Chapter 17 "First Night"

Night.

The sky was filled with numerous twinkling stars. The crescent moon looked beautiful too.

Ah, the crescent moon.

Nao, you must have already sworn for the revival of your homeland. You said that during the reincarnation. You're probably experiencing the hardships of being a hero right now. I hope it's not a hellish life.

Erica and Yui are probably having a luxurious dinner by now. Nice.

I'm alone, floating above the hill a little away from the castle city of Arle. I wanted to try sleeping outdoors. After all, I'm heading to the mountains. It's a place where monsters exist. I plan to stay there for a few days, so dangerous camping is inevitable.

First, let's try sleeping near the seemingly safe town, that was my initial thought.

However, I didn't think it through. Let's search for ores! I came all the way here without any preparations.

Sleeping outside. No tent, no sleeping bag.

I sat on a thick tree branch for starters. Yeah, impossible. Because there were bugs! A big caterpillar! A wriggly one covered in lots of hair! Right next to where I sat!

If I sleep here... I'd wake up covered in bugs.

Gyaaaah!

Just thinking about it made me scream.

"Well, it's fine. I guess I'll just float and sleep. Yeah, that should be good. I feel like I intended to do that from the beginning."

Alright, the sleeping place is decided.

Now that it's decided, I decided to go back to Arle. Even though a lot happened today, and I should be tired, the anticipation of sleeping made me unable to get sleepy.

"Alright, that's enough. Should I go to Ange's house?" Fortunately, I know the address. It should be fine if I ask around.

"No, no! I'm going to the mountains now! I need to get used to camping!"

First, 'Invisibility.' I passed through the outer wall and entered Arle.

Now what should I do? I came but I don't have anything to do, so I'm just floating around. It's my job to do something.

Come to think of it, this is the first night I'm spending alone in this world. There were so many things happening. Sera, Emily-chan, Ange. I made three friends. I'm quite happy just floating around.

Oh?

While floating around, a corner of my vision flashed slightly.

What could it be?

When I turned my gaze, it had already disappeared. It didn't seem like the town's lights.

I floated closer.

From the same spot, red light extended to the night sky.

This is magic. It's the same as the one Ange used in the daytime contest.

Who could it be?

Curious, I approached further.

Someone came.

An old man in loose clothing.

A calm-looking man. Probably Ange's grandfather, Lars Fourn the priest.

"You seem to be more spirited than usual tonight."

"Yeah... I can still go on."

"Fufufu. That's good. Like muscles, magical power grows the more you use it. Many magicians set a low limit due to the agony of magical power exhaustion, but if you want to master it, you should use it until you can't anymore."

"So basically, I just have to keep going until I can't move?"

"If you want to master it."

"I want to. I'll do my best. I can't lose to Ku."

My name came up.

"... It was amazing. Riding on top of a raised sword, doing a flip from there. When bad guys targeted me, you picked me up and ran, and even so, you were faster than them, not missing a single breath. Even the sword was praised by first-rate adventurers."

"I heard it at dinner, but you're a promising girl."

"Yeah. And, she's incredibly cute too."

Wiping away sweat, Ange was praised with a beaming smile.

... It's embarrassing.

"So I have to do my best too! When we meet again next year, I'll definitely surprise you!"

"Fufufu. Do what you can. I'm with you. Even if you get injured, I'll heal you instantly."

"Thank you, Grandpa."

Ange, with a refreshed face, looked up at the night sky.

"Spirit, please guide my granddaughter Angelica. Please watch over her strong-hearted birth."

The grandfather offered a prayer.

Yeah.

I'm watching over her.

More precisely, I'm eavesdropping.

"Spirit, please guide—please."

Ange also offers a prayer.

"Alright, Grandpa! I can still do it!"

"I'll come back to check in a while, so do your best."

"Yeah!"

The grandfather leaves.

Ange raises the wand again and chants a spell.

Hang in there, Ange.

That's right.

"Magic Sense."

I tried it out, and Ange, who was already enveloped in a red aura, had another unawakened magic. It was a green light. Hmm. Let's try casting a bit of Black Magic Sleep Cloud—touch the unawakened magic, release the magic—lift the sleep once in the sky.

Alright.

"Huh...? What... is this...? Power is surging..."

Ange's body was briefly enveloped in a green light.

"This is magical power... right? Green is... wind...? I have... two attributes...?"

Congratulations.

While floating, I celebrated in my heart.

"Grandpa! Grandpa, it's amazing, Grandpa! The spirit—guided me!"

Ange runs excitedly into the house.

I went outside the town.

