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The Stray Girl and the Incompetent Mage

Chapter 22: The Water Spirit

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Ragdorian Lake wasn't a great distance from the Academy of Magic. Being near the borders of Gallia in the southwest part of Tristain, the place was a famous touristic spot for both nobles and commoners, and it wasn't uncommon for nobles to have villas on the surrounding area. Despite its proximity, it still took the group nearly six hours without pause on horseback to reach their destination.

When they arrived, the sun was still high in the sky, its rays reflecting beautifully on the lake's surface like a giant mirror, sending sparks everywhere they looked. Guiche spurred on his horse; becoming enthusiastic the closer they got; so he could see the lake before the others, gasping at the beautiful sight just like a child would.

"Hey, look Sachiko! Isn't this place gorgeous? The water spirit is said to live in here!" he says, turning his head around to look at the girl softly leaning her cheek on his back, her features showing great contentment. Upon hearing her love calling to her though, she slowly looks up, blinking, and sets her eyes on the lake.

Smiling at the sight, she quickly goes back to her position, a grin on her face. "Indeed, though I still think there's a more impressive sight in here than this lake" she says as if in a daze, hugging him tighter. By then, Montmorency and Louis had managed to catch up, just in time to hear the girl uttering such words.

With a frown, and not even a second of consideration, Montmorency gives their horse a strong smack on the rear, sending the animal reeling towards the lake. The horse stops abruptly when it reaches the shore, and Guiche and Sachiko fly directly into the water, making a huge splash.

"Remind me why we brought those two along" she says with irritation. Louis looks at her, his stare bland but the snarl on his voice audible enough.

"Would you have preferred to leave them alone in the academy then?"

"Good point…"

On the meantime, Sachiko manages to get out of the lake, her clothes and hair dripping wet, while dragging an almost unconscious Guiche behind. She glares at Montmorency, not releasing the boy's scruff until they are far enough from the shore.

"What is your problem?! He doesn't know how to swim! He could have drowned, you mad woman!" she shouts, kneeling beside Guiche and looking at him with worry. "Poor boy… the way this woman treats you is just another proof of how unworthy she is of you…"

"You want to fight?!" Montmorency declares, gritting her teeth, but Sachiko ignores her, instead hovering over Guiche, her eyes attentive to any telling sign that something's not right.

"He's not breathing… and he's getting pale… oh, my poor love, he needs rescue breathing!" and without paying attention to anything else, she inclines her head in order to align her lips with his. Just then, Guiche wakes up, not wasting a second to sit up and back away from her.

"I-I'm fine! Thank you!" he says, raising both hands in front of him.

"Are you sure? You look quite pale…" Sachiko crawls towards him, showing an expression of concern, but deep down, one could see her wicked intentions swimming in her eyes. Louis gives an exasperated sigh and grabs her by the scruff.

"Enough, we need to focus on our mission. Montmorency, can you talk with the water spirit now?" he asks, turning to her while still holding a resisting Sachiko. Montmorency nods, and guides them towards another part of the lake, farther away from the road. Once there, they tie their horses to the trees and the freckled girl looks around, her brow furrowing as if in thought. "What's the matter?" Louis asks, curious about her expression.

She shakes her head. "Nothing, just… it seems like the water level has risen. Ragdorian's shore should be further down" she points to a point in the water, where the roof of a house can be spotted. Guiche and Louis follow her finger with the eyes, and simultaneously raise their eyebrows.

"Strange, how could this happen?"

"Excuse me."

The four kids turn around to see a man nervously holding a hat between his hands. By his attire and meek disposition, he looks to be a farmer.

"Yes sir?" Louis asks, acting like the leader of the group.

"Could you be nobles, by chance?"

"Yes, we are, is something the matter?"

"Oh, thank goodness" he lets out a sigh of relief, before raising his head a little more. "I just wanted to ask if you have come here to solve the issue with the water spirit. We have been asking for help from the authorities for a long while, and were starting to believe we would not be answered at all."

"You mean the raise in the water level is because of the water spirit?" Montmorency asks, dumbfounded, and the farmer nods, confirming her suspicions.

"Since you have such a surprised face I assume you are not sent by the palace to deal with the situation, right?"

"Indeed, we came here for another reason… but to think the water spirit would do this… why?"

