Speech"
'Thoughts'
In a dark office, on a moon lit night. We see a tall man dressed as a clown with a pink haired maid sitting on his lap.
A blue glow coming from Roswald's hand flowed into Ram's forehead.
"Soooo Ram. What do you thiiiink of our guuuuest?" Roswald inquired.
Ram's face fell.
"He looks like an idiot, has no manners, is dirty, and smelly, but he also seems to be very cautious, always aware of his surroundings. I saw him in the bath as you instructed. His body was full of scars and even branding. I'm not sure if he can be trusted, but he has been through some things." She summarized.
"Hmmm, very well doooone, my dear Ram. You can wait for further instructions, for now you can retire for the night." Roswald said as Ram got off his lap.
"Yes, Lord Roswald, I wish you a good night." She bowed and retired for the night.
"Well, Subaruuuu. I hope we can get aloooong weeeeell." He smirked.
--
"I don't know this ceiling..." Subaru muttered as he sat up in bed.
"Sister, our guest is such a freeloader. How can he ever expect to reproduce with such a lazy demeanor." Ram said.
"Sister, I feel like his mere gaze will get me pregnant. I think we should leave." Rem replied.
Subaru sighed.
"I don't have time for this. What do you want?" He asked, getting out of bed.
"Barusu, we were forced to wake you up. Breakfast is ready." Ram said.
Both sisters bowed and left the room.
Subaru sighed and went to wash his face in his bathroom. He looked in the mirror and stepped back in horror.
His face was covered in blood. But then, a moment later, it was gone.
'What the fuck was that!? Thats... Never happen before.' He thought, worried of his mental health.
He washed his face and looked down at his hands. Only to see a steady stream of blood going down the sink as the water rinsed it from his hands.
Yet a moment later, it was back to normal. Subaru felt like he was going insane.
'I hope this isn't a common ordeal,' he thought with a shaky breath.
After walking through the hallways, he met everyone for breakfast and was greeted by Roswald.
"Good moooorning, Subaru. It's soooo nice to have you for breakfaaaaast. And you too, Beatrice. He said, motioning to a chair.
"Hmph, Betty didn't come here for you pervert, Betty only came to see Bubby, I suppose."
Being called a pervert didn't seem to bother Roswald at all, at least on outward appearance.
Just then, Emilia came and sat for breakfast.
"Good morning, everyone. Good morning, Subaru." She said curtly.
Subaru sat down next to Beatrice.
"Yea, good morning, everyone." He said a bit flustered.
"Geh, it's the oaf, I suppose." Beatrice jabbed with a sour expression.
A moment later, a gray cat flew out from under Emilia's hair.
"Bubby!" Beatrice yelled, taking the flying cat into her arms.
'Talk about a complete change of attitude.' Subaru thought.
"Good morning, Betty!" He said in a bright and cheerful voice.
"A talking and flying cat?" Subaru said, raising a brow.
Bubby then floated in front of the raven haired boy to Beatrice's dismay.
"I'll have you know I'm not a cat, I'm a the great spirit of fire, Puck. It's nice to meet ya!" Subaru shook his paw with his index and thumb awkwardly.
"I'm Subaru, I was kidnapped by Roswald against my will." Subaru said with a smirk.
Roswald gave a chuckle.
"This is Beatrice. She can be grumpy sometimes, but she's really a sweet girl." Puck said, shrugging.
"Betty is only grumpy when people intrude her library, I suppose." She muttered underneath her breath.
Subaru chuckled, making her growl at him.
"I'm sorry for intruding Betty, but it seems every time I open a door. Your library just happens to be there, I swear." Subaru defended with his arms raised to his chest.
"Grr... Only Bubby can call Betty Betty, I suppose." She said, taking Puck back into her arms.
"Okay. I'll call you Beatrice from now on... I suppose." He teased.
Beatrice glared at him.
"Hmph!" She huffed, turning her head away.
Roswald smirked at the exchange.
"Ooooh my, you two get along soooo well." He said, smiling.
"What can I say? I'm a people person?" Subaru said sarcastically.
He noticed Emilia beaming at Subaru and Beatrice's conversing, making him look away.
'Look at me... Enjoying the company of these kind people... Not that someone like me could possibly deserve it.' He berated internally, his expression becoming downcast.
A moment later, breakfast was placed, and the two maids stood behind Roswald.
The auroma of the omelet was incredible. The complete opposite of the horrendous Mabeast meat he had every day.
He took a bite. The wonderful taste hit him so hard that he crushed his fork.
Rem became tense at this action, and Roswald just smirked. Everyone else looked at him, wondering why he crushed it.
"Why did you do that, you smelly oaf?" Beatrice jabbed.
Subarus long bangs hid his eyes as he hung his head.
"I'm sorry... It's been a long time since I've had something like this. Who made it?"
Everyone was unsure if he liked it or not. By the way, he spoke.
"It was I honored guest. If there is something not to your liking, then I can make you something else." Rem offered.
Subaru looked at her with a small smile.
"No, it's incredible. Thank you." Rem nodded, acknowledging Subaru's compliment.
The raven haired boy opened his hand with the crushed fork, and right before their very eyes, they watched as it went back to the way it was previously. In pristine condition. Not even dirty.
Beatrice looked intrigued for some reason.
"Wow! What kind of magic was that Subaru?" Emilia said with a sparkle in her eyes.
Subaru sighed and took a few more bites of his food.
"It's hard to explain something that I myself don't really understand." He admitted.
Emilia nodded and smiled softly, not pressing further.
"Betty should have figured an oaf like you couldn't explain something so simple, I suppose." Beatrice insulted.
Subaru smiled softly at Beatrice.
"Beatrice... Are perhaps a Tsundere?" Beatrice looked at him incredulously.
"What does that even mean, in fact!" Subaru laughed at her reaction.
After everyone finished the meal, the plates were cleared, and it turned into a more serious tone.
"Alright, Roswald, what did you need me for?" The clown smirked.
"I'm glaaaad you asked. I'm noooot sure if you're familiar with the couuuuntrys situation, but we are without a kiiiiiing."
"Okay, so?" Subaru prodded.
Ram glared at Subaru for being so rude to her master.
"The royal selection is very clooooose. Its purpose is to chooooose a new king. And dear Emilia, here is a candidaaaate." He explained.
Subaru was shocked.
"Well, she certainly fits the description of a princess." Subaru expressed.
Emilia shyly raised her hand.
