Chapter 1: The Manor Awakens
Kazuki Ren had never considered himself special. Average height, average grades, and a distinctly average life in suburban Japan. His parents were overseas for work—a convenient plot device that left him alone in the modest two-story house he'd called home for all seventeen years of his unremarkable existence.
Which made it all the more jarring when he woke up that Monday morning to find his bedroom had tripled in size, his plain IKEA furniture replaced with hand-carved mahogany, and a ceiling that stretched impossibly high above him, adorned with a crystal chandelier that definitely hadn't been there when he'd fallen asleep.
"What... the... hell?" Kazuki muttered, pinching himself hard enough to leave a mark. He wasn't dreaming. The pain confirmed it.
He stumbled out of bed, his feet sinking into plush carpet that felt like walking on clouds. The windows, once small and rectangular, now stretched floor to ceiling, framed by heavy velvet curtains in deep burgundy. Outside was still his neighborhood, but somehow the view seemed... enhanced. Clearer. More vibrant. As if reality itself had gotten a high-definition upgrade.
"Am I having a stroke?" he wondered aloud, frantically searching for his phone. He found it on a nightstand that now resembled something from a European palace, complete with gold filigree. The phone, at least, was still his old cracked-screen model.
The door to his room—now a massive double door with intricate carvings—creaked open on its own.
"Hello?" Kazuki called out, grabbing the nearest potential weapon (a decorative letter opener that looked suspiciously like a miniature sword).
No answer came, but the hallway beyond beckoned. With no other options, Kazuki stepped out into what should have been the familiar second-floor hallway of his modest home.
Instead, he found himself in a corridor that seemed to stretch for eternity in both directions, lined with countless doors, each unique in design. Some were modern, others ancient, some made of materials he couldn't identify. The walls shifted subtly as he watched, patterns forming and dissolving like living art.
"Okay, definitely a stroke," he decided, clutching the letter opener tighter.
He picked a direction at random and started walking. After what felt like minutes but could have been seconds (time felt oddly fluid here), he descended a grand staircase that spiraled down into an entrance foyer that would make Versailles look modest.
Marble floors gleamed under the light of chandeliers that floated without support. A fountain bubbled in the center, water flowing upward instead of down. Doorways lined the circular room, each one shimmering with a faint light that seemed to pulse in rhythm with Kazuki's increasingly panicked heartbeat.
And there, on the wall directly opposite the staircase, mounted on what appeared to be solid gold, was a plaque.
Kazuki approached it cautiously, squinting to read the ornate script that seemed to shift and change as he watched.
The Cosmic Rules:
Guests must cook at least one full-course meal for the Master each day.
Guests must keep the manor clean and pristine, using any means necessary.
Guests must attend to the Master's relaxation: massages, baths, casual conversation, and pampering are mandatory.
Romantic advances are allowed but not required. (Though most girls get competitive anyway.)
Guests may not cause physical harm to the Master (even if tsundere).
Guests may not leave the manor until replaced by another guest the next day (unless they are "chosen" by the manor to stay).
Love is permitted. Rivalry is encouraged. Chaos is inevitable.
"What guests? What master?" Kazuki muttered, reaching out to touch the plaque. The moment his fingers made contact, the gold surface rippled like water, and the text rearranged itself to add an eighth rule:
8. You, Kazuki Ren, are the Master of Omniversal Manor. Congratulations.
"This isn't happening," Kazuki whispered, backing away. "This is—"
A sound like shattering glass filled the air, followed by a blinding flash of light from the center of the foyer. Kazuki shielded his eyes, and when he lowered his arm, he was no longer alone.
A woman stood where the light had been, blinking in confusion. She wore a crisp white nurse's uniform with red accents, her pale hair framing a stern but beautiful face. At her side was a massive lamp that looked heavy enough to crush a human skull.
"Where..." she began, then her eyes locked onto Kazuki. Her expression immediately shifted from confusion to intense focus. "Patient located."
"Um, I'm not a patient," Kazuki said, backing away slowly. "And who are you? How did you get in my house?"
The woman approached with purposeful strides. "I am Florence Nightingale. And you appear unwell. Your pupils are dilated. Your posture indicates stress. You require immediate treatment."
"Nightingale? Like the historical nurse?" Kazuki's back hit the wall. "But that's impossible! She died over a hundred years ago!"
Nightingale stared at him, then at her surroundings. For the first time, uncertainty flickered across her face. "This is not the battlefield hospital. This is..." She paused, her eyes glazing over for a moment before refocusing with startling intensity. "This is Omniversal Manor. And you are the Master."
"I'm what now?" Kazuki squeaked, but Nightingale was already reaching for his wrist, checking his pulse with cool, efficient fingers.
"Your heart rate is elevated. You require rest, hydration, and proper nutrition." She nodded decisively. "I shall prepare a suitable meal and ensure your recovery. The rules demand it."
"The rules? You mean that thing?" Kazuki pointed at the golden plaque. "You can see it too?"
"Of course. The Cosmic Rules are binding." Nightingale's grip on his wrist tightened slightly. "Now come. You must return to bed while I assess this facility for proper medical supplies."
Before Kazuki could protest further, a new voice interrupted—smooth, silky, and decidedly feline.
"My, my, what an interesting first guest. The Manor has quite the sense of humor."
Perched on the bannister of the grand staircase was a cat statue—small, black, with gold accents that caught the light. Except it wasn't a statue, because its tail was swishing lazily back and forth, and its marble eyes were fixed on Kazuki with unmistakable amusement.
"A talking... cat statue," Kazuki said flatly. "Sure. Why not? This day keeps getting better."
The cat statue—if that's what it was—stretched languidly. "I am Regulus, humble servant of the Manor. Not that I do much serving, mind you. More observing." Its marble lips curled into what could only be described as a smirk. "And occasionally explaining, though I do try to keep that to a minimum. So much more entertaining to watch you figure things out yourself."
Nightingale's eyes narrowed. "This creature appears unsanitary. It should be removed from the premises."
"Oh, I wouldn't try that if I were you, Florence dear," Regulus purred. "I'm as much a part of this place as the walls themselves. More, even."
Kazuki slumped against the wall, sliding down until he sat on the marble floor. "Would someone please explain what's happening?"
Regulus's tail swished faster. "It's quite simple, really. Your house has become Omniversal Manor, a nexus point connecting countless realities. Every day, when you wake up, a new guest will arrive from somewhere across the infinite multiverse."
"But why?" Kazuki asked.
The cat statue shrugged, an impressive feat for something made of stone. "Why does anything happen? Perhaps you're special. Perhaps you're spectacularly ordinary, which is its own kind of special. Perhaps the cosmos was bored. I'm not at liberty to say."
"That's not helpful!"
"I never claimed to be helpful. Only explanatory, and even that's stretching it." Regulus yawned, showing marble fangs. "The point is, you now have a mansion that exists partially outside normal space-time, and you'll be hosting interdimensional guests. Starting with Miss Florence here."
Nightingale ignored the cat, kneeling beside Kazuki with a frown. "Your color is poor. You require immediate treatment."
"I require answers!" Kazuki protested.
"The only answer worth having," Regulus said, "is that you should probably get used to this. Your life as you knew it is over, Master Kazuki. Your new life is just beginning." He stretched again. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I believe I'll find a sunny spot for a nap. Being cryptic is exhausting work."
