"Subaru, the trials are made to have one overcome their past. After seeing this, I'm even more curious about you." Echidna smiles as the trial concludes.

Subaru's mind was lost in confusion, "M-y pa-st?"

Echidna sighs, "The trial's purpose is for you to face your past. I feel I should be honest with you as your sloth witch factor influenced this trial. What you just saw was Flugel's past or the Sage."

Subaru eyes widened, "So, is this just someone else's past?"

"Not entirely. The sloth witch factor influenced this trial to show Flugel's past. Now I'm not even sure how this happened. But if I were to take a guess, then the reason we saw this was that Flugel combined his memories or perhaps his soul with witch factors. I wouldn't consider this a trial of your past, but I will accept it as a completed trial." she said, resting her chin on her hand.

"Echidna, what is this? Witch factors with memories or souls?" Subaru questioned as he wanted answers.

"I can only give you knowledge that I'm aware of, but inferring on both this trial and how the trials are even simulated is the only possible answer. I will admit I do fancy you due to your resemblance to Flugel. But after seeing this, I must thank you for giving me the knowledge I would've never learned." Echidna said with a smile.

Subaru's eyes opened, and his body trembled as his mind tried to process what he just saw. He feels sick but looks over to Emilia as he wonders what she saw. His mind is close to breaking as his logical mind control, and his only idea is to ask Roswaal for help.

"...hk. ...n, no... sto…"

Subaru pokes Emilia's face as her eyes open.

"Emilia-tan… are you alright?"

Her body stiffens, and Subaru embraces her.

"It'll be alright, I— do you remember what you saw on your trial?" Subaru asks as he sheds tears.

Emilia feels tears drop on her shoulder as Subaru breaks the hug, "I… didn't do… it wasn't me…."

Subaru walks with Emilia to her bed where she can rest as he plans to go talk to the single person he could even think of speaking to. His mind was lost and confused. He didn't know whether his memories or what Echidna even meant. He runs across the sanctuary until he reaches the room Roswaal is in.

Roswaal stares at Subaru in worry, as he's never seen Subaru look in such a state.

"Subaru-kunnnn, what can I do for youuu?"

Subaru falls on his knees as he tries to speak but can't. Roswaal checks his Tome and sees nothing about this but can tell Subaru is at a breaking point. He uses a yang spell to increase his mental fortitude as Subaru begins to stand up again.

"I— the trial I saw… it was Flugel's memories. Echidna said it was something about the sloth witch factor that influenced the trial to be Flugel's memories, but he looks similar to me. When I watched, it was…." Subaru starts to yell, "HOW IS HE A HERO? WHAT THE HELL IS A SAGE?"

Roswaal starts to question his Tome as such a thing would be significant enough to be mentioned but never was. He uses another yang spell and asks, "Subaru-kunnn tell me, what did you see?"

"Flugel… the GREAT CALAMITY was because he wouldn't let anyone kill Satella before she lost control. Then when she did, he sealed her with a door that required seven witch factors to enter. Echidna was there too, trying to stop him, but Flugel told the dragon where Echidna was." He shouts loudly as the yang spell brings warmth to his mind.

Roswaal's eyes widen as he starts to question if Flugel altered the Tome, "Subaru-kunn can you elaborate on what you saw in the trial that Flugel did to Echidna?"

"I don't know if it's hazy, but before the calamity, he asked her to create books with her authority, and she did. It was called the Tome of Wisdom or something. Echidna didn't want to, but she trusted Flugel and his reasons for wanting it, so made them for him… something like that."

Roswaal confirms his thought as he hides his anger and hatred for the previous Sage. His Tome of Wisdom guided Flugel's goal to success if Subaru was correct. He could tell that Subaru wasn't lying and didn't doubt his teacher's knowledge. He felt his plan and life were for nothing, but he could see Subaru was struggling. If he came to him out of anyone to ask for help, it meant he was close to being completely broken. He casts a yang spell on himself so he wouldn't break down at the revelation.

"Subaru-kunnn everything will be solved. I willlll take care of the mansion and the Great Rabittttt. Gooo find Emilia and do an actionnnn that would cause Puck to appear. Tell himmmm you desire the Spirit Sword." Roswaal says as he shows a black book to Subaru.

