In the days before the Royal Selection meeting, Subaru trained like there was no tomorrow. Now that he had access to Yang magic though Sol, he could practice a much wider variety of magics. By the time the day of the selection came, he had made some significant progress.

"Akua!"

A square of golden light, about the size of Subaru's mid-section, flickered into existence in front of his outstretched hand.

He let out a breath, and examined the plane critically. The spell wasn't drifting away from him anymore, which was a plus, but other than that, it didn't look great.

"What do you think? It seems a bit thin to me."

Sol circled around the square, not yet committing to a verdict. He gathered mana from the surroundings, and flung it at the spell, causing it to ripple like a sheet in the breeze. Subaru winced. It wasn't supposed to do that.

Poke. Sol ordered.

Subaru raised a finger, and gently touched the spell, feeling the glassy texture for just an instant before it cracked like thin ice. The shards shimmered as they dissolved, shedding motes of light which spread throughout the empty waiting room.

While Subaru wasn't sure whether he was supposed to be allowed to use magic inside the manor, no one had yet told him off for doing so.

He sighed. "Still no progress, then. I think I'll just stick to illusions, there's no time for me to learn this properly."

Sol bobbed understandingly.

It was a shame, since the Akua spell would have drastically increased his defence. It was a spell Sol already knew and was able to cast, admittedly limited to around the size of a hand. That said, the spirit's version was strong enough to deflect one of Subaru's sword strikes.

"I've still got plenty of spells I can use though! Paralak and Fal Shamak are really good debuffs, and I have Goa and Huma for offence. You can cover defence for me, and Luna can use Shamak as a distraction. I suppose I could also use Huma to jerry-rig a shield if I have to… Hey, Huginn? I want to try something."

The fire spirit flew over curiously, leaving his sister and Luna in the corner.

"Alright then… Visualisation, then execution." He raised his hand, trying to imagine a shield protecting him from harm.

"Huma!"

When Emilia and Puck had created shields of ice, they had been beautiful hexagons of interlocking snowflakes, that could turn aside blades like they were walls of stone.

Subaru's diamond shaped shield looked a little less impressive, which wouldn't matter if it worked as well, but it had one readily apparent flaw. It was small, as if a normal Huma projectile had been moulded into a shield shape, which, Subaru supposed, he had. It was even smaller than Sol's Akua, severely limiting it's application as a defensive spell.

Success? Huginn asked, not quite clear on what Subaru had been trying to achieve.

"Not quite, Huginn. I suppose this will have to wait too. I can't really afford to spend time learning the intricacies of ice magic."

He clenched his fist, and the ice cracked apart into smaller pieces. One open window later, the evidence had been safely disposed of.

He stretched his arms, falling into a routine of radio callisthenics as he thought.

"I suppose I could ask Reinhard to show me how to use a shield. He barely ever has time he can afford to waste teaching me, but with his Divine Protection of the… something about training, he could make sure I know the basics. I'd ask Velia, but she doesn't seem like the person to use a shield."

The elf was like a video game character who had spent every skill point on being the absolute best possible in one specific area. She was unparalleled in stealth and infiltration, but somewhat lacking in other areas. When Subaru had asked her to train him in the sword, she had admitted she didn't actually know how to use any weapons but her single-edged daggers.

Subaru had tried to learn from her anyway, but he didn't have the agility to move his two hands independently, making her two handed fighting style impossible for him.

But her illusion techniques… those, Subaru could handle.

"Alright, Sol, Luna, let's try this one more time," Subaru said, and both spirits flew over his shoulders. "Visualise what you want to project, and… execute!"

Mana from Luna and Sol combined in Subaru's cupped hands, and together, the three of them pulled it through a single pseudo-gate. It had taken a great deal of practice for them to be able to cast spells which drew on two different affinities, but the results were well worth it.

A smaller version of himself stood in his open hand, looking up at him like with a nasty-eyed glare. It was standing on a circular base, like he had been recreated as a figure of an anime character. Though this was unlike any figure that could be found on earth. It was incredibly detailed, if not entirely accurate. Most striking of all were the four miniature lights that floated around its head detached from the rest of the figure. They twinkled like stars, though the one meant to represent Luna looked more like a black hole.

"What do you think? I think this has to be my best version yet. It really captures my average looking face! The proportions around the legs look a bit off, though."

Stubby. Luna agreed.

