Chapter 6: The Demon Slayer Butler

Later that day we find Kaoi in the mansion trying on different clothes to fit him.

Keyword is trying

Emilia: Isn't there anything that fits you, Kaoi.

Kaoi: None of the male clothing fits me. Which is a shame cause this vest is in my color.

Kaoi then holds up a vest that is the same shade of blue that is on his gloves and haori jacket.

Rem: Our deepest apologies on the wardrobe, sir… I mean Kaoi.

Ram: I must say, you look utterly ridiculous sir… I mean Bakaoi.

Kaoi: And I feel ridiculous. Can I change into my regular clothes now? Also Bakaoi that's a bit of a mouthful to pronounce.

Ram: It may be, but it is Bakaoi's name.

Kaoi: She is really going to commit to this isn't she?

Ram: Rem, do you notice anything about Bakaoi's ludicrous appearance.

Rem: Well, the shoulder's fit him funny, his legs are short and his eyes look a little too big due to his spectacles.

Kaoi: My eyes are a bit too big, huh? Okay, how about now?

Rem: Now they look scary.

Kaoi: There is no pleasing you, is there?

Ram: We can't have you to work here in shoddy-looking attire. Will have to alter the uniform to fit you. Rem if you wouldn't mind.

Emilia: Well, I have to go study for the royal selection. See you later, Kaoi.

Kaoi: Sure thing, Emilia.

Rem: I'll be taking your measurements for the fitting. Stand still with your back straight.

Kaoi: Ok.

As Rem took his measurements, Kaoi noticed something odd about the blue-haired maid. Kaoi hears her sniffing like a dog. However, the oddest thing is that he gets the feeling of hostility every time she sniffs him. The hostility stopped after she was done.

Rem: I am now done. Sister if you would please give Kaoi the tour while I sew his outfit. That would be pleasant.

Ram: Alright Rem. Come now Bakaoi.

Kaoi: Fine

Kaoi then followed his new superior Ram as they tour around his new place of work.

Ram: And this is the lavatory.

Kaoi: The lavatory, Huh? I wonder how it differs from the one in Nippon.

Kaoi opens the door but unexpectedly sees Beatrice in bed and playing with Puck.

Beatrice: My sweet Buddy. Oh, how I love playing with your fur.

Beatrice then notice the dumbfounded Demon Slayer standing in the doorway.

Kaoi: Uh… hello again.

Beatrice proceeds to push Kaoi into the hallway with an invisible force and close the door. Kaoi then performs a flip to land on his feet.

Kaoi: Guess she is still upset with what happened earlier.

Ram: Miss Beatrice is normally fickle with those who impose on her and the Forbidden Library. As such is for a spirit such as herself.

Kaoi: Beatrice is a spirit?

Ram: Indeed, the great spirit of Yin magic.

Kaoi: Yin magic? Great more words that mean nothing to me.

The two continue their tour which eventually ends in front of the mansion.

Ram: This concludes the tour of the mansion. So do you have any questions?

Kaoi: Just one, will I be allotted any time to train?

Ram: As a combat butler, you will have daily training sessions. If that is all let's go into the ins and outs of your job. Basically, you will help me with my work, Bakaoi.

Kaoi: Still sticking to that nickname huh? Very well.

After a long day, Kaoi drops himself onto his new bed in his new room. It was a nice room with all the essentials. A bed, desk, dresser, and even a perch stand for Teruo. Kaoi was just ready to fall asleep until he hears a knock on the door.

Rem: This is Rem. Do you have a moment, Kaoi?

Kaoi: Sure come in.

Rem comes into the room with surprisingly Kaoi's new butler outfit.

Kaoi: You finished the alterations already.

Rem: When it's Lord Roswaal clothing I must be careful and precise but since it's yours…

Kaoi: Well at least you brought me the blue vest.

Kaoi takes the uniform from Rem but took a moment to examine the shoes.

Rem: It's just shoes Kaoi. I know Lord Roswaal buys the finest quality of footwear but I please ask of you to put on your uniform to see how it fits.

Kaoi: Sorry, it's just I never wore shoes like these before. As you probably noticed I only wore my Zori sandals up til now.

Rem: I see. Well, I will leave you to change. Call me when you are finished.

