Kiyotaka was momentarily intrigued by her.
Kiyotaka: [Pardon?]
Pricilla: [Join my camp. I see just from that look in your eyes that you are a man of suitable character for my camp.]
Kiyotaka: [I am flattered by your offer, Lady Pricilla, but I am already employed under another faction. It would not be appropriate.]
Pricilla: [No matter. I will treat you far better than whatever camp you reside in.]
Kiyotaka: [I will need to consider this. Please allow me time.]
Pricilla: [You will decide here and now.]
Kiyotaka: (Testing my loyalty?)
Kiyotaka considered it.
Kiyotaka: (The one advantage Emilia has is the backing of the Margrave Mathers. Apart from that, she's likely at the bottom of the list for those who could succeed in the Royal Selection. In addition, that man Roswal is extremely troublesome to me. Everything points to me leaving her Camp and joining this woman.)
Kiyotaka sighed.
Kiyotaka: (It's not an easy decision, but I feel I've grown fond of Emilia, Puck, Beatrice, Rem and Ram.)
Kiyotaka: [I'm afraid I can't agree to your offer.]
Pricilla glared at me.
Pricilla: [You would refuse the chance to serve someone like me?]
Kiyotaka: [I'm afraid so.]
Pricilla's glare faded.
Pricilla: [You have quite the backbone. I'm impressed. I'll give you credit for being slightly better than the peasants you associate with.]
Kiyotaka: [I thank you for your praise.]
Kiyotaka: (I can tell she's also referring to the other candidates, but if I acted like I knew that, it would only be problematic.)
Pricilla: [Additionally...]
Pricilla inspected his face.
Pricilla: [You have quite the handsome face.]
Kiyotaka: [...]
Kiyotaka: (Her beauty rivals Emilia's, but her personality is a bit... demanding. Though I have experience with those kinds of women too, none of them could really back up their demanding nature with the capability to make the nature acceptable.)
Pricilla: [I've decided. We will play a game. If I win, you will serve under me. If you win, I will allow you to caress my breasts.]
Kiyotaka: [Pardon?]
Pricilla: [To be given such an honour. Be glad.]
Kiyotaka: [Forgive me, but may I set the terms on the occasion I win?]
Pricilla: [No.]
Kiyotaka sighed inwardly.
Kiyotaka: [Very well, but I won't be taking your reward.]
Kiyotaka: (Outright refusing her would just cause her to block me from reaching Emilia, and she may even bear a grudge.)
Kiyotaka: [Might I ask what game we'll play?]
Pricilla: [You may choose.]
Kiyotaka: [Alright, how about Rock, Paper, Scissors?]
Pricilla: [I'm not familiar with that game.]
Kiyotaka: [It's simple. Rock beats Scissors. Scissors beats Paper. Paper beats Rock.]
Kiyotaka demonstrated the proper way to play the game with his hands.
Pricilla: [A simple game. It will suffice.]
Kiyotaka: [Whoever wins the most out of three rounds wins overall.]
Pricilla: [Agreed.]
Pricilla eyed Kiyotaka's face, examining his expression, trying to decipher his move, but she was unable to as Kiyotaka won each round.
Pricilla: [Astounding. Reading my expressions so well while hiding your own. You are very entertaining. Now you must join my camp.]
Kiyotaka: [Once again, I must refuse.]
Pricilla: [Very well. The offer is still open if you wish to change your mind.]
She approached him.
Pricilla: [You have earned your reward. Go ahead.]
Kiyotaka: (I am tempted but...)
Kiyotaka: [No need. The honour of spending time with a Royal Selection candidate such as yourself is reward enough.]
Pricilla laughed with her fan covering her mouth.
Pricilla: [Very well.]
She left as Rom and Kiyotaka looked at each other.
Rom: [Who da fuck was that weirdo?]
Kiyotaka: [Dunno.]
Emilia walked towards the alley accompanied by a man in armour.
Kiyotaka: (Three sets of footsteps, but one stopped?)
Kiyotaka looked past Emilia as his eyes widened. He walked over.
Emilia: [So this is where you've been Kiyo...]
Kiyotaka walked past her. The girl behind her was also in shock.
