Chapter VI:
Rock Fight
"Ah, so you're a Yin and Yang user? Interesting." Roswaal lifted his hand from Subaru's head, his usual smirk deepening as he revealed the result of his assessment. It had taken the mage mere moments to identify Subaru's elemental affinities.
Subaru had been woken early that morning by Ram, who escorted him to the top of the central tower where Roswaal's office was located. She'd made it abundantly clear, sharply and fervently, that failure or disrespect would not be tolerated.
"Do not take Lord Roswaal's generosity for granted, Subaru," she'd said sternly, fixing him with a glare. "That includes refraining from any further remarks like 'Clown Noble.' Or else, I might have to wash out your mouth."
Her devotion to Roswaal was something Subaru found… intense. He wondered briefly if there was something more personal behind her loyalty. Perhaps the two shared a deeper connection—lovers, maybe? It wasn't unheard of for nobles to have close relationships with some staff. Then again, there could be an entire history between Roswaal and the maids that he was completely unaware of.
"Yin and Yang, huh?" Subaru said, refocusing on the moment. "Two elements—that's rare, right?" He couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride.
"Indeed! Yin and Yang are quite formidable elements," Roswaal confirmed, his tone as theatrical as ever. "A combination with great potential, dear Subaru!"
"What about you?" Subaru asked, curiosity piqued. "What are your affinities?"
"Oh, I am quite the rare case, as you might imagine. I possess an affinity for all six elements," Roswaal declared, his smirk widening.
"All six?!" Subaru's eyes widened in disbelief.
"It is indeed unusual," Roswaal admitted, clearly enjoying Subaru's reaction. "Most magic users who wish to access all forms of magic must rely on spirits. However, I was blessed with the ability to wield them through my gate."
"So, if I wanted to use the other four elements, I'd need to connect with spirits, like Emilia does. Is that right?" Subaru asked, leaning forward, intrigued.
"Indeed," Roswaal affirmed with a flourish. "There are advantages and disadvantages to both methods. Spirits, for example, offer tremendous power, but they come with limitations. To wield their strength, one must form contracts—agreements binding their aid to you. Miss Emilia's connection with Puck is a prime example. While she draws her power from him, Puck is only able to appear during specific times of the day."
"So, if Puck's not around, her abilities are weaker?" Subaru guessed.
"Precisely," Roswaal said, nodding. "This is why she also forms temporary contracts with numerous minor spirits to supplement her power. However, such arrangements are fleeting and less reliable."
"And what about using a gate?" Subaru pressed.
"Ah, relying solely on your gate spares you the need for contracts," Roswaal explained, "but it has its challenges. Your ability to wield magic is directly tied to your mana reserves. If your supply is lacking…" He gestured dramatically, allowing the implication to hang in the air. "You may find yourself quite powerless at an inopportune moment."
"I get the idea of gates," Subaru began, shrugging casually. "Rom explained it to us when we were kids. Felt and I have been using mana for ages to enhance our physical movements. She's blessed with a Divine Protection that lets her move insanely fast for brief moments. Normally, though, I'm the faster of the two of us. Also, when I'm in the forge, I use mana to make things easier."
"Mana control is indeed the foundation of all magical endeavors, but without a proper teacher, one can only go so far, young Subaru!" Roswaal said with a wide grin. "To that end, I have a task for you. Before I teach you a single spell, you must master control."
From his sleeve, Roswaal produced a small, uncut purple gem, holding it up between his fingers. A moment later, it began to glow faintly. "This," he said, "is a delightful little training tool. Consider it a challenge. Its sole purpose is to teach mana control."
Placing the gem in Subaru's hand, Roswaal continued, "Your task is simple: stay here, focus on channeling your mana into the crystal. Too much or too little, and it won't glow. The key is to provide just the right amount of mana."
Subaru turned the gem over in his hand, examining it closely. "Sounds easy enough."
"Does it now?" Roswaal smirked knowingly. "Well then, I'll leave you to it. I'll check on your progress tomorrow. Remember: no leaving this spot until you've succeeded!"
Tomorrow? Does he really think this will take that long? Subaru thought, turning the gem over in his hands. I can channel mana to my body already; this can't be that different.