After Rem leaves the room, Kaoi took the time to put on each article of clothing. It was somewhat strange yet familiar. It kinda feels like wearing his Demon Slayer uniform with extra clothing but it all fits so perfectly.

Kaoi: I'm done. You can come back, Rem.

Rem enters his room again to Kaoi in his butler uniform. While he does look the part of a butler, apart from the nichirin blade strapped on the belt. She notices he kept the gloves on that goes under the sleeves.

Rem: You kept your gloves on.

Kaoi: Yeah, I just thought it makes the outfit look complete. You did a great job on this.

Rem: I appreciate your gratitude.

Despite saying that, Kaoi still felt that Rem is still a bit hostile to him for some reason. Although he went against confronting her about it if things were to go south.

Kaoi: Rem were you the one who fixed my clothes when I was recovering here?

Rem: Indeed, it was an easy fix with Rem's sewing skills.

Kaoi: Thank you then. I really appreciate it.

Rem: You're Welcome. Now off to bed. You start your duties as a butler in the morning.

Kaoi: Good night then.

The night falls upon the mansion as everyone goes into a peaceful slumber. As morning arrives, we see the three employees in the kitchen dutifully performing their tasks.

Ram: I must say Bakaoi, I'm impressed with your ability to peel tatoes especially with how you are doing it.

Kaoi: Well you don't get good with a blade without years of practice to not cut yourself.

Ram: Although I recommend holding the knife still and slowly turn the vegetables instead of cutting the skin piece by piece. My best dish is steamed tatoes if I do say so myself.

Kaoi: Really? Can't wait to try them myself then.

Ram: I rather not have to listen to you yell "Tasty" every time you take a bite of my tatoes.

Rem: I agree with Sister. That habit of yours is most disruptive.

Kaoi: Geez, you two are just like Rozu and Hoshi when they team up on me.

Ram: Rozu?

Kaoi: My little sister. I use to live in a fishing village but something happened that warranted me to leave. They're in good hands but still, it's been nearly two months since I was able to see her. I hope she is okay.

Ram and Rem stare at the boy as he goes into contemplation of what may be the situation of his younger siblings.

Ram: If what Miss Emilia said is true about you being able to fight off the Bowel Hunter. Then there is no doubt that your sister is just as stubborn as you are. I'm sure she is fine, Bakaoi.

Kaoi looks up to the pink maid a bit stunned by the words of kind of comfort but goes into a simple smile.

Kaoi: Thanks, Ram.

However, He couldn't help but get a chill up in his spine as he once again felt the hostile feeling from the blue-haired maid behind him.

The day continues as normal for Kaoi. Cleaning various rooms, washing the dishes, and even attending the garden. Kaoi had grown a respect for the twin maids for being able to do all this work. Eventually, he finished all of his duties and he was able to speak to Emilia during their free time.

Emilia: So you really don't know anything about mana?

Kaoi: Yeah, Where I'm from there aren't as many magic or spirit users as it is here.

Emilia: Fascinating.

Puck: Kaoi, I would like to examine your gate then to see how it could have hurt Betty's hands.

Kaoi: Are you sure, Puck?

Puck: Yes, don't worry I'm a great spirit of fire magic so your mana won't hurt me.

Kaoi: Okay.

Puck raises his paw upon Kaoi's forehead and like Beatrice closes his eyes to concentrate.

Puck's Mindscape

Puck: Alright, now if what Betty said is true I have to open an invisible wall in order... Ah! Here it is.

Puck similar to Beatrice was surprised at the spewing flames. However, unlike Beatrice, he was able to resist the damage and enter Kaoi's realm of the subconscious. What he finds is a world on fire.

Puck: This is unbelievable! It's like his gate is constantly using mana to protect itself from any outside magic.

Puck then notices off in the distance a glowing orb that seems to be the origin of the flames and is surrounded by a giant beat cloaked in shadow.

Puck: Is that Kaoi's gate? And what is the thing? A Beast made up of Yin Magic?

The giant monster took notice of the great spirit's presence and let's put a screeching roar.

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This roar shooks the realm which causes Puck to quickly leave in order to escape the giant beast.

Reality

Puck: AH!

Puck screams in shock as he quickly gets away from Kaoi and into Emilia's arms.

Kaoi: Puck! Are you okay?

Emilia: What happened?

