There was that time in my childhood where I saw dad working at home. He had his co-workers with him in the living room and started a meeting there. And if I remember correctly, they all did some loud debates that didn’t let me sleep until they quieted down.

***

“Please return Miss Cherlaine’s feelings.” Those words keep ringing in my head and prevented me from sleeping. It made me realize that I wasn’t paying attention to the girls especially Cherry. Since I wasn’t really able to sleep, I did some things to kill time.

First, I started testing [Gravity Magic] once again. Like before, I still can’t use it. Not until a thought crossed my mind. ‘Why not combine it with other magic?’ After that, I opened up the > and read every magic script I know. I think I should call ‘magic script’ as ‘spell’ from now on…

To my surprise, I was able to find traces of [Gravity Magic] runes in other spells. The biggest example for this is [Earth Magic]. Majority of the magic spells from that category are mostly mixed with [Gravity Magic], the rest of the [Earth Magic] are enchants like > and > (I haven’t really had the chance to use this).

While I was in the middle of experimenting, I summoned again my > Lock, and then I ordered him to get liquor from the secret wine cellar. And about this magic, the clone will only follow an order given by the master and then disappears after fulfilling the request. I constructed this magic with: [Arcane Magic] for build, [Mind Magic] for simple operation, [Soul Magic] for giving it a piece of life, and various elemental magic. This magic is imperfect so the > is not suited for combat and communication. I forgot what magic I combined it from because there was too many of them.

Returning back to the main topic, I finally got an idea for new magic using [Gravity Magic] runes.

While sitting on the large sofa, I stretched out my right hand with my palm open.

Constructing the new magic, the air around my hand reacts to the magic power that I released.

*Zip! Zap! Kish!*

Crunchy sounds slowly filled the air. Together with that, blue light sparks started appearing on my hand.

“It’s working!”

There, on my hand, a blue three meter long rod of cracking lightning was there. In other words, I created a Lightning spear using [Gravity Magic] as base. Frankly speaking, I’m going to call this—

*Kishhhh…*

Just when the thought of me finally finishing it, the electrical body of the rod suddenly became unstable then broke and the electricity went into every direction while flickering before completely disappearing.

“This is so frustrating.”

While feeling a bit irritated on my failure, I rested my back on the sofa and let out a heavy sigh. I also closed every index of magic I opened since the whole room is almost full of runes made out of luminescent mana.

I leaned my head on the sofa’s railing and put my gaze on the ceiling. After that, I suddenly remembered that I have something important to do.

“I should write to mom.”

While doing so, I got tired halfway while drinking liquor. It didn’t take long before I got sleepy while writing so I used > to finish it while I go to sleep.

***

A strong aroma trickled my nose which slowly wakes me up from my sleep. When my eyelids slightly open up, the sunlight from the window struck my eyes which made me cover my eyes using my hand.

“Good morning Key. Do you want some Coffee?”

While I was trying to get up from the sofa, Ghena’s voice suddenly called out to me from behind me. She stood there while holding up a glass kettle and a cup on a silver tray.

I looked around the living room with a half asleep face.

“Good morning too, where’s everyone?”

“Miss Cherlaine and Miss Matilda are taking a shower right now with Marie, Jane is still currently sleeping in her room, and Sir Flordist and the Knights haven’t returned yet from the City.”

“I see, then what about Lapis?”

While putting the cup with coffee on the table in front of me, Ghena turned her gaze to my side. There, Lapis is on the carpet, sleeping soundlessly like a cat.

And of course, I got surprised and immediately stood up from my seat.

“Why did you let her sleep on the carpet?”

“I didn’t. I just woke up and found her there. I thought you were the one who made her sleep here.”

I immediately picked Lapis up and then put her on the sofa I slept on. Ghena on the other hand, she’s wearing a troubled face after I raised my voice at her.

“I’m sorry. I should’ve waked her up and guided her to her room.”

Ghena apologized while bowing her head. It seems that she thinks I’m angry at her. Although I understand because I’m a noble and she’s a maid, it somehow depresses me a little that she still hasn’t fully acknowledge me as a friend. For me, friends yelling at each other are normal. But I think Ghena’s way of thinking is different.

Before speaking, I took a few sips from the coffee. It actually tastes good.

“Well its fine, and don’t worry, I’m not angry.”

“It’s not about that.”

Ghena looked on the floor while wearing a guilty expression. Because of that, I inadvertently tilted my head in puzzlement.

“I told you something I shouldn’t have. I was thinking about it the whole night and I realized that I was meddling with your decisions. Even though I’m your friend, I’m nothing but a maid after all.”

“Ghena…”

-I see… she got worried about it huh.

I stood up from my seat and walked towards Ghena. Since she’s shorter than me, I had no problem in patting her head.