"Uhm, what does that mean, Subaru... Is it because I'm a half elf?" She said downcast.
'Damn, this is going to be embarrassing. How the fuck do you explain a compliment to someone without looking like a idiot?' Subaru thought.
"W-Well, where I'm from, a princess is a person of elegance, good manners, thoughtful and selfless, ready to give up her own lively hood for the well-being of her people. They are also known for their... Erm, beauty." He finished awkwardly.
The more Subaru went on in his explanation, the redder Emilia got.
"Oh, Uhm... I see." She said shyly.
"Puck then flew out of Beatrice's arms and went to punch Subaru as a joke, but he simply turned his head and dodged.
"H-Hey! You're not supposed to dodge. And stop embarrassing my Lia!" He said, pouting.
"I'm sorry, but it's the truth." Puck gave Subaru a skeptical look but decided to let it go.
"Weeeeell Subaru, your task is to be Laaaady Emilia's Knight." Roswald said, waving his hand towards the elf.
Subaru was internally cheering. Who wouldn't want to protect such a beautiful woman? Especially if it could develop into something more...
Subaru was taken out of his stupor when Puck intensly looked into his eyes, floating just a few inches away.
"What are you thinking about? Subaru?" He said oddly, threatening.
Subaru ignored him and looked to Roswald.
"Okay, but I have a condition."
Roswald waved his hand to continue.
"I don't know how to read, and I would like a tutor." Roswald smirked at his rather easy condition.
"Very weeeell, Ram will help you with your studiiiiiies." Subaru shook his head.
"No, I want her to do it." He said, pointing to Beatrice.
"Wah!? At what makes you think Betty will agree?" She yelled. Making Subaru smirk.
"Because you're always in the library, so you're obviously going to be much more knowledgable than Ram. And I'm pretty sure she doesn't like me." Subaru explained.
"Although everything you said is correct, what makes you think Betty likes you either, I suppose."
Subaru chuckled.
"Maybe not, but I'll grow on you." Beatrice huffed and turned her head.
"Beatrice, I'll give you extra time with Puck if you teach him." Emilia offered.
"Grrr, Fine! I suppose!" She yelled and stormed out of the dining room with Puck.
"Their you have it, Subaruuuu. Please be patient with Betty. She can be difficult sometimes, alaaaaas, you are the one who chooooose her." He said, leaving the dining room, leaving him and Emilia alone.
"Erm, thank you, Emilia- I mean my lady!" He said, getting up from his seat and bowing.
Emilia giggled.
"There's no need for that Subaru, I hope we get along well."
--
Subaru was walking through the hallways to go find Beatrice for his studies this evening.
"This one!" He yelled, flinging the door open, revealing the library.
Beatrice was not amused.
"What do you want? I suppose." She said, looking into her black book.
"Hello Beatrice. I came to learn from the greatest teacher of all time!" Subaru yelled, pointing at her dramatically.
Beatrice sighed.
"Flattery won't get you anywhere, I suppose." She said, getting off her stool and walking over to grab a scroll.
"Take this."
Subaru took the scroll from Beatrice and saw unfamiliar symbols.
"That's the alphabet. This is a children's book meant for learning. Study them, Betty be here if you have question's, I suppose. Beatrice said, handing him the book and returning to her stool.
Subaru sighed and sat on a nearby chair and looked at the book and alphabet side by side.
Beatrice watched him study with interest. An annoying thought plagued her mind. Ut she decided to give in and grabbed a book from underneath the bookshelf to her left.
She sat at her stool and flipped it open. Her eyes widened as words magicly formed on the pages.
The time is nigh, choose.'-
Beatrice's eyes filled with tears. She whimpered as she covered her face with the large book.
'After all this time... Mother finally spoke. What does this mean? Why now? Is this oaf... That person?' Beatrice was knocked out of her thoughts when Subaru spoke.
"Beatrice, I'm confused about this part right here. What is it supposed to mean in this instance?" He asked, approaching her with the children's book.
Beatrice sniffled and closed her black book.
"Bring it here, I suppose."
--
Roswald lifted his eyes from a mysterious black book as he heard a knock come from his office door.
"Come iiiiin."
Rem stepped in and slowly approached.
"My my, whaaaat ever could you be here for Rem?" He asked with a hand, propping up his cheek.
Rem had a stern expression.
"Lord Roswald. I have been meaning to tell you something about our guest." She said, bowing briefly.
"Hmmm, is that so. Please go ooooon, what is it?" Rem nodded and stood up straight.
"I think he is a Witch Cultist." Roswalds smirk fell to a scowl.
"Hooh. That's quite the accusation. What makes you say so?" He said, dropping the accent.
This made Rem a bit uneasy.
"He reeks of the Witch, stronger than I have ever smelt before." She claims.
"Hmm, I'm glad you are so concerned for the well-being of everyone in this manor. However, I have been watching Young Subaru for almost two years, and he has had no contact with such a wicked cult." Roswald exclaimed.
Rem was torn.
"But I have... I have to do something! He is a danger!" She yelled, immediately covering her mouth and bowing in apology.
Roswald waved his hand.
"Don't wooooorry, dear Rem. I know you are looking out for everyoooone. I thank you for yooooour worry but it is noooot necessary."
Rem nodded with grit teeth.
"If he is a threat, I will dispose of him... Stand down, Rem. I know of your hate for the Witch Cult, but remember which master you serve." He said darkly.
Rem gulped and bowed to her master.
"Yes, Lord Roswal, good night."
"Whyyyy yes, good night deeeeear Rem."
--
"Sooooo Subaru, what do you think?" Roswald gestured to Subaru's new clothes.
"It's tight and uncomfortable. The haircut is nice, though." He grumbled.
Subaru wore his new knight uniform. Black slacks, white suit jacket with black stitching on the chest and colar, a black shirt, black dress shoes with white stitching, and a white belt with a black clasp.
Very classy contrast uniform.
Subaru undid his tie and gave it to Rem and undid his top button on his black dress shirt.
"Hmmm, I like it better withooooout the tie too." Roswald mentioned in a weird tone, making Subaru shudder.
"Yea... Okay, I'm going to get Emilia. Subaru said, fleeing the dressing room.
Luckily, Emilia was close by.
"My lady!" Emilia turned around in suprise at being called that.
"Subaru. Is that your uniform? It looks very nice." She said, walking closer.
Subaru was flustered by the compliment.
"Heh, you can thank Rem for that. She's the one who put it together."
