Emilia asked the question with genuine concern in her voice, noticing Subaru's look of shock and surprise as he suddenly awoke.

Subaru responded with a hint of confusion and urgency, "Emilia, did you say I didn't go to the sanctuary?"

Emilia was confused as she looked at Subaru, "Subaru, what are you talking about?"

Subaru struggled to find an answer to his question as he tried to recall recent events. He remembered the strange mark on his hand, the intense battle with Garfiel, and the cryptic words spoken by Echidna. Despite his best efforts to piece together the truth, he couldn't find any solid evidence to confirm the objective nature of his reality. The more he thought about it, the more confused and uncertain he became.

Subaru jolted up from his spot, a look of fear and uncertainty on his face as he reached out and grasped Emilia by her shoulders. He shook her slightly. His voice filled with desperation as he asked, "Emilia, are you real? Can you be here with me? Does any of what I've been through have meaning or value?"

Emilia's eyes widened with alarm as she felt the urgency in Subaru's grip and tone. Her voice trembled as she replied, "Subaru, what's happening? You're scaring me."

Subaru looked at her, tears starting to form in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Emilia. I don't know what's happening. I might have just experienced something that has shaken my understanding of everything. I no longer know if I can trust what I see or feel."

Emilia took a moment to ponder Subaru's words and try to understand what was weighing on his mind. She knew that his concerns were not just about the reality of the world he was sent to but, more so, the authenticity of his relationships with her and the others. The thought of his false bonds was causing him the most significant distress.

Emilia posed a series of inquiries to Subaru, her voice filled with uncertainty. "Subaru, how can I be sure of my existence? How can I confirm that I am here, with you, and not still trapped in that frozen state, experiencing all this as a dream?"

Subaru was stunned for a moment at the question. Emilia unknowingly made a point to Subaru that Emilia could very well have the same fear as him but doesn't. She could fear that she was trapped in the ice still and everything happening was a dream. She was still stuck in a frozen forest, but she didn't. Maybe I've been too selfish, worrying about myself and my own concept of what is real or fake and never even considering the possibility that others may have the same doubts.

I hugged Emilia tighter, taking in the comfort she provided. But the doubt still lingered in my mind. I remembered a debate I had in high school about morality being subjective. My classmate was tasked to argue why rape and murder are wrong if morality is personal. At the time, I had simply responded that society could not function if specific rules, actions, and behaviors were not accepted. Humans are social creatures that rely on each other to survive. Humans evolved to understand these concepts because society wouldn't be able to function if they didn't.

But now, I have a different understanding of that argument in this new world. The idea that morality is subjective can extend to reality itself being subjective, becoming a meaningless topic to debate because it holds no merit, regardless of the outcome. I realized that my logic was flawed since I was sent to this world. If I genuinely believed anything I thought, I wouldn't have cared for Emilia or found a place to stay. Yet, I still cared deeply for Emilia, Beatrice, and the others. Purpose requires meaning, and meaning requires reality. If I have sense, then my existence is actual, regardless of the nature of that meaning, since reality itself is a subjective term.

Subaru grappled with the notion that reality may not be as objective as he previously thought. The idea that morality is subjective has always been debated. Still, it was different in this new world he found himself in. If reality itself was subjective, then the concept of meaning and purpose would hold no merit.

However, despite all this, Subaru still cared deeply for Emilia, Beatrice, and the others. This meant that his reality, regardless of its subjective nature, was objective to him. The emotions he felt and the relationships he had were meaningful to him, and that was all that mattered. Purpose and meaning require reality; if he had meaning, then his reality was real, no matter how subjective.

I'll tell her my last name once I feel worthy of using the name my parents gave me.

A dragon carriage approached the mansion to invite Emilia to the Royal Selection formally. Subaru wasn't sure what a formal invitation meant but was curious to see who was coming to the mansion. Subaru was keen to see new faces after the long three weeks within the mansion. Beatrice was beside Subaru and awaiting the dragon carriage.

Subaru put on the attire that Roswaal had explicitly tailored for him. The outfit was designed to reflect his status as a knight-mage, a rare combination of strength and magical ability. The clothing was made of high-quality materials and crafted with great attention to detail, showcasing the intricate design and stitching that complimented Subaru's clothing taste.

The carriage arrived, and what seemed to be a girl with cat ears and a tail came out. Subaru saw two people in the dragon carriage once it got close enough to view, an older man and what looked like a demi-human cat girl. Subaru noticed the older man stayed behind and was curious to talk to him.

While Emilia talked with who Subaru learned to be Felix, Subaru began to speak with the man almost hiding behind the carriage.