With that, the cat statue leapt from the bannister, somehow gliding through the air to land on a windowsill, where it promptly curled up and went still, once again resembling nothing more than a decorative piece.
"Is he... always like that?" Kazuki asked.
Nightingale pursed her lips. "I wouldn't know. I arrived mere moments before you discovered me." She helped him to his feet with surprising strength. "However, the cat creature is correct about one thing. You do appear to be the Master of this place, and according to the rules, I must care for your health and well-being."
Kazuki opened his mouth to protest again, then closed it. Nothing about this situation made sense, but arguing wasn't getting him anywhere. Maybe playing along was the best approach for now.
"Fine," he sighed. "You mentioned food?"
Nightingale's expression brightened marginally. "Yes. Nutrition is essential for recovery. I shall prepare a balanced meal with optimal ratios of protein, carbohydrates, and micronutrients."
"That... sounds thrilling," Kazuki said weakly. "Lead the way, I guess."
As they walked toward what Kazuki hoped was a kitchen, he couldn't help glancing back at the golden plaque. The rules seemed to shimmer with an inner light, as if alive.
Welcome to my harem, I guess? he thought with a mixture of confusion, fear, and—despite his best efforts—a tiny spark of curiosity.
Little did he know, this was only the beginning.
Chapter 2: Berserker Nurse and Midnight Visitor
The kitchen, like everything else in the Manor, defied logic and expectations. It stretched the size of a professional restaurant kitchen, with gleaming stainless steel appliances alongside what appeared to be medieval cooking implements and futuristic devices Kazuki couldn't begin to identify.
Nightingale moved through the space with surprising confidence, opening cabinets and examining contents with clinical precision.
"This facility is adequately equipped," she declared. "Though the organization is inefficient. I shall remedy this during my stay."
Kazuki sat at a marble-topped island, watching as the nurse-turned-chef began pulling ingredients from a refrigerator that hummed with an almost musical tone. "So... you're really Florence Nightingale? The Lady with the Lamp? From like, history books?"
"I am," she replied without looking up from the vegetables she was now chopping with alarming speed. "Though I sense I am not precisely the Nightingale from your world's history. The Manor has drawn me from... elsewhere."
"Elsewhere being...?"
Nightingale paused, knife hovering. "My last memory before arriving here was treating wounded soldiers during what you might call the Crimean War. However, I also possess knowledge beyond what the historical Nightingale should know. It is... disconcerting."
Her composure slipped for just a moment, revealing genuine confusion before the professional mask returned. Kazuki felt a pang of sympathy. At least he was still in his world—sort of. She had been plucked from hers entirely.
"I'm sorry," he said softly. "This must be weird for you too."
Nightingale's knife resumed its rapid rhythm. "My feelings are irrelevant. My duty is to ensure your health and well-being. That is my purpose."
"Because of the rules?"
"Yes." She moved to the stove, igniting a burner with practiced ease. "And because you are unwell. You exhibit all signs of acute stress. Nutritional support is the first intervention."
For the next forty minutes, Kazuki watched in astonishment as Nightingale prepared what could only be described as a medical meal. Every ingredient seemed chosen for specific health properties, combined with precision that bordered on obsession. The result was a breakfast that looked like it belonged in a nutrition textbook: perfectly balanced portions, vibrant colors, and absolutely zero consideration for taste.
"Consume this," Nightingale commanded, placing the plate before him. "It contains all necessary nutrients for optimal morning function."
Kazuki poked at something green and suspicious. "What is this exactly?"
"A blend of seventeen vegetables selected for their complementary nutritional profiles, steamed to preserve maximum vitamin content." Nightingale watched expectantly, arms crossed.
With a silent prayer, Kazuki took a bite. It tasted exactly as it looked—like medicine in food form. Not precisely bad, but aggressively healthy in a way that made his taste buds feel like they were being lectured.
"It's... nourishing," he managed.
Nightingale nodded approvingly. "Enjoy is not the objective. Health is the objective."
"Right..." Kazuki continued eating under her watchful eye. Refusing didn't seem like an option—not with the way her fingers occasionally twitched toward that massive lamp she'd somehow brought along.
As he choked down the last bite, Nightingale was already collecting the dishes. "Now, a proper bathing regimen is required. Your pores must be cleansed for optimal skin function."
Kazuki nearly choked. "I can bathe myself!"
"Inefficient. My medical training ensures thorough hygiene protocols."
"I'm pretty sure historical Florence Nightingale didn't personally bathe her patients!"
Nightingale's eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you questioning my methods of care?"
There was something in her tone that made Kazuki reconsider his position. "Not questioning, just... maybe we could compromise? You can, um, prepare the bath, and I'll handle the actual bathing part?"
For a moment, he thought she might refuse, but then she gave a curt nod. "Acceptable. I shall inspect afterward to ensure proper cleanliness."
"Great," Kazuki mumbled, wondering how his life had come to this point.
The bathroom, when they found it (after opening seven doors that led to places decidedly not bathrooms, including what appeared to be a tropical rainforest), was more like a Roman bath house. Marble columns surrounded a pool-sized tub, with various fountains and spigots protruding from the walls.
Nightingale approached the controls with the same intensity she brought to everything, adjusting temperatures and adding various minerals and oils to the water.
"This will disinfect your epidermis while promoting circulation," she explained, stirring the steaming water with a long-handled wooden paddle. "Immerse yourself for seventeen minutes precisely. Not sixteen. Not eighteen."
"Seventeen. Got it," Kazuki confirmed. "And then?"
"Then I shall conduct a full medical examination."
"Oh joy."
Nightingale either missed or ignored his sarcasm. "Indeed. Proper healthcare is a joy too rarely experienced in this world of miasmas and contagions." She straightened, apparently satisfied with the bath preparation. "Disrobe."
"I'll wait until you leave!"
Again, that slight narrowing of eyes. "Modesty is irrelevant to medical care."
"It's very relevant to me!" Kazuki protested, feeling his face heat up. "Please?"
After a moment's consideration, she relented. "Very well. I shall wait outside. Seventeen minutes."
The moment the door closed behind her, Kazuki let out a long breath. "This is insane," he muttered, but the steaming bath did look inviting. Deciding he might as well enjoy this aspect of his bizarre new reality, he undressed and sank into the fragrant water.
It was... heavenly. Whatever Nightingale had added made his skin tingle pleasantly, and the temperature was perfect. He found himself relaxing despite everything, the tension of the morning melting away.
Just as he was beginning to doze, a sharp knock on the door jolted him awake.
"Time has elapsed," Nightingale's voice announced. "Prepare for examination."
Kazuki scrambled out of the bath, wrapping a towel around his waist just as the door opened. Nightingale entered carrying what looked like a doctor's bag from the Victorian era, but the instruments she began removing were a bizarre mix of antique and futuristic.
"Sit," she commanded, pointing to a marble bench.
The next forty-five minutes were the most thorough medical examination of Kazuki's life. Nightingale tested reflexes he didn't know he had, measured parts of his body with mystifying instruments, and collected samples he'd rather not think about. All the while, she muttered observations and occasionally made notes in a small leather-bound book.
