Chapter VII:
Nibble Nibble
"Ahhh!" Subaru bolted upright in bed, panting hard as he clutched at his chest, expecting to feel broken ribs and searing pain. Instead, he felt whole, his chest rising and falling steadily. His heart pounded as he looked around the familiar room.
Standing nearby, Ram was watching him with a puzzled expression, her usual stern demeanor softened with the faintest hint of concern.
"You're alive?" Subaru muttered to himself, his thoughts racing. I'm alive? The realization struck him like a lightning bolt. I came back. It wasn't a one-off… and this time, it's a different point.
"Are you alright, Subaru?" Ram asked, her tone neutral but her gaze lingering on him. "I would hate for you to disappoint Master Roswaal on your first day of lessons by falling ill."
Subaru blinked, snapping back to the moment. "Uh, yeah, I'm fine," he stammered, shaking his head. "Just a nightmare, that's all." He swung his legs over the side of the bed, taking a moment to feel the solid floor beneath him. His hand instinctively went to his chest, reassured to find it intact. If I'm alive, then Rom is too.
Ram raised an eyebrow, her expression hardening back into its usual impassive mask. "If you're sure, then get ready. Master Roswaal expects you in the study shortly. I suggest you don't keep him waiting."
Nodding, Subaru waited for her to step out before pulling on the fine clothes left out for him.
Subaru looked out the window and scowled. He could see it—feel it—the echoes of his battle with Rem in the courtyard. His mind played out the scene as if it had happened just moments ago. The clash of steel, the searing pain of broken ribs, the rage that had consumed him. His fingers twitched at his sides, and for the briefest of moments, he entertained the thought of hunting her down and ending it before it could begin.
She's done nothing yet… he reminded himself, his grip tightening into fists before he forced them open. The urge to act was suffocating. Rom was alive now—safe—but somewhere out there, in another version of this world, his father figure was dead. The thought made his stomach churn.
Subaru inhaled sharply, filling his lungs with air before exhaling slowly. Let it go. Acting on impulse would only make things worse. Even if he did get his revenge, to everyone else, he'd just look insane.
"She's innocent in this timeline. She's innocent in this timeline," he muttered under his breath, repeating the mantra like a spell to keep himself grounded.
With a final nod, he turned on his heels and made his way toward Roswaal.
"Ah, so you're a Yin and Yang user? Interesting."
Subaru's stomach churned as the déjà vu hit him like a tidal wave. Everything was playing out almost exactly as before—Roswaal's words, his demeanor, even the slight tilt of his head.
"You don't seem particularly surprised," Roswaal noted, his smile widening with curiosity. "Interesting. Have you had someone read your affinity before?"
Subaru shook his head quickly, snapping himself out of his daze. "What? Oh, no. Just lost in thought," he lied, feigning casualness. Playing a conversation out twice really is tedious. "That's rare, I take it?"
Roswaal's mismatched eyes studied him with unnerving intensity, and a thin smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "It is. I can use all six elements, making me an even rarer case."
Subaru nodded, forcing himself to focus. He'd heard this before, but there was no point rushing ahead. "I know people can make contracts with spirits like Emilia does," he said, steering the conversation away from entirely retreading old ground.
Roswaal chuckled softly, his tone amused. "It appears you have a basic understanding… how fascinating." He clasped his hands together with a theatrical flourish. "Very well, then! I think we should move on to your task for the day."
With a flick of his wrist, Roswaal produced the familiar purple gem. Subaru felt his stomach tighten at the sight of it. Here we go again.
"You will pour mana into this gem until it glows. Like so." Roswaal demonstrated effortlessly, the gem lighting up in his hand. "A seemingly simple task," he said, his smile betraying the challenge hidden beneath his words.
Roswaal pressed the gem into Subaru's hand, and he immediately tried to replicate what he'd done in the previous timeline. However, the effort yielded only frustration. The muscle memory he had painstakingly built before was gone, and his attempts felt clumsy and ineffective. Of course, it didn't carry over.
"I'll see you soon, don't leave that spot until you light my little stone up," Roswaal said with a parting smile, brushing past Subaru as he made his exit.
"Soon?" Subaru repeated, frowning. Last time, he said he'd see me tomorrow.
Roswaal paused, glancing back with a knowing smirk. "I have a feeling you'll get the hang of this in a few hours. Until then, I believe Rem is preparing me a delightful breakfast, paired with some delectable hot tea." With a wave, he disappeared out the door.
Subaru stood frozen, staring at the closed door as his thoughts churned. Why did his expectations change? What did I say that tipped him off?
His mind raced with possibilities. For that matter, where the hell was Roswaal when Rem killed Rom and me? Subaru clenched the gem in his hand, his knuckles whitening as the memory of that fight surged back.
What have I already said or done that might've changed things?