"That's what we'll like to know as well. Two years ago, the water level started rising inexplicably. At first, we didn't pay it too much attention since it wasn't anything we couldn't deal with, but as time passed, the water showed no signs of stopping, and little by little we had to leave our houses behind, as well as our crops. It's a big issue right now, since we're almost driven entirely from our village, and it's starting to affect the higher levels as well. We don't know why the water spirit is doing this, but we hoped if a noble could just speak with it and tell us if we offend it somehow, we could do something about it."

"I see. That makes sense, asking for a noble to intervene with the spirit for you" Montmorency nods, her arms crossed and the frown still present.

"We sent our request for help almost a month ago, but we still got no response. If possible, since you are already here, would it be too much to ask if you could talk with the water spirit for us?"

Hearing the sudden plea, the three nobles look at each other with troubled faces. They certainly feel bad for the farmer and the rest of the village, but there isn't much they can do for him. They are only there to ask for some tears from the spirit, asking for more could be… dangerous.

Just when Montmorency is opening her mouth to respond to the man, Sachiko suddenly walks up to him, and with a stupid grin on her face, takes hold of the farmer's hands.

"Of course we can! Don't worry about it and let us do our work!" she says happily, winking. The man's face rapidly lights up, and bowing, he gives them his fumbling thanks, just before disappearing once again. Sachiko gives a contented sigh. "Isn't it nice to help other people?" she asks, turning to her companions.

Louis smacks her on the head.

"You idiot! Don't make promises we can't possibly keep! You know we're here for the tears!" he shouts at her, continuously hitting her just to make his point. Sachiko winces, trying to dodge his attacks, but she isn't being as fast as usual.

"B-but! Didn't you hear what he said? We cannot leave them like that! And while we're here; why not?" she says, covering her head.

"Because there's no guarantee we'll even be able to get the tears from the spirit, less of all ask about the rising water" Montmorency says with a hard expression. Then she sighs. "I guess I should call it now" she walks towards the shore.

"Then don't ask for them, let's talk about the rising water instead; why do we need those tears anyway?"

"To cure you; stupid" Louis spats angrily.

"Cure what? If this is about that 'love potion'; I've already told you I'm not-!"

"Whatever, Montmorency, could you please…?"

Montmorency ignores their fight and instead takes out something from the little pouch at her side. They hear a soft croak and Louis instantly backs away. She's holding a little frog, yellow with black motes.

"Is that thing venomous?" Sachiko asks, stepping forward and inconspicuously getting closer to Guiche. Montmorency scoffs.

"Of course not! This is Robin, my familiar."

"Disgusting" Louis, who has an aversion to amphibians, makes a face while getting farther away from her. Montmorency glares at him.

"It's not! Ugh, and you're one to talk, at least my familiar isn't a human!" she lifts her chin haughtily, while Louis narrows his eyes. In the meantime, Sachiko takes hold of Guiche, clinging to his arm happily while the boy gasps. The other two ignore them, but Louis' glare makes it clear to Montmorency that she has to call the spirit quickly. She holds Robin high up until their eyes are level. "Listen here, Robin, I need to talk with the water spirit about our alliance, could you call it?" she takes out a needle from the same pouch she had taken her familiar from, and pinches her finger with it. She lets a single drop of blood fall on Robin's body. "It'll recognize you with this" and with that, her familiar's off.

"So, how are we going to convince the spirit to gives us a few tears?" Guiche asks, tilting his head to the side in thought. Louis snorts.

"Let's use you as a sacrifice; maybe your blood will make a good exchange."

"Hey!"

"Thinking better about it, it might actually get us in trouble if we offer something with so little value."

"Don't talk to Guiche like that! The only one who has no value here it's you!" Sachiko retorts, insulted for Guiche's sake. Louis opens his mouth, most probably to retort with a colorful choice of words, when Montmorency raises a hand, stopping their useless banter, her eyes fixed on the lake.

Thirty meters from them, the water starts to raise, bubbles merging and exploding. They all keep silent, staring at the lake with anxious faces. Then, the water spirit appears.

Its body shines, the seven colors of the rainbow reflecting beautifully from it. It doesn't have a defined shape, just floating above the water of the lake. Even though it's an amazing sight to behold, it makes them uncomfortable.

Robin hops back to its owner, and Montmorency lightly pats its head with her finger. "Thank you" she says, before stepping forward. "Water Spirit" she begins in a loud voice; "I am a Montmorency Margarita La Fère de Montmorency; user of water, member of the lineage of old oath. I have put my blood on the frog to help you remember. If you remember, answer in a way and with words that we understand" she pleads.

