"M-M-Mizuki, please don't…" (Elira)
I cut her off with a dismissive gesture and a look of impatience.
"Don't worry Elira, I promise not to kill or maim her, and she'll leave the room in perfect physical health. I make no other promises, though. Honestly, I think I've been incredibly generous to her, but my patience has been exhausted. So, this matter is getting permanently settled now. Please summon her at once." (Mizuki)
Elira looks at me pleadingly for a few moments, but I stare back at her coldly. I'm not budging on this. She hangs her head dejectedly, then sends one of her guards to fetch Alara.
After several minutes, Alara is brought into the conference room alone by the same royal guard. She's left standing as he returns to his post behind Elira. Seeing me, Alara's eyes flare with hatred.
"You!? Worthless human…every minute you breath our air is a danger to the elven race, and a disgrace to the very practice of magic. I may have made a deal to support Ilina's rule and leave the royal family, and I plan to honor it, but I have no obligations to you. I'll make sure the nobles and the people see you for the problematic presence that you are." (Alara)
I just give Alara the most cheerful smile I can manage in response.
"Good morning to you, too, Alara! Out of curiosity, would you say that my most pathetic trait is being human, or being unable to use magic?" (Mizuki)
Alara looks completely bewildered by my unexpected and nonchalant response, but it only slows her down a moment.
"Both are immensely pathetic, naturally, but being magicless is worse. To be so useless…it's shocking you haven't done the world a favor and rid it of yourself. I don't think I could live such a worthless existence." (Alara)
She's a good sport, as always. I let out a vicious smile.
"Alara, I'm so glad that you feel that way! It will make this much easier, after all." (Mizuki)
Alara's face contorts in confusion and rage.
"What are you…" (Alara)
Before she can finish her thought, I slow time, walk over, and punch her in the gut as I drop the time spell. I think I feel a rib crack as she crumples onto the floor. The room goes dead silent, and I can see Elira looking towards us fearfully. She does nothing, however.
Alara's still conscious, just wheezing pathetically.
"Now, Alara, that should shut you up enough to listen for once. You see, you've become a serious pain in my ass, and I'm done playing nice with you. So, we'll be getting to know each other better now." (Mizuki)
Alara is glaring up at me from the floor with hatred in her eyes, but also a bit of fear and surprise. I focus on forming a magic sphere around her, then…I drain all her magic. As I do, she seems to come closer to losing consciousness and slumps over on the floor.
After her magic is gone, I heal her completely and step away. Time to scare the shit out of her.
"Now, there you go Alara. I've healed your wounds, but I've also permanently taken away your magic. You're now one of those magicless people you seem to loathe so much. If you don't believe me, why don't you go ahead and try to kill me with your lightning?" (Mizuki)
That's a lie, the part about her magic loss being permanent. However, she has no way of knowing that, and it shouldn't regenerate enough for practical spell use for at least an hour.
[Fufufu…Mizuki, you're truly devious! I cannot wait to see her reaction to this!] (Nina)
Alara climbs to her feet, grimacing from her injuries, and throws her hand out towards me. She mutters an incantation and…nothing happens. Seeing this, Alara's face contorts in surprise. After a moment, her expression transitions to one of disbelief tainted with fear.
"W-What is the meaning of this…my magic…h-h-how could you…w-what are you!?" (Alara)
Alara stutters in denial, and she continues to direct incantations towards me in failure. As she does, more fear creeps into her expression, and her incantations become more frantic until she's practically screaming.
She continues this cycle for the better part of half an hour, as I watch patiently. When she's worn herself out, I ignore her murder attempts and reiterate my explanation.
"Pay attention, Alara. I told you…I took away your magic. You'll never be able to cast spells again." (Mizuki)
Alara looks at me with shock, fear, and some lingering hatred as her new reality sets in. Perfect, time to really set her straight.
[Now, Alara, imagine me just dropping you off alone on the demon continent or in one of the human countries in this state. How do you think you'd fare?] (Mizuki)
My thought message changes Alara's expression to one of pure fear, and she goes pale. After a few minutes she begins glancing between Elira and Nina frantically. Elira looks sad, but Nina appears amused.
"Mother!? Great Dragon!? Are both of you just going to allow him to do as he pleases with impunity!?" (Alara)
"I'm sorry, Alara…you brought this on yourself. I gave you every opportunity to avoid antagonizing him." (Elira)
"Fufufufu…I would have personally killed you long ago for such insolence. I think Mizuki is being lenient with you." (Nina)
Hearing their unsympathetic responses, Alara turns back to me, and I see hate begin to reemerge in her expression. However, it's soon overwhelmed by her fear, and she slumps to the floor again and looks at me frantically.
She spends a long time silently, with a conflicted expression on her face. When she eventually speaks, her voice sounds broken and despairing.
"Mizuki…please…just kill me. I give up." (Alara)