Putting aside Roswaal's peculiar behavior for the time being, Subaru focused his energy on the task at hand. He spent the next few hours locked in a battle of will with the stone. While his body no longer remembered the technique, his mind did. This time, he found it far easier to navigate the ebb and flow of mana the gem demanded, each attempt sharpening his focus.
After countless tries, Subaru managed to find the elusive rhythm. The gem sparked once… twice… three times before the flow slipped away from him. He sighed and released the mana, his muscles trembling slightly from the effort. Sweat dripped from his brow, pooling at the edge of his vision as he leaned back and let out a tired breath.
"Appears you've done well," came a familiar voice, smooth and amused. Subaru turned to see Roswaal, as impeccably punctual as ever, leaning casually against the doorframe.
"I just had to fight the flow just right," Subaru replied, wiping the sweat from his face. "Still, it's like trying to reel in a particularly large fish."
Roswaal chuckled, a soft, melodic sound. "Done much fishing, have we?"
"No, but the fishmongers like to talk. I've gotten the picture enough times to compare," Subaru shrugged.
"Indeed," Roswaal said, his smile widening. "Since we have some extra time, I feel inclined to invite you to the bathhouse. We can discuss things further, and you can clean yourself up. Even after such a short session, you are positively soaked from your efforts!"
Subaru arched an eyebrow at the suggestion. In all his attempts to master the gem in the previous timeline, Roswaal had never once invited him to the bathhouse afterward. "I'm done training with the gem for today?" he asked, his voice laced with cautious surprise.
"You will continue with this task tomorrow," Roswaal replied, his tone as theatrical as ever. "For now, I have several books I require you to read. However, I simply cannot have you handling delicate tomes with such sweaty palms. No, no, no, that would be a tragedy indeed!"
Subaru felt a wave of confusion wash over him as he leaned back in the steaming water. Why had Roswaal never done this before? Subaru racked his brain, trying to pinpoint what could have caused this deviation. Was it something he'd said? The confidence he'd shown? Perhaps Roswaal had gleaned more from his demeanor than Subaru realized. Whatever the reason, things were playing out differently this time, and that was a welcome change.
"Sure, a bath sounds nice," Subaru had agreed earlier, though his real excitement lay in gaining access to Roswaal's extensive library. If I'm stuck reading theory, at least it'll be worth it if it helps me get ahead.
Now, submerged in the soothing heat of the bathhouse, Subaru felt his body unwinding. The hot water worked wonders, loosening his muscles and washing away the weariness from hours of mana control practice. He leaned his head back and let out a long, contented sigh, the faint scent of herbs and salts mingling in the steamy air.
"I have to say, Roswaal, while this bath might be a bit over the top, it's something I could get used to," Subaru remarked with a chuckle, his eyes still closed.
"Oh, why thank you!" Roswaal said dramatically as he slid into the water across from Subaru. "Being a lord does come with its privileges, after all."
Subaru allowed himself to relax further, the warm water melting his tension. He couldn't remember the last time he'd had a proper soak like this. Probably that snowy April morning in the capital, he recalled. He'd treated himself to a bathhouse visit for his birthday back then, despite it costing him two weeks' pay. It had been worth it then, just as this moment felt worth it now.
"So, what are these books you want me to read?" Subaru asked, keeping his eyes closed.
"Nothing too extraordinary," Roswaal replied with a chuckle. "Just a few books on basic magic theory to keep you busy. Consider it working ahead."
"Why? Not planning to demonstrate things yourself?" Subaru arched an eyebrow, cracking one eye open.
"I could, of course," Roswaal said with a dismissive wave. "But casting spells is quite simple when you break it down—just knowing the right words and how to channel mana. The real challenge lies not in casting magic but in refining it."
"What do you mean?" Subaru asked, intrigued despite himself.
"Let me use an analogy you'll understand," Roswaal began, leaning back with a knowing smile. "As a smith, you could teach a novice how to forge a knife. He might be able to produce something that resembles a blade, but it would take him twice as long, burn through twice the coal, and leave him utterly exhausted. Even then, the final product would likely be… underwhelming."
"So, you're saying I'll read theory to figure out how to put it into practice, but even then, I'll probably be terrible at it?" Subaru asked, arching an eyebrow.
"'Terrible' is such a harsh word," Roswaal said with a chuckle. "But… accurate. At first, your spells will lack potency, exhaust you quickly, and be worth little in the grand scheme. But that is the nature of learning, dear Subaru! Theory will help you grasp the abstract principles, and practice will sharpen your results."
Subaru sighed. He'd been hoping Roswaal would eventually teach him directly, but it seemed access to the mage's extensive library was part of the tradeoff. "Well, I suppose reading won't kill me."
"Excellent!" Roswaal said with exaggerated enthusiasm. "I spent many a night poring over the vast number of books in my collection. This will be your new role as my apprentice!"
Subaru nodded wearily, already bracing himself for long nights of dry, academic reading.