"Is—that?"

"Weeee have all been fooled. Subaru-kunnnn, the future is in your hands."

Subaru leaves as he realizes that Roswaal had a Tome that must've been directing him to do things to accomplish Flugel's plan. He starts to walk towards the room that Emilia is in. When he entered, he could see her sleeping.

"Welp, Puck, let's see if you appear," Subaru says as he puts his hands towards Emilia.

Subaru's hands start to freeze.

"I'm impressed you noticed. —It makes me happy, Subaru." the voice says as Puck appears.

"Everything changed. I— oh right, Puck, I need the Spirit Sword."

Puck looked in confusion, "Who told you of the existence of that?"

"Puck, I don't have time… everything is a lie. When I did the past trial I saw Flugel's memories or part of them. I went to Roswaal, who seemed as if he was betrayed. Emilia needs to pass the trials I can't do them. I'm not watching more of that." Subaru mumbled.

Puck questioned, "Flugel? What memories did you see?"

"I— can't talk about that anymore," he said as he sat on the floor in anguish.

Puck could only think of a single reason Roswaal would ask Subaru to request the Spirit Sword.

"Subaru, the Spirit Sword, can only be created if a Great Spirit agrees to a contract with the concept of the sword. It's a forgotten weapon that very few know of. By doing so, my contract with Emilia would break, and my mana would form into the sword."

"Puck, I didn't know. I don't know anything anymore." Subaru says as he tries to understand but can't.

"Subaru, let's form a temporary contract, and I will be able to see the memories you had of Flugel. Then I will decide if I am willing to allow the Spirit Sword to absorb my mana."

"I don't want you to leave Emilia. She'd be so sad."

"I'm surprised I thought you wouldn't mind."

"My mind feels like it's going to shatter. I don't care about pity things anymore I– just wish I never saw that."

Puck wondered what could've seen to cause him to change so quickly.

"I know, and I would've left anyway. Lia has a seal on her memories. Roswaal must've suggested so she could still have me around only as your weapon."

"Fine, let's form the contract."

Puck created the temporary contract with the condition that he would be able to look through Subaru's trial. After viewing the memories, his disdain grew. He knew the events after the Great Calamity and started to piece together what Flugel did. He had no idea how Subaru was even able to process it or if he even did. He commanded to the contract all Great Spirits are able to form.

Spirit God, I allow my mana to be forged into the Spirit Sword

As thus Great Spirit has chosen one worthy

Yes

Mana reserves are at the required amount

Subaru watched as Puck began to reform as his cat body turned into a black handle with a lion's face made from iron that connected to the blade of the sword, which was a thin short sword. The end of the blade was not curved into an edge making the edge shape look more like a thin rectangle. The sword moved to Subaru's hands as he wondered where he would put it, and it disappeared. He then thought about it returning, and it reappeared.

Emilia opened her eyes and saw Subaru standing in her room.

"Subaru?"

"Emilia-tan, sorry, I was just checking on you."

"Can you… stay here with me tonight? I want… to sleep… but it's scary. But with you in here, it's calming…."

Subaru sat on a stool, "Emilia-tan, I'd do anything for you. Get yourself some sleep."

Emilia smiled as she closed her eyes, "Thank you."

Subaru sat there as his anxiety and confusion grew. His mind felt violated as he continued to wonder what exactly Echidna meant. Flugel's soul within the witch factor? He wondered if that's like what a vessel is in the manga, and if that was the case, he was a vessel. He began to tremble until he heard a voice in his head.

Chosen owner of the Spirit Sword

Can it hear me? Subaru thought.

Indeed I can

Does my mind feel lost? How am I even worthy?

You are worthy

Subaru watched as the sword returned to his hand and glowed white as he felt a sense of slumber approach him. He falls off the stool landing his head on the bed.

"I'm sorry… why didn't you just sleep on the bed?"

Subaru's eyes opened as he was on the ground of the wooden floor.

"It's alright— are you ready to try your trial?"

"I can't believe… you stayed all night. I slept well… sorry for leaving you to sit there."

"It was worth it if you slept well. I believe in you, Emilia-tan. You can do the trials, and— I'll go with you."

