Calories: The True Measure of Battle Power
Indeed, one could say that calories are the combat power of flavor itself. Most flavors come from sugar and fat anyway, and it's an undeniable fact that the higher the calories, the wilder the taste goes.
The heroines, of course, are the types who obsess over such things. In Unia's case, she might not realize it herself, but her body converts ingested calories into mana. This is a secret known only to those who took her true wife route in the original story—a topic the Seven Dukes of Hell themselves knew existed and agonized over in their research. One outcome of that research manifested in my creation: "Mana-ization of Memories," or simply Mana Bread.
Unia still has no idea that her body instinctively activates a spell converting excess calories to mana after absorbing the minimum necessary nutrients, so she watches her intake carefully. But once she learns the truth? A whole cake? How does one turn into a single slice? Not even a whole sheet—no, the entire thing.
Academy cafes, terminal cafes—they'll all sound the alarm. That day, the Cake Devil will descend, boosting every terminal cafe's sales by over 18%.
Calories equal combat power. (Sure, there's an omitted clause about "converting those calorie-derived nutrients into mana, storing it, and releasing it when needed," but the end result is the same: everyday food becomes the mana fuel for battle.)
That's Unia's miracle: turning calories into mana. So what about the others?
—It's fine. Just exercise as much as you eat.
—No, exercise harder than what you eat.
For Rydmila and Instructor Esta—the so-called "physical types"—the solution is simple. Eat a ton? Burn it off with that much training. Their baseline metabolism is sky-high from constant conditioning, so calorie bombs barely faze them. Balance is the real issue; a whole cake sheet is no sweat. Though on days they don't feel like moving, they might grumble about training or sparring.
And Evangeline? No data from the di Ershi DLC Empire, but after two weeks in the same class, I've figured her out. Food-wise, she's average. Big frame for her height, thick thighs, soft all over. For types like her, avoid the "midsection danger zone." As a lover, groping her chest or ass? She'll tease with a grin, like you wanna touch, huh? But poke the belly? Uppercut incoming, then mounted.
In short, Evangeline tries her best to moderate. If calories only bulked chest or hips, she'd be ordering crates of cakes in a golden carriage with Unia, sampling one of each flavor by type.
...Though money would be the bigger issue than calories there.
Thus, calories are a massive headache for the heroines. As women, they can't ignore it. That's why they're so hyped for Mana Bread—not just for mana recovery, but to taste that sweet bliss on their tongues, even if illusory.
Ways to resist calories, sugar, sweetness? Endless. Invent miraculous spells. Counter with bold workouts. Strict daily dieting. Create zero-calorie drinks and foods.
But one existence renders all those mortal countermeasures obsolete.
"So what if calories pile up? It's not like it goes to my belly—only my chest and hips grow. What's wrong with that?"
The type where every calorie funnels straight to sexual allure zones, no matter how much she eats.
"That's a blessing, Instructor Cardisha."
Genes don't play fair. In game terms, it's "that setting," but reality has 'em too.
"A blessing, huh. Hm, not sure about that."
Cardisha cupped her underboob from below again.
"If this gets any bigger, my shoulders ache and it's just uncomfortable."
"Then rest 'em on your desk while working, no?"
"...Oh, that's an idea?"
Instructor Cardisha blinked, as if grasping some profound truth.
"But to do that..."
"You can relax alone in your lab, right?"
"What if someone walks in?"
"You're wearing a lab coat anyway—no big deal."
"Hm..."
Cardisha pondered, fork in hand, eyeing the three bread types before her.
"Maybe I'm overthinking it."
She smirked, then stabbed her fork toward all three.
"Yeah. So what if I gain? No one's watching."
Calorie bombs, partial-mana breads, full-mana breads.
"Gain, then diet it off."
"Exactly. And you might not even need to diet."
"Why?"
"Didn't you say it yourself? You burn calories with your brain."
I pointed to her cinched waist.
"You've slimmed down noticeably these past few days."
"......How'd you even notice? Geez."
Cardisha flushed, tugging her lab coat.
"Weird, right?"
"What?"
"My waist shrinks like this. Should be balanced, no?"
"I think it's great."
"What I like doesn't matter—sometimes it's inconvenient for me. Take this."
She pointed to her skirt peeking under the coat.
"I wanna wear pants, but after some research, they get loose and slip."
"Could be disastrous?"
"Not that bad. 'Cause... they catch here."
Cardisha traced her hip line under the coat.
"Men might love it, but for a woman who wants cute clothes? Endless woes."
"Yeah. Can't exactly gain weight easily either... sigh."
Some might squeal and pounce hearing that, but woes are personal.
"Wish I could eat without weight worries."
"...There is one way."
"Ever tried some intense workout that melts fat?"
Original spoiler time.
"Huh?"
"Y'know, one that sheds pounds fast—even if not belly fat, it targets your problem spots drastically?"
"......Ah."
Cardisha has one: stress relief, mega-calorie burn.
"......."
"No good?"
"Well..."
She scratched her cheek, staring long.
"It's the kind where solo efficiency is only half."
"Solo, huh."
"Can't just grab anyone for it either."
"Then imagine it, no?"
I picked up her mana tart.
"Picture doing it with a partner—your unwanted fat vanishes quick."
"...True."
Lick. I licked the tart; Cardisha grinned at me.
"You cool with it?"
"Pardon?"
"Imagining workouts with you?"
"No reason not to."
Music to my ears.
"If it clears your backlog, say the word. I'll help."
"Sure. But... not yet."
She waved firmly.
"Maybe post-grad, in grad school."
Cardisha was an adult, after all.
* * *
Time with the heroines over, Sunday dawned. They'd be off doing their own things, so I had one must-do.
Not spying on heroines using me for their hustles.
Removing the protagonist. Killing this world's angels.
"...Hoo."
Hand on chest. Just two weeks, but so much happened. I gained "faith" from many, expanding my reach.
Thanks to the Magic Pants.
Old school heroines' helper.
Academy boys' pride savior.
Mercenary King Ederson Lionheart's key to Lion Earth King.
Alhena Silverstar's Breadcademy hope contractor.
Angel-counter guru.
"...1/7."
From that faith, power to draw one-seventh fragment.
"Come."
Unseen by all.
"Demon God."
Faith-fueled, I boldly performed the summoning ritual in the old school.
Target: none. Fine. All seven are ours.
Please not that one. Ideally, the easiest to handle—
"Ah."
Whoosh. Wind blew.
Carrying a far-too-familiar scent.
"Damn it."
[This body, arrives.]
Before me.
"Anchovy Evangeline."
[I'll kill you-nyang.]
Anchovy-scented, cat-like tiny spirit appeared.
Correction: was summoned.