Sol had to examine his real legs again in order to reach the same conclusion. While the Yang spirit was practically an expert in magic and mana when compared to Luna, he was woefully lacking in other areas, which was why he hadn't ranked up to become a quasi spirit yet.

The illusion in Subaru's hand didn't react to their scrutiny. Subaru hadn't yet reached the stage where he could create moving illusions.

"Alright then, onto the next step." He placed the illusion down on a table, being very careful not to disturb it too much, then backed away.

Some spells were not simply fired and forgotten. Huma, for instance, could create a projectile out of ice, but the caster could maintain a connection to it in order to keep it hovering in mid-air, and to shoot it when ready.

The illusion on the table was no different. Subaru could feel the connection he still shared with it, and he took in his mental grasp. Slowly, he twisted the connection in on itself, tying the spell formula in a knot, then… he let go.

The connection in his mind winked out, but the illusion remained.

"Yes! It worked! Alright, everyone, start counting. Let's see how far it gets this time."

The five of them looked in silence, though Subaru doubted Muninn was counting. It would have been quite difficult, considering that she didn't even know how to yet.

At twenty seconds, the figure had already beat his record for longest free-standing illusion. By forty seconds, Subaru could barely contain his excitement at having made such a rapid improvement.

At the two minute mark, he had gotten bored of standing there waiting for it to dissolve.

"A bit vain, don'cha think, bro?"

Subaru jumped, and whirled around.

Felt stood at the top of the stairs, arms crossed and a cheeky grin on her face. Her usual roguish appearance had been mitigated somewhat by the yellow dress she was wearing.

"Same to you," Subaru shot back. "Are you taking to the whole 'queen candidate' thing?"

"Hell no! I'm only in this because that jerk said I couldn't use my regular clothes today." She shook her head, and strolled down to ground level.

"And at least I didn't spend the last few minutes staring at a version of myself." She stepped up to the table and eyed the figure critically.

"Hmm. It looks better than the last one you showed me. The legs are a bit stubby though."

"I noticed." Subaru said dryly. "Don't touch it, I want to see how long it takes to— Hey! I said don't touch it!"

Felt ignored his protestations, turning the figure over in her hands. Somehow, she was handling it gently enough that it didn't fall apart, no doubt a skill learned from pickpocketing delicate items in the past.

"It's very light, and it's got a weird feeling to it. What type of material is this supposed to be?"

"Oh, it's called plastic. You wouldn't have it here."

"Hmm." Felt held it up to the light. "I can't tell that it's fake. Aside from this supposed pla-stick it's made of, it seems so real. How long will it last?"

Subaru shrugged. "I don't know, I've never had one this successful. It'll either be when the spell formula comes undone, or when the mana supply runs out. Velia can make illusions that last for hours, or even days, but I'm nowhere near that level."

Felt sighed. "Pity. It would make for a good product if you could get them to last longer. Though you'd make a lot of people angry once they dissolved. That would be more of a scheme for a traveling con artist."

"A queen candidate really shouldn't be saying things like that! What kind of things would your rivals say about you?"

"I'm a thief, they'll have plenty to say already," she said, and placed the figure back on the table. It shuddered, and fell apart, the colours draining into streams that faded into the air, the main body melting into a pool of shadow. Within a few seconds, not a trace remained of the figure.

They stared at the spot it had been in.

"Um, oops?" Felt scratched the back of her head ruefully.

"It's fine, it's fine. We just discussed how they don't last." Subaru waved her off. "I need to make plenty to practice anyway. What should I try next? Maybe I could create one of you, as you are now."

"Don't you dare!" she exclaimed. "If I have to see what I look like, I'll just curl up and be unable to attend today. How about you make one of that jerk instead?"

"Hmm?" Subaru raised an eyebrow, while taking hold of the mana from Luna and Sol once more. "You really shouldn't call him that. I don't think Reinhard has it in him to be a jerk."

"He kidnapped me!" she cried, aghast.

"Eh, you got over it." Subaru was only half paying attention to her, trying to simultaneously picture Reinhard's figure. What kind of stance should he have it stand in?

"Only because I was bribed with the chance to rule the kingdom! And the food and board, that's pretty good." She paused, and put a finger to her lips. "You know, life would be pretty good, if I had gotten here myself, rather than being chosen by some stone."

