Chapter 9: Cracks In A Calm Lake


"Hey everyone, dinner is ready!" Charmy cheerfully exclaims. "Ah, great! I am starving," Magna says. "Me too, let's go," Asta says.

"What is there for dinner today, Charmy?" Finral asks.

"It is seafood stew today," she says with a chipper smile. "Oh, we even caught a few squids today, so I bet they're in the fish stew too," Magna eagerly utters. "Great, I am starving."

they walk into the common room which Henry has turned into a big open room with a long table and benches going on each side and the table is set with serving plates filled to the brim with different kinds of fish stews and fish soups.

Soon, the friends are gathering around the table and dining with friendly banter and small talk. Asta smiles looking at his friends eat, and Liebe is sitting next to him eating and looking at a squid tentacle.

"Wait, aren't we missing someone? Where is Millie?" he asks, and Liebe looks back at Asta. "She went into the forest earlier," he says and puts the squid into his mouth. "Again?" Asta utter. "Come to think of it, she seems to disappear right before we eat," Finral says.

"Yeah, I noticed that too," Magna agrees.

They turn their gaze to Vanessa. "Huh, why are you looking at me?" she asks.

"Well, didn't you say that witches are known to dwell into spirit magic?" Finral says.

"True, but I know little about her kind. Her specific kind has not been seen on this continent for such a long time. Besides, I never asked why they are gone in the morning and the evening. It has never crossed my mind," Vanessa explains.

"What? So you are not even a little bit curious?" Finral asks. "Well, I never spent much time outside, if you can remember," she elaborates.

"Right, I forgot," Finral says.

Noelle fusses with her chopsticks, getting impatient. "If you are worried about her, then have her join in or whatever," she says, displeased.

"Well, I guess," Asta says and looks at Liebe. "Which way did she go?" he asks.

Liebe looks at Asta for a moment and places down the bowl. "I'll get her," he says and gets up. "Really, that is amazing, thanks," Asta says, and Liebe walks outside. He sees the moon coming up on the horizon and he sighs.

Meanwhile, a rabbit is munching on some leaves between a couple of bushes, unaware of the two dilated eyes staring at it from afar. The eyes are slowly creeping towards the rabbit...

Just as Millie is about to jump, she ducks as clawed black fingers block her path in front of her. Then the hand moves up and to the back of her neck, and Liebe picks her up by the fur. "What are you doing out here?" he asks.

The bush rustles, and he sees the rabbit run away. "Well, I was hunting," she replies. "Hunting..." he says, and he hears her stomach rumble.

"Is there something I can help you with?" Millie asks.

"I don't understand you," he tells her. "I am confused, sir. What do you wish to understand?" she asks.

"What the hell is someone like you even doing back here after such a long time?"

"That is a long story, sir. However, I promise it will not have any consequences for you or any loved ones" she tells him, and he narrows his eyes.

"That is all you have to say?" he says.

"Yes, sir... Is there a reason why you are out here?" she asks, her voice gentle.

Liebe locks eyes with her. "Why is she being so cautious?" he wonders. "Asta wants you inside," he says, then walks back with his arms relaxed by his sides, carrying her like a bag by the back of her neck.

She has a great view of the sea as he walks with her.

He gets inside and sees them all still eating. He lets go of Millie, who lands on the wooden floor. "Oh, you are back. Great," Asta says. Millie looks at Liebe as he goes back to his seat.

She looks out the window before walking over to the nearest corner and lying down. "I guess I will eat tomorrow," she thinks to herself, laying down to relax and closing her eyes.

"Millie?" She opens her eyes and sits up. "Yes, Master Asta?" she asks.

"What are you doing? Get over here and sit with us," Asta tells her. "You want me to...?"

"What are you waiting for, a prolonged invitation? Come eat with us," Magna adds.

"Yes, sir," she nervously replies, then transforms into her human form while walking over to them. She sits down where Asta makes room between him and Liebe.