"As for practical application," Roswaal added with a smirk, "I believe tomorrow I'll have you practice making the gem spark while you clean the bathhouse."
Subaru groaned loudly, his head falling back against the edge of the tub. "Seriously?!"
"Oh, very much so," Roswaal said with a delighted laugh. "Multitasking is a valuable skill, dear Subaru. You'll thank me later."
"Why is he here? I don't want guests, I suppose," Beatrice huffed as Roswaal swung open a closet door, revealing the hidden library. Subaru marveled at how effortlessly Roswaal seemed to find it, as if the forbidden library bent to his will.
"Such harsh words from you, how hurtful," Roswaal chuckled, unfazed. "Young Subaru here is eager to learn more about the arts of magic. To that end, I have graciously allowed him access to read several books."
"I am the guardian of this library, not you, I suppose," Beatrice shot back, her tone cold and dismissive as she crossed her arms.
Subaru felt a bead of sweat roll down his temple. "I'm just trying to further my education. Surely someone as nice as you could let me borrow a book or two?" he said, forcing a nervous laugh.
"I refuse," Beatrice said flatly, her expression unyielding.
"Ever the Four-Hundred-Year-Old child, are we?" Roswaal mused, looking down at her with a sly smirk. "I will have my books."
Four hundred? Subaru's eyes widened. She's that old?! It confirmed what he'd suspected: Beatrice wasn't human. She had to be a spirit, or at least something close to one.
The air grew thick with tension. Subaru half-expected Beatrice to throw a tantrum and summon a barrage of magical fireballs, but instead, the petite spirit simply turned up her nose with a haughty huff.
"You may have two books, I suppose," she said at last, her voice sharp and begrudging.
"Why, thank you! How very kind of you, my dear Beatrice," Roswaal said, clapping his hands together in mock delight. With a flourishing turn, he led Subaru deeper into the rows of towering shelves.
"That was seriously scary," Subaru muttered under his breath, stealing a glance back at Beatrice, who was now deeply engrossed in a massive black tome. "Is she always that intense about people checking out books?"
"Checking out?" Roswaal echoed, his tone tinged with amusement. "Oh no, Subaru. The books do not leave this library."
"They don't?"
"Indeed," Roswaal continued, smirking. "There are very few who could sneak a book past our precious Beatrice. Should anyone try to steal from her, they would have to fight her—a most inadvisable decision, I assure you. And if she were to perish, every page in this library would turn blank."
Subaru blinked in disbelief. "What? Why would that happen?"
"It's the way this collection was designed by its original curator," Roswaal explained, his tone taking on a solemn edge. "Beatrice was created to protect these books, and as long as she exists, their knowledge is preserved. Without her, however… they would all turn to useless, empty pages."
Subaru glanced over his shoulder again, watching Beatrice as she meticulously read from the tome in her lap. "So… that's all she does? Protect books? For four hundred years?"
Roswaal paused, his usual levity giving way to something more reflective. "It's quite tragic, in a sense. But we all have our purpose… or, in some cases, our lack thereof."
The weight of Roswaal's words lingered as they walked. Subaru couldn't help but feel a pang of pity for Beatrice. Her existence sounded… lonely.
"Ah, here we are!" Roswaal suddenly declared, pulling Subaru from his thoughts. He gestured toward a set of shelves lined with thick, ancient tomes. "Your reading material awaits, dear apprentice!"
"Where do I even begin?" Subaru muttered, eyeing the meticulously organized shelves.
"Here," Roswaal said, placing two hefty volumes in Subaru's arms. Each must have been at least five hundred pages.
"This will take me—"
"All day and night, I suppose," Roswaal interrupted with a smirk. "Best get to reading, my dear Subaru!"
"I haven't even eaten yet!" Subaru complained.
"Oh, how careless of me to forget! Perhaps if you ask Beatrice nicely, she may allow you to bring in some morsel or two… though I wouldn't count on it," Roswaal teased, disappearing into the depths of the library.
Subaru sighed, doubting Beatrice would entertain such a request. Resigned to his fate, he carried the books to a small table and sat down to begin reading. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Beatrice occasionally glancing at him, her scrutinizing gaze making it hard to focus.
The book itself was dense but insightful, delving into the basics of magic. Subaru learned about the Gate, a conduit for mana, and the Od, akin to a person's soul, which determined how much mana they could hold. According to the author, neither the Gate nor the Od could be expanded—both were fixed from birth.
"So, it's all about the hand you're dealt," Subaru muttered, turning a page. The idea wasn't exactly comforting, but it wasn't surprising either. Life was rarely fair.
The book went on to cover magic control, a topic Subaru felt should have come before being thrown into mana-tug-of-war with a gem. "Should've read this first," he grumbled. "Then maybe I wouldn't be fighting damn rocks."