"Yeah, I can understand that," Subaru agreed, settling on a stance and forming the magic formula. The air in his hands began to shimmer as the illusion took form.

"I'm in the same boat. I'm only here because of the knowledge I possess. Otto is way better at working things out, Velia can sneak in anywhere, Reinhard is… well, he's Reinhard, and hell, even Old Man Rom is doing more than me."

"Really? What about…?" She trailed off, putting a hand to her chin in a thinking pose. "Huh. You really aren't doing anything, are you? I just kind of thought you were, since you're the one who started all this. Lately you've just been training to bring yourself up to the level of an average fighter, right?"

"It kind of hurts if you put it like that! It's not my fault everyone else is so overpowered!"

Felt burst out laughing. "I'm kidding, you could beat almost any thug you'd find in the slums. But it's nice to see someone else on my level, ya know? I haven't been helping at all with any of this."

"We all have our own roles to play. If not for you, we wouldn't even have a camp. That's got to count for something." He increased his focus, and spirals of light and shadow coalesced in his hands, settling on Reinhard's form.

His cloak was spread out, as if billowing in the wind. He held the rusty sword overhead, in the pose Subaru had seen him use to defeat Elsa, in his first successful run of the loot house.

"Our own roles, huh?" Felt said, straining at his side to try and get a better look. "So does that mean you've decided a role for yourself? You've seemed a bit better since you contracted these other spirits, so I assumed it was because of them."

"I have the most important role of all," Subaru said, passing her the figure. "I'm going to make sure we succeed."

She raised an eyebrow. "That's quite the burden. You sure you're going to be up to it? I thought we just agreed you were kind of weak."

Subaru shrugged. "Let's call it my moral support. When the dust clears, I'll make sure everyone can still smile widely!"

Felt stared up at him with narrowed eyes. "Those words sound nice, but something about them makes me uneasy. Are you sure you want to come with us today? I'm sure Otto could find something for you to do."

"I need to go." Subaru insisted. He needed to be present for every major event, so that he wouldn't have to waste another loop if the Witch's Cult sprung another surprise on them.

"If you say so," Felt said doubtfully. "But don't forget to rely on the rest of us. That's an order from your camp leader."

"As you wish." He bowed in an exaggerated manner. "I'll be in your care, Lady Felt."

"Don't you start that too!"

"If I may be so bold, I will begin the proceedings as the Captain of the Royal Knights."

Subaru's third journey through the palace had erased whatever novelty had been left. Now it felt more like a regular trip to the shopping mall than visiting the seat of the Lugunican government. Subaru had felt nothing but frustration at the petty squabbles of the nobility, who despite knowing about the threat posed by the cult, still found it in them to complain about the candidates chosen.

"I think everyone knows the purpose of this gatherin', so can we skip to the main point of discussion?"

Subaru stood grouped up with the knights for this version of the selection. The view wasn't all that different, aside from the fact that he could see Emilia a bit better.

"As you wish, Lady Hoshin. Sir Marcos, could you summarise the situation?"

Subaru was only half-listening to the conversation between the candidates and the Council of Elders. He had heard it once before, and he didn't really want to experience it again now that they had even more of a reason to hate Emilia.

He glanced over to her, tuning out the Captain of the Knights' words completely.

She was distraught. There were no other words for it. Whatever pressure she had felt in the previous loop, it was a hundred times worse now. Her face was pale, and she hadn't even acknowledged Felt when they met again.

The little blond candidate hadn't pushed her to respond, but Subaru's heart ached at the sight.

I wish I could have done something. I wish I could do something.

His hands closed into fists.

No, I can do something. Everything will be fine, once we defeat the cult.

"Just get rid of the half-devil!"

Subaru snapped to attention, turning to try and spot the person who had shouted out. He wasn't the only one. Several knights had turned to face the bureaucrats, hands resting on their swords threateningly.

For a moment, it seemed a full scale civil war might break out in the confines of that very room, but Miklotov's voice rang out, quieting the angry whisperings.

"It is the opinion of the Council of Elders that such a course of action would be contrary to the dragon tablet's instructions. It has not yet led us astray when we are faced with crisis, be it famine, invasion, or even the incursion of the Black Serpent in recent years. We will not go against its guidance."

"But surely there are others that share misgivings?"

Subaru recognised that voice.

Rickert Hoffman stepped out of the crowd, caressing his goatee with one hand. "The dragon tablet does not make mention of this attack, is that not so? In fact, if not for the warning of an unrelated prophecy, we would not be aware of the scope of this coming attack, and we would have no reason to prepare to this extent. Could this not be a test, laid out by the dragon, so that… So that 'Lady' Emilia might prove herself worthy."

Subaru grit his teeth to keep himself from shouting out. The noble's false respect was somehow even worse than the outright hatred, as if dressing up his words would take away from the fact he was suggesting they send Emilia out to die.

"It matters not."

He blinked in surprise, and looked over at last person he would have expected to come to Emilia's defence.

"The world works in my favour," Barielle declared, lifting her fan and using it to cover the lower half of her face. "If this wretched girl's existence as a candidate provokes aggression, then it is for mine own benefit. Rather than try to weasel out of this test, it is the place of commoners to attempt to earn favour from their betters."

She snapped the fan closed, and pointed it directly at the noble. "So use this opportunity to prove this kingdom worthy of being ruled by myself."

So she's not an ally then. Subaru thought, a hint of anger at her dismissal of Emilia. But at least she's confident. Everyone but me seems to think the cult will be a piece of cake. Am I just being overly fearful?

"Moving on," Miklotov said. "Perhaps we could get a brief introduction from each candidate, and then we'll end for the day. There is much we need to prepare for."

The introductions for the candidates played out much the same as they had in the last loop, with the exception of Emilia's.

She didn't reveal Puck, she didn't threaten them into giving her an equal chance at obtaining the throne, she barely even said three sentences. Her head was hung the entire time, and she seemed to just want the meeting to be over.

The sight was enough that Subaru had to acknowledge the unfortunate truth.

Even if we win, she'll have lost.

But there was nothing Subaru could do. Even if he ended up being forced to Return by Death, he wouldn't be able to do anything differently if they were to win. She would still have to participate in the selection with the knowledge that it was her fault the cult would attack the city.

"Are you alright, Subaru?" Reinhard asked.

"Fine," Subaru answered, shaking his head. "I'm just tired out."

"I see," Reinhard said. "I think you've been pushing yourself too hard. You need to take a break."

"I'll take a break when the cult isn't a threat anymore. It won't be long now. It'll end soon." One way or another.

"Well, I can't say I like that tone, but I understand the sentiment." He clasped a hand on his shoulder. "I believe the ultimate result will be favourable to us. You needn't worry, Subaru."

His eyes flicked to something behind Subaru's back, and he withdrew his hand. "I'll check on Lady Felt. You should try to relax. And…" he leaned in close, "you should say what you feel. You might not get a chance later."

"Eh? What do you mean by that?"

Reinhard's only response was a small smile as he walked away.

Subaru shook his head. "Seriously, is the pressure getting to him to? I guess even the strong get anxious sometimes."

"Um, excuse me? Do you have a moment?"

He froze solid.

Even if it was withdrawn and saddened, he could never mistake that lilting voice, of the first person who ever saved him.

He turned around to face her, his mouth going dry.

"Emilia…"

"You know me?" She winced, and turned her head away. "No, of course you know me. Um, could I talk with you for a moment?"

"Of course! It would be my pleasure. I'm Subaru, by the way. Subaru Natsuki."

Internally, Subaru was panicking, equal parts confusion and unadulterated joy. What is she doing here!? I thought she would leave as soon as the selection ended, like last time. Did—? Did she come specifically to speak with me?

She nodded. "I know. Roswaal told me. He said you were the one who sent Reinhard to save me in the loot house. I wanted to thank you for that, though I have nothing I can offer as a reward."

"I don't need anything. A good deed is it's own reward. Or so I've heard." Had she been the one who told him that, back on their first day together? She had dressed her desire to help a lost little girl as something that would benefit her. Even when hated by everyone, she still tried to help as much as possible.

"That sounds like a nice way to think." She started, and raised a hand to her mouth. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to annoy you. If you want, I'll go—"

"No! I'd love to talk to you more." Subaru cast his mind out, trying to think of some reason he could extend the conversation he had wanted to have for so long. From his perspective, it had been four months since he had last talked with her. "Erm, you're a spirit arts user too, right? Could I meet your spirit?"

"Ah," Emilia looked down, and put a hand to her jewel necklace. "No, Puck is sleeping right now. He hasn't been able to move around freely for a while. And I can't really call my other spirits while inside this building. What about you? Are you a spirit arts user?"

