- Astrea Training Grounds -
Felt and Beatrice were sitting and Reinhard and Subaru were standing against each other.
Reinhard told Subaru to try some swings with the sword. As to ascertain his level.
"Subaru, from what I can see you are already proficient in the Sword skill and mastered the knight style. I don't know what I can teach you."
"I want some pointers when actually fighting so, I want to spar with you. And I want to be efficient to not waste too much movement."
"I understand what you are getting at. Well then, I will act to the best of my abilities."
They began to spar. Reinhard pointed out where Subaru's movements were lacking, less effective, less efficient or useless which Subaru would try to cut down. Subaru's reflexes were good but a bit lacking in front of the Sword Saint which he was trying to overcome.
The Sword Saint was merciless and kept attacking with his swings to which Subaru would get out of the way or try to parry the strike.
It's been an hour straight. Subaru will not get tired due to Cor Leonis and have unlimited stamina. But he still has to remember where he has to improve.
"Big bro's good, I've not seen Reinhard sparring like that with anyone. Everyone would get tired by now or just give up." She didn't think that anyone can have the stamina to fight so long with Reinhard.
"He's Betty's contractor after all." Beatrice puffed out her chest.
Reinhard stopped attacking and sheathed the training sword.
"Subaru, you're improving, you remember where you lack and improve upon those parts after reminding. You're a fast learner. But you should allow your body to rest, too."
"Ah! Right!" He didn't feel any exhaustion.
They sat where Beatrice and Felt occupied seats.
Subaru was drinking water.
"You said that you can make weapons using magic?" Felt asked curiously.
"That, yeah! Beako!" He extended his hand towards Beatrice so that he could use magic.
Normally, with Reinhard around she would not be able to use magic at all but Reinhard was not in his battle form. So, she could spare the mana required.
'It would just become a problem when I am fighting alongside Reinhard. Wait! If all he needs is mana then what if I provide him with another way to complete his mana requirement.'
He could use his Crystals magic technique.
"Minya!" Subaru said and a sword materialized which was imbued with more mana than necessary. Beatrice furrowed her brows noticing the amount of mana in a simple Minya.
"Beako, be attentive to the flow of mana. Here, Reinhard try to use it." Handing over the sword to him.
Reinhard took and swung the sword 5 times until it vanished suddenly.
"The sword has good detailing, it's sharp and could be useful in battle but it seems that I absorb the mana inside the spell making it dissipate." Subaru nudged Beatrice from the side.
"What did you do, Subaru? The mana in the air stopped flowing to him until he held the sword. Betty can be useful if we fight like this."
"Huh!? Useful!? What does the little runt mean?" Felt tilted her head.
"You should take a look in the mirror, runt." Beatrice rolled her eyes.
"It means that Reinhard and she cannot fight in the same battlefield as all the mana automatically flows towards Reinhard. So, I just provided him with another way to get his mana."
"Please forgive me-" He looked apologetic.
"Oh, come on! Reinhard, it's nothing which you can do anything about. Stop saying sorry all the time." Subaru jabbed him on his chest.
"That would be a lot useful, but the mana required for that single sword equals the 40 equivalent Minya's. His mana consumption is literally crazy." Subaru concluded.
"Felt-sama, I think you should go study."
"But I wanna watch big bro training. Also, it's extremely boring to study."
"Beatrice can help you with that, she's well versed in all kinds of studies because she's done nothing but study books in the past 400 years." Felt gasped horrified.
"I can't believe this, I can't study for a straight hour and she studied for 400 YEARS!" She looked at Beatrice in pity.
"Betty doesn't need your pity. Betty did what she had to because of her contract, in fact." She crinkled her nose. She smacked Subaru on the head. "And you stop using Betty's age as a joke, I suppose."
"But my adorable Beako is the one who keeps going about being 400 years old." Subaru shrugged his shoulders. "Anyways, please go help her study. I don't want to hinder both Reinhard and Felt."
"Fine, I suppose. I'll be the older sister, in fact."
"Heh! Older sister, you, a little runt?" Felt snickered.
"She's annoying Betty, in fact."
"She's fun when teased, but if you annoy her too much, she'll send you flying. Be careful." Subaru warned.
"I understand, big bro. I'll do it in between." Felt whispered in his ear.
Felt got up and dragged the old spirit away to the study room.
"Gyah! I suppose."
'Now I have to get Reinhard to let me meet the archbishops.'
"Reinhard, what happened to the Archbishops?" Subaru asked seriously.
"Archbishop of Wrath and Gluttony are currently being held prisoners and were questioned, but they have not provided any useful information about the Witch's Cult." Reinhard said maintaining eye contact.