This old man looks like a man with a strong reason or purpose. His posture and body language show honor and remorse as his cues change from one to the other quite frequently. How strange.

With a calm voice, Subaru said, "My name is Subaru. I'm Lady Emilia's knight."

Subaru awaited a response before hearing, "My name is Wilhelm Van Astrea. You have unique clothing for a knight."

With a slight grin, Subaru nodded, "Yes, I'd consider myself more of a knight that uses magic. Nobody in Lord Roswaal's mansion is familiar with sword technique, so I've had to supplement my lack of understanding with the sword by using magic to amplify my strikes."

Wilhelm pondered Subaru's eyes, seeing the eyes of a person who's been broken and put back together countless times. He also was interested in Subaru's response as it sounded almost like a request to Wilhelm.

Wilhelm smiled, "If you would like, we could spar while we wait for the others. I don't mind if you use magic either."

How will he react when I phase through his strike?

'Beatrice, are you ready?'

'Yes, I suppose.'

Subaru nodded, "Alright, we can use real swords since I don't have any wooden ones that aren't broken."

Wilhelm was surprised at his statement, implying that Subaru must've been practicing to learn sword technique himself. Wilhelm nodded at Subaru's proposal, and the two entered their stances. Wilhelm was both intrigued and slightly disappointed seeing Subaru's odd stance. It left Subaru vulnerable while also giving no offensive benefit. Wilhelm thought the best lesson he could give would be to show Subaru that his stance was wrong first.

Subaru smiled, "Ready when you are."

Wilhelm dashed towards Subaru's opening and was prepared to stop short of impact, but when his sword reached Subaru's neck Subaru phased right through the blade and was now on the offensive of the vulnerable back of Wilhelm.

Subaru already began infusing wind magic into his blade. It changed his stance to an all-out strike to stop short of hitting Wilhelm. Still, in the time it took to switch positions, Wilhelm had already made distance away from Subaru.

Wilhelm smiled, "I see. So your magic allows you to phase through attacks. That's quite a technique. However, it will take more than that to win."

Subaru nodded, and Wilhelm began dashing towards Subaru. Subaru blocked one strike but didn't notice that Wilhelm was going for a punch in Subaru's stomach. Beatrice didn't see either, and the force of Wilhelm's punch landed.

Wilhelm's punch knocked the air out of Subaru, and Subaru opened his eyes to see Wilhelm's sword in front is head.

Wilhelm said with respect and wisdom, "You are correct in your assessment that you lack sword technique. However, for someone who lacked anyone to teach you how to master your sword technique, it's impressive. You even flinched when my sword came toward your face. Your stance even gave me the impression that you didn't know what you were doing, but the stance is a trap. Using your phasing ability, you could've easily won against most knights within the Kingdom."

Subaru bowed, "Thank you, Wilhelm."

Wilhelm also noticed Subaru had a purpose in each strike, something most knights he knew of lacked. Wilhelm couldn't help but ask, "You also have a purpose behind your strikes. What is that purpose or reason?"

This is strange. Wilhelm can read sword language and figure out the emotion behind the strike.

Subaru responded honestly, "I became Emilia's knight to protect her. I'd assume that's the purpose behind my strikes."

Wilhelm spoke in a way that described similarity, "I wish you and Emilia the best."

Subaru responded with a chuckle, "Thank you, Wilhelm. I hope the next time we spar. It will be less anti-climatic than today."

After finishing her conversation with Felix, Emilia came to see what Subaru was doing.

Emilia sighed, "Subaru didn't we talk about the whole 'don't reveal your technique to people' thing that you told me specifically?"

Subaru laughed at the comment, "Well, now you made it sound like a secret. Besides, how am I supposed to learn how to properly be a knight if I can't even use a sword correctly?"

Wilhelm observed the interaction between the potential future King of Lugnica and Subaru, engaging in a lighthearted, playful disagreement. As he watched, he couldn't help but hope that their future together would be devoid of the type of tragedy that he had experienced and never forgotten, filled with deep-seated resentment.

The day before, the journey to the Capital of Lugnica for the Royal Selection was rapidly approaching. Emilia felt optimistic about her chances and had put great effort into her speech, preparing herself to make a strong impression on the Kingdom's citizens. Subaru was determined to support her every step of the way and devised a plan to ensure that she emerged victorious in the competition. He was fully committed to helping her achieve her goal and was confident they could work together to make it a reality.

