(Jeanne's POV)
I nervously made my way to Master's room. The undead lord could manage the construction and there was no need to worry about the kids, so I had some free time. I planned on using this time to serve my master, but I was much more distraught than usual.
I knew that he wouldn't throw me away, and I was sure that I wouldn't betray him, with the skill I obtained as proof of those feelings. However, I couldn't be satisfied with that. It was obvious that more would join his banner in the future, so if I didn't keep working harder I would inevitably be buried among his followers. In fact, I was already imagining such a situation.
On the night that we were attacked, I was able to protect Lily and Kaili, which allowed Kaili to summon the Wind Spirit King and save us. It was definitely a blessing in disguise, but that was just an excuse. I couldn't defeat the invaders, I couldn't protect the castle and I exposed the kids to danger. Master may have forgiven me, but if I hadn't at least protected those two then I wouldn't have the face to see him again.
I knew that I was objectively strong, but when I witnessed how easily the Wind Spirit King dispatched the black beast and the fights Master had with Alma and Kaili, I couldn't trust my own strength. Even so, I had other talents. If I could stay by his side then I could serve him and be a shield in case he needs to escape. No matter what it took, I would prove myself worthy of his trust.
When I entered my master's room, I found him in the middle of several piles of opened books and scrolls. In my eyes, he was the strongest, but I always admired the way he kept trying to surpass himself. With admiration and hope in my chest, I asked if I could help him, but he denied me. I knew not to overthink it, