"If you hadn't told me about that skill of yours then I would have assumed you have been studying the sword for three years by now" Velvet said. She had stopped our fight for the tenth time tonight, it has been less than ten minutes since this session started but I can definitely see the improvement.

"Yeah it's amazing, it feels a bit weird though." I swing my sword in a downward slice as I continue speaking.

" Last month when we started i knew that leverage was almost everything when it comes to combat, but knowing and applying that knowledge is an entirely different thing."

Velvet observed my practice looking for any obvious flaws. It was her way of teaching, since she didn't use a sword there were no forms for her to teach me so she had told me what she remembered of Arthur and how he practiced.

I can tell she loathed everything about that man but she would use anything and everything to exact her revenge, just as I knew she would, techniques and teachings included.

"You're putting too much force in your swings and not building enough momentum, swing your sword not as to hit your enemy but to cut through them."

Advice I knew even before my transfer but I keep failing to heed simply because of habit, something I would need to overcome in order to help Velvet.

"Got it how's this then?" I say as I bring my sword from my shoulder to hip twisting my torso slightly and spreading my feet. The wind that I felt was stronger this time but I could tell that wasn't enough. "Maybe like this?" I mutter.

"You're getting better and at a pace most wouldn't be able to replicate but Artorius isn't a normal person, what took you a week to lean he had down in a day."

Velvet grunted in frustration, a constant these days, before sighing looking lost in thought, feeling an opportunity to get to know her better I took a step closer and was about to sit down next to her when she spoke in her usual authoritative tone.

"Stop." Did she not want to talk right now? " I don't know what you are thinking of doing but right now your skill isn't the only issue we are dealing with. You not only have to gain skill but also the muscles and mass to use them, I can see some of the necessary muscles are developed well."

As she says that I can feel a finger poke at a bit of my arm only to poke more aggressively at my stomach, and sides.

" These are not, work on sword swings and combinations that focus on using those muscle groups, when you feel like you are about to collapse come talk with me."

Having nothing else to say she went back to the other side of the cell. Man I knew she was intense from the games but she just doesn't stop, although I guess that's one of the reasons I like her so much.

I don't remember a lot of the games details but I don't think the cell was this big in the game then again with the size of the prisoners they send down here it would have to be large.

I spent an hour and a half doing nothing but experimenting with my sword swings, while I already knew a few swings that put stress on the muscles Velvet pointed out it wasn't that much.

Eventually I had to return to outside the cell in order to not arouse suspicion from the patrolling guards, the only reason I'm the one guarding velvet is because of how I was transferred here.

I've read quite a few stories with a self insert premise, and most have the protagonist take over an analog of themselves or alter the memories of those around them to think they have always been there not me though.

When I found myself on Titania I was in the storage room where they keep the prisoners possessions, I was also lucky enough to find an untouched set of armor.

I found the nearest guard and made an excuse about getting amnesia from a hit to the head, it's cliche but in a medieval society it works a bit too well.

Honestly I can't believe it worked out so well for me sure I had to answer a few questions but other than knowledge I can barely remember from the game I didn't know anything about the world so they believed me.

When it became obvious to them that they would have more luck with asking what I do remember over what I don't it became even easier to make a believable story, at first glance anyway.

My skill allowing me to quickly learn how to lie effectively is the only reason I wasn't shipped off to another abbey outpost or headquarters for 'retraining'.

It soon became known to the exorcists that i came to Titania for a reason, the only thing I had to tell them was I came to guard the cell of the calamity that destroyed my village, one of my 'few remaining memories'.

Although it quickly became evident to them I had no idea what the calamity actually was only that I knew it existed and they sealed it on a remote island how I got that information was not known.

Many exorcists joined they Abbey because they lost someone dear to them but none had lost them to velvet, I was soon granted my post so I could 'gain closure'.

I did feel bad for fooling them like this but the only reason I could see God sending me to this world is twofold.

One the desires I had in my former life of being able to not only experience an actual adventure but also being able to connect to another person on a deep level that back on earth was near impossible.

Two this is not as likely but as a way to spread his word, I say not as likely because of the words he left me with.

Either way I was already determined to help Velvet in her quest and the only thing that would be able to stop me would be Velvet herself.

During the day I didn't have much time to visit Velvet but that is not true for the night and in accordance with our first meeting I would be in that cell, not only training but getting to know each other better.

We never talked about Artorius as doing so would obviously ruin the mood and happier times for her would forever be tainted by what had happened so I talked about myself and what little hobbies I had.

Getting closer during the night only made the days after bitter.

It was stifling being so close to someone but not being able to talk simply because it would cause too much trouble if we got caught, so during the day I would do my best to entertain her by singing or doing voice impressions.

The other guards asked about this so I told them I was trying to remember who the voices belonged to, cautious looks soon turned to pity and sadness but not all.

The exorcists of the Abbey were always coming and going from Titania so those that were suspicious of me would forget about the weird 'eternal gaurd' and of those that didn't they eventually reported their suspicions to the Abbey, I have no doubt I would be having a conversation with someone important real soon.

'man if that happens I hope it's someone reasonable I can just tell them "I don't need strength to gaurd the calamity sir, Lord Artorius has done that part for me by sealing her, what a guard needs is integrity, honor and a firm will." sounds like it has enough pomp to it right?' my musing was cut off by the sound of three separate footsteps coming my way.