"Your health is suboptimal but not critical," she finally declared. "Your posture indicates excessive time hunched over electronic devices. Your musculature is underdeveloped. Your diet has been lacking in several essential nutrients."
"Thank you for that assessment," Kazuki said dryly.
"You require a regimen of exercise, dietary supplements, and regular massages to address muscular tension." Her expression softened almost imperceptibly. "I will attend to this during my stay."
Before Kazuki could respond, a distant chiming sound echoed through the Manor—like grandfather clock bells, but with an otherworldly quality that seemed to vibrate through the walls themselves.
Nightingale tensed. "What is that?"
"No idea," Kazuki admitted. "This is all as new to me as it is to you."
The cat statue—Regulus—appeared suddenly on the edge of the tub, though Kazuki would have sworn the bathroom door remained closed.
"That," the cat said smugly, "is the Manor's way of announcing a boundary fluctuation. How exciting."
"A what?" Kazuki asked.
"The Manor exists in a state of quantum flux," Regulus explained, sounding bored despite his claims of excitement. "Occasionally, it... adjusts itself. Reaches into new realms. Tries on new aspects like a woman sampling perfumes."
The floor beneath them trembled slightly. Kazuki grabbed a nearby column for support, while Nightingale moved protectively closer to him.
"Is it dangerous?" she demanded.
Regulus yawned. "Not to you. The Manor would never harm its Master or guests. It's simply... redecorating." The cat's marble eyes gleamed. "I suggest you both find somewhere comfortable to wait it out. Perhaps the library? It's particularly pleasant this time of day."
"Where is the library?" Kazuki asked, but Regulus had already vanished.
Nightingale straightened her uniform. "We should investigate this disturbance. It may have health implications."
Dressed in clothes he found in a wardrobe (clothes that fit him perfectly and were far nicer than anything he'd previously owned), Kazuki followed Nightingale back into the hallways of the Manor. The trembling had stopped, but the air felt charged, as if a thunderstorm was brewing indoors.
They wandered through corridors that seemed to shift subtly as they walked, opening doors at random until one revealed a vast library that would have made any university envious. Shelves stretched toward a ceiling lost in shadows, rolling ladders attached to rails that curved in impossible ways. In the center of the room, comfortable reading areas were arranged around a softly glowing fireplace.
"This will suffice as a secure location," Nightingale decided, inspecting the space with her usual thoroughness. "The air quality is superior to other areas of the structure."
Kazuki approached a shelf, running his fingers along leather-bound spines with titles in languages he couldn't identify. One book seemed to purr under his touch. Another whispered something that might have been a greeting. He quickly withdrew his hand.
"So," he said, turning to Nightingale who had begun organizing a reading table with military precision, "what's your story? I mean, beyond the whole 'legendary nurse' thing?"
Nightingale paused, head tilting slightly as if the question was unexpected. "My story? I serve. I heal. I bring order to medical chaos." She resumed her organizing. "There is nothing else of relevance."
"There must be more to you than that," Kazuki pressed, settling into an armchair that seemed to adjust itself to perfectly support his posture. "What do you like? What makes you happy?"
This time, Nightingale's pause was longer. "Happiness is irrelevant. Results are what matter. Clean wards. Healthy patients. Proper protocols."
"That can't be all there is."
For a moment, something flickered in her eyes—something almost vulnerable. "I... enjoy the moment when a patient improves. When treatment succeeds. That is... satisfying."
Kazuki smiled. "So you do have feelings beyond duty."
Nightingale's expression hardened again. "Feelings are irrelevant to—"
A tremendous crash from somewhere deep in the Manor interrupted her. Both of them jumped to their feet.
"That did not sound like 'redecorating,'" Kazuki said.
Without a word, Nightingale grabbed her lamp (which had somehow appeared beside her, though Kazuki hadn't seen her carrying it) and moved toward the door, positioning herself between Kazuki and whatever might be out there.
They followed the sounds of commotion—more crashes, the tinkle of breaking glass, and what might have been cursing in a language Kazuki didn't recognize. The noises led them to what appeared to be some sort of observatory, with a domed ceiling that showed not the sky but swirling cosmic patterns that hurt Kazuki's eyes if he looked too long.
In the center of the room, surrounded by broken astronomical instruments, stood a woman.
She was elegant, statuesque, with long black hair and golden eyes that seemed to glow in the strange light. Her outfit was elaborate—a white dress with intricate purple and gold decorations that left little to the imagination, and what appeared to be horns curving from her head. Despite the chaos around her, she moved with perfect poise as she examined a broken telescope.
"Fascinating," she murmured. "The craftsmanship is superior to anything in Nazarick, yet somehow primitive compared to..." She trailed off as she noticed them in the doorway.
For a heartbeat, nobody moved. Then the woman's expression transformed—from cool assessment to intense, burning focus.
"Lord Ainz?" she whispered, staring at Kazuki. Then, louder: "My lord! You've changed your appearance, but I would recognize your magnificent presence anywhere!"
Before Kazuki could correct her, the woman lunged forward with inhuman speed. Nightingale moved to intercept, lamp raised defensively, but the newcomer was too fast. She sidestepped the nurse with preternatural grace and dropped to one knee before Kazuki, head bowed in absolute submission.
"Albedo, Guardian Overseer of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, pledges herself anew to your service, Supreme One," she declared, voice trembling with fervor. "Command me as you will."
"Um," said Kazuki eloquently. "I think there's been a mistake."
Albedo looked up, golden eyes wide with devotion. "A test? Of course. You wish to ensure my loyalty remains absolute, even when you take a new form. How wise!"
"No, really, I'm not this 'Lord Ainz' person. My name is Kazuki Ren. I'm just a high school student."
Albedo's smile was indulgent. "Of course, my lord. Your brilliant strategies know no bounds. I shall play along with whatever glorious plan you have conceived."
Nightingale stepped forward, lamp still raised threateningly. "The patient speaks truth. He is Kazuki Ren, Master of Omniversal Manor. You are trespassing."
Albedo rose slowly, her smile fading into something much colder as she regarded Nightingale. "I don't recall giving permission for such a lowly creature to address me directly. Perhaps I should teach you proper respect."
The air around Albedo seemed to darken, power radiating from her in palpable waves. Nightingale, to her credit, didn't back down an inch.
"Okay, let's all calm down!" Kazuki stepped between them, hands raised placatingly. "No need for violence. I'm sure there's an explanation for all this."
"Indeed there is," came Regulus's voice as the cat materialized on top of a broken astrolabe. "The Manor works in mysterious ways. Sometimes it gets... excited. Brings in guests ahead of schedule."
"Explain yourself, familiar," Albedo demanded, her attention shifting to the cat.
Regulus's tail twitched with amusement. "I am no one's familiar, Guardian Overseer. And you are a long way from Nazarick." His marble eyes gleamed. "Welcome to Omniversal Manor. You might want to read the house rules before you continue threatening the other guests."
He nodded toward the wall, where the golden plaque had appeared, rules gleaming.
Albedo approached it cautiously, reading with growing confusion. When she finished, she turned back to Kazuki, really looking at him this time.
"You... are not Lord Ainz," she said slowly.
"That's what I've been trying to tell you," Kazuki replied. "I'm just Kazuki."
"You are the Master of this place?"