Despite his frustrations, Subaru kept reading. Hours passed, and the strain of trying to absorb the information began to wear on him. Studying felt foreign—he hadn't done anything this intensive since his school days in Japan. Eventually, the words blurred together, and Subaru set the book down for a break.
Looking up, he found Beatrice glaring at him, her small frame radiating annoyance. "What?"
"I wish you would leave me in peace, I suppose," she snapped.
"I've just been sitting here reading in silence!" Subaru shot back.
"Your very presence is a distraction, I suppose!" she huffed.
Subaru's patience, already worn thin by hunger and fatigue, finally gave out. "Here I was feeling sorry for you, having to guard these books all alone for four centuries!"
Beatrice flinched slightly at his words before her expression hardened. Raising her hand, she flung the library doors open with a wave, and an unseen force yanked Subaru out of his seat, hurling him into the hallway.
Before he could respond, the doors slammed shut behind him.
"Seriously, what the hell?" Subaru groaned, rubbing the back of his head as he got to his feet. Glancing out the window, he saw it was already dark.
"I'm getting some food," he grumbled.
The next morning was just as different as the first. No sooner had Subaru gotten out of bed and dressed than Ram had come for him.
She handed him both the purple gem and a butler's uniform. "Get dressed. Lord Roswaal has bid you assist Rem and myself in caring for the manor today."
Subaru flinched. He'd been avoiding the blue-haired maid up until now, but he knew he couldn't avoid her forever—not after what he'd lived through.
Changing into the uniform, Subaru followed Ram to the kitchens, where Rem was already waiting. She eyed him with her usual suspicion, her gaze sharp and searching. Subaru recalled her accusing him of stinking of "her miasma." That, combined with the way she had been utterly convinced he was a Witch Cultist, had always bothered him.
Does she really think I'm part of the Witch Cult?
The thought lingered as he considered the implications. The Witch of Envy—the very name sent shivers down the spine of any child raised in Lugunica. Every legend painted her as a force of destruction, nearly bringing the world to ruin. And yet, despite her supposed death, there were still those who worshipped her—the Witch Cult. They were fanatics, wielding strange books they called gospels, foretelling futures only they could understand.
But I've never so much as seen one of those damned books, let alone read one.
So why did Rem claim he carried the Witch's scent?
A chilling realization struck him.
This… Return by Death… this power… does it come from the Witch? Am I tied to her somehow?
His stomach churned at the idea. If that was true—if this ability, his one saving grace, was connected to the Witch of Envy—then he wasn't sure he could entirely blame Rem for wanting him dead.
Before he could spiral further, a sharp voice snapped him back to reality.
"Subaru, are you listening to me?" Ram chided, her arms crossed.
Subaru shook his head, forcing himself back to the present. "Yeah, sorry. Lost in thought."
"Well, be more attentive, or else I might need to get your attention through more forceful methods," Ram huffed, arms crossed. "As I was saying, Lord Roswaal wishes you to assist us in any way we see fit. While doing so, you are to continue the training he instructed you on previously. Is that understood?"
Subaru nodded. "Peel potatoes, mop floors, and so forth. All while fighting with his magic rock—yeah, got it."
"Hm. Follow our example, then. I would hate for you to make a mess of things."
ME?! You're the one who can barely do chores! Subaru thought but held his tongue.
The day proceeded as expected—prepping meals, dusting, mopping, tending to the garden, doing laundry, and delivering food. Roswaal, Emilia, and Rom each received their meals, the latter chuckling when Subaru served him an entire rack of meat.
All the while, Subaru remained focused on the gem, attempting to make it glow as he had the day before. The process was grueling, and his mana control was still unreliable. He could feel himself developing muscle memory, but the damn thing remained as stubborn as ever. At times, it felt like he was wrestling a force he couldn't quite understand. A flicker of light here and there, but nothing consistent.
By the end of the day, Ram sent him to clean the bathhouse. Subaru nearly cursed. Having used it the night before, it hadn't occurred to him that he'd be responsible for scrubbing it down afterward.
With the stone tucked in one hand, he grabbed a mop and brush, preparing for yet another round of tedious labor. It wouldn't be the hardest thing he'd done all day, but it was far from what he wanted to be doing.
"Oh, Ram sent you to do this, did she?"
Subaru looked up to see Rem approaching, mop and bucket in hand.
"Uhh, yeah," Subaru nodded.
He tried to ignore the knot in his gut. He wished his dagger was at his hip again, if only for moral support. For all he knew, Rem could snap and try to kill him at any moment. Though, as long as Roswaal was around, she'd likely hold back—unless he gave her a reason to act.
"I will show you how things are done properly. Please pay close attention," Rem said, offering a slight bow.
"As much as I can. I'm kind of distracted," Subaru replied, holding up the purple gem.
"I have faith that if Lord Roswaal allowed you to be his apprentice, you can manage two simple tasks at once," she retorted.
