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Chapter Text

01) Chibi 01: I almost got caught...

LOCATION: "Chapter 01: The End of Everything you Knew"

SYNOPSIS: The moment Archi brought Subaru to the village, a little girl watches in the distance.

STATE: PUBLISHED

02) Chibi 02: Discussion on the first encounters with Geuse

LOCATION: "Chapter 02: A Slothful Encounter"

SYNOPSIS: Archi and Fortuna escorted Subaru and Emilia to their meeting with Geuse. On the way, the children compared their first encounter with the green-haired man.

STATE: PUBLISHED

03) Chibi 03: Indiana Geuse and Flugel's treasure

LOCATION: "Chapter 03: The True Hand of Sloth"

SYNOPSIS: While Subaru was training his Authority, Geuse was in Vollachia to obtain the artifact that his master hid somewhere.

STATE: PUBLISHED

04) Chibi 04: The Diary of the Beast of the End: The Search

LOCATION: It occurs between "Chapter 04: A Tragedy Strength Could not Overcome" and "Chapter 05: The Sage's Treasure Hunt"

SYNOPSIS: 100 years after being frozen, a strange flying cat arrives at Elior Forest looking for someone.

STATE: PUBLISHED

05) Chibi 05: First-class fur

LOCATION: "Chapter 05: The Sage's Treasure Hunt"

SYNOPSIS: During the 7 months of preparation, Subaru decides to give Emilia a gift... And ends up falling to temptation.

STATE: PUBLISHED

06) Chibi 06: The Fire Arbiter watches over a star (Melakuera's Self-Redemption - Part 1)

LOCATION: During the "Chapter 06: Subaru Alone"

SYNOPSIS: During the time when Subaru was living in the Elior Forest with Emilia and Puck, a mysterious entity made of fire that was watching the boy had to make an important decision.

SERIE: Melakuera's Self-Redemption.

STATE: PUBLISHED

07) Chibi 07: Decisions, regrets and promises (Melakuera's Self-Redemption - Part 2)

LOCATION: During the "Chapter 06: Subaru Alone"

SYNOPSIS: Melakuera makes the decision to kill Emilia, but... Why does he feel that something inside him was wrong?

SERIE: Melakuera's Self-Redemption.

STATE: PUBLISHED

08) Chibi 08: Puck's bad feeling

LOCATION: Inpired in the "Chapter 7: The Adventures of Halibel and Su-san"

SYNOPSIS: Subaru learns the truth about how babies are made. Puck senses something bad will happen to him in the future.

STATE: PUBLISHED

09) Chibi 09: The Signs

LOCATION: It occurs between "Chapter 07: The Adventures of Halibel and Su-san" and "Chapter 08: The 11th Sword of Power"

SYNOPSIS: At the moment Subaru shed his blood to make the entrance to the Sage's Tomb appear, various signals were sent to different parts of the world to warn everyone that a great event that would change everything, from what people know to what they believe will happen...

STATE: PUBLISHED

10) Chibi 10: Halibel's thoughts on the truth of the world

LOCATION: Inspired by "Chapter 07: The Adventures of Halibel and Su-san", "Chapter 08: The 11th Sword of Power" and "Chapter 09: A New Beginning"

SYNOPSIS: Halibel returns home and decides to put her thoughts in order about what she has just discovered.

STATE: PUBLISHED

11) Chibi 11: The before and after of "the explanation of how babies are made"

LOCATION: It occurs between "Chapter 09: A New Beginning" and "Chapter 10: A Long 2 Years"

SYNOPSIS: Subaru forces Puck to reveal the truth to Emilia about the babies, unaware that this will cause a small problem in the future.

STATE: PUBLISHED

12) Chibi 12: You must adapt, Subaru (Petra and the Hero of Arlam - Part 1)

LOCATION: This happens between the 7 months of waiting in "Chapter 10: A Long 2 Years"

SYNOPSIS: Subaru is looking for ways to improve his fighting style so he doesn't have to rely so heavily on his Authority. In Arlam Village, a young woman strays into dangerous territory.

SERIE: Petra and the Hero of Arlam

STATE: PUBLISHED

13) Chibi 13: Chaos in the Arlam Village (Petra and the Hero of Arlam - Part 2)

LOCATION: This happens between the 7 months of waiting in "Chapter 10: A Long 2 Years"

SYNOPSIS: The group arrives at Arlam Village and discovers that a little girl has disappeared after Frederica left.

SERIE: Petra and the Hero of Arlam

STATE: PUBLISHED

14) Chibi 14: A mask of tenderness, a girl corrupted by her vanity (Petra and the Hero of Arlam - Part 3)

LOCATION: This happens between the 7 months of waiting in "Chapter 10: A Long 2 Years"

SYNOPSIS: Petra Leyte finds herself surrounded by mabeasts and ends up remembering how she got into that situation.

SERIE: Petra and the Hero of Arlam

STATE: PUBLISHED

15) Chibi 15: A Girl's Promise (Petra and the Hero of Arlam - Part 4)

LOCATION: This happens between the 7 months of waiting in "Chapter 10: A Long 2 Years"

SYNOPSIS: Subaru arrives to save the day and at the end of the day a promise is formed between the hero and the girl.

SERIE: Petra and the Hero of Arlam

STATE: PUBLISHED

16) Chibi 16: Otto's Diary: 'The Fire Watcher' Incident

LOCATION: "Chapter 10: A Long 2 Years"

SYNOPSIS: A merchant tells how he was saved by a mysterious entity made of fire.

STATE: PUBLISHED

17) Chibi 17: Girls' Afternoon

LOCATION: It occurs between "Chapter 10: A Long 2 Years" and "Chapter 11: A Memorable Audition"

SYNOPSIS: Emilia, Puck, Rem, Ram and Frederica go shopping while Subaru is taken by Roswaal to the knight trials. Frederica thinks of someone very special who detects her emotions from afar.

STATE: PUBLISHED

18) Chibi 18: Stealing the spotlight

LOCATION:"Chapter 11: A Memorable Audition"

SYNOPSIS: While Subaru awaits his results, someone in the distance senses that his position as the protagonist is in danger.

STATE: PUBLISHED

19) Chibi 19: The normal days of the Mathers Mansion Maids: "???"

LOCATION:"Chapter 12: Under the Blue, Sir Felix Argyle"

SYNOPSIS: "???"

STATE: COMING SOON

20) Chibi 20: How to train your Patrasche

LOCATION: "Chapter 12: Under the Blue, Sir Felix Argyle"

SYNOPSIS: "???"

STATE: IN PROGRESS

21) Chibi 21: What Felix Argyle Reflects

LOCATION: "Chapter 12: Under the Blue, Sir Felix Argyle"

SYNOPSIS: "???"

STATE: COMING SOON

22) Chibi 22: The normal days of the Mathers Mansion Maids: "???"

LOCATION: "Chapter 13: Under the Captain, Sir Marcos Gildark"

SYNOPSIS: "???"

STATE: COMING SOON

23) Chibi 23: "???"

LOCATION: "Chapter 13: Under the Captain, Sir Marcos Gildark"

SYNOPSIS: "???"

STATE: COMING SOON

24) Chibi 24: Knights' Report on the Cult and Black Serpent Attacks

LOCATION: "Chapter 13: Under the Captain, Sir Marcos Gildark"

SYNOPSIS: "???"

STATE: COMING SOON

25) Chibi 25: Meeting of the Archbishops of the Witch Cult on the mission in Coffelton

LOCATION: "Chapter 13: Under the Captain, Sir Marcos Gildark"

SYNOPSIS: "???"

STATE: COMING SOON

Chapter Text

Emilia always sneaked out of her room to play with the fairies (minor spirits) in the forest, as they were her only friends. One day, they insisted on going to town, and Emilia was nervous, until Archi's voice interrupted...

[Archi: "¡Help! I need healers over here! Also bring some food. ¡I need assistance!"]

At that moment, the silver-haired, amethyst-eyed girl was hiding in some bushes. She saw the whole scene and how Archi was carrying...

[Emilia: "Is it... a boy...?"]

The girl was curious, she had never seen someone her age (mental age), so as soon as she went to take a look...

[???: "¡¿WHICH ARCHI BROUGHT A WHAT?!"]

A woman with short white hair and amethyst eyes runs towards Archi's house, about to pass by the little girl.

[Girl: "¡...!" -*hiding*]

[Woman: ¿Hm?]

The woman stopped when she heard something in the bushes and approached to examine the strange noise. Emilia was scared; she was about to be discovered and scolded when...

[Elf: "¿Something wrong, miss Fortuna?"]

The woman paused for a moment to think, then stood up and decided to turn around.

[Fortuna: "... No, it's nothing."]

After pausing for a second, he decided to keep running to find his disciple...

[Fortuna (thought): ¿Was that Emilia...? No, impossible...]

[Fortuna: I think just in case, I'll visit her after questioning Archi.]

When Fortuna left after saying that, little Emilia poked her head out, watching Fortuna walk away...

[Emilia (thought): I think I'd better go back to my room until the danger is over.]

And with that, Emilia heads back to avoid attention and escape punishment... For now.

Chapter Text

Archi, Fortuna, Emilia, and Subaru were on their way to see Geuse. While they were talking, the children began to wonder about his recent attitude toward Subaru.

[Emilia: “¿Do you know why Geuse was acting so strange with you Subaru? Or what he wants with you now?” —Emilia asked with a deep sense of curiosity growing within her.]

[Subaru: He shook his head— “No, that weirdo just started crying and bowing to me, calling me master and whatnot, it was really creepy.”]

Emilia kept thinking about what Geuse might want from her best friend, then she remembered the first encounter she had with Geuse.

[Emilia: "¿Then Geuse cried with happiness again for meeting someone?"]

[Subaru: "¿Again?"]

[Emilia: "Yes, when I met him in person once, he cried a lot and even had a runny nose. He also said something about receiving a glimmer of hope upon seeing me."]

[Subaru: shudders- "¿Does he do that with everyone or just the kids?"]

[Emilia: worried- "I've never thought about it..."]

Emilia and Subaru were wondering if Geuse was some kind of 'little child worshipper' when they asked the adults.

[Emilia: "Mom Fortuna. ¿How was your first encounter with Geuse?"]

[Fortuna: *startle* "¡¿Eh?!" —Fortuna's face turns red]

[Emilia y Subaru: "¿...?"]

[Archi: "Hahahaha... I'll tell you both what they told me. It was very funny. The day those two met, Fortu..." —*shivers*]

Archi suddenly felt like his life was in danger, if he had turned his head to look into Fortuna's eyes... He would have turned into an ice statue and shattered into a thousand pieces right now.

[Archi: "¡Look, we're here! ¡The conversation's over!" —He points with relief]

[Emilia and Subaru (thinking): "¿What was that?"]

Emilia and Subaru were surprised by Archi's attitude (since the adults were in front of them, they saw only their backs, but not their faces.) and decided to leave it for now and ask them later... But the scenes they witnessed later with Geuse made them forget the question.

Chapter Text

Petelgeuse was in Vollachia searching for the artifact Flugel had hidden to give to Subaru and fulfill his destiny. After being attacked by Mabeasts, bandits, flying dragons, thrill-seeking warriors, and foolish traps, among others...

[Petelgeuse: ¡¡FINALLY!! ¡¡I DID IT!!]

After shedding blood, sweat, and tears, his diligence was rewarded with the artifact. After leaving the ruins, he returned to the small camp he had established to rest, before heading back into the forest.

[Petelgeuse: I'll take this opportunity to see what it is while I take a break from... this unique experience... ¿huh?]

Petelgeuse remembered some of his teacher's words about this type of work, he called them: explorers, archaeologists and treasure hunters.

[Petelgeuse: This is like that story the teacher told me a long time ago. The one about that guy with the wide-brimmed hat and the whip... ¡What was his name...? ¡I think it was "Inda Ania Junes"...? Well, never mind.]

After opening the box, he found a map, and inside it were notes in a strange language written in ridges.

[Petelgeuse: Hmm, it seems to be a map to... ¿Eh, could this be the legendary language of the Sages that the master spoke of? I just hope Subaru can...]

[Mabests: ¡GRRRR!]

[Petelgeuse: ... Read the... language...]

Suddenly, Petelgeuse slowly turns around, only to find himself surrounded by several groups of Mabeasts, again.

[Petelgeuse: *sigh* Here we go again...]

It's a shame that the diligent can hardly ever rest...

Chapter Text

It's been 100 years since Elior Forest was frozen by Emilia's fit of rage toward Pandora. The forest, once beautiful and teeming with wildlife, is now a white paradise filled with snow and ice. Animals, insects, mabests, elves, and the last members of the moderate faction of the Witch Cult were cryogenically frozen and put into torpor as a side effect of such a massacre. But not only that, the Black Snake's venom was also frozen, waiting for the day the ice melts.

Fluttering through the forest, a small cat with light gray and white fur was flying acrobatically between the trees while throwing small spears of ice to kill the mabests and the eyes of Melakuera, the Great Fire Spirit known as "The Arbiter."

[Cat: "If Melakuera's eyes are in the forest, it means that story must be true and she should be around here..."]

The cat heard an ancient local legend in the Western Village that deep in the Elior Forest, there was a huge crystal and inside it, the frozen figures of people could be seen. If this is true, it's possible that this is "that person" the little cat had been searching for for nearly 400 years after leaving his "mother" at the sanctuary.

FLASHBACK:

[Equidna: "Puck, somewhere there is a silver-haired, amethyst-eyed half-elf named Emilia. Find her and protect her, because if she dies you could end up destroying the world."]

[Puck: concerned- "But mother. ¿why would the death of a girl like her trigger that in me? ¡I don't want to... !"]

[Equidna: gives him a mischievous smile- "You don't have to worry, somewhere in the world is the Sage Candidate, a person who can possess multiple witch factors in his soul without restrictions or side effects. Should the boy lose his life, all mistakes can be undone."]

[Puck: "¿You're saying that kid can save her and stop me from becoming the Beast of the End?"]

[Equidna: "Your mission is to take care oof the half-elven girl Emilia. That's what our contract dictates."]

END OF FLASHBACK.

[Puck (Thought): certain- 'And I will not fail, in the mission that defines my existence... ¿Huh?']

Puck arrives at a clearing where he sees a huge blue crystal, one so big it could fit a person. The little cat was euphoric, because after 400 years, finally...

[Puck: Excited- "¡Finally found you, Lia...! ¿...?"]

But what he sees in the crystal is not just a silver-haired half-elf girl, what he also sees is a boy with black hair and sanpaku eyes. Two children, who look no more than 12 or 13 years old, hugging each other while asleep inside the ice.

[Puck: Confused- "Who is that kid?" -shakes his head and returns to his usual determination- "Well, it's not important... For now, I'll start unfreezing Lia."]