"Are you the guard for the calamity? Open the cell." One of the two guards announce as they enter the room standard for when they finally feed velvet although who they are sending is definitely not the usual.

"Unhand me you cretin or I'll have you turned into a frog and stuffed in the gullet of the nearest demon for this humiliation or my name isn't Magilou"

"Is she supposed to be a sacrifice? I thought we only fed the calamity demons is everything alright?" I say putting on a concerned face although I made sure to send a suspicious look towards the witch " why does she have books as a skirt?" I look directly at the nearest guard when I ask this

In the game it was a way to show Magi was not only eccentric in her mannerisms but also that she didn't care for the norms of society, teasing Laphi was just a bonus, even so that has to be extremely cold especially on this small ocean island

The guard I turned to shrugged looking disturbed and I made sure to mirror that expression. "There is not a single normal prisoner on this island. I guess you wouldn't know since you only guard this one, but it's best to not think of things like that just follow order and reasoning, forget everything else"

"What are you two standing around for? Open the cell immediately, I have orders to relay a message from Lord Artorius to the demon!" Saying so the pompous guard went to the center of the room and looked down into the cell where Velvet laid.

"Prisoner! Lord Artorius has seen fit to give you a cellmate, be sure not to eat her or there will be no food for two weeks understood!" Man this guy seriously needs to learn to chill

"Nooo I can't be locked in a damp hole in the ground just think of what it will do to my skin! So long clear skin I hardly knew ye. Can't you just make a new cell close to this one if he wants us close? Please please please" she bends over as she claps her hands on her cheek tilting her head

"I can see your panties clear as day you know." I say as I stood behind her, they didn't exactly restrain her since without her artes she is pretty weak.

She turns around and flashes me a smirk " Want a better look pretty boy?" Huh? Pretty boy? " I tell you what you if you keep me from becoming demon kibble and I'll lend you a 'hand'." She winked as she finished her sentence

"Sorry I'm interested in someone else." Before I could even think I spoke. Both the pompous and laid back gaurd snap there heads to me and look surprised trying to recover I put on a surprised look myself.

"I had someone I intended to marry?" I made sure to mutter that out in a loud enough voice they could hear. " But she was turned into a demon I think or was she?" I shook my head and looked at the others in the room

"Sorry looks like I've recovered a little memory from this talk." I turn to look at the witch and do a small bow. " As thanks for helping me remember something about my past, I'll see if I can give you a little more food than usual although I can't do it too often"

" While I'm glad you remembered more of your past I'm sorry it was a painful memory, I'll make sure that you can fulfill your promise but it can't be for long only a week after that she will have to have standard portions." Saying so the laid back gaurd laid his hand on my shoulder

"We will let you handle everything from here. The barrier should not need an adjustment for the witch so just drop her in and make sure she is still alive every day or so, other than that you are free to do as you please."

'Man they sure are showing me a lot of trust aren't they' I think as I watch them leave. I turn to Magilou only to find her staring at me with a calm expression.

"So what's with the lies?" My face twitched at being called out instantly. She really is too perceptive. "You can't bullshit a bullshiter I believe is a phrase, so you have all of your memories right?"

Trust Magi to cut right into the heart of it I turn to the cell and open it I force Magi to go in first before I join her.

" You don't want to talk? That's fine but tell me this if you have been lying to the Abbey all this time what is your real reason for being here?" She asked after we get to the bottom of the cell

"That's none of your business, why are you here?" Velvet cut in before I could say anything " If anything we talk about in here is leaked because of you I'll devour you understand?" Already I can tell Magilou understood that we work together but as I expected she didn't care

"Yeah yeah whatever, say what got you thrown in this dump anyway other than being a demon?" Even though she asked that question she didn't seem to care about it.

'whats with the attitude? She is usually an unrepentant troll but now she is speaking frankly, it's a bit weird'

Before Velvet could answer I decided to intervene " For the same reason you are, she wants to kill the leader of the Abbey just like you want to kill Melchior."

Magi looked at me in genuine shock. " How could you possibly know that? This is the first time we met and that is more of a recent thing so no one could know that was my goal. Who are you?!"

I turn to velvet and asked her. "Do you think you can explain our situation? If you are worried about betrayal or her strength don't worry, the only reason she is so weak right now is she lost her contract with her malak. As soon as that is restored she will be a vital part to your revenge."

"Are you just going to ignore me? You seem awful chummy with this demon. What would happen if the exorcists heard about that?" She put her hands on her hips and bent down a little her anger seemed only skin deep more of an irritation than anything.

"I have to go back up or the exorcists will get suspicious, I can't afford that right now so I'll leave it to Velvet to explain the situation. I'll be back sometime tonight."

"Whatever as long as I get my answers." She scoffed flicking her wrist as she turns her back to me and addresses Velvet. " You want to start that explanation now? Or do I have to wait for your boyfriend to leave."

Velvet smirked and said " we'll wait for my fiance to leave, there are a few things I want to make clear without him around." Hearing that my heart skipped a beat and my foot that had just started on the ladder slipped.

I looked back at Velvet in shock, this is the first time she has said anything about my proposal and for it to be a confirmation made me ecstatic.

Turning back to the ladder with a huge grin on my face I climbed out. I have a feeling that Magilou is going to be a great cellmate for Velvet.