Subaru gazed upon the picturesque sunset, taking in the warm hues of orange and red that painted the sky. He felt a calm wash over him as he took in the moment's beauty. The quiet stillness was only interrupted by the occasional chirping of crickets and left rustling in the light breeze. It was a peaceful evening, and Subaru couldn't help but think it would be the perfect time to date Emilia. He envisioned taking her to a quiet and serene location, just the two of them, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of nature.

"Subaru says that we win, and I become the King of Lugnica. What are your goals… you never really mention anything that you're striving to become." Emilia asked curiously

Subaru gently kissed Emilia before responding, "Honestly, I'm not sure yet. But I do have something in mind."

Emilia, annoyed by Subaru's teasing, continued asking, "Which isss what?"

"Honestly, Emilia, I've been giving it much thought and have something in mind. But I want to keep it a secret for now," Subaru said, kissing her cheek gently.

Emilia was slightly frustrated with Subaru's teasing, but she couldn't help but be curious. "What could it be?" she asked, tilting her head to the side.

"My goal is to restore balance to this world," Subaru said determinedly. "No matter what it takes, I want to correct everything."

Emilia was perplexed by Subaru's words, wondering what exactly he was referring to with his statement about restoring balance to the world. Despite her confusion, she chose to let it go for the moment and instead focus on the present moment, taking in the beauty of the sunset that was beginning to paint the sky in hues of orange and pink. She decided to enjoy the peaceful moment with Subaru, savoring the last light moments before nightfall.

"Let's go back to our room. It's getting a bit cold," Emilia suggested.

Subaru turned his head in disagreement, "I'll catch up with you."

Emilia nodded in understanding, assuming that Subaru wanted some time alone. She went to her room, carefully selecting an item of clothing that she thought would appeal to him. She chose a unique outfit with less clothing and two small pieces of fabric, opting to have a lustful night with Subaru. As she changed, Emilia couldn't help but feel excited to see how Subaru would react to her new look.

Subaru sat quietly, gaze fixed on the night sky above. The stars twinkled in a pattern unfamiliar to him, a reminder that he was in a different world, not his own. He patiently waited for the arrival of the person he had expected to come, his mind wandering as he took in the beauty of the foreign constellations.

Subaru sat still, looking up at the stars that shimmered differently from those he was familiar with on Earth, his anticipation growing as he waited for the arrival of the person he expected. The atmosphere around him suddenly dropped to an unnaturally low temperature, confirming that Puck had arrived.

'Alright, Beatrice, looks like I was correct. Ready to test this out?'

'I'd rather not use Bubby to test new techniques, but if he's coming to kill you, I can't argue with you.'

Subaru fixed his gaze on the cat spirit as it approached him, its eyes filled with a dangerous glint. Despite the threat in its sights, Subaru remained nonchalant, even going so far as to mock the spirit with his words.

"So, how long have you been waiting for a good moment to attack me?" Subaru asked with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

Puck didn't seem amused by Subaru's teasing and responded with a cold and calculated tone. "You shouldn't be so bold when speaking to a great spirit. Your life will end, and Emilia will return to me." The cat spirit's voice was filled with confidence and a hint of warning as if it was warning Subaru to take its threat seriously.

Subaru stood up and raised his hand, gripping the hilt of his sword. He focused his energy, channeling his mana into the weapon, infusing it with the power of wind magic. With a swift and confident motion, he sliced the air in front of him, ready to unleash the full force of his attack.

Puck's eyes were fixed on Subaru, his expression of confusion and disbelief. "Why would you act so recklessly, Subaru? Do you want to be remembered as a foolish, impulsive individual?" The cat spirit's voice was tinged with a hint of condescension as if he couldn't understand why someone would behave in such a manner.

Subaru maintained his confident smile as Puck approached him, seemingly unperturbed by the spirit's intimidating presence. Despite this, Puck was taken aback as he was suddenly hit by four unseen attacks, leaving him bewildered and unable to identify the source of the strikes.

"What is this?" Puck bellowed in frustration, his eyes darting around as he attempted to locate the source of the invisible strikes. Despite his efforts, he couldn't find the source of the attacks. The frustration on his face only grew as he prepared to retreat from the confrontation.

"The power granted to me by the Great Prophet Satan himself," Subaru said with a straight face, trying to hide his internal amusement. He had decided to toy with the cat spirit. He was enjoying himself immensely as he watched the confusion and frustration on Puck's face.

"But, beware," Puck warned, his voice echoing ominously through the sky, "I will return stronger and more determined to reclaim what was taken from me. And when I do, you will rue the day you crossed me." With those final words, Puck disappeared into the darkness, leaving only a trail of white mist and a sense of unease.