"Apparently, though it's news to me too. I just woke up here this morning."
Albedo's eyes narrowed in thought. Then, to Kazuki's astonishment, she dropped to one knee again. "Then I shall serve you as the rules demand, until I can determine how to return to my true master."
"That's really not necessary—"
"I excel at domestic management," Albedo continued, rising gracefully. "The Great Tomb of Nazarick operates with perfect efficiency under my supervision. This 'Manor' will be no different." She cast a dismissive glance at Nightingale. "I see standards have been lacking thus far."
Nightingale's grip on her lamp tightened. "The patient has received optimal care under medical supervision."
"The Master," Albedo corrected, "will receive care befitting his station." Her smile returned, but now directed at Kazuki with calculation rather than blind devotion. "I shall prepare quarters suitable for a being of authority. The current accommodations are... inadequate."
"My room seemed pretty nice actually," Kazuki protested weakly.
"Then you have been too long among lesser dwellings." Albedo turned, surveying the observatory with distaste. "This area requires immediate renovation as well."
Regulus chuckled. "I believe we're in for an interesting dynamic. Two guests, one aggressively medical, one aggressively... everything else." He stretched lazily. "The Manor hasn't had this much entertainment potential in ages."
"Wait," Kazuki said, realization dawning. "The rules say one guest per day. So how is Albedo here now?"
The cat's marble features somehow managed to look smug. "As I said, the Manor gets excited sometimes. Makes exceptions. Perhaps it sensed the dramatic potential."
"Or perhaps," Albedo interjected, examining the golden plaque again, "this structure possesses a form of intelligence similar to Nazarick itself. A pocket dimension with semi-autonomous will."
Regulus's tail flicked. "Clever. Very clever. The Guardian Overseer lives up to her reputation."
Albedo ignored the compliment, turning to Kazuki. "Master Kazuki, I request permission to inspect the Manor in its entirety. A proper inventory is required before improvements can begin."
"Uh, sure," Kazuki said. "But maybe don't break anything else?"
"The damage was a regrettable result of dimensional transition," Albedo replied smoothly. "It will not recur." She bowed, then added with a trace of her earlier cold smile, "Unless necessary, of course."
With that, she glided from the room, somehow managing to look regal despite the broken equipment at her feet.
"I don't trust her," Nightingale declared once Albedo was gone. "Her presence raises your stress indicators. This is counter to medical well-being."
Kazuki sighed, suddenly exhausted. "I think stress is going to be my default state from now on."
Regulus yawned widely. "You have no idea, Master Kazuki. No idea at all." The cat began to fade, becoming transparent. "Oh, and just to keep things interesting—the Manor has decided these two should stay a while. Don't expect them to leave tomorrow."
"What?" Kazuki yelped, but Regulus had already vanished completely, leaving only a lingering chuckle in the air.
Nightingale placed a firm hand on Kazuki's shoulder. "Your pulse is elevated again. You require rest and possibly sedation."
From somewhere in the distance came the sound of something heavy being moved, followed by Albedo's voice issuing commands to... someone? Something?
"I have a feeling," Kazuki said wearily, "that rest isn't going to be on the agenda anytime soon."
Chapter 3: The Witch's Tea Party
Night in the Manor proved just as bizarre as daytime. The windows showed a sky that couldn't possibly be Earth's—too many moons, for one thing, and constellations that shifted and rearranged themselves while Kazuki watched.
After a dinner that had involved a passive-aggressive cooking competition between Nightingale (aggressively nutritious food) and Albedo (elaborate dishes that looked like art and tasted divine but occasionally moved on the plate), Kazuki had retreated to his bedroom—only to find it completely transformed.
Where his already-upgraded room had been impressive that morning, it was now practically a royal chamber. The bed had expanded to accommodate at least six people, with silk sheets and a canopy of material that seemed to shimmer between states of matter. The furniture was carved from dark wood that gleamed with inner light, and the bathroom attached to the suite now featured not just a tub but a pool with water that changed colors based on Kazuki's mood.
"This is Albedo's work," he muttered, running his hand along a bedpost carved to resemble intertwining dragons. "Subtle, she is not."
Despite the excessive luxury, exhaustion won out. Kazuki fell asleep almost instantly, sinking into dreams filled with talking cats, interdimensional doorways, and women with impossible powers arguing over who could serve him tea better.
He woke suddenly in the middle of the night, the room bathed in pale moonlight that couldn't possibly be coming from the windows because the angle was wrong. Sitting up, Kazuki realized he wasn't alone.
A figure sat in a high-backed chair at the foot of his bed—a young woman with long white hair, pale skin, and eyes that seemed to contain entire universes. She wore an elegant black and purple dress that looked like something from a fantasy nobility, and she was watching him with a smile that managed to be both serene and deeply unsettling.
"Good evening, Kazuki Ren," she said, her voice melodious and measured. "Or should I say good morning? Time is such a fluid concept in places like this."
Kazuki scrambled back against the headboard. "Who are you? How did you get in here?"
The woman's smile widened slightly. "My name is Echidna. I am the Witch of Greed." She gestured gracefully around the room. "As for how I arrived... it seems this fascinating construct of yours decided to invite me."
"The Manor brought you here? But it's not morning yet!"
"Indeed." Echidna crossed her legs, perfectly at ease. "It appears the rules are more... flexible than they first appear. Most rules are, in my experience."
Kazuki reached for the lamp beside his bed, but before his fingers could touch it, the light came on by itself.
"Much better," Echidna said. "I prefer conversations where all parties can see each other clearly. Observation is so important, don't you think?"
"What do you want?" Kazuki asked warily.
Echidna tilted her head, studying him as one might study an interesting insect. "What I always want, Kazuki Ren. Knowledge. Understanding." Her eyes gleamed. "This Manor of yours represents a mystery of cosmic proportions. Naturally, I'm intrigued."
"It's not my Manor. I just woke up here yesterday!"
"And yet it responds to you. Recognizes you as its Master." Echidna leaned forward slightly. "That makes you perhaps the most interesting puzzle of all."
Something about her intense focus made Kazuki deeply uncomfortable. It wasn't threatening, exactly, but it felt like being dissected while still conscious.
"Look, I'm as confused as anyone about all this," he said. "If you want answers, I don't have them."
"Oh, I don't merely want answers," Echidna replied. "I want the journey to those answers. The process of discovery." She stood smoothly, her dress flowing around her like liquid shadow. "Would you care for tea?"
Before Kazuki could respond, a small table materialized between them, complete with an elegant tea service that steamed invitingly.
"I... don't think I should accept drinks from someone who calls herself a witch," Kazuki said cautiously.
Echidna laughed, a sound like crystal bells. "Very wise! Caution in the face of the unknown is a valuable trait." She poured herself a cup and sipped delicately. "This isn't one of my special blends, however. Just ordinary tea provided by your accommodating Manor."
As if to prove her point, she took another sip, watching him over the rim of her cup.
Kazuki hesitated, then slowly slid out of bed, acutely aware he was wearing only pajama
Kazuki hesitated, then slowly slid out of bed, acutely aware he was wearing only pajama pants. He approached the table cautiously and sat across from Echidna.
"If this is ordinary tea, why the midnight visit?" he asked, eyeing the steaming cup she pushed toward him. "Couldn't this conversation wait until morning?"