She slightly blushes, folds her hands in her lap, and sits quietly. "Do they wish to tell me something? Did I do something wrong or did I offend someone somehow?" she wonders, doing her best not to sit still.

"Here," Charmy says, and Millie looks at the bowl of food. "Is it for me?" she asks, carefully meeting Charmy's eyes.

"Of course, eat up now. Go on, don't be shy," she says, pushing the bowl a little closer to Millie. Millie looks into the other bowls as well. "I apologize, I will have to decline your kind offer, ma'am," Millie replies.

"Huh, how come? It is for you," Asta asks.

"Well, there is squid in it," she says. "And?" Charmy sharply says, like she is about to tear Millie a new one depending on the next words out of her mouth.

"W-well, you see, squid is poisonous to someone like me, miss," she says.

"You can't eat it because it is like poison to you?" Charmy asks.

"Yes, sorry, ma'am," Millie responds.

"Well, why didn't you just say so?" she says, going back to her cheerful and chipper voice. "Cotton creation magic sheep cooks," she says, and a fluffy sheep comes out and whips up a dish for Millie without squid, presenting it to her.

"That was so fast miss," she says, looking at the bowl.

"You enjoy that now," Charmy says.

Millie looks at it as her mouth waters and her eyes fill up with fear. "Please do not let this be a cruel joke," she thinks to herself, her mind starting to race a hundred miles an hour.

Asta looks at her. "Millie, why aren't you eating?" he asks, snapping her out of her state, and she looks at him.

"I, I-I am c-confused, M-master," she stutters, as Asta looks at her like a question mark, noticing the fear in her voice.

"You mean I am actually, truly, and sincerely allowed to eat in your presence, si- Master Asta, sir?" she asks.

"Why is she so scared about something as simple as this?" Asta wonders and brings out his warmest smile. "Of course, you are. Dig in, with Charmy's cooking, you are in for a treat," he assures her.

She looks at the bowl and picks up the chopsticks. "Pull it together. You know what to do if this turns out to be false. I can't handle another Sara. Wait, my family isn't here, or any other familiar for that matter. They can't reach me here to do something like that again, right?" her mind qickens through her thoughts. The image of her hand piercing Sara's chest flashing into her mind.

Everyone looks at her hesitation.

The others are too busy with their banter to really pay much attention to her at the moment which is in Millies favor. As under the table, Millie digs her claws into her thigh to calm her nerves.

after calming down a little she is gently blowing on the hot food, putting it into her mouth, and blushing as she chews and swallows. "That is amazing," she softly utters.

Asta looks at her and smiles. "I know, right? Charmy's cooking is amazing," Asta says. "Aww, thanks, guys," Charmy says, satisfied.

Millie looks at them both.

"There you go, feeling better," Vanessa asks.

"Yes, Miss," Millie softly replies, with fear still in her voice.

Millie sees Charmy scarf down the other bowl of food. "That was so quick," Millie utters.

"I know. No food goes to waste as long as Charmy is here!" she exclaims and goes back to her seat.

Millie looks around herself, trying to still her breathing.

(Nothing bad happened. Wait, why did nothing happen? What is going on? What am I missing? Why am I missing it? Something must happen, I just know it) her mind begin racing again. (Please)...

(Heavens, I-I can't handle another Sara. My heart will literally give out) says.

Asta looks at his arm next to Millie's and sees his hair standing on end. His hand begins to slightly shake from Millie's state of being. She covers her mouth with her other hand to prevent herself from hyperventilating while digging her claws further into her leg.

"Millie," Asta says, his calm voice echoing through her, but to little effect.

He gently takes his hand to her head, and she flinches down with her head. Her mind screams, "Here it comes!" But Asta keeps a soft hand and gently pats her head. "See, there is nothing to worry about with Charmy's cooking," he says with a smile.

Millie snaps out of it, and her breathing slightly slows down. "His hand is so firm and strong yet gentle," she thinks to herself, looking at Asta as he gives her a warm smile.