Sighing, he focused on his gate, opening it and willing the mana to flow up into his arm and then into the crystal. Instantly, the gem reacted, drinking in his mana as though he'd unleashed a flood. Alarmed, he cut off the flow abruptly, feeling an unexpected wave of exhaustion from the brief interaction.
"What in the name of the Dragon?" he muttered, gripping the gem more tightly. "Okay… maybe I was a little overconfident. No problem. At least now I know what to expect."
With renewed determination, Subaru opened his gate again. This time, he felt the gem seize onto his mana with a forceful pull, as if it had a will of its own. Fighting to regulate the flow, he struggled to maintain a balance. The gem's demands were unpredictable—one moment weak, the next overpowering. No matter how hard he tried to find the perfect rhythm, the crystal refused to glow.
Hours passed as Subaru wrestled with the crystal. Sweat dripped down his face, his breaths coming in heavy pants. His muscles ached, and his mana reserves felt dangerously low. Finally, his body gave out, and he collapsed to the floor, utterly drained.
Panting hard, he stared at the dimming light in the room. The thought of staying rooted in place until he completed the task, as Roswaal had instructed, filled him with frustration. His growling stomach made him curse under his breath.
As if summoned by his hunger, the door creaked open, and Rem entered, carrying a tray. Subaru's spirits briefly lifted at the prospect of food, but his hope was dashed when he saw only bread and water.
Seriously? The guy's loaded and sends me bread and water? Subaru thought bitterly. Still, he accepted the tray with a tired "thank you."
Rem nodded but didn't leave immediately. Her gaze lingered on him, that same unreadable look she'd given him earlier. It made Subaru uneasy. As she turned to go, he called out, "Hey… out of curiosity, do you know anything about this?" He held up the crystal. "Roswaal didn't exactly explain how—" He cut himself off, realizing mid-sentence that asking a maid about advanced magic might be pointless.
Rem paused. "No, Master Roswaal didn't teach us magic," she replied softly. "Sister and I learned it growing up."
Subaru blinked in surprise. It wasn't unheard of for commoners to know magic, but it was rare. Why would two maids possess such skills? "Really? Who taught you both as kids?"
Rem hesitated, her expression unreadable. "I've said too much. Lord Roswaal doesn't want you distracted."
"Wait—" Subaru began, but Rem was already out the door, leaving him alone with the crystal and more questions than answers.
Hours passed, the night stretching on interminably. Subaru felt like his body was on the verge of breaking apart. His mana reserves were nearly depleted, his muscles ached, and frustration gnawed at him. The seemingly simple task had turned into an insurmountable ordeal. He fought to maintain the balance, alternating between tugging and releasing his mana in the crystal. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a faint ember of light flickered deep within the gem for the briefest moment.
Gasping in surprise, Subaru let the crystal drop from his hands and collapsed onto the cold marble floor of the study. Exhaustion threatened to claim him then and there, but his pride refused to let him be found face-first on the floor of his new master's office. Still, the sheer effort of the day left him utterly drained. He was annoyed enough knowing that all his work had resulted in the crystal flickering for a mere blink.
He made it seem so easy… Subaru gritted his teeth, forcing himself upright.
"Very good, Subaru! I must commend you for your efforts!" Roswaal's voice rang out, followed by a slow clap.
Startled, Subaru glanced over his shoulder to see the mage standing there, a smirk plastered across his face. Ram stood behind him, her expression as impassive as ever, her gaze sharp and critical.
"How… did you?" Subaru started, barely able to form a coherent question.
"I have excellent timing, you might say," Roswaal said with a flourish. He held up a second crystal, identical to the one Subaru had been working with. "I linked this gem with yours, so when one glows, so does the other. If you had cheated, I would have known immediately!" His smirk deepened.
"Great," Subaru muttered, his legs trembling beneath him.
"Get some rest," Roswaal said, his tone almost fatherly. "We shall reconvene later."
Subaru glanced at Ram. "Is she here to help me back to my room or something?" He hated to admit it, but his legs were barely supporting him. Making it to his bed chamber seemed like an impossible feat.
Ram's tone was as blunt as ever. "I have business with Master Roswaal. You are more than capable of finding your way back on your own."