Echidna's smile never wavered. "The boundary between guests becomes... thinner at night. Less interference from the others." Her gaze flicked toward the door. "Your nurse and the demon overseer are quite territorial. I preferred a private introduction."
Kazuki reluctantly took the cup, inhaling the fragrant steam. It smelled like normal tea, with hints of bergamot and something floral. "So you know about Nightingale and Albedo already?"
"I make it my business to know things, Kazuki Ren. Knowledge is power, after all." Echidna sipped her tea delicately. "And this Manor... it practically radiates knowledge. Secrets upon secrets. Realities stacked like pages in a book."
Kazuki took a tentative sip. The tea tasted surprisingly good—rich and complex without being bitter. "And what reality are you from? You mentioned being a witch?"
"The Witch of Greed, yes. From a world quite different from yours." She leaned forward slightly, eyes gleaming with intensity. "Tell me, how much do you know about the multiverse theory?"
"Just what I've seen in movies, I guess. Infinite parallel universes where different choices create different timelines."
Echidna laughed softly. "Such a simplistic model, though not entirely incorrect. The truth is far more... expansive." She gestured with her cup. "Imagine not just parallel universes, but perpendicular ones. Universes that operate on entirely different physical laws. Universes where concepts like 'time' and 'space' are mere suggestions rather than constraints."
As she spoke, the shadows in the room seemed to deepen, and the moonlight took on an ethereal quality.
"And your Manor, Kazuki Ren, appears to connect to all of them. A nexus point of cosmic significance." She fixed him with that dissecting stare again. "Which brings me back to you. What makes you special enough to be its Master?"
"Nothing," Kazuki said honestly. "I'm just a normal high school student. Average grades, average life. There's nothing special about me at all."
"I very much doubt that," Echidna replied. "The cosmos rarely makes mistakes of this magnitude."
A gentle knock at the door interrupted their conversation. Without waiting for a response, the door swung open to reveal Nightingale, lamp in hand, her expression severe.
"Patient requires rest," she stated firmly, eyeing Echidna with open suspicion. "Nocturnal disturbances compromise immune function."
Echidna's smile didn't falter, but something cold flickered in her eyes. "Florence Nightingale. Your dedication to medical protocols is as rigid as the histories suggest."
"Unauthorized personnel in patient quarters. Potential contamination risk." Nightingale stepped fully into the room, positioning herself between Echidna and Kazuki. "Identify purpose of intrusion."
Kazuki set down his teacup. "It's okay, Nightingale. We were just talking."
"Tea at 3:27 AM disrupts circadian rhythms. Caffeine interferes with REM sleep." Nightingale's focus remained locked on Echidna. "Visitor must depart."
"Must I?" Echidna asked, amusement dancing in her voice. "According to the rules, I'm a guest of the Manor now. I have certain rights... and obligations." She turned her smile on Kazuki. "Perhaps the Master would prefer my company to yours?"
The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees as the two women stared at each other. Kazuki could practically see the tension crackling between them.
"Ladies, please," he said, rising from his chair. "It's late, and this has been... a lot to process. Maybe we could all get some rest and continue this in the morning?"
"A reasonable suggestion," came yet another voice from the doorway.
Albedo stood there, somehow managing to look perfectly put together despite the late hour. Her golden eyes took in the scene with calculating precision.
"The Master requires sleep to function optimally," she continued, gliding into the room. "Disturbing his rest is... inconsiderate."
Echidna's smile widened. "Albedo, Guardian Overseer of Nazarick. How fascinating to meet you in person. Your reputation precedes you."
"As does yours, Witch of Greed." Albedo's voice carried a subtle edge. "Your penchant for manipulation is well-documented."
"Is it manipulation to seek knowledge?" Echidna asked innocently. "I merely wish to understand our shared circumstance."
"Your methods of acquiring knowledge often leave subjects... damaged," Albedo replied coolly. "The Master is under my protection. Under our protection," she amended with a brief nod toward Nightingale.
Kazuki looked between the three women, suddenly feeling like he was standing in the middle of a triangle formed by apex predators.
"Okay, let's all take a step back," he suggested, trying to sound calmer than he felt. "Echidna came to introduce herself. We had some tea. Nothing sinister happening."
"The tea," Nightingale said sharply, moving to examine the cup Kazuki had been drinking from. She sniffed it suspiciously. "Unknown compound detected."
"It's just tea," Kazuki insisted.
"Is it?" Albedo asked, her gaze fixed on Echidna. "The Witch of Greed is known for her... special brews."
Echidna laughed lightly. "You wound me with your suspicions. As I already explained to our charming host, this is merely the Manor's tea. I wouldn't dream of circumventing the rules so blatantly."
"The rules prevent harm," Albedo noted. "They say nothing about influence."
"Perceptive," Echidna acknowledged with a slight inclination of her head. "However, I assure you my intentions tonight were purely social."
The tea service suddenly vanished, along with the table it had been sitting on. Echidna didn't look surprised at all.
"It seems our time for private conversation has concluded," she said, rising gracefully. "A pity. We were just getting to the interesting parts." She turned to Kazuki with a smile that held secrets upon secrets. "Perhaps we can continue our discussion tomorrow, Master Kazuki. I find your... average nature absolutely fascinating."
With that, she glided toward the door, pausing briefly beside Albedo. "The Manor chose all of us for a reason, Guardian Overseer. Perhaps cooperation would serve better than competition."
"I serve the Master as the rules dictate," Albedo replied stiffly. "Nothing more, nothing less."
"Of course you do," Echidna said with a knowing look. She nodded politely to Nightingale before disappearing into the hallway.
The moment she was gone, Nightingale moved to Kazuki's side, already reaching for his wrist to check his pulse. "Potential poisoning. Require immediate assessment."
"I'm fine," Kazuki insisted, though he couldn't help a flicker of doubt. Had the tea been more than just tea?
"The witch cannot be trusted," Albedo declared, moving to close the bedroom door. "Her nature is fundamentally deceptive."
"Says the literal demon," Kazuki muttered.
Albedo turned to him, one perfect eyebrow raised. "You are aware of my nature?"
"I... just assumed. The horns and all."
To his surprise, Albedo smiled—a genuine smile that transformed her severe beauty into something almost warm. "You are more perceptive than you appear, Master Kazuki. Yes, I am a succubus by design. Created by the Supreme Beings to serve Nazarick with absolute loyalty."
"And now that loyalty extends to me? Because of the Manor's rules?"
"For the duration of my stay, yes." Her smile took on a slightly predatory edge. "I am nothing if not thorough in my duties."
Nightingale, who had been examining Kazuki's eyes with a tiny light, straightened. "No immediate signs of toxicity. Continued monitoring required."
"I really am fine," Kazuki insisted again. "And extremely tired. Can we all just... go back to sleep?"
"The Master requires rest," Albedo agreed. "Nurse, you may leave. I shall stand guard for the remainder of the night."
Nightingale's expression hardened. "Medical monitoring takes precedence."
"Ladies," Kazuki interrupted before another standoff could develop, "I appreciate the concern, but I can sleep without a guard or a nurse. Really."
The two women exchanged looks that suggested neither was happy with this arrangement.
"At least allow me to verify the room's security," Albedo insisted.