"... Subaru, it's my responsibility."

"I want to go for a different reason. My mind is confused…."

"Ok, I trust you."

Subaru and Emilia walked to the shrine, Emilia entered, but Subaru was stopped.

Garfiel questioned, "Why er' ya here, Subaru?"

"I just am here to support Emilia-tan." Subaru sighed as he awaited a confrontation.

Garfiel walked up to him, "Ya ain't doin' that. Princess is the one takin the trials."

Subaru formed the Spirit Sword in his hand, "Do I have to fight you?"

Garfiel didn't hesitate to punch Subaru in the gut, but his fists burned as Subaru blocked it with his sword. The sword changed its aura to a blueish-red color. Garfiel sensed something off when he stared into Subaru's eyes.

"Ya wan' fight? Then I'll beat ya face in till ya give up." Garfiel responded as he increased his aura.

Subaru sighed as his sword had a black aura surrounding it. The area got consumed in black mist. He used his opportunity to escape into the trial room, where he collapsed.

His eyes opened, and he was in the Castle of Dreams. He walked towards Echidna and took a seat, not bothering to drink the tea.

Echidna frowned, "You could at least drink the tea a young maiden made for you."

"What am I? You said in the trial that the sloth factor influenced the trial… what does that mean?"

"I can't tell you things I don't know, Subaru. If I knew, I would've told you." Echidna replies with a smile, annoyed that she couldn't answer his only question.

Subaru cries, "What am I supposed to do? I don't understand anything. If the sloth witch factor allowed Flugel's memories to influence the trial, then you said he could've stored his soul or memories within the witch factors, right?"

"That's only the most likely conclusion I could make."

"So if the witch factors have Flugel's soul or memories and somehow it influenced the trial to show his memories because I contain the sloth witch factor, then… is this like him turning me into a vessel?"

Echidna thought about the question, "Using memories would be the more likely and easier method if Flugel did do this. Then another sage candidate would come with seven witch factors, and he'd regain control. A pathetic form of immortality."

Subaru broke down, "Is that reversible?"

"The obvious option is to avoid taking in other witch factors. If Flugel did put parts of his soul into the witch factors, then more then likely, once you obtain seven, he will take your body over. But that's easier said than done since you can metaphorically fight back."

"If there's a way, then I'll prevent it. I have to, or else another calamity will start."

"Did you consider the contract? I won't lie I'm not sure how to deal with this situation since it's all speculation, but I could assist you and help ensure your body isn't taken over." Echidna offers.

"No, I'm good. It's tempting, but I think I already know one way to deal with this."

"What is that?"

"I won't jinx it. Welp, I guess I'll just have to figure it out on my own."

Echidna sighs as she knows he won't accept any contract. She was surprised, but it seemed things had changed. Subaru watched as the reality dissipated, and he opened his eyes back at the Shrine.

Subaru walked towards the exit of the shrine, filled with thoughts and confusion. He looked back to see Emilia starting to wake up. She seemed calmer than before, as Subaru didn't want to consider the possibility.

"Emilia-tan did you do it?"

Emilia smiled, "I completed the first trial. But there's still two more to go."

"Good, I'm glad you overcame your… past."

Emilia looked at Subaru with worry, "Subaru, are you okay?"

"Yup, I'm just fine." Subaru gulped.

Emilia worried about him but didn't know what to do. The two walked out and saw Garfiel with an annoyed expression.

"Ya little shit," Garfiel said as he walked towards Subaru.

"I don't want to fight."

"Well, ya tricked me, so now ya gon get a beating," Garfiel said as he punched Subaru in the face knocking him to the ground.

Subaru remained on the ground, not getting up. He felt a mental pain far worse than any death, like he was nothing more than a pawn for Flugel's revival. He wondered if his existence endangered everyone around him. He felt a kick and a voice he knew.

"Natsuki-kun, why are you just lying on the ground?"

Subaru slowly moved his body up as he stared at Otto, "Just tired."

Garfiel hesitated on doing anything further as the look in Subaru's eyes. He could only guess that he had failed a trial.

Emilia looked at him worried, "Subaru, tell me what's wrong? You're always there to support me. Let me help you."

"I'm alright— only need some rest."