"I would like to end the Witch's Cult before the end of Royal Election ... What about the chances of them escaping from the prison?" He narrowed his eyes.
"Forgive me, I can't disagree that there's a chance which should be low as they are currently sealed but the Sage Council has withheld their execution." Reinhard said shaking his head.
"I see. But if they escape there will be chaos. Maybe I should try once again? Can you set up a meeting with them?" Subaru said stroking his chin.
"Understood. The party to which I'm going tonight as a guard will have members of the council. I will get their permission." Reinhard nodded.
"Thanks, Reinhard. You're a great help." He said standing up.
They got back to training with sword, after that they practiced the noble etiquette and dance. His manners and body language were refined.
"You can dance quite well, Subaru." Reinhard had his one hand on Subaru's shoulder and other on his waist. They were dancing slowly and moving around the ground.
"That's good and all ... But why are you teaching me to dance like a lady. I have to be in the guy's position, right?" He said in a loud voice.
"Apologies, I heard that you dressed as a woman in Vollachia so I thought that you wanted to be good at that too." Reinhard said with furrowed brows.
"Dude! Teach me how to dance like a guy."
"Right!"
So he leaned to dance properly with refined movements. They called two servants at the mansion to practice.
Before they could finish their training, they were interrupted by a messenger as Reinhard was summoned to the castle.
Subaru was now finding his way to Felt and Beatrice.
"Subaru-sama, are you looking for Felt-sama?" Carol asked.
"Yes, Reinhard was summoned to the castle so, I was looking for Felt."
"Please follow me then, I will take you to them."
They were walking and Subaru thought of making small talk.
"The flowers set up in vases here and there are nice. Do you like flowers?"
"You have keen eyes. Someone I knew long ago liked flowers." She said with a gentle reminiscing smile. "Sadly, I set them up to remind me of them."
'Astrea Household. She might be talking about Theresia.'
"Was Reinhard always like this? His smile seems... Off most of the time." He noticed that Reinhard was more stiff and apologetic than usual.
"No! It's a family matter but he was very cheerful as a kid. When his mother and grandmother were around, he was a ball of sunshine but-" she spoke hesitating "since his grandmother died he was blamed for her death and his mother's comatose state. He was being trained to be the perfect 'weapon' for the Kingdom from a young age, due to which he lost his childhood."
He learnt of Heinkel's motivation in Vollachia. He could understand that he was sad, but blaming everything on Reinhard was wrong in his eyes. Being the person he is, he tried to assure him that one day she will wake up and look at him with love in her eyes.
Subaru thought about the sleeping beauty disease. But when Rem or the Priestella's people were sleeping, they were forgotten by everyone, so it's not the work of an Authority. Maybe if I see her I can get something.
"Can I see her, Carol-san?" He spoke with hesitation, fearing rejection.
"Please follow me." She nodded curtly.
He followed her to the room where Louanna was lying in her peaceful slumber. He saw her blonde hair and the gentle face of mother of his friend sleeping.
'I am here. But what now? I am getting an intense feeling of Déjà vu.'
'Wait! There's someone I can ask about this. Hey, Tella.' He remembered his contracted witch.
'Hmph! You remember me only when you need me. You are treating me as a convenience, dearest husband.' He could feel Satella pouting.
'Ehh!? Sorry, I didn't intend that at all. I'll give you all the attention you need tonight.'
'Fufu~ I have already thought of something special for tonight. I'll be waiting, dear.' She spoke seductively.
'Fine, fine. Do something about her.' He gulped thinking tonight he will sleep a bit sooner.
'Ok, put your hand on her forehead. I will try to sense what's wrong with our shared senses.'
Subaru walked towards the head of his friend's mother and put his palm on her forehead and closed his eyes for a few minutes.
'This is bad, Subaru. There are traces of Soul magic being used on her. Her soul is in a suspended state, unable to move towards Od Laguna to be purified or return to its own body. It's somehow similar to the sleeping beauty disease.' Satella said as she understood it.
'Can you heal her?' His eyes widened.
'I'm very sorry, Subaru. Doing anything related to soul magic takes a very huge amount of mana. I'll be unable to help her from inside the seal. I'll try to accumulate the mana needed for you to remove the effects but you will have to actually do it because it takes high concentration.'
'I see, but I have no knowledge of soul magic. I can try asking Roswaal.' His eyes drooping slightly.
''You' were researching on soul magic back then too. We should try to get your memories back as soon as possible.' He chuckled inwardly.
'I am useless without my memories, huh.'
