This chapter was was posted at the same time as Chapter 16; if you haven't read that one yet, The Author suggested you go back one chapter. The Author is still in the middle of settling down at new workplace. Expect some more delay.

Chapter 17: Spirit of Water

"...What did you say?"

I want to think I heard wrong, but the way Montmorency is crossing her arms, raising her chin, and avoiding my gaze just screams otherwise.

Montmorency: "It can't be helped. I can't buy what is out of stock."

She's talking about the ingredients for making the cure, that I've endured all day for.

I dealt with Louise's assaults all night, until she dozed off at sunrise, then I had to roll her up in a blanket like a cocoon before I could finally rest in my straw bed. I woke up late to the sound of Louise rolling down from the bed in the cocoon state. I struggled to get her to dress and eat lunch. I was her conversation partner all afternoon while fending off her assaults for the second round. All of that was done in hope for the cure that would salvage this situation.

And now I'm told that all those efforts were for nothing...Seriously?

"Can't you buy it somewhere else?"

Montmorency: "It's not sold in normal stores; you can only get it from black markets."

"Black markets? You're dealing with something illegal. That's not good, you know. The school won't be happy if they catch you."

Montmorency: "I told you not to lecture me! I know that much!"

From what I understand, kids this age are usually rebellious. Someday Neris and Nero will be like this too. I hope I'll be able to handle them well enough when the time comes.

"When will they restock?"

Montmorency avoids my gaze. That's a bad sign...

Montmorency: "They said they might not be able to procure it anymore..."

...The answer is even more terrifying.

"No way to get it anymore...? What is it you're looking for?"

Montmorency: "It's something that can only be gotten from Lagdorian Lake, on the border of Gallia: Tear of Water Spirit."

"Water Spirit...?" A familiar name, but I can't be sure it means anything the way I wish it would. "You mean...Four Spirits of Nature?"

Montmorency: "So you know about that. Quite knowledgeable for a commoner; that's not something most commoners know about."

So the idea's the same on this part of the world.

Guiche: "Four...Spirits...of Nature, what is that?"

Montmorency: "And this guy doesn't know what most nobles do."

Montmorency sighs in frustration and resignation, before raising her index finger.

Montmorency: "Four Spirits of Nature are spirits made up by the power of the Four Great Elements: Earth, Water, Wind, Fire. No one knows how they were born, but we do know that when Founder Brimir came into this world six thousand years ago, they had already existed. One of them lives in Lagdorian Lake."

Guiche: "...Oh! Now I remember!"

Montmorency: "So slow..."

What she said was really similar to the four I know.

One of them is Spirit of Water.

Montmorency: "Ondine." Und—Eh?

Montmorency looks at me, her hand on her left hip.

Montmorency: "What are you surprised about? Oh, you probably don't know Spirit of Water has name. All four have names, but it's not strange most people don't know that, since they are usually only called by the element they represent."

Montmorency raises her chin, looking pleased that she gets to show off her knowledge.

Montmorency: "Spirit of Fire, Salamander."

"Eh? Isn't that the fire lizards?"

Montmorency: "Yes, that. Salamanders got their name from Spirit of Fire. Since no one had ever seen its real form, and while some reports of its sighting stated that it resembles a person, most sources claimed that it resembles a flaming lizard."

"He~h." That kind of makes sense.

Montmorency: "Spirit of Water, Ondine, as I said."

The name is a bit different from Undine.

Montmorency: "Spirit of Wind, Sylphid."

"Ah, that's the name of Tabitha's dragon."

Montmorency: "I don't know her well enough, but yeah, that might be where she got the name. I recall her being skilled at Wind"

Hm, now I feel like I'm starting to understand some of the things around me. This is a bit exciting.

Montmorency: "The last one is Spirit of Earth, Gnome." That's the same name.

"Where does each of them live?"

Montmorency: "I don't know much details about other Spirits aside from the water one, but I heard Spirit of Fire lives inside Fire Dragon Mountain in Romalia, but humans can't stand the heat inside of it, so no one has ever really gone to see it before. Maybe a group of high-level mages could manage it, but there's no real reason to do so. Spirit of Earth and Wind I don't know. They are mentioned in the same source as the other two, and several books did mention there being high possibility that there are spirits for all four elements, but I don't know the facts."

It's the first time I've heard her talk so long, but this girl is pretty knowledgeable isn't she. Kind of like Louse.

Still, since Spirit of Water lives in a lake, and Spirit of Fire lives in a mountain, maybe a volcano, it could be the same here and the Earth one lives in the desert to the east, while the Wind one lives in a forest somewhere. It might be weird if things are so identical here, but their names are already pretty similar. Or maybe the languages themselves are similar? Hm...

...Well, I'm not good at these kinds of complicated things. I'll just leave it at that.

Montmorency: "Ahem. Now you probably know what I was talking about. Spirit of Nature isn't a bird or a rat you can find anywhere. In all Halkeginia there is only one of each; most people don't even get to see them, forget communicating with them. If people who knows how to, say something's impossible, then it's impossible."

Ah, we were talking about Louise's condition, weren't we. I forgot for a moment since the explanation was interesting.

"Then what do we do about Louise? She can't just continue to be absent from classes."

Montmorency: "I don't see why she has to take leaves. Just let her live normally; the potion will lose its effect over time."

"Lose its effect over time? How long will that take?"

Montmorency avoids my gaze for who knows how many times.

Montmorency: "Well...a month...or maybe a year."

"We can't wait that long!"

Montmorency: "T—That's for a full dose! She only ingested a little, so the effect could be much shorter! She might even recover in a day or two!"

"Do we have a guarantee for that?"

Montmorency: "W—Well, no, but...i—in theory, that wouldn't be out of question..."

"I'm not gonna risk it. We'll cure Louise now."

Guiche: "Hey, aren't you're being too forceful? Raising your voice at a lady is not very genteel of you, commoner." Guiche raises his brows, like I'm the one at fault.

Guiche: "In the first place, what are you so troubled about? Louise being head over heels with you should be a good thing. She treats you better, and even...became a bit erotic."

*pok!*

Guiche: "Yeowch!"

Guiche's daydreaming gets interrupted by Montmorency stepping on his foot.

"Of course I am troubled. Do you know I didn't even get to sleep until morning."

Their eyes suddenly go wide; Montmorency blushes hard...?

Montmorency: "I—I—I don't want to know what you were up to behind your door so don't tell me!"

"Huh? Ah! No, no! I meant I had to fend of Louise the entire night and only got to sleep after Louise passed out from exhaustion!"

Guiche narrows his eyes. He clearly doesn't believe me.

"That doesn't matter! We have to cure Louise as soon as possible."

Montmorency: "And just how do we do that?"

"If we can't buy it then we go get it ourselves. You know where Spirit of Water lives, don't you."

Montmorency: "Get it ourselves!? Do you realize what you're saying?! Spirit of Water is very powerful! If it becomes violent we could die!"

"I can guess that." Based on experience. "But we have to do it anyway. You have to come with me too, since you seem to know about this the most."

Montmorency: "No way! Go by yourself!"

This girl; someone is in trouble because of the potion she made, yet she is going to throw the responsibility just like that?

