Darkness pulses around Lena as she gathers the surrounding mana for a spell. Taking in the shadows for one last second, her aura contracts as she sends the mana over to Subaru.

Focus

Subaru can feel the mana gather in his core. Concentrating on his gate, Subaru then divides the mana up appropriately.

Visualize

Feeling his body, Subaru imagines himself weightless, as if he was in a pool. Sensing the spell was ready, Subaru whispered the word.

"MURAK."

Done with casting the spell, Subaru is now essentially weightless.

Subaru hurries to jump on top of one of the large trees in the forest. Quickly grasping one of the branches, when using this spell, he must be careful not to apply too much force on his legs to avoid flying away with the wind.

Looking around the landscape, surveying the place, Subaru consults his little quasi-spirit hireling.

"There doesn't seem to be any sign of that Elf village, eh... Do you sense anything, Lena?"

"No." It was a faint whisper, rather, it was something like a low voice that only Subaru could hear inside his mind, not through vibrations in the air like the conversations he missed so much. Lena is only a quasi-spirit, so she was a rather immature being with less conversational ability than that of an average human. At best, she can answer simple questions, however, she could convey her feelings and intentions through her contract. Because of this, there were no communication problems for the team.

"I really wouldn't like to sleep out in the open again, it's been almost a week since we have had any shelter," Subaru said to himself. Most likely they had already passed the border, since the forest was what demarcated the border between Gusteko and Lugunica.

It was a perfect way to go illegally, but Subaru had not taken into account that it was also a very convenient route for bandits and slavers. Although he was reckless at first, he learned to properly examine the area before making any moves.

"Lena, you can go back to the stone to rest. Just make sure the Murak effect isn't cut off, so I can still jump from tree to tree," he said while holding his necklace in his hand.

Once the order was given, Subaru followed his path carefully. Using this method was the safest and most optimal way he found to move. Not only was it very convenient since the forest was inhabited by Mabeasts that seemed obsessed with him, but it was also ideal for avoiding conflict with other groups of Bandits. Last but not least, it allowed him to better examine the surroundings since he was short of resources. It was necessary to find the Elf village to resupply.

Subaru made excessive use of the powers of his spirits. After all, he could only mobilize during the day if he wanted to keep his strength for the worst. Of course, he would not have any strength either if he focused solely on continuing on his path without rest. However, certain problems troubled him when it was time to rest.

"Only enough left for another day, huh."

Letting out a sigh, Subaru had checked his supplies. He had sold all the various cult gadgets in Eternya City before heading to the forest, so he was traveling much lighter than usual.

"I thought as long as I wanted since I could use Huma to get Water… I'm an idiot." Having the ability to conjure water using Atmospheric Mana through minor spirit magic, Subaru thought that with provisions enough for a few days he would be fine. He was repeatedly advised to use an earth dragon, but he was too stubborn. Since Subaru had no idea how to ride them and knew about the presence of Mabests, he thought they would just slow him down... no, that wasn't the whole reason. It was just an excuse with which he convinced himself. The truth was that he didn't want to spend time learning how to use them, and he wanted to save as much as possible.

"Haa. I guess that's it for today."

Leaning back on the cold floor of a small cave, Subaru looked at the various jewels that adorned it. He began losing himself to fatigue. After all, his three spirits would wake him up if anything went wrong, and the forest had plenty of ambient mana that they could always access in the worst-case scenario.

Illuminated by a weak improvised fire and the precious stones like the one on his neck, Subaru closed his eyes while he reflected on what had happened a week ago. Although he tried not to think about it, it was always there. Deep inside. Bothering him. He didn't think when he attacked. In fact, you could say it was the heat of the moment or his survival instinct that made him do it. He didn't know those people, and they certainly went to him intending to kill him, so why wouldn't they let him sleep in peace? There were many more important things to worry about. The floor was uncomfortable, the temperature was barely bearable, and the place was dangerous. There were so many things that could interrupt his sleep, but they were nothing compared to that feeling of guilt that gnawed at his weak being.

"I'm so pathetic. Stop getting caught up in what's happened already!" he yelled to himself. Subaru thought about how his father would have definitely said that to him.

No, surely his father would not even speak to him. His parents would be disappointed by what their son had done. His son was nothing more than a murderer. He had murdered, without mercy, without empathy, without true reasons, and without justice.

He was no different from the people of the city, scum. Had he not ignored the people who were dying there in the same way? Why didn't he do anything to save them? Didn't he simply look away and leave as if he had seen nothing? He was a coward who was afraid to end up like them; with those broken expressions, eyes that cried out for everything to end, and completely without the will to live. Alone and without anyone caring, he didn't want to see it. He wanted to look away and pretend that nothing was happening.