Puck was confused by this, as he hadn't expected anyone to be with her, but now he had things to do: break the ice and free the girl, at the expense of the boy beside her... Unaware that this child will be the boy who will save her heart from the clutches of the cursed contract that poor Puck didn't know he had...

Chapter Text

Two months have passed since Subaru and Emilia woke up from the ice thanks to Puck, Subaru's current plan was to save up for the trip the boy was planning to take to the Sage's Tomb and so that Emilia could be fine on her own. Between sword training, mining, and dividing the money for everything (the trip, Emilia, and current needs), Subaru barely had any time for himself. One day, Puck invited him to a mabeast hunt to have the perfect excuse to go destroy some Melakuera's eyes and help Subaru relax a little.

[Subaru: "Thanks for suggesting this, Puck, I needed something to distract myself after so much work."]

[Puck: "I'm the one thanking you, Subaru. The mabeasts have been very active lately, and thanks to you, I don't have to worry for a while. If you need anything for me to return the favor, I'm all ears ~nya."]

[Subaru: "In that case, I want you to help me with a small project for Emilia."]

[Puck: "¿Project?"]

When Subaru and Puck returned to the village to sell the stones and materials, Puck wondered what he needed it for and when they returned home, the two went to Subaru's room (without Emilia noticing).

[Puck: Crosses his paws as he looks with a suspicious look— "¿What does this mean, Subaru?"]

When they arrived, Subaru left the money on the table, searched for paper and pencil in the drawer where he kept the maps he and Emilia had been drawing so they wouldn't get lost in the forest, and looked at Puck with a smile.

[Subaru: "Jejeje... You see, Puck, I was thinking that Emilia would miss me if I was gone for too long, so I thought I'd sew her a stuffed animal of you as a gift."]

[Puck: Looks at him surprised— "I didn't know you liked sewing."]

[Subaru: "That's right, it was a little hobby I had at home and modesty aside, I'm pretty good. Okay Puck, get into position, I'll make the sketch first and then I'll take your measurements." —he says that while taking the pencil]

[Puck: "¿Don't you need to get the materials first?"]

[Subaru (whispering): "I'd rather not spend more than necessary..."]

[Puck (thought): "Stingy."]

Subaru begins to draw what the plush toy will look like, and then takes out the measuring tape to see how much he needs for each part. But as he begins to touch it, a pleasant feeling begins to emerge...

[Subaru: "Ah..."]

[Puck: "¿...?"]

[Subaru: "No, nothing."]

After a few awkward seconds, Subaru continued measuring the cat. After finishing taking notes...

[Subaru: "I'll take advantage of the fact that I'm going to town tomorrow to buy supplies and go look for the materials."]

[Puck: Flies towards Subaru and floats near him— "Sounds like a good plan to me"]

[Subaru and Puck: "... ..."]

They both exchange glances, until...

[Subaru: "Puck, ¿can I ask you one more thing?"]

[Puck: "¿Mmmm?"]

5 minutes later...

[Emilia: "I think they're around here..."]

Emilia was searching for Subaru and Puck when she sensed the little spirit in Subaru's room. When she opened the door to take a look, all she found was a boy playing with a small cat on his bed.

[Subaru: "¡Puck, you're so fluffy! ¡Your fur is the best I've ever felt!" —he says, lifting Puck with his hands and then rubbing his cheeks again]

[Puck: accepting the pampering- "I can almost read your mind, so I know, ¡but I'm surprised you can say it!"]

[Subaru: "This is the softest thing that..." —He turns to the door and sees Emilia smiling, making Subaru freeze— "¡GAKH!"]

Subaru stopped hugging Puck and looked at Emilia, alarmed and red-faced.

[Subaru: "¡E-E-E-Emilia, t-t-t-this is...!"]

[Emilia: "Don't worry, Subaru. I won't tell anyone, the feel of that fur would make anyone give in. But I'm surprised Puck didn't tell you I was coming."]

[Subaru: "¡¿What thing?!" —Subaru turned to Puck, who was floating with a smug smile]

[Puck: "~It seems that so much caressing made me forget... ~nyahaha"]

After that, Subaru put his face on the pillow to hide his face that was so red it would melt the snow, while screaming... This was so far, one of the 3 most embarrassing moments of his life.

Chapter Text

The Great Fire Spirit was in the Elior Forest looking for the girl named Emilia to eliminate her, but due to the interference of "The Beast of the End" and the black-haired boy named Subaru, he hasn't been able to do much, so he had to be patient and wait for the right moment to act. But he wouldn't lie about being curious about the boy, his appearance was similar to that of a human he met in the past before the Great Calamity, and his natural spiritual affinity was so high that Melakuera himself felt like meeting him in person and forming a contract with him. But her mission to purge the world of the witch's descendants was her top priority, so she left the desire for the contract for after saving him from that half-demon girl hiding in the forest.

Over the past few months, the spirit had begun to take an increasing interest in the boy and sent several of its eyes to secretly follow him. Training, visits to the village, interactions with the cat (which made Melakuera jealous for some reason unknown to him) and mabeast hunting (although it cost him a few eyes as they were mistaken for mabeasts because of the cat). In all of these activities, the black-haired boy had shown admirable determination, and despite the fact that the town barely interacted with him since it was suspected that he was part of the Witch Cult, several of the vendors, who were the only ones who interacted with him, began to dispel those doubts due to the boy's unusual kindness, a kindness that reminded him a lot of that of his first contractor and that of the human he met on his travels.

The fire spirit's emotions toward the black-haired boy shifted over time, from suspicion to doubt, from doubt to curiosity, from curiosity to interest, from interest to respect, and finally from respect to admiration. And Melakuera made a decision, even if it meant not killing the half-devil girl who was living with him, in fact, i would even give him a chance, all in order to form a contract with the boy named Subaru, that was his wish... until cruel fate finally decided to test the Great Spirit.

One day, one of his eyes informed him that Subaru left the forest to go on a trip to Kararagi with the goal of looking for something, that made the spirit a little sad since now he was in a great dilemma, since on the one hand he could take advantage of Subaru's absence to kill Emilia and her evil cat, so that when he returned and saw that they were dead, he could comfort the boy and make him become dependent on him to protect him with his life, with the risk of receiving his hatred if he discovered the truth.

But on the other hand, he could abandon his mission to kill Emilia and instead seek out Subaru to form a contract with him, before other spirits become interested in him like his fellow "Four Great Spirits", mainly the Great Wind Spirit of Kararargi, Zarestia the "Slasher" and depending on which path he takes, he might encounter the Great Earth Spirit of Vollachia, Muspel the "Stone" or the Great Water Spirit of Gusteko, Odglass the "Sacred Beast".

Just one choice, that was all he had to choose from and for the first time in a long time he was getting a little paranoid, kill the girl or find the boy, and in the end Melakuera made her choice...

To be continued...

Chapter Text

Melakuera made the decision to kill Emilia and to do so made a temporary contract (reluctantly) with a former member of a criminal organization who was abandoned due to his failures in illegally extracting the gems from Elior Forest, making enemies with the half-devil they called the Ice Age Witch, and the manipulations of the Beast of the End (as he had to take additional measures due to Subaru's departure). The Great Spirit of Fire began his master plan.

First he made sure that some of the Black Snake's venom that was frozen in the lake on the north side of the forest was released to attract her, while some of its replicas distracted the Beast of the End on the south side. He then made sure to turn his temporary contractor into a Lesser Fire Spirit so he could ambush and incinerate her when she was exhausted after freezing the poison again.

But he didn't count on the girl's combat skills, her skills with weapons made of ice (especially with the sword) and the original techniques she had with her magic like those ice soldiers with a life of their own (who for some reason had Subaru's face, but he decided not to ask out of respect for his opponent Emilia who was embarrassed by that 'small detail') caught the Great Spirit off guard, so he had no choice but to take possession of his anchor and take care of the matter PERSONALLY.

When Melakuera appeared before Emilia, they had a little chat (a plan by Emilia to buy time so Puck could get back to her). Emilia desperately asked Melakuera what sin she had committed to be condemned to extermination. However, Melakuera simply stated that her very existence as the 'Ice Age Witch' was a sin and that she intended to 'save' the boy whose heart was being contaminated by her. Emilia understood the spirit's goals, one was to eliminate her due to the rumors that placed her on the same lower level as other witches like Pandora. While the second was Subaru himself, so Emilia assumed that Melakuera wanted Subaru to make the contract instead of the other man.

Just as Melakuera was about to eradicate her, Puck materialized and stood between Melakuera's attack and Emilia's body, which had already killed the division in the southern part of the forest. Puck and Melakuera fought each other, and Puck managed to crush this division's Od as well, killing another Melakuera clone and its anchor in the process, but tiring the cat.

After the fight, Emilia tried to ask Puck if he knew she was a half-witch. However, Puck adamantly denied that she was a half-witch, saying that she was only a half-elf, and that did not mean she had cursed her blood. However, before they could discuss it further, a ray of scorching heat traveled towards Puck and engulfed him.

Melakuera's remaining five divisions materialized in the forest and attacked Puck. The attack penetrated directly into Puck's Od, and he began to disappear from the world. As he disappeared, Puck yelled at Melakuera, telling her that she had no right to make Emilia suffer like that. However, Melakuera was determined and told him that Emilia's existence was a threat to the world, implying that he had witnessed the same problem many times. He mentioned that history was a spiral, and this same mistake had been repeated many times throughout history. When Puck realized that arguing was useless, both he and Emilia prepared to defend themselves against one of the Four Great Spirits.

The Arbiter began to fight the duo, noticing that the cat and the girl barely had any power despite having a contract that bound them, but then he realized that it was the contract itself that weakened them and took advantage of it to go with all his power against them. He thought he had made the right decision, but he did not take into account the element of surprise or the influence that Subaru had placed on them.

Puck used his 'Star Beastification' with the mana he had received from a mana transfer with Emilia and together they launched a beam of light and ice, the attack did not reach Melakuera but collided with a wall of ice that reflected and split the beam that went in the direction of other ice floes and so on. The Referee finally understood what the Beast of the End was planning, he did not launch ice floes randomly and desperately, but placed them all in a carefully calculated position so he could attack each of the replicas as accurately as possible from all angles in a trap while redirecting them with some floating ice floes that acted as mirrors, saving both of their lives and easily dispatching four of Melakuera's 5 divisions, leaving only the original lying in the snow due to the multiple attacks he received along with an 'Al Huma' that Emilia threw at him while he was distracted trying to dodge the beams.

[Melakuera: "I didn't think you would use such a technique... I got carried away, I was an idiot... A complete idiot..."]

[Puck (End Beast Mode): "For once, we agree on something. You were an idiot to underestimate us."]

[Melakuera: "How did you...?"]

[Puck (End Beast Mode): Proudly boasting- "¡Ha! If you're asking about this original technique, it's called 'Frozen Star' and yes, it was created by me in a collaboration I did with Subaru a while back."]

FLASHBACK:

3 MONTHS AFTER THAWING.

Puck created a small maze of reflective ice and then turned to Subaru.

[Puck: Crossing his paws- "¿What do we need this for? ¿And why are we so far away from people? You know I don't like being away from Lia for too long."]

[Subaru: "Relax, Puck. That experiment will be quick. Just fire a concentrated beam of light and ice to see if my theory is correct."]

Puck reluctantly agreed and fired, then saw the beam bounce off the ice and then again and again at high speed until it reached the log and impacted, taking the cat by surprise.

[Puck : "¡¿What?!" -turns to look at Subaru- "¡¿What happened?!"]

[Subaru: "You know that light reflects off reflective surfaces like mirrors, ¿right?" -I look into Puck's eyes- "That laser also reflects since it's made of light, but you have to be careful, a bad calibration and you would receive your own attack. But if you use floating pieces of the same type of ice, you could reflect it and defend yourself, but you need to practice a lot."]

[Puck: He shook his head up and down- "I understand. It's a bit risky, but it'll serve as a kind of trap. By the way, ¿what are we going to call it?"]

[Subaru: He raised his index finger- "Easy. It moves like a shooting star and it's made of ice. It'll be called 'Frozen Star'." -I wink, smile, and give a thumbs up.- "¿What do you think, isn't it great?"]

END OF FLASHBACK.

[Puck (End Beast Mode): "It's difficult to execute and takes me quite a while to prepare to adapt to, but I managed to perfect it to a certain point where I can defeat your replicas with it and setting the stage was easy thanks to my daughter being kind enough to buy me some time with her talk. In fact, several of the techniques Lia and I use were created together with Subaru."]

[Melakuera: "I suspected it..."]

[Emilia: "Answer me, ¿what were your intentions when trying to make a contract with Subaru?"]

[Puck (End Beast Mode): Eyes wide open- "¿What?"]

As Puck analyzed the possible scenarios that could arise with that information, Melakuera thought about his origins, remembering the boy who was his namesake. She remembered the time she had spent with him when she was a lesser spirit and his promise to protect her prayers. He took the name engraved on the grave of his contractor, Melakuera, so that the man's name would live on until his death. As that man's first friend, Melakuera would follow his contractor's wishes by maintaining peace and tranquility, protecting the world from all dangers, and saving everyone else from suffering. Which resulted in him becoming "The Referee" of the world.

Pulled from his memories, Melakuera mentally wondered why he had remembered this after so many long years. Then something in his mind became clear, it was the influence of the boy called 'Subaru' who must have reached the lost heart of Melakuera himself. The Spirit assumed his end must be near and began recalling the interactions he had seen while watching over the boy, under the guise of 'learning about his enemies'. With difficulty, he raised his head and said...

[Melakuera: "I don't even know why..." -looking down- "Maybe I just wished it... From the bottom of my heart..."]

[Puck (End Beast Mode) and Emilia: Looking at Melakuera in surprise- "¿Huh?"]

[Melakuera: "That boy reminded me of my contractor, the first contractor I ever had when I was a minor spirit... And whose name I took after him when I evolved into a Great Spirit, under that tree where I promised to protect his dreams and prayers... But I..." -she began to speak in a more melancholic tone, sobbing, crying a small amount of fiery tears and panicking- "I broke my promise... I dishonored our name... I let thousands of innocent people die... *sob* And I committed sacrilege... By forcing a contract on someone... *sob* Just to use them as an anchor... *sob* ¡All in the name of some false, blind justice! *sob* ¡¿What's wrong with me?! *sob* ¡¿What did I do wrong?! *sob* ¡¿Why am I even thinking about this?! *sob* ¡¿Why does guilt eat away at me now?! *sob* ¡¡¿WHEN DID I STRAY FROM OUR DREAM?!! *sob* ¡¡ANSWER ME, MELAKUERAAAAAAAAAA!!]