"Business… sure," Subaru muttered, trying not to let his frustration show. I hope that's not code for what I think it is.
"Poor Subaru," Roswaal teased with a chuckle. "I'd offer you a Bokko fruit, but such frivolous use when unnecessary would be careless indeed! Rest well, my young apprentice."
With that, Subaru forced himself to stand as straight as his fatigued body would allow and made his way out of the room. Using the wall as a crutch, he descended the stairs slowly, each step testing his waning strength. Several times, he nearly dozed off mid-stride, but sheer determination kept him moving.
At long last, Subaru stumbled into his room. He barely managed to close the door behind him before collapsing onto his bed. Without even pulling the covers over himself, he fell face-first into the mattress and was asleep before his head hit the pillow.
The next morning, Subaru was jolted awake by the abrupt sensation of falling. Startled, he groaned as the hard floor greeted him with an unkind thud. His body still ached, and he felt like he could use another day—or two—of sleep, but it was clear that rest wasn't an option anymore.
"What in the hell?" he muttered, pushing himself upright to see Rom towering over him. "Not a very nice wake-up call, old man."
"I tried shaking you, but you were out cold. Figured this was the easiest way," Rom said with a shrug, his tone unapologetic.
"It's the crack of dawn. Couldn't you just let me sleep?" Subaru grumbled, eyeing the inviting bed. Even now, exhaustion tugged at him, tempting him to crawl back under the covers.
"Yeah, yeah," Rom crossed his arms. "What happened up there yesterday? I didn't see you all day."
"I was fighting with a stupid rock," Subaru grumbled. "The rock was winning."
Rom raised an eyebrow, but before he could respond, he glanced toward the doorway, his expression serious. "That blue-haired maid was asking about you."
"Rem?" Subaru perked up, thoughts of sleep fading. "What did she want to know?"
"She asked how long we'd known each other," Rom said, folding his arms tighter across his chest.
"What did you tell her?"
"The truth. That you've been around since you were a small boy," Rom replied, his gaze flicking back toward the door. "I don't like it. She's got a look in her eye. I saw it at tea the other day."
"She's been doing that since we met," Subaru admitted, sitting straighter. "I mean, her sister Ram is cold, but I think that's just her personality. With Rem, it's different. She looks like she suspects me of something. I just don't know what."
Rom rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "The sooner Reinhard gets here, the better."
"I'm Roswaal's apprentice now. It's not like I can just up and leave," Subaru pointed out. "I'm in a contract."
"Contracts with humans aren't binding like those with spirits," Rom said. "Sure, you have a magical connection, but it can be broken."
"Wait, really?" Subaru blinked, genuinely surprised by the revelation.
Rom nodded. "It'd take considerable effort, but yeah, it's possible."
Subaru wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it. He could barely make a rock glow after an entire day of trying—breaking a contract written by someone like Roswaal? That sounded about as feasible as growing wings and flying to the moon.
"Listen," Subaru sighed, leaning back against the wall. "I get it—this is all new for both of us. But honestly, a few odd looks from a cute maid? That's nothing we can't handle."
Rom didn't respond immediately, his eyes narrowing slightly in thought.
"Besides," Subaru continued, his tone more resolute, "Roswaal promised to protect Felt. Even if I could somehow break the contract, that part of the deal would vanish too. I can't risk that."
Rom's expression softened, but the concern didn't leave his eyes entirely. "Just keep your head on straight, kid. Things might seem fine now, but promises from nobles don't always mean what they should."
Subaru knew Rom was right. There was a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that something was off, but until he could pinpoint what it was, he had no intentions of stirring the pot. If he stuck to his role, followed instructions, and avoided unnecessary drama, things would work out. Rem's suspicions, if she even had any, didn't matter—he had nothing to hide. Besides, Rom had always been wary of others. Outside of Felt and himself, the old man didn't trust anyone.
"Alright, I promise I'll be careful," Subaru sighed, his tone resigned.
With that, he set off in search of something to eat, bracing himself for another day standing in Roswaal's study, wrestling with a stubborn rock.