"Simple… yeah," Subaru scoffed. "Go on, then."
Rem gave him a critical look before launching into the cleaning process. Subaru was only half paying attention, his mind torn between thoughts of her past actions—how she had killed Rom and him before—and the infuriatingly stubborn rock in his grasp. Still, it wasn't difficult to follow the order of how the baths needed to be cleaned.
They got to work, filling the bath with some water before scrubbing from high to low. All the while, Subaru couldn't shake the feeling of Rem's gaze burning into him. She kept glancing at him every few moments, her scrutiny relentless.
After a good while, he'd had enough. Tossing his mop down, he turned to face her.
"What is your problem?" he asked sharply.
"Problem?" she echoed.
"You keep looking at me every thirty seconds like I might explode!"
"Will you?"
"Of course not!" Subaru crossed his arms. This might be stupid, but he needed to get it out, and he'd be damned if he just kept pretending otherwise. "I have a theory of why you dislike me."
"A theory?" Rem frowned, scrutinizing him.
"Emilia suddenly goes to the capital, a man from the slums gets involved with her, and the next thing you know, he's an apprentice to the Court Mage," Subaru summarized. "Suspicious, I know. If you told me a few weeks ago this would happen, I'd have laughed in your face."
This could be really stupid, he thought, but he didn't like the idea of just playing dumb either.
"And for some reason… I smell of Miasma," he added somewhat reluctantly.
Rem's eyes narrowed, her entire posture growing tense. Subaru braced himself, ready to move if necessary, though exhaustion from his training left him at a clear disadvantage. If she attacked, a prolonged fight was out of the question.
"You'd admit something like that openly?" Rem hissed.
"Only because I'm not what you think I am," Subaru shot back.
"You reek of the Witch's filth, and you expect me to believe you're not a cultist?"
"I grew up in the slums, worked in a forge, and my hands are calloused from swinging hammers," Subaru said firmly. "You think I had time to join some group of insane Witch fanatics? Better yet, do you think Roswaal would let me become his apprentice if he suspected I was?"
"Then why do you stink of her?" Rem shouted.
"I'm not sure," Subaru admitted honestly. "I've never had contact with the cult. Hell, I'd avoid them at all costs if they came calling. I swear on the Dragon, on Felt, on Rom—on everything that's important to me." He placed a hand over his heart for emphasis.
"You expect me to take you at your word?!" Rem's voice sharpened. "Cultists are liars, murderers—the lowest form of life in this world! They deserve no trust, no mercy, nothing!"
"I agree," Subaru replied firmly. "But that doesn't change the fact that I am not a cultist. Do you suspect Rom is one? Do you think the man who practically raised me is working with the Witch's followers? Do you?"
Rem hesitated, her fingers tightening around the handle of her mop. "Just because I can't smell her on him doesn't mean he's not in league with you."
"If I am a cultist, I'll do something to out myself eventually, right? That much has to be true." Subaru's voice was steady, unwavering. "So let's make a deal. If I ever do something that convinces you I'm a cultist, kill me where I stand. But leave the Old Man out of it."
Rem's expression was unreadable, her silence stretching long enough that Subaru wondered if she'd outright reject his proposal.
"What is your real purpose here?" she finally asked, her tone laced with suspicion.
"I want a better life for my family," Subaru said simply. "When this whole thing with Reinhard is over, I want to make sure Felt gets the life she's dreamed of for years. I want to see the people I care about smile. That's all I want."
Rem's grip on her mop tightened to the point that the wood creaked under the pressure. For a moment, Subaru thought she might scoff at his words.
"Fine," she said at last. "I will refrain from acting on my instincts, but if you are a cultist, I will kill you."
Without another word, she reached down, grabbed the mop bucket, and turned on her heel.
"You can finish cleaning the bath alone. I have other tasks to attend to," she stated before walking away.
Subaru exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. That could have gone worse.
Now, all he had to do was figure out what had killed Ram—and stop it from happening.
The next morning, Subaru stood in Roswaal's study, watching as the mage idly rolled the twin of his gem between his knuckles.
"Things are going poorly, you say?" Roswaal's voice carried an almost amused lilt, his ever-present thin smile making Subaru bristle.
"Rem thinks I'm a member of the Witch Cult," Subaru said, crossing his arms. "I assume if she can smell the Witch's miasma on me, you can too. Or at the very least, she's made you aware of it."
"Oh, of course, I can," Roswaal leaned forward, his smirk deepening.
Subaru frowned. "Then… why are you training me?"
"Why indeed? If you were a cultist attempting to get close to our dear Emilia, I might want to see exactly what your intentions are," Roswaal chuckled, his heterochromatic eyes gleaming with intrigue.
"So you do think I'm a cultist?" Subaru pressed.