"I still don't understand how her first name can be the same as her last, and no one even bats an eye at it" Sachiko murmurs, but no one pays attention to her.

The spirit starts changing form, its shape beginning to resemble a naked, glowing Montmorency. For a moment it smiles, but its face keeps shifting between expressions. Sadness, anger, desperation; the spectacle it's beautiful, like an ever changing jewel. Finally, the spirit settles in an expressionless face.

"I remember, human. I remember the liquid that flows in your body. The moon has changed fifty-two times since our last meeting" its voice is ethereal, surreal, the words sounding to their ears like flowing liquid. It isn't male or female, it simply… is.

"I'm glad" Montmorency sighs, giving a soft smile. "Water Spirit, I need to ask you something. Although it might seem somewhat insensitive, could you give me a piece of your body?"

Sachiko looks mildly surprised, since she can't understand what the tears they spoke of so much have to do with the water spirit's body, but easily shrugs it off, content to keep rubbing her cheek on Guiche's arm. The water spirit begins changing expressions again, one after the other rattling the three nobles' nerves, until it finally smiles, and they are able to relax, thinking they wouldn't go empty-handed…

"I refuse, human" it says, still smiling. Louis' face falls. Guiche swallows, nervous; and Montmorency gasps.

"I-I understand. Sorry to bother you" she says, bowing her head slightly. Louis chokes.

"No!" he shouts, before going in front of Montmorency. The girl opens her mouth, terrified, and grabs one of his arms.

"Don't, you're going to get the spirit angry!" she exclaims in a hushed whisper. Louis takes his arm away from her grasp, and looks directly at the spirit, ignoring the frantic Montmorency even though he knows she's right. He swallows thickly, before bowing his head.

"Great Water Spirit" he says solemnly. "There's someone… really important to me who's in trouble, and we're desperately in need of one of your tears…" he looks back. Guiche and Montmorency are watching with shocked expressions, but Sachiko isn't interested in the slightest in what he's doing. She's still clinging to Guiche, her eyes closed and a peaceful smile gracing her lips. Suddenly, he feels bad for what's happening. It's Montmorency's fault, of course, but if he hadn't chased her… if he had actually minded his own business for once, instead of obsessively looking for her out of jealousy…

She's right, what she does isn't his business; he doesn't need to be so on edge for every little thing she does or every time she talks with her b-b-boy… that server. It isn't fair for her. True, seeing her in that kind of situation was a low blow for him, but still…

He bits his lip, looking down, before kneeling on one knee, his head low. Well, if I'm already begging, may as well go all the way… "Please, we… I'll do anything you ask of me, if you would just give us a tear…"

Montmorency's stunned; for Louis who is known as a really arrogant and prideful person to do something like this… she looks between him and Sachiko, curious, her mind running through a thousand possibilities. Guiche, on the other hand, looks moved; and nods as if in accordance to Louis, while Sachiko seems just mildly interested in the boy's behavior, one eyebrow raised in amusement.

The Water spirit shivers slightly, and gives Louis a steely glare. After what feels like an eternity, it speaks. "I can see what you are, demon. So you're about this earth once again…" its tone is cryptic, and the three nobles look at each other, confused. "You said you would do anything I ask of you, is that the truth?"

"Y-yes" Louis responds immediately, raising his eyes, a bit of hope shining in his irises.

"Very well, repel those who attack me, your comrades."

"Attack you?"

"Yes. Every night, they come and attack me, taking off pieces of my body. I have raised the water level as far as I could. I no longer have the energy to fight them. If you can fight them off, I will bestow unto you my tear" it almost looks as if it's narrowing its eyes. "I'm not sure if I can trust a demon like you, but I'll give my hopes to those who accompany you" it looks at the other three, its eyes falling especially on Sachiko. "An old soul cannot betray a spirit, after all."

"So, how are we going to go about it?" Guiche asks.

They are hiding behind some bushes near the shore of the lake, the sky dark since night had fallen a long time ago. Waiting for the spirit's attackers was monotonous and boring, so Guiche had attempted to open a bottle of wine to pass the time, before he was rapidly put down by a very angry and impatient Louis. "We need to be focused for this!" he had exclaimed, throwing the bottle far away into the forest, hearing a loud crash just afterwards. He shrugs at Guiche's question.

"We'll need to act together if we want to overwhelm them. If we attack them while they're occupied with the water spirit, it should be easier to land some hits. Luckily we can knock them out before anything happens, but in case we don't, then immobilizing them is the priority" he closes his eyes and sighs through his nose, leaning his head against the tree behind him. "Though to be completely honest, I'm impressed. How in the world can they attack the spirit without it being able to defend itself? Even if it's using most of its powers to raise the water, just touching a bit of it would be enough for the spirit to capture and drown them."

"Maybe that's the thing" Montmorency, who's sitting on a stump and looking very disturbed at being at a forest at night, finally changes her expression as she thinks aloud. "Maybe they don't touch the water, knowing perfectly well once they do they would be entering the spirit's territory…"

"You mean they're attacking from the surface?"

"That; or they can make an air bubble big enough to reach the spirit all the way down the lake. In any case, we need to be careful. That kind of ability it's nothing to laugh about."

"Anyway, as I was asking, what are we going to do?" Guiche interrupts them. Sachiko is just by his side, resting her head on his shoulder, apparently sleeping. Louis scoffs, rolling his eyes.

"I don't know what your plan will be, but I'm saying it from now, I won't join you. I hate fights" Montmorency declares. Louis glares at her.

"Don't act conceited. This is your fault to begin with. Take responsibility."

"I am taking responsibility! Why do you think I'm here, all the way in the woods at night with two boys and a love-struck girl instead of my bed back in the academy? And even if I join, I have zero experience utilizing my magic to fight. I won't be of any help."

"Great, that means I'm alone in this?" Guiche sighs, disheartened. Louis' right eye twitches.

"What do you mean 'alone'? I'm here as well!" he says indignantly. Guiche scoffs.

"Come on Louis, what could you possibly do? Blow them away?"

"I pretty much could! Besides, between you and me, I'm the only one with real battle experience!"

"Untrue, I also fought back then, in La Rochelle."

"That was all Zerbst's and Tabitha's doing, don't lie."

"…Admit it; our only hope in this kind of situation would be Sachiko, but she's indisposed at the moment…" Guiche laments, ignoring Louis' words and pouting while unconsciously caressing her hair. She gives a faint giggle, leaning all the more into his contact. Louis growls.

"Why don't you ask her to help us; then? I'm pretty sure she would do anything you say" he spats bitterly. Ignoring his tone, Guiche lights up, and proceeds to wake Sachiko up.

An hour or so later, the three are ready. The plan is rather easy: Guiche would use his magic to entrap the attackers' feet, while Sachiko would attack them from behind, trying to knock them unconscious. Louis would use his explosions in case she needed help, to trap and confuse them.

Near midnight, a pair of shadows appear at the shore. They're using robes, so they can't tell if they are men or women. They raise their wands, and in that moment, Louis gives Guiche the signal.

He waves his rose, deforming the earth beneath them so they're trapped, and while they're trying to regain their balance, Sachiko immediately jumps up and runs towards them, holding her sword tightly. However, before she can hit them, one of the mages chants a fireball that consumes the earth at their feet and they manage to dodge her attack, leaving Sachiko unstable.

An air hammer follows, shooting her across the shore until her body crashes against the bark of a tree. Sachiko groans in pain, but doesn't have time to recompose herself as the other one throws a fireball her way. She gets up and parries the attack with her sword.

"Partner, the other one is chanting!"

"Yeah, I know!" she jumps, avoiding an ice arrow, and gives a loud whistle.

Louis chants, aiming at the ground around the two aggressors, who stumble at the force of the explosion. Guiche takes advantage of this, using his wand to created earth hands that pull at their feet, and the two of them fall. Sachiko acts as fast as she can, and with the bland point of her sword, hits one on the head with as much force as she can, rendering that person unconscious.

When she turns to the other one, another gust of air is aimed at her, but she squats away from the main force. However, that small distraction is enough for the person to free themselves, and they rapidly chant another spell. Sachiko grunts when she's unable to dodge the ice arrow completely, grazing her left arm, but Louis makes another explosion, so when the person trips, she hits their knees with Derf. Just as the person's falling, she lands another hit in the head, thus successfully knocking out the two.

However, when she looks at the fallen figures, she sees bright red hair and blue hair on a spectacled face, and blanches, recognizing them now that their hoods are no longer covering their heads.