He replied, rubbing his neck.
"It doesn't look bad, I suppose." Beatrice said from behind.
A large smile spread on Subaru's face at seeing his tutor.
"Thank you, Beatrice. You look impeccable today as well." Beatrice turned her head.
"H-Hmph, shut up, you sleaze bag. No one wants to hear your flattery, in fact." Subaru sunk to his knees dramatically, as if he had just been shot in the heart.
"Words hurt ya know... Guh! Only a hug from Beatrice could heal me."
Emilia giggled at the exchange.
"Enough theatrics, when are you coming by the library to study?"
Subaru pondered.
"The same time as usual, I guess." He replied, getting back to his feet.
"You can come by more often... To study, of course! You can move on to more complex books now. You're not completely incompetent, I suppose."
Subaru saw right through her.
'She's probably lonely when I'm not around... Well, why the hell not?' He thought.
"Okay, I'll come by after we are done with lunch." Beatrice nodded and walked back into her library.
Emilia stared at Subaru in awe.
"W-What?"
"I-I'm sorry for staring. It's just... You're amazing. I've been here much longer and haven't been able to get close to Beatrice at all. Yet you've only been here a week, and she... I don't know what I'm saying anymore, I guess you two have good chemistry." She admitted.
Subaru smiled softly.
"What can I say? I guess I'm just so good it's incomprehensible!" Subaru said with a hand to his forehead.
"Subaru... You're such a dunderhead."
"My lady... No one says dunderhead anymore." He teased.
Puck then floated out of his crystal.
"Emilia is right, Subaru. I've seen many people come and see Betty, but not once has she opened up... Subaru... If Betty asks if you're 'that person'... Say yes." Puck looked at him seriously.
Subaru nodded.
"Okay, I don't exactly understand what you mean by that, but I'll take your advice, Puck." The great spirit nodded with a smile and went back into the crystal.
--
1 week later
"I need to what?" Subaru asked the clown.
"One caaaaannot simply become a knight. You legally have to pass the exam. Being thaaaaat your mostly illiterate, I wiiiiill enroll you in ooooone month." Roswald explained.
"Damn, it looks like I don't have a choice. What can I expect to be taught?"
"Weeeell, I've never looked too deep in that area of curriculum, buuuut I assume you wiiiiiill have to learn about graaaace, discipline, and of course, combat pooooower." Roswald explained.
"Yea... All things I'm bad at, great."
Roswald chuckled.
"I thiiiink you will do just fiiiiine Subaru. In the meantime, you said yooooou don't have much knowledge oooof your magic, perhaaaaps, you could work on that? He suggested.
'What do you think I've been doing ever since I got here! Making it sound so easy...' Subaru thought, nodding, and Roswald departed.
'Might as well get to learning then...'
Subaru then chose a random door in the hallway to finish his evening studies with Beatrice.
Beatrice put down her book and frowned.
"It's about time, Betty thought you were slacking off, I suppose." She jabbed.
"How could I possibly ignore my precious studies with my dear Beatrice!" Subaru said, spinning around like a fool.
Beatrice looked down to the floor.
"Bettty..." She whispered.
"I'm sorry? What was that?" Subaru asked oblivious.
"I said you can call me Betty, in fact!"
She yelled with her eyes shut.
Subaru was taken aback.
"My god! I'm honored! Oh, Betty, how long I've been waiting for this moment!" He said, clutching his chest as if he were in a play.
Beatrice grumbled.
"Just get your book, I suppose!" Subaru laughed at her reaction, and she flushed.
"Yes, yes, I'm getting it."
Beatrice and Subaru then studied for a few hours. The raven haired boy asked questions, and Beatrice begrudgingly answered. But on the inside, she was glad someone was there.
Subaru's head started bobbing as he studied. Eventually, his head fell, and he went into a deep sleep.
Beatrice watched Subaru's peaceful face as he slept.
"Could you be that person?" Beatrice whispered.
--
Subaru gasped awake as yet another nightmare plagued his mind. He stood up, and the books he studied last night fell on the floor.
"You slept for an hour, I suppose." Beatrice said, flipping a page in a book.
Subaru gave her a wry smile.
"Haah, sorry... I guess I'm just so comfortable here. I hope I didn't bother you, Beatri- Betty." Beatrice shook her head.
"All you did was sleep talk, I suppose."
"Well, I guess I'll get back to my room and finish my sleep." Subaru chuckled nervously, quickly moving towards the door.
"Who is Terrence? You spoke that name very frequently, I suppose." She asked, putting down her book.
Subaru froze at her question.
'Fuck... I can't just tell her off. I want to keep myself on good standing with her... Should I tell the truth?' He pondered.
Subaru lifted his hand from the nob and faced Beatrice.
"He is... A good friend..." He explained lamely.
But Beatrice's curiosity was not satisfied.
"If he is such a good friend, then why is he not with you?"
Subaru's expression became downcast, and his eyes moistened.
He couldn't dare to look Beatrice in the eyes out of pure shame.
Her question hit him like a truck.
"I... Wasn't a very good friend... I did something terrible, something that can't be undone... I wronged him, and I will never be forgiven. And I don't deserve to be forgiven either..." Subaru whispered.
"Betty thinks Subaru shouldn't be so hard on himself, I suppose." Subaru huffed at her words.
"Well, that is just not possible for me...
Good night, Betty." He said, leaving the library.
'Perhaps he is a deeper person than I thought.' Beatrice pondered, grabbing another book.
--
Subaru awoke, surprisingly quick, being he didn't get much sleep last night.
Sitting on the side of his bed, he felt his hands slick with liquid. Looking down, they were covered in blood... Again.
Every step he took made pools of blood in its wake. He went to wash off the red liquid, but it was never-ending.
No matter how much he scrubbed, bloody water would rinse from his hands.
Looking up, his face was covered as well. Getting frustrated, Subaru grits his teeth, shuts his eyes tight, and punches himself across the jaw, and everything turns to normal.
'Finally... When will this stop? Will it ever?' He thought in frustrated.
He dressed in uniform and decided to train a bit before breakfast.
Subaru found understanding his time powers... Difficult. It seemed that the only way to 'unlock' new abilities was by near death experiences.
Which he wasn't really too keen on doing.
Subaru was walking by a nearby creek relatively close to the manor.
He activated the time zone, everything turned a dull blue, and time slowed.