"Goodness, no. You're far too poor of a mage to be a cultist," Roswaal quipped, tilting his head. "Maybe an errand boy, but to get so close to someone such as Emilia? You would have to be exceptionally crafty indeed!" He let out a soft laugh. "That said, I would be utterly shocked if you had any prior connection to the Witch Cult."
Subaru exhaled sharply. "Then why don't you clear things up with Rem? If it came from your lips—"
"No," Roswaal cut him off, shaking his head. "If you wish to gain her trust—her respect—you must earn that yourself. She will not be the first, nor the last, to smell the Witch on you."
Subaru's jaw clenched as Roswaal leaned back with an air of finality.
"The fact that you came to me for help," Roswaal mused, his smile never faltering, "only proves how much you still have to learn, dear Subaru."
The fact you came to me for help shows how much you have to learn dear Subaru!"
"How much do you know about what's going on here?" Subaru narrowed his eyes.
"More than I let on," Roswaal admitted, his smirk never faltering. "That said, my young apprentice, I have no doubt you will be capable of handling things. I do require my household to be in order. To that end, you will continue your training alongside Rem and Ram today."
"You're not telling me anything? Man, I must say, you're a suspicious character, you know that?" Subaru huffed.
"I'm sorry I might not enjoy the full confidence of my student!" Roswaal chuckled, tapping his fingers idly against the desk. "Unfortunately, this is for the best." His gaze sharpened slightly. "Off to work, young Subaru!"
Frowning, Subaru turned and left, his mind spinning. Roswaal knew the Witch's scent was on him all this time. Not once had he mentioned it.
Is it possible that he knows about the looping? Subaru scowled. No, that's impossible. How would he even tell?
That thought unsettled him. He needed someone to help him make sense of all this—someone he trusted.
Rom.
The walk to Rom's room was easy enough. Pushing open the door, Subaru stepped inside. The room was larger than his, the bed too—probably one of the biggest he had ever seen. How they managed to find a bed big enough for Rom was beyond him, but the old man must have been sleeping better than he ever had back in the slums.
"Ah, there you are," Rom greeted, sitting cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by stacks of books. He rarely left his room, preferring to request material from the regular library—not the Beatrice no-go zone.
"Hey, listen, I need to talk to you about something," Subaru said, shutting the door behind him.
"Sure. I didn't see a food tray, so I assume this isn't another work visit," Rom chuckled.
Subaru took a deep breath and decided to just come out with it. "I can re—"
A searing, unnatural grip latched onto his heart.
Subaru's breath hitched as an invisible force crushed his chest, squeezing like ghostly fingers clawing into his very being. Cold—deep, suffocating cold—poured through him, and every fiber of his body screamed to stop.
A warning. A threat.
He knew—if he spoke those words, something terrible would happen.
D-did the Witch of Envy just touch my heart?
"You're shivering, son. You okay?" Rom's voice cut through the haze.
Subaru blinked, realizing he was trembling violently. His breath was ragged, his vision slightly blurred.
"W-what?" He forced himself to steady his voice. "N-nothing. I'm alright." He lied.
"Doesn't look like nothing, son," Rom said, crossing his arms as he studied Subaru with sharp eyes.
"I… um…" Subaru shook his head, forcing himself to act naturally. "Just dealing with some drama with Rem. Wanted to give you a heads-up to keep an eye out." His words came quickly, too quickly.
"Hmmm…" Rom's gaze narrowed. He wasn't convinced.
"Alright, sure," he finally said, his voice gruff. "You sure there's nothing else?"
"No, that's it," Subaru forced a grin, trying to push past the weight on his chest. "I gotta go deal with more cleaning. I'll see you later."
Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel and walked—no, hurried—out of the room.
The moment he was far enough down the hall, his pace faltered. Bending over, he sucked in a deep breath, trying to steady himself. His heart still pounded from the unseen grip that had seized it moments before.
I can't tell him. I can't tell anyone.
That suffocating presence, that thing that had crushed his chest—it wasn't a warning. It was a sentence. If he even tried to reveal the truth, he wouldn't just die. Something worse would happen.
He swallowed hard, forcing the panic down.
Get it together.
Straightening, he exhaled slowly, shaking off the lingering tremors in his hands. He needed a distraction—anything to get his mind off what had just happened.
With that thought in mind, he set off to find the maids.
Subaru was exhausted. If Rem couldn't smash his head in with her morning star, it seemed she was determined to work him into an early grave instead. Every task she could think of had been thrown his way, and no matter how trivial, she ensured he had no respite.
For once, Subaru wasn't even trying with Roswaal's training. He had bigger concerns—Ram's impending death. He needed his mana reserves intact, and focusing on the gem was a luxury he couldn't afford.
By the end of the day, he had volunteered to accompany Ram to the village. If something was going to kill her, he was betting it had to be there. Nothing in the manor had given any indication of a threat, and he doubted her death would be from natural causes.
