"You're sure, I can ask you anything I want?" (Zara)
My friends and I have all returned to Nina's hot spring after my conversation with Alara, so we can talk in private. I'm making good on my promise to Zara to answer all her questions, and to make her feel included in the party.
"Yes, you can ask anything. There are certain things I might not be able to answer, but I won't lie to you. Also, I'm going to do my best to give you as much information as possible. Can I trust that you won't repeat anything that you learn without permission – not to your people, your family, or even your own children one day?" (Mizuki)
Zara seems surprised by how serious my desire for secrecy is, and she pauses for a moment to think it over. Eventually, she nods.
"Yes, you have my word. My first question is…why are you so powerful, and could I ever attain such strength? Your understanding of magic is obviously part of it, but you also seem to have unparalleled magic power." (Zara)
I sigh deeply…right to the point, huh?
"To start, no, I don't think you could acquire the level of magic power I have. As for why I'm so strong…the short answer is that it's because I'm not from your world, Zara. I wasn't born on Azura, and I came here from another planet altogether. Essentially, my people are different from the humans here, and that's why my eyes are this color, why I know so much about magic, and why I have so much magic power." (Mizuki)
Zara's eyes go wide in shock, and it's the first time I've ever seen her be overwhelmed by information. She glances at Nina and Alto, and they both nod calmly in turn. After a few minutes, she seems to recover.
"That…explains a lot. It was hard to imagine you being raised anywhere among the humans. I have another question. You've mentioned repeatedly that there are certain things you can't teach me. Can I ask what they are, and why?" (Zara)
In typical Zara fashion, her questions could not be more concise.
"Basically, there's someone more powerful than me on Azura, but I can't say who. We have an agreement in place, and I won't break it under any circumstances. I am only allowed to share the full knowledge of my home world, including my strange magic, with three people at a time. They are sworn to secrecy with me, and if they break it, I am required to kill them and anyone they spread the knowledge to." (Mizuki)
Zara's face becomes troubled.
"Someone more powerful than you…that's terrifying. You're practically a god, Mizuki. Should I be worried about them? Also, can I assume that you didn't make me one of these three people because I wouldn't be able to share the information with the wolf-kin? That's the justification I provided for joining your party – that I wanted to learn new things to teach my people, so they could flourish." (Zara)
I shake my head sympathetically.
"You don't need to worry about this person. They are very committed to not interfering in things. As for why you're not one of the three…you're half right. This agreement hasn't been in place the entire time you've known me. After it was made, I was concerned that Ilina already knew enough to count as one of the three, along with Nina and Alto. I never had the option to include you, I think." (Mizuki)
Zara sighs, then smiles at me genuinely.
"Thank you, Mizuki. In truth…the information I'm missing would be of little use to me if I can't tell my people, so that's fine. What things can you still do to help me aid my people?" (Zara)
"If it is anything already known to this world, anything at all, I can teach it to you or obtain it for you. There is also some limited knowledge from my home world that I can teach you. As for magic, so long as I work within the existing magic theories on Azura, I can help you with your magic training. I might even be able to provide unique incantation-based alteration class spells to you and teach you how to use them. You could spread those among your people. Finally, I can intercede on your behalf using all my power and knowledge." (Mizuki)
Zara grins happily.
"Mizuki, that's more than sufficient for my loyalty. I think I know everything about you and the value of being a member of your party that I need to." (Zara)
I flash her a huge smile.
"Zara…it brings me no small amount of joy to hear that. I assure you, you're a valuable member of my party and I trust you. Just like Alto and Nina, you have my support, and I look forward to our continuing friendship." (Mizuki)
We sit in comfortable silence for a time, then a certain dragon ruins it.
"Fufufu…this is very sweet Mizuki! Now, leave us women here alone, so we can bathe in the hot spring instead of just sitting near it. Zara, Alto, and I should bond some." (Nina)
I glance at Alto, and she smirks and nods. I let out a deep sigh and teleport back to the palace – straight to Ilina's room. When I arrive, she's sitting on her couch reading, but my sudden appearance startles her.
"Gah! Mizuki!? You can't just teleport into a lady's room without warning! What if I had been indecent?" (Ilina)
She has an amused tone as she says the last part, so I don't think she was too worried. She rises from the couch and walks over to me with a smile.
"If you had been indecent, I would have covered my eyes like a gentleman and left you with my apologies." (Mizuki)
Ilina rolls her eyes at me.
"I'm not buying your lies." (Ilina)
Before I can respond, she pulls me over to the couch and presses our lips together for several moments. When she pulls away, she seems to realize something.
"I got distracted…was there a reason for this unexpected visit?" (Ilina)
"This, actually, I had some free time and just wanted to see you." (Mizuki)
Ilina smiles, but then looks confused.
"I thought you had a meeting with Zara or something?" (Ilina)
"Oh, I did, but it ended. Then, Nina, Alto, and Zara kicked me out of the hot spring area so they could all bathe together and bond. Speaking of which, we could soak in the hot springs together sometime if you want?" (Mizuki)
Ilina's eyes go wide in surprise, and she climbs off me and stands up.
"What!? They're all soaking without me!? Mizuki, send me there immediately so I can join them!" (Ilina)
Uhm…what?
"Err, I mean I can, but…you don't want to take advantage of the alone time?" (Mizuki)
Ilina rolls her eyes.
"Tch…no, Mizuki! I can make out with you any time, but this is a rare opportunity to bond with the other women. Plus, I can't do any more than kiss you right now and it's frustrating. So, send me to the hot spring, or get Nina's blessing to make this less frustrating!" (Ilina)
Ouch…that's harsh. I know Nina won't go for it, though. She's insistent that Ilina and I be publicly in a relationship in the Elven Kingdom before anything like Ilina's suggesting can take place. I sigh deeply.
"Alright, I get it. I'll send you there when you're ready." (Mizuki)
Ilina's face lights up excitedly, then she runs off to another room quickly. After a minute I hear her call out to me.
"Alright, I'm ready!" (Ilina)
I walk over to her, and I freeze when I round the corner and she comes into view. She's holding a folded set of clothes, but she's not wearing anything other than an amused smile.
"I thought you deserved a consolation prize for being so accommodating. Also, I'm happy to go to this hot spring alone with you any time you want. So, keep me in mind." (Ilina)
I'm too shocked to speak, so I just nod.
"Fufufu…you're too easy. Okay, that's enough, go ahead and send me there!" (Ilina)
I obediently walk over, then focus on teleporting her to the hot spring without me, and she disappears. After a few moments…I sense amusement from Nina.
[Fufufufu…Ilina is quite merciless, bragging like that and then leaving you alone for the evening. Let's have a date night alone when I get back, hmm?] (Nina)
I try to send my gratitude through our connection, and I sense amusement in return.
"God, I love that dragon." (Mizuki)