Author's Note: Glad to see people enjoyed chapter 2 of this story. There was someone in the review that mentioned pairings, for pairings I'd like to keep it canon related. Anyways, I just wanted to let you wonderful people know that I was hoping for a schedule of posting 1 chapter a week but it seems like school is catching up to me so updates on this story may take a bit longer. Thank you for understanding and the support. So Without further ado, enjoy reading chapter 3!
Chapter 3: The Mansion
Slowly opening his eyes, he couldn't help but smile while staring at the familiar ceiling.
"Home sweet home.." Subaru whispered.
Turning his gaze towards the window, there was light outside, signaling that it was morning. Feeling energized, he rises up from bed and removes the blanket that covered his body. Hopping off of said bed, he doesn't question why his clothes had changed as he opens the door and walks down the long hallway. He held each doorknob he walked by until it felt "warm" to him. He had to meet someone, someone he also holds dear besides Emilia and…
"There you are!" The teenager says nonchalantly as he opens the door with a sudden burst.
"What a profoundly aggravating man you are, I suppose."
In front of the doorway just a few meters sat a child wearing a familiar pink, white, and dark red frilly dress. Her hair was tied in a pigtail style, the drills being her unique feature. The boy didn't want to just speak her name like they were old friends, she would without a doubt think of him as a spy and kill him on the spot. Remembering how he would tease and get thrown out of the library, he took the approach,
"What's a little girl doing here by herself in a library?" The boy smirked
Infuriated that not only has a stranger came in the forbidden archives nonchalantly, he dares call her a little girl!?
"I am not a little girl, I suppose! Betty is far older than you human!"
"Oh? so you're a loli granny then?" Subaru goofily smiled.
"Betty has had enough of this" She said in a deadly tone.
"I take it your name's betty then?" Subaru questioned although knowing the answer from his previous life.
"No, that is just how I refer to myself. My name is Beatrice" The little girl known as Beatrice introduced herself, walking towards him.
"Hey Beatrice, My name is Subaru, Subaru Natsuki. I hope we get along" The teenager smiled, extending his hand in a friendly manner.
Surprised by the sudden act of kindness, she stares at the hand for a few seconds before accepting the gesture, extending hers to his, linking hand in hand. Feeling a familiar sense of his mana being drained, a wave of intense pain enveloped his entire body before he crumpled to the ground.
"Guuugh… you drained my mana didn't you, you drilled hair loli." He rasped
"For a human you're well informed, I suppose." She says, looking down on him
"I've confirmed that you are not an enemy to Betty or anyone in this mansion, I suppose."
She said with no emotion in her voice, turning around walking back to her stool.
Surprised that he still had some strength left in him, he slowly but weakly picked himself up. He wanted to be angry that she even thought of him as an enemy after the little conversation they had but he couldn't exactly blame her either. I mean, how would you feel if some stranger just came bursting in through your door and acted all friendly? You'd obviously want him out.
"Grk.. Haah… there could've been an easier way of confirming if I was an enemy or not you know.." Subaru said weakly.
"There was but Betty would much rather divulge herself in reading than having a meaningless conversation" She replied, sitting in her stool and not looking at him but the book she held.
"Now if you would please, shoo shoo." She continued, shooing him away with a wave of her hand, not taking her eyes off the book.
Surprised that she didn't shoot any magic at him, Subaru nods and says while smiling at her "I'll be back to talk to you again." before wobbling weakly out the door.
Upon hearing the door close, she takes her eyes off the strange black book and turns her gaze towards where the boy left just a few seconds ago.
"What a strange human I suppose…" She spoke to no one in particular.
Noticing he was back in his room, he smiled and thanked the loli spirit mentally. Whether it was just a coincidence or was meant, he thanked her anyways. Walking towards his bed, with the last of his strength he lands ungracefully in bed. It didn't take long for him to fall asleep, the mana drainage tired him, so much for waking up with energy….
…
Waking up once again in his room, he slowly sat up in bed stretching his arms as he yawned.
"Sister, sister, it seems that our guest is awake" a female voice said.
"Rem rem, it looks like our guest is done being a deadbeat loser" followed a familiar negative voice.
That comment wasn't necessary! Wait….
'Rem..?' Subaru thought in shock.