"Alright then. I will try speaking with the princess. She might be able to help."

Montmorency: "T—The princess..." Montmorency pales as expected.

I still remember what was said yesterday, that the potion is forbidden. If she doesn't want teachers to know, she definitely doesn't want the palace to know. But helping Louise comes first; whether Montmorency can avoid punishment or not can be discussed after that.

Montmorency clenches her teeth, her expression shows both anger and fear.

Montmorency: "I get it! I get it already! I will help! Aa~h, why did it turn out like this!? If Spirit of Water gets angry what will I do!~"

Guiche: "Please be at ease, my love. I will stay by your side always." Guiche puts his hand on his chest and says confidently.

Montmorency: "That just makes me more worried."

His hand reaches for Montmorency's shoulder, only to be dodged at the same time as Montmorency makes her remark. Guiche looks crestfallen.

"If there's no more objection then let's go."

They see that I turn half-way toward the door already, and should know how much I want to get this done quickly. But Montmorency just frowns.

Montmorency: "Are you stupid? It's going to be dark soon. How far do you think Lagdorian Lake is? It takes two whole days by horse! We will go tomorrow in the morning. Argh, that means I will have to be absent for four days. And after all the effort I put in to not miss any class this year too..."

"If it takes two days by horse then Nerian can get us there in a flash."

Montmorency: "Ne—What?"

[...]

"How are you? I hope you've been happy."

Nerian: "*kweh!*"

"You're well, I see. That's great."

Nerian: "*kweh*"

"Ah, no, you can't. You just had one yesterday. You should learn to be patient."

Nerian: "*kwee*..."

"Come on, don't say that."

She looks so disappointed. I can't help stroke her head.

Montmorency: "So this is..." Montmorency mumbles from behind me; she sounds like someone who sees a rare animal for the first time.

"Don't just stand there. You don't want to be back late, do you."

Montmorency: "E—Eh? W—What would you have me do?"

"Get on Nerian's back, what else. Come on."

Montmorency looks at Nerian with extreme hesitation.

Montmorency: "Do I really have to ride on this thing? Isn't there any other way?"

"Nerian is the fastest ride we have. Unless you have another way?"

I wouldn't be surprise if there is one, considering how many times this place has surprised me. Montmorency doesn't answer though, so either there isn't one or she doesn't have access to it.

They walk after me slowly: Montmorency takes very careful steps without taking her eyes off Nerian. Guiche keeps his eyes glued to Nerian's upper body as he walks.

They're probably thinking of what they heard from Louise.

Hm...I don't know how the people here view what happened; if I ask it might trigger an argument.

I don't know how these two see me, but that doesn't matter right now; Louise has to be cured.

They're still hesitating. Alright, I'd better show them how to climb onto Nerian's back.

"Hup. Alright, come one."

Montmorency: "..."

She looks at my extended hand as if it's something filthy.

*slap*

Then she hits Guiche's arm.

Montmorency: "What are you waiting for! Get up there and help me up!"

Guiche: "Ah, uh, yes, right away, Montmorency." Guiche complies, but his mind still seems to be elsewhere.

Guiche follows my example earlier pretty well. I thought he wasn't looking actually; looks like I was wrong. He balances himself, then helps pull Montmorency up.

"Which direction is the lake?"

Montmorency: "Ah, go southwest, that way."

The direction she points to, I see.

"Alright. Hold on, you two, because we're going at full speed."

Guiche and Montmorency hold on to Nerian's feather and hunch down.

"Nerian, go."

Nerian: "*kweh!*"

Nerian flaps her wings, lifting us up, and soars up the sky. Her strength seems to be closer to before she got injured. Maybe the feeding yesterday helped her recover.

Probably not a good idea to do it often though.

{...}

What in the world is this creature?

A mutated mystical beast, or an artificial creature born of heretical experiment, or one of the bird-like, demi-human race: the harpy? But I've never heard of such a big harpy; they should be the same size as humans.

Then there's this speed which is comparable to a wind dragon. Wind dragons are the fastest creatures in Halkeginia; there are no mention of other species that rivaled them, in book or otherwise. Not one that was proven to exist or once existed at the very least.

Moreover, this strange beast seems to follow the command of the commoner, Louise's familiar... And there's another thing I don't want to even think about. Ugh...Everything about this guy seems to defy common sense.

"Hey you!" I have to shout over the wind. I'm lucky that guy turns back at all.

"What in the world is this thing?!"

Luka: "Can't you wait until we land!"

"I'm worried for my life! I want to know now what the creature I'm riding on is!"

The familiar seems to think for a moment, before he shouts back.

Luka: "A garuda girl!"

"And what the heck is that?!"

Luka: "Legendary harpy!"

So it is a harpy. But what does he mean by it being legendary? Maybe it's a rare breed, or a species thought to be extinct like the Rhyme Dragons. Which means Guiche was being an idiot and jumped to conclusion again.

"So it's not a devil?!"

He thinks again.

Luka: "No! She's a monster!"

"And just what the heck is that?!"

Guiche: "You two are going to hurt your throat if you keep this up!"

I already am. I'm going to stop here before I catch a cold. Then I really will miss tomorrow's school.

[...]

Guiche takes my hand and helps me get down. My legs wobble a little; I'm not really used to flying.

Guiche: "Are you okay? If my dear Montmorency needs support, please tell me, my shoulders are always open."

"No need."

I"m still wary of standing too close to Guiche, let alone letting him put an arm around me.

So, there it is, Lagdorian Lake.

This feels too surreal. Did we really just travel from Tristain Magic School to Lagdorian Lake in under an hour? That's even faster than adult wind dragon's speed! How is that even possible?!*

I'll just...not think about it...or my head's gonna explode.

...

How long has it been already? Ten years? A bit longer, or shorter?

The fading light from the setting sun shines across the lake, dyeing its surface and the surrounding trees crimson. The light breeze across the water, red-dyed leaves and branches quietly rubbing together, and birds returning to their nests are the only sounds amidst the silence.

I have not been here since I was a child, but I still remember the scenery being as breathtaking as it is now. Ten years, and nothing seems to have changed at all, as if God has frozen the time only on this highland to preserve this ephemeral beauty.

...I've let my thoughts run for too long, even if this place is intimately related to my household's history.

Anyway, the lake is as beautiful as one would expect of a place famous for its beauty.

Guiche: "So this is the famed Lagdorian Lake! Whoa~ What a splendid view! And The Spirit of Water lives here! This is exciting! Hahahaha!"

But not so much as to elicit the reaction that dimwit is exhibiting, running into the lake and splashing water like a kid. I have to seriously consider my options before thinking about getting back together with this guy.

...Wait, actually, hasn't something changed about this place?

"Strange...I could swear the water level wasn't this high last time."

Luka: "I was going to ask about that. Isn't that a house's roof?"

The familiar points at the top part of a house's roof jutting out of the water. The evening light was almost too dim to see properly.

"So it wasn't just in my head. The water level has risen so much the nearby village has been submerged."

I haven't seen the lake for a long time so I didn't notice right away, but this level of change in this span of time is abnormal.

"You have quite a keen pair of eyes." Unlike that guy jumping along the lakeside. It's hard to tell who is the younger one here, despite outward appearances being very telling otherwise.