"See, isn't it better eating together?" he asks her.

Millie looks at everyone chatting and eating. "They... actually are allowing me not only to sit at the table but to eat in their presence," she thinks to herself.

Memories flash back to the Mozo village and old memories. A picture of a grave shows up. She touches her brooch. "Meir," she mutters to herself, blushing while thinking about the gentle warmth this setting is reminding her of.

(I haven't been treated like this since way back then. It is such a long time ago I...) she thinks to herself, holding her brooch like she is holding onto a lifeline.

(Her ki is slowly calming down) Asta thinks to himself as he casts a glance at her. She looks into space, lost in her memories.

"Millie," he says. "Uh, yes, sir," she says, coming back to reality, and she looks at him with big eyes. "Your food is getting cold. Eat up," Asta tells her.

"Oh, yes, sir," she replies with a nod and brings the bowl closer to her face and starts to eat.

(This tastes so good, and they are all so kind. My heart might burst) she thinks to herself, fighting back tears while eating, hoping with her entire being that this will last.

Liebe is looking at her closely the entire time, unsure of what to make of it.

Later, when everyone is full, they rest up and chat. Millie walks to the window and looks out at the sea.

"I need to calm down properly," Millie thinks to herself and slips out of the door. She climbs up the nearest tree and looks in the window at everyone having fun.

(This is where I am the most comfortable, when I can see people's smiles from a distance. Besides, that is when they are the safest too) she thinks to herself, looking at the crescent moon.

It is getting late, and the black bulls are going to sleep.

Asta is lying awake, feeling uncertain and unable to shake the feeling he had during dinner. He suppressed it with everything he had, but so much fear still leaked through that his hairs stood up. He ponders, unable to shake the unnerving feeling that something is up. He tosses and turns a few more times, unable to sleep.

"What are you rolling around for? It's super late," Liebe asks. "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," Asta says.

"What has you awake?" Liebe asks, with a big yawn.

"It's just that I can't help but wonder what could possibly have happened for someone to get so worked up over something as small as having dinner together" Asta says, and Liebe thinks his words over and looks out the window to Millie's branch.

"Who knows, but she isn't around to ask her either," Liebe replies. "Huh, why do you say that?" Asta asks.

"She isn't on the branch she was lying on," Liebe explains. "Seriously, wait, why is she never inside to sleep?" Asta asks. "I don't know," Liebe replies. "Well, it's not like there is much to be done about it right now," Liebe tells him.

"I guess," Asta replies and goes back to try and sleep.

Meanwhile, Millie is flying over the ocean at great speed. "What is wrong with me? It's not like me to have my walls crumble like that. I let my guard down. It's not like me at all," she shakes her head and keeps flying.

She shoots off waves of shielded bullets through the sky that shoot up water as she flies.

Her mind goes to Asta's warm smile. His actions are the same as the day they met when he asked for the contract. He smiled so warmly at her and reached out his hand to her. "I figured it was because he wanted the power boost, but he has the same warm smile to me even after it became permanent. Why?" she asks herself, keeping her aim true and shooting at boulders and the splinters that come up from them.

(That's right. I am still useful. It must be it. I mustn't let my guard down again. I may be allowed to sit by their table as long as I stay useful. I can do that) she thinks to herself, forming gigantic shields above the water surface, and changes her focus to her training.

"It feels great to have my powers back, and I can use them to their fullest," she tells herself and flies calmly, placing her hands in front of her, condensing a vast amount of her mana to a single point, and letting out a powerful mana beam.

(That's right. I can't afford to let my guard down or what happened to Sara, Thomson, and Meir, and not to forget Casimir. It will happen again).

(That's right. I need to stay focused. I still have a job to do) ...


Notes: so what do you guys think so far?

if there is anything that seems unclear or you have questions please let me know.

this is the first real hint of her past to the main characters.

I know the story is a little slow as I like to focus on the characters social growth and development.

and do not worry I have not forgotten about the spectral beasts they will come into play later in the series.