The trip to the kitchen was straightforward this time. He found some bread, cheese, and salted pork—nothing luxurious, but it was food. Famished, Subaru didn't hesitate to scarf it all down. Ever since arriving in this world, he'd learned not to complain about meals, no matter how simple they were.
With a full stomach, he felt much better. After tidying up his plate, Subaru decided to take a stroll in the gardens. The fresh air was invigorating, though his body still ached from the strain of the previous day. The sunrise cast a golden glow over the sprawling farmland and forest that stretched out beyond the manor grounds. It was a view he rarely saw, having spent most of his life confined to the city. He had to admit, it was nice.
"There you are."
The voice snapped him out of his reverie. Turning around, Subaru saw Ram approaching with her usual air of cool indifference. Great, so much for a peaceful morning.
"Oh, good morning, Ram," Subaru greeted, trying to sound pleasant. "I assume Roswaal has something for me?"
Ram nodded curtly. "He is having you repeat your task from the prior day. Come."
Subaru suppressed the urge to groan, though the temptation was strong. This was all part of the deal, and he knew it. Besides, it wasn't like his first few months at the forge had been a breeze either. If learning magic were easy, everyone would do it.
Ram led him back to Roswaal's study, her steps precise and unwavering. Once inside, the eccentric mage was already waiting for them, the same gem resting in his palm. Subaru eyed the stone warily. The task seemed deceptively simple, but he now knew just how challenging it truly was.
"I trust you'll accomplish the task much sooner this time, dear Subaru!" Roswaal declared, his sing-song tone grating and condescending all at once. He placed the gem in Subaru's hand, his mismatched eyes gleaming with expectation. "And try to become consistent—oh, yes, yes, yes! A simple spark is too little to satisfy me today!"
With that, Roswaal swept out of the room in his usual theatrical fashion, leaving Subaru alone with the gem and the daunting task ahead.
Subaru sat down with a heavy sigh, closing his eyes as he cradled the gem in his palm. "Consistent, huh? Yeah, no pressure," he muttered to himself.
Focusing, he opened his gate, feeling the now-familiar pull as the magical flow began its tug-of-war. The stone in his hand pulsed faintly, the warmth of mana surging and retreating like the ebb and flow of the tide. Subaru clenched his teeth, determined to control the chaotic energy this time.
Hours passed, and the fight was just as frustrating as it had been the day before. Subaru's brow furrowed in concentration, beads of sweat rolling down his face as he struggled to maintain control. However, now that he had succeeded once, he was able to get the gem to spark every so often. The new challenge was to make it shine steadily for an extended period.
He couldn't help but imagine Roswaal somewhere nearby, likely enjoying his lunch while watching the stone's twin flicker sporadically. The thought made Subaru's blood boil. He'd love nothing more than to smash the stupid thing against the wall, but that was the childish part of him speaking. That would only bring fleeting satisfaction—and wouldn't solve a thing.
Gritting his teeth, Subaru refocused on the task. It took several more attempts, each more draining than the last, but eventually, he began to feel the flow. The tug-of-war settled into something smoother, something almost manageable. It demanded every ounce of his concentration, every shred of his willpower.
At last, the gem began to glow—a steady, soft light radiating from its core.
One second… two seconds… and then, with a faint flicker, the glow vanished.
Subaru gasped, his chest rising and falling as he tried to catch his breath. Despite the short-lived success, a triumphant grin spread across his face.
"Hell yeah!" he shouted, punching the air in victory. He laughed breathlessly, a mixture of exhaustion and pride washing over him. It had only been two—maybe three—hours, and already, he had made progress.
But there was no time to celebrate. Subaru steadied his breathing and picked up the gem again, determination gleaming in his eyes. "Can't stop now," he muttered, ready to dive back into the fight.
By the end of the day, Subaru sat slumped in the chair, utterly spent. His limbs felt like jelly, and he was just as exhausted as he had been the day before—if not more so.
Roswaal stood before him, a pleased smile on his painted face. "You did quite well, Subaru! I must say, five seconds is quite the accomplishment. If we were to repeat this exercise tomorrow, I daresay you could hold it even longer."
"Thanks…" Subaru panted, his breath coming in heavy bursts. Even speaking felt like a chore.
