> Ellie PoV

I’m watching Kira practice Primal Magic in the yard.

She’s been able to ‘commune with the elements’ properly ever since we came back from the mountain a few days ago.

I tried to do it too, but using magic only by breathing is way too much of a hurdle for me.

Even [Unity] didn’t help in that regard.

Well, that’s to be expected.

It’s not like just anyone could do this sort of thing.

Otherwise someone else would have figured it out already!

Then again, you can get the same or stronger effects with just seconds rather than minutes if you used magic normally.

Huh?

Wait, aren’t we the strange ones for trying to accomplish this sort of thing?

No, of course we’re not, this is something that’s going to be vital to our daughter’s future.

Her sisters are going to need it too.

Hehehehe, I’m pregnant with Kira’s baby!

And she’s also bearing another of mine!

Just thinking about it makes me so happy that I don’t know what to do with myself!

I might seriously get addicted to this feeling!

Ah, but if we really do go for the 400 babies I promised her, then would we have enough love to give them all?

Wouldn’t want to make any of them feel neglected…

Kira’s a person with boundless affection and kindness and I would do anything for the sake of our children’s happiness.

But in the end we’re only two people.

I guess as kids grow older they’ll eventually leave home and chase after their own hopes and dreams though.

So at least it’s not like we have to care for all of them at the same time.

The thought of them leaving us behind makes me feel a bit sad, but it won’t be like we’ll never see them again.

They can still visit and write letters, after all.

Oh, I know!

I should talk to Nano and Kelly about making some form of instantaneous long-distance communication!

That way we can get in touch with them at any given time!

Well, we probably won’t reach the level of quantum-encoded FTL communications anytime soon, but simple radio waves should do the trick!

Ah, Kira’s beautiful face is glowing!

More so than usual, I mean.

That must mean she’s about to unleash the new magic she wanted to show me!

There’s a white mist forming around her.

*BLUBLUB*

It collects into a single ball of water that floats curiously in mid-air.

*SHRKT*

Then it becomes clear ice in an instant.

*BZZZZT*

Next it starts crackling with electricity like a Tesla coil!

This is new!

It’s pretty and fancy!

*FWOOSH*

Okay, deep breaths Ellie.

Let’s analyze the situation once more.

There’s a ball of ice floating in mid-air.

That’s good, that’s a normal thing that happens.

Well, at least when magic is involved.

It’s surrounded by a shroud of electricity that crackles around it in small, purplish arcs.

Probably an application of Thunder magic, Kira’s specialty.

The color is a bit off from the usual bright yellow, but that’s not the problem.

The problem is the lightning is on fire.

Not the ice.

Not the air.

Not the ground.

The lightning is on fire.

The purple arcs of electricity leave behind a matching trail of purple flames.

It then abruptly stops and the ice ball falls to the ground with a soft thud.

“Fuuuu… How was that?” (Kira)

Kira looks at me with an innocent smile that reminds of how Sophie looks whenever she shows us a new drawing.

I see, she wants to be praised.

Well then, I won’t hold back!

“Am-” (Ellie)

“Wow, Mom! That was soooo cooool!” (Lara)

Gah!

“Yeah! It was super pretty!” (Sophie)

When did those two get here?!

I was so busy soaking in Kira’s magnificent form that I completely failed to notice them sit down next to me!

Being able to sneak up on a Rank A adventurer, those kids are quite terrifying aren’t they?!

I’m so proud!

“Come here you two!” (Ellie)

“Wah! Mom, what’s with this all of a sudden!?” (Lara)

“Yaay! Air rides!” (Sophie)

I float them up to my level and give them both a huge hug with each arm.

“Huggles!” (Sophie)

“Again?! How many times?!” (Lara)

“Fufufu, Ellie missed you guys more than I did, so bear with it and let her hug it out until she’s satisfied, okay?” (Kira)

It’s true.

Somehow it was me that ended up wanting to come home the most.

Not because I was worried though.

“Well, it’s not like I hate it…” (Lara)

“But big sis, didn’t you say-” (Sophie)

“Shh! Sophie!” (Lara)

I completely trust that Nano, Ariel and Kelly cared well for them while we were away.

However, that doesn’t mean I can’t miss seeing their smiling faces!