'I didn't mean that, Subaru. Please forgive me.' She panicked due to being the cause of his self depreciation.
'Ah! I mean I got another reason to get my memories back.'
- Carol's POV -
I have been a personal servant of Theresia Van Astrea for a long time. I liked her as a person. She had a kind and gentle nature. She liked flowers. She cared about others close to her and tried to help when possible.
She got married to Willhelm and had a child Heinkel. He was not as good in sword as his father and mother but she loved him regardless. Every child is not expected to inherit their parents talent. Atleast he was brave and ready to fight till his last breath, for that she was proud of him. Being son of the Sword Saint and Sword Demon, he was granted the position of Vice-captain in the Royal Knights. He married Louanna and had a son, Reinhard.
Reinhard was a good and happy child. Willhelm and Heinkel both loved him and his mother and grandmother showered him with affection every chance they got until death of Theresia and Louanna going into comatose state.
They hired the best healers in Kingdom to tend her but to no avail.
It doesn't make any sense but Willhelm and Heinkel began to hate and blame Reinhard for their respective losses. Reinhard had gained the Blessing of the Sword Saint after Theresia's death.
When he grew up enough, he was being trained to become the future Sword Saint. It's not easy being a Sword Saint as she had seen her master closely. They had to wear fake but reassuring smiles to put others at ease. The Sage Council were out of their minds, she had thought.
Oh, some goons are causing trouble, send the Sword Saint. It seems that some people might rebel, send the Sword Saint. There are thugs in the alleys, of course send the Sword Saint. Witch Cult causing trouble,again? Send the Sword Saint. She sighed. They took the Sword of the Kingdom way too literally.
Reinhard lost his childhood being involved in the Sword Saint business. He was unable to make any friends his age. He was socially awkward sometimes and was serious all the time. Apologising for anything and everything which was not even his fault.
One day he had received a letter from someone and she could swear he had smiled, a real smile while reading that letter. Then he informed her that a friend, Subaru Natsuki will be visiting soon.
Of course, she had heard about the 'Subaru Natsuki' who made the White Whale fall, led an attack to eliminate Witch's Cult Archbishop and successfully did so without any casualties, claimed to have annihilated the Great Rabbit, led the defensive forces in Priestella and drove out the Witch's Cult defeating another Archbishop. He successfully completed the trials of the Pleaides Watchtower. He did the things that the Sword Saint was meant to do. He moved 400 years of history in few years.
Maybe, just maybe, 'he' might be able to do something about Louanna and the broken Astrea family.
So today, he visited the household and was training. She saw him confused about where to go. She tried to led him to where he wanted to go. She thought that it would not be a good idea to burden her master's friend with family matters. He began to talk and asked about flowers and Reinhard.
That little observant nature and care for others reminded her of a certain person. She told him the truth as vaguely as possible about them, then he requested to see Louanna.
Maybe, this was the right decision.
She took him to Louanna's room, he put his palm on her forehead and after a few minutes his eyes widened. She clenched her fists and waited patiently but got impatient.
"Subaru-sama, I have an intense feeling that of all people in the world, you will be able to do something about her. May I ask if you have any ideas?" She spoke earnestly while bowing.
"That's a lot of faith you are putting into me, Carol-san, but I got an idea what I have to do. The mission 'Reunite the Astrea Family Members' is on. I'll do my best so that Reinhard can meet his mother." He said with his chest pushed out.
Her eyes widened at the look of determination in his eyes. Yes, this was not a mistake. She will see Louanna well and moving again. Tears were beginning to well up in her eyes. She squeezed her eyes shut.
"Thank you, Subaru-sama. I also hope to see that day soon." She said with a gentle smile. Her heart was beginning to light up with hope.
- Felt Study Room -
Beatrice and Felt argued a lot, but Felt was enjoying herself teasing the great spirit. Moreover, she had very interesting stories of the past.
Beatrice was also getting the opportunity to show off her knowledge because her contractor was completely uninterested in the history of the world.
They were completely exhausted and were passed out, next to each other on the sofa.
Subaru chuckled.
"They look like sisters, sleeping like this." He whispered to the maid.
"Yes." She giggled.
"I will be off, then. Say goodbye from me to her." He got close to the sofa and took Beatrice on his back.
He left the Astrea Mansion and headed towards the inn.
- Inn -
Ram was leaving the inn to get the others at the party.
"Ram! I have to discuss something with Roswaal, when can I get him?" He asked.
"Roswaal-sama would be tired, coming back from the party. If you wake up early, you will be able to talk with him."
"Alright then, we will be going to sleep. I have something important to talk about."
"Roswaal-sama will be informed." Ram told him the room in which Roswaal is staying.