"Yep." Subaru declared proudly. "I had the best teachers in the world. Come out, everyone."

Four points blinked into existence over his shoulders, examining Emilia critically.

They stared at the jewel around her neck for a full five seconds before they were satisfied that Puck wasn't going to come out and bite them. But once they were finished with that, they flew freely around Emilia, bombarding her with their chatter.

"Now, now, don't overwhelm her. Come on, one at a time." He smiled, and switched his gaze back to Emilia. "I've kind of wanted to introduce them to my spirit arts teacher, but well…" he shrugged. Of course, his teacher was standing right in front of him, but he couldn't exactly tell her that. "I haven't really had the opportunity so far. But what do you think of them?"

The spirits swarmed her, repeating a simple impression, "Praise me! Praise me!"

Their antics brought a small smile to her lips. That single sight was worth almost all the stress Subaru had borne over the course of the loop.

"They're re~ally good children. They respect you a whole lot. You must have a very strong bond with them."

"Well, I'm not sure about that. I mean, I only met Muninn and Sol a few days ago, and I'm not sure I quite understand what Muninn's thinking half the time."

Emilia hummed, her smile growing a bit wider. "She seems to really like you though. They all do. Miss Muninn, she's this minor spirit right? You don't need to worry about her, she's still at the stage where she's just figuring out what she wants to be like. It's up to you to provide a good role model for her."

She lifted her hands, and the spirits flew around them, orbiting in a figure eight over her palms.

She sighed, and looked over to where Felt and Reinhard were talking with some of the knights. "I'll admit, I'm a bit jealous of you. Your camp seems to treat each other like a family."

"Is… your camp not working out?" Subaru asked carefully. He could think of one major reason why that might be the case.

She shook her head. "It's… complicated. I can't really talk about it. But no, our camp never really got along like yours does." She paused, then continued a bit quieter, "It probably never will, now."

So even now, that murderess is causing trouble. The Witch's Cult is coming after Emilia, and she thinks the best course of action is to help ostracise her?

Before he could say anything about it, to try and make her open up about her camp's problems, the main doors were thrown open, and a white-cloaked man ran in, panting heavily. He didn't even stop to close the doors, instead rushing towards the Council of Elders.

Subaru felt a seed of worry sprout in his heart. It could be nothing. It didn't happen last time, but that's no reason to be alarmed. Events will deviate from what I expect, that's certain. It could be nothing… but I know it's not.

"Is he okay?" Emilia asked, even now unable to withhold help from someone in trouble.

"Maybe. We should move closer, just in case."

"Ah, no I'll have to join my sponsor. But it was nice talking to you, Subaru."

Subaru watched her go, his heart crying out for him to call her back, or to go with her. But he squashed those feelings. He needed to be at the top of his game for this.

He walked together towards the dais, joining up with Reinhard and Felt.

"You saw it too?" Reinhard asked. He was eyeing the Council uneasily, and the messenger that was doubled over, gasping for breath. "Did you foresee anything?"

Subaru shook his head. "No. What is it?"

"I don't know. But I can sense that emotionally, the messenger is fearful and distressed. The symbol on his uniform indicates he works in the capital's mirroring station, he must have received ill news."

"Mirroring station?"

"It's a place where certain large-sized conversing mirrors are kept. With them, the kingdom can keep track of events that occur in every corner of the domain."

"So what could it be? Why is this so urgent?"

"I suspect we'll find out momentarily."

The messenger finished whatever report he was making, and the Council started talking among themselves. One of them gestured to the room, and there was a quick vote, with over three quarters of them raising their hands.

"May I have your attention?" Miklotov spoke up, silencing the room.

"We have just received a report via conversing mirror with the garrison in Flanders. The White Whale's fog had been sighted on the Lifaus Plain, heading south. At its current speed, it will arrive at Flanders tomorrow at noon."

A murmuring spread throughout the room, but Miklotov raised a hand to forestall questions. "There is more. A scouting party deployed to the Hihiya swamp for customary inspection was almost wiped out yesterday. A report has come in from one of the survivors, a veteran of the Black Serpent incursion."

He paused.

"According to that report, the Black Serpent has reawakened, and is now approaching Flanders. It will arrive at the city tomorrow, approximately at noon."

"The Black Serpent? In the southern swamps?" someone cried out. "It's been sleeping on the Redonas Plateau for years. How could it have appeared there?"