"K-Kirche and Tabitha?!"

"I'm sorry! I'm really, really sorry!" Sachiko has both hands clasped in front of her bowed head, her knees on the ground right in front of the still drowsy Kirche and Tabitha. The red-haired woman blinks, trying to shoo the confusion away, along with that pounding sensation in her skull, while she lightly shakes her head.

"N-no, don't worry, you didn't know…" she tries to say, but ends up slurring. That only makes Sachiko feel worse.

"Ah, I'm so sorry!" she sobs, and runs to Guiche so she can bury her face on his chest. Not knowing what else to do, he pats her head quite awkwardly, while Louis rolls his eyes. Kirche raises an eyebrow, even through her rising headache.

"Why were you attacking the water spirit?" Montmorency asks, ignoring Sachiko as best as she can. Kirche turns to her and bits her lip hesitantly.

"Why were you defending it?" she deters the question, lifting up a hand to her head. Louis rapidly explains the situation to them; and at the end Kirche can't help but laugh out loud, even as her head's killing her.

"Really, tristainian women are so insecure! Using a love potion to secure your lover? That's so pathetic!" she keeps laughing while Montmorency fumes.

"I am not insecure! Ugh, really, if Guiche would have just drunk the stupid potion…"

"So now it's my fault?!"

"A woman who has no confidence in herself is the worst" Sachiko leers, her tone acid. "Trying to win someone with that kind of trick, that's horrible" she huffs, her arms tightening around Guiche.

"I don't need to hear that kind of thing from you!"

"Anyway" Louis interrupts their pointless discussion, feeling weary all of a sudden. "We promised the spirit to get rid of its attackers in exchange of a tear, so, could you please stop what you're doing?" he prods the two girls. Kirche sighs.

"I'm sorry, but…" she looks at Tabitha, as if she's unsure of what to do next. "We cannot leave the spirit unless it stops rising the water level. You see, Tabitha's family has suffered terrible loses because of the damage it causes, and we've had been entrusted to stop it."

The three nobles remain in silence after hearing this. It really is a problem. They can't stop the attackers if the spirit doesn't stop rising the water level, but if they don't, then they can't obtain the tear they need.

"And why don't we talk to it?" Sachiko suddenly suggests. "We promised the farmers of this area to negotiate with the spirit, anyway."

"Would the water spirit really listen to us?" Kirche hesitates, dumbfounded. Sachiko nods.

"Of course, it listened to us once" she responds, matter-of-factly, before burying herself against Guiche again. Kirche blinks, and looks at Tabitha for her opinion. The little girl thinks for a moment, still rubbing her head, before nodding.

"As long as the floods stop."

Kirche grins. "Then it's decided; tomorrow we'll start the negotiations!"

The next morning, as the sun is rising in the sky, the six teenagers approach the lake's shore. Montmorency calls the spirit once more, and it appears in a gurgle of water and crystals, taking up her form again, much to her displeasure.

"Water Spirit, the attackers will no longer bother you, as per the agreement will you give us a part of your body?" she requests softly. The spirit poses its eyes on Louis' form, but without saying anything else, nods. Its body begins to tremble, and a thin line of water separates itself, heading towards an open vial in her hands. Without further ado, it sinks again in the water, but Louis calls it to a stop.

"Sorry, but, could you tell us why are you increasing the water level?" he inquires, trying to act as humble as possible, since the spirit doesn't seem to like him. For a moment, it almost looks as if the spirit is angry, but it returns to an expressionless face so quickly Louis wonders if he had not just imagined it.

"Why do you want to know?"

"We'll be willing to help you with something else if you can stop" he negotiates, hoping it would listen to them again. The spirit seems to be in thought for a few moments, before finally replying.

"I will consider entrusting this task to you. Since you honored our previous contract, I think I can trust you, demon" it changes expressions for a while, the emotions displayed in its face showing different forms of anger. Louis remains silent, patiently waiting for what it has to say, until it finally speaks. "Your kind stole something precious to me, some time ago."

"Precious?"

"Yes, a treasure, approximately thirty months before the moon's crossing."

"About two and a half years ago…" Montmorency mutters.

"So, you're flooding the land because…?"

"I want to recover my treasure, even if I have to sink the entire continent to do it."

"That would take a lot of time. You sure are patient" Guiche says, surprised.