It wasn't only Halder's warnings that led him to ignore them. Subaru didn't know what to do when he saw those expressions, and he was afraid that they had the eyes of a person who was only waiting for death. Those bandits were probably doing what they were doing to survive to not end up like the rest of them. Maybe if he tried, he could have found a peaceful solution? There could have always been another option! It was likely that there was another solution with no violence. So cowardly. Putting himself before others, he can because he had the power to trample on them and selfishly claim their lives.

"What have I done?" he thought. "What would Kenichi Natsuki have done?" Most likely he would have solved everything for him with a joke as if it was the most trivial thing in the world. No, not just his dad, anyone in his same circumstance probably would have done better, making better decisions. Smarter, braver people who could proudly live their lives for who they were. But the world was cruel, and it had to be him of all people.

"Damn, I'm the worst…" he whispers to himself.

"Damn it all!" he said as he covered his face, using his backpack as a pillow.

As he tirelessly cursed himself and his surroundings, fantasized about absurd possibilities, and questioned all his decisions, the cold and merciless night continued in the eternal frozen forest. After a few moments, Subaru finally fell asleep.

"So this must be the Black Snake's venom, huh."

Stopping to survey the area up a tree thanks to Murak's effects, Subaru was able to observe a huge part of the landscape, and it was, well, dead.

"According to what I read, the places where the black snake passes through are uninhabitable. Its venom lasts until the infinity of time." Putting his hand on his chin. Subaru recalled everything he could about that snake. There was a lot of information in the library, where he learned to read and do magic. The three great Mabeasts… they were created by one of the seven witches. He did not know if they were failed experiments in a quest to create life out of nothing, or if it was some kind of war weapon. Nevertheless, in a few words, they were natural disasters with legs. The Mabeasts have produced an innumerable amount of tragedies. Even now, it was likely that they would continue to do so. After all, to this day, none of them have been stopped…

"Despite that, people seem to have forgotten the other witches besides Satella." While it was true that Subaru knew that Satella was not the cause of the great Mabeasts, it was not that she was an innocent person either. Besides, Subaru had already investigated said witch, since everything pointed to her being the one who transported him to this world. "You are a being incredibly loved by Lady Satella," said Halder on one occasion. But that was not the only reason for his suspicions. It was, however, something that even Subaru himself did not know for sure.

"Still it's puzzling how they blame various things on Satella isn't it? 'If you don't know who did it, blame the witch.' It's stupid." Subaru did not say that, however, since he was blaming her for summoning him to this world.

"I guess I feel like it's her instinct or something… hmm? Here they come." Realizing that his lesser spirits were returning, Subaru climbed down from the tree, slowly lessening Murak's effects to soften the fall.

"…"

Subaru was surrounded by a fountain of lights in the middle of the forest while he was currently talking to the lesser spirits. It was a more complicated process than talking to Lena.

"I see, so there's a village surrounding this area. Eh... I wonder how they could exist in this climate." While he was aware that the forest was cursed with the same climate as Gusteko, Subaru had hoped that the Elf village would be in a more habitable location.

"I doubt they can grow crops, the lake is frozen, so fishing is not an option, and from what I read they were driven out of the cities, so I doubt they can trade for food with the outside. Still, anything is better than the last option, eating Mabestias." As Subaru walked, he began to analyze the situation. Everything pointed to him getting nothing out of this. After all, his goal with the village was to replenish their already nil food supply, but what if the elves barely had enough to survive themselves?

"Wait… I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THEY USE THE NATIONAL CURRENCIES!" Before he had left the cult, Subaru had taken some of their Gusteko's currency and a small fortune in Lugunica's. Oh, and now that he thought more about the elves' situation, maybe not only did they not have enough food to sell him, and he didn't have anything to pay them in return, but they might even hate him for being human.

"Well, I can always sell them this," said Subaru as he took out a gemstone from his backpack. "The one I used for Lena was quite expensive in the city, after all." It was the mana stones that he found forming inside the cave. They had many utilities, one of them was to serve as a "home" for a spirit. Since he had enough space in his backpack, and they weighed almost nothing thanks to Murak's effects, Subaru had collected a few in case he needed them. "The first rule of RPGs! Get as much as you can!"

"Are those ice sculptures?" Looking at a well-made ice statue, Subaru was certainly impressed, he hadn't seen anything like it in all the time he spent in Gusteko.

"I'd like to meet the sculptor. Maybe he would like to do one of mine too, don't you think so, Lena?"

"… Subaru…on guard…" was the spirit's response, and it was all Subaru required.

He quickly adopted a fighting stance, summoning his spirits, who quickly responded to his call.

"—Σσσσσ" looking in the direction of that strange growl, a black beast burst into his view. It had a huge Lion head, horse torso, a pair of wings, and snake tail.