'Okay, the only thing that makes me move faster in the time zone is literal physical strength... But that's only in my mind. It just means I'm able to move faster in real time, I'm not actually speeding up the time for myself only.'
Subaru has been thinking of this concept for over a year now and has come to no success.
He concentrated and meditated for hours in the time zone, whereas it had only been minutes in reality.
Subaru grew more and more frustrated as he got mentally strained.
Deactivating time zone, Subaru took out a really cool stone he found earlier and hurled it in frustration.
"God! This always goes nowhere no matter how hard I try! I liked that stone too, fuck!" He yelled, regretting throwing it.
Subaru started walking back. He tried to ball his fist but noticed something was in his palm.
He opened his right hand and saw the very same stone he threw just moments ago.
'What!? How did thi-' Subaru's expression change to one of joy as he finally got an idea.
'Now that I think about it. I can fast forward the time on things that I've touched. I clearly threw this stone away, and yet, here it is in my hand again!'
Subaru threw the stone high in the air and watched closely. As it came closer, he thought of wanting the stone in his hand.
Right in front of his eyes, the stone disappeared, and he looked to his hand and found it once more.
Subaru did this a few more times to make sure it was reliable. Luckily, it worked every time.
'Time rewind? No, I can only do that to an object I've manipulated... Not to mention, if it was rewound, then the stone would come back to me in the arch that it was thrown. But it clearly just disappeared and reappeared in my hand instantly.'
Subaru pondered for a bit longer for theories.
'If it only works on something I touch. That means only the object itself is manipulated by time. If it's disappearing and not rewinding... That means I'm bringing back the object I touch to a certain point of time... Fuck this is confusing!' Subaru cursed at his low intelligence.
Subaru tried to prove another theory...
He thought of the moment the stone was falling towards the ground before he put it back into his hand.
The stone disappeared and fell from the sky above, just like before.
"This is something else..." Subaru whispered.
The stone hit the ground with a thud.
Subaru summoned the stone into his hand once more and walked one hundred or so feet away and sent the stone to the time it was dropping from the sky.
Surprisingly, the stone dropped right in front of him instead of where it was thrown earlier.
'This is good... That means that I am the center of my ability. So whatever happens in the nearby area, is going to be based on not where I was at that time, but where I am at, at any given point of time." Subaru concluded.
'Hot damn this is a lot to take in... I should tell this to Betty! I bet she would like to hear it.' Subaru thought excited.
--
"This is stupid, I suppose." Beatrice muttered as she stood in the front yard with Subaru.
"Aww, cmon Betty! I promise you're gonna like this." He urged, handing her a note and pencil.
"What is this for?" She asked skeptical of what Subaru was up to.
The raven haired boy smiled at her.
"Well, Betty, as you can see, that note has nothing written on it! I want you to write something on it, and then hand it back to me!"
She grumbled but did as he said. Subaru struggled to read the note.
"Tha- no. This...? Is stupid... Okay, well, it's better than not participating at all!" He said, writing something else down.
Beatrice looked at him like he was an animal chasing after his own tail.
"I'm still not very good at spelling, so I'm just going to draw a smiley face."
"Okay? And how is this supposed to impress Betty? I suppose." She said, clearly losing interest.
"Aha! Now, here is the cool part. Watch the note in my hand." She begrudgingly obliged and stared at the note.
The note suddenly disappeared. Beatrice's eyes widened, and she looked up at Subaru, who was beaming a smile down at her.
"Betty didn't sense any magic activate. How did you do that?" She asked, curiosity clearly written on her face.
Beatrice heard paper crunching when she clenched her fist. Looking at her palm, the note was back in her hand!
Beatrice was now bewildered.
'Not in all my existence have I seen something like this... No magic activation whatsoever. It just... Disappeared.' She pondered.
"Betty needs to know how this happened, in fact! She demanded.
Beatrice got more irritated at the smug Subaru, who was able to stump her.
"Take a closer look at the note in your hand." Beatrice listened to Subaru and took a closer look.
"The face you drew is gone, I suppose." She whispered.
Beatrice thought long and hard as to how Subaru did such a thing.
"Grrr, this is agitating Betty! Just tell Betty how you did that, I suppose! She yelled, stomping her foot.
Subaru laughed at her antics.
"Well, I don't know how I did it, I just... Did."
"Then why did you show this to Betty!?" She screamed, annoyed.
"Well, I was hoping you would know... The only thing I can think of is controlling time. Think about it. I clearly drew on the note, and then I turned back 'time' on the note. And the note appeared in your hand, the face was gone, because I hadn't written on it yet." Subaru explained.
Beatrice put a hand to her chin in thought.
"For being such an oaf, that's a pretty good theory... However, Betty doesn't know of any magic that can bend time. It is impossible, I suppose."
Subaru hummed in thought.
"Is there any other kind of power that has such an ability? If it's not magic, then what?" Beatrices' eyes widened in realization.
"Betty knows of only one thing... Authorities, I suppose." Subaru was confused at her response.
"I'm sorry, Betty, but I don't know what that is..." He said, kneeling down to her level.
"An Authority is a power that chooses its vessel. There are no known records of authorities having a preference in hosts, so it's plausible that you have one. Especially since you reek of the Witch, I suppose." She explained, pinching her nose.
"I'm sorry, Betty, but I'm not from around here, and I have no idea what those things mean."
Beatrice rolled her eyes at his lack of understanding.
"Were you born under a rock? The Witches are common knowledge, I suppose."
Before Subaru and Beatrice could continue their discussion, they were interrupted by Puck and Emilia.
"Hey Betty." Puck waved.
"Bubby!" Beatrice yelled, taking him into a hug.
"Good morning, Subaru." Emilia greeted with a small smile.
"Ahh, greetings your majesty, to what do I owe the honor of being in your presence?" He joked, making Emilia pout.
"How long are you going to tease me with those lines of yours, Subaru?"
The raven haired boy chuckled at her dismay.
"Until it's not funny anymore!" Subaru said, eliciting Emilia to roll her eyes.
The lady and knight to be have bonded well over the past couple of weeks. They could even see each other as friends, which Emilia still found too good to be true, given her appearance.
"Roswald told me you are going to the Royal Knight Academy for training... Are you sure about being... My Knight?" She asked downcast.
Subaru gave her a soft smile.
"Emilia, you know I dont care about that. Besides, I have been wasting away my life for the past two years... It's time I go out and be a member of society again." He reassured.
Emilia grew a look of concern for Subaru.