All the drowsiness he felt in his body seemingly disappeared as he turned to the root of the two voices. There stood the twins, hands and body linked to each other. It was pretty easy to tell one from the other from the color of their hair and eyes. Staring at the two in shock but specifically at the blue haired maid, he wanted no more than to just hop out of bed and embrace her as he sobbed and apologized. As much as every fiber in his very being screamed at him to do so, he didn't.
He didn't want the maids to think that he was crazy or it was an act of malicious intent. Holding his emotions back, he greeted the two,
"Uuuhh, hey there?"
Without missing a beat, the two replied in unison,
"Hello guest-sama"
Cringing from the strong honorific, Subaru replied,
"Please, none of this "sama" stuff, My name is Subaru Natsuki, but please just call me Subaru.
Looking at each other before looking at their gues- err Subaru.. Rather than introducing themselves, they introduce each other to him.
"This is my sister Ram, Subaru-sama" Rem introduced the girl known as Ram.
"This is my lovely sister Rem, Barusu" Ram introduced her sister.
"I see you waste no time in picking nicknames Ram… and Rem" Subaru sighs at Ram's nickname, turning his gaze at Rem.
"Please, just Subaru is fine Rem. Although I think I would prefer Subaru-kun." He tested the waters.
"Ummm… Subaru.. Kun..?" She says, tilting her head cutely.
It was enough to make his body and heart melt, even if it didn't have the same tone of affection, he was grateful for it. Opening through the door came Emilia, thinking that the two were teasing him, she smiled and softly said,
"Please don't tease him too much you two."
"Of course Ms. Emilia, Rem is sorry."
"Of course Ms. Emilia, My sister is sorry as well."
The two of them bowed as they apologized. Looking at Subaru, Emilia chuckles a bit and sighs,
"Geez, you wake up and the first thing you do is cause commotion.. I was reaaaally worried about you yesterday when you saved me, how are you feeling?" She asked with a bit of worry in her voice.
Instantly lighting up upon her appearance, he affectionately beams,
"Seeing your beautiful self already healed me, Emilia-tan!"
Brushing of the compliment, she confusingly repeats,
"Tan? What does that mean? You better not be trying to tease me again!" She huffs, pouting a bit. Oh god did it look adorable…
"Huh!? No I'm not trying to tease you! It's just a nickname." Subaru corrects her although snickering.
Looking in his eyes to see if he was lying, he stared back at her, his eyes unwavering. Deeming that he was telling the truth, she sighed,
"I'm heading outside for my morning routine, your welcome to join Subaru." She softly smiled
Almost enraptured by the half elf's beauty, he nods giving a thumbs up.
"Yeah, I'll join you in a bit but first." taking a look at himself, all he was wearing was a light blue robe.
"I'm going to go ahead and change, so…."
Subaru mentioned.
Understanding that he was asking for privacy, all 3 girls left his room. Getting dressed and checking in the mirror so he at least looks presentable, he thinks of his next course of action before leaving his room.
*Outside The Mansion*
Upon walking outside, he saw Emilia in the grass crossed legged speaking to what appeared like blue small orbs varying in sizes.
'Minor spirits…' Subaru thought.
Remembering that Puck was the one who explained to him what a minor spirit was, he starts to remember but was immediately interrupted when a familiar voice intrudes,
"Hey Subaru! I really can't thank you enough for protecting Lia, I'm in your debt!" Puck exclaimed.
No longer staring at Emilia, he faces the spirit.
"Hm? Oh hey Puck!" Subaru returned the greeting, he continues,
"You're in my debt huh? Alright then, how about you let me pe-" he stopped mid sentence
'Crap, I forgot that the wolgarm attack is in 4 days! If I want to protect them… I have to be stronger!' Making up his mind, he retracts what his previous sentence.
"Think you can teach me magic?" Subaru asked.
"Of course! Is this your first time using magic?" Puck asked.
Technically it wasn't… When he first used it, let's just say that it ended with him overusing his mana and exploded. Wanting to retake the lesson he says,
"No this is my first time, although I do know what my magic affinity is."
"Oh, do you mind if I ask what element you specialize in?" Puck replied with a hint of curiosity in his voice.
"It's yin magic" Subaru crowed, putting his hands in his hips in a delighted manner.
When he first found out that his powers were just "debuffs" in previous loops, he was bummed out. What was the point of weakening others when you were weak yourself? But during his previous loops when he thought about it, it was his magic that made him prevail or escape near death. Thankful for his magic, even if he had little to none, he decided to at least have it as a last resort or even a trump card.