Yeah, okay, you fucking dumb ass cat. 'Great Prophet Satan' I can't believe I didn't laugh.

'Beatrice, it worked!'

'Your ideas continue to fascinate me, Subaru.'

Subaru opened the door to the room he shared with Emilia to find Emilia in what could only be described as white lingerie that exposed her breasts thoroughly. It was more like a piece of fabric than any form of clothing.

Is this Christmas?

"Do youuuu like it?" Emilia said with a seductive voice.

Subaru nodded and responded, teasing Emilia, "Why even wear the clothes at this point?"

"Hmmmmm," Emilia said, getting out of bed.

Emilia removed Subaru's coat and kissed him firmly, "I loveee you, Subaru."

Emilia continued taking off the rest of Subaru's clothes until Subaru was just as naked as she was.

Subaru picked up Emilia and gently put her in their bed, kissing her before moving his mouth down Emilia's neck.

"Yourrr so good at this," Emilia said, ready for what was coming.

Subaru teased her by licking Emilia's firm nipples and then moving down to her stomach before reaching Emilia's warmth.

"I'm going to lose my minddd," Emilia said between moans.

Subaru kept up his rhythm using his tongue as a pressure plate, hearing Emilia moan every time he moved his tongue faster.

Emilia was in bliss, feeling sensations she felt addicted to. Her body began to pulse as her brain was overloaded by the sensation.

Subaru continued until Emilia reached her climax, her body trembling with pleasure.

Subaru removed his tongue and looked at Emilia's amethyst eyes. He was ready for what was coming next.

"Your turn," Emilia said still feeling the bliss course through her body.

Subaru lay on his back as Emilia teased him, licking his erection.

"Do you want moreee?" Emilia asked playfully.

Subaru put his hands on Emilia's head, pushing it down.

This nightly occurrence is something I could get used to. Touching her body, her mouth, everything about her is perfect.

Emilia began sucking Subaru's penis until it was engulfed by her mouth, quickly increasing the rhythm until his penis started twitching.

"Emilia, I'm about to-"

Subaru looked at Emilia's mouth covered in his cum. Emilia begins to lick the remains that we're left on Subaru's penis, swallowing it like it was candy. Emilia loved the taste of Subaru's cum, so she always enjoyed doing this.

Subaru looked into Emilia's eyes and could tell she was not satisfied.

Subaru picked up Emilia, placing her back on the bed.

"Do itttt," Emilia said with a lustful tone.

Subaru kissed Emilia's lips, the two's tongues intertwining before he inserted his penis in her.

Subaru begins his rhythm slowly, hearing the moans grow.

"It's sooo warm," Emilia said with a high pitch moaning between every word.

Subaru begins to increase his rhythm as he felt his dick reach deep inside her hitting her cervix.

Emilia's eye's we're rolling up in pleasure as she wrapped her arms around Subaru, making his penis go even deeper into her. Her hips began to thrust in a circle pattern as Subaru felt his climax coming.

Subaru tried to release, but Emilia's grip kept him going. His mind began to lose control as his body wanted to go deeper into her.

"Emilia, I'm about to cum."

"Do it inside me."

Subaru lost his reason or logic and came inside her. The two both feel overwhelming pleasure and exhaustion after.

That was amazing.

Subaru and Emilia quickly passed out, never even realizing the entire mansion heard the echoes of Emilia's moans.

"Your time is coming shortly, boy."

What? Where is that voice coming from?

"You are a disease that needs to be eradicated."

A disease? This voice doesn't even sound human.

"The Dragon King will awaken shortly. Enjoy the time you have left."

Dragon King?

Okay so it might be a bit rushed but I wanted to get to the Royal Selection sooner.

For those who wondering what Subaru's magic is at this point:

Kamui: Phase through attacks

Wind Sword: Stronger sword enhanced by wind magic

Time splitting sword (Not completed): This is what Subaru used during the fight against Puck. He cut moments in the future so when Puck came down he got hit at those point in the future.

The complete form will allow Subaru to cut moments in both the future and the past but what I like about this ability is that only Subaru can use it since you have to predict the exact second the opponent will move to the location that he strikes so if his predictions are off by even two or three seconds it'll fail. Bad ass technique but Subaru was only able to use it so well against Puck since he knew what Puck was going to do.

For anyone wondering Subaru and Emilia got a lot closer since the time skip in between Subaru's arrival to the mansion and the Royal Selection is two months so hopefully that explains it / how Subaru got so much better at magic

Comments always appreciated hope you enjoy the end of the first arc for this fic.