"And I must conduct one final medical assessment," Nightingale added.
Kazuki sighed. "Fine. Quick check, then everyone gets some sleep. Deal?"
After what felt like an eternity of Albedo inspecting every corner of the room for "interdimensional vulnerabilities" while Nightingale conducted yet another round of medical tests, Kazuki finally convinced them both to leave.
As the door closed behind them, he collapsed back onto his enormous bed with a groan. "Is every day going to be like this?" he asked the ceiling.
"Oh, this is just the beginning," came Regulus's voice. The cat statue was perched on the headboard, looking down at him with those marble eyes that somehow managed to convey amusement. "Wait until the Manor really gets going."
"What does that mean?" Kazuki demanded, too tired to even be startled by the cat's sudden appearance.
Regulus stretched. "It means, dear Master, that three is hardly a crowd. Not in a place like this." His tail swished slowly. "The Manor likes to... collect. Particularly when it finds guests who generate such interesting interactions."
"So there will be more? Beyond the 'one per day' thing?"
"The rules are more like... guidelines," Regulus said with what could only be described as a feline shrug. "Especially when things get interesting. And you, Kazuki Ren, with your beautifully average nature, somehow catalyze fascinating reactions in these extraordinary women."
"Lucky me," Kazuki muttered.
"Indeed." Regulus began to fade again, his form becoming translucent. "Sleep well, Master of the Manor. Tomorrow brings new guests, new chaos, and perhaps even some answers... though probably not the ones you're looking for."
As the cat vanished completely, Kazuki stared at the space where it had been. "I think I preferred being ordinary," he said to the empty room.
The Manor, if it heard him, offered no response beyond a subtle shifting of shadows as the otherworldly moonlight continued to pour through windows that couldn't possibly show the sky they displayed.
Chapter 4: Dragon in the Dining Room
Morning came with a brilliance that suggested the Manor had decided night had lasted long enough. Sunlight streamed through windows that now showed a pastoral landscape that definitely wasn't Kazuki's suburban neighborhood.
He was just contemplating whether he could get away with pretending to still be asleep when his bedroom door flew open with enough force to rattle the walls.
"GOOD MORNING, MASTER KAZUKI!" came an enthusiastic female voice at a volume better suited for addressing a stadium. "It's time for breakfast! I made all your favorites!"
Kazuki bolted upright to find a woman with long purple hair, an impossibly curvy figure, and mismatched eyes beaming at him from the doorway. She wore what appeared to be an apron over... very little else, and carried a tray loaded with enough food for ten people.
"Um... who are you?" he managed, trying to keep his eyes on her face.
"I'm Lucoa! Or Quetzalcoatl if you're feeling formal, but everyone calls me Lucoa." She practically skipped into the room, setting the tray down on a table that Kazuki was almost certain hadn't been there the night before. "I'm an ex-goddess and current dragon from another world, and apparently your new housekeeper according to that shiny plaque downstairs!"
Her energy was almost palpable, filling the room like a physical force. Kazuki blinked, trying to process both her appearance and her introduction.
"Did you say... dragon?"
"Mmhmm!" She nodded enthusiastically. "Dragon, goddess, magical entity—labels are so limiting, don't you think? The important thing is that I'm here to take care of you today!" She gestured to the tray. "Starting with breakfast! I wasn't sure what you liked, so I made a bit of everything."
"A bit" was an understatement. The tray contained pancakes, waffles, eggs prepared three different ways, bacon, sausage, fruit, toast, rice, miso soup, and several dishes Kazuki couldn't even identify.
"That's... very thoughtful," he said, cautiously sliding out of bed. "But how did you know where the kitchen was? Or how to cook human food?"
Lucoa laughed, a warm, musical sound. "Oh, I've spent lots of time in human worlds! And this Manor of yours is super helpful—drawers full of ingredients, appliances that practically operate themselves. It's like it wants me to succeed!"
As Kazuki approached the breakfast spread, the bedroom door burst open again.
"Master Kazuki! I detected unauthorized food preparation!" Nightingale strode in, carrying what looked like a medical testing kit. "Potential contamination risk!"
Lucoa turned, blinking in surprise at the nurse. "Oh, hello! You must be Florence! The Manor told me about you. Don't worry, everything's perfectly sanitary—I washed my hands and everything!"
"Inadequate protocol," Nightingale responded tersely, already moving to inspect the food with various instruments. "Proper nutritional balance not maintained. Excessive simple carbohydrates detected."
"But they taste good!" Lucoa protested cheerfully. "And I added extra protein and vitamins to the pancake batter. See?" She lifted a pancake, revealing a suspiciously green interior. "Spirulina and kale!"
Kazuki, who had been about to bite into one of those pancakes, slowly set it back down.
"Ah, there you are." Albedo appeared in the doorway, her golden eyes narrowing at the scene before her. "I was preparing the Master's morning ablutions when I sensed an... intrusion."
"Good morning!" Lucoa waved at her. "I'm Lucoa, the new guest! Love your horns, by the way—very elegant!"
Albedo's expression flickered between surprise and suspicion. "You are... a dragon deity."
"Ex-deity, but yes!" Lucoa agreed brightly. "And you're a succubus! How fun! I haven't met one of your kind in centuries."
"The Master's morning routine has already been scheduled," Albedo said coolly. "Nutritional intake at 7:30, followed by bathing at 8:00, then a tour of the Manor's new eastern wing at 9:15."
"Scheduled?" Kazuki repeated. "When did we decide this?"
"I prepared a comprehensive daily planner while you slept," Albedo explained, producing an elaborate leather-bound book from seemingly nowhere. "Maximizing efficiency while allowing for appropriate leisure periods."
"That sounds super organized!" Lucoa said admiringly. "But maybe a little rigid? Sometimes the best days are the unplanned ones, don't you think?"
Albedo's smile tightened. "Chaos is inefficient."
"But fun!" Lucoa countered, apparently immune to Albedo's increasingly frosty demeanor. "And speaking of fun—" She turned back to Kazuki. "After breakfast, I thought we could explore that amazing pool I found in the east wing. It has water slides that seem to break several laws of physics!"
"Water immersion therapy not scheduled until afternoon," Nightingale interrupted, having completed her inspection of the breakfast. "Morning dedicated to physical assessment and rehabilitative exercises."
Kazuki looked between the three women, each with their own vision of his day, and felt a headache forming. "Could I maybe just eat breakfast first before we plan the rest of my life?"
"Of course, Master Kazuki!" Lucoa agreed instantly.
"After proper food safety verification," Nightingale amended.
"According to the schedule," Albedo insisted.
A soft laugh from the doorway drew everyone's attention. Echidna leaned against the frame, watching the scene with obvious amusement.
"The hierarchy establishes itself," she observed. "Fascinating to witness."
"Echidna!" Lucoa exclaimed. "I didn't know you were here too! This is turning into quite the gathering."
"You know each other?" Kazuki asked in surprise.
"Not personally," Echidna clarified. "But knowledge of other realities is my specialty. The ex-goddess Quetzalcoatl is quite renowned across several dimensional planes."
"Just Lucoa, please," the dragon woman insisted. "And you must be the Witch of Greed! Your tea parties are legendary, though I've heard the hangovers are even more impressive."