"Yin magic, huh? That's a pretty rare element!" Puck praised, circling around the boy
Stopping on top of his head, The spirit lands in Subaru's hair.
"Ok, I'll act as a support to your gate. You do know what a gate is correct?" The cat spirit questioned.
Walking away from Emilia in case he does mess up, he looks up although not being able to see puck, it lets him know that he has his full attention.
"Yeah, a gate allows you to draw mana in and expel it out right?" Subaru answered.
"It seems that I don't need to explain it, I'm going to teach you a simple yin magic spell, shamac." Puck explained.
'Ah, the good ol reliable huh?' Subaru nostalgically thought.
Although every time he had used the spell, it was always in near death experiences. But it didn't change the fact that he'd be lying if he said that he wasn't proud of being able to unleash a cloud of black smoke.
"Do I need to demonstrate?" The spirit asked.
"Hm? Oh no it's fine, I've seen someone do it before" The teenager responded, smiling while giving a thumbs up.
"Ok then.. You can start whenever you're ready, just envision drawing in mana through your gate and expel it out slowly and make sure not to let any of it leak." Puck warned.
"Alright!" Subaru exclaimed.
Closing his eyes, he follows his sensei's instruction, inhaling air which is mana in the boy's mind, he slowly expels it out. Feeling like now is a good time after taking a couple more breaths, he takes one more deep breath and shouts,
"Shamac!"
A cloud of black smoke disperses out his body, into the air and spreads in the atmosphere around him. After a couple of seconds of the smoke clearing, the boy can be seen kneeling on the floor clutching his chest.
"Uuuggghhh…. What the hell happened?" Subaru asked the cat spirit that was still on top of him, covered in black powder.
Floating down to talk eye to eye, Puck appeared in front of his face.
"Well, although you were technically able to use the spell…the shamac you casted was unrefined and you let the mana within you to leak" Puck stated bluntly, shaking the black debri off his fur.
Hearing a rapid set of footsteps approach the two, Subaru looks up.
"Hey!? Are you alright!?" None other than Emilia asked worryingly.
"Yeah I'm fine, just a bit of a screw up is all. Sorry I interrupted your talk with the minor spirits." Subaru said, slowly picking himself up while dusting himself off.
"There's no need for you to worry about that, I was done just a few minutes ago, but" Emilia said despite being worried for him herself, she continues,
"You really need to be careful the next time you cast a spell, it can be really dangerous!" Emilia scolded the boy like an angry mother.
Reeling back in pain from the half elf's scolding he apologizes,
"I'm sor-" cutting his apology short, he recalls a memory.
[You don't get it Subaru… it's more satisfying to say "thank you" than a sorry]
Shaking his head, he smiled and softly voiced "Thank you for looking out for me, Emilia-tan."
Wide eyed upon hearing the affectionate honorific and quote that had always stuck with her throughout the years, her bangs cover her amethyst eyes as a blush appears on her face.
"Your welcome…" Emilia shyly uttered out.
Chucking at the sight of the embarrassed Emilia, he notices a faint color of pink and blue in his peripheral vision. Turning to the source, he sees the twin maids.
"Hey there Ram, Rem, whatcha doing out here?" Subaru asked.
Shifting their bodies to Subaru and Emilia, They both bow and say in unison,
"Master Roswaal has arrived.."
*Back inside the mansion*
Dinner was FANTASTIC for Subaru. It's practically been forever since he was able to divulge in Rem's homemade food and you can bet that he savored every spoonful of it. Having already talk about Emilia's place in the royale candidacy, Roswaal extends his arms and hands as if showing off,
"You may have a~ny reward you request! Merely state your desire!" The clown exclaimed.
Confident with his request, he slams the table with his palms as he gets up. He exclaims,
"Very well then! Hire me to work at this mansion!"
Silence ensued after the boy's declaration, only to be interrupted by Ram's sneeze just a few seconds later. Not much happened after that, although Emilia felt otherwise. Feeling like Subaru was asking far too little for saving her life, The teenager tells her that this is what he really wants. Reluctant in believing the boy's honest words, she puts her faith in him as all the residents of the mansion eat their dinner in comfortable silence.
