, I will train you."
Then she added. "Not now, obviously. This is going to have to happen after we visit Tabane and her roaming city. And I need to go find the damned thing before we leave."
She then patted my shoulder before with a grin she said. "I hope you will be stronger then my colleague's own apprentice... You are technically on the older side for me to take as a fresh apprentice. But you are still a short-lived race haha."
And I just watched with a helpless smile at the reminder that Foxin's could casually live for a good seven to eight hundred years before they would fall victim to the Mara Madness.
'Wait... Is Feixiao here trying to find a cure for the Mara, or find a way to kill Yaoshi?' I wondered thoughtfully.
But either way, I was then grabbed around the chest with a set of soft breasts pushing into my back as Musubi's pouting voice hit my ears.
"Jaaaakkkeee! Why don't you want to learn how to do hand-to-hand fighting with me?"
And with zero shame... I answered bluntly. "I really don't want you to punch me Musubi. I love you, I really do, but your punches are like worse then getting by a truck."
There was a pause as Musubi's arms tightened around me before she spun around and pushed against me with a pitiful moan of annoyance.
"I could totally teach you to be a super-strong martial artist." Musubi muttered into my chest.
I patted Musubi's head before I said softly. "In time Musubi... I need to be strong enough for you not to be able to kill me in a single punch before that."
Then I held Musubi around the waist before I said with a smile. "Alright, let's go get Akitsu and the others. I need to make Fubuki and the others that are staying there snacks and easily reheated meals for when we leave."
Because more than half of these women in this group were all slushes who would happily just drink themselves into a stupor rather than enter a kitchen... Karasuba and Rangiku could burn insta rice in a fucking rice cooker with how they conceptually couldn't cook.