Anyhow, I had better finish our business here and go back as soon as possible; I might make it to the dinner in time. Besides, looking at the lake now gives me this strange sense of foreboding that just doesn't go away.

Luka: "Well, how do we communicate with her?"

"Her? Oh, well, at the very least, shouting and splashing in water like certain someone is doing is not the way. In fact, don't do that at all; it's embarrassing."

For that I need Robin, who I have kept securely in the cloth pouch tied to me waist.

Luka: "?"

Louise's familiar is looking at me with raised eyebrows for some reason.

"What is it, familiar?"

Luka: "Ah, is that frog your familiar?"

"Yes, her name is Robin. Why?"

Luka: "Well, I just thought, isn't it uncomfortable for a frog to be put in there?"

"Normally, it would be. Frogs' skin is very sensitive to chemicals and dirt; it would usually hurt them if they are put in a place they don't normally live in. But I cast the spell that keeps the inside of this pouch moist and cleans out most harmful dirt, so it's fine."

Good thing I learned the spell beforehand. Though there was nary a doubt a familiar I would summon would be aquatic, considering my strong Element.

Also, I am smart enough to know my own magical talent. There was no way I would be able to summon something too big to carry around, like a dragon or even a scylla, so I wasn't disappointed when I summoned Robin as my familiar. In fact, I'm glad I had enough foresight to decide to learn this magic.

"Still, don't underestimate her just because she is a frog; now that she has become my familiar, she was granted an ability to communicate with me with more understanding than any regular beast. She is also able to identify components of fluids and contain an amount of liquid while keeping it untainted for a limited time, which helps when brewing potions."

Luka: "He~h, that's pretty smart of her."

"Yeah, and if she has inherited my insight as well, she might even be smarter than some people." Like the guy over there, who still hasn't come out of the water. Does he know that on the off chance Spirit of Water gets annoyed by the racket he is making, he would be dead in seconds? Probably not.

"And her second ability will help us with what we came for."

I'm glad I haven't forgotten the needle. I don't relish the idea of biting my own finger like some brutes of our school do; it might leave scars if healed with my immature magic.

...! That hurts. I have done it so many times I'm used to it already, but it doesn't hurt any less.

A trickle of my blood on Robin...There, that should do it.

Now, heal my finger with a It still hurts inside, but at least there's no risk of an infection anymore.

"All right. Now Spirit of Water will know it is me, if it hasn't forgotten already." You can't be sure with a non-human.

"Robin, please find Spirit of Water and deliver my message, that an heir of one of its past pact bearers wishes to meet; do you get all that?"

Robin nods, and jumps from my hands into the lake. Such a well-behaved girl, so unlike some shameless flirt around here.

"Robin has gone to call Spirit of Water. Once she found it, she will bring it to us."

Luka: "Alright. ...What do we have to do to get her tear?"

"Tear...Though that's what is called, don't get a silly idea that we have to make it cry to get one. It is actually a piece of the Spirit's body. The only way we can get one is to ask for it directly."

Luka: "Eh? Is a piece of body something to be given away so easily?"

"It is absolutely not 'easily' given. It's simple to ask, but the thought of a Spirit is unfathomable for humans; the only thing we could gleam from observing thus far is that it is prideful. Even requests from those who formed a pact with it were not always accepted, and if it is angered, it will stop any cooperation mid-way."

Like that one time Father just had to say to it 'Don't walk around on your own; you're making the floor wet'. Thanks to that, the land reclamation plan failed. I must not make the same mistake here. Think about what to say carefully.

Luka: "Then how did the people at the black market got it?"

"I don't know what methods they used; could be ones ordinary people don't think of." Or want to think about.

It will take some time for Robin to bring Spirit of Water here. The communication should not take long at all, but how long Spirit of Water would take to decide whether to meet me or not is unknown.

Ugh, I know I should relax and keep my mind clear, but the trepidation is eating me. My head keeps picturing scenes after scenes of the negotiation going wrong. I have to keep calm; worrying myself to death over such a short time would be a disgrace as a Water user.

At this point even Guiche will do; I need a distraction.

Luka: "By the way—"

"What is it?"

I sounded too eager; should have waited for him to finish saying first. I need to control myself.

Luka: "How do you talk to your familiar? You're speaking normally, but your familiar didn't even say anything. How do you understand each other?"

Good. Something to engage my mind.

"First I need to correct your assumption: frogs cannot hear words the way humans do. In fact, many familiars—snakes, for example—don't even have the organs to form the sense of hearing humans have. A mage and their familiar simply have a connection that allowed them to communicate their intentions. I talked because it was the most natural way for a human to convey meanings, and Robin understood what she needs to. Frogs have their own way of communication, which of course I do not understand, but I will be able to make out what Robin tries to say to me regardless. That's just how master and familiar's relation works."

Luka: "Ohhh. I think I understand. It's kind of like how I talk to Nerian too."

"While I cannot understand your example, I am glad I don't have to explain it the second time."

Phew, that was long, but it cleared my head. I don't dislike giving lectures if the person understands them the first time.

"Since we are on the subject, there are familiars that can speak or understand our language, but only if they have the necessary organs. For an example, it is quite common for certain types of bird to be able to speak after they became familiars. There are known cases of familiars' body being altered to accommodate understanding and speaking of language despite not having the organs before the contract, but those are very rare cases for exceptionally powerful mages."

Of which I am not.

"In fact, aren't you also one of the normal cases? After all, there are no better creatures to understand human's language than fellow humans."

Luka: "I wouldn't know. I and Louise talk just fine since the beginning, though I don't think we understand each other all that much."

"Hm...I won't deny the latter, but are you sure you didn't receive the effects of the familiar contract without being aware of it? I don't know where you are from, but it should be a pretty remote area." Considering how messed up his common senses are. "Your hometown and Tristain shouldn't be speaking perfectly identical languages."

The familiar is taken aback. He probably hasn't thought about it before; he doesn't look too bright.

Oh, I almost forgot what we came here for; that was a bit too good of a distraction.

That glow beneath the surface of the lake: I've seen that once when I was young. That is the sign that Spirit of Water is coming up. I've forgotten about it until just now.

"It's coming!"

The familiar looks at the same spot I do; even Guiche stops playing around and comes back up to wait with us.

The light under the lake seems to move around. After a moment, the water rise up slowly, like an animal waking up from its sleep. This I remember as well.

The mass of water continuously change its shape and colour. Back then I though it was very beautiful and mesmerising, but now I only feel nervous. Under the gradually darkening sky, the unnatural light of Spirit of Water only signifies abnormality, danger.

Robin is back, jumping on to my waiting hands.

"You did well. Thank you."

Robin is safely back in the pouch again. Now it's my turn to face the real obstacle.

Keep calm. Even though it doesn't think like humans do, it probably won't attack all of a sudden. Even if it does, Spirit of Water is very slow on land; if I run up shore I can make it.

...Fuu...All right, let's do this.

"I am Montmorency Margarita la Fère de Montmorency, a Water user, and a descendant of one who formed a pact with you. Do you recognize the drop of blood on that frog? If so, answer with sounds and manners I can understand."