[Emilia: Narrowing her eyes in pity and sadness, while placing her free hand on her chest- "Melakuera..."]

[Puck (End Beast Mode): "..."]

This series of events caught Puck off guard, he didn't think that Melakuera himself, the one known as "The Arbiter", the same proud spirit who felt no remorse towards the victims he considered necessary losses and who didn't hesitate to execute those who stood in the way of his twisted sense of justice, would try to do something like that and above all without any reason behind it. As he began to remember his origins and reflect on his crimes through tears, Puck knew that Subaru's influence was there, even if it was indirect, since in those seven months he saw how the boy had the strange gift of uniting people, touching hearts, freeing sins and awakening the dormant potential of those around him. That, added to his high spiritual affinity, must have affected the Great Spirit. A power worthy of the one who bore the title of 'Candidate for Sage'. The only thing the Beast of the End could think at that moment was...

[Puck (End Beast Mode/Thought): Closing his eyes for a moment with a subtle smile- 'Natsuki Subaru, you're amazing... And terrifying.']

[Melakuera: "*sob* Someone... *sob* Please... *sob* Answer me... *sob*"]

[Puck (End Beast Mode): "That answer... Is one that only you must find in your heart... For it still beats beneath the Flames of Pride.]

With a scarlet sunset, Puck and Melakuera (who got up after finishing lamenting), launch a last final attack with the objective of destroying the other and it was Puck's attack that hit and eradicated Melakuera from the world... Or so everyone believed...

Sometime after Melakuera's defeat, Emilia felt the need to make a grave in his name, even though he didn't leave any bodies to bury, then when she turns around, she notices how beautiful the sunset is. Puck points out that if he had died, she would have missed it, leading Emilia to question why Puck formed a contract with her despite her demanding it in order to save Subaru. The reason she didn't want to do it in the past was because Puck swore to do it. Perplexed as to why he broke it, Puck informs Emilia that the pros outweigh the cons for breaking the oath. He also reveals that ever since he found Emilia and Subaru, he has always been very happy.

After that, the duo walk away from the tomb and when they were out of reach, a Melakuera clone is seen that survived due to Puck's carelessness, it comes out of the forest that then materializes in the Great Spirit in a smaller and weakened form due to the fight, watching Emilia and Puck walk away and then approaching to see the tomb and forge a new promise.

[Melakuera: Looking determinedly- "Melakuera, my friend. I'm sorry if I let you down, but you have nothing to worry about anymore. With this oath, I promise that I will never break the promise I made you that day again and to make sure of that, from today onwards, I abandon my position as part of the Four Great Spirits and my title of 'Arbiter', naming 'Puck, the Beast of the End' as the new Great Spirit of Fire of the 'Four Great Spirits'. I will begin to search for the true sense of justice that you had in the past, the one I lost on the day of the Great Calamity 400 years ago along with Flugel. Until then, I want you and him to try to be happy..." -looks up at the starry sky- "Wherever they are." -turns to see the duo one last time and whispers- "Emilia, Puck, if we meet again, I hope it's for a friendly rematch or to make a new beginning in our relationship, I just hope I've found the answer to that question by then..." -he gives them a look of compassion and nostalgia- "And please, protect that child, until we meet again."]

With that, the former member of the Four Great Spirits walked away from the grave and began his journey of self-redemption. Unaware that in the future, he would meet the boy who would become his future friend.

FINAL NOTES:

1. During the time between the thaw and Subaru's departure, he along with Emilia and Puck, created new original techniques such as the 'Ice Brand Arts' or the 'Frozen Star' (my original idea).
2. 'Frozen Star' was inspired by the move 'Ice Beam' from Pokémon, 'Megiddo' from Rimuru Tempest (Tensura series), and 'Reflection of Reflection' from Gauche Adlai (Black Clover series).
3. Puck accidentally didn't check the deaths of the Melakuera clones when he fought them in the southern part of the forest because he had to prepare the stage to cast 'Frozen Star', because if he had done so, he would have seen that one of his attacks failed to kill one by a few centimeters and that caused the spirit to reincarnate into that clone.
4. Emilia and Puck are unaware that Melakuera survived the attack. Puck only suspects a small possibility, but ignores it until he forgets about it over time.
5. If Emilia and Puck were to see Melakuera again, they would immediately get into a fighting stance... Unless 'someone' stops them.
6. Melakuera began traveling around Lugunica trying to remedy her behavior, keeping her existence a secret so as not to alarm Puck.
7. When Melakuera returned to Elior Forest to pray at the grave, she noticed that the poison in the lake had been purified and then unfroze the lake after learning of Subaru's victory over the Black Snake to celebrate (Something that was not overlooked by the villagers in the eastern and western towns).
8. Over time, he began to be recognized as an urban legend called "The Fire Watcher". Subaru and Emilia eventually learned of the rumors, forcing Puck to investigate the matter a bit (Puck's decision, not the others').
9. Currently, Melakuera is only slightly stronger than Puck with his limiters, but he's no match for him in his Endbeast form or other Great Spirits (with the exception of Foxidna).

Chapter Text

An Hour later Subaru felt sick to his stomach, never would he have imagined… and girls really didn't have… Halibel went to bed quickly after this essential conversation, and Subaru followed geting into his own sleeping bag. The last thing he thought before going to bed?

[Subaru (thought): "¡That Damn Cat!"]

At that very moment, in Elior Forest, Emilia and Puck were getting ready for bed. Emilia grabbed her Puck-shaped stuffed animal when...

[Puck: Sneeze- "¡Nyachu!"]

[Emilia: "¿Did you get sick?"]

[Puck: rubs his nose- "Spirits don't get sick. I think someone must be talking about me..."]

[Emilia: "Maybe it was Subaru, he must miss you."]

[Puck: Crosses his arms- "I'll probably miss petting my soft, fluffy fur."]

[Emilia: "¿Who wouldn't miss that pleasant feeling?"]

[Puck: "And especially after that time you caught him in his room. ¿Remember?"]

FLASHBACK:

Emilia and Puck remember Subaru's face and the excuse he said when Emilia caught him red-handed rubbing his cheeks with Puck's fur in his room.

[Subaru: "I-I-I-It was just a quality test. Yeah, that's it, it was nothing more than a test. Since Puck was bragging so much, someone had to confirm its fluffiness and it passed with flying colors. Anyway, it's late and I have to get up early tomorrow to start extracting the stones from the forest. ¡Good night, bye!"]

With each word, Subaru pushed Emilia and Puck to the door of his room, and when he finished, he closed it. But he closed it wrong, both of them saw and heard what he said when he put his face under the pillow while throwing a tantrum.

[Subaru: "¡Damn, I didn't think this would happen! ¡I was defeated by that damn cat's fur! ¡Where is the authority to erase memory when I need it! ¡I want to die!"]

END OF FLASHBACK.

Puck and Emilia stared at the ceiling in silence as they recalled that scene, until...

[Emilia and Puck: "... ... ... ¡Hahahahahaha...!"]

Both father and daughter were holding their stomachs because of the laughter that this scene caused. After finishing laughing, Emilia went to bed to sleep hugging the stuffed animal that Subaru made for her, but the cat was thinking about the sneeze with concern.

[Puck (thought): "I don't know why, but when I sneezed I had the feeling that I'm in for trouble when Subaru returns... I hope I'm wrong." - He said looking at the ceiling.]

You condemned yourself cat, but I won't give you any spoilers.

Chapter Text

At the moment Subaru shed his blood to make the entrance to the Sage's Tomb appear, various signals were sent to different parts of the world to warn everyone that a great event that would change everything, from what people know to what they believe will happen...

In a certain mansion, a mysterious book began to glow, and when its owner opened it, he read the following...

"The door to the Sage's Tomb has opened and the wheels of destiny begin to turn. To bring back the person you love, you must ally yourself with the following people:

First, the half-elf Emilia, who hides in the Elior Forest with Puck, one of the Artificial Spirits created by the Witch of Greed and responsible for the fall of Melakuera. That girl will be one of the five royal candidates for the throne of Lugunica when the entire royal family dies due to a curse imposed by the Witch Cult in a few years.

And finally, the 'Sage Candidate' Natsuki Subaru, who possesses a power that allows him to go back in time to obtain his desired future and challenge fate. Whose current location is only known by Emilia and Puck. Be sure to help him achieve his goal of becoming the next Sage, but be careful, as his ability to return to the past allows him to evade the book's prophecies and deviate from the established future.

You'll receive the next instructions a few days after Emilia is under your protection at the mansion, so be sure to earn the loyalty of these individuals until then."

After finishing reading the message, the man closes his book, processing everything he read from it.

[Man: "Well, well. This is certainly veeeeery interestiiiiiing." —said the man with a malicious smile— "Ram, find Rem and Frederica, tell them to make preparations for the journey, get the fastest and strongest carriage and dragons we have. We will go to Elior Forest to bring back two individuals who will undoubtedly be useful, and then, you and Rem will go find someone else who will be of greeeeeat importaaaaance to the future."]

[Ram: bowing- "As you command, lord Roswaal."]

When the maid left the room and closed the door, the man named Roswaal looked at the moon with a cryptic look.

[Roswaal: "A 'Sage Candidate' with a power that allows one to turn back time. With him as my trump card, the day I slay the dragon and resurrect the master will come sooner than expected..."]

In the Pleiades Watchtower...

[Girl: “¡Ghhhaa!”] / [Ghost: “¡Gkh...!”] / [Dragon: “¡...!”]

Three prominent individuals living there fell after receiving a sudden headache, a magical sign from a contract they made with an old friend of theirs, along with several memories that were sealed in their memories until the conditions were met.

[Flugel (Sealed Memory): "When my successor, the new Sage Candidate capable of wielding the Sword of Sin, arrives, you will receive a special signal that will allow you to access the memories that are sealed until the new me's blood is spilled into the switch, along with instructions to help you fulfill our promise. I don't know how long it will be before the signal is activated, or if it will ever activate, but if you get to know him even if the signal doesn't activate, you know what to do. For now, these are the instructions I will seal within your memories..."]

The Girl :

[Flugel (Shaula's Sealed Memory): "Shaula, when you receive that sign, you will know that the day is approaching when the next sage will arrive. I don't know how much longer you will have to wait, but I know it won't be long. When that happens, be sure to support him in any way you can and give him the magic map that will show my new self the location of the remains of the witches and warlocks. It is hidden in a hidden altar beneath the center of the library along with a brief manual that will tell you how to use it, but it will only be activated if the boy manages to pass the test. I'm counting on you, Shaula."]

[Shaula: "Master..."]

The moment she remembered it, she fell to her knees with a smile as she shed tears of joy because the sign brought back some fond memories of her with her beloved teacher...

[Shaula: "*sob* soon... *sob* The Master... *sob* He'll be back soon... *sob*" -She wipes her tears and then stands up with renewed hope in her eyes- "Don't worry, master, your Shaula will make sure she's ready for our reunion!"]

That night, the girl left her post for a few moments and ran to the library to find the location of the secret altar and prepare everything, hoping to deliver the map to her master when she passes the test...

The Ghost...

[Flugel (Reid's Sealed Memory): "Reid, when you receive the sign, you will know that the day is approaching when the next sage will come. I also put a spell on the sword so you know how much progress I made before wielding it, so you can compare us. I would like you to test it to see how far it has come, to see if it is worthy of attaining the celestial sword, and in case any of your descendants with THAT divine protection come with him, be sure to see if they are worthy of being the successor to that power, and have fun, ¿alright?"]

[Reid: "¡¡KYYAAAAHAHAHAHAHA...!!"]

The moment he remembered, he started laughing out loud, knowing that his time trapped with the sword would soon be over.

[Reid: "Calm down, man, I'll have the moment I've never had before. But I apologize in advance if the candidate, whatever his name is, has a good body. Kyajajaja...!"]

El fantasma comenzó a prepararse para 'encontrarse' con esa persona... Ansioso por luchar contra el nuevo portador de la espada.

El dragón...

[Flugel (Memoria sellada de Volcánica): "Volca-chi, cuando recibas esa señal sabrás que está cerca el día en que vendrá el próximo sabio. Después de aprobar su examen, asegúrese de responder todas sus preguntas. Y después de conquistar la Atalaya, asegúrate de darle algunas de tus escamas, una para él y otra para su compañero dragón, el colgante que te permitirá almacenar parte de tu conciencia dentro de él para contactarlo, y en caso de una verdadera emergencia (siempre y cuando no rompa tu contrato con Farsale), algo de tu sangre. Lamento pedirte tanto, pero cuento contigo, viejo amigo."]

[Volcánica: "Y sabes que siempre puedes contar conmigo, viejo amigo..."]

Después de recordar su promesa, Volcánica comenzó a usar sus poderes para buscar al nuevo sabio, su nombre y todos aquellos destinados a acompañarlo en su viaje. Después de descubrir que su nombre era 'Natsuki Subaru', envió una señal a la Tabla del Dragón en la capital para que estuviera en guardia por lo que se avecinaba.

[Volcanica: "Eso es todo lo que puedo hacer por ahora. Esperaré pacientemente para darte la prueba, joven portador de este nuevo siglo..."]

Y con eso, el dragón esperó para conocer a su próximo nuevo amigo.

En el Palacio de los Sueños...

Reunidas alrededor de una mesa redonda, cinco de las Brujas del Pecado fueron convocadas inesperadamente por una de sus compañeras brujas para una fiesta de té muy especial.

[Echidna: "Una vez más, les agradezco a todos por venir a la fiesta del té de las brujas".]

[Daphne: "Gracias Dona-Dona, ha pasado un tiempo desde que comí y se me hace la boca agua".]

[Sekhmet: "Ve al grano, Echidna... *bostezo* ¿Por qué nos llamaste...? *bostezo*"]

[Echidna: Sonríe- "Resulta que recibí una señal en mi Autoridad de 'Memorias del Mundo' diciéndome que un nuevo 'Candidato Sabio' llamado Natsuki Subaru, ya ha tomado la 'Espada del Pecado' y parece que Geuse le entregó con éxito la Autoridad de Sekhmet."]

Después de esa revelación, Echidna toma tranquilamente su último sorbo de té mientras los demás se sorprenden por tal revelación. Un nuevo sabio fue una gran noticia para todos...

[Carmilla: "¿De verdad, ya está aquí...?"]

[Tifón: "¡La Autoridad de Mamá ya tiene dueño! ¿Se considerará pecador?"]

[Minerva: Entrecerrando los ojos tiernamente al recordar a sus amigos- "Significa que la promesa que Flugel le hizo a Satella está comenzando a cumplirse. Finalmente podrá..."]