"Hmmm… yes," Roswaal said thoughtfully, crossing his arms. "I think you're ready for a new challenge!" His tone was cheerful, almost sing-song, but Subaru didn't trust it for a second.
Roswaal turned to Ram, who was standing quietly nearby. "Ram, in the morning, see that Subaru is put to work with you and your sister. I want him to try and make his gem spark while he's distracted with manual labor! A most entertaining idea, if I do say so myself."
Subaru's jaw tightened as he bit back a groan. I have to do housework while focusing on this stupid rock? Are you kidding me?! He couldn't tell if Roswaal was genuinely trying to push him or if the mage simply enjoyed watching him suffer.
"Yes, Lord Roswaal," Ram replied smoothly, bowing her head without hesitation.
Subaru staggered to his feet, his body screaming in protest. "I'm going to bed," he muttered. "I can't even feel my face."
"Oh, do get something to eat first!" Roswaal called after him, his voice as chipper as ever. "Wouldn't want you to pass out while peeling potatoes tomorrow!"
Subaru grumbled under his breath as he trudged out of the study, exhaustion weighing on him like a lead cloak. Still, he couldn't entirely suppress a spark of determination. If Roswaal thought this challenge would break him, he had another thing coming.
Food and sleep had done little to dull Subaru's aches and pains by the time Ram woke him the next morning. His body protested every movement, but he forced himself to get up, clutching the gem that had become both his challenge and his torment. To his dismay, he was handed a butler's uniform and immediately put to work.
The day started with peeling potatoes, moved on to dusting every inch of the manor, and finally, mopping. All the while, Subaru was expected to pour mana into the gem in his palm. Any time he paused to focus on the gem, one of the maids was quick to remind him of the tasks at hand, putting him right back to work.
It was exhausting. Balancing the physical demands of housework with the mental strain of channeling mana seemed impossible. Yet, that was precisely the point. The challenge wasn't just about magic—it was about pushing his limits.
By the end of the day, Subaru hadn't managed to produce so much as a single spark from the gem. He was drained of both mana and strength, and to make matters worse, the twins weren't shy about expressing their dissatisfaction.
"Rem, he appears to be spent," Ram remarked, her tone as indifferent as ever.
"Ram, he appears to be useless now," Rem replied with a faint sigh.
Subaru bristled, his pride stinging. "I swung a hammer for a living, not a broom! Cut me some slack!" he snapped, his frustration spilling over. The sharpness of his tone surprised even himself, but the day's struggles had worn him thin.
Ram tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. "I will go into town to collect supplies," she said, turning to her sister. "I would take Subaru with me, but as you said, Rem, he is useless."
Subaru's pride took another hit, but he couldn't muster the energy to argue. His body felt like lead, and even the thought of walking to town seemed impossible.
"You seem spent, Subaru."
He looked up, startled to see Emilia standing nearby. When had she gotten there? Her presence was a welcome relief from the unrelenting critiques of the twins.
"Yeah," Subaru admitted, grimacing. "Didn't make any progress today."
Emilia smiled gently, her expression kind. "That's okay. Everyone has setbacks. You've been working hard—just keep at it."
Subaru managed a weak smile in return. "Thanks. It's just a temporary setback. I'm sure things will be better tomorrow."
"Yeah… tomorrow," Subaru sighed as he tried to stand but promptly fell back onto the ground with a thud.
"D-don't push yourself!" Emilia exclaimed, hurrying to his side. She knelt and slipped an arm under his, gently helping him up. "Here, lean on me. Think of it as a reward for your hard work!"
Subaru's face flushed as the half-elf supported him. "Emilia, this is embarrassing," he mumbled, his voice laced with gratitude and awkwardness. "Besides, this isn't appropriate. You're above Roswaal in station—and way above me. It's improper."
"Nonsense," Emilia said with a little huff. "Now stop fussing and move your feet. I'll help you, but I draw the line at carrying you to bed like a little kid."
Subaru wanted to argue, but deep down, he wasn't upset. A beautiful girl helping him to his room wasn't exactly a hardship. Emilia's kindness and proximity were almost too much to process in his exhausted state. He couldn't deny her charm—her beauty, her warmth—but he quickly shook off those thoughts. Get a grip, Subaru. She's a candidate for the throne, and you were living in the slums days ago.