Just like What I saw many years ago, Spirit of Water changes its shape, becoming similar to the person it is speaking to. That time it took Father's form; this time it takes mine. Its size though is two times as large, and looks like an ice sculpture that contains a lamp inside of it.

Spirit of Water keeps changing its expression, like trying them out. Seeing my own face twisting like that...it's uncomfortable.

All that is only natural though; we can't expect something whose nature is totally different from us to understand what is common for us, like size and limits of facial muscles. I need to keep that in mind when communicating with beings of this sort, to not get taken off guard and make mistake like Father did.

The shapeshifting finally stops. Looks like it's ready to talk with us now.

Spirit of Water: "We remember, droplet. The liquid flowing in your body, we remember. The moon has cycled fifty-two times since we parted."

The echoing voice isn't like that of any human.

"That is a relief. O Spirit of Water, I have a request. It might be too sudden, but may you give us a piece of your body?"

Spirit of Water smiles with my face.

Luka: "Looks like it's an okay."

Too naive.

Spirit of Water: "We decline, droplet."

Luka: "What?" That's what I thought.

Spirit of Water is not a human; though it can imitate human's expressions, it doesn't really know their meaning.

Well, that ends out business.

"Right, of course, that's too bad. Let's go back."

Luka: "Ha? Wait a minute!"

"It can't be helped. Spirit of Water has denied our request; we can't force it."

Luka: "You still should've tried to change her mind or something!"

"Then do that on your own, but wait until I'm far up on the land. I don't want to be dragged into the lake along with you."

The familiar is a commoner so it's not surprising he wouldn't know the true terror of Spirit of Water, but repeated warnings should at least get through that thick skull a bit.

Luka: "...Alright, I'll do it."

"...Haa. I give up. I really can't talk senses into you. Well, maybe you two will be able to talk something out, seeing you both seem to lack common senses."

If the familiar thinks he can do something then I won't stop him, but I won't take responsibility if he becomes fish food; with that kind of opponent, I wouldn't be able to save him even if I want to.

The familiar turns toward Spirit of Water. I'll take this time to retreat.

"Guiche, come on."

Guiche: "Ah, I shall stay here and observe the exchange. It's not every day one gets to see and hear Spirit of Water."

Darn it. This guy's just as dumb.

"Look, you can stay there if you like, but if you don't want to die, you will stay away from the lake."

Guiche: "...Uh, I believe I shall make some space for them."

He doesn't really understand what I'm talking about, but at least he has the sense to listen to me.

Unlike that familiar.

Luka: "Spirit of Water, what do I have to do so you'll share a part of your body with us?"

Spirit of Water: "What you do has no effect on our disposition, droplet."

Luka: "Isn't there anything I can do in exchange?"

Spirit of Water: "There is nothing a droplet such as you can do for our benefit."

Luka: "We won't know until we tried. Tell me."

Spirit of Water: "We are certain. Droplets such as you lack the capacity to perceive essences of Nature. There is nothing you can do."

...As expected, I have no idea what it is talking about. What does 'droplet' even refer to anyway; past scholars had put forth several hypotheses of what Spirit of Water means, but none has been proven, and the Spirit never answered in the way we can make sense of.

The only thing we know of Spirit of Water is that it is very arrogant; it sees humans as ignorant and inferior, a tiny droplet to its enormous expanse. It is true that we don't understand many words it uses, or the fact that it always refer to the moon as singular; or maybe it's the other way around and it's Spirit of Water that didn't have enough understanding of our language. Anyhow, the worlds we live in are too different.

The familiar has gone silent. Does he finally get it?

Luka: "...How do you know I can't perceive the nature? I might be able to do it. Isn't there a way to test it? A trial?"

There he goes again. He really is too dull.

Spirit of Water: "There is."

...There is? ...Oh right, there is. I completely forgot about it.

Luka: "Can I do it? The trial."

Father told me about it once, and I read it in a couple of books. There is an established method to gain acknowledgement from Spirit of Water.

The person wishes to seek cooperation from Spirit of Water will create a human-like figure equipped with liquid circulations with considerable likeness of that of a human's organ system, mainly the blood circulation. Then they mix their blood into the doll as a way to tell Spirit of Water who is taking the test.

Obviously, the feat was beyond the capability of any single man, so the assistance of a skilled Earth user is required to create a sufficiently elaborated earthen doll, so the Water user can focus only on the liquid in the figure.

Even then, the extraordinary grasp of human's bodily system is required, which is still beyond the realm of concrete explanations and only a handful of Square Water users in any single generation vaguely, intuitively grasped; a product of natural born talent, as they say.

Spirit of Water: "Declare now your intention to prove your perception of Nature."

Once the figure is completed, Spirit of Water will exert its influence on the liquid circulation, and the Water user will have to maintain their control of the system to the Spirit's unknown criteria. If Spirit of Water is satisfied with the performance, it will become amicable to the requests of the person to a degree, and the attitude will extend to some of the person's blood relatives on the yet again unknown criteria.

A few had theorised that the Spirit simply could not or did not distinguish between people, and only perceived the 'likeness' of the bodily liquid of the person who passed the test.

That's the only real reason our House had maintained the position as the Royal Envoy to Spirit of Water for so long; because one of our ancestors happened to pass the test.

Well, that's all in the past now.

Luka: "I will do it."

Obviously, you need to be a Water user—a mage—to even have a chance to succeed. Even before that, a figure—and thus an Earth user—is required. Without a figure, the test wouldn't even begin.

So the familiar's effort is completely, absolutely meaningless.

Spirit of Water: "We shall begin."

In the first place, the process is just too convoluted. The only reason it has continued to be used to this day is because it was the only one to have worked, and was also mostly, if not completely safe to perform.

According to the books, the mages at the time had attempted numerous methods to obtain Spirit of Water's cooperation: subjugation, coercion, sacrifice, cohabitation; just about any approach, savoury and unsavoury alike, had been tried and marked as failures. The number of people that had lost their lives in the process supposedly was appalling. The method we have now is the invaluable product of those sacrifices.

And yet, despite it all, there had only ever been so few successful challengers throughout the recorded history that I can recount the names of all of them off the top of my head.

...Wait, I actually can't. Missing a couple of them.

At least I can still remember the one name that belongs to House of Montmorency; the single genius that just happened to be born in our house and was the start of our House's glorious age.

Well, it's all in the past.

Anyway, the familiar isn't getting what he wants today; no matter how much he tries.

Luka: "..."

He's looking so serious, but without a figure, Spirit of Water wouldn't have anything to...

...Spirit of Water is extending its 'tendril', even though there is no figure to exert its will on? Could it be it is confused, or just can't perceived that the tool for the test isn't there?

...Why do I have a bad feeling about this? What is this uneasiness that's gnawing at me?

Am I...forgetting something? Something very serious.

"Wait, I think you should stop."

Luka: "? Why?"

"Well..." I don't really know, but I think I know that it is bad to continue. "It's dangerous, and I have a bad feeling about it. You might die."

...Die?

Luka: "Well, I guess I don't know what's going on either, but we need to cure Louise, so I'm gonna do it. Don't worry, I've done plenty of dangerous things."

"That doesn't make it any better."