Kiyotaka: [Ichika?]
Ichika: [How are you here?]
Kiyotaka hugged her.
Armoured Man: [Ah, it looks like you know our little trouble maker.]
Kiyotaka: [Hm? So. You're working under Pricilla?]
Ichika: [Well, of course. I took my pick of the Royal Candidates, and she was the most fun.]
Kiyotaka sighed.
Kiyotaka: [Always allying yourself with the strongest, huh?]
Ichika had a mischievous grin.
Emilia: [Um, Kiyotaka, how do you know this girl?]
Kiyotaka patted Ichika's head.
Kiyotaka: [This troublemaker is my little sister.]
Emilia looked shocked.
Emilia: [Your sister?]
Ichika: [Ayanokoji Ichika. Pleased to meet you.]
Kiyotaka's eyebrows raised as Ichika sweated, whispering in his ear.
Ichika: [I've been using your last name. Hope you don't mind.]
Kiyotaka patted her head.
Kiyotaka: [No problem. You are my sister anyway, so I really don't mind.]
Ichika looked at Emilia.
Ichika: [Oh wow. You're really beautiful. Are you and my Oni-sama...]
She grinned.
Ichika: [Together?]
Emilia: [Um, yes. We're travelling together.]
Ichika: [...]
Kiyotaka: (How innocent.)
Kiyotaka: [Ichika. How long has it been for you?]
Ichika: [Hm? About 2 months.]
Kiyotaka: (So even though she was sent after me, she ended up at a time earlier than when I arrived? That's strange. Though it could be that time doesn't apply to traversing dimensions. Also, it's likely that the『Witch Of Envy』didn't bring her here.)
The armoured man stepped forward.
Armoured Man: [Sorry to interrupt your reunion. Name's Aldebarn. But you can call me Al. I'm looking for a lost child.]
Kiyotaka: [Could this child perhaps be 5 foot 5 and acting like a noble who looks down on people?]
Al: [Spot on.]
Emilia: [Ehhh!? I thought we were looking for a small child.]
Ichika laughed.
Ichika: [Pricilla-sama might cut your head off, you know.]
Al: [Hey now. That's cause you're feeding into her ego even more.]
Ichika smirked when Kiyotaka pinched her cheek.
Ichika: [Ow ow ow!]
Emilia: [Eh?]
Kiyotaka: [Now don't go causing trouble for the people who took you in.]
Ichika: [I get it! I get it!]
Ichika pleaded this as Kiyotaka let go.
Kiyotaka: [I hope she hasn't been causing you all too much trouble.]
Al: [Well, actually...]
Ichika: [I'm a Spirit Arts user with all six affinities. Are you proud of me? O...ni-sa...ma?]
Kiyotaka patted her head.
Kiyotaka: [I am. Keep up the good work.]
Ichika: [By the way. Did Pricilla-sama offer to let you join our camp?]
Emilia: [What?]
Kiyotaka: [She did.]
Kiyotaka: (Now that Ichika is in her camp, I really am tempted to join Pricilla....)
Kiyotaka sighed.
Kiyotaka: [I rejected her offer.]
Emilia looked relieved at this.
Ichika: [I see... then I'll make sure to be a massive obstacle for you, kay? I can't let down Pricilla-sama after all.]
Kiyotaka: [Try your best because otherwise your camp won't win.]
Emilia looked surprised as she smiled. She felt a bit saddened that she, however, couldn't experience something like this.
Kiyotaka looked at Al.
Kiyotaka: [I'm sure she's quite the handful, but I hope you all can take care of my younger sister.]
Al nodded.
Al: [No worries. Did you see where my lady went off to?]
Kiyotaka nodded, pointing in the direction as he left.
Ichika: [I'll see you some other time... Oni-Sama.]
Kiyotaka nodded, and with some hesitation, Ichika left.
Emilia: [Are you okay?]
Kiyotaka: [I'm just glad that she's alright.]
Kiyotaka was walking with Emilia.
Kiyotaka: [Emilia. Is the Royal Candicy mandatory for selected individuals?]
Emilia: [No. You can choose not to run.]