“If you’re worried about that, then you’re worrying over nothing.”

“Huh?”

While I’m patting her head, Ghena looked up to my face while wearing a surprised face.

“I was thinking hard about it since last night. If it weren’t for that, I would not have noticed that I was actually hurting Cherry without her noticing it. I owe you big-time for that.”

“Such a thing, owing something from me is impossible.”

“Idiot, owing something is someone is normal you know.”

Since Ghena said something I didn’t like again, I gave her a straight karate chop on her forehead. While smiling wryly at her, I told her something that I had planned something in a long while.

“Since I owe you one, I’d like to return the favor by setting you up with Sora on a date.”

Blank stare with dot-like eyes, in that moment, Ghena’s expression became like that. After a few seconds, slowly, her mouth opened up, her eyes grew big, and her face became full red. In other words, she became flustered.

“W-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-what are you talking about KEY!”

“Sora likes you, you’re perfectly aware of that. I’m just trying to help you two out.”

“B-b-but, I don’t have romantic feelings towards him—”

Since Ghena looks like she’s about to spill the tray at any moment, I immediately took it from her hands and raised it above her. Meanwhile, she’s swinging her arms in denial.

“It doesn’t matter if you have some romantic feelings towards him or not, the question here is, do you hate him or not?”

Ghena immediately froze after I asked her that. She pulled back her hands with her shoulders shaking. Her face is blushing which is very adorable. I wish I’d have a kid like h—okay I think I’m raising a dangerous flag here.

“I-if you put it that way… I can’t really say that I… hate him. Although I do have slight interest, that’s it.”

“So there’s a chance huh…”

Because Ghena’s expression was too adorable, I can’t help but smile because of the fluffy feeling rising up inside me.

“Anyhow…”

Then after that, I snap my fingers and the sound of something breaking followed. After that, a sound of something that fell on the wooden floor echoed in the living room. And by the way, the thing about the finger snapping was the sign that I dispelled my magic.

Then, with a large devilish smile, I looked at the thing that fell on the wooden floor.

“You heard her Sora, you still have a chance.”

“Damn you Key!”

Right, this thing that fell on the wooden floor was Sora. A while ago while Ghena and I were talking, I saw him pop-out from the wall using his magic. When he saw Ghena’s back, he immediately tried to escape. However, I secretly used a long ranged version of force magic > in 1000% mana output to prevent him from moving an inch without stopping him from breathing. He also heard everything so his face is looking quite complicated. It’s quite tiring, but seeing his embarrassing expression makes it worth it.

On the other hand, Ghena turned her head towards Sora like an unoiled knob making creaking sounds. Her expression looks like a mixture of embarrassment and grim.

“S-Sir F-f-f-f-Flordist?”

“Ahahaha… Hi…”

While wearing a flustered expression, Sora let out a dry laugh while waving his hand. I can see that he’s slightly vibrating like a phone.

***

“You know one day, you’ll find yourself getting killed by me.”

“Yeah, yeah, with a face that scared Ghena away, that possibility is high.”

“Shut up.”

After Ghena ran away from embarrassment upon seeing Sora, Sora tried to kill me, which is also out of embarrassment. Right now, we are inside the workshop. While I’m inspecting the equipment for blacksmithing, Sora is on a corner hugging his knees sulking while muttering ‘She hates me now’ repeatedly.

“Leaving your sulking aside, I have something to do. And for that, I’ll need your shadow warp to get to that place.”

Slowly, Sora looked at me with eyes that are glistening with tears while still hugging his knees. He’s giving me the ‘got some nerves’ glare. This guy really is pathetic.

“You got some nerves to ask me that after embarrassing me in front of Ghena.”

“That was your own fault.”

While keeping his glare at me, he stood up and walked towards me.

“Anyhow, how long is your > range?”

“Depending on the available mana, unlike the > magic I hear about, it only increases its mana consuming rate depending on how many people there are regardless of the distance. > however, it’s completely the other way around.”

“Right now, how far can we get with that ability of yours?”

Sora puts his hand on his chin while thinking about the matter deeply.

Setting him aside for now, Lapis suddenly entered the workshop while carrying Marie with her. Marie is yanking on her collar while having fun. On the other hand, although Lapis is expressionless, there are tears glistening at the ends of her eyes so anyone can tell that she isn’t enjoying it.

The moment Marie saw me, she immediately lets go off Lapis’ collar and opened her arms towards me. Lapis let out a relieved sigh after getting liberated from her.

“Papa! Papa!”

After taking Marie, she immediately played with my face and kept on squishing it to weird directions. Although it’s painful, I endured it since she’s enjoying. But I think she’s too hyper today.

“So, what brings my little girl here huh? Gichi-guchi-coo!”

“Yaaaahahahaha!”

