Even after the light had faded, Zighart remained kneeling, not moving for quite some time.

Standing right beside him, Seriana also looked at him with a slightly puzzled expression, occasionally casting glances toward Fiora, who was sitting on the sofa watching the gacha unfold.

Receiving those glances, Fiora shrugged her shoulders, then stood and walked over to Zighart.

And then…

“Zig… Zig. Zig!”

Perhaps irritated that Zighart wouldn’t budge even after calling his name several times, Fiora gave him a sharp smack on the head.

Only she could get away with that.

“Eh? Oh… Sorry about that.”

Sure enough, a blow to the head got a reaction out of him.

Well, I can kind of guess the reason… He turned to us with a huge grin on his face.

“…Congratulations, Zighart. Seems the goddess smiled on you?”

“Yeah. I’m grateful for this chance. The blessing I received is 【Water’s Garment】.”

Maybe because he landed a hit, Seriana’s words sounded a little different from the others who went before.

And so did his response.

Kind of classy… Well, it’s a hit after all!

But 【Water’s Garment】, huh!

That’s the same blessing held by Kiira, one of Luban’s wives. I don’t know the details, but it’s supposed to protect against heat and things like that.

It’s similar in type to my own 【Wind’s Garment】—a defensive blessing.

I can’t really picture how he’ll use a defensive blessing, but more importantly…

“Sometimes I borrow Blessed Items from Sera, but… to finally receive a blessing myself…”

Overflowing with emotion, Zighart murmured to himself.

Maybe what matters more than how he’ll use it is just the fact that he got a blessing at all.

Well, if it’s him, he’ll probably find a good use for it.

“Congratulations, Zighart. But don’t go getting too fired up on the battlefield, okay?”

“Hah… I’m not that much of a kid. I’ll keep it in check.”

The men, led by Liesel, gathered around Zighart, enthusiastically discussing the blessing and how to use it.

Meanwhile, the women calmly tidied up the holy statues and began preparing tea.

Well, it’s always like this.

Maybe I should help out too?

Still… seeing how fired up the guys are, one particular feeling starts to well up inside me.

“So lucky…”

The gacha, huh.

Looks like I won’t be earning much this year…

I don’t particularly want anything, but I’m still a little jealous.

◇

After the gacha session in the lounge ended, we had some tea, then called it a night to prepare for tomorrow.

Elena went home with Alec, and Fiora left with Zighart.

Now, it’s just me, Seriana, and Teresa in Seriana’s room…

“Sera. Not just yet.”

“Hm?”

While Teresa went to tidy up the bed, I started putting away the holy statues, but Seriana stopped me and overturned a pouch that was separate from the statues. It was filled with Holy Coins.

There were ten coins left in the pouch, and after pouring them all out, she thrust them toward me.

“Here. You use them up.”

“…Are you sure?”

“Yes. I made you hold back a lot this year, didn’t I? And besides, you earned these yourself. So go ahead and use them.”

She wasn’t wrong. But she’s also done me a lot of favors…

I could say not to worry about it, but… I’ll just take her up on the offer this time.

“Hehe… thanks.”

As I took the Holy Coins, I couldn’t help but smile at the weight of the ten coins in my hand.

Watching everyone earlier had made me a bit envious, after all!

“Alrighty then—let’s do this!”

Hopping down from the 【Floating Orb】, I raised both hands in the air and let out a shout.

While I was at it, I activated 【Prayer】 and 【Mira’s Blessing】.

Yep yep… you’ve gotta do this part!

I moved in front of the holy statue, took a couple of deep breaths…

“……Hnnngh!”

With a burst of energy, I thrust my right hand forward, holding the Holy Coin.

As I was enveloped in light, a drumroll echoed in my head.

I quickly stopped it, and the image that appeared for just a moment before the words… was a ring.

Then came the word 【Enhancement】.

…Could it be…【Shadow Sword】!?

The ring’s appearance hadn’t changed, but it must be that.

“A blessing, perhaps? Judging by your face, it looks like you got something good…”

“Enhancement! Probably 【Shadow Sword】. …Hehehe.”

“Oh, that’s great. …But don’t use it in here, okay?”

“Ugh… I know. It’s dangerous, after all.”

Even in its normal state, that thing has some crazy power.

I don’t know what kind of effect it’ll have when enhanced, but if I were to test it, it would need to be outside or in a dungeon… Maybe the underground training hall?

Anyway… I’ve had this for a long time, but now it’s getting even stronger… I can’t wait!

“…Oh? You used a Holy Coin?”

As I was staring at my index finger and giggling to myself, Teresa returned from finishing the bed.

“Seems like an enhancement to 【Shadow Sword】. If we’re going to test it, it’ll be after tomorrow evening.”

“That would be best. I’ll accompany you at that time. Now then, the bed is ready for both of you. It’s an early morning tomorrow, so please get some rest soon.”

“Right… Thank you. You rest too, okay? Sera, let’s go.”

“Hehe… Oh? Okaaay.”

Still grinning while staring at the 【Shadow Sword】, I heard Seriana call me.

It’s a bit earlier than usual, but we have to see people off tomorrow, and even I can’t afford to sleep in.

Time to get ready for bed.

After saying goodnight to Teresa, I headed toward the bedroom.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Sera – 【Hideout】+1【Prayer】【Mira’s Blessing】【Wind’s Garment】
Blessed Items – 【Floating Orb】+1【Shadow Sword】+1【Scarlet Bee Needle】【Fairy’s Eye】【Dragon’s Lung】【Amber Sword】【Danrem’s Thread】【Serpent Tail】【Ankle Bracelet】【Amber Shield】【Purple Wings】【Red Sword】【Monkey’s Arm】・8 cards

Seriana – 【Area Detection】・【】・0 cards
Elena – 【】・【Green Fang】【Amber Sword】・4 cards
Alec – 【Power Strike】・【Red Shield】【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・10 cards