"This is bad," thought Subaru as he slowly created distance between him and the thing. It wasn't like the other Mabeasts. This one was certainly bigger than the average Urugarums, and while it was an easier target given its large size, he was also aware that it was by far stronger.

"Menya." The first to attack was the one who had the advantage, Subaru applied this by casting one of his strongest offensive spells.

Despite its size, the Guiltily nimbly dodged Subaru's attack, surprising him.

"Menya." Launching another dozen stakes, Subaru was astonished by how the beast easily evades the projectiles from above. Approaching its prey at an alarming speed, the beast proceeds to attack Subaru with one of its claws.

"You're fucking with me! H-Huma!" The Mabeasts attack was interrupted by Subaru's ice shield. Despite this, it was only a low-level spell and was not able to completely stop the beast's attack. Breaking upon impact, the Mabeast's attack ended up hurting both the beast and Subaru.

"Ugh." Bleeding heavily, Subaru's shoulder had a good portion of its flesh torn by the beast's merciless claws.

"Σσσσσσσσσσσσσσ." Without wasting time, the Mabeast quickly rammed into Subaru.

"SHAMAC!" By reflex, Subaru conjured a black dark cloud causing the beast to lose track of its senses where it continued to charge blindly until it hit a tree, shattering it.

"Ha… ha… It hurts. Damn it…" Catching his breath, Subaru's vision blurred as he began feeling his body again. But Subaru couldn't let this opportunity pass him by. Gritting his teeth and swallowing the pain with every ounce of his will, Subaru aimed his open hand at the beast and focused his entire being on maintaining the visualization of his best spell.

"El MENYA!" Taking advantage of the fact that the beast is still stunned by SHAMAC, he conjures his trump card.

Lena absorbed and directed the Mana of the Atmosphere, while Subaru was in charge of visualizing and executing the spell. This coordination was the fruit of half a year of practicing together. With this, it was now possible for them to cast higher El-level spells.

Nearly thirty Menya stakes appeared around Subaru pointing in the direction of the Mabeast, This was a spell that was almost three times stronger than anything else Subaru had in his arsenal. The stakes quickly bludgeoned the beast as Subaru clenched his fist. The creature let out a shriek of pain as it crystallized, becoming a beautiful work of art like the ice sculptures of the place before fragmenting.

"Ah… ah…" looking at the devastation he caused, Subaru started to gasp in pain. He had made several craters and knocked down some trees thanks to his last attack, and although the spell was correctly visualized, the truth is that it was a one-directional attack since he couldn't focus because of the pain. At most, he was able to attack in an arc.

"Eh… No, not now…" falling to his knees in the cold snow, Subaru's body refused to move. His mind started to oscillate between consciousness and unconsciousness, and while his water spirit was trying its best to save him, it was too much for a lesser spirit without the help of its contractor, so Subaru knew it was a futile effort.

—The darkness swirled around him as his mind drifted into the darkness.

"I love you…" was a whisper of love.

"I have always, always loved you, only you, for a long time" it was a confession of love, like no other.

"But… we still can't meet" her voice was familiar to him, but he didn't want to hear sadness from her voice. He wanted to give her happiness. She deserved happiness.

I love you, I love you. I LOVE YOU TOO! Subaru wanted to scream, but there was no way.

"…"

"…"

"…"

The strange voice whispering love had suddenly gone silent, I wanted to hear her tender voice, I wanted to hear those beautiful words, I wanted to reciprocate all that love and…

"LOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOULOVEYOU─ love you"

It was the same wonderful words he would have wanted to hear, but he didn't want to hear them. It was the same beautiful voice that enchanted his whole being, but he was repulsed by it. Furthermore, it was the same person he wanted to give everything to, but he hated it.

Contradiction, confusion, meaninglessness, ridiculousness, frustration, humiliation, anger, hatred, exasperation, sadness. A series of emotions consumed him as he emerged from this darkness where he did not belong. He had so many feelings being in this place, feelings that would go nowhere.

—Feelings and Memories that would remain forgotten until they returned.

Subaru woke up and quickly questioned his sanity. He felt as if he was dreaming. As if he was floating in a sea of happiness. He remembered the times he spent with his mother when she made him sleep while caressing his head while giving him unconditional love while listening to the sound of a poor bird being hanged… Huh? Slowly he opened his eyelids to find a beauty looking at him tenderly as she smiled at him. What—smiling? A beauty? AT HIM? He didn't understand!

However, there was more to add to his confusion. He realized he was humming—that horrifying sound—but really, who was he to complain. He felt it was painfully familiar, but it was also sweetly disturbing. Her nimble fingers ran through his hair as he melted into her soft touch, but why was he!?

