"Enter."

Me, Alissa, and Lina steel ourselves, this time Gify is also awake and aware, he massages my shoulder with the running water feeling and lightly connects our minds. I grab Alissa and Lina's hand and feel my mind clear. We breathe in and open the door.

Vanea is sitting at her usual spot, this time with her proper chair. To the left there's a new small table where Farana is perusing over documents and making small corrections. She's wearing the usual grey velvet uniform and beret of the university attendants. She lifts her eyes and glances at us then goes back to work. Her expression is neutral but now I see life in her eyes. She's wearing a collar with a black tag, the mark of a criminal slave.

Soul Info Name: Farana Uiara Race: Human Level: 37 MP 120 Magic Power 30

I almost sigh in relief.

We bow lightly to Vanea and sit, her gaze is uncomfortable as always. I will need Lina's ass on my lap for a good half hour to heal after this.

"I see you have been busy, Mr. Ryder," Vanea says.

"As always," I smile for a moment.

"I believe you will accomplish a lot but I didn't think you would actually meet with Lord of the Forest."

"We didn't, we only visited the Tree and talked to the Speakers."

"Oh? Oh yes, the dryads," her gaze loses focus for a moment. "I'm impressed you managed to find a way to being accepted, the Lord is quite unforgiving of trespassers."

"Gih."

"I see..." She contemplates Gify's words, her expression neutral with a hint of tiredness. "Now, I called you here to tell you that Darean has fled Rabanara."

I glance over to Farana and see her still working like before. She notices the silence and looks over us then returns to work, her expression is the same but just a tad sadder. I turn back to Vanea and frown.

"How did he escape?" Alissa asks.

"Ever since I captured Farana he went into hiding, quite difficult to find someone that has that much money," she says, her eyes half-closed in annoyance and tiredness. "I only know he fled because his minions have dispersed and a considerable number has switched sides. Even if he were still in Rabanara he's finished."

"That's nice to hear but we will be leaving soon, we could end up meeting him again," I say.

"Exactly," Vanea flashes a smile. "If you do meet him please capture and interrogate him, I would pay a fortune to know who was funding him."

"You still don't know?"

"Only that it's imperial royalty."

Us 3 share a look. It really was royalty. This is insane, the amount of money they could have poured in to fight Vanea is almost limitless. I have to thank the Gods that I didn't make the mistake of announcing to the world my relation to her, she can survive the wrath of royalty, we can't.

Her smile grows wider as the silence continues.

"I know you are going to the High Forest so this is my warning to you," her smile turns warm. "Darean has fled to the High Forest, neither I nor the empire has a proper network there and the elves have their own problems to deal with. He can survive there indefinitely, or at least until the western Crown Lord has been replaced and the order reestablished."

I sigh and massage my eyes. We haven't gotten rid of the fucking stalker yet.

"If you ever need someone to trust, the eastern Crown Lord is reliable," she continues.

"Why is that so?" I ask.

"He's the one spearheading the reforms on the High Forest, we have a good relationship with him," she says. "His side of the forest is safe, so it's unlikely Darean will act over there."

"But we are going to the western side because there's plenty of unregulated dungeons there."

"So rely on the eastern Lord, you can easily sell your services to him."

I would rather not have to deal with nobility again. Alissa and Lina look just as demoralized as me.

"Thanks for the warning, we will deal with it," I give her a tired smile.

"I hope you do. I will be going to the capital next year, I will see you there," she smiles again, this time more mischievous.

"What? I could end up avoiding the capital if we visit Sommerland then Mountainhome."

Find Hana's family then visit Lina's.

"You will certainly visit the capital, with your Gift I find it hard to believe the emperor won't notice you," I cringe at her words. "Now that we are talking about it, what is your Gift exactly?"

"I would rather not say."

"Guarded as always," she chuckles.

"It pays to keep your abilities a secret, Darean's attack failed because of this."

She nods in agreement.

"I know that well... one last thing, do you wish to purchase Farana?" She asks, innocently.

I choke on my spit, Alissa flashes a smile but quickly turns it into a frown, Lina's expression is unchanging but her skin pales.

"No, thank you" I answer as soon as I regain control of my throat.

"What a shame, it's quite obvious you are a good master, at least for women."

"I already have enough."

"At least Tarano will be happy..."