Sure, she knew he was a wonderful person, but he occasionally mentioned the past two years of his life, like it was shameful. Yet, he never speaks anything of it further.
"Maybe you could tell me about it sometime..." She said, grabbing his hand in an attempt to comfort him, as he did for her.
But once again, he pushed away.
He chuckled nervously, pulling his hand away.
"I might... Someday." He said with melancholy.
Emilia, a bit dejected, smiled and nodded at his answer.
"I just wanted to let you know breakfast is ready." She said, then proceeded to the dining area, with Beatrice and Puck in tow.
Subaru frowned and did some self reflecting.
'You're a joke, Subaru... Look at you... Deep down, you wanted the comfort of a beautiful girl, but you don't deserve it... You willing killed people. Including the first friend you made in this world.. You're just a murderer who chose to continue on that bloody path... Because you hated this world... I didn't even try to see what else it had to offer. You dont deserve comfort or validation. You dont deserve any of this...'
--
"Alright, Betty... Let me get this straight... You are thinking I have the same power that some evil cult uses? And that the scent I give off allows others to know about it? Wouldn't that make me an enemy of anyone who knows of the cult!?" Subaru questioned, worried.
"Calm down, you oaf. It is very rare for someone to smell the witch. Only those who have had extensive contact, Archbishops, or the Witches themselves. The chances of you coming into contact with those who can track the stench are very slim. Betty thinks there is nothing to worry about, I suppose." She reassured. Causing Subaru to sigh in relief.
"Hurry up and return to your studies, the knight academy entrance exam is approaching, and you don't want to embarras Betty. If you fail, don't tell anyone I tutored you. It won't be Betty's fault but rather an incompetent student, I suppose." She insulted.
Subaru grasped his heart and gasped dramatically.
"Gah! Your words are both motivating and hurtful! Thank you for your guidance." Beatrice grew agitated at Subaru's response.
"Just read your books, I suppose!" She yelled and started aggressively reading a book herself.
As the hours passed, the only things that transpired were the turning of pages, and Subaru asked Beatrice a few questions.
The great Spirit would glance at the boy concentrating occasionally.
'Why would mother ask me to choose? That is not what I was told would happen...'
"Subaru." She said, getting the attention of the boy.
"Betty is not a human... Betty is a great spirit." She said randomly.
Subaru nodded and smiled.
"I know, Puck and Emilia told me. Great spirit of yin, right?" Beatrice nodded, affirming Subaru's inquiry.
There was a long awkward silence, Subaru was about to go back to his books but was interrupted.
"Betty has been here a long time... Mother told her to wait, in fact." She finished.
"Ah, I see." Subaru replied.
Subaru waited for Beatric to continue, but she went back to her black book she held.
Subaru looked at the time and decided he would head to bed.
"Well, my brain is done for the day... Unfortunately, I'm extremely average in everything I do, so I have to try extra hard, but my brain can't handle it all, unfortunately." He said, grabbing the door handle.
"Betty believes that Subaru can learn to read before the knight entrance exam. Especially when you cheat using your Authority, I suppose." She chastised.
Subaru let go of the nob and rubbed his neck.
"Ah, you noticed... Yes, I have been using the 'time zone' I told you about to study for days in a matter of hours." He admitted.
"No wonder your brain is fried... Betty thinks you should take a break tomorrow, I suppose. Subaru nodded at her suggestion.
"Alright, I'll take you up on that. I'll work on my Authority - Er, magic... I mean." He corrected himself.
Beatrice told him explicitly not to tell anyone of his authority. Which being that a crazy cult typical uses them makes sense.
"Good night, Betty." He whispered, leaving the library.
Beatrice stared as the door shut off Subaru from view.
"Could you really be that person? I wonder." She said to herself, clutching her black book.
--
As Subaru walked towards his room, Rem gave him a cold glare as she passed, which confused him.
'The hell is her problem? She's been like that pretty much since I got here...' He thought, glancing at her over his shoulder.
"Aaaaah, Subaru. Maaaay I ask how things are goooooing?" A certain jester asked as Subaru walked to his room.
Roswald always gave him the creeps, but he is also grateful to him for the opportunity to get out of his old lifestyle that consisted of eating bad food and killing bandits.
"It's going well, Beatrice told me to take the day off tomorrow. I'll probably just work on my magic, though." He replied, shrugging.
"Hmm, I seeee, you could visit Arlem village tomorroooow? Rem has to go get supplies. Perhaaaaps you can heeeelp her?" He suggested with his usual smirk.
"Guh... I don't think she likes me very much. At least Ram is honest about it, but I can tell I rub Rem The wrong way." Roswald's smirk fell into a frown at Subaru's reply.
"Hmm, is that so? Well, as Lord of this manor, I shooooould look intoooo this. Good night, dear Subaruuuu."
He wished, walking away with a wave.
--
"What's wrong, Lia?" The great spirit asked, braiding his adopted daughters hair.
Watching from her window, she was mesmerized by her Knight to be, who was throwing stones around.
"What's so special that he's doing? Looks like he's just... throwing rocks?" Puck questioned, unimpressed.
"Not just that, Puck. If you notice it's the same stone, but somehow, it always appears back in his hand. Like a magic trick." Puck looked closer and still wasn't too impressed.
"Meh, a trick is a trick. How is throwing a rock supposed to protect my Lia?" He replied, finishing her hair.
Emilia stood up, still watching closely.
"Well, I think he's a good person and... My friend... That's all that matters to me." She said with a soft smile.
Puck looked down at Subaru skepticaly.
"As long as he doesn't try and get too close to you, then I guess I don't have a problem with him." He said like a protective father would.
Emilia tilted her head slightly in confusion.
"I dont get what you mean, Puck? Subaru is close to me almost every day." Puck sighed at her naivevity of human relations.
"Never mind, let's go down for breakfast." He surrendered.
--
Subaru was deep in thought as he walked beside Rem to Arlem village.
'Shit... Hah, I can't keep using a stone... I hate to ask for a favor from the clown, but I need to get a weapon. Roswald should have one, right?..'
The silence was suffocating. He could practically feel the icy cold feelings she expressed towards him.
"Sooo... How long did you have you been working for Roswald?" He asked, attempting to fill the silence.
"Since Rem and sissy were children." She replied with nothing more to say.
"Ah, I see. Are your relatives in Arlem village?" He questioned, eliciting a side glare from the blue maid.
