Over the past few weeks, Subaru had spent just as much time studying as he had training. He had learned all the mannerisms that he needed. Rem and Ram taught him and Subaru himself studied in Beatrice's archive. There wasn't a skill for manners, so he just had to learn them on his own. On the plus side, he raised his language skill all the way to max level. Instead of becoming level 5, it just went to max. Maybe some skills had higher max levels than others.

He had finally stopped ignoring his magic. He now had level 10 for all his magic. He had even gained ice magic from when Rem had shot it at him during a sparring match. He now had a trinity of magic: Healing, attack, and utility. Healing magic just provided him with stronger spells that could heal big wounds. He didn't think he could regrow limbs, but he could probably reattach them. Space magic had given him a long range teleport that would cost most of his mana and would only teleport him. It also gave him a gate spell that would have a consistent cost regardless off distance. It came with the downside that it took about a minute to cast. Ice magic could be used to create ice and fire it off at high speeds. He didn't gain any new spells from leveling it, but with a higher level, he could adjust the size and speed of the projectiles.

He hadn't only focused on magic though. He raised his swordsmanship and sprinting to level 15 with only his last stand lagging slightly behind at 14. Flight was now at level 8 and could be used practically in combat. It wasn't polished, but he could certainly use it well. His physical abilities alone were capable of beating Rem, even in her demon mode.

Subaru finally thought that he was capable. He had gained seven levels between sparring with Rem and sneaking off in the early morning to fight. He had 80 stat points, but didn't know what he wanted to spend it on. His massive abundance of skill points was tempting, but he continued to be frugal with them. He would only use them if it took him several weeks to advance a skill a single level or if he was in an emergency.

It was on this day that something particular happened. Subaru had gone for a flight to practice maneuvers. He had flown down to the village and spoken briefly with everyone there. Everyone treated him as a hero, but Subaru tried his best to deny it. After entertaining the children for a while and letting everyone know that Petra was doing well, he had taken off, back to the mansion. In front of the mansion was a dragon drawn carriage. He hadn't heard of anything happening today, so he was curious as to what was happening. He descended down to the carriage where he saw an old man polishing the outside of it.

"Is something happening?"

The old man watched as Subaru landed and dismissed his wings.

"Apologies, but I don't know your standing in the mansion. I cannot say anything careless. Please understand."

"Oh, that makes sense. Even if I introduced myself, I'd still have no proof. Well, I'm Subaru. Nice to meet you."

"Likewise. I am Wilhelm."

The two shook hands. Subaru, curious about who he was, used inspect. 'Wilhelm Van Astrea, Sword Demon, recommended level 127.' Subaru's smile cramped at this information. It was his first time seeing someone over level 100. Maybe Reinhard was there, but at the time, he wasn't able to see his exact level. Wilhelm noticed Subaru's reaction.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, no. I have a divine protection that allows me to see how strong someone is in comparison to me and you're really strong."

"I'm just an old man. And you? What do you do here?"

"I'm acting as Emilia-sama's knight. I didn't hear about visitors today, so I was off training. It looks like whatever is going on is going to take awhile, do you want tea?"

"I'll pass. Though if you are her knight, then shouldn't you be guarding her?"

"I should, but Roswaal is pretty strong, and I don't practice flying unless he's around. I also have a way of keeping an eye on whatever's happening."

"I'm back, old man Will. Sorry to make you wait outside. I bet you were bored."

The person who had intruded on the two's conversation was quite literally a cat girl. Subaru felt his expectations rise. His opinion of this world just rose, just a little. She wore blue clothes and a cute face. However, he shouldn't show that.

"Not at all, this young man kept me company."

The girl took interest in Subaru. She examined him closely for a few seconds. Subaru did his best not to fluster. He used inform to try and figure out who she was. 'Felix Argyle, Blue, recommended level 43.' She wasn't nearly as strong as he partner, but still far greater than the average person.

"I see, you must be Emilia's knight. I'll let Emilia fill you in on everything. Let's go, old man Will. I'll see you in the capital."

The last part was directed at Subaru, but would he be returning to the capital so soon? If he was, then the reason they were here was for the royal election. The two set off in the carriage while Subaru was left to find Emilia and Roswaal and ask about what was going on.

"You'll be accoooommmpanying Emilia to the capital. I shall be there too as well. The royal election will finally be underwaaaaaay."

"Ok, so that means that I'll be knighted officially around that time?"

"Yes, althooouugh you'll be knighted after the ceremony, you will still be able to act as her knight."

It seemed as though everything would be starting for real. All his training was to be Emilia's knight, so it was going to pay off soon. Although they wouldn't leave for another week, Subaru was already prepared. They decided that the only ones going would be Emilia, Subaru, and Roswaal. Puck would be there as well of course. Rem and Ram along with Petra and Beatrice would stay behind. They didn't plan to be gone for more than a week or two, but the mansion certainly needed to stay in good shape. Besides, the maids could probably teach Petra more efficiently with no one to take care of. The group made their preparations to leave.

Natsuki Subaru, Lv. 26, Genius, Lifesaver, Hero of the Village

Job: Sage Candidate

Secondary Job: Swordsman Lv.7 (Apprentice Swordsman Lv. Max) (Apprentice Mage lv. Max) (Mage lv.5)

Stats: (80 Stat Points)

Attack: 30[+20](+32)

Defense: 30[+10](+32)

Magic Attack: 30

Magic Defence: 30

Speed: 65[+6][+10](+32)

Skills:

Mana Wings

Lugnica Common Language MAX(5)

Arithmetic 1, Writing 1, Magic Resist 1, Knife 1, Strategy 1, Last Strike 1, Last Spell 1, Last Defence 1, CQC 1, Boxing 1, Enhance Strength 1

Sense Danger 2, Fear Resist 2, Space Resist 2, Negotiate 2, Curse Resistance 2, Curse Removal 2

Footwork 3

Pain Resist 4, Inspect 4

Cleaning 5

Madness Resist 6

Lugnica Common Language 7

Flight 8

Hand to hand 10, Musicianship 10, Space Magic 10, Healing Magic 10, Ice Magic 10

Last stand 14

Swordsmanship 15, Sprinting 15

Unique: Return by Death

Short chapter, and yes, I'm going to call this arc 2. Even if it's technically arc 3, I'm going to call it arc 2. I'm really looking forward to some things in this arc. Main differences here being that Rem isn't there, and even if she was, she doesn't view Subaru as her hero… yet. I have some pretty cool ideas, so if you have something you think that could improve the story, then leave it as a review. Also, I'm thinking about having memory snow take place during the breaks between arcs 4 and 5. That is if I get that far. Events might start going off the rails and I have no idea what to do for arc 4, but that's half the fun in writing. I'll see you when Subaru and the others head back to the capital.