[Echidna: Interrumpe, colocando su taza en su plato- "Eso es parcialmente cierto, Minerva, pero no sabemos si matará a esa 'perra celosa' o si pondrá su mirada en otra cosa. Además, no hay garantía de que los recuerdos de Flugel se hayan despertado dentro de él o si recuerda algo sobre lo que sucedió hace 400 años."]

[Carmilla: "¿Crees que el niño vendrá al santuario?"]

[Equidna: "No te preocupes por eso, Carmilla. Está confirmado que nos reuniremos con él".]

[Sekhmet: Entrecerrando los ojos y mirando a Echidna- "¿Qué quieres decir...? *bostezo*"]

[Equidna: "Bueno, déjame iluminarte..."]

[Sekhmet: "¿Qué estás escondiendo?"]

[Echidna: Inclina ligeramente la cabeza, manteniendo su sonrisa- "¿Hmm, de qué estás hablando?"]

[Minerva: Ella la mira con furia- "No te hagas la tonta. Tu rostro lo dice todo".]

[Echidna: "Está bien, está bien, te lo explicaré todo. No hay necesidad de que me veas así, dañarás mi pobre corazón de doncella" -dijo, llevándose una mano al pecho, fingiendo sentir dolor sin ocultar la sonrisa divertida en su rostro.]

[Daphne: "Solo espero que no nos dejes con un mal sabor de boca, Dona-Dona".]

[Tifón: Cruzando los brazos y frunciendo el ceño confundido- "Pero Quidna nunca dijo..."]

[Carmilla: Cubriéndose la cara con el pañuelo- "Es solo una expresión Typhon-chan..."]

Después de una breve (pero detallada) explicación, las Brujas del Pecado se dispersaron para esperar pacientemente al nuevo Candidato Sabio. Sin embargo, tuvieron una pequeña reunión privada cuando dejaron a su compañero.

[Minerva: "Tenemos que vigilarla cuando llegue el chico llamado Subaru, es obvio por esa cara que tiene otro de sus planes en marcha." -comienza a pisotear el suelo- "¡Solo recordarlos me pone tan furiosa que quiero curar a alguien!"]

[Tifón: Se cruza de brazos con una expresión seria- "Así es, Nerva, la cara de Quidna era más sospechosa de lo habitual." -hace pucheros- "No es divertido cuando nos oculta cosas".]

[Daphne: "Cálmate Tyu-Tyu, incluso yo sé que primero tienes que digerir la información antes de comer otro bocado." -Trago]

[Carmilla: Dice con voz quebrada: "Si tú también piensas eso, Daphne-chan... Entonces tenemos que estar alerta y asegurarnos de que no sospeche..."]

[Sekhmet: "¿Cuál será tu 'experimento' esta vez...? ¿Y qué piensas hacer con ese chico...? *bostezo*"]

Después de quedarse sola, Echidna vio su libro por última vez...

[Equidna: "No está bien hacer esperar a una dama, pero por el bien de nuestra futura asociación seré paciente, mi futuro contratista." -dijo esa última parte con la sonrisa de un cazador esperando a su presa, y ojos que reflejan pura ambición.]

Mientras ella está dando los toques finales a su plan para obtener un contrato con Subaru. Tal como las otras brujas habían sospechado, Echidna había omitido deliberadamente varios detalles, todo por el bien de su sed de conocimiento y su propia codicia.

Chapter Text

[Halibel: "Home sweet home."]

After parting ways with Subaru and the maids in Priestella, Halibel returns home to Banan as she soon has a job to do.

[Halibel: "Well, I'd better start processing the information."]

In his room, the werewolf sat at his desk and decided to analyze all the information he received and wrote down during his little adventure.

[Halibel: "To start with the obvious, I'm surprised no one has thought so far that there must have been other Witches of Sin besides the Witch of Envy. Or that there might be an eleventh sword." -she says the last bit, touching her own- "And if the information is correct, the sage Shaula was not the only one in history."]

FLASHBACKS:

[Subaru: "...I think what might be causing that smell to come off me is something called an Authority."]

Change of scene

[Subaru: "Being a 'Sage Candidate' means that I have the potential to become the next 'Great Sage'."]

Change of scene

[Subaru: "Hey, Hal, the book here says this sword is the 11th sword of power. I thought there were only 10."]

END OF FLASHBACKS.

[Halibel: Smoking from his kiseru and saying after blowing it out- "And to think that a small recognition towards a child with miasma would lead me to know part of the true history hidden in the world."]

[Halibel (Thought): 'And discovering that a god created the 11 swords of power and then after leaving part of his soul in Su-san's Sword, it became the most powerful Divine Protection of Lugunica. But... What was or whose was exactly that EXTERNAL INFLUENCE that controlled him and where is it now? Could it be an authority or whatever created them?']

The Admirer was worried, if an unknown force was able to control a god, what wouldn't stop it from controlling other people? The werewolf smoked a little and decided not to think about it (for now).

[Halibel: Looking at the other notes in her notebook- "There's also the matter with the little maid in blue's statement..."]

FLASHBACKS:

[Rem: "He is a Witch Cultist, he will bring nothing but pain wherever he goes, so he must be sacrificed for the sake of everyone else."]

Change of scene

[Rem: "The Witch Cultists destroyed Rem and Nee-sama's race... They destroyed everything Nee-sama should be... I stood there, watching as they broke her horn..."]

END OF FLASHBACKS.

[Halibel: "That confirms Rei-chan's testimony about the extinction of the Oni Race at the hands of the Witch Cult."]

[Halibel (Thought): Looks away for a moment- 'Although I did believe him from the beginning.' -He looks at the notebook again- 'But this makes me wonder if all the "extinct" races were actually destroyed by those scoundrels in some way.' -Rage makes him break the pencil in his hand]

As a member of an endangered race, Halibel was worried. He knew his race lived in isolation for several reasons: discrimination against demi-humans, hunting in Vollachia, among other things. But now he wonders:

[Halibel: Whispering while holding her head with one hand- "Were we all really unlucky or was it really the Witch Cult? And if it was them, how did they do it? Was it a direct attack or did they somehow influence one of the two sides in those incidents that made us look like the bad guys in the story? There's also the possibility that they altered the stories so that any knowledge about them doesn't appear." -she says suspiciously- "According to rumors and experts on the subject, some of the extinct species had the power to smell the miasma or had reincarnations of the gods, I wouldn't be surprised if they do it to stay hidden in the shadows and eliminate future threats to them."]

Taking a puff of her kiseru, Halibel looks out the window at the full moon as she thinks about her first encounter with the oni girl she met a few years ago.

[Halibel: "I wonder... how Rei-chan would react if she met Su-san. Would she try to kill him like Rem-chan, or would she think things through? Would they become friends on their own initiative, or would I be forced to intervene? And also... how are you doing with that one they call, 'The Most Beautiful Grim Reaper'?"]

Meanwhile, another place in Kararagi...
A young woman with short brown hair, light blue eyes, and a black kimono stands near the "Bed of Zarestia," preparing to do something big in the future...

[???: Just wait a little longer and your sphere will be mine... Zarestia...]

Chapter Text

After talking with Roswaal about future plans, Subaru turned to the flying cat. Everyone was tense as they looked into Subaru's eyes.

[Subaru: Crosses his arms- "Well cat, it's time for you to pay for your sins."]

[Puck: Nervous- "¿What do you mean?"]

[Subaru: "You know what I mean, you should tell Emilia-tan the truth about how babies are made."]

[Puck: Clutching his forehead with a paw- "¿I really have to do it?"]

[Subaru: He loses his temper and points at Puck- "¡Yes, you have to! ¡¿How am I going to ask Emilia-tan out on our first date if you brainwashed us with that lie?! ¡The worst part is that I suffered humiliation from Halibel because of you and something tells me that one day she's going to rub it in my face in front of someone!"]

[Emilia: Confused- "¿What's a date?"]

[Subaru: Turns to Emilia with a smile- "I'll tell you later." -Turns to Puck with a glare that could kill normal people- "And as for you, Mr. Father, either fix your mistake and tell him the truth or I'll use the sword of sin to shave your fur and turn you into a bald cat."]

[Puck: Trembling in fear- "Y-Yes... Of course S-Subaru... I'll start right away, follow me Lia."]

Fearing the unknown of what that sword would be capable of doing to him, Puck took a confused Emilia to his room to talk to her about the matter (reluctantly). Meanwhile, the maids speculated among themselves about what would happen to him.

[Frederica: Whispering- "I bet Miss Emilia ends up in bed for several days with a fever."]

[Rem: Whispering- "Rem thinks that Miss Emilia won't be able to sleep peacefully for a while and will be walking the halls like an undead."]

[Ram: Whispering- "Ram assures that Barusu will take advantage of the opportunity to do some of his lustful atrocities on Miss Emilia as soon as she is defenseless."]

[Frederica, Rem y Ram: "... Hahahahaha..."]

The three girls laugh at the trouble these two will get into in the future...

A few hours later:

After taking the book on miasma magic to his room, Subaru had to take notes and study miasma magic both theoretically and practically, so he went to look for Roswaal and Beako to get their opinion on the magical field (and in the process see if he can get any lessons from them about Yin magic).

Meanwhile, Emilia was leaving her room with her head red while fuming... and it turns out that men have... the poor thing was confused, embarrassed and dizzy, if someone touched her head, they would think that Emilia had a fever and then she would faint, so Puck had to float while using his magic to cool her down and not get burned. They passed near Subaru who was climbing the stairs.

[Subaru: "Hey Puck, ¿how was the meeting?"]

[Puck: Turns to Subaru annoyed- "How do you think it went. Just look at how my poor daughter ended up."]

Subaru finishes climbing up to see Emilia, but takes a false step and ends up falling backward. Emilia sees this and reacts by grabbing Subaru, but the little half-elf falls with him.

[Puck: Panicked- "¡¡LOOK OUT!!"]/[Subaru and Emilia: "¡¡UUAAAHH!!]

The two boys fell and in an act of reflex Subaru activated The True Hand of Sloth to grab onto the walls and the floor as if he were falling straight into a black spider web or a net of dark hands (from Subaru's perspective) while grabbing Emilia with his arms.

*¡¡CRASH!!*

[Puck: Looking at the boys- "¿Are you all right?"]

Destroying the stairs and walls in the process, failing to gauge his strength, Subaru held on and was left suspended in the air with Emilia (from everyone's perspective except Subaru). All the other residents gathered upon hearing the noise, and what they found was Subaru in the air with his face inside Emilia's chest as the two hugged each other. The two boys were too uncomfortable and red-faced to say a word, but Puck, reading the boys' intentions, translated what they meant.

[Puck: Floating towards the spectators- "*cough* They want to say a few things. First: 'This isn't what it looks like, we just fell down the stairs.' And second: 'A little help please.'"]

[All: "..." -seeing the two floating]

[Ram: Boasting with his signature pose- "¡Ha! Just as Ram accurately predicted, a Barusu in its natural habitat devouring Miss Emilia with its eyes."]

Everyone knows this was an accident, but that doesn't mean Ram can't abide by his new rule: "Always find an opportunity to make fun of Barusu."

When the two of them got out of that situation, both Subaru and Emilia staggered back to their rooms, their faces red and Subaru with a nosebleed.

Chapter Text

In the gardens of Mathers Mansion, two maids were attacking a young man with black hair in broad daylight. The boy wielded his sword, while the maidens held a wand and a spiked metal ball attached to a black metal chain, preparing to lunge at the boy in sync.

[Rem: Points with her arm- "¡El Huma!"]

Several ice projectiles are launched towards Subaru, he manages to dodge some and protect himself from others by destroying them with his sword. He then had to jump back after seeing Rem's morning star heading towards him, not knowing that was what Rem wanted him to do, as behind Subaru the pink-haired twin began her ambush.

[Ram: Pointing his wand- "¡El Fura!"]

A powerful gust of wind shoots out from the wand and the attack succeeds... or so it should have, since Subaru protected himself with the True Hand of Sloth. A whistle and a couple of claps were heard nearby and the three fighters turned to see a certain clown along with two girls, a loli and a flying cat.

[Roswaal: Clapping- "Tiiiiime out, everyone stop noooooow!"]

The three friends put away their weapons and stopped their battle simulation, Roswaal approached Subaru to talk to him.

[Roswaal: Crosses his arms- "Subaru-kuuun, whateee did we say a while ago?"]

[Subaru: Looks away in guilt- "No Authorities during this training." -looks into Roswaal's eyes- "I'm sorry Ros-chi, but it's a natural reflex since it's what I use the most during fights against multiple enemies."]

[Roswaal: He looks at him with pity- "I understand you Subaru-kuuun, but you must keeeee in coooome that you can't alwayeeely depend on thiiiiiisss."]

Subaru knew that Roswaal was not wrong, in the future there might be times when he could not count on the Witch Factors and would have to fend for himself with only what he had on hand.

[Beatrice: Crosses her arms- "I guess you haven't thought about using your Yin magic, kashira."]

[Subaru: Scratches the back of his neck- "Although I've improved at it by bringing my Yin spells up to the Ul level thanks to you and Ros-chi, I still plan to use Miasma Magic as my main magic once I perfect it."]

[Puck: He flies up to Subaru's shoulder- "You should listen to Betty, the more powers you have in your arsenal the more ways you'll have to protect Lia, just imagine it." -he starts making weird and exaggerated movements- "First an El Shamak to blind the enemy, then you grab it with your invisible hands to lift it in the air and at the end you throw a Flare Blast at your opponent." -he says at the end doing the hamehameha pose.]

[Subaru: "I'm a swordsman, not a shaman." -sighs and drops his shoulders- "Damn, so many points of view only make me more confused."]

Frederica notices that what Subaru needs is to get away for a bit and distract himself, so she plans something that can help him.

[Frederica: Approaches Subaru- "If I may suggest something..."]

[Subaru: Disgusted- "You too Frederica? Now what?"]

[Frederica: "Don't worry, I just wanted to ask you a favor."]

[Subaru: Confused- "A favor?"]

[Frederica: "That's right, it turns out that the mayor of Arlam warned us during a visit I made to buy supplies that the Ulgarms have been very active lately and after notifying lord Roswaal, he asked me to take care of them after checking the village barrier."]

[Subaru: Crosses his arms with a fake smug look- "Let me guess, do you want me to take care of it while you check that barrier?"]

[Frederica: Smiles- "Correct, but I also wanted Miss Emilia's help and the great spirit to reinforce her." -turns to Roswaal- "Don't you mind, lord Roswaal?"]

[Roswaal: Waves his hand- "Go ahead, I think that's a greateeeee ideaeee"]

[Subaru: Smiles back at Frederica- "In that case, let's leave immediately." - turns to Emilia and Puck - "Let's go, you two."]

[Emilia: She moves forward excitedly- "Understood."]/[Puck: He floats towards Emilia's shoulder- "I'm coming."]