Kiyotaka: [Then what is your goal in wanting to be the ruler of this nation that despises you just for your appearance?]
Emilia: [I'm doing it because I want to create a kingdom where all people are equal.]
Kiyotaka: (Not a lie but an omission.)
Kiyotaka: [Emilia. Are you talking about races being treated fairly?]
Emilia: [I mean, I want everyone to be equal as well, but my goal is to...]
Kiyotaka: [No. It's better not to push it to that extent.]
Emilia: [But why?]
Kiyotaka: [Society works best as a Meritocracy.]
Emilia: [Meritocracy?]
Kiyotaka: [A society where your standing is determined by your achievements and contributions.]
Emilia nodded.
Emilia: [That sounds reaaally good.]
Kiyotaka: [I'll stay at the Inn and wait for you to come back from your business, okay?]
Emilia nodded.
Emilia: [Alright.]
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka was eating his food as Rem was cooking.
Rem: [Kiyotaka-Kun. Can I ask what happened?]
Kiyotaka: [Hm?]
Rem: [You seem to be in a better mood today.]
Kiyotaka: [I found my younger sister. It seems she's doing well.]
Rem seemed shocked.
Rem: [You met her?]
Kiyotaka: [Yes, but she had important business to attend to, so we couldn't spend much time together.]
Rem: [I see.]
The door opened as Emilia walked in with a dark expression on her face. Kiyotaka and Rem walked over to her.
Kiyotaka: [Are you alright?]
Rem: [Emilia-Sama. Are you okay?]
Emilia: [I... I'm fine.]
Kiyotaka sighed and pulled her into a hug as her tears slowly fell from her eyes onto Kiyotaka's clothes.
Emilia: [Kiyotaka?]
Kiyotaka: [You don't need to tell me anything but... if you can. I'm here.]
Emilia let her tears flow as she cried.
Emilia: [They just... they wouldn't look at me with anything but disgust.]
Kiyotaka: (Discrimination, huh? Well, such things are to be expected given her resemblance to The『Witch Of Envy』.)
Kiyotaka: [It's alright. Let it out.]
Emilia: [How am I going to become the Ruler when the people won't look at me with anything but disgust?]
Kiyotaka: [When one's reputation is bad, they have only one choice. To create a reputation that surpasses their former.]
Emilia: [Wha...]
Kiyotaka: [You have the potential to do this.]
Emilia: [I do?]
Kiyotaka: [You're kind to a fault and don't ask others to repay their favours. You can definitely overturn their view of you, but only if there are people willing to give you a chance.]
Emilia: [Then...]
Kiyotaka: [I am one of those people.]
Tears flowed from her eyes slightly.
Kiyataka: [Remember Emilia. Actions speak louder than words. Prove yourself to them. Be patient and work hard.]
Emilia nodded, wiping away her tears.
Kiyotaka: [Are you feeling better?]
Emilia nodded.
Emilia: [I'm sorry about everything being about me. Tomorrow we'll get your gate healed, okay?]
Kiyotaka nodded.
Kiyotaka: [Thank you.]
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
A knock could be heard on the door. Kiyotaka opened the door as Felix was standing there.
Felix: [Hey there nyow.]
Kiyotaka: [Hello Felix.]
Emilia: [Thank you for agreeing to this.]
Felix: [It's no problem. Shall we start nyow?]
Kiyotaka nodded, letting him in as he sat down, relaxing so that Felix could heal him.
Felix: [Take off your shirt.]
Kiyotaka took it off, setting it aside as Emilia blushed. He then sat down on the bed as Felix sat behind him, using magic on his back to inspect his gate.
Felix: [It's not so bad. It'll only take a few minutes to heal at most.]
Kiyotaka nodded as Felix began healing his gate.
Kiyotaka: [Thank you regardless.]
Felix got to work, spending about 30 minutes healing him.
Kiyotaka: (My gate... it feels better now.)
Felix: [Alright. You're all better nyow.]
Kiyotaka: [Thank you.]
They thanked Felix, who left as Kiyotaka sighed.
Kiyotaka: (Well, that ended quickly.)
Kiyotaka: [Is there any news about Felt?]
Emilia: [Oh yes. I almost forgot...]