"Hurry along now, Subaru. We don't need to linger too long," Ram instructed as they walked through the village of Arlam.
It was a peaceful place, its quiet rhythm starkly different from the chaos of the capital. Subaru had seen it on maps before but had never visited until now. Smoke curled from the chimney of a nearby building, and in the distance, he could hear the rhythmic clang of a hammer on metal.
He wondered how Conrad was managing without him. Had the old man found a new apprentice? He hoped so. The idea of returning to the forge, hammering out nails and shaping steel, suddenly seemed far more appealing than scrubbing floors under Rem's scrutinizing gaze.
"I have a list," Ram continued, breaking him from his thoughts. "You will collect bread from the baker while I handle the other purchases. Do not get sidetracked."
"Yeah, yeah," Subaru muttered, only half-listening as he continued eyeing the source of the hammering.
"The bakery is up the road and to the left," Ram added, sharper this time, as if sensing his thoughts.
Subaru sighed but nodded, peeling himself away from the tempting sounds of the forge. "Got it."
With that, he set off to complete his errand, though his mind was already working ahead. If trouble was lurking in the village, he had to find it before it found Ram.
Coming out of the bakery with a bag full of fresh bread, Subaru glanced up at the sky, noting how low the sun had dipped. For a moment, he entertained the idea that whatever had led to Ram's death might have already been diverted. This loop was nothing like the last—so much had already changed. Maybe, just maybe, he had managed to alter fate.
"Who are you?"
Startled, Subaru looked down to see a young girl with auburn-red hair and a bright red bow gazing up at him with curiosity.
"Me? Oh, I'm Subaru."
"Subaru?" The girl tilted her head. "I'm Petra. You're new. Say, you're dressed in one of those… uniforms, I think?"
"Yeah, I suppose you could call it that," Subaru chuckled. "I'm Lord Roswaal's new apprentice."
"Apprentice? Lords have apprentices?" Petra's face scrunched in confusion.
"Apparently," Subaru said with a grin.
"Petra! Come on!" a brown-haired boy called from nearby.
Before she ran off, Petra perked up again. "Hey! Want to see the puppy that Meili found?" she asked excitedly.
"I don't know… I've got a lot of work to do," Subaru smirked, feigning reluctance.
"Pleeeeeease? He's super cute!"
Subaru pretended to think long and hard before finally relenting with a smile. "Oh, alright. Just this once, okay?"
"Yay! Come on!" Petra grabbed his hand and dragged him toward the fence line near the woods, where a group of village children had gathered.
A girl with navy-blue hair was leaning against the fence, gently cradling a small, scruffy puppy. The little thing wagged its tail happily, panting with excitement. Subaru immediately noticed, however, that it wasn't in the best condition—it had a large bald patch on its head, and its fur looked a little rough.
"Wanna see?" the girl asked, holding up the puppy proudly.
"I guess?" Subaru reached out and scratched behind its ears.
For a moment, the pup seemed to enjoy the attention. Then, without warning, it latched onto his hand with sharp little teeth.
"Ouch!" Subaru yanked his arm away, shaking it off as a sting shot up his arm. "I guess he's not that friendly."
"He's usually nice to strangers. Must just be you!" Petra giggled.
"Subaru."
He turned to see Ram standing nearby, a bag of vegetables in her arms, her expression as unreadable as ever.
"I told you not to get sidetracked," she said coolly. "Lord Roswaal will need to teach you how to listen."
"Do you have to be so harsh?" Subaru sighed, rubbing his sore hand.
"Miss Ram! Do you wanna see the puppy?" Petra beamed up at her.
"As much as I would love to entertain you all, we have to be going," Ram said, though her tone was surprisingly gentle with the children.
Maybe she can be nice, Subaru thought with amusement.
"I'm sure we'll be back soon enough," he assured the kids with a smile before following Ram back toward the village center.
"We do have one more stop…" she said, glancing ahead with purpose.
Subaru's back throbbed, the weight of the barrel still lingering in his muscles long after he had set it down. Ram, ever meticulous, had ensured it was packed to its absolute limit, likely knowing full well that he'd be the one hauling it back. Even with the aid of mana, the strain left him sore.
To his surprise, upon his return, Roswaal had made an offhand remark about having urgent business with "someone most troublesome." The cryptic choice of words was enough to spark Subaru's curiosity, but what truly caught his attention was Roswaal's attire. The mage had changed into formal clothing—an unmistakable sign that this meeting was of great significance.
Before Subaru could even think to ask for details, Roswaal had simply smirked, delivered one of his usual sing-song farewells, and then, without another word, ascended into the sky.
Subaru had heard tales of powerful mages being able to fly, but seeing it firsthand was something else entirely. It was one thing to know such feats were possible; it was another to watch Roswaal vanish into the horizon like some whimsical bird.
"Well, that's a thing," Subaru muttered, rubbing his temples. Whatever Roswaal was up to, it was clearly above his pay grade.