*The next day*
Following the correct pattern when Subaru first came into the mansion after dying a couple times, he gets his body measured by the blue haired maid. Surprised that she stopped measuring, Subaru asked,
"Uuhhh, Rem? You alright there?"
Realizing she stopped, she continued.
"Apologies Subaru" She apologizes in a monotone voice.
Finishing taking the boy's measurements, she walks out the room, not before saying,
"I'll go ahead and sew your clothes, in the meantime go and help my sister."
'Shit..' Was his only thought
'She definitely got a good whiff on me.. She didn't do that when she first took my measurements, Dammit! I really hope I'm just imagining things…'
Walking out the door a somberly, He walks down the hall and makes his way towards the kitchen. Arriving at his destination, he puts on a fake smile before opening the door. Seeing as Ram is already peeling potatoes, he walks towards the kitchen counter; picks up a knife from the knife holder, picks up a potato from the casket and starts peeling it. Not wanting to work in awkward silence, he starts a conversation.
"Hey Ram, how's your day?"
"My day was going great until a hidriddance made its way in here." Ram responded harshly.
"Ouch, already starting to berate me huh?"
Subaru sighed, cutting his finger on accident.
"Youch!" The teenager recoiled, holding his bloody finger.
Hearing the pink haired maid snicker at his misfortune, Subaru whined,
"It wasn't funny!"
"The realization in your face was" She snickered again.
"I swear I'm going to get back at you for this!" Subaru whined again, making his way towards the sink holding his cut finger.
"It was your own stupidity that got you there." She stated almost matter of factly.
Turning the sink on, he cleans his bloody finger. Seeing as there was no more soap in the counter Ram notifies him,
"Barusu, there's more soap in the bo-"
Cutting her own sentence off, she notices him already reaching in the bottom cabinet for detergent, she eyes him suspiciously.
"How did you know where the detergent was Barusu?" Ram asked, her eyes unwavering.
"Oh! Um, call it butler's intuition!" The boy stuttered, finally finding an excuse.
"Butler's intuition?" The pink haired maid repeated, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes! I used to work in a mansion before I came into this land." Subaru lied, although not entirely.
"This land? Are you perhaps foreign here? Ram enquired.
"Yeah, I lived far off east." The teenager responded, putting a bandaid on his ring finger and returning to peel potatoes more carefully this time.
"Far off east? You do realize this is as far east as you can go, right?" Ram queried, grabbing another potato from the casket.
Already ready for the question, he answered,
"Yeah I know, but I live even far beyond that.."
"Far beyond? so do you live beyond the great waterfall?" She asked a bit confused that someone that far was right here in this very room.
Holy crap this girl and her questioning! Not wanting to waste a single second in risk of raising her suspicions he replied,
"I guess you can say that.."
After a few seconds, the sound of a door opening and closing was heard directly behind the two. Turning his attention towards the source of the sound, he finds Rem making her way towards the middle table, grabbing a spoon and mixing ingredients together in the pot. Not wanting to leave her out of the conversation, He tries to make her join in,
"Hey Rem! How've you been?" Subaru practically beamed
Staring at the teenager coldly, she simply responds with,
"I've been well I suppose."
"Oh really? Well I-"
Cutting his sentence short, she warns him,
"Please pay attention to where you're cutting."
Too late, cutting his index finger, he weakly yelped earning another snicker from the cruel pink haired maid. After that event, it returned to awkwards silence. Not being able to concentrate, Subaru feels as though someone was watching him. Quickly and swiftly maneuvering his head towards the source, he notices Rem's gaze shift as well. Sighing, he goes back to work and throughout the whole time he's been in the kitchen, She's been staring at him the whole time almost as if she was observing.
The worst part being was that he couldn't just ignore it, she was practically beaming at the back of his head in a not so affectionate manner. The boy would call her out on it.
"Hey Rem, you alright? You keep staring.."
"Please pay me no mind", that's always how she would respond with. No emotion in her voice yet it had a hint of coldness in it. What scared Subaru the most was that her sister Ram didn't call her out on it also. He recalled a loop where she did the exact same thing and said it was because of "Barusu's unsightly hair." Hell, she didn't even try hiding it when it was dinner.
She would be beside her master, just….. staring…. Even when he was in a room on his own just minding his own business or cleaning, he could feel the prying gaze. When he couldn't take it anymore he would quickly turn around and just as fast as the prying gaze came it was gone. He didn't feel safe… After everyone went to check in for the day, Subaru was in his room wide awake, his left leg bouncing up and down as he waited anxiously with bated breath.