"I don't know where any of those places are." Subaru whispered. His heart pounded in his chest, and his head was light. "Or what the Black Serpent is. The White Whale is that mabeast that attacks merchants occasionally, isn't it?"

"Yes. The White Whale and the Black Serpent are two of the three great mabeasts that have terrorised the world for the past four hundred years. The White Whale usually targets merchants and small villages. It's never attacked a city before. This is unprecedented."

"What about the other one? The Black Serpent?" Felt asked. She wasn't visibly perturbed, but her voice shook, just a little.

"The Black Serpent invaded the kingdom from the north around a decade ago. Thanks to the dragon tablet, we were able to evacuate the villages in its path, and bait it into the inhospitable lands of the Redonas Plateau. That's on our western border, just south of Costuul. The knights regularly patrol the area, to make sure it hasn't reawakened, but if this report is accurate, then the Black Serpent has somehow managed to avoid detection and circle around the entire kingdom, at a pace far beyond its usual. The Hihiya Swamps are in the far southeast."

"So two of the most powerful mabeasts in the world have decided to work together to attack." Subaru said. "On the day the royal selection was announced. That can't be a coincidence."

And worse, this didn't happen in the previous loop. This must be happening because of my actions, which can only mean…

"The Witch's Cult is doing this," he whispered.

"We must respond to this!" Crusch shouted. "If we deploy now, and ride through the night, we will be able to make it to the city's defence in time."

"I'm thinkin' that's exactly what the cult wants us to do," Anastasia argued. "There's no other reason for two of the most horrific beasts left by the Witch to act in concert, against what we know of them. How did the Black Serpent sneak out of the containment zone? It must have been guided. Only a Witch cultist would do something like that."

"Messages have been sent to the knights on standby on the Plateau." A knight said. He was holding a small object in his hand, which looked like an especially thick pocket watch. "We will know before the end of the day whether the Black Serpent truly has escaped confinement."

"If I might offer a suggestion?" Roswaal asked. "I am not certain that divesting our forces from the capital would be our best course of action. There are only two in the capital who could reach theeese threats in time, and still be in fighting shape. Should it not be those two who are sent out to engaaage them?"

"Lord Mathers, are you suggesting that we send away our two best defenders?" Bordeaux asked. "That would be a serious blow to our defences, should either of you fall in battle, or should the cult attack before your return."

"I find it unlikely that either of us would beee defeated. Our power faaar eclipses the previous failed expedition to kill the White Whale."

"Who is he talking about? Who would be sent out?" Subaru asked, already knowing the answer, but needing to have it confirmed. It can't be. I worked so hard to make sure they'd be here.

"Lord Mathers is doubtlessly referring to himself and I." Reinhard answered. "We are the only two who can cross such a distance that quickly, and still contribute to the defence of the city."

Then the cult has deployed their heavy hitters to draw ours out of the city. They're coming soon.

"They'll attack as soon as you're gone."

Reinhard nodded sombrely. "I realise."

"This is unacceptable!" Bordeaux said. "You cannot expect us to continue to host a half-devil in a situation like this! We must rid her from the city!"

"I cannot deny the precaaariousness of this situation." Roswaal said. "Perhaps Sir Marcos could arrange a squad to escort Lady Emilia into the countryside? If she is kept moving, then the cult will have to search for her, and they will have no time to invaaade the city."

"It is doable." Marcos said. "I will escort her personally. By taking only a small number of knights, we can move quickly, and avoid weakening the city's defences too much."

"I have to go." Reinhard said. "Lady Felt, you should stay in the palace. I'll send someone to the manor to evacuate them here. Subaru, you take this."

He handed him a small disc like the one he had seen the knight holding. "It's a conversing mirror, linked to one I carry. If the defences in the capital are somehow overwhelmed, contact me, and I will return."

Subaru looked down at the circular device, and pressed a clasp on the side to allow the mirror to pop open.

Will it really be that simple?

When he looked back up, Reinhard was gone.

AN: Some IRL stuff came up, which delayed this chapter a bit. I could have some more delays in the next few weeks, we'll see how it goes.

This chapter was another painful one. Luckily we're coming up on battle scenes, which are so much easier to write.

Thanks to rajvir from AO3 for beta-ing this chapter, it's very reassuring to have a safety net to catch the major mistakes before I publish them :P