Subaru takes his sword and he, along with Frederica, Emilia and Puck, heads to Arlam Village.

Meanwhile in the village...

[??? (Thought): Clench your fists and walk determinedly towards the forest- 'I will show you that I am better than all of you. I'll bring you that lock of hair.' -he thinks with a smug smile on his face.]

A blonde-haired girl with a red ribbon and a pair of scissors wrapped in a handkerchief in her pocket steals one of the crystals from the village barrier and sneaks into the forest.

To be continued...

Chapter Text

Subaru and Emilia were so excited about the trip that the girl almost forgot the robes with concealment magic that Roswaal made for her, while Emilia went to her room to look for them, Subaru took the opportunity to bring some containers with the mayonnaise that he made with Frederica to share with the villagers. The friends walked leisurely along the road toward the town of Arlam.

[Subaru: "Frederica, how much further do we have?"]

[Frederica: "We're past the barrier now, we'll be there in a minute."]

[Puck: Crosses his paws while frowning- "Are you really going to give them the mayonnaise you made?"]

[Subaru: Calmly answers- "It's out of courtesy, the villagers of Arlam might act distant towards us like the people in the village near Elior Forest as soon as they see Emilia-tan without the cloak, so we should gain their trust slowly and a good gift is a good way to start a relationship."]

[Puck: Surrenders with a smile- "I understand your logic now, ordinary people are unable to distinguish the true essence of Lia's heart and that makes social interaction difficult for her. As soon as you left the forest, several individuals took the opportunity to hurl all kinds of slander at her, but I took care of silencing them..." -he says the last thing with a soft evil expression]

[Subaru: Fakes terror and chills- "Did you freeze their souls?!"]

[Emilia: Corrects with a pout- "Don't be a bubblehead, Puck didn't do any of that."]

[Subaru: Nervous- "Ok, ok, don't get angry. And who says 'bubblehead' these days? You're not even mother Fortuna..." -he stops, feeling discouraged]

After mentioning mother Fortuna, memories of Pandora's attack came to Subaru and Emilia's minds, both missing their adoptive mother and their respective adoptive fathers Geuse and Archi. Subaru clenched his fists in fury and determination as he remembered that witch with Regulus and the black snake that took everything from him, but as for Emilia...

[Emilia (Thought): Confused- 'Huh..?' -grabs her head with one hand- 'Why, do I have trouble remembering what happened?']

Puck was looking strangely at Emilia when she showed confusion asking why the sudden change, but his thoughts are interrupted by Frederica.

[Frederica: She interrupts nervously and points to the town- "Guys, there seems to be trouble..."]

As soon as everyone saw the town, they noticed several of the residents were nervously searching for something, so they quickened their pace toward Arlam. When they arrived at the town, they got a better idea of what had happened after hearing the worried adults and children.

[Adults: "Petra?!"]/[Little girl: "Petra-chan!"]/[Child: "Where are you Petra?!"]

[Emilia: Worried- "What happened?"]

[Puck: "Judging by the pattern of behavior, it seems one of the town's children has gone missing."]

[Subaru: He takes a few steps forward and shouts- "Excuse me everyone, we come on behalf of the lord of the mansion! Could you tell us what's going on?!"]

The residents turn towards the north entrance upon hearing Subaru's words, a pair of elders approach the group and Frederica approaches them.

[Frederica: Worried- "lord Muraosa, miss Milde."]

[Muraosa: Relieved- "Frederica, thanks to Od you came back..." -turns to see the others- "Tell me, who are these two young people?"]

[Subaru: Gives a formal greeting- "Natsuki Subaru, sir."]

[Emilia: Imitates Subaru's greeting- "I'm Emilia and this is Puck."]

[Frederica: "These are the new residents of the mansion I told you about this morning, the ones who were supposed to come help me with the barrier and the mabeasts. But tell me, has anything happened while I was away?"]

[Muraosa: Regretting- "Actually, yes, little Petra disappeared a while after you left."]

[Emilia: Worried- "He disappeared? Just like that?"]

[Milde: "Her parents haven't seen her since this morning and she's not the type to disappear without warning." -she looks at the children near the well- "Her friends have been looking for her all day, there's no trace of her anywhere and little Meina has been the one who's been most worried about her."]

[Frederica: Determined- "Do you mind if we talk to the parents?"]

During the conversation, Subaru watched the children and noticed that the girl named Meina was acting uncomfortable when the other children approached her to comfort her. A feeling Subaru recognized almost instantly, but it needed proof.

[Subaru: Addressing the group- "I'll question the children, if you don't mind."]

[Muraosa: Nods- "Go ahead, young Subaru."]/[Frederica: "Excellent idea."]

Subaru approached the village children and noticed a fleeting fear on Meina's face, confirming his suspicions. Taking advantage of Roswaal's lessons on controlling his facial expressions and speech, Subaru ended up putting on a mask so he could converse with them while getting Meina to lower her guard.

[Subaru: Making exaggerated and extroverted gestures- "Hey kids! I know you're worried but with those faces you're not going to get anywhere!"]

[Lucas: "Who are you Oni-chan?"]/[Mild: "Why are you making weird poses?"]/[Cain: "Weirdo guy"]/[Dino: "You're weird!"]/[Meina: "Huh?"]

[Subaru: Calms down for a moment- "I'm sorry to interrupt without introducing myself..." -Subaru puts his mask back on and strikes a signature pose (a pose all of us know very well)- "I am Natsuki Subaru, the one and only 'Candidate for Sage'!"]

[The children: "... ... ... Hahahahahahaha...!"]

[Subaru (thought): Mentally smiling while holding the pose- 'Phase one complete.']

As the children laughed at Subaru's antics, Emilia, watching from afar, stifled her laughter. Frederica and Puck noticed, and seeing Subaru clenching his buttocks and pointing to the sky, they wondered, 'What happened to him for love of Od?'

[Subaru: He bends down to look into their eyes- "Will you tell me what the problem is, Meina-chan? If it's something serious, I won't be able to help if you don't tell me." -He pats her head reassuringly]

[Meina: Takes a deep breath, gathers her courage, and speaks low enough so that only Subaru and the other children can hear- "It's my fault... *sobs* That Petra-chan disappeared."]

[Subaru: Confused- "What do you mean it's your fault?"]

[Meina: Guiltily confesses- "She's been acting really conceited lately... And I challenged her believing she wouldn't do that."]

[Cain: Starts to panic- "Wait..." -Shouts without realizing- "Are you saying Petra-chan went to look for that strand of fur?!"]

Everyone turned around when they heard Cain. Frederica, Puck, and Emilia paid special attention to what they were hearing.

[Subaru: He stands up confused- "A strand of fur?"]

[Dino: "Yesterday Meina challenged Petra to go to the forest and get a lock of mabeast hair and..."]

Upon hearing those words, Subaru's face drained of color, then filled with furious determination. Who knows how much time may have passed since she left, and the mabeasts had been quite active lately. That was why he had come, and now his extermination mission had become a rescue mission.

[Subaru: Turns to Frederica and Emilia- "Girls, we have trouble!"]

[Frederica: She approaches Subaru determined- "We heard everything, we have to go!"]

[Subaru: He starts giving orders- "Puck, go ahead to the barrier and check it!"]

[Puck: Flys away- "Understood!"]

Everyone races toward the town limits; it's a race against time, with a little girl's life in danger. When they reach the limits, Puck is floating near a tree, looking at some strange ornament.

[Puck: Turns around and speaks in a stern tone- "We have a problem, one of the crystals is gone and the barrier is almost out of power!"]

[Frederica: "Petra must have taken it to get inside."]

[Emilia: Looks at Frederica- "What happens if she runs out of magic?"]

[Frederica: Clenching her fists and teeth- "The barrier will be deactivated and the Ulgarms could invade the village. The barrier's effectiveness improves with the alignment of the crystals, if one is missing, the magic pattern will be destabilized and the mana will be consumed faster. The worst thing is that when Petra's crystal is turned off, she will be totally defenseless."]

[Subaru: Look at Puck- "How much time do we have?"]

[Puck: "10 minutes."]

[Subaru: "Can you detect the mana of the crystal?"]

[Puck: "I could, but..."]

[Subaru: Turns to the children- "Find the longest rope in the village. Now!"]

The children obeyed and went as fast as they could. Everyone else was confused by what Subaru was going to do, but they trusted his judgment. By the time they returned, Puck reported that there were only four minutes left until the magic would go out.

[Lucas: Runs to Subaru- "We have it Subaru, it was a spare part for the village well!"]

[Subaru: Smiles as he grabs the rope- "That'll do, everyone grab one end of the rope and don't let go under any circumstances."]

Subaru tied the other end of the rope around his waist and made sure it was secure. He then checked to make sure the children, along with Frederica and Emilia, were holding on tight. When everything was confirmed, he placed a hand on his chest, and it began to glow purple.

[Subaru: "¡El Murak!"]

Subaru felt lighter and then jumped, taking him into the sky like a kite. Everyone was amazed to see him fly and held him tightly. Puck flew towards Subaru after realizing the madness he was doing and when he reached him, he concentrated to look for the trail that was...

[Puck: Opens his eyes and aims- "Over there"]

[Subaru: Looks where Puck is pointing- "On my signal, cut the rope and throw me with wind magic... But don't go overboard, okay?" -he says the last bit nervously]

[Puck: "Don't worry" -wink]

Puck freezes part of the rope and prepares the wind with enough force to send him flying safely, all that was left to say...

[Subaru: Shouts at the top of his lungs- "NOW!!"]

With that command, the cat casts the spell while simultaneously cutting away the frozen part. The Sage Candidate leaps out, ready to save the girl.

[Subaru (Thought): 'Just hold on a little longer... Petra...']

To be continued...

Chapter Text

Petra had always lived an easy and happy life. The realization of whether one's life was good or bad, easy or difficult, only comes at important life-changing moments, such as: the day one realizes one loves someone, one's wedding day, the day one loses someone important, or the day one faces a traumatic event. Among dozens of other possibilities, these moments serve as a reflection on life.

For Petra, it was that moment when she did something stupid out of childish immaturity.

Petra had always known that others considered her pretty. Whether it was her parents telling her those things, the other adults in the village treating her well, or even her friends seemingly vying for her attention, fighting for her hand and attention. It was something she realized early in life and took full advantage of. She used it to her advantage in certain situations: to escape punishment, to receive gifts, to manipulate others through the fact that she was considered pretty.

It was his special ability, so he used it to the fullest to live a happy life. Something he wouldn't let go to waste, just as others wouldn't miss the opportunity to use their personal skills to make the best of the situations around them, a very adult way of thinking, despite his young age.

But she was still a child, a small and naive girl, so she wasn't immune to making mistakes or acting impulsively in certain situations. One of those times was when she was provoked by others, along with her own selfishness and vainglory. It all started yesterday afternoon, Petra was playing with her friends like any normal girl would, receiving praise from her male friends for how pretty and talented she was. But her only female friend who was with her looked at her with jealousy and envy at the situation, until...

[Meina: Outraged- "Petra, stop doing that!"]

[Petra: Confused- "¿What are you talking about Meina-chan?"]

[Meina: Points her finger at her- "You take advantage of everyone! Do you think that just because you look 'pretty' they'll give you everything you want?!"]

[Petra: She confidently approaches Meina's ear and whispers innocently- "Yes, I do..."]

*¡SLAP!*

In a fit of rage, Meina slapped Petra, who then staggered back. The other children approached Petra, worried, and Meina realized she had fallen into their trap.

[Lucas: "Petra-chan, are you okay?"]/[Mild: "Why did you hit him?"]/[Cain: "Calm down Petra, everything is fine."]/[Dino: "You're so mean, Meina!"]

Petra rubs the cheek that was slapped in disgust and Meina approaches Petra with a determined face.

[Meina: Looks at Petra with confidence- "If you think 'being pretty' will help you with everything in life, then I challenge you."]

The children exchanged confused glances and then looked at Petra.

[Petra: Confident, she puts one hand on her hip while the other is on her cheek- "Okay. What do you propose?"]

[Meina: She glares at her angrily- "I challenge you... To find a lock of mabeast hair." -she says the last part with a smug smile]

All the children were surprised by Meina's statement, what she just asked was impossible for them, But Petra thought differently.

[Petra: confident- "Time limit?"]

[All the kids: Look at Petra like she's grown a second head- "HUH?!"]

[Meina: She calms down and crosses her arms - "You have until tomorrow afternoon, until sunset."]

Petra nods silently and steps away to get everything ready with a calm smile. The others stare at each other in silence until someone breaks the ice.

Meina was sure he wouldn't do it...

[Petra (Thought): Thinks while resting her hand on her cheek- 'It would be better if I didn't tell Dad and Mom, they'll worry a lot about it. The best thing I can do is take a pair of scissors to get that lock of hair, and it would be best to eat something before leaving, and a little water never hurts...']

But little Petra was already planning everything for her little secret excursion, she decided not to tell any of the adults or her friends. The girl is willing to do it, to prove that she could easily obtain it...

The next day, Petra was strolling through the village while waiting for the right moment to go to the forest when...

[???: "Excuse me, lovely young lady. Do you have a moment?"]

When Petra turns around, she finds a maid with long blond hair, emerald green eyes, and sharp white teeth.

[Petra: "Who are you?"]

[Frederica: She speaks with a warm smile and a hand on her chest- "My name is Frederica Baumann. Do you mind if I take a minute of your time?"]

[Petra: Points at herself- "Sure, how can I help you?"]

[Frederica: "Okay. You see, I have a question for you."]

[Petra: confused- "A question...?" -he puts his hands behind his back- "I'll see if I can answer that."]

[Frederica: Gives a formal bow- "Thank you very much." -ends the bow- "My question is, where is the village leader's house?" -he puts a hand to his chest- "To tell the truth, I rarely visit my Master's mansion, which is located around here."]

Petra listened to the maid's words, from what she said and how she dressed, the girl must be a new employee at the mansion. For a while, she saw a blue-haired butler coming toward the village, and then it was the mansion's twin maids, but this time it was her, and Petra theorized it could be her first visit. The young woman began to test her theory with a touch of honey on her tongue.

[Petra: Claps her hands once with a smile- "Oh! Are you a new employee at the mansion?! It was already strange not remembering you even though you are so beautiful."]

With careful, calculated, and innocent words, Petra saw Frederica's face blush and become adorably embarrassed.

[Frederica: Smiling embarrassedly- "Wow, I'm flattered."]

The maid began to fall for Petra's natural cuteness, something the young girl noticed immediately.

[Petra: "So I guess he's always at the mansion."]