Puck: Nothing Lia. I was just shocked at the state of Kaoi's gate.

Kaoi: My gate?

Emilia: A spiritual portal that allows a person to cast magic, but's wrong with it?

Puck: Kaoi's gate seems to be constantly using mana at a slow rate to protect his soul with fire magic or something. I don't know how else to describe it besides that the gate is on constant alert.

Kaoi: Constant alert? Could my gate be connected to Total Concentration: Constant?

Emilia: Total Concentration: Constant?

Kaoi: An esoteric breathing technique that allows the user to raise one's physical prowess. In this case, have me on high alert at all times. It could be that by using it, I'm subconsciously protecting my gate with mana.

Puck: Interesting theory. Could you then please breathe normally so I can check to see if the flow of mana has also stopped?

Kaoi: Sure, I guess.

Emilia: Are you sure, Puck. After what had just happened now...

Puck: It'll be okay, Lia.

Kaoi closes his eyes for a moment as he goes out of Total Concentration: Constant.

Kaoi: [Coughs]

Kaoi: Oh my god. It has been so long since I breathed normally.

Emilia: How long were you breathing like before.

Kaoi: I'd say about over a year.

Emilia and Puck: That long!?

Kaoi: Yeah, now come on Puck.

Puck raises his paw again and there is a still silence for a moment. Everyone is tense as they wait for what is about to happen.

Puck: Everything is fine, no fire magic.

Puck: and no sign of that yin monster from earlier.

Puck: His gate seems to be very resilient and I even got the chance to see his affinities.

Puck: Just who are you, Kaoi.

Kaoi: Affinities?

Emilia: There is six elemental magic that a person can use depending on their affinity.

Puck: In your case, Kaoi, you have an affinity for fire magic and surprisingly Yin magic.

Kaoi: Yin magic?

Emilia: Shadow magic that is used to apply status effects on your opponents.

Kaoi: Interesting and could prove useful.

Kaoi: Ram mentioned that Beatrice is the Great Spirit of Yin Magic.

Puck: Yes, Betty is quite the expert in shadow magic.

Kaoi: But with how we left things off I don't expect her to be willing to train me.

Puck: I recommend not using your gate like that until we know more bout this breathing technique and how it affects your mana.

Kaoi: Okay then. Well, I'm going back to work. Good luck Emilia with your studies.

Emilia: Thank you and good luck to you as well.

Roswaal's Study at Night

Roswaal: Seven days have passed since his arrival. Shouldn't we be seeing anything by now?

Ram: Cooking, laundry, cleaning- he performs an adequate job at all of them.

Roswaal: You seem to find some sort of kinship with the young man.

Ram: It's simply that when he talks about his younger sibling reminds me of how I take care of Rem.

Roswaal: And what are the chances he's a spy?

Ram: I can't deny such potential exists, but I think the possibility is slim at best, cause for better or for worse he's a bit too conspicuous.

Roswaal: Well despite the odds he seems to passively enjoy the day.

Outside Kaoi's Bedroom

Emilia: Hello there, Kaoi.

Kaoi: Oh, hi there Emilia. What brings you here at this hour.

Emilia: Just thought I see you before you go to bed. How are Ram's language lessons going along?

Kaoi: Fine, we have nice talks. It could help if she didn't fall asleep near the end of every session.

Emilia giggles before notices a bandage wrapped around Kaoi's hand.

Emila: What happened to your hand.

Kaoi: A puppy bit me while I was playing around with kids in the village.

Emilia: Really?

Kaoi: Yeah it caught me off guard since I wasn't using Total Concentration: Constant. I didn't mind though.

Emilia: Well that is nice. Would you like for me to heal it?

Kaoi: No thanks, I would rather let it heal naturally. Can't always rely on magic.

Kaoi: I've been fine without it for years

Emilia: Okay, Good night then.

Kaoi: Good night.

Like that, another peaceful night falls on the residence of the mansion.

Or that is what one would want to believe.

Kaoi: [Yawns]

Kaoi: Wait this isn't the room I slept in and these are not the clothes I fell asleep in! What's going on.

Indeed Kaoi seems to have woken up in the room where he was recovering from his fight with Elsa. Kaoi panicking was trying to figure what has happened to him until he takes a look at his hand.

There is no bandage and no bite mark as if it never happened.

Kaoi: … What!?