...Die...There is something...

Spirit of Water is extending its tendril toward the familiar. It can't distinguish between an earthen doll and a human?

...!

"Get back! Don't let it touch you!"

Luka: "Huh?—"

The tendril expands to cover the top of his head—his brain.

The familiar went still. His expression laxed. His eyes are unfocussed.

It's...It's over...

"No..."

How could it be...Why is this...happening.

Why didn't I remember sooner...All the hints were there...!

Guiche: "Huh? Montmorency? What is happening?"

Why were there so many casualties in the past trying to make a pact with Spirit of Water? Why was the established process so convoluted? It's because all the attempts that preceded it were lethal, and they had no choice but to work around it.

I already learnt about it! I read through the book several times! Why didn't I remember it when it counts!?

And now, I'm going to see someone losing their life...and feeling responsible for it... No, someone is going to hold me responsible for this, I just know...!

Why does this have to happen to me...Why can't it be someone else...!

What do I do?! Father, Mother, what should I do?!

Guiche: "Montmorency, can you hear me? Can you please explain to me what's happening?"

Aah...I feel faint...

Guiche...stopped bothering me. Instead, he's walking forward, toward the familiar.

"Stop! Don't you dare get any closer!"

Guiche: "...Montmorency? What do you mean? What's going on?"

Arrgghh...! Why do I have to babysit this idiot even at a time like this!? Why do I have to explain—to say this out loud...! I don't...I don't even want to...think about it...

"...The familiar...He can't be saved anymore."

Guiche: "...Huh? What do you mean?"

"...Long time ago, people wanted to form a pact with Spirit of Water. They tried to negotiate, and...Spirit of Water...it made similar offers."

It's written in the more obscured documents regarding Spirit of Water, mostly forgotten in the present age. It's common sense dealing with Spirit of Water is dangerous, but people today don't really know how or why.

"No one really know what Spirit of Water did to those people, but they were not the same after that...It's said most went mad, speaking gibberish, lashing out at everything...Some gouged out their own eyes, pierced their own ears, cut out their own flesh. They ran from their own family, seemingly became averse to everything, even their own breathing. Then, they...just died; as if their heart crushed itself. The best of the cases survived barely functioning, lapsing in and out of consciousness."

Guiche looks green in the face, and back away from the lake. That's the expected reaction. That's the attitude everyone should take with Spirit of Water.

Guiche: "Uh...Why was that? Why did all those people...became like that?"

"All creatures depend on the functions of liquid in their body to live. Spirit of Water, if it comes close enough to you, can control the liquid in your body freely. Your body wouldn't just burst open, but the most sensitive part of us, our brain...That's the most terrifying aspect of Spirit of Water; it can mess with our brain, and it's said the Spirit doesn't even understand our—human's brain well enough to even tap it without breaking us. I don't think it can fix us even if it wants to."

Colour is drained from Guiche's face, even the green.

"The test...Whatever Spirit of Water does with the people taking it, it breaks them. That's why the people trying to form a pact with it need a doll as their substitute."

I remember now. The books talked about that. I remember being scared by it and...Why didn't I remember it earlier?!

Growing up, I became indifferent toward Spirit of Water after our House lost the position of the royal envoy after Father's blunder. I decided I would never involve myself with it, even though I know Father and Mother secretly long for the glory that used to belong to our House.

So I forgot about it all. I've decided to lead a normal, mundane noble life; well enough off, but without the glamour. Safe, without the dangers that come with seeking glory.

Then why? Why is this happening to me?

I didn't even want to come. I didn't even make the potion for Louise.

I never wanted to have anything to do with Spirit of Water, or the pact, or any of those rubbish.

So why? Why...

Enough. All of this...disaster...It's more than enough. I don't...I don't know...what to do anymore.

...

...There is nothing I can do. This isn't really my fault. I warned him. Many times! That stubborn fool didn't listen to me!

Guiche: "Then...That familiar of Louise..."

"...is as good as gone..."

And Louise's life might as well be over. Because of...the potion I made.

Darn it. Darn it all...

Why does this have to happen to me...

{...}

...

It's as if everything around me has gone quiet, and all light snuffed out.

The light breeze caressing my skin has stilled; the smell of the lake, gone.

But I can still see the scenery. I can still hear the light splash of water, feel the Spirit of Water's touch on my forehead. All it needs is a little focus.

This feeling...I know it.

It's just like the first time I entered Serene Mind state; the feeling of being guided into it, rather than achieving it myself.

But...this is beyond that: a complete, total stillness.

The only time I've ever experienced this is during the last battle with Ilias, at the height of concentration, aided by Undine. Even then, with a clear goal and the greatest threat in front of me, there were other sensation to focus on; the flame of Salamander, the rush of battle, the sense of determination.

This is the first time where there is only tranquility and that alone.

This...is a little scary.

My...instinct, gut feeling, experience; maybe all of them...tells me human's mind isn't supposed to experience this.

I'm barely able to form coherent thoughts at this point, probably only because I'm already used to normal Serene Mind.

I can't get out of this on my own. I just know. Spirit of Water is the one brought me here, probably as a trial.

If what I know of Undine's trial apply here, trying to find a way out and working up my mind is just going to be counterproductive. I have to still my heart, and wait until this pass.

Keep unnecessary thoughts away. Feel the influence from Spirit of Water, and don't get lost in it.

'With the clarity of mirror, and the stillness of water'

...

{...}

...Spirit of Water retracts its limbs.

That guy...just stands there.

...

I...I can't take it. The wait is killing me...! I know what is going to happen any minute now, but that doesn't make it less...frightening.

Just...Just happen already...!

—! He moved! Oh, no, it's coming...!

Luka: "Did I pass?"

...

...Huh?

Spirit of Water: "That mind is capable of perceiving Nature. We acknowledge it."

...Spirit of Water begins to glow.

Spirit of Water: "You who are but a single droplet: a product of Nature, broken off from its great flow, yet are able to perceive its working. Let us form Contract. For as long as you maintain your being, Water shall aid you when you need its assistance."

The glow suddenly shoots out, and disappears into the familiar's body. Then the body of Spirit of Water loses its shape and falls back down to the lake.

Luka: "Thank you. Oh, right, can I get a part of your body first? It's urgent. We need it to make a cure for our friend. I promise I'll help you out in exchange."

The familiar talks to...himself?

...Small mass of water form in front of him, the size of a fist.

Luka: "Is this okay?"

...He's talking to me?

"Eh?...O...What...is okay?"

Luka: "We need a part of Spirit of Water's body, right? Well, this is supposed to be it. Or, does it have to be from the water in the lake?"

"..."

What...What is he even talking about...? What is...going on?

That ball of water, that's magic, right? But isn't he a commoner? He's not even holding a wand.

Could it be...Could that really be...Spirit of Water's doing?

Did this guy just...make a request of Spirit of Water...and it followed his wish?

Luka: "...Hey? Do you hear me?"

But...But that's...impossible! Only the selected few born into specific Houses would even have a chance to meet Spirit of Water; even less would be able to communicate with it meaningfully.

To negotiate terms with it, and succeed; that's the greatest feat only the House bestowed the position of Royal Envoy to Spirit of Water could ever hope to achieve.