[Frederica: Shakes her hands in embarrassment- "I wasn't originally going to do it like that. I had actually planned for the care of the mansion and the Master to be in the hands of other girls, but due to the 3 new residents now living with us and at the Master's personal request, I was forced to stay on as the Head Servant after the butler returned to his respective position a week before the arrival of the last resident." -I explain calmly when I stop moving my hands]

[Petra: Putting on a worried face- "Oh, really? That's a little sad."]

[Frederica: Confused, but calm- "Why sad?"]

Petra places her hands near her chin and chest, while making a shy and happy expression with her eyes closed.

[Petra: "Because you are truly a wonderful lady." -shyly blushing, she opens her eyes and an unusual purity and tenderness is seen in them- "But at the same time I'm glad to know that I'll be able to get along with someone as beautiful as you from now on." -after finishing speaking she blinks while sticking out her tongue for a second- "Tehe~"]

From Frederica's perspective, she saw that for some reason, the girl was against a bright pink background with ethereal white bubbles and upon hearing the "Tehe~" with that adorable expression, she saw a pink heart grow larger and then head towards Frederica and then pierce through the maid's chest with a "BANG" sound.

Due to the excess of cuteness, Frederica squealed a "Kya" with a goofy smile, brought her hands to her cheeks and leaned to the side as if she had received a powerful gust of wind (which curiously made her hair move as if that same gust of wind hit her).

[Petra (Thought): gives an innocent smile- 'I've got the cat in the bag.']

Petra Leyte successfully tamed Frederica Baumann.

[Petra: She approaches worriedly- "¿Miss, are you okay?"]

[Frederica: She realizes and quickly returns to her original position- "E-Excuse me, it's nothing." -she says embarrassed, but then calms down- "So, will you take me to the leader?"]

Petra nodded and led her by the hand to the village chief's house. On the way, the girl decided to see what information she could get about her motives.

[Petra: With a curious face and puppy eyes- "Could you tell me why you came to our village?"]

[Frederica: Looks at her tenderly- "It's just a routine inspection, I came to confirm some things regarding the village barrier. And while I'm at it, I'm taking the opportunity to buy some supplies."]

[Petra: Interested- "The barrier...?"]

That brings us to the current situation. When Frederica mentioned the operation of the village barrier, Petra waited for the maid to leave the barrier's confines to take one of the crystals that would protect her from the mabeasts. She hid the evidence and went deeper into the forest. Inside, she ended up getting lost as she went deeper and deeper, but the worst part was when a pair of Ulgarms appeared behind Petra.

The poor girl saw their bloodthirsty eyes and immediately began to run for her life, until others appeared and ended up surrounding her near a cliff with giant stone spikes, forcing Petra to take out the stone to increase her defenses. The mabeasts retreated, keeping their distance from her but without losing their aggressiveness, then the girl discovered that slowly the stone's glow was fading and they were approaching slowly but surely. Petra's personal barrier was losing energy, anxiety and fear of death were implanting in the girl, her legs were trembling, the tips of her knees knocking together, too weak to stand. Her hands gripped tightly to the glass in front of her open mouth, frozen in horror. Her eyes opened, shedding tears, with a bit of snot.

Shock, terror.

That's what she felt at that moment.

A little girl facing a monster.

The mabeast didn't care how pretty Petra was. In its perception, she was just another meal that would soon end up in its stomach to satiate its gluttony, forgotten once she was nothing more than digested remains. A terrible end for a girl like her, so sweet and full of expectations and dreams: to become a famous seamstress in the Capital and marry a Knight or someone similar, childhood aspirations that might never come true.

At that moment, Petra realized how good her life had been, how easy it had been. She realized how spoiled she had been, and how that had created an ego that led her to take reckless action just to show off unnecessarily in front of her friend.

[Petra: Trembling with fear- "Dad... Mom... Friends..."]

She screamed. But she knew it was useless, because they wouldn't appear and they wouldn't be able to save her. But it was the cry of a scared little girl.

The monster approached, snarling and drooling. Thirsty to devour her. And it would, in moments, because Petra was incapable of fighting or fleeing. She was too weak against a creature like this, too slow or too terrified even to consider such an act.

Petra would die, and only then would she understand how well she had lived and how she had never fully appreciated it. What were her last words to her parents and friends?

[Petra: closes her eyes as she waits for her end- "I love you... Forgive me..."]

I wouldn't be able to say those words that I so desperately wanted to express now.

The light from the barrier glass goes out and the mabeast jumped on the girl.

This was the end. With a single bite, his head was ripped off, blood gushing from the place where it had been torn off.

*¡¡BAM!!*

But not.

[Petra: ¿Eh?]

Petra slowly opened one eye, having squeezed it shut to avoid seeing the creature's fangs as they crushed her head, trying to lessen the shock in an instinctive act of denying visible reality, and saw something.

The ulgarm's face on the floor was hit by... a handprint?

Then from the sky, something descended diagonally towards the mabeast, sending it flying into pieces, blood and flesh splattered on the ground and after the dust rose, the silhouette of a figure appeared standing up without a single stain, as if an invisible armor had stopped the blood before it could splatter on his clothes.

[???: He turns to the girl with a calm smile- "Are you okay, Petra?"]

The figure was that of a 12-13 year old boy with good muscle definition for his age, he wore a dark orange short-sleeved shirt with a dark brown sleeveless vest and a white scarf, dark brown pants and black shoes, along with a sword almost as big as him in his hands. His hair was jet black and he had sharp, terrifying amber eyes, below his left eye there was a small scar from a cut. But what caught Petra's attention was his gaze, terrifying like a demon's, but gentle like an angel's, a captivating contrast for the girl who could only sigh blushing with her eyes shining as she whispered in love...

[Petra: Whispering her thoughts in love- "My... hero..."]

To be continued...

Chapter Text

Subaru was launched into the forest, where in a few seconds he saw a girl with orange hair and a red ribbon being surrounded by the mabeasts. Using the True Hand of Sloth, Subaru threw one towards the mabeast's face and redirected its fall, while using others to use his "Shadow Hands Armor" technique and minimize the damage to his body from the fall when he deactivated 'El Murak'.

Like a cannonball, Subaru landed on the mabeast and thanked the armor he invented with the witch factor for these cases since he wouldn't have to stain his clothes and at the same time avoid Ram's scolding about the stains, two birds with one stone... Although the smell is something else. He looked at Petra out of the corner of his eye and saw that she was still shocked by fear and remembered that Halibel told him that the best way to calm people was with a smile, so he tried to put on his calmest smile and said:

[Subaru: Turns to the girl with a calm smile- "Are you okay, Petra?"]

He watched as Petra calmed down and blushed as she began to whisper things, Subaru saw this and mentally wondered...

[Subaru (Thought): confused- 'Halibel didn't tell me that to make me some kind of playboy like him... right?']

Subaru swore that if part of his conversations with the werewolf were really meant as a joke to teach the boy how to make women fall in love with him... Halibel will have to deal with him, depending on his true intentions behind those words.

At that very moment, somewhere in Banan...

[Halibel: Sneeze- "Achu!"]

Back to what matters...

[Petra: Points her finger in shock- "¡Watch out!"]

Subaru woke up from his thoughts and turned around, he saw two Ulgarms heading towards him and Subaru quickly drew his sword which caused everyone but him to feel danger, using the 'Edge of Sloth' he gave a single long horizontal slash that ended up slicing the two dog demons in the air with the invisible blade. Turning around for a few moments to try to thank Petra, Subaru noticed that she was also affected by the sword's passive effect when she covered her eyes in fear and Subaru ended up putting away the sword to calm her down. In doing so, the Ulgarms returned to the attack and Subaru had to use his authority to attack unidirectionally. His thoughts gather during combat as he reconsiders his options.

[Subaru (Thought): Worried- 'I must prioritize Petra's safety since I don't know where they will attack and these dogs don't seem to be that stupid. While I appreciate the treeless terrain in this area, I can't focus on protecting myself and Petra at the same time with my Authority alone. If I use the sword, the girl will be terrified and might faint from such violence, but the worst thing is that I haven't perfected miasma magic yet. The only thing left for me is...' -he opens his eyes as a memory came to mind- 'I can use that!']

[Subaru: Points one hand at the Ulgarms- "¡El Minya!"]

Several purple crystals appeared and Subaru threw them horizontally to create a temporary wall that would force the Ulgarms back, especially since a few crystals hit the skulls of some Ulgarms who ended up crystallizing and shattering into pieces as they fell to the ground. The dogs retreated and Subaru took advantage of the opportunity to retreat until he reached Petra.

[Subaru: points towards Petra- "Murak."]

Petra noticed that she was suddenly lighter, Subaru turned his back and knelt.

[Subaru: "Take the crystal, climb on my back and close your eyes." -he says while deactivating the armor]

Petra nods and stands up to climb onto Subaru's back with the Crystal in her hand. She notices something resembling arms holding her so she doesn't fall, but from Subaru's perspective, the invisible hands have formed a sort of backpack that will allow him to carry Petra safely. The girl instantly closes her eyes. After securing Petra, Subaru immediately used his next spell as the mabeasts approached.

[Subaru: "¡El Shamak!"]

After that, a black smoke screen was activated trapping the ulgarms deactivating all the senses they had causing confusion, taking advantage of using several of the additional invisible hands that he launched to grab some ulgarms by the legs, lift them in the air and then launched new Minya crystals to destroy them. Then he left the cloud and ran with the girl on his back back towards Arlam.

[Subaru (Thought): smiling- 'Thanks for the idea, Puck.']

By the time the spell wore off, a third of the Ulgarms were already dead thanks to Subaru, and half of the second third were killed by their own disoriented comrades. The rest couldn't follow us because Subaru and Petra had already gone far enough away or were too injured to continue.

Frederica was taking out some Ulgarms to clear the way a bit, since the village barrier lasts longer thanks to the multiple crystals lined up, Emilia and Puck would defend the village while they fortified the barrier, while the maid would take care of eliminating the Ulgarms so that Subaru and Petra wouldn't have any trouble when they returned. The black cloud of smoke was high enough for Puck to give Frederica directions and then she used her familiarity with the terrain to clear the way.

[Frederica: Destroying the last ulgarm with her claws "That should be the last..."]

[Subaru: "Frederica!"]/[Petra: "Miss!"]

Frederica turns to see Subaru running with Petra on his back. Frederica notices that Petra is the same sweet girl she had spoken to at noon. They see the maid's uniform stained with the Ulgarms' blood and...

[Subaru: Surprised—"You have claws and a tail?!"]

[Frederica: Laughs as she transforms her animal parts back—"I've never mentioned it before, but I'm actually a quarter-beast."]

[Subaru: "That's impressive, but I'll question you on details later."—Looks at the Ulgarm corpses—"I appreciate you clearing the escape route."]

[Petra: Looks away—"Thank you, miss..."]

[Frederica: Looks at Petra seriously—"Don't worry, Petra, but I want you to know that I..."]

[Subaru: Interrupts—"Minya!"]

Frederica is thrown to the ground by an invisible force when Subaru threw the crystals, after she turned around while getting up, she saw two crystallized ulgarms shattering into pieces.

[Frederica: Turns to Subaru- "Thanks for that, Subaru..." - then looks at him with a pout - "But I could warn you next time."]

[Subaru: tries to change the subject- "Where are Emilia and Puck?"]

[Frederica: "Don't worry, mister Puck and miss Emilia are protecting the village from the witchbeasts and reinforcing the barrier. Rem and Ram arrived shortly after you flew away, and I decided to go inside to look for them both."]

[Subaru: "Then let's hurry back before Nee-sama comes up with some new insult to complain about me for doing my job."]

With a few laughs, Frederica and Subaru returned with Petra to Arlam Village, while massacring any Ulgarms who came near.

The twin maids, the hooded half-elf girl, and the magical cat were finishing reinforcing the barrier crystals. Even with one crystal missing, it was enough to get them ahead of the job a bit, until the children reported Subaru's return. The four of them dropped what they were doing and followed the children to see Subaru carrying Petra and a Frederica with some blood and mud on her slightly torn maid uniform. As they approached, Subaru deactivated his Authority, lifted Petra off his back, and deactivated the Murak spell he had used on her.

[Emilia: Approaches Frederica in a panic- "Frederica! Are you okay?! You look hurt!" - examined her for any injuries]

[Frederica: Calm- "Don't worry, Miss Emilia, it's nothing serious. I just need to change my outfit, as well as wash and repair it."]

[Subaru: turns to Frederica- "If you want, I can take care of repairing it later."]

[Frederica: Surprised- "Subaru... Do you know how to sew?"]

[Puck: Crosses his paws- "The stuffed animal of me that Lia has in her room was a handmade gift from Subaru."]

[Emilia: Proud- "It may not look like it, but Subaru has a talent for sewing."]

[Subaru: Offended- "What do you mean 'It may not seem like it', Emilia-tan?"]

[Frederica: Turns to Subaru excitedly- "Were you the one who made that cute, detailed stuffed animal?"]

[Subaru: proudly puffs out his chest- "That's right, although I'm not capable of making clothes yet, but I can do embroidery and plushies." -looks at Frederica- "I'll make some for everyone later, but repairing your clothes takes priority first."

[Frederica: bows- "In that case, I thank you, Subaru."]

[Ram: boasting with a smile- "Barusu pervert, it wasn't enough with..."]

[Rem: Hugs Ram and covers her mouth with her hand- "What Nee-sama wanted to say is that you did a good job with the rescue mission, Subaru-kun."]

Ram struggled to break free from her sister's grasp and deliver her friendly insult to her little brother, but Rem only tightened her grip on her hug as she turned Ram's head to see the children approaching Subaru. With her Synesthesia, she communicated that it was best not to say anything for now and also because of the fact that she didn't want the children to learn anything they shouldn't, which Ram had to accept for now, but internally promised that she'd give him a double dose when they got back to the mansion.

The children crowded around Subaru and Petra, worried about their friend and surprised by Subaru's previous display.

[Lucas: "Oni-chan, that was amazing!"]/[Mild: "Weren't you hurt, Petra-chan?"]/[Cain: "How did you do it?! Show me!"]/[Dino: "You had us worried, Petra!"]

[Meina: "Excuse me..."]

The children were pulled away by Meina, who approached, clenching her fists and wearing a face that showed she was holding back tears and combining fury with her gaze on the floor. She approached Petra with determination and...

*¡SLAP!*

Meina slapped her on the other cheek; Petra didn't resist and fell. The children were about to go for her, but they felt something similar to a hand wrap around them, immobilizing them and covering their mouths. Then, their heads were forced by the same hand to look at Subaru, who gestured with one finger to them to be quiet and not intervene, which they reluctantly accepted while the girls chatted.

[Meina: upset with tears- "IDIOT!!"]

[Petra: stands up scared- "Huh...?"]

[Meina: looks down and clenches her fists tighter- "I thought something really happened to you in the forest..."]