He blinked a couple of times, waking up correctly this time. "Huh!" he suddenly realized where exactly he was and let out a brief sound. It was the lap of the silver-haired beauty. His head rested on her bare thighs, he could feel her skin as she was stroking his head and humming a disturbing lullaby to him.

Beautiful silver hair, porcelain white skin, eyes like amethyst-colored jewels… This whole situation screamed, "SOMETHING IS WRONG."

Then it all came back quickly, an immense itch took over him, and he felt a burning in his right shoulder. Subaru quickly sat up, causing the burning feeling to turn into a burst of pain strong enough to make his consciousness swim. His vision failed, and his eyes betrayed him by forming small amounts of water, almost to the point of tears. Could he be so pathetic as to start crying as soon as he met a pretty girl?

"E-Eh, you don't get up so fast!" The silver-haired beauty said, quickly restrained Subaru as she began pouring healing magic to ease the pain.

Subaru put up no resistance when she pulled him by his healthy arm. Laying his head on her lap; Subaru was dead ashamed, but he didn't have the strength to say anything, and because of that he could only simply cover himself under the blankets.

His shoulder and arm hurt almost nothing compared to a few moments ago. The girl looked so beautiful when she was fussing over him.

"God, I know this is weird, but don't do that again! Your wound might open up!" The silver-haired beauty said that while putting on an expression as if scolding him. Meanwhile, Subaru could only think about how pretty she looked.

With his head somewhat lost in his confusion, the sane part of him wanted to simply disappear, to be swallowed up by the earth… but he continued to stare at her until she went on to speak again.

"I found you lying a few minutes away from here. I had heard the Guiltilaw and assumed you had been attacked as an intruder. You were badly injured, so I brought you to my house, and you should also thank that little girl who kept the wound from getting infected." She said the last part with a grin as Subaru stroked his water spirit. He should certainly thank them all for being such hard workers.

"I see… Thank you for saving me indeed, but why was I in your lap? Rather, why am I in this situation?" While Subaru understood that she healed him if his spirit already applied the healing magic… Subaru took a deep breath, swallowed his shame, and tried to keep. He didn't understand how he got into this situation.

"Hmnn… you see, when I brought you here you were reeaaally asleep, so I put you to bed and started treating your wounds," Emilia explained. She stopped and started to think about how to continue. Subaru just couldn't let it go, it's not the kind of thing one can ignore. "When I finished treating your wounds, you started to toss and turn, shaking a lot. I was afraid your wounds would reopen, so I put you on my lap and started humming, and it worked." Emilia said as she fiddled with her fingers, waiting for Subaru's reaction. Subaru was waiting for her to continue her explanation, however.

"…." Subaru continued to stare at the girl, who seemed uncomfortable by his incessant gaze.

"Miss, can you please tell me your name?" Since they were at an impasse, Subaru decided to break the ice, that being said, the beauty started to perk up quickly was she happy to be asked her name?

"Ah… I… my name is Emilia, just Emilia, it's a pleasure to meet you!" Excitement crept into her voice as she introduced herself. It was a little awkward, it was surely the first time she had ever given her name to a stranger, but it was also kind of cute. Her name was cute too, and seeing her all perky like that made Subaru's heart race, even if it was just a little.

"I'm Natsuki Subaru, as lost and disoriented as you can imagine." Subaru introduced himself as he began to think about how to continue the conversation.

What is wrong with this woman. Do I have to ask her? Damn it… What kind of cruel game of shame is this?

"E- Emilia." Since she seemed to ignore that issue, Subaru gathered all his strength to gently and directly ask the girl… "What happened to my clothes!?"

"Ah that, don't worry. I put it in the wash, you know. Since you were reaaally dirty I thought it was natural to do so, and, oh, I also gave you a quick but thorough bath" Emilia answered as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Subaru gently looked under the sheets to confirm her answer. Looking up from his sheets, he collapsed on the spot and covered his face with his palms. "I can't get married anymore."

"What are you talking about?" asked Emilia, cocking her head.

"If the genders were reversed, this sentence would make more sense… Emilia, could you please pass me my clothes," Subaru said while trying to gently get out of her lap, so he could get up. Since she probably didn't understand what he was saying, Subaru decided to take what he said to his grave.

"Absolutely not sir! You barely survived, you will stay here and rest until you recover." Settling him back on her lap, Emilia scolded the embarrassed Subaru. With a sigh and a grunt, Subaru knew he had no choice but to reluctantly obey. He couldn't get up on his own, and if he tried, he had nothing to cover himself with anyway! Without strength to continue, with his mind worn out, humiliated, and ashamed, Subaru slept smoothly for the first time in a long time.

—And so it was fate that led him to the most troubled and important woman in his life.