Hearing the sounds of chains clanking together confirmed his suspicions, his life was in danger…
'Why…?' Was Subaru's only thought.
He wanted no more than to just cry and sob, why were things going this way? It's only been his second day and he's already being hunted!? The door's eerie creaking can be heard as it was slowly being opened, The sound of metal clanking and hitting each other was arriving closer until it suddenly stopped.
"You know why I'm here.." A familiar voice said with clear hostility.
Slowly looking up from the ground, he takes a look in Rem's eyes. Cold, void of emotion just like back then… only pure anger and malicious intent.
His voice trembled weakly,
"Please.. Can we.. go outside…..?"
Not responding to the boy's pleas, she does as instructed. Surprised he wasn't killed in the spot he shakily stands up. Not wanting to seem like he was trying to escape, he follows her with shaky knees..
*Outside the Mansion"
Subaru and the blue haired maid were a couple of feet apart from each other. Not being able to take it anymore Subaru choked out,
"Why Rem…?"
"Why?" She repeats, tilting her head smiling.
Confused as to why she smiled, his body ducks on it's own, a spike ball whizzing over him. Grabbing her chain, she swings it towards him, He dodges by jumping over it..
"Why Rem!?" His shout was sharp and tears welled up in his eyes, "I've only been here for two! days! I didn't do anything to deserve this!"
"Do not resist!" She warned, using the chain as a whip
"No! I don't want to die!" Subaru cries out, landing on the ground and side stepping away from the whip lash.
"Why won't you fight back witch cultist!?" Rem shouted, swinging her morning star towards the side of his face.
Transforming his right hand, he uses it to absorb the damage, causing him to groan in pain and skid just a bit to the right. Although his body and face was fine, the spikes from the morning star dug into his flesh. Retracting the spike ball with a yank on her chain, he screams in pain as it leaves a huge gash in his arm, painting the green grass in blood.
"Hnnn! Grk! I refuse to hurt you Rem! I care about you!" Subaru shouted back, transforming his left arm to absorb the oncoming attack.
"You dare mock me witch cultist!?" She roared, throwing the spike ball in his face.
"I'm not a damn witch cultist! You have to believe me!" He screamed, putting his arms in front of his face as a shield.
Skidding backwards from the impact, he narrowly dodges another chain whip.
"The scent on your body is enough proof of your sin.!" She growled, pink sparks coming out of her head as it now becomes solid.
Protruding out of her forehead was a horn, proof that she was an oni…..
"Haven't you've taken enough from us!? Why won't you all just disappear!?" Rem roared, Her feminine features marred by the angry look in her face.
"Re...m" Subaru whimpered.
Launching herself forward, she uses her morning star as a brass knuckle, putting all her strength into said morningstar aiming towards the boy's face.
Using his arms as a shield once more, he hears an audible Snap! The sound of his right hand snapping in two. Shrieking in pain, his body is sent flying backwards like a ragdoll, crashing and breaking two nearby trees in the process. Crashing into the last one, there was only silence… Dust and grass blades covered the atmosphere like smoke. Stomping onto the ground, the debri cleared out and there laid Subaru, in a sitting position, skewered by a long and sharp branch in his stomach.
His head hung low, eyes devoid of any life as his wolf arms slowly reverted back to human. The slow heaving in his chest signaling that he was still alive, she walks towards him, metal clanking together… The pain he felt was unbearable, but the lack of strength and energy wouldn't allow him to whimper or cry in pain. Hearing the oni's footsteps getting ever so close, he manages to spot something blurry in his peripheral vision running towards the two, silver? Making out who it was, a tear escapes out of his eye as Subaru weakly chokes out,
"I'm… so….. so...rr.y.."
"No! Rem stop!" The female voice pleaded.
Falling onto deaf ears and not responding to the pathetic "witch cultist's" apology, She raises her weapon over her head and slams her morningstar down with one swift movement. Subaru experiences the horrifying feeling of having his head being crushed…. Again….
Marking his first death.. from zero…
Author's Note: It ain't a re:zero if there's no death included. Did you guys think he was going to pass the mansion with ease or did you already see this coming? Post a review of your thoughts! Anyways, as always I hoped you enjoyed!