It's about time to sleep.

Yeah. I'm feeling a bit sleepy now.

Floating in the sky, still invisible, I closed my eyes.

The tension had disappeared without me noticing.

And.

The next morning.

"Hey, what are you doing in someone else's yard?"

"Huh...?"

Waking up, I saw Ange's puzzled face peering down from above.

"Huh?"

Where could this be?

Looking around, I quickly realized. It's Ange's house yard.

"Why are you sleeping alone in a place like this?"

"I don't know!"

I stretched my arms energetically.

"It's fine if it's you, but normally, you'd get caught, you know?"

"Hey..."

Suddenly, I noticed. This is grass.

"What's wrong?"

"I was checking for bugs... There aren't any, right!?"

Checking my whole body!

Hurry up!

"Look at my back! My back! If there's anything, get it off!"

"There's nothing."

"Really!? You're not teasing me!?"

"I'm not teasing you. Weird bugs don't exist in our yard."

"Thank goodness!"

It was close to tears.

Safety check: ○.

"Phew. I thought I was going to die."

"You're suddenly so noisy."

"So, why am I here? I was sleeping outside the town."

"Maybe you got deceived by fairies or something?"

"There are fairies?"

"I don't know."

"Anyway, sorry?"

"It's fine. Let's have breakfast together! I'll consider it as you came to greet me before setting off on a journey."

"Is it okay?"

I must seem very suspicious.

Absolutely suspicious.

"It's fine."

"Really?"

"I said it's fine, so it's settled, right!"

Ange, who doesn't fuss over details, is wonderful. I was forcefully pulled up and taken inside Ange's house.

I feel refreshed. Seems like I slept well.

It seems a bit late for morning, and the people who went to work, including the grandfather, were no longer at home. The grandmother and mother had already finished breakfast.

I greeted the grandmother and mother in the living room, then moved to the dining room and took the seat pulled out by the maid.

"Ange, you're the only one having breakfast late."

"I practiced magic to the limit yesterday. I couldn't wake up a bit. It's fine today since school is off."

"You're working hard."

I certainly can't say I peeked.

The maid placed plates of bread, soup, sausages, and salad in front of Ange and me. Also, orange juice and water.

"Ange, you're like a young lady. So luxurious."

"We're rich, but we're just commoners. It's nothing compared to nobles."

"I see."

Certainly, the breakfast at the Grand Palace was more luxurious than this, but that's the pinnacle of a country that shouldn't be compared.

"Is Kuu a noble or something?"

"No way!"

"That's good. It would be difficult to casually hang out with nobles."

"Do nobles act high and mighty? I met a nasty noble on the way here and had a fight."

"What!? Fighting with nobles, you!"

"Oh, it's fine. I won safely."

"Winning..."

"I'm strong!"

Ahahaha.

"Well, that's fine. I feel like you would actually win."

Said with a sigh.

"Ange would probably win too."

"Of course. I'll stick to manners, but I won't lose to tyranny."

"If someone is being tyrannical, let's fight together."

"I hope for that."

The two of us laughed.

I hope it doesn't turn into a flag!

"Oh, we need to decide on a party name."

"For you and me?"

"Yeah, the ultimate party with you."

"Team Ultimate."

"That's too simple. We need something more imaginative. Like 'Crimson Wings.'"

"Hmm."

Thinking about it, the first thing that came to mind was...

"The Sausage with Perfect Spice Party."

"Right? I love it—no, I mean, I absolutely hate that kind of party name!"

"It's a joke! Still, we need to think of something with no flags yet!"

"Oh, then we should decide next year."

"Party members may want to join if they're acknowledged by Ku, but is that okay?"

"Of course! Anyone recognized by Ku is welcome! What kind of kid is it?"

"She's a good kid."

"How strong is she?"

"Probably the strongest."

In terms of national power.

Because she's Serah, a princess.

"Really? Wow, I'm looking forward to it!"

"Yeah, we'll introduce her when the time comes."

"I'll train myself so that I won't be left behind. Oh, right! Hey, Kuu! Listen, listen! Something amazing happened last night! Really amazing! Hey, what do you think it is?"

Ange's smile is as bright as summer sunshine.

The meal is over.

Farewell at the entrance.

Both of us salute.

"Kuu is going. Where to?"

"Where, I wonder?"

"It's about yourself!"

"If you pick on me like that, you'll turn into Bridget!"

"Oh no, I slipped."

We laughed.

Looking up, there's a blue sky.

Even from the ground, the mountain range is starting to become visible.

Now, let's head to Pointed Mountain.