Beatrice didn't woke up in the way so he took her to their room. He put her down in the bed and tugged her in the covers.
He was not tired at all. He will simply visit the shadow garden by entering a dream like state, like losing conciousness in the real world and gaining it in shadow garden.
'Tella, slow the time as much as possible, today.'
'Ok, I'll call you now.'
His eyes were getting heavy, his breath was getting steadier and he slowly drifted off.
His eyes closed.
- Shadow Garden -
Usually, he would open his eyes standing in the middle of shadows, find Satella in front of him sobbing, but since he signed a deal with Envy, conditions have changed. Satella wasn't happy, due to which she rejected better conditions of the surrounding, continued to stay in the dark abyss, believing she deserves the torment.
After Subaru confessed, he convinced her to stay in a better place, preferably a nice bedroom. Since she could make anything out of nothing with imagination.
Subaru created a nice bedroom for her to spend her time comfortably.
Currently, he was sitting on said bed searching for her. She would be here before him.
"Satella!" He called out her name confused.
When he looked toward the foot of the bed, Satella was standing there. His heart stopped at the sight.
She was wearing a maid outfit. It was sleeveless, exposing her pale shoulders and below. The chest area was showing a large amount of her cleavage emphasizing her breasts. Her hair had the usual style with the orange black hairpin on the right side. She had white transparent stockings on just a little above knees with visible garter belt straps. Her skirt length was too short, ending before even beginning just barely covering her privates. Trying to show off her thighs as much as possible.
She knows how much he loves her pale skin, usually hidden cleavage and his favourite lap pillows, her thighs. She knows what drives him crazy.
She made the outfit with specifically him in her mind to seduce him. She was happy to see him slack jawed. Smirking that her plan worked. She bowed.
"Welcome back, master. This maid is at your service."
"W-w-what's up with the ou-outfit?" he drooled, wiping his mouth.
"I wish to be your No.1 and favourite maid."
"That's fine and all, even though I don't want you to, can you please change back." He gritted his teeth at the words he spoke. He would be unable to control himself if she looks like this.
"D-Do you not like me in this?" Satella said mocking a sad tone.
"You're so damn hottttttt. I mean you look great, I can't think straight." He said looking like a lustful beast.
Envy snatched the control from Satella observing the look in his eyes.
"Master~, order me to do anything~." She herself wanted to drown in his lust.
Subaru's restraint fucking broke at that face.
"Come here." Patting his hands at his lap.
"Sure~, master!" She started walking towards him slowly, swaying her hips seductively.
She came near his legs and licked her lips in anticipation.
Subaru noticing her swaying hem of her dress which exposed her inner thighs when walking stopped caring. When she came almost near his waist. He pulled her on himself and began kissing her as lustfully as possible.
He swapped places with her, putting her on the bed and getting on top of her. They kissed for longer than usual.
They made out for a long time. He put his head on her lap and relaxed in her caressing of his hair.
After a satisfying session, they cuddled each other.
"If you plan to do this, warn me in advance- wait, even that won't work because of how hot you look. It might even make me more impatient."
She giggled.
"It's fine. I like how rough~ you were. I might try something like this everyday."
"Please don't!" he shuddered. "My heart will be unable to endure the mix of cute and hot everyday."
She laughed.
"Thank you! I am really grateful." He said gratefully.
"I can do atleast this much to release your tension."
"I will know soon be able to know the reason of loving you. What I did long ago."
"Mmmm."
He was shivering a little and cast his eyes downward.
"What kind of person was I? What if I change completely, Satella?" He asked in a sad tone.
She planted a kiss on his forehead and looked at him in the eye.
"Subaru, you were and still are a wonderful person, that hasn't changed. Even if you think badly of yourself, I know how awesome you are. You were kind, gentle and forgiving person. You are still the same person at your core."
He nodded.
"I hope I don't turn out to be an asshole."
"You are amazing. If you don't believe me, then I'll make you believe me. Tee-hee. If you don't want this - then dodge." She kissed him on his lips.
"I love you."
"I love you too, Satella. Thank you for loving me, let's do this." His eyes full of determination.
She pumped herself up drowning in his eyes. She held the hem of his sleeves in her hands.
"B-before that, promise m-me that you won't hate m-me." For the first time she said in a shaky and timid voice.
"Huh!? Why would I hate you?"
"Please!" She was tearing up.
"Alright! I promise that I won't hate you, Satella."
He put his palm on his forehead and brought it in front of his eyes, said "Flugel" and desired from the bottom of his heart to know about his past self and licked his palm.
Past memories began flooding his mind.