The position that is as easily lost as a fallen leaf in vigorous stream, as our family had learnt.

Is he descended from a previous pact bearer? Then Spirit of Water would've said something; it always does that the first thing, like a kind of greeting, or confirmation.

And what was it about that test just now? How is he still fine?

Generations upon generations of the brightest mind of history had pooled their resource together and they still have yet to pass the test without using a substitute. The makeshift method we have today has only ever been successfully carried out by a handful of people. Utmost effort is required to maintain the position that comes with it; something my ancestors had laboriously tried to do, putting us in massive debt with the Guldenhorfs in the process, and still ultimately failed.

Yet this...commoner from some uncultured land managed to do it so...effortlessly.

This...This isn't right. It's too preposterous; it defies common sense!

Something is amiss here, some trickery involved; it has to be.

This is...unacceptable.

"What did you do?"

Luka: "Huh? ...Do you mean the trial?"

"That's right. What did you do?"

Luka: "Spirit of Water wanted to see if I'm, well, worthy or not, so I took the trial. And...well, I passed."

"I saw that, and it was impossible. That test, trial, whatever you call it, it's impossible for humans. I know you did something. What did you do?"

Guiche: "M—Montmorency...?"

Luka: "I...didn't really do anything special, I think?"

...!

"Like heck you didn't! I said it's impossible for anyone to have passed that God damned test!"

Guiche: "Montmorency...?! What—What's wrong...?"

"Be quiet! I'm talking to this commoner here!"

He had to have used some tricks, somehow. Or else there's no way he could've done what...what I couldn't.

I know...I don't have the kind of genius Father wishes any of his children would have. I put in effort in my study and magic, and it shows I'm far from the likes of Tabitha or that Zerbst. I quit trying to hold on to some big dream long ago.

I'm fine with not being amongst the best. I'm satisfied with being just somewhat above average. That's the smart way, realistic way to live.

But this...this is too much...too jarring, seeing this familiar of Louise achieving what I gave up on, saying it was 'nothing special'.

So, I just gave up on something that is perfectly achievable? I'm actually...incompetent... Is that it?

I refuse to believe that! There has to be something to this! And I'm going to drag it out of him!

{...}

Montmorency glares at me with animosity. But there's anxiety and desperation too.

I've seen expressions like that a few times before.

Having done heroic deeds even I myself wouldn't have dreamed off in the past, I was the target of jealousy of some people, usually aspiring warriors or heroes. 'Why him? Why not me?' That's the words that went unsaid most of the times, and said aloud the others.

It's not like I couldn't understand them either, since I was once an aspiring hero trainee too.

Also, I did get told to my face that Serene Mind, which I only manage to tap into after training day in day out, even with Undine's help, was mastered by a five-year-old girl.

There were times I wondered that myself. Looking at it from the sideline, I am unnaturally blessed: being born as a son of a strong hero and a powerful angel. If Alice hadn't literally fallen in front of me, my journey probably would've been very different. Those are all pure luck. I'm sure there are people who trained even harder than I did among those who were jealous of me. Wouldn't they be right to ask that question, then.

Alice: "Maybe, maybe not; it's pointless either way. The reality is that you were born your parent's son, you did save the world, and made coexistence possible. It doesn't matter what others might have achieved were they in your place. Or would you wish someone else is the Demon Lord instead of me?"

Alice always knows what to say to me during those times.

Alice: "Knowing the type of person you are, I am certain you would have reached the same conclusion even if you set off on a journey without me. It was on a whim I went to challenge Ilias on that day. I am glad it was you in the woods, and wouldn't have it any other way."

It's the same for me too. I'm glad to have met her and had her by my side.

That's why I won't regret having the power I do, or being different from other humans. I won't ever let others make me think it's bad of me to make them jealous. That's not something I can help with after all.

...

But if, in some cases, it was something I did or said that provoke them, then I can't honestly say that it 'can't be helped'.

If there's something that can be done to avoid unnecessary conflicts, then that is something I should—must do, or I wouldn't have the right to go around talking about coexistence.

"Sorry. Maybe I didn't put it the right way."

Montmorency: "...What is it?"

Montmorency still seems wary. That's normal, I guess.

"I said I didn't do anything special, but that's because I'm already used to doing it. Uh, so...I wouldn't recommend someone else trying it."

Montmorency looks like she's thinking. At least it doesn't look like she will get any madder.

Montmorency: "...So, what exactly did you do? What happened between you and Spirit of Water?"

"I don't know if I can explain it well, but let's see. Uh, are you familiar with the word 'Serene Mind' or 'With the clarity of mirror, and the stillness of water'."

Montmorency: "Never heard of it."

I see. That's actually a useful thing to know.

"Well, basically, the state of Serene Mind is to be absolutely calm and focused, to not be swayed by emotions or stray thoughts, like water that's completely still. It will feel like everything around you quieted down, but you will feel everything very clearly at the same time. Uh, do you get all that?"

Montmorency: "...Only that it's about being calm and focus. What does that have to do with Spirit of Water's test?"

"The trial just now was Spirit of Water putting me in the state of Serene Mind, or rather, something beyond that. I'm already used to it so it didn't feel too out of place, but if it's someone who never attain the state on their own, then, well...maybe they would fail...somehow? I don't really know what would happen in that case."

Montmorency: "..."

Montmorency seems to be thinking. She doesn't seem to be too mad any more.

Montmorency: "...Is it hard? That 'Serene Mind' of yours?"

"Very. I had help entering it the first time. As far as I know, only one other person is capable of doing it, and that person said there's only a handful of people in the world that can do it."

Well, I don't know how it is here. There could be a lot of people that have Serene Mind. Maybe the magic here would've helped a lot, I don't know. I don't think it's something to be said now.

Montmorency: "...So, are you saying you're one of the rare genius to be able to form a pact with Spirit of Water?"

"Uh, yeah." That's actually what happened, though it's a different Spirit of Water.

Montmorency: "Why have I not heard of any of this before?"

"I don't know. But from where I was, it's not common knowledge either. Maybe you just call it with a different name here?"

Montmorency: "..."

Montmorency crosses her arms, contemplating. Then she closes her eyes, and sighs.

Montmorency: "Well, I guess it doesn't matter to me either way."

I guess she's satisfied. That's a relief. If she isn't, she would have to be on her own, since this is as far as I can do.

"So...are you going to take it?" This ball of water in front of me is supposedly what we came for.

Montmorency: "Oh, right. I won't need that much, just enough to fill this vial."

"Oh, okay." That's small; able to fit in my palm.

Montmorency approaches the ball of water, still a bit wary, and scoop some into the vial, then put a stopper on it.

Guiche: "Montmorency? Are you all right? Is your head still okay?"

Montmorency: "I'm fine. I know what you mean, but your wording really irks me."

The ball of water splashes down the ground.

So, we got what we came for. Now, about the promise I made.

"Thank you. So, what do you want me to do in exchange?"

(Spirit of Water: "An object is taken away from us. We wish for it to return to us.")

"What is it? When was it stolen?"

(Spirit of Water: "Your kind calls it [Flute of The Lost Child]. It was taken from us thirty moon cycles ago.")