"Mind yourself, Subaru," Ram said sternly from nearby, her tone as sharp as ever.
"As if I would do anything!" Subaru shot back defensively, though his face burned brighter.
Emilia giggled softly, a melodic sound that seemed to ease the tension in the air. "Come on, let's get you to bed," she said as she guided him toward his room.
By the time they reached his door, Subaru was nearly asleep on his feet. He wanted to thank Emilia properly, maybe talk to her for a moment longer, but the pull of his bed was too strong. "Good evening, Emilia," he mumbled, managing a small smile before collapsing face-first onto the mattress.
I'll get it tomorrow… tomorrow for sure, he thought as sleep overtook him.
Sleep… was nice.
"Get up!"
Subaru's eyes snapped open as he was abruptly yanked out of bed. His vision blurred as his groggy mind struggled to make sense of the situation. Standing over him, gripping his arm with surprising force, was Rom.
"W-what is it, old man?" Subaru groaned, his voice thick with exhaustion. He rubbed his eyes and glanced toward the window, where the faint glow of early morning was just starting to filter through the glass.
"We have to go. That Ram girl—" Rom began, his voice tense.
Before Subaru could process what Rom was saying, the door to the room exploded inward with a deafening crash. Instinctively, Subaru raised his arms to shield himself as splinters flew through the air. Rom reacted instantly, shoving Subaru to the floor just as the head of a massive mace whipped through the space where they'd been standing.
The weapon tore through the walls, leaving a jagged scar in its wake. The entire room trembled under the force of the blow, and Subaru's ears rang from the impact.
"What the hell?!" Subaru shouted, scrambling to his feet. His hands instinctively reached for a dagger—only to find he wasn't armed.
Through the wreckage of the door stepped Rem, her face a mask of pure, unrelenting fury. Subaru froze, stunned by the intensity of her expression. She'd been glaring at him for days, but this… this was something else entirely.
"You're both working with them, aren't you?" she growled, her voice seething with venom. "You did this!"
Before Subaru could ask what she was talking about, Rem flicked her mace with terrifying speed. The weapon tore through the air toward them, forcing Subaru to dive to the side to avoid having his chest caved in. Mana surged into his limbs instinctively, adrenaline pumping as he narrowly evaded another crushing blow.
"We have to run, kid!" Rom bellowed, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Subaru nodded, his mind racing. Spotting the bedside table, he grabbed it and hurled it toward Rem. It wasn't much, but it bought him a split second as she batted it aside with her mace. Without waiting to see her next move, Subaru sprinted toward the window.
Glass shattered as Subaru leapt through the window, tumbling into the garden below. The sharp pain of landing on the uneven ground barely registered, drowned out by the pounding of his heart and the rush of adrenaline. He rolled to his feet, glancing up at the gaping hole in his room, half-expecting Rem to come crashing down after him.
Subaru froze as he heard the sound of a fight continuing in the room above. His heart dropped when Rom's voice cut through the chaos, hoarse and strained.
"Run, kid! I'll—"
The sickening crunch that followed sent a chill down Subaru's spine. His fists clenched tightly as his teeth ground together. Rom, you idiot!
"Rom!" Subaru shouted, panic rising in his voice. The sounds of fighting resumed above, each impact echoing through the halls. Damn it! He knew without a weapon, he was less than useless. Rom had likely realized outrunning Rem was impossible, forcing the giant to fight her barehanded. Insane, but typical of the old man.
Subaru gritted his teeth and bolted, heading for the only place he knew he could find a makeshift weapon—the kitchen. A chef's knife wasn't a dagger, but it was better than his bare fists.
He sprinted through the hallways, skidding into the kitchen and grabbing the largest knife he could find. Gripping it tightly, Subaru turned and dashed back toward the fight.
As he raced down the hall, Subaru came to an abrupt stop when he saw Emilia lying unconscious on the ground. Her silvery hair was splayed across the floor, and though she wasn't bleeding, she was clearly out cold.