"No, their dead. The Witch Cult attacked our village, and our people were wiped out... Something I'm sure you're familiar with." She said passive-aggressive.
Subaru was shocked by this revelation. He decided to share information that he never had with anyone else to get common ground.
"I'm sorry to hear that... My relatives are also in a far away place that can not be reached." He said vaguely.
Rem was a bit confused at the way he mentioned his relatives, making it hard to tell if they were dead or not.
"Rem thinks you can go back... Now..." She said darkly, stopping in her tracks.
"But I haven't helped you wi-"
"Why should anyone feel sorry for someone like you!? You're a despicable piece of trash! You're a Witch Cultist who only brings death and sadness wherever you go!.. If it were up to me, you would be dead long before now. Be thankful, Lord Roswald is so generous to invite the likes of you into his home!" She seethed.
The rage and hatred in her eyes were absolute. It was frightening.
"I dont know why you think that, but I vehemently disagree with you about being a Witch Cultist... Beatrice told me about what they do, and I can't fathom it..." He said firmly.
Rem was about to mouth off again, but Subaru spoke first.
"But me being a despicable piece of trash... Yea, you're right. I don't have the right to deny that... But I'm glad I know why you're so icy towards me."
He replied with a downcast expression.
Rem glared at him as Subaru walked away back to the Manor, about a five minute walk away. She clearly hated him, and she couldn't even stand to be around him for five or so minutes.
Subaru hung his head as he thought about the life he led before living in Roswald's manor.
'Haah... What a sad state of affairs. I guess I'll go see Beatrice and cheer myself up.' He thought with a bittersweet smile.
Entering the manor, he was greeted by Ram.
"Barusu, I thought you were going to Arlam with sister? I suppose someone of your nature would leave poor Rem to do the work all by herself. " She jabbed with a judgemental look.
Subaru rolled his eyes.
"Hah, that's rich coming from the laziest maid I've ever met... She told me to go back. Your sister doesn't like me very much." Ram raised a brow at Subaru's response.
"I don't think many people do Barusu." She insulted, causing Subaru to chuckle
"I'm going to see Beatrice..." He said, walking up to a random door, flinging it open.
"And here!" He yelled, suprising the great spirit.
She yelped in suprise.
"Betty told you not to do that, in fact! " She chastised.
Subaru smiled fondly.
"I'm sorry, Betty! I can't help myself when I get such a cute reaction!" He said, making Beatrice flush.
"Grr, just close the door, I suppose." She replied, giving up.
"Betty said to take the day off, I suppose." Subaru nodded in affirmation and sat in his usual chair to the right of the library door.
"Rem called me a Witch Cultist about 10 minutes ago..." Beatrice raised a brow at this information.
"She must he able to smell the Witches scent... How unfortunate." She replied simply.
"What do you mean 'how unfortunate!?' What do you think I should do? He replied with a bit of heat.
"The perverted clown won't let anything happen to you. You are the half elf's knight. If she were to try anything, it would likely mean banishment or possibly death. Being a candidate's knight makes you a pretty important person, I suppose." She replied, still reading her book.
'I didn't know it was that big of a deal... Me? An important person? Hah, only my twelve year old self would think that way.' He thought bitterly.
"Wow, no pressure." He joked.
Beatrice didn't respond.
"...Do you mind if I stay here for a while, Betty?" He asked in a voice that one could tell, held back emotions, begging to be let free.
"Betty doesn't mind as long as you study, I suppose."
The raven haired boy nodded and grabbed his study material he left on the floor next to his chair.
Subaru focused hard.
'I guess the pressure is on now... I have to take this more seriously if I can even hope to be useful to Emilia, or anyone for that matter... I have to be better, smarter, be... Not me.'
Subaru was hunched over his book and noticed a single tear soak into the page.
He quickly took a hand and wiped the remaining tears that dared escape in order to hide it from Beatrice.
'What kind of knight would I be if I cried in front of a little girl?' He chastised internally.
However, Beatrice happened to glance at him when this happened, as she did many times. Subaru just has never noticed it.
"Is Betty's student having troubles with something?" She asked casually.
Subaru flinched a little, now certain she noticed his minor crack.
"No... I'm fine." Beatrice didn't look convinced but went back to her book.
A silence fell for a few moments.
"Why do you push yourself so hard, I wonder?" She said, still gazing at the words her book informed.
"...To be useful, I guess." He too replied without lifting his eyes from his studies.
"In Betty's experience, sometimes to be useful, you first have to slow down and think carefully about what you're doing. Betty's student is throwing himself into studies he can not comprehend because his mind is already full of other things, I suppose." She suggested.
"You're right... Haah... If only I was as smart and amazing as you, Betty!" He replied, putting away his studies and stretching.
Beatrice sighed.
"You won't get better grades from flattery, I suppose." She retorted, making Subaru smirk.
The raven haired boy gave her an expression that held clear fondness.
"I think I'll head to bed early today. Good night, Betty." He said, leaving the library and shutting the door.
"Good night, Subaru..."
--
'My god, I'm hungry.' Subaru thought as he headed down to the kitchen to find a snack, the marble floor cold on his feet.
He was starting to think skipping supper was a mistake.
Luckily, the moon was quite bright, and Subaru was able to spot some bread.
"Better than nothing... If Rem made it, then it's going to be good." He said to himself.
In the blink of an eye, the bread was thrown out of his hands, and an unknown attacker attempted to stab him in the eye with a large knife.
The attacker was strong. Strong enough to match Subaru's unnatural strength.
He held the left forearm of the attacker with his right hand.
The moonlight then showed the attackers face.
Subaru looked in horror as Terrance stared at him with hate, his eye sockets empty with blood dripping from the empty holes.
A bright red light then shone from Terrance's open mouth and eye sockets.
Subarus eyesight went white, and the horror was gone.
He then noticed it was not an attacker that almost killed him. But he himself holding a kitchen knife just centimeters from his eye, his right hand gripping his left forearm tightly.
Subaru slowly set the knife back on the table and stumbled back into the counter near the kitchen sink. Slumping his back down while covering his face with his hands.
'Did... Did I seriously almost die!? And by my own hand at that? I... I almost killed myself! What the fuck is going on!' He thought, almost hyperventilating.
He sat with his back to the counter for a few minutes before staggering back to his room.
The moment he closed the door, he rolled up into a ball face down on the floor and wept as silently as he could.