Kiyotaka: [So?]
Emilia: [Well, um... she's participating in the Royal Selection.]
Kiyotaka: [... Well, I expected as much.]
Emilia: [You did?]
Kiyotaka: [The gem on the insignia glowed, and then Reinhard reacted the way he did. It seemed like a reasonable guess.]
Emilia: [You're reaaally smart, Kiyotaka.]
Kiyotaka: [Thank you.]
Emilia smiled.
Kiyotaka: [I think it's time to return to the Roswal Estate.]
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
They returned to the Roswal estate as Kiyotaka stepped into the baths. He slipped in, relaxing.
Kiyotaka: [Ichika is safe. After all, since Pricilla is that type of person, I don't think she'll allow Ichika to get hurt.]
Kiyotaka spread out his arms.
Kiyotaka: [Ichika is here. She's safe. I can see her from time to time at least...]
Kiyotaka smiled slightly.
Kiyotaka: [She's a Spirit Arts User with 6 affinities... looks like her genius birth translates to magic as well.]
Kiyotaka sighed.
Kiyotaka: [I feel a bit more relaxed knowing that she's able to defend herself.]
After a few more minutes soaking, Kiyotaka got up slowly and walked over to the changing area. He then saw his ANHS uniform folded and ready for him.
Kiyotaka: (Ram huh? She sure likes to show me preferential treatment.)
Kiyotaka paused for a second.
Kiyotaka: (Have her feelings reached that level? ... no. It's clear she likes Roswaal, but it seems like I've snuck a spot in her heart...)
Kiyotaka sighed.
Kiyotaka: (A woman who killed me in a previous life, feeling romantic feelings for me. It feels strange, but not bad.)
Kiyotaka got dressed as he stepped out.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
The next day, Kiyotaka walked out into the yard as he began training based on the magic he had read about.
Kiyotaka: [El Dona!]
A few shards of stone appeared around Kiyotaka as he fired them at a target, shredding it into pieces. The rapid-fire type of firing rate Kiyotaka used was similar to an automatic gun from his world.
Kiyotaka: (Emilia likes to spread them out so it's more likely to hit, but for me, it's better to be accurate and hit with more attacks. After all, my brain can handle all the calculations.)
Kiyotaka then lifted his hand into the sky.
Kiyotaka: [Goa!]
A fireball fired into the air.
Kiyotaka: [Well, it looks like that works as well.]
Kiyotaka aimed an attack at another target.
Kiyotaka: [Jiwald!]
Nothing happened.
Kiyotaka: [I'm not capable of using Jiwald... that means my Yang Magic is based on enhancement.]
Kiyotaka sighed.
Kiyotaka: (While I'm disappointed about not being able to use Jiwald, I'm happy that my Yang Magic is capable of enhancement.)
Kiyotaka drew mana into his gate as he imagined the mana similar to adrenaline when he felt his muscles grow significantly stronger.
Kiyotaka: (I feel like I'm 1.5 times stronger, but that doesn't feel right... I see... so Yang Magic is not a multiplier. It gives you additional strength, but it does not double your power. Unless you're weak enough to the point it feels like you're two times stronger.)
Kiyotaka sighed.
Kiyotaka: (However, I didn't use a huge amount of mana, so the effects will likely be even greater if I put more mana into the action, but while I'm using Yang Magic, other magic should not be accessible to me.)
Kiyotaka: [Dona!]
A shard of stone fired with immense speed and power, creating a small crater.
Kiyotaka: [I can use two-fold magic?]
Kiyotaka inwardly smirked.
Kiyotaka: [Gona!]
A stone shard-coated in flames, fired into the air.
Kiyotaka: [Three-fold magic as well.]
That's when Kiyotaka saw smoke in the distance.
Kiyotaka: [What in the world?]
Ram, Rem and Emilia rushed to him.
Ram: [Ayanotaka. Arlam Village is being attacked.]
Kiyotaka: [Attacked?]
Emilia: [We have to evacuate them quickly.]
Rem nodded.
Kiyotaka: (Can't I even have a week of peace to train? And yet again, Roswaal is not here to help us. Just what bad luck is this?)
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To Be Continued
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Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:
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