[Petra: tries to speak- "Mei..."]

[Meina: interrupts- "I thought I'd never see you again...!"]

[Petra: raises her hand timidly- "Meina, I..."]

[Meina: explodes and looks into Petra's eyes- "I THOUGHT YOU'D BE DEAD BECAUSE OF ME!!"]

[Petra: surprised- "¡¿...?!"]

[Meina: Starts to cry- "I DIDN'T THINK YOU'D REALLY GO!! *sob* I just wanted you to stop bragging...! *sob* Because you... *sob* you... *sob*" - falls on your knees]

Petra was shocked by the statement, but with determination she approaches Meina while remembering the scolding Subaru gave her while he was carrying her.

FLASHBACK:

Subaru was moving forward with Petra on his back, the girl weighed almost nothing thanks to Subaru's 'Murak' spell, but little Petra felt a greater weight on her heart that she was about to face.

[Subaru: Annoyed- "Why did you do something stupid like that? You could have died if it had taken me a few seconds longer to get there."]

[Petra: Regretful- "I'm sorry, I thought I could..."]

*¡COUP!*

[Subaru: muttering- "Silly girl..."]

Before Petra could finish speaking, she felt a fist hit her forehead even though there was nothing in front of her.

[Petra: Scared- "What?! What was that?!"]

[Subaru: "That was me, but that doesn't matter now..." -tries to change the subject- "Listen Petra, if you had died there... What do you think would have happened next?"]

[Petra: Confused- "I don't want to think about that..."]

[Subaru: Rebuttal- "You should think about that, because if it really happened, everyone in the village would be very sad about your death!"]

[Petra: Shocked- "Eh?"]

[Subaru: "You were just a little girl who believed that everyone would give you whatever you wanted because you looked pretty and they were monsters who only acted on the instinct to hunt or be hunted. Your selfishness would have been your final sentence in life, since vainglory is a horrible white monster with blue eyes that controls people's hearts with the voice of a holy woman." -she says the last thing with venom, irritation and a glint of hatred in her eyes]

[Petra (thinking): Confused- 'That was... Incredibly specific...']

At that very moment, somewhere in the world...

[Pandora: She blinks in confusion, feeling like they were talking about her- "Huh?"]

Back to what matters...

[Subaru: speaking in a serious tone trying to get back on topic- "Everyone will be sad and cry for your loss, but there will also be various individual reactions. Your parents will be disappointed by your actions, your friends will be depressed because they will never be able to play with you again, your neighbors will not stop lament... But little Meina will be the most affected of all of them."]

[Petra: Surprised- "Meina-chan?"]

[Subaru: "When I went to the village, Meina's face reflected sadness and worry... but her eyes reflected something else; they held regret and guilt." -he says sadly- "She thought it was her fault for having challenged you, but in her defense, you were too selfish. I don't know all the details, but tell me..." -she looks at Petra out of the corner of her eye- "Who do you think was the culprit in this? The girl who challenged you out of envy or the one who boasted out of selfishness?"]

Petra thought about her answer, but since they saw Frederica in the distance, she decided to keep it...

END OF FLASHBACK.

...to tell her best friend. Petra stood before her, kneeling down so she could hug her and speak from the bottom of her heart, realizing her tears were spilling over as well.

[Petra: sorry and in tears- "I'm sorry too Meina-chan, you were right *sobs*. I was an idiot, a manipulator *sobs*. I never should have done it, it's all my fault. *sobs*" -she starts to lose her cool]

[Meina: denies with tears- "*sobs* No, it's my fault."]

Through tears, the two girls hugged each other as they argued over who was to blame, but they both knew they never should have acted the way they did. Secretly, Meina promises she'll be a better friend and never let jealousy get the better of her again, while Petra promises she'll never act recklessly again and will start being humble. Everyone watched the scene and was moved by what was happening before their eyes; the girls had reconciled.

After finishing repairing the barrier with the crystal that Petra had returned, the group was handing out appetizers with the mayonnaise that Subaru brought and many liked it so much that Subaru voluntarily shared the recipe with the entire village and after some refreshments the team was at the entrance of the village saying goodbye to all the inhabitants.

[Milde: bows- "As the woman in charge of our humble Arlam Village, I thank you all for what you have done for us."]

All the villagers and children followed Milde's example and bowed in gratitude.

[Subaru: showing humility- "You don't have to thank us miss Milde, we were just doing our job." -tries to change the subject- "By the way, did you all like the mayonnaise I made with Frederica?"]

[Petra: "Delicious, thanks Subaru"]/[Lucas: "I'm not complaining."]/[Mild: "I didn't dislike it."]/[Cain: "It was very tasty."]/[Dino: "Yes, that's right!"]/[Meina: "Thank you, it was good."]

[Muraosa: interrupts- "Thank you for sharing that recipe with everyone, lord Subaru. You didn't have to go to the trouble."]

[Subaru: "I repeat, you don't have to thank me."]

[Ram: interrupts- "Barusu, we have to go. Maybe you have a lot of free time, but these maids have to start preparing tonight's dinner."]

[Subaru: He puts on a smug smile as he looks at Ram- "Correction, Nee-sama. Rem and Frederica have to make dinner while you're just going to steam tatoes and then just lounge around waiting for them to finish so you can bring it to the table and brag about it being your job."]

[Ram: looks at him annoyed- "Ram is not a lazy person like you Barusu. Don't involve me in..."]

[Frederica: interrupts with a smile- "Yes, you are a rather lazy maid Ram. Too much now that I think about it." -she puts her hand to her chin at that last point]

[Puck: Joins the fray with a smile- "And Subaru's recipes are better than yours."]

[Emilia: innocently joins in- "Plus, he does a better job than you when he offers to help with chores when he has free time, instead of just idling around all day."]

[Ram: She boasts with her characteristic pose- "Ja! Ram's diligence and effectiveness are so effective that..."]

[Rem: Finish- "Give up now Nee-sama, you won't win this fight."]

[Ram: In Shock- "Betrayal?!" -points at Rem with a red face of embarrassment- "How dare you Rem?!"]

[Everyone except Ram: "¡Jajajajajajajajajaja...!"]

Everyone laughs at the scene, and Ram secretly murmurs that she will get revenge on Barusu for this humiliation. After the laughter, the group goes back to the mansion and the villagers continued saying goodbye, but Petra determinedly approached them quickly and hugged Subaru who was surprised making him along with the group turn around to see her.

[Subaru: Confused- "What's wrong Petra?"]

[Petra: Look, "Thank you for everything, Subaru. You're my hero."]

[Subaru: pats Petra on the head- "I just did what anyone would do, Petra." -crouches down to get down to her level- "But promise me you'll never put yourself in danger like that again, unless it's to save those you love." -he says calmly while holding out his pinky finger to her.]

[Petra: looks at him with determination- "I promise." -grabs Subaru's pinky with his own]

[Subaru: separates his pinky finger from Petra's and stands up- "Good girl Petra, you better keep your promise."]

[Petra: nods and then looks at Frederica- "Frederica... Do you think I can work at the mansion when I reach the required age?"]

[Frederica: smiles at her tenderly- "Of course, I'll talk to lord Roswaal about it when I get back."]

[Petra: She separates from Subaru- "I'll be patient and practice in the meantime." -she starts walking away]

[Subaru: Screaming- "I promise that next time I come to town, I'll teach you all how to do Radio Calisthenics! You'll love it, it's super fun!"]

The group watched Petra walk away and saw her turn around one last time saying...

[Petra: With a smile, she raises her hand- "Of course, Subaru."]

At that moment, Petra gave the Hero of Arlam a smile, not an adorable one, not a calculated one, not one with personal intentions behind it, the smile she gave him was a genuine smile that came from the depths of the girl's heart.

A girl who, in the future, would be linked to the destiny that Subaru must face as the boy who bears the title of 'Sage Candidate', but none of those present would know it for now...

Meanwhile, at the mansion...

Roswaal watched the Tome of Wisdom as the next message faded from its pages.

"On the day ⏹︎⏹︎ of this month, in the village of Arlam after noon, a young soul will lose his life at the hands of the mabeasts, and the village's trust in you will fade for a time.

And unfortunately, Subaru's trust in you will also be further affected, the boy will doubt your ability to protect people and it will take longer to reestablish that bond.

During that time, there is a chance that Subaru and Emilia will leave for the capital and be discovered by the knights earlier than planned, which will jeopardize their plans."

Those words, along with the instructions on how to avoid that future and the consequences they depicted, vanished from the book, prompting Roswaal to close it and put it back in his drawer. Secretly watching the group enter the mansion grounds, he thought to himself...

[Roswaal: with an evil smile- "I wonder if you ended up using your power to alter fate, if you didn't then it's not important for now. But for the sake of my dearest wish, I must have you on my side by any means necessary... As long in the future as you become my obedient trump card.'"-he emphasizes the last bit maliciously.]

Roswaal takes one last look at the letter on his desk, which stated that Wilhelm van Astrea, an old friend of his late grandmother Roswaal J. Mathers (one of the clown's past lives), would arrive in approximately two months to be Subaru's new instructor.

FINAL NOTES:

1. These events occurred 2 months before Wilhelm's arrival.
2. While Roswaal and the others were searching for Subaru and Emilia, Clind looked after the mansion. When a week was left before Subaru's arrival, the butler received orders from the Margrave to return with Annerose. This is because Roswaal received orders in his book to keep Clind away from Subaru as long as he has 'the sage's artifact' (The Sword of Sin) in his possession, but as long as Subaru doesn't have 'the artifact' near him, everything will be fine. This is because Clind has a mysterious forbidden power within his soul.
3. Roswaal pulled strings to get Subaru to uncover the incident, but he only did so to prevent Subaru and Emilia's trust in Roswaal from diminishing. The Margrave couldn't care less what would have happened in Arlam if it hadn't been for the book's warning.
4. While waiting, Subaru held combat simulations with the mansion's residents, primarily Puck, Emilia, Rem, and Ram. After the incident, Subaru offered Frederica the chance to train with them as well, which she accepted in order to strengthen herself and prevent such an incident from happening again.
5. Roswaal and Beatrice trained Subaru in Yin Magic, but also in other individual subjects. Beatrice helped him study the library books and gave him advice on his studies of 'Miasma Magic', while Roswaal gave him etiquette lessons and taught him how to mask his emotions when faced with a situation where he would have to compromise himself against his will or gather information (something that would help him in the events of Sandel Village).
6. Subaru created a technique with the Authority of Sloth called "Shadow Hands Armor", a technique in which he covers himself with several invisible hands that grab him and protect him from small external threats (this technique will serve him for a certain incident that will occur in the future at the Barielle Mansion).
7. After the incident, Subaru became known in the village as the 'Hero of Arlam' and the relationship between the people of the mansion and the Village improved thanks to him.
8. Petra confessed to her parents about the incident and was grounded for a time, which helped her reflect more on her behavior. Subaru began to frequently visit the village of Arlam, mainly when he had to buy groceries to visit the children and do Radio Calisthenics with the people.
9. A week before Wilhelm arrived, Subaru gave the maids and all the children of Arlam a handmade stuffed animal. Fun fact: Subaru originally planned to give Petra a puppy, but remembered the incident at Ulgarms, so he decided to change it to a white rabbit and Frederica specifically asked Subaru to make two yellow cat plushies, although Subaru still doesn't know why he wanted two.
10. In the future, Petra will join the team as a maid in training.

Chapter Text

At a tavern in the city of Fleur, several traveling merchants exchanged information along the way to ensure they didn't encounter anything unusual along their routes and to learn about possible rumors.

[Green Merchant: Banging the bar angrily- "I mean it, I know I saw him that night."]

[Red Merchant: Hesitating- "¿Are you sure you didn't drink too much? Sir, ¿how strong was this new drink you gave us?"]

[Barista: "This one wasn't that strong, only those with poor alcohol resistance get drunk after one sip."]

[Blue Merchant: "Also, Otto isn't the type to get drunk so quickly, so tell us what you saw that night."]

The green merchant is called Otto Suwen, a boy with gray hair, blue eyes and a light skin tone. A boy who dreams of opening his own shop in the capital, he witnessed a strange creature that saved his life.

[Otto: "It happened one night near the Flugel Tree..."]

FLASHBACKS:

Otto and his faithful earth dragon Frufoo were resting in the Lifaus Plains, as they planned to go to the Capital of Lugunica to replenish supplies. While they were resting, a group of 5 bandits appeared out of nowhere and assaulted their wagon. Due to one of them using some kind of concealment technique, none of the animals detected them, so Otto only assumed that it could have been divine protection.

[Bandit 1: Pulls out a knife- "Okay kid, if you don't want to die give us the dragon and everything you got."]

[Otto: trembling, swallows saliva- "¿Is there other solution possible? We could negotiate some agreement..."]

[Bandit 2: He acts as if he's thinking- "Hmm... Maybe if you help out with a small, harmless project, perhaps."]

[Otto (Thinking): 'I'm afraid of finding out what that PROJECT means.']

[Bandit 3: "You see, there's a noble whose name I can't remember who's looking for people to test a strange spell on. We'll leave you with him so he can give us money and that's it."]

[Otto: Complaining- "¡How is that any different from my current situation! ¡I'm sure they were planning to do it anyway!" -feels a sharp edge on his neck and freaks out- "¡Ghek!"]

[Bandit 4: Threatening behind Otto- "Don't complain and get ready to drive, the night is young and..."]

[Bandit 5: Turns around to see a light and points- "Hey, what's that?"]

Everyone looks in the direction bandit 5 is pointing, in that place a small flame appeared dancing out of nowhere. All the bandits turned to look at Otto.

[Bandit 5: Annoyed- "¿Was it you?"]

[Otto: Shakes his head- "My affinity is with earth magic, I know nothing."]

[Bandit 3: "I'll go take a look" -takes out his axe and cautiously advances towards the flame]

[Bandit 1: "Be careful, we don't know what it could be."]

Bandit 3 advances toward the flame. When he arrives, the flame goes out and reappears elsewhere, then repeats the process several times. Bandit 2, becoming annoyed by the event, decides to cast a water spell.

[Bandit 2: Points his finger at the flame- "I'm done with this game. ¡Shiha!"]

[Bandit 1: "No, wait!"]

A torrent of water hit the flame, but the fire burned even more fiercely. It then moved furiously and quickly toward bandit 2, who ended up in flames. Everyone was horrified by this turn of events.

[Bandit 2: "¡¡AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"]

[Bandit 4: Tightening his grip on Otto- "¡¡AMBUSH, ALL TO ARMS!!"]

All the remaining bandits took up arms to prepare for the enemy. What they didn't expect was that the flames began to take the form of a quadrupedal creature made of crimson flames with a mane of blue fire. The creature was almost twice the size of Otto's wagon.