"Our concept of time is different, for me the whole is the same as the present. All time is the same to me, regardless of the present the future will always come. It makes no difference as I will always exist" it responds in a monotonous tone.

"Of course, death is not a concept known to you. That's why it's hard to imagine something like that for us" Kirche comments, still impressed at the spirit's words.

"It's not hard to imagine for me" Sachiko says, while indifferently playing with Guiche's frilly shirt.

"That's because your soul is more like mine, unlike these humans" the spirit informs, confusing everyone present. Before anyone can ask what the spirit is referring to, it continues: "if you can recover my treasure, then I'll be willing to stop raising the water."

"And what treasure is this?" Montmorency asks.

"The ring of Andvari" hearing this, hers and Louis' eyes open wide.

"I have heard of it" she says, putting a hand on her chin. "A magical item belonging to the water system; it is said to bring life back to the death…"

"Life back to the death? Disgusting…" Kirche shudders just thinking about it.

"That concept is not incorrect, however, it is highly inaccurate" the spirit elaborates. "The Ring of Andvari does not simply bring false life; it is the embodiment of the ancient 'Strength of the Water'."

"Who could have stolen something like that?" Louis asks, still in shock.

"Using wind magic, several humans came into my dwelling. They did not disturb me in my slumber and took away my most prized possession" it stops abruptly, as if thinking about something; "one of them went by the name of Cromwell."

"Isn't that the new Emperor of Albion?" Kirche asks in a low voice. The rest of her classmates look uncomfortable with the thought. "Why would he want something like that?"

"Those who are revived by the ring have to obey its owner" Louis answers, still with a worried expression. Kirche gulps at that. "I understand. Please stop rising the water level and I guarantee you I will return your ring" he then promises the spirit, who does nothing but look at him for a long time. It shifts its eyes towards Sachiko for a mere second, before finally nodding.

"I believe you. Before your life ends, bring it to me, otherwise I am unconcerned" it starts to sink once again, when out of nowhere, Tabitha stops it, greatly surprising everyone.

"Water Spirit, I wish to ask you something."

"What is your question?"

"We humans have always called you the 'Spirit of Oath', I would like to know the reason" she tightly holds her cape, as if anxious of the answer.

"Mere human, mine and your existence are completely dissimilar. I cannot understand your question completely, but I can speculate. My existence in itself is the reason for this name. I do not have a fixed shape, yet I will never change. For uncountable generations I have always been here with the water" its body ripples, changing forms as if to prove its point before settling for Montmorency's form once again.

"I see. Because you are eternally unchanging, therefore you will forever carry our hopes" she nods, before kneeling on the ground and shutting her eyes. Kirche watches her with a tender expression. Sachiko raises an eyebrow.

"That's a pretty romantic concept, but I don't believe in oaths that last a lifetime" she declares, just before her mouth curls up in a sly smile. "Even like that, Guiche, make an oath for me" she pleads, tilting her head to the side adorably. The young man gulps.

"What? No, I cannot do that!"

"It was worth a try…"

"You would do it for me, no?" Montmorency interrupts them. Sachiko gasps.

"He won't! Stop trying to coerce him into things he doesn't want to do!"

"What?! Ugh, you know what? You're only jealous because you know he would make an oath for me and not you!" she declares haughtily, hands on her hips. Sachiko's upper lip trembles.

"Who would do such a thing for a crazy witch like you, who has to resort to using love potions to gain the man she wants" she spats venomously, smiling in a highly irritating way. Montmorency growls.

"That's it! You're dead!" she screams, before jumping at Sachiko and pulling at her hair. Guiche just stands there, watching with a light blush as these two girls fight over him, while Louis wearily drags a hand down his face.

"I'm really glad this will be over tonight…"

The water spirit sinks while the group is distracted, leaving Louis with a few unanswered questions regarding what it said about him and Sachiko.

A/N: I suck at writing fighting scenes. I. Completely. Suck.

The next chapter it's going to be the last of novel four, so it's going to be quite long. I know a few of you were expecting something different from the reunion with the water spirit, and not just minute changes, but I assure you, those minute changes? They're going to make all the difference. Just look into them more and you'll see. To be honest, I don't know if anyone has noticed it, but I started to introduce these changes a while ago. They're not there just for the sake of not making this fanfic a carbon copy of the original.

Besides that, thank you for reading. Until next time!