He wept in sadness and frustration. He no longer knew who he was or what he was supposed to do. He felt like a sheep, lost in a forest full of wolves.
Constantly in fear of the reality of his past, the present, and the duty he had been bestowed. Not long ago, he was just a guy living in the woods without a care for anything. Now suddenly, all these things are thrown at him all at once.
'I'm all alone... Who am I kidding. I was always alone! I was born to be alone. I was born for the world to hate me... But nothing could possibly hate me more... Then my own self.'
He thought bitterly, falling on his side curled up.
And he cried and whimpered until sleep overcame the poor lost sheep.
--
"Oooooh my, to whaaaat do I owe the pleaaaasure to see you this morning Subaruuuu." Roswald said, sitting in his office chair with a smirk.
"Good morning, Roswald... I know you've already done much for me. However, I feel like I've hit a roadblock in my training... I need a weapon. You wouldn't happen to have a few of those around, would you?" Roswald smiled a little too wide at his request.
"Why of coooourse. I was waiting for youuuu to ask." He replied, getting up from his chair.
"Follow me, I thiiiink you will find some interesting items in the basemeeeent." He waved, beckoning Subaru to follow.
Walking to the very end of the hallways and through some complicated maze like rooms that were almost meant to disorient people.
They finally reached the stairs to the basement, inside were various jars of what Subaru were to guess was wine or vinegar of some sorts. Also expensive looking paintings.
But Roswald walked to a dusty book case with a few cobwebs and pulled on a specific book that made the whole book shelf swing open.
'Talk about cliche...' Subaru thought.
On the other side was another wall with a magic seal glowing red. Roswald waved his hand over it, and it turned blue, then shattered.
The wall disappeared into thin air as if it were a mirage.
"We're here, Subaruuuu. Take your tiiiime." Roswald smirked, gesturing for him to enter.
Subaru nodded, and the bookshelf door closed behind him.
It was pitch dark.
'How the hell am I supposed to choose something if I' -
Subaru was cut short of his thoughts when blue crystals lit up the room.
The place was like the size of a Wal-Mart super center. Weapons, shields, artifacts, and even clothing. sit on their own individual pedestal.
"This... Is going to take a while." He said, walking through the rows of pedestals.
'This must he some sort of dimensional space. The manor is not this large... Unless it's dug out underneath, but I doubt it.' Subaru deduced, touching a shield.
He searched for hours. Subaru held some swords and shields but found it just wasn't his fighting style.
Mage wands were off limits since he didn't know Jack shit about magic.
And it's not like there were any descriptions for the artifacts or clothing either.
'As if I'm supposed to know what the hell this even does.' Subaru thought, putting an artifact back on it pedestal.
The raven haired boy then spotted a very interesting cape?
Moving closer, Subaru saw it was a black shawl that only went over the left shoulder.
--
A/N- (It's a cape that hangs over the shoulder instead of the back. It was used for stylish purposes in midevial times) end A/N
--
He took it off the wooden mannequin and clasped on the delicate golden chains that anchored it to one's body.
There are two chains. One that went over the head and rested on his right shoulder. And the other clasped underneath his right arm, which then would rest across his right ribcage, both chains connected to the shawl, allowing it drape over his left shoulder.
Subaru did a few heroic poses like a child.
Looking closer, it hung down only to the middle of his thigh and had a large white embroidered cresent moon with stars that seemed to shimmer all across the shawl.
"Damn, this thing is cool!" He thought, spinning around.
Just then, a shimmer of gold caught his eye. Subaru walked over and picked up the weapon.
It looked like a spear from a distance, but both ends were pointed sharp, so it would not be considered a spear. It also had a similar shape to a toothpick.
Putting the weapon on end, it was only a few inches shorter than himself.
It had engravings of roses with thorny vines all along the weapon. It was... Beautiful.
It was simple, yet majestic. Its weight and length felt just right.
"This is the one." Subaru thought with a genuine smile.
Confident in his choice, he walked back to the entrance, the magic lights shut off, and he was transported back into the basement where Roswald was pouring some wine.
The jester sniffed the red liquid and sipped on it.
"Aaah, you're baaaack. And I see you have brought twoooo armaments." He gestured.
'Two?' Subaru slapped his forehead as he forgot to take off the shawl.
"Oh! I didn't mean to. I tried it on and forgot to put it back! It's almost weightless, so I didn't notice. I can go put it back." He said, embarrassed.
Roswald shook his head.
"Noooo, by all means, consider it yours! If you aaaare to he a proper knight, you shoooould have the equipment to maaaaatch, no? He replied, nonchalant.
Subaru smiled in return.
"I must say, Roswald. I was skeptical of you at first. But I'm starting to think you're not a bad guy! Roswald laughed at Subarus reply.
"Do not woooorry, dear Subaru. It is my pleasure. The armaments you shoooose are quite goooood." Subaru sighed in relief at his words.
"Haah, that's good. What do they do anyway?" He asked, holding his golden weapon in both hands horizontal.
"The golden armameeeent is quite a mystery. It waaaas said to be found impaaaaled in the body of a dragoooon, so its penetrative power must be impressiiiive. To what I know, it's coooonsidered a javelin."
Subaru nodded as Roswald continued.
"Another rumoooor is that it was wielded by a powerful war maaaaiden named Mary." He explained.
"What's it called?" Subaru asked, Roswald shrugged as he did not know the answer.
"I'll call you... 'RoseMary.'" Subaru said quietly.
Roswald clapped his hands lightly in joy.
"What a maaaagnifcent name, Subaruuu. That shawl you have there I do know as it is more my expertiiiise." Subaru nodded, waiting for Roswald's explanation.
"It's caaaalled the 'Cresent of Life.' It haaaas the unique ability to bring the user back toooo life once they haaaave recieved a fataaal blow. But it oooonly works once. If it's used, the armaaament has to be refilled with maaaagic." He explained.
'Holy shit! What a goated item!' Subaru thought excited.
"Thanks, Roswald. I'll put them to good use." Subaru promised.
"I haaave not doubt you will, Subaruuu."
--
The raven haired boy walked down the hall that evening with his javelin in hand and black shawl that hung over his shoulder. It was a nice contrast to his white and black knight uniform.
Rem walked the halls and looked him up and down with a scowl.
"I see Lord Roswald is being too kind to you." She spat, walking past him.
Subaru stopped in place and looked at the ornate ceiling of the manor.
'Yea... I know.' He thought, making his way outside.