[Bandit 1: Surprised- "¿W-What is that?!"]

[Melakuera: Says with authority- "If none of you wish to die in the flames of your own pride, I advise you to leave the human alone, throw away your weapons and surrender."]

[Bandit 5: Points his spear at Melakuera- "¡¿Who the hell are you?!"]

[Melakuera: "Just a vigilante trying to take the right path once again, as for my name... It's something I just want to tell one person in particular, when the time comes."]

[Bandit 3: Charges towards Melakuera- "¡Stop with the mediocre riddles!"]

[Melakuera: "Goa."]

Melakuera throws a single fireball towards bandit 3 who upon receiving it ends up turned to ashes in an instant. There were no screams, there was no pain, there was no suffocating heat, just death on the spot, an attack carefully calculated to cause a quick and painless death. The three remaining bandits began to fear for their lives, Otto saw an opportunity and elbowed Bandit 4 in the stomach who was caught off guard. When she was free of his arms, she immediately ran towards Frufoo, Melakuera took the opportunity to shrink down and thus put herself between Otto and the bandits.

[Melakuera: Threatening coldly- "Last chance, throw down your weapons and surrender."]

[Bandit 4: Nervous- "¿Or what?"]

[Melakuera: In a threatening tone- "¿Do you really want to find out PERSONALLY?" -the flames radiate more heat]

[Bandit 1: Trembling in fear- "...Everyone... Drop your weapons." -he says in a sign of surrender.]

[Bandit 5: "But boss..."]

[Bandit 1: "That's an order."]

The bandit leader knew they had no chance, so they did as the spirit asked and ran away in the direction of the tree. When they were a considerable distance away, Otto and Frufoo slowly approached the creature, which was melting the weapons so they wouldn't be used again.

[Otto: He takes off his hat and lowers his head nervously- "E-Excuse me s-sir... T-Thank you very much for saving them."]

[Frufoo: Following his master's example- "Gwooow."]

[Melakuera: He talks to Otto without turning to look at him- "Don't thank me, I just did what I had to do."]

[Otto: He puts on his hat and asks- "¿But why did you go to the trouble of helping us?"]

Melakuera narrows her gaze and remembers that once when she was watching Subaru saving a family from some mabeasts known as Snow Plagues, the family asked her why she saved them after they treated him badly in the village, to which Subaru replied something that Melakuera repeated in a similar way to Otto.

[Melakuera: "Because saving your life was the right thing to do, I couldn't allow people to suffer."]

[Otto: Nervous- "Still, ¿is there anything I can do to thank you?"]

[Melakuera: "Then promise me just one thing... Keep living, try not to die, and help those in need. With that I'll feel rewarded." -he says without interest and leaves]

The answer surprised Otto and he looked at him with admiration, then Melakuera galloped off in the approximate direction of Hanumas and Otto continued to watch him until he disappeared at dawn.

END OF FLASHBACKS.

[Otto: Resting his head on his hand as he stares at the ceiling- "After that, I haven't seen him again."]

[Red Merchant: Confused- "¿A creature made of fire saved your life? That sounds..."]

[Barista: Interrupting seriously and squinting his eyes- "Like a Great Spirit."]

[Otto and the merchants: turn to see the barista-"¿Huh?"]

The barista had two blue and green orbs, two lesser spirits of water and wind, circling in the palm of the barista's hand. They told the barista that Otto wasn't lying.

[Blue Merchant: "¿A Great Spirit?"]

[Barista: "That's the only possible explanation. The only spirit that fit that description was the Great Fire Spirit Melakuera..."]

[Red Merchant: interrupts- "Wait, wait, wait... ¿Isn't he supposed to have been dead for a few months?"]

[Otto: "That's true. From what I heard from a client of my brother's in Pappelt, the Great Spirit was killed by the new Great Spirit of Fire they call 'The Beast of the End'."]

[Barista: He turns a little annoyed- "I'm just saying that he was the only one who fits the physical description, that spirit is known as someone who sacrifices others to uphold an empty justice. It's possible that a new great spirit was born with an appearance similar to his."]

[Blue Merchant: "If that's true, then he's not the 'Arbiter', he's a 'Watcher' like he said in your story."]

[Otto: Thinking out loud after finishing his drink- "The Fire Watcher..."]

While the others exchanged words, Otto began to consider the possibilities of their encounter.

[Otto (thinking): 'If it really was the legendary Melakuera who saved me, it would mean that he survived the incident and is now helping people. But what caused such a shocking change in his personality? Could it be the Beast of the End? Or something else?']

[Barista: Gives Otto a new drink- "Anyway, as a former mercenary and spirit arts user, you made my day with that story and I know my daughter who is also a spirit arts user would love it. This drink is on the house."]

[Otto: takes the glass- "Wow, thanks." -he says happily]

[Otto (thinking): looks at the glass in his hands- 'I think I'd better not think about it anymore, I don't want to get into more trouble. Besides, it's impossible that it's the same Spirit.' -he brings the glass to his mouth to start drinking]

[Red Merchant: Speaking a little drunk- "Anyway, I have a little rumor too. Do you remember the slave camp incident a year ago near Priestella?" -he brings his drink to his mouth again]

[Blue Merchant: "Yes, I remember. According to what I heard, the knights dismantled the organization after the incident thanks to the victims' testimonies."]

[Red Merchant: "One of the victims was a cousin of mine who lived in Coffelton and she told me that the person responsible for saving her was not one of the knights, but someone who calls himself 'The Candidate for Sage'."]

[Otto: looks with a bit of interest and confusion- "¿The Sage Candidate?"]

The merchant named Otto Suwen didn't know that this small curiosity was enough for fate to decide to include him in the life of the 'Sage Candidate'. And with that, one of Natsuki Subaru's future companions was linked to the game of fate.

Chapter Text

While Subaru was at the knight trials, the girls took advantage of the day to spend time together in the Capital while they waited for the agreed-upon time to meet up with Subaru and Roswaal and go eat at a restaurant where Roswaal made a reservation. They had enough money for their own needs, so the first thing they did was go shopping.

In a clothing store, the group was trying on and buying various items of clothing...

[Puck: Floating towards Emilia with four scarves bigger than him- "Hey Lia, which one of these do you like best for me? Soft red, aqua green, light blue, or lavender?"]

[Emilia: crosses her arms while imagining Puck with those scarves- "Mmmm... Lavender."]

[Rem: Interrupts- "Rem thinks light blue would suit the Great Spirit better."]

[Ram: Interrupts too- "Ram thinks red accentuates the Great Spirit better."]

[Frederica: "Green is clearly better... But why does he need a scarf?"]

[Puck: "Subaru asked me to model so he could practice making clothes, so I'm taking advantage of the opportunity to choose a base fabric for the shirt. Also..." -looks at her with fake annoyance- "Where do you think I can buy clothes in my size?"]

[Ram: Looking at him with a smug smile—"At the pet store, just around the corner."]

[All the girls: "¡Hahahahaha...!"]

Puck was pouting in embarrassment at the pink-haired maid's remark, but decided not to intervene for the sake of his daughter. Although he noticed a hint of anxiety in her face for some reason, Puck thought it might be due to a small fear that her anti-recognition cloak would fall off and everyone would point her out as a witch, but he decided to put that aside for the moment, since he knew that wasn't going to happen on his watch.

Later, when they were all resting in a park eating Ram's steamed tatoes and drinking some appa juice they were selling nearby, Puck noticed that Emilia's anxiety was slowly growing. Puck couldn't hold it in any longer and asked her.

[Puck: Turns to Emilia - "Why are you still so anxious, Lia?"]

After Puck's words, Emilia spat out her appa juice while coughing in surprise. The maids turned their gazes to Emilia, who, after finishing coughing, looked away.

[Emilia: looks down—"I knew you'd notice."]

[Rem: "Actually, we all noticed a while ago."]

[Emilia: surprised- "Huh?! Was it really that obvious?!"]

[Ram: "Yes, it was. You should increase your study time and practice with lord Roswaal the art of hiding your emotions better."]

[Frederica: translates—"What Ram means is that you can talk to us if anything's bothering you. We're friends, after all; we won't judge you or anything."]

Emilia relaxed at her friends' words. After taking a few breaths to calm herself, she let it all out.

[Emilia: looks at them with concern- "It's because of Subaru's exam, I know that Archi, Halibel and Wilhelm trained him very well, but I'm still worried about his test."]

[Puck: "That was all? You worry too much, Subaru trained with 3 of the best swordsmen, he can't do that bad."]

[Ram: Crosses his arms- "Ram won't admit it... But Barusu has a knack for 'mess with problems'. Plus, lord Roswaal trained him in etiquette for his exam, with his great teachings, Barusu would only fail with his bad luck..."]

[Rem: interrupts- "¡Nee-sama, watch your words!"]

Ram turned around to see Emilia who was trembling with worry when the words "Subaru" and "fail" were mentioned in the same sentence.

[Puck: "Calm down, Lia. You know Subaru won't fail his tests. Even I recognize that the kid has a chance of passing."]

[Emilia: "But... What if he gets lost in the building and doesn't make it in time to register...? Or what if he goes so overboard with his introduction that he's rejected for being rude or because of the source of his powers... Or what if he's mistaken for a member of the Witch Cult and arrested for his miasma in order to be tortured and interrogated...! Or whath if they bring out Reinhard to fight him and ends up accidentally disintegrating him...!! OR WHAT IF...!!]

Before she could finish her sentence, Puck placed one of the leftover steamed tatoes Ram had made for the trip on Emilia's mouth. Ram got lost in the Reinhard part when he saw Rem flinch for a second when Emilia mentioned the "mistaking him for a witch worshipper" part. He wondered inwardly if she had ever done something like that to him and decided to ask her later.

[Puck: "Eat this and relax. Ram made these just for today."]

[Emilia: Taking the tatoe out of her mouth and savoring it- "Mmmm, delicious." -she says, taking another bite to her mouth]

[Ram: Turns to Emilia- "Since Barusu's palate doesn't work like a decent person's, Ram cooked him his specialty in the hopes that he would at least taste something that only people with refined taste can eat."]

[Rem: smiles—"As expected of you, Nee-sama, your enormous kindness knows no bounds."]

[Frederica: looks at Rem with a mischievous face—"Translation, please."]

[Rem: answers with the same face- "Nee-sama was worried about Subaru-kun when she saw him a little anxious about the exam the morning of our departure, so she prepared some food for him in hopes of calming her friend down and filling his stomach at the same time."]

[Ram: looks at her with disgust- "Me? Worried about Barusu?"]

[Everyone except Ram: "Hahahahaha...!"]

After finishing laughing, Frederica offered to buy more juice for the group. As she walked toward the stand, thoughts of someone very important to her invaded her mind.

[Frederica (thought): 'Subaru... In the time I've spent with you, I can say without a doubt that you are a great person who positively influences the people around you. Perhaps you can help him overcome his past somehow...' -she grabs the pendant hidden around her neck with the love of an older sister- 'I hope I get to see you again and introduce you to someone who could be like an older brother to you... Garf...']

At that time, in the Sanctuary, a blond boy with an "X" shaped scar on his forehead was training with the intention of protecting his home from the threats of the outside world when...

[Garfiel: Feeling something in his heart—"Huh?"]

[Ryuzu Shima: "Is something wrong, young Garf?"]

[Garfiel: Hesitating—"... It's nothing, don't worry, Grandma Shima."]

[Ryuzu Shima: Accepting the answer—"Okay, in that case, I'll go make us some tea."]

When Ryuzu Shima got far enough away, Garfiel instinctively grabbed the pendant around his neck...

[Garfiel (thought): Grabbing and looking at his pendant—'Was that feeling... my sister...?']

Chapter Text

Subaru sidestepped an attack he foresaw coming from Reinhard before slashing upwards with the Sword of Sin, to everyone's surprise a flash of blood splashed upwards from a cut Subaru had managed to give to Reinhard's Left Leg. Subaru, feeling elated that he had hit him, forgot to pay attention and the Sword Saint kicked him into the wall. Subaru collapsed and was defeated…

Reinhard’s hand went up to his ear and felt it, a Small shallow cut, but a cut nonetheless.

[Reinhard: “Subaru managed to cut my Leg, it seems.” -He announced to the crowd]

At that very moment, in Vollachia…

Cecilus Segmunt was still training for his rematch against Reinhard and to get one step closer to the Heavenly Sword, when...

[Cecilus: Stopping suddenly- "¡...!"]

As if some instinct within him had been activated, he stopped his training in its tracks, surprising those around him.

[Cecilus: in shock- "This feeling..."]

[Vincent: "Stopping in the middle of training is rare enough in Vollachia. And it's even rarer for you to stop when training with your swords."]

Cecilus turned around to see Vincent Vollachia, the current emperor. The young, blue-haired swordsman put away his swords to speak with the prince.

[Cecilus: crosses his arms and looks at him with interest- "Call it a sixth sense, but it seems that someone has entered the scene, someone who seems to have the talent to take on the star of the show..."]

[Vincent: Grasping his frown, he says- "Thinking about the Sword Saint again? Can't you...?"]

[Cecilus: Interrupts- "I wasn't talking about Reinhard this time."

[Vincent: Confused- "So...?"]

[Cecilus: Looks up at the sky while closing his eyes- "Someone else stole the spotlight for a few moments. I can also feel that that person somehow earned Reinhard's respect, but when I find out who the lucky one was..." -looks at his swords maliciously- "Hehehehehe..."]

[Vincent (Thought): worried- 'I hope the "I expect a good challenge" laugh isn't a sign of ill omen...' -turns around to walk away- 'For the poor victim...']

When Vincent got far enough away, Cecilus drew his swords again, two of the 10 Legendary Swords: the Dream Sword Masayume and the Demon Sword Murasame.

[Cecilus: Looks at his reflection in the swords- "Enjoy your moment of fleeting fame while you can... 'Unnecessary supporting character'."]

*¡SLASH!*

In less than a second, all the training dummies are cut into thousands of pieces (literally) that fly with the wind until they disperse.

[Cecilus: Sheathes his swords and looks up at the sky- "Because when the 'Main Actor' finds you and defeats you, I'll be closer to the Heavenly Sword while you'll be demoted to being the 'Background Character' that you are in this play. Hehehehehe..." -laughs with an excited smile and sharp eyes while waiting for the challenge]

At the same time, in the arena, while the Council of Sages decides what to do with the masters...

[Subaru: Sneeze- "Achu! *shiver*"]

[Subaru (Thought): Grabs his head- 'A sneeze followed by a chill, that's not a good sign. Why do I have the feeling that someone troublesome has set me as a long-term target?']

And without knowing it... a new character was linked to the destiny of our hero, the poor guy has many problems and headaches ahead of him with this new future rival.