Elf Forest.

As the name implies, it is the fabled homeland of the mysterious Elves. They are a long lived race who descend from the divine spirits that dwell within the World Stream. Every elf has high magic potential, but their bodies develop at a much slower rate. Naturally, these beings of power, beauty and longevity are envied by all.

That being said, all these "facts" are simply myths as they supposedly vanished after the Apocalypse. Then again, the same stories also claim the fairies disappeared with them. In any case, the only noteworthy thing in Elf Forest is an abnormally round lake. It looks like it was made by a meteorite. Actually, could that be why they're considered extinct?

The reason I'm pondering all this is because our clan has settled in this very forest for a little over a week. During that time, I've been collecting water from the aforementioned lake and delivering it back to the village. I have yet to see anything remotely humanoid apart from the kobolds.

Anyway, I best focus on the task at hand, and I'm not referring to my daily chore. The water collection and filtration are automated, so all I have to do is park the tank by the lakeside and activate the enchantment. Of course, this gives me plenty of time to practise magic without anyone looking.

Thanks to Takashi's courteous lending of spell books, I've been progressing my arcane knowledge, especially my comprehension of magical symbols. By constructing a magic circle in my mind, I can increase the processing done by the World Stream and reduce my mental load. If I master this, I should be able to use more powerful skills with complex effects.

This is important as I'm starting to understand the purpose of the necromancer's book. It's an external aid designed to augment the caster's mental projection. In order to use this for myself, I've been carefully replacing the pitch-black mana imbued in every line with my own (which is not any lighter). I've only finished the conversion recently, but it's already showing results.

I quickly survey my surroundings and check with .

... Good, I'm alone.

From within my cloak, or rather within my ribcage, I take out a dead bird. Placing it at my feet, I open to the page on reanimation and circulate my mana through the book and back into my .

": Stored Souls."

Stored Souls

NameHelena ForrenSpeciesHumanSkillsFireball (Basic) | Conjure Flame (Basic) | Conjure Water (Basic) | Soothe Pain (Greater) | Wall of Earth (Basic) | Control Oxygen (Basic) | Magic Perception (Greater) | Enhance Mind (Basic) | Parallel Thought (Basic)

NameN/ASpeciesAlpha WolfSkillsSneak (Basic) | Night Vision (Basic) | Intimidate (Basic) | Rending Claw (Basic) | Crushing Jaw (Basic) | Magic Perception (Basic)

NameN/ASpeciesHareSkillsNone

NameN/ASpeciesFishSkillsNone

Wait, I still have that fish from the Dellmore Forest? Ah well, I guess I'll use it for practice.

"[O departed soul, I bequeath this vessel onto thee. Rise once more and accept your charge.] !"

The soul of the fish leaves my and enters the immobile body. So far so good. Let's see if I can take the next step. I establish a mana link and utter a single command.

"Stand."

... Huh? What is it-

Urgh, that's horrific! Every muscle in its body is twitching and convulsing. It's literally tearing itself apart! The poor thing is trying its best to right itself, but it obviously doesn't know how. Memo to self: don't use the soul of a fish to pilot the body of a bird.

After that ghastly display, the dark mana binding the soul to the vessel breaks and I reabsorb its essence. Leaving aside the incompatibility, the spell didn't even last sixty seconds.

Dark magic is incredibly flexible and has a high performance-to-mana ratio. Unfortunately, its unstable nature tends to result in deterioration, especially under sunlight which is why holy magic is its antithesis. I wish I could practise at night, but I can't risk getting spotted by Chiyoko during her random stake outs.

Oops, the tank is starting to spill over. I guess that will be enough for today.

I reattach the cargo to my Yagi and guide him towards the direction of a life stream. The settlement this time has been built on top of one, and thanks to it I was able to acquire a new skill. No, it's not ; I managed to master it on my own. Instead, Takashi suggested I get . He noticed my distress over my memory loss and suggested this skill to improve my ability to recall them. I was hesitant at first, as I may have unconsciously sealed those memories for good reason. After bracing myself for the potential agony and trauma that may return, I "purchased" for 50 skill points and...

... recalled absolutely nothing. Actually, I take that back. I remember my shopping list on the day I died. Oh, how I miss the taste of potato chips.

Still, it wasn't a complete waste of skill points, as I soon discovered during Hachirou's lessons. Thanks to , my Japanese has progressed to the point where I can hold elementary level conversations.

As I guide the Yagi back, I notice something distinctly... humanoid moving between the trees. It's holding a long wooden item attached with a sturdy string.

No way, could it really be a...

"Oh, hello Enbos. Back from collecting water?"

Damn it, Takashi! What the hell was I getting all excited for? Huh, hold on...

"Takashi, what are you doing here? Did you sneak out just to go fishing?" I ask, noticing the fishing rod and bucket of bait in his hands.

"Well, we all need some time alone, isn't that right?"

Geh! Why does it feel like he knows exactly what I'm doing? No, no, no, it's probably just my imagination.

"I-I guess so. Well, I best be off."

"No need to rush. There is still something I wish to discuss."

Does he really know about it after all!?

"What level are you?"

"Oh, right. I'm currently at level 10, though I've tried limiting my consumption like you asked."

"Hmmm..."

He stares at me with great intent, before closing his eyes and nodding in deep thought.

"... Enbos, I think it's best I taught you about spirit arts after all."

"Really? But why the sudden change of heart?"

"I'm only teaching you one skill, and that's the ability to tap into the life force of all living things in a vicinity. With this, you won't need to hunt for anymore souls."

"ARE YOU FREAKING SERIOUS!?"

"C-calm down, Enbos! I can't teach you right now. Otherwise, I would have already done so. We can begin your training once we reach the mountains in four to five months time."

"Oh, okay."

This is an offer I cannot refuse, but with this I have finally made up my mind. Once I learn his spirit art, I'll be leaving the Nomura clan. I have a feeling Takashi has always known my intention, but neither of us were sure when. However, this levelling problem has seemingly become too much for me to handle, though I wish he would tell me what it is.

"I guess I'll continue to be in your care, Takashi. Anyway, I hope you enjoy your fishing. Personally, I've never been a fan."

"Heh, fishing here is a lot friskier than you think. Due to the many mana streams running through the lake, most of the inhabitants developed magical abilities. Imagine reeling in a trout that can use . It adds to the anticipation."

"That sounds more dangerous than fun. I guess you still have a bit of hot blood left in you."

"Perhaps, but please don't tell Chiyoko or Hachirou about this."

"I left my lips in my grave."

We depart in opposite directions as I head back to my cargo.

I return with the cart and drop it off by the storehouse, then lead my Yagi back to its enclosure.

Now then, I guess it's time to-

Wow, what was that?

I catch it on pure reflex and it takes me a while to realise it's a round, leather ball. I turn and spot a familiar set of faces. It's the Fiendish Four, and going by their timid expressions, it doesn't seem intentional.

Ever since I, uh, "lectured" them, they have been avoiding me like the plague. At first, I enjoyed the relative peace, but now

I'm starting to feel guilty. They may even have slight PTSD, as "certain words" causes them to freeze.

... Sigh, since I am an adult, I guess I should take some responsibility, though I have no intention of apologising.

"Hey Yuki, Kaito, Shou, Izumi..."

"We're sorry!"

"... don't worry. Want to play a game of basketball?"