Aria sits up from being prone, clearly surprised by the Sage's age being so high. Similarly, Kiku's mouth is agape. Kaede... seems entirely unfazed. But is she?

"Is it entirely surprising, mmm? I suppose ten generations or more being the norm does perpetuate rumours of immortality... fufufu." She snickers whilst flicking her hand through a twintail.

"What is especially peculiar is actually this boy with whom you travel, though." Seria quips.

"Quite right."

"Um... that’s true"

"...yes."

The girls all agree. I feel like I'm in one of those classic anime scenes where multiple imaginary arrows pierce my back.

"Out of interest, all four of you, if you can understand me, please say yes now." Seria continues.

"Um, yes?" I say.

Seria looks highly bemused. I look at the other girls who have failed to respond, and am somewhat mystified. What?

"I suspected as much. It didn't occur to me at first, because it was just natural from my perspective, but by my view, you are speaking in a rather archaic Syjilian dialect, boy. I was just speaking this, yet you can interpret me as if I were speaking Jezzethan, like I am now. That switch was seamless from your perspective, correct?" Seria says.

"What switch, what? Oh... I see... so I auto-translate even when the subject switches language?" I muse.

"Fufufu... that is right. Also vice-versa; when you address us directly, you speak the language we are all most familiar with at all times; even though you are doubtlessly speaking the tongue of your native world."

That... what the hell! No wonder I appeared to be speak demonic when talking to Kerkyon. Translation function-san, I truly have underestimated your crazy OP-ness. But I bet this is only able to work because of that access to Akasha and learning on-the-fly type thing, right?

"This is a very envious ability for spying operations, yes?" Says Kaede, always the practical one.

"Not to mention smoothing over so much diplomacy." Aria adds, nodding.

They're not wrong. I could make crazy money having this kind of flawless translation ability on earth. That does lead me to another question, though.

"So, going by what you said, you are from... would it be... Syjillia, Seria? Where is that?" I ask.

"I feel like I should know where that is... but?" Aria looks confused.

"Syjillia? Syjil!? As in the Great Conquering Emperor Rumius Syjil?" Kiku looks rather shocked again, perhaps recalling some obscure battle history.

"Fufufu... correct. You know of it... because it is here. This part of Syjil became Jeraldine around 192 years ago, after a civil war." Seria answers.

Oh shit. I didn't even think of the fourth dimension... Seria really is an old maid hiding in a loli's body. Its little wonder she can come to logical conclusions about things so fast, like her appraisal of my translation. Still... pretty amazing.

"Well, enough of that." Seria changes the subject, "You are welcome to stay here for the evening. When my power is fully recharged and I have made a few preparations, I would recommend us moving to the Sandy Shore Temple for your training."

Seria sweeps her cape dramatically, and appears to leave for upstairs again. Loli or no, she certainly has that theatrical archmage thing down to a tee.

The study and surroundings of this living floor are comfortable enough, with three sofas arrayed around the fireplace, a nice balconied window looking over the scenery, as well as a padded chair at the desk by the shelves, with several doors behind us leading to bedrooms including the Sage's master room. It seems a lot for a single person, in fact. I wonder if it was meant to accommodate several people? Quite possibly... if her predecessors had several students at once?

"I'll be on a sofa then." I say.

"Nii, there are enough bedrooms for all of us, if you share with Aria!" Kiku guffaws.

This gets the previously thinking Aria to leap up from the sofa and shout.

"Dammit Kiku! That was an accident!" She retorts, but her jump up was clearly too sudden and she trips over the rug, arms wheeling. I grab her hand to steady her.

She has another pick and mix of emotions as I do, eventually pushing me away upon quickly regaining her balance.

"F-freaking heck... w-why is he always there at the most embarrassing..." she mutters under her breath.

Kiku has broken out into a full guffaw again, loose hair shaking, and even the edge of Kaede's mouth has quirked upwards.

I do my best to entertain. Poor Aria, one mistake and her reputation is tarnished forever. It's tough being a cute princess!