Subaru hesitated, his mind torn. Rom needs me… but if Emilia can wake up, maybe she can talk Rem down. He knelt beside her and reached out to shake her awake, but the moment his fingers touched her shoulder, an icy burn shot through his hand.
Hissing in pain, Subaru yanked his hand back. Frost coated his fingers, leaving them numb and tingling. "What the—?"
"If you don't mind, Subaru," a calm, icy voice said, "I'd prefer you not touch Lia right now. I'm not sure I can trust you at the moment."
Subaru's eyes darted to the green gem around Emilia's neck, which glowed faintly as Puck's voice filled the hallway.
"Puck?" Subaru asked, his voice strained. "What happened?"
"Maybe you don't know, or maybe you do," Puck replied, his tone cold and distant. "If you're truly ignorant, take a look in the room."
Confused, Subaru turned to see a door slightly ajar. Warily, he approached and pushed it open. His heart sank as he took in the sight inside.
Ram lay motionless on the bed, her skin pale as snow, her chest utterly still. Subaru approached cautiously, each step heavy with dread. When he was close enough to see her up close, the truth struck him like a blow. She's dead.
"What… what happened?" Subaru muttered, his voice trembling. Ram had been perfectly fine yesterday.
"Not sure," Puck said evenly. "But Rem thinks it's your fault. Lia tried to stop her, but Rem shoved her aside. Lia hit her head pretty hard, so for now, I'm furious at everyone here. Especially you… Rem."
Subaru turned sharply, his breath catching in his throat. Rem stood in the doorway, her glowing pink horn extending from her forehead. Her blood-soaked figure was framed by the dim light of the hallway, her gore-caked mace clutched tightly in her hand.
"Don't you touch her, cultist scum!" Rem bellowed, her voice a mix of fury and anguish.
Subaru's eyes widened as the pieces clicked together. The old man… A surge of heat and rage coursed through him, bubbling uncontrollably to the surface.
"You dumb bitch!" Subaru roared, gripping the chef's knife tightly as he launched himself at her.
Rem whipped her mace toward him, the spiked ball hurtling through the air with deadly force. Subaru pushed mana into his legs, leaping over the ball and chain, desperate to close the distance. He swung the knife toward her throat in a blind fury, but Rem was quicker than he anticipated. She darted back, her movements graceful despite the rage contorting her face.
Subaru weaved and dodged as Rem's mace came around again, the sound of it cutting through the air making his stomach churn. The force behind her attacks was terrifying—one wrong move, and he'd be a smear on the ground.
"Take this elsewhere," Puck's voice rang out, cold and sharp as a gust of icy wind surged through the room.
The blast struck both Subaru and Rem, hurling them through the far wall and out into the yard. Debris rained down as Subaru tumbled across the grass, rolling until he came to a stop. He groaned, pushing himself onto one knee, the chef's knife still clutched in his trembling hand.
Across from him, Rem had landed on her feet, her pink horn glowing fiercely. Her gaze locked onto him, and she crouched, preparing to charge again.
"Why the hell did you kill Rom?!" Subaru shouted, his voice raw with emotion.
"You're both Witch Cultists!" Rem screamed back, her eyes glistening with tears. "I know you killed my sister!"
Subaru felt his anger boil over. "We didn't do anything! You murdered a member of my family!" he yelled, forcing himself to his feet. His body screamed in protest, but he ignored the pain, ready to pour every last ounce of mana into his limbs.
"You stink of her miasma!" Rem spat, flicking her mace to the side as if to emphasize her words. "Don't you dare lie to me now!"
Subaru didn't care what Rem was raving about. Whatever her reasons, she'd killed Rom, and he was going to pay blood for blood—even if it cost him his life. Gritting his teeth, he opened his gate as wide as it would go, flooding mana into his body with reckless abandon. Pain shot through him as his body protested the strain, but he didn't care. He wasn't holding back.
Launching himself at Rem, Subaru became a blur of motion. He had always been fast, but now, fueled by rage and desperation, he was faster than he'd ever thought possible. He didn't care what kind of damage he was doing to himself or his gate—he only cared about closing the distance.