“Come on Ellie, let them go. We still have things to do today, remember?” (Kira)

“Ack, that’s right!” (Ellie)

Sophie’s birthday is in two days!

Lara was satisfied with just us spending the day having fun as a family on her birthday, but Sophie wants a big party with all her friends from the academy.

Therefore, we have a lot of work to do!

Kira has been training with Zublos to make a truly spectacular birthday cake.

That text-to-speech device Nano gave him is really paying off!

It’s really great, although it seems to make Lara Alamein jealous.

She’s a bit unhappy that she’s not the only one that can properly understand Zublos anymore.

Not to mention the fact he’s spending time alone with a beautiful woman like Kira.

Silly Lara, she should have more trust in her partner.

As for me, I still need to vet the guests and make sure their gifts are appropriate.

Also chase off any nosy people that want to attend the party just so they could meet with me or Kira.

And I have to do all this without anyone finding out I’m investigating them.

After all, this is Sophie’s special day and I will not allow anyone to ruin it with their selfishness.

Especially myself!

I stop spoiling Lara and Sophie and put them down on the ground, giving them a few small pats on their heads.

They really are adorable.

Well, time to get to-!

“Ellie, hold on a minute.” (Kira)

I was just about to run off and start investigating the people on the guest list when Kira called out to me.

“I think we should talk… in private.” (Kira)

* * *

We walk into our bedroom after leaving Lara and Sophie downstairs.

Kira goes to sit on the bed while I close the door behind me.

“What is it, Kira?”

It must be a serious matter if that Kira is showing a concerned face like that.

“About this whole ‘Primal Magic’ thing, there have been some unforeseen consequences.” (Kira)

“Huh? What are you talking about? You’ve been getting so good at it lately!” (Ellie)

Even if she still takes about 6 and a half minutes, she can chain like 5 or 6 magical effects now!

“I’m… hearing voices, Ellie.” (Kira)

“You mean, just now? During the casting?” (Ellie)

She nods.

“What kind of voices?” (Ellie)

“Well, voices is maybe a bit too strong a word. They’re more like distant whispers at the edge of my perception.” (Kira)

“I see. Since when?” (Ellie)

“Ever since we came back. I thought it was just my imagination at first, but they’ve been getting louder. I am now certain that someone or something is trying to talk to me.” (Kira)

“... Nano?” (Ellie)

{I detect no unknown life signs or electronic signatures within 1200 meters. No psionic activity other than yours, either.}

“So this phenomenon is magical in nature, huh?” (Ellie)

{That seems to be the only explanation.}

“I don’t know. I mean, I might have gone crazy.” (Kira)

“Nope.” (Ellie)

{No way.}

“How can you be so sure?” (Kira)

“I know Kira better than anyone. If you changed in some way, I’m confident I would notice.” (Ellie)

“You didn’t notice us suddenly forgetting about a titan though.” (Kira)

“... Good point. Nano?” (Ellie)

{People don’t go crazy from nothing, Kira. Think about it - the last few months have been especially peaceful and quiet. I see no possible stimuli that would have led to you developing any additional mental problems.}

“See? Even Nano says so!” (Ellie)

“... What do you mean by additional mental problems? I already have those?!” (Kira)

{Oh. Uhm. I mean-}

“Nano. Tell me.” (Kira)

{Well, alright. First of all, there’s the chronic self delusions, the post-traumatic stress disorder triggered by loud noises such as explosions, the obsessive-compulsive tendencies you show whenever you’re in your magical study room on the top floor, and a small hint of pyromania. You also seem to have caught a bit of Ellie’s exhibitionism, not to mention-}

“Okay! I get it! I’m nuttier than a bakery full of fruitcakes and should be locked away, right?!” (Kira)

{I wouldn’t say that. None of those disorders keep you from being a productive member of society or a responsible parent and spouse. So what if you have a bunch of abnormal personality quirks? We’ve all got those. They’re just a part of what makes us who we are, after all. Yes. It’s perfectly normal to be a little crazy. Nothing to worry about at all! Hahaha!}

“Nano. Somehow it sounds like you’re trying to comfort yourself rather than Kira.” (Ellie)

{I have no idea what you’re talking about.}

I think Nano’s picked up Kira’s habit of self-delusions...

{My point is, people don’t suddenly go insane all on their own. If anything, you’ve actually been getting less cr- I mean, more reasonable lately. Therefore, the only remaining explanation for these voices you hear is that they are of supernatural or magical origins.}

“See? Whoever or whatever these voices belong to, they’re very much real.” (Ellie)

“Yeah, okay. So what do we do about it?” (Kira)

“We could always give up on this and look for another method. But knowing how diligent Kira is, you probably want to keep trying to master it anyway, right?” (Ellie)

“... Yes. That’s right.” (Kira)

Hmm, I see.

“But you’re worried it’ll have some strange effect on you.” (Ellie)

“Exactly!” (Kira)

“I see. You’re is afraid because you don’t understand what’s going on, yet still want to pursue your goal.” (Ellie)

This much is natural.

“However, I think I have a pretty good idea about what this is.” (Ellie)

“R-really?” (Kira)

It is entirely possible to use Telepathy on a person in order to make them ‘hear voices’ that aren’t really there.

It’s a means of making someone mentally unstable or implanting a suggestion in their subconscious.

“To sum things, it’s a mental attack.” (Ellie)

“I see. If you think of it that way, it’s entirely possible. So should I try to just ignore those whispers?” (Kira)

“No, that’s the worst thing you can do. That’s how they’ll erode at your consciousness. What you need to do is turn around and engage them.” (Ellie)

I’ve been thinking that direct attacks on one’s mental state are exceedingly underdeveloped in this world.

Ariel’s Song of Dominion is the only thing that comes close, but it’s rather crude and unreliable in practice.

“Then what do I do?!” (Kira)

And since such things are so rare, it stands to reason that the people who know how to properly defend themselves will be very few in number.

Luckily for Kira, there are at two of them right here!

Ah, but Nano isn’t a person.

Anyway!

“First of all, you need to acknowledge these voices. Do not let them fade into the background, but bring them to the forefront of your consciousness.” (Ellie)

“I see. Suspicious people should be dragged into the light after all.” (Kira)

“Exactly.” (Ellie)

As expected of Kira, she catches on fast.

“The second thing you need to do is talk to me or to Nano. Don’t bottle up your worries and problems and let us know the instant you feel something is out of place.” (Ellie)

“I was planning on doing that anyway. I know you two will always believe in me, even if I don’t.” (Kira)

She gives me an uncertain smile, full of self-doubt.

Well, it’s better than believing herself invincible and getting caught up in her hubris.

Never underestimate an opponent, especially one we know so little about!

“The third and most important thing is you need to focus on understanding these whispers. Hear their words and discern what message they’re trying to give you.” (Ellie)

“What’s the point in that?” (Kira)

“Once you’re absolutely certain of what they’re saying, you can make a judgement whether they’re truly hostile.” (Ellie)

“And if they are?” (Kira)

“I’ll track them down and deal with them!” (Ellie)

I will b̝̯͎̭̺r͖͎̰͚̞̬e͉͕͚͈a̼k͚͔ their bones.

I will r̗̠e̻̖n͙͈̱͉d̞̪̪̱ their flesh.

I will ṣ͇͍͖h͔͙̳̰̮ͅa̗̝̹̮̖tt̙̩̞̠̮̹͚e͚̘̫̜͔̰̟r̳͇ their spirit.

I will engrave onto their soul that endangering my wife’s mental health was a V̪̗̻̦͊͑ͩ͒ͩ̿͝E͉̟̊̒R̺͖͋Y̝͍͎͎̱̗͉̊ͯͦ̔ͪ̚͟ ͙̲P̶̹̮͈̼̠͕̞̐͌͂ͫ̉O̷͖̙̜̰͎̰O̠͙̳R̢ ͍̟͍͓̘ͣͣ͒̇D̛̮̼̮̠̰̝̣Ẻͥ̍̍̋̐͏͖̺͚̻̙̠C̛̭͙͖̲͚ͅI͙͙͍̳͚S̞͙̺͌͋I̝̮̦͚̓̿͑̈́̈́ͨ͛Oͧ̋̄ͤ͐̽N̦̼̬͚̞ͯ̆ͤ͒̏͒͝!̲̀͒̿ͯ̆̄