Something like respect flickered in Echidna's eyes. "Your reputation for perception is well-earned, it seems."
"Food cooling to suboptimal temperature," Nightingale announced. "Bacterial growth becomes exponential after—"
"Oh my, what a lively gathering!" yet another new voice interrupted.
All eyes turned to find a woman with purple-red hair and elegant, commanding features standing in the hallway. She wore what appeared to be a combination of armor and formal attire, and carried herself with the absolute authority of someone used to being obeyed without question.
"And who might you be?" Albedo asked, her voice dangerously soft.
The newcomer smiled—a smile that somehow managed to be both warm and intimidating. "Irene Belserion, the Scarlet Despair. Mother of dragons, former queen of Dragnof, and apparently—" she glanced at a piece of paper in her hand, "—today's 'guest' in this peculiar establishment."
Lucoa clapped her hands in delight. "Another dragon! How wonderful!"
Irene's eyes fixed on Lucoa with new interest. "Indeed. Though you're not quite like any dragon I've encountered before."
"Different universe, different rules!" Lucoa explained cheerfully. "I'm Lucoa, ex-goddess and current freelance magical entity!"
"A goddess?" Irene's eyebrow arched elegantly. "How... quaint."
Before Lucoa could respond, Nightingale stepped forward decisively. "Too many individuals in patient quarters. Air quality compromised. Conversation volume exceeding recommended levels for optimal cognitive function."
"Perhaps," Albedo suggested with deadly politeness, "we should continue this discussion in a more appropriate venue. The dining hall has been prepared for the Master's breakfast."
"Excellent idea!" Lucoa agreed. "I made enough food for everyone anyway!"
"I prepared the Master's nutritional supplement," Nightingale countered.
"And I arranged the formal dining service," Albedo added.
Kazuki, forgotten momentarily in the midst of the growing tension, cleared his throat. "Maybe I could just... get dressed first?"
Five pairs of eyes turned to him, suddenly remembering his presence. And his current state of partial undress.
"Of course, Master Kazuki!" Lucoa said brightly. "Would you like help? I'm very good with buttons!"
"That won't be necessary," Albedo interjected smoothly. "The Master's morning attire has been carefully selected for today's activities."
"After required hygienic protocols," Nightingale insisted.
Echidna, still leaning in the doorway, watched it all with that same amused smile. "I believe our host might appreciate some privacy," she suggested. "The human concept of modesty is so charmingly archaic."
Irene chuckled, a sound like distant thunder. "Indeed. Though I must say, for a supposed 'Master,' he seems remarkably... ordinary."
"That's what makes him interesting," Echidna replied cryptically.
Kazuki cleared his throat again, louder this time. "Ladies! Please. Just... give me ten minutes to get ready, and I'll meet you all in the dining room. Wherever that is today."
After some negotiation (and Nightingale's insistence on leaving proper hygiene supplies), the women finally filed out, leaving Kazuki alone with his thoughts and a bedroom that suddenly felt much smaller despite its enormous size.
"What is happening to my life?" he muttered, rubbing his temples.
"The most interesting question," came Regulus's voice as the cat statue materialized on the windowsill, "is not what is happening, but why."
"Do you ever knock?" Kazuki asked irritably.
The cat stretched. "Knocking is for those bound by conventional physics." He tilted his head, marble eyes gleaming. "You've collected quite the menagerie already. The Manor is most impressed."
"I didn't collect anyone. They just keep showing up!"
"Yes," Regulus agreed thoughtfully. "Much faster than the usual pattern. Almost as if something is accelerating the process."
Kazuki paused in the middle of pulling on a shirt—a shirt far nicer than anything he'd owned before, made of material that seemed to adjust perfectly to his form.
"What do you mean, accelerating? You told me it was one guest per day when I wake up."
"That was the original pattern, yes," Regulus acknowledged. "But patterns can change. Especially in a place like this, where reality is more... suggestion than law."
"So the rules don't actually mean anything?" Kazuki asked, frustration building.
"Oh, they mean something," Regulus assured him. "Just not always what you think they mean."
"That's not helpful!"
The cat's tail swished lazily. "Helpfulness is overrated. Survival is what matters. And for that, you need understanding."
"Then help me understand!"
Regulus seemed to consider this request, head tilting the other way. "Very well. One hint, freely given: The Manor responds to emotional resonance. Particularly yours."
"Emotional resonance? What does that even mean?"
"It means, dear Master, that your feelings affect this place in ways you haven't begun to comprehend." The cat began to fade. "Now hurry along. Your harem awaits, and they grow... competitive when left to their own devices."
"It's not a harem!" Kazuki called after the vanishing cat, but only empty air remained to hear his protest.
With a sigh, he finished dressing in clothes that had apparently been selected by Albedo (the subtle purple and gold accents matched her aesthetic a bit too perfectly to be coincidence) and steeled himself for whatever chaos awaited in the dining room.
Finding the dining room proved easier than expected—he simply had to follow the sound of increasingly heated conversation echoing down the hallways. The Manor seemed to have reconfigured itself overnight, with wider corridors and higher ceilings that gave the impression of a palace rather than a house.
He paused outside massive double doors, from behind which came Lucoa's cheerful voice: "—but dragon magic is perfectly safe for humans in the right doses!"
"Unverified magical exposure contaminates control conditions," came Nightingale's clipped response.
"The Master requires no enhancement from outside sources," Albedo's voice added coldly. "His position demands respect regardless of personal power levels."
"How fascinating that you all assume he requires your protection," Echidna commented. "Have you considered he might welcome certain... experiences?"
"Ladies," came Irene's commanding tone, "perhaps we should allow the young man to make his own decisions. After proper guidance, of course."
Taking a deep breath, Kazuki pushed open the doors and stepped into what could only be described as a royal banquet hall. A table that could easily seat thirty people stretched down the center, loaded with food that ranged from Lucoa's homey breakfast dishes to what appeared to be a five-course formal meal prepared by Albedo. Nightingale had contributed what looked like color-coded nutrition bars arranged in a precise pattern, while Echidna had set up an elaborate tea service at one end.
All conversation stopped as he entered, five pairs of eyes turning to him with expressions ranging from clinical assessment (Nightingale) to warm welcome (Lucoa) to calculating interest (pretty much everyone else).
"Good morning," Kazuki said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "This is... quite a spread."
"Master Kazuki!" Lucoa practically bounced toward him, taking his arm and pulling him toward the table. "I saved you the seat of honor! And look—I made special pancakes with happy faces!"
"The Master will sit at the proper head of table," Albedo corrected smoothly, gesturing toward an ornate chair that looked more like a throne. "As befits his station."
"Patient requires balanced nutritional intake," Nightingale insisted, already moving toward her collection of vitamin-packed preparations. "Morning metabolism optimization is essential."
"Perhaps," Echidna suggested from her place at the table, where she was calmly sipping tea, "we might ask Kazuki where he'd prefer to sit?"
Irene, who had claimed a seat that somehow looked like a throne despite being identical to all the others, smiled enigmatically. "Indeed. Let's hear from the Master himself."
Five sets of expectations weighed on him, and Kazuki suddenly understood what Regulus had meant about emotional resonance. He could almost feel the Manor responding to the tension in the room, the walls seeming to lean inward slightly as if listening for his decision.