I snuggled my mouth on Marie’s neck and then caressed it with my not too matured beard. I’m being careful about it so that I wouldn’t give her any rashes.

Since Lapis took the trouble of carrying her here in the workshop, I gave her pats on the head like usual. She seems pleased about it judging from how she pushes her head towards my hand. It’s so cat-like.

“You really looked like a father Key.”

“I would like to retort but I can’t. Anyhow, have you calculated it?”

“If we’re talking about warping outside Berigious’ walls, then it would take all of my mana just to crack it to get out, and not only that; because of the magic protecting the walls is strong, the chances of getting out only 30%.”

While playing peek-a-boo with Marie behind me, Sora offhandedly gave the answer to my question.

“So there’s still a chance.”

“More or less. If I have an outside mana source that’s capable of replenishing 20 mages’ mana, then the success rate would increase.”

It sounded like Sora was implying on something. And since I’m no dumb guy to not understand what he means, I got the idea he was trying to give me.

***

“Are you done yet?”

“Just about 14 characters more before I’m done. Just a reminder, I ain’t using this chalk for free you know.”

After a short discussion with Sora, we agreed that I will become the mana source of his magic. When I told him that we will be heading towards [Behemoth’s Horn], he got surprised about it. Since the distance is relatively far, he needed to create a special magic array using a special chalk called [Dragon Ash Chalk]. This item is supposed to allow convergence of mana on the written magic array on the floor. I don’t quite understand how it works but, I do get that it replaces the concept of verbal chant with written chant. Come to think of it, how do [Magic Books] and [Magic Scrolls] work?

“And we are done.”

While wiping off the sweat with the towel Lapis gave him, Sora stood up and tossed his chalk to his shadow. I on the other hand, am standing in the center of the magic array which is written in circle. Sora’s not pouring mana in it yet so it’s still safe to carry Marie with me.

“Are you sure this is going to work?”

“I’ve done this 4 times already. I use this to drain mana from the criminals I caught and transport them to prison like hitting two birds with one stone.”

I then gave Marie to Lapis who’s standing outside the Magic Array. I think Marie’s aware that I’m going away so she grabbed me by the collar with teary eyes.

“Marie, please don’t cry.”

“Umu!”

I think the girls have spoiled Marie a little bit too much. She’s not trying to understand me and kept on holding unto me instead.

Suddenly, Sora crouched and erased a word from the magic array and replaced it with another.

“It would be too troublesome if we take too long. The [Dragon Ash Chalk] would fade before we can even start pouring mana on it so. I modified the spell a bit to drain mana from you only.”

“Good thinking, might as well introduce Marie to Fleiya there.”

And before anything, I put > on Marie so that she wouldn’t feel the cold after the transfer. I also told Lapis to tell the girls that I will be bringing Marie with me. And after nodding, she immediately left the workshop. It makes me a bit curious on how she would tell them without saying anything.

“You ready Key?”

“More or less. Marie, behave.”

“Um~Pa!”

While I carry Marie with both hands, I closed my eyes as I concentrate on releasing my mana. I could feel the drain of the magic array on my legs, and after letting it absorb lots of mana, I opened my eyes again to see Sora releasing black smoke from under his uniform… come to think of it, Sora always wear that same black uniform. How many sets does he have?

After draining lots of my mana, Sora then kneeled on one leg and stabbed his shadow with his dagger. After that, the shadow became water-like and his dagger sunk a bit more until only the handle was visible.

“It’s done. Good thing I marked [Behemoth’s Horn] when we came there.”

And then, the three of us jumped on the shadow.

***

After popping out to the other side of the shadow, Sora and I together with Marie ended up just below the mountain. Here, the weather is has become warmer than before when we first came here.

Sora and I looked around to see if there are any monsters. After confirming that there aren’t, we gave nods to each other.

Marie mimicked us and kept doing it for a while. I’m slightly worried that it’ll take a toll on her neck so I made her stop immediately. She sulked a bit though.

Sora and I proceeded to the mountain. Since I’ve removed the gravity magic here, the chances of encountering monsters here have increased so we proceeded with caution.

While walking, out of a sudden, Sora blocked me with his hand while brandishing his dagger. It seems that he sensed something from the shadows. Next, we heard a drum-like explosion from afar.

“What is it?”

“I’m not quite sure. I can’t tell if it’s a living thing or an object.”

“Why?”

“I can’t sense its pulse or its breathing, yet it’s moving very fast like its flying.”

-Hmm… that sounds very fami—oh shit!

Seeing my grimed face, Sora traced my line of sight up to the sky. Seeing what I’m seeing, Sora’s jaw dropped as his grip on his dagger loosens. After all, there is a pillar as large as a fucking truck flying towards at us with great speed. As a side note, Marie’s expression is in awe which is somewhat good.