Montmorency: "...Are you talking to Spirit of Water?"

Oh, right, others can't hear her.

"Yeah. I'm asking about what she wants me to do. Hey, can you come out and talk so we can all hear you?"

Mass of water forms in front of me, taking the shape of a human woman...with fish tail instead of feet.

Guiche: "A mermaid?"

"Is that your real form?" It looks kind of like Undine.

Spirit of Water: "It is not. We took the form your mind prefers."

"I see..." So that's why she takes a form similar to Undine, because that's what I'm used to.

...Montmorency is looking at me dirty for some reason.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Montmorency: "...Nothing. I just reconfirmed your...preferences."

...This is about 'that', isn't it.

...There's no explaining away this one; not without telling her a lot more things than I'm sure shouldn't be said.

"So, this [Flute of Lost Child], what does it look like?"

Mass of water takes shape of an object. It's...It looks like...

...What is this?

Montmorency: "Ah, I know this one."

"You do?"

Montmorency: "Yeah. Well, not a lot, only what was written in the book I read. Supposedly, it's a magical artifact that resembles a flute."

"A flute?"

...How does this misshapen stick-thing look like a flute? Or is this how flutes here look like?

Montmorency: "Yeah, I know it doesn't look like a flute." So it doesn't.

"So, what does it do?"

Montmorency: "Supposedly, it constantly make sounds. High-pitched sounds."

"And?"

Montmorency: "That's it."

"..."

Montmorency: "Don't look at me like that. I'm not the one who gets to decide what counts as an artifact. Well, there's one other notable thing about it. It's supposed to contain massive amount of magic in it, like a lump of highly condensed magic energy. The magic is so dense that you can't touch it with barehand. Some hypothesised the movement of magic is what make the sounds."

"I see...So you can't play it like a flute?"

Montmorency: "I just said can't touch it with barehand; lips must be even more so. No, you can't."

"Then why call it a flute?"

Montmorency: "Ask the people who named it."

Right...

"Why would anyone want something like that?"

Montmorency: "I'm not sure. I guess there could be some ways to use something with that much magic in them, but I don't have an inkling of idea."

"So, we don't even know what kind of people might've taken them."

Montmorency: "No. Why don't you ask Spirit of Water? Surely it knows something."

"Oh, right. So, uh, Ondine? Do you know who took it?"

Spirit of Water: "The being that took our precious treasure was a droplet, originated from Nature, but it was not a pure one, for it also bore foreign force."

"...What does that mean?"

Montmorency: "No idea."

"Is there a way to identify the person? How do they look like?"

Spirit of Water: "Your kind will perceive the being as what categorized as 'a young woman' with 'long, blonde hair' and 'red eyes'."

Montmorency: "Red eyes, huh. Not a common combination, but not rare by any means. I'm pretty sure I saw one in our school, even."

"Uh, is there anything else?"

Spirit of Water: "None that your kind will perceive. For Contractor, you may be able to sense the being's extraordinary elements."

"Oh. What are those elements?"

Spiri of Water: "That depends on your capability, Contractor."

"Oh..." So, she's saying she doesn't know what I'll be able to sense, if at all. That makes it hard to look for...

"Well, I'll try to find it. Uh...Is there a time limit?"

Spirit of Water: "Until your life is no more."

"That's...a very long time." Longer than any normal human's lifespan.

Spirit of Water: "For us, time has no meaning. Past, present, or future makes no different to us, for we always exist."

"What if...I die before I get it back?"

Spirit of Water: "It makes no difference for us. We have acknowledged your worth, and thus your actions, so long as they do not go against Nature. If your life reached its end, we will take back the treasure by our method."

"Oh. How?"

Spirit of Water: "We will raise the water level, increasing our reach. When everything is submerged in water, we will have known the location of our treasure."

"Eh? Then the cause of the rise was this?"

Montmorency: "...I really can't understand a Spirit's mind."

Montmorency shakes her head. To be honest, this is beyond me too. Would Undine understand if she's here?

"The villagers are probably really troubled by that...Uh, can you lower the water level back to how it was? As fast as possible—without harming the people living in the area. I will take back your treasure for you."

Spirit of Water: "We shall abide by your wish, Contractor."

Ondine does...something to the ground.

There's no visible change, but I'll trust her on this one. Maybe it'll take time; the water level probably didn't rise overnight either.

"Thank you. So you'll be coming with me?"

Spirit of Water: "That is part of Contract."

"Alright. Let's go then."

Ondine's body dissolves back into mass of water and falls to the ground. Yes, she's back inside me.

"Well, we got what we came for. Time to go back."

We got that and more, even. I didn't expect to form a contract with a Spirit of Nature of this place too. I'm sensing the flows of things around me just like the time I first made the contract with Undine.

I hope this will be me if I have to fight someone like Wardes again...

Montmorency: "Right. If we don't hurry up we might really miss dinner."

True. There's only a sliver of light left on the horizon.

Nerian is waiting patiently for us. I'll—

Guiche: "Wait. Can someone please explain to me what happened first?"

Guiche has his right hand raised as he looks between me and Montmorency.

Montmorency: "Wait until we're back at the school. Like I said, we're going to miss dinner at this rate."

Guiche: "At least tell me what that 'contract' or whatnot was about. What did you do with Spirit of Water?"

"I passed her trial, so she formed a contract with me. Basically, I can borrow her power. Though I don't know what it is yet."

Guiche: "Borrow Spirit of Water's power!? But isn't that something only your House can do, Montmorency?"

Montmorency: "...That's in the past. Now it's another House that's the Royal Envoy. So, it has nothing to do with me anymore."

Guiche: "Still, shouldn't you be more surprised by this? Contacting Spirit of Water is supposed to be an extraordinary feat only a select few nobles can do. Yet, a commoner is now forming a contract with it. This...This is an uproar!"

Montmorency: "Probably. Anyway, I already asked what I want to ask and got my answers, so I don't really care anymore. Can we go already? I'm hungry."

Guiche still looks like he's not satisfied, but isn't saying anymore.

We get on Nerian's back: I climb up first, then Montmorency, then Guiche. Then Nerian takes flight, going at the same speed we took getting to the lake.

The jealousy I feel from Guiche is much more obvious than Montmorency; this one I really can't help with.

[...]

[...][...]

This is a problem.

We're safely back in Louise's room; having finished dinner and bath. The cure Montmorency brewed is in my hand. Louise herself is sitting on her bed. Everything is ready.

Except Louise won't drink the medicine.

Louise: "No way. It stinks too much."

"You need to. You can't go outside until you're cured."

Louise: "I don't need to be cured of anything."

"You do. A lot. Think back to what you said and did since yesterday; you're practically a different person."

Louise: "I am not. I am me, your master. And your master can order you to do anything, that's all."

Guiche: "Yeah, yeah, that's right. Behind that ferocious exterior actually hides the needs that all pubescent boys and girls have. After having suppressed it for so long, it finally—Ow!"

Guiche nods along himself, then, as expected, is stomped on his feet by Montmorency. I'll just leave those two to themselves.

"Are you sure?"

Louise: "I am."

"Very sure?"

Louise: "Very."