Still, as far as he could tell, nothing had gone wrong with Ram. He had kept a close eye on her in the village, scanning the crowds for any potential threats. A pickpocket would have been easy to spot, so he reasoned that anything more serious—assassins, cultists, or whatever else might lurk in the shadows—would be just as noticeable. At least, that was what he hoped.
If Ram still dies tonight… at the very least, Rom should be spared… I hope, Subaru thought grimly, the weight of that uncertainty pressing down on him as he made his way to his room. The idea of the old man getting tangled up in this mess again was one he couldn't stomach.
Eager to collapse into bed, Subaru trudged to his room and pushed open the door with a sigh—
—only to step into the Forbidden Library.
"Oh… you again. Go away, I suppose."
Subaru blinked, caught off guard. Beatrice sat in her usual chair, a book in hand, her expression as exasperated as ever.
"Oh, sorry, I thought this was my room," Subaru said, quickly stepping back before pausing. "Wait, do you decide which door leads here, or is it random?"
"I'm not telling, I suppose," Beatrice huffed, turning a page with pointed disinterest.
"Well… while I'm here, do you mind if I get some late-night reading in?"
"Why should I let you touch even one of my books?" she shot back, eyes narrowing.
"Well, I kinda neglected my gem training today, so I figured catching up on the books Roswaal assigned me might make up for it," Subaru admitted, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
Beatrice scoffed. "So you're rude and lazy. I shouldn't have to put up with you, I suppose."
"Please?"
She gave him a long, scrutinizing look before exhaling sharply. "Fine. But if you annoy me, I'll throw you out again, I suppose."
"Thank you," Subaru said, bowing exaggeratedly before making his way down the row where Roswaal had led him last time.
Soon enough, he had the familiar tomes in hand, settling into a chair to read. He planned to stay up late, keeping himself occupied until he could check on Ram. Sleeping tonight felt pointless—he'd remain awake until he was certain she was safe.
The book's contents were as dry as ever. Informative, sure, but dense enough that Subaru felt sleep creeping in the deeper he read. His mind wandered, his focus slipping between the lines until a small poke at his hand snapped him back to attention.
Blinking, he looked up to find Beatrice leaning over the desk, her sharp gaze locked onto his hand with an expression of scrutiny.
"Um… hi?" Subaru ventured, shifting slightly.
"Hmmm… what have you done to yourself, I suppose?" she muttered, her voice laced with mild irritation.
Subaru followed her gaze, realizing she was fixated on the small wound from the dog bite. "This? Oh, just a little love bite from a stray some kids in the village found. No big deal," he shrugged.
"'No big deal'? Then Betty has no reason to waste her time here, I suppose," she huffed, turning away with an air of dismissal.
Subaru arched an eyebrow. "Wait… is it a big deal?"
"It could be, I suppose," she admitted, though her frown deepened.
"Are you going to be cryptic about this, or is the bite actually getting infected or something?" He turned his hand over, inspecting it. The wound was barely more than a few punctures, the skin only slightly broken. It hadn't even bled much.
Beatrice sniffed, arms crossed. "If you apologize for earlier, I might help, I suppose."
Subaru couldn't help but think she was acting closer to her apparent age than the centuries-old spirit she actually was.
Sighing, he relented. "Fine. I'm sorry, I was a little harsh before."
She studied him for a long moment, as if weighing his sincerity, then nodded slightly, her gaze returning to his hand.
"You are cursed, I suppose."
A/N: I love me some Betty, she's probably my favorite character in this series. Now before I get onto reviews... I must disappoint you all. I have a "long" break coming up from posting due to IRL things. I will be gone for the next two weekends... I know this is hard for everyone. I'll be back February 16th, content will still be worked on, and I hope you'll be holding out for my return! Onto reviews...
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AcceleratorLO: I really should have known better than to think things would be different this time around. Subaru could never beat Rem, huh? Oh well. At least now he can shank her ass when she's not looking. Good chapter!
He's strong, but not that strong. Rem with her horn is much stronger than Subaru. He has no DP or Authorities at this stage of the game. Hasn't even learned a spell yet. He had no shot.
AngryWY: I took a break from this fanfic to let some chapters pile up, and I was not disappointed. The quality has not gone down at all, and seeing Subaru actually fight (instead of losing in 1 second) is something I didn't expect to like as much as I did. Seeing the schemes Roswaal has to do to keep Subaru in the mansion is also entertaining. I guess I also can't not talk about the prologue, which I indirectly brought into existence. It was a very enjoyable read, and it fixed my problems with chapter 1 completely. Overall, still a great fic with a lot of potential. Can't wait to see where the story goes next!
Thanks for enjoying the read! Hope you enjoy reading more! Take a bow for Chapter 0!
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See you all in a few weeks! Hope everyone has a happy time until then!