Stelle picked up the glass bottle and examined it over and over, making sure she wasn't mistaken.
Only then did Valerius explain.
"This is a set of Gourmet Cells. Once you fuse with them, you'll be able to draw power from delicious food and use it to strengthen yourself."
"Gourmet Cells?"
Stelle frowned at first.
But when she heard the effect, her expression immediately brightened.
That sounded… pretty incredible.
"Then… what happens if I eat bad food?"
Valerius chuckled.
"Gourmet Cells extract energy from ingredients and convert it into power for your body. If you can stomach terrible food, you're welcome to test it."
"Yeah, no thanks."
If she could grow stronger by eating delicious food, why would she go out of her way to eat disgusting things?
Was she insane?
Stelle chose to activate the reward.
The glass bottle shattered instantly, transforming into countless points of light that flowed into every member of Belobog.
"Wow! So eating tasty food makes us stronger!"
Serval's eyes sparkled after sensing the change.
"So this means I finally have a legitimate excuse to treat myself."
"Hm… I have a feeling I'm going to gain weight."
March 7th looked deeply concerned.
If she spent all day stuffing herself with good food, what would happen to her figure?
The moment she voiced that thought, every female player in the arena shuddered.
That was a very real concern.
Getting stronger was great.
But if the price was getting chubby…
That was a steep trade.
"Wow! Something like this actually exists?"
Paimon was utterly amazed.
If eating delicious food made her stronger, then if she kept eating nonstop…
Would she finally be able to defeat a wild boar?
At that thought, Paimon drooled enviously.
I should never have joined Mondstadt.
I should have dragged Lumine into Belobog instead.
Not far away, Ruan Mei stared at Belobog with gleaming eyes.
"How fascinating."
She wanted very badly to study this phenomenon.
Without hesitation, she rose and walked over to Bronya Rand.
"Could you provide me with a small sample of your cellular tissue?"
"Ah?"
Bronya recoiled in shock.
What exactly was she planning to do?
"Just a little."
Ruan Mei's eyes burned with scientific fervor.
The intensity was frankly terrifying.
"If tissue is inconvenient, blood would suffice."
"…All right."
Ruan Mei was, after all, a member of the Genius Society.
Maintaining a good relationship with someone like her was worthwhile.
In the end, Bronya agreed.
"Thank you. I will repay this favor."
Ruan Mei happily returned to her seat carrying a small vial of blood.
"Share some with me."
Herta stared at the vial with shining eyes.
How could she not want to investigate the mechanism behind Gourmet Cells?
Ruan Mei smiled.
"Prepare a laboratory for me."
"No problem."
Herta immediately turned to Asta.
"I'll leave it to you. Set up all the necessary equipment as quickly as possible."
"Understood, Madam Herta."
Asta answered with visible despair.
She had known this was exactly how things would end.
"My allowance is doomed."
She had been planning to buy several starships.
Now that dream had just become more distant.
"Sigh… I'll have to wait until tomorrow's allowance."
One more day of waiting.
Nearby, Ningguang was completely stunned.
What kind of household did this girl come from?
Her daily allowance alone could fund an advanced research laboratory?
Compared to Asta, Ningguang suddenly felt poor.
On the field, Valerius watched the crowd discussing Gourmet Cells with amused satisfaction.
Then he raised his microphone.
"Ahem. To celebrate the successful conclusion of our first faction tournament, I've prepared a small gift for everyone."
"What?!"
"There are gifts too?"
"Valerius is unexpectedly generous!"
The entire arena erupted with excitement.
This was absolutely worth a thumbs-up.
"What could it be? Another reward?"
"No way. Even if it is, it's probably equivalent to a one-point prize."
The crowd instantly launched into heated speculation.
Even the members of the Genius Society were unable to guess what Valerius had prepared.
Valerius enjoyed the eager attention fixed on him.
With a wave of his hand, countless balls of light flew to each player and transformed into small items.
"Huh? A novel?"
Yae Miko looked down at the book in her hands.
It was exactly what she loved.
Beside her, Ei was already happily munching on a skewer.
"Wow! These Tri-Flavored Dango are so good!"
"Gun maintenance oil. Valerius really understands me."
"A game console… Excellent. I'm very satisfied."
"An enormous oak roll!"
Delighted exclamations rang out one after another.
The gifts didn't provide any direct boosts.
But each item had been carefully chosen to match the recipient's personal interests.
No one was disappointed.
"Bronya, what did you get?"
Seele peered curiously at the box in Bronya's hands.
Everyone else had received harmless little trinkets.
What had Valerius prepared for Bronya?
"Just… some clothes."
"Clothes?"
Seele narrowed her eyes.
If it were only clothing, why was Bronya blushing so hard?
"…It's not something indecent, is it?"
"W-What are you talking about? It's perfectly proper."
"Then show me."
"I… think I'd rather not."
Bronya suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to march over and strangle Valerius.
What exactly had he given her?
At first, she'd been excited to see what special gift he had chosen.
Then she opened the box.
And found that.
She truly wanted to ask him how he had the audacity to hand it over.
The bunny-ear headband.
The outfit.
And that fluffy little tail attached to the back.
What was that supposed to be?
"Fine, keep your secrets."
Seeing Bronya's reaction, Seele had all the confirmation she needed.
It was definitely something scandalous.
She looked at Valerius.
So he had this side to him?
At the same time, a faint jealousy crept into her heart.
Why didn't he give me something like that too?
At that moment, Valerius strolled over to Bronya.
"So, sweetheart, what did you get?"
"N-Nothing."
"Let me see."
Her nervousness only fueled his curiosity.
He reached out and snatched the box.
"…Oh."
He stared inside.
"A bunny girl outfit?"
Without another word, he quickly closed the lid.
This definitely wasn't something to display in public.
"You're impossible."
Bronya glared at him.
Just wait until we get home.
"Hey, I'm innocent," Valerius said with a grin. "The gifts were random. They were all things you'd like."
"I do not like this."
Bronya's eyes blazed.
The implication that she enjoyed wearing such an outfit was outrageous.
"Well… I like it."
"You… like it?"
Bronya's face turned even redder.
At that moment, her mother's earlier words echoed in her mind.
After a long pause, she spoke in a tiny voice.
"Then… perhaps I could try it on when we get home?"
Valerius's eyes widened.
The surprise was so sudden that he nearly forgot how to breathe.
Bronya…
was willing to indulge him this much?
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