"Then drink this. If what you say is true, there wouldn't be any effect." Montmorency said there should be no other effects, but I don't know for sure; let's just pretend that's the case.

Louise looks between me and the medicine in the cup warily.

Louise: "Montmorency made this, didn't she?"

"Yeah. Why?"

Louise turns her head away.

Louise: "Then I won't drink it."

Montmorency: "And may I know what sort of problems do you have with the potion I brewed?"

If I was asked, I would point to Louise's current state without hesitation. I won't say it out now though.

Louise frowns and looks between us.

Louise: "You were with Montmorency all this time, weren't you. I won't drink potion made by a thieving cat."

Montmorency: "Haah!? What kind of rubbish is that!?" Montmorency stands up and shouts.

Montmorency: "Whose fault do you think that I've had to do all these things?!"

That would be you yourself.

Montmorency: "Hurry up and drink it already!"

Louise: "No." Louise says with a pout.

Montmorency's brows twitch, like she could explode at any moment. I need to do something.

"Louise, how about a trade."

Louise: "What trade?"

"If you drink this, I'll do anything you say—for one request." That was close.

Louise looks hopeful.

Louise: "Really?"

"Really."

Louise: "What if I ask you to spoil me an entire night tonight?"

"W—Well..." Ugh... "Okay."

...Hey, brewer, are you sure this potion work?

...Look me in the eyes, will you.

It's too late to turn back anyhow. The instant the cup's edge touches Louise's lips, she scrunches up her face.

Finally, after some more stalling, Louise grabs the cup and down it in a single gulp.

Louise: "Mya..."

...Hey, brewer.

Montmorency: "That has nothing to do with my potion. If you have the time to find faults with me, I suggest you run away now."

"Why?"

Montmorency: "Just because she returns to normal doesn't mean she will forget about everything that happened."

Louise: "..."

...A pair of pink eyes stares at me, confused.

It's as if the Louise just now disappeared, and another Louise who's a different person entirely appeared in her place. This Louise's face is extremely red, her brows twitch uncontrollably, lips pressed together so hard it's trembling, her body shakes as if she's in the middle of a snowstorm.

Louise: "...N..."

"N?"

Louise: "N...N... n—!"

"L—Louise!?"

Her eyes roll back in her head!

She fainted!?

Montmorency: "Hm...Looks like the shame outweighed the rage. Anyway, the cure was a success."

"Don't say it like it's someone else's business."

Montmorency: "Well, it's not my problem anymore, is it. Take care of the rest yourself."

Louise twists around in her bed, face contorting as if having a nightmare.

"This, what do I do?"

Montmorency: "Be glad you survive today, and think up how to survive tomorrow, after Louise wakes up; what else."

Guiche: "Ah, Montmorency, wait for me!"

Montmorency: "You go back to your own room already! I never said a word about forgiving you!"

They argue the whole way out, and close the door.

...

The room is quiet. It's night outside, so that's obvious.

The only sound in the room is Louise rubbing her body against the sheets and moaning in agony. I don't know what she's dreaming about, but I can't relax seeing her like this.

My hand just raises on its own by habits, but, hm...

Well, there' no harm, I guess.

She tried to move her away at first, but now she lets my hand raises on her head. She doesn't resist being stroke either.

Her expression loosens up a bit, but the fear is still there.

...

That took awhile, but the nightmare seems to have gone away already; I can let go now.

Louise frowns a little and moves, as if trying to find where my hand went. It doesn't' take long before she looks peaceful again.

Now that I think about it, none of us has taken a bath since we woke up this morning. I don't have the guts to wake Louise up for a wipe now, though.

I'll just get back to my place on the straw bed.

I'll have to put out the light first.

*snap*

This magic lamp sure is convenient. It works on a snap of a finger; doesn't matter if it's from a mage or not. Thanks to that, even Louise and I can use it just fine.

...

Still, before I sleep.

Louise is back to normal already, but I guess I'll do it for one more night, just to be sure.

...

Cocoon Louise, all set. Now I can sleep easy.

...Well, not really. I dread tomorrow a little. I'm in for an earful once Louise wakes up, I'm sure.

{...}

{...}{...}

"The water level has already dropped?"

"Yes, my lady. It has been going down steadily since two days ago. It's more than half way back to where it used to be three years ago already."

A red-haired girl from Germania looked in the same direction as the farmer's gaze; she looks at rocks, earth, wood stumps, all of which had traces that they had been submerged in water until recently.

"What exactly happened here? Tabitha, what do you think?"

A girl wearing a pair of glasses shakes her head, communicating her own lack of understanding of the situation.

"There has been a strange rumour. Some people spotted a giant bird they've never seen before landing on the shore on the other side, two days ago. I don't know if it is related though. And it was just before sunset, so maybe they were just seeing things."

The girls met eyes, both arriving at the same conclusion.

"...I guess we won't know until we ask them." The red-haired girl shrugged.

"This must be what they say about moody spirits. Raising and dropping water level with reasons we don't know. There are people wanting to secure the land that they used to work on, but since we can't even be sure the water won't..."

As the farmer continued to grumble about the hardships he faced from losing lands to the reluctant Kirche, Tabitha walked on the newly surfaced earth. From its colour and dampness, the patch of land was submerged until quite recently.

The eyes behind the glasses peer across the water, to the shore several hundreds of mails away on the other side, not revealing what was behind them.

*About Garuda girl's speed: It's not a spoiler or anything so The Author will state it here. Yes, you remember it right that Wardes's wind dragon was just barely catching up with Nerian two chapters ago. According to the novel, wind dragons' flight speed is about Saito's Zero Fighter, while Galda's flight speed 'might not be as fast as modern airplanes', according to Torotoro's Q&A section. So, The Author made it so they are about as equal here. However, there is one defining different between the two. As stated in Torotoro's Q&A, garuda girls, as per their 'divine bird' namesakes, 'are probably capable of short-distance warp' or some such abilities that allow them to travel at the speed Galda did during MGQ's Final Chapter. Torotoro's Q&A are full of vague answers like that, and it's clearly intentional.

PBW: "That ended the Love Potion fiasco, finishing with some tidbits on Tabitha's side, as planned."

Ilias: "You seem to have taken on a liking to that croissant-haired girl quite a bit. Forgive me if I am wrong, but are you perhaps having a despicable idea yet again?"

PBW: "Are you hungry or what?"

Ilias: "I do not involve myself with the lower world's tainted food. What I wish to know is when will you continue the matter with the garuda girl? It was only because of that lousy drug that the matter was dropped temporarily. Now that it has concluded, I hope we can finally go forward with getting rid of it. I suggest pulling out all of its feathers, rubbing salt on its raw skin, and roast it into the largest turkey in the world. Give the left leg to the teachers, left wings to the workers, right leg and wings to the students, and I will take the rest. After that its bones should be processed into furniture, tableware, and horseshoes. Then its otherwise worthless life will at least benefit the people of the world."

PBW: "Seriously, are you hungry?"

Ilias: "Can you please listen to what I have to say until the end?"

PBW: "I did, but answer me first. Also, I know you're lying, but it will be spoilers for MGQ Paradox so I won't say it here. If anyone want to know snippets of Ilias's life, The Author suggest they buy and play the game."