Rem roared in defiance, whipping her ball and chain with deadly precision to keep him at bay. Subaru dodged and weaved, pressing her into a defensive stance. But he knew he couldn't keep this up for long. His body was already burning from the mana overload, and each movement was a gamble against his rapidly dwindling stamina.
Spotting a momentary opening, Subaru lunged, aiming to slash her across the belly. His eyes burned with fury as he poured everything into the attack—only to be caught completely off guard when an ice missile materialized and struck his shoulder.
The sharp, freezing pain sent him crashing face-first into the dirt. Damn it, I forgot! he realized with a sickening jolt. She and Ram both knew magic from childhood. Of course, she'd use it against me.
Subaru rolled to the side just in time to avoid the spiked mace that slammed into the ground where he'd been lying. The impact sent a shower of dirt and grass into the air, the force of the blow leaving a deep crater.
Gritting his teeth, Subaru scrambled to his feet, his shoulder throbbing from the ice missile's impact. He shifted the knife to his left hand, knowing his right arm was too weak to strike with full force.
"If I'm going down, I'm taking you with me," Subaru growled under his breath, his voice low and filled with grim resolve. His vision blurred with exhaustion, but he refused to back down. Rom, this is for you.
With a guttural shout, Subaru launched himself at her again. He didn't care if this was his last stand. If he was going to die, he wasn't going to make it easy for her. She'd feel every ounce of his fury before the end.
Subaru pushed himself to his absolute limit. He darted and weaved through the onslaught of Rem's relentless mace strikes and the barrage of ice missiles. His focus narrowed to a singular goal: get close enough to strike. Finally, he managed to slash her cheek, leaving a deep cut that dripped crimson.
But his small victory was short-lived.
Rem retaliated with a swift and devastating kick to his chest. The force of the blow sent him hurtling backward, his ribs cracking audibly as he crashed into the manor wall. The impact left him slumped against the stone foundation, his body limp and unresponsive.
Subaru coughed violently, a crimson mist spilling from his lips as his breath turned to a shallow wheeze. Each inhale sent sharp, searing pain through his chest. He could feel exhaustion clawing at him, threatening to pull him under. His mana reserves were completely drained, and the backlash from pushing his gate so recklessly left his limbs like jelly. Every muscle screamed in agony, refusing to obey his desperate commands to move.
"Guess… this is it," Subaru muttered weakly, his voice barely audible. His vision blurred as he sagged against the wall, the strength to even lift his head slipping away. I gave it everything… but it wasn't enough.
Through his hazy vision, he saw Rem advancing, her face twisted in rage and pain. The glowing pink horn on her forehead pulsed ominously, her bloodied mace swaying in her grip.
"Die, scum," she growled, her voice cold and unrelenting. With a flick of her wrist, the spiked ball of her mace came hurtling toward him, its deadly trajectory unmistakable.
Subaru's last thought was not of anger or regret—it was of the faces of the people he had failed to protect.
The last thing he saw was a morning star filling his vision.
A/N: Hello again. I really liked parts of this, some parts I was a little iffy with, but I think it came out good. For readers of my other story, I will post an update on that one next weekend. Finally got past the writers block, just not in time to get anything out this weekend. Hope you like it! Onto reviews:
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AcceleratorLO: You do a good job of writing characters to look like assholes. I don't like any of these people Felt is stuck with. I pity her, really. Well, at least it's only for two months. Thanks for writing!
From Felt's perspective they are assholes. I would say they're doing what they think is best from their perceptive. Reinhard does kind of just kidnap her and take her to a strange place and just shoves her in a dress in both canon and this... so not shocking she's huffy.
SentinalSlice: Ah. I need more. I was so excited to read this and then u finished it too quickly.
Behold! MORE! (Thanks)
Victor7k: I loved this Felt POV chapter. I hope we can see more of her suffering learning to be a lady XD And It's going to be very funny when Subaru see her in a fancy dress.
Much comedy will ensue. That will not be the last Felt POV.
Ringswing08594: Enjoyable, no criticism, the story is unfolding nicely. Keep up the good work
Why thank you!
Anon: This is pretty good!
I Try! Thanks!
Roger That Silently: Ha ha poor Felt! Adorable
Felt is great. Love her, she's fun to write. Thanks for the feedback by the way!
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See you all next week!