A choice, he realized, that would set the tone for whatever this bizarre new reality had become.
"Actually," he said, inspiration striking, "I think we should all sit together. No head of the table, no special seats. Just... breakfast together, like equals."
A moment of silence followed his suggestion.
Then Lucoa beamed. "I love that idea! Cozy and friendly!"
"Equality with the Master is not the natural order," Albedo said stiffly, but her expression suggested she was considering the diplomatic implications.
"Communal dining increases oxytocin production," Nightingale observed. "Beneficial for stress reduction."
Echidna's smile widened slightly. "How unexpected. And therefore interesting."
"A king who sits among his subjects," Irene mused. "Either very confident or very foolish. We shall see which."
With varying degrees of enthusiasm, the women rearranged themselves around the central portion of the long table. Kazuki found himself seated with Lucoa and Nightingale on his left, Albedo and Echidna on his right, and Irene directly across from him, watching with those penetrating eyes that seemed to see right through him.
"So," Kazuki said as he reached for what looked like the most normal piece of toast on the table, "maybe we could start with proper introductions? Since we're apparently all going to be... living together."
"What a sensible suggestion!" Lucoa exclaimed. "I'll start! I'm Quetzalcoatl, but please call me Lucoa. I'm a dragon goddess from another world—well, ex-goddess after a teensy incident involving alcohol and my sister, but that's ancient history! Literally thousands of years ago." She waved dismissively. "Now I spend my time helping humans and enjoying all the wonderful experiences different worlds have to offer!"
"Nightingale," the nurse said curtly. "Battlefield medical specialist. Expert in sanitation and patient care."
"Albedo, Guardian Overseer of the Great Tomb of Nazarick," Albedo introduced herself with formal precision. "Created by the Supreme Being Tabula Smaragdina to serve with absolute loyalty and efficiency. My capabilities include tactical planning, administrative management, and combat when necessary."
"Echidna," the white-haired witch said simply. "Witch of Greed. Seeker of knowledge in all its forms." Her smile held secrets upon secrets. "Currently finding this Manor and its inhabitants most educational."
"Irene Belserion," the regal woman across from Kazuki declared. "Former Queen of the Dragon Kingdom Dragnof, mother of Erza Scarlet, and one of the most powerful enchantresses in my world." She sipped from a goblet with perfect poise. "I believe the term 'dragon queen' would be accurate in both literal and figurative senses."
Kazuki took a moment to process all this information. A nurse from history, a demon from some place called Nazarick, a knowledge-obsessed witch, a dragon ex-goddess, and a dragon queen/enchantress. All bound by cosmic rules to serve as his... household staff? It was beyond absurd.
"And what about you, Master Kazuki?" Lucoa asked brightly. "Tell us about yourself!"
Five sets of eyes focused on him expectantly.
"I'm... nobody special," he said honestly. "Just a high school student. Average grades, average life. I like video games and manga, I guess? Nothing exciting."
"Yet the Manor chose you," Echidna observed. "Curious."
"Perhaps it is precisely your ordinariness that makes you suitable," Irene suggested. "A blank canvas upon which extraordinary forces can work."
"Or perhaps," Albedo added, "there is something within you that has yet to manifest. Potential recognized by the Manor before you recognize it yourself."
"Maybe it's just because he's nice!" Lucoa offered cheerfully. "Not everyone needs a dramatic backstory."
"Medical analysis indicates no physiological abnormalities," Nightingale confirmed. "Subject appears genuinely average."
"Thank you for that assessment," Kazuki said dryly.
Unexpectedly, Irene laughed—a rich, warm sound that seemed to fill the entire room. "Oh, I like him. There's a spine beneath that ordinary exterior after all."
"Indeed," Echidna agreed, studying him over her teacup. "The most fascinating puzzles often appear simple at first glance."
"The Master requires no justification for his position," Albedo stated firmly. "The Manor's choice is sufficient validation."
"Speaking of the Manor," Lucoa said, "have you explored much of it yet, Kazuki? I found the most amazing rooms this morning! There's one that's just filled with floating bubbles that play music when you touch them, and another where the furniture is all made of living plants!"
"I haven't had much chance to explore," Kazuki admitted. "Everything keeps... changing."
"The Manor appears to exist in a state of quantum flux," Echidna explained. "Reality here is malleable, responding to certain stimuli. Primarily, it seems, to you."
"Me? How?"
"Your emotional resonance, as the talking stone cat explained earlier," Irene said casually.
Kazuki blinked in surprise. "You've met Regulus?"
"Of course," Irene replied. "He appeared in my quarters shortly after my arrival, provided cryptic information, then vanished in an unnecessarily dramatic fashion." She took another sip from her goblet. "Typical familiar behavior, really."
"He is not a familiar," came Regulus's voice as the cat statue materialized in the center of the table, somehow managing not to disturb any of the dishes. "I am an aspect of the Manor itself. A manifestation of its awareness, if you will."
"A sentient building requiring an avatar," Nightingale observed. "Psychologically significant."
"The Manor is sentient?" Kazuki asked, feeling yet another headache coming on.
"'Sentient' is such a limiting term," Regulus said, licking a paw that logically shouldn't bend given it was made of stone. "The Manor is... aware. In its own way."
"And what way is that, exactly?" Echidna asked, leaning forward with intense interest.
Regulus's marble eyes gleamed. "Now that would be telling, Witch of Greed. And where would the fun be in that?"
"The purpose of this gathering is unclear," Albedo interjected. "If the Manor is collecting females from across realities, there must be an objective beyond mere domestic service."
"Perhaps the purpose is the collection itself," Echidna suggested. "A cosmic experiment in interdimensional social dynamics."
"Or maybe it's just lonely!" Lucoa offered. "Even magical buildings might want company sometimes."
Irene tapped one elegant finger against her goblet. "I suspect the truth is both simpler and more complex than any of our theories."
"All theories require testing," Nightingale stated. "Scientific method dictates observation, hypothesis, experimentation."
"And what experiment would you suggest, Florence?" Echidna asked with a hint of challenge.
Before Nightingale could answer, the entire Manor shuddered—a ripple passing through the walls and floor like a wave through water.
Dishes rattled. Chandelier crystals chimed against each other. The very air seemed to vibrate with anticipation.
"Ah," said Regulus, tail swishing excitedly. "Right on schedule."
"What was that?" Kazuki demanded, gripping the edge of the table.
"The Manor is expanding again," the cat explained. "Making room."
"Room for what?" Albedo asked sharply.
Regulus's marble lips curved into what could only be described as a smirk. "Not what. Who."
As if in answer, a tremendous crash echoed from somewhere deeper in the Manor, followed by what sounded like splintering wood and a female voice cursing inventively in what Kazuki was pretty sure wasn't Japanese or English.
"Our newest guest has arrived," Regulus announced unnecessarily. "And she sounds... enthusiastic."
Lucoa clapped her hands in delight. "Another friend! How exciting!"
"This pattern violates the established rules," Albedo noted with a frown. "One guest per morning when the Master awakens."
"As I've been trying to explain," Regulus said with exaggerated patience, "the rules are more like... guidelines. Especially when things get interesting."
Another crash, closer this time, followed by heavy footsteps approaching the dining hall.
"Master Kazuki," Ech