Subaru walked towards the edge of the property near the forest to test out his new weapon. The sun was just on the horizon.
While Subaru was in the forest for the past two years, he had lots of practice throwing his shoddy spear with decent accuracy.
Now, he had a javelin that is only heard of in stories. Subaru came face to face with a big tree and drew back the javelin to hurl into the tree.
Subaru threw with all his might. He thought the tree would stop the weapon, but to his suprise, the javelin went right through the tree and far into the forest.
"Shit! Now I have to go find it before dark! Great going! Lose it on the first day fuck!" Subaru berated.
He ran a few steps, and then an idea struck him.
"The stone..." He whispered.
Closing his eyes, Subaru held out his palm and willed his authority to return RoseMary to a previous timeline where the weapon was in his hand.
The boy felt a similar weight in his palm, opening his eyes. RoseMary sat content in his right hand.
A devilish smirk came on Subaru's features.
"This... This is awesome."
Subaru now could throw the javelin as much as he wanted and return it instantly. Not just the weapon, but any object that's small enough to hold.
"I want to practice more, but it's getting dark... Should be supper time soon anyway." He thought, walking back to his room to store his new armaments.
--
Beatrice held Puck in her arms and cuddled him with glee. Everyone else just finished up supper and had small talk about this, and that.
"Dear Beatrice, ever since Subaruuuu has becoooome your student, you have been joining us almoooost every meal. It's so good to see you moooore often." Roswald said to the great spirit.
"Hmph, that's just your imagination pervert." She huffed.
Subaru chuckled, and Roswald smirked.
"Subaru, how are your studies going?" Emilia questioned.
Beatrice gave Subaru a side glance, curious of his answer.
"Betty is a great teacher. There is no way I would be as far as I am without her. I kind of feel bad that she has me as a student, though!" He said modestly.
Puck tilted his head in confusion.
"Really? Betty talks about you all the time and how much progress you're making." He claimed.
Subaru looked at Beatrice and gave her a smug smile while she flushed red in embarrassment.
"B-Betty does no such thing, I suppose!" She tried to convince.
Subaru laughed and smiled fondly at the little blond girl.
"W-What is that look for!?" She demanded.
Subaru put a hand to his forehead dramatically.
"Gah, I'm just so honored that such a cute girl talks so much about me! I can now die a happy man!" He teased.
"I'm leaving, I suppose!" She left with red cheeks.
Puck went back to a giggling Emilia.
"You really shouldn't tease her too much, Subaru." Puck said, sighing.
"I can't help it... I just get the best reactions. It just warms my heart... I guess." He said with a genuine smile.
Rem, standing behind Roswald with her sister, looked disgusted at Subaru's words.
Roswald excused himself, and the maid sisters cleared the table, leaving Emilia, Subaru, and the great spirit.
"I love your interactions with Lady Beatrice. Whenever you two are together, it just makes everything more... Lively. I think you're good for each other." Emilia confessed, patting her mouth one last time with a cloth napkin.
"Yea, me too." Subaru agreed.
"Speaking of Betty, I think I'll head over to the library and study. Well, if she doesn't kick me out." He joked.
They said their good nights and parted ways.
Subaru walked the hallways to a random door and found the library once more on his first try.
The great spirit looked at him with annoyance as he closed the door.
"What do you want, I wonder?" She said grumpily.
"I'm just here to study a bit before bed. If that's okay with the number one teacher in the world, of course!" He flattered.
Beatrice rolled her eyes. She pretended to find it annoying, but Subaru could tell she liked it.
"That's fine, I suppose." She said, waving to his chair.
A silence fell as Subaru studied his material. To him, it was hours due to using the time zone.'
Beatrice could tell because of how stressed he became after such a short period of time. That is how she found out he used his authority to study in the first place.
No one can just casually flip through pages so quickly and suddenly comprehend what it says.
"Subaru..." The boy in question looked at the great spirit at her request.
"What... What is Betty to you?" She inquired with a choked voice, clutching her book tight.
Her tone did not go unnoticed by Subaru.
"Hmm. You are the only person that I have ever confided with... I haven't even done so with my parents..." He admitted, suprising Beatrice.
"You are my cute adorable mentor and friend... Even if you don't see me in the same light, I don't care... I'm just happy that you're there." He said softly.
"You're someone who makes me feel like I'm not... Alone, I guess... I'm not here so often because I love studying, Betty... I'm in the library because you are here..." He confessed, making the great spirits' eyes widen.
"If I make you uncomfortable or make you frustrated then... I'd just hate myself for doing that to you. You're very precious to me, Beatrice. More than you could ever know... That's who you are to me..." He finished, finally looking from the floor into her eyes.
Beatrice looked back down in her black book and started tearing up.
"Subaru... Are you that person?" She asked and looked longingly at him.
Subaru then remembered Pucks' advice to say yes if she had ever asked that question, but... It just felt wrong.
"I'm not sure what you even mean by that, Betty..." He replied.
She got off her stool and showed Subaru the black book.
"Look what Mama told Betty to do! What does that even mean, in fact!? She yelled, frustrated.
Subaru looked at the pages, but there was nothing written in them.
"I...I don't know, Betty." He replied, handing the book back to her, who had a dejected expression.
Subaru looked into her watery eyes and smiled.
"Betty... I'm not sure if I'm the right man for the job, but if you want me to be that person, then I'd really like to try." He said, patting her head.
"Betty is tired of waiting! Betty has been waiting for 400 years! You're just a mortal human! Your life span is just a speck compared to mine! You will die and leave Betty all alone, in fact!
She cried out. 400 years worth of emotion finally breaking through.
Subaru wiped her tears.
"You're right, I will die. But I will not leave you alone! Because I will have so many decendants that will take care of you to the end of time! And you can tell all of them how great I was!" He replied cheerily.
Despite his better judgment, he knelt down from his chair and hugged her tightly as she cried into his chest.
When she finally calmed down, they parted the embrace, and Beatrice took Subaru's hand.
"Will you stay and hold Betty's hand until Betty falls asleep?" She whispered.
A warmth filled Subaru when he heard her words. He felt like buckets of joy had been dumped into his soul.
After such a long time in this world, he felt so much genuine joy that he couldn't hold back his beaming smile on his face.
"Yes, Betty, I will."
A/N
There's chapter 2. I'm going to be taking a little more time with this fiction compared to my last. But there will be action in the next chapter, so do look forward to it.
Reviews are appreciated! Thanks for reading my friends!