The ruffling of paper slows and I glance at Farana, she rubs her wrist in nervosity and then continues to work. I'm not sure if she's happy or not.

"Don't concern yourself too much over her, she's paid her dues, now she only has to keep being a good girl," an odd warmth on Vanea's voice.

Vanea rests her crossed hands on her lap in a relaxed posture.

"Was that all you had for me?" I ask.

"Yes, I believe this is our last meeting like this. Have a safe journey."

"Thank you, for you too."

We bow lightly and take our leave. Once we leave the building Lina talks, "Vanea looked somewhat, disappointed."

"Gih."

"Yeah, she even looked tired, if it's bleeding over her expression she must be really tired," I say. "Not really of our concern now that it is over."

"I must say, I'm happy it is over," Alissa stretches as she speaks. "Though not entirely over at least we are only dealing with a fugitive instead of a crime lord with the backing of royalty."

"No invisible assassins," I say and Lina nods along.

"Gih."

"Yeah, and no kidnappers," Alissa grabs Gify and pets his cute white little stubs he calls wings.

Gih! Geh gah guh!

Eheheheh. You have never seen a real griffin, have you? Real wings are massive.

Guh gih geeh.

I have seen illustrations at books, and that's enough.

It's relaxing to eat our pie as we watch the hustle of the other students and ruminate on what we were told.

There's some catharsis in knowing we are safe in Rabanara but also I feel rather calm at the future, knowing the enemy is coming is hundreds of times better than the sudden panic of falling into an ambush. Maybe this is why the shrieking space mage is what haunts me once in a while, I fear the unknown more than the known.

"Kweh!"

"Hold tighter!"

We are greeted at home to a very small Aoi grabbing Roxanne's coif as she walks around. Roxanne is helping out with dinner and Aoi is stuck with her, trying to concentrate into copying Roxanne's manipulation of [Item Box].

"Sounds like you are having fun," Alissa tells Aoi.

"Kweh! Wob-ly!"

"Oh shush and go back to concentrating," Roxanne says and taps Aoi's head lightly. "I heard your wings flap, don't think I'm going to continue this if you start to mess around."

"Oh, no!"

While Roxanne is busy with the pot Hana looks at Aoi and mouths "flap more", then she returns to chopping Dragolite meat. This elicits a giggle from Aoi and a glare from Roxanne who has a sixth sense in noticing mischief.

I approach Roxanne and smell the soup. Smells hearty and looks orange, must be a combination of Dragolite stock and annatto.

"I must say, Wolfy," she stops stirring the soup and gives me a greeting kiss, "cooking is harder than I thought, it's so much easier to just follow orders..."

"And the Ronti are fast," Hana says.

That means "that's right" or "that's obvious" depending on intonation.

"Being a chef is quite hard, finding the proper food that pleases everyone is quite hard. It's also why I experiment so much," I say.

"Well I find seasoning to be quite hard. We also have so many spices," Roxanne says and adjusts her coif as Aoi almost falls over.

"For seasoning just under season and then adjust, whenever you can do a taste test. For spices stick to what you know until you are comfortable to expand, don't try to impress."

"It's just that there's so many details," she glances over the multiple bowls where the dishes are being made.

Roxanne is making soup, fried meat, a leafy salad with light mayonnaise, and a squishy vegetable salad that reminds me of cucumber seasoned with vinegar and sugar. Quite the task.

"That's precisely the point. The devil is in the details."

"Another reference?" She asks flatly.

"It means something simple might take a lot more effort because details were overlooked."

"What does the Devil race got to do with it?" She tilts her head and Aoi squeals in delight.

"We are not talking about the same devils."

She shrugs and goes back to stirring the soup. Alissa puts on the apron and comes to help. Lina comes down and gives me a greeting hug.

"Where's Ciel?" I ask.

"With Arantos," Lina answers.

"Let's go out to spar, then?"

She nods.

Lina is slowly getting better with her strikes, more controlled, deliberate, and precise. Her battle sense is improving. If I start to mix up my skills along with my style I can finally beat her again.

Ciel comes back home and quickly joins us in sparring. I use [Telekinesis] to glide away from Lina's attack and stop.

"You spent a long time talking to Arantos," I say to Ciel.

She chuckles and rolls her eyes, "I told him we are leaving to the High Forest, he started giving me all kinds of advice and warnings."

"Sounds like he cares about you," Lina says.

"Yes, I know," Ciel smiles wryly, "doesn't make it any less tiring, though. Oh yes, he wants to talk to you, Wolfy."

I feel a chill.

"Don't make that face, he's not going to eat you."

"Doesn't make it any less scary, though," I say.

The two girls spar ferociously. We don't use protection equipment as the bruises build "Endurance" and [Heal] makes them all disappear anyway.

Despite being tired Ciel still puts up a fight against Lina. Her range advantage makes Lina's axe nearly impossible to use unless when she uses magic to create an opening.

Ciel drops down and sprawls on the grass, Lina joins her as I rest up.

"I'm actually quite excited to leave. I only spent some time on Goldcross last time I left, I heard that Escanso and Goloria are beautiful cities," Ciel says.

"They are high up in the trees, right?" Lina asks, Ciel nods. "It's just... scary for me. I'm not sure if [Stonebody] will still work so high up."

"It didn't change when inside the Tree of Mana, right?" I ask.

"Yes, but still, the Tree of Mana is special."

"The High Forest is also special. The elves mold the trees with their own magic, the ambient mana should be high."

"Hm..." Lina purses her lips in thought.

"Come on, sit up and pray. We will take a bath in five minutes," Ciel sits up and pulls Lina. Both girls cross their legs, closes their eyes, and turn into statues.

The bath is spent with Ciel. Alissa relaxes back and masturbates slowly as always. I feel Ciel is a little too excited and vigorous, she glances at Alissa and smiles faintly. A little progress at least.

"You are like a newborn," Ciel says.

I shrug and continue.

Night is spent again with Ciel and [Holy Spirit], I got it to tap-dance. Ciel is unsure if that's sacrilege or not.

Lina uses [Manipulate Metal] to mold the metal band on her choker so she can attach and detach her small jewel. She looks so cute with it on.

Today is the 6th. Ekt, day of Electricity.

Alissa shares her morning meal with Lina by way of kissing. Ciel unconsciously squeezes my arm harder as Alissa explores Lina's mouth. An out of breath and blushing Lina is left behind as Alissa leaves the bed to make breakfast.

Before leaving the room Alissa takes a moment to stare at her naked self on our new mirror, she pinches her own butt and moves out with a sway on her hips.

"Just making sure, you can always deny her, Lina," I say.

"It's okay..." She mutters.

"Gih."

Lina purses her lips.

"I like it..." She forces it out with some effort.

Ciel stands up and leaves, I pinch her jiggling ass and she glares at me for a moment. She's totally jealous.

Today Lina's "Dexterity" and "Speed" increased by 1 (now 13 and 12). Roxanne's "Dexterity" and "Perception" increased by 1 (now 12 and 11).

We sit at the table and a very happy Hana is humming as she cuts down some fruits for a salad with cream.

"You are quite happy this morning," Roxanne says.

"You didn't do anything?" I ask Roxanne.

She shakes her head sideways.

"Today is my birthday," Hana answers, chipper.

My stomach sinks, my heart hurts. OH NOOOOoooo~...

"Oh. Congratulations, let this year be better than the last," Ciel pats Hana's back.

"Let this year be better than the last," Alissa repeats and also pats Hana's back.

"Kweh! Grat!" Aoi rushes over Hana and licks her face.

"Gih gih."

Roxanne and Lina then do the same. Hana smiles wider and then stares at me, waiting for something.

"Wait, what's going on? Is this how people celebrate birthdays?" I say as my eyes race about, bouncing around everyone's happy expressions.

"Yes? Is it different than on Earth?" Ciel asks.

"We usually have a party where people bring gifts."

"Oooh party" Hana says.

"Gifts," Roxanne's glasses glint.

"The party seems okay but what would we gift Hana?" Ciel questions.

"Something she needs," I say.

"And what would it be?" Alissa asks.

I shrug and then Hana also shrugs.

"Sounds troublesome," Lina says, her eyebrows knit in thought.

"And it is," I cringe back at certain memories.

"How do you deal with it having to give gifts to so many people?"

"Trying to think of a gift for marriage is already hard," Alissa says.

"Yes, it is harder."

"We doon't really need to bring all of your customs back, right?" Roxanne questions with a phony smile.

"A party is enough" Hana says.

"A party it is," I say. "Anyway, uh. Congratulations, let this year be better than the last."

I grab Hana's hand to give a kiss but she steals one from my lips.

"How about we bake a cake ourselves?" Ciel asks.

"We would need a lot of time," I say.

"Let's do on the class break."

"The 12th then."

Ciel nods emphatically.

Kyros forces me to resist the [Godly Language]. I'm forced on the ground as he repeats "kneel". It is supremely unpleasant to not have control over your own body.

"Your 'Willpower' is quite good, most people in your place would be as still as a statue," he says.

I'm trembling all over trying to resist, my head slowly rises. I can't even smile or scowl, my body is completely controlled.

"Release."

I regain control and sprawl on the ground.

"Now, try to make me kneel."

I regain my control and slowly sit back on the chair.

"Kneel."

I see his face twitch and his body rock back and forth. I hunch over and grab my stomach, trying to keep my breakfast in.

"Good,"he smiles warmly, "you are improving.

I think I hurt myself more than I hurt him.

"I remembered one thing, you ever heard of [Inspire Growth]?" I ask.

"Oh that," he smiles faintly and strokes his goatee, "every drill master has it, helps people improve stats and magic."

"Not skills?"

"No."

"What about [Increased Growth]?"

He narrows his eyes in thought.

"Never heard of it, sounds similar to Inspire, could work the same way," he shrugs. "Where did you hear about it?"

"I heard someone at the hunter's guild got it but was afraid of the skill checks," I lie.

"Ah, that's quite common, once in a while an adventurer gets a weird skill and pays the temple to remove it," he chuckles. "Quite annoying, really, it's not cheap."

On [Space Magic] class I learn to chant [Warp Space]. Basically it "shrinks" space so more things can fit on the same space or the inverse. The professor starts a demonstration that makes us feel like we are tripping.

"You can see that there's a visual deformation of space as the parameters for reality are distor..." His voice slowly fades away as his head turns smaller and smaller, like he's walking away from us, then his head starts to increase in size again. "...roperties of this new space are exactly the same as the normal one so it is safe. What you should all be careful of is of the boundary space," his head grows back to normal but then balloons and expands much bigger than the original.

He continues, "This space has transient properties so when you create an extreme transition, physics start to acquire some odd behavior, potentially harmful," as he speaks his ballooned head extends a little further but starts to conform to a cubic shape. Like a distorted mirror his face is completely stretched yet gives the weird feeling of his skin "flowing" around the cube with a mere tilt of his head.

"You could compress or extend space directly inside the body of somebody and rip them apart," he casually smiles and his eyes glaze over as he imagines something, "but the usual inefficiency of affecting someone's body directly with mana still applies. The amount of mana necessary for such a thing would be ridiculous.

"Also don't ever try to compress it to extreme levels, you will doom us all when you rip the fabric of reality. Though you would never have enough mana to do this but still, the warning is given," he chuckles at himself.

Is it black holes? Well shit, now that's scary.

At the moment I can only create a small box of warped-distances space. It's odd to push your hand through it, it either feels like it's being pushed forward or back depending on whether I'm compressing space or the inverse.

Could be used as a tripping hazard, it would certainly mess people up to have your foot snag back during combat. Could even be used to slow down attacks. Imagine creating a super long corridor where things like arrows take forever to cross. Though I can't do these things instantly, the vacuum that it creates is quite wild and becomes exponentially more mana-inefficient the faster I try to make it.

"You managed to cast it?" Lyle asks, his eyes wide in wonder.

Lyle is a precious child, always so dreamy.

"Yeah, just a very small and faint space, barely any perceptible shrinking."

"Still, you are quite the space mage, Wolf," Hatara says.

Garanae gives a shy nod.

"We all have our specialties," I say.

Alissa smirks, I know exactly who she's thinking about right now.

"Miss Lina is not coming today?" Lyle asks and looks around the buffet.

On a second thought, I don't really like you that much, Lyle.

Rest of the class is theory, we calculate how physics interacts with the warped-distances space. Like atmospheric pressure, sound propagation and the effects of something passing through it in high speed, say a leg or an arrow.

It's quite the mindfuck that's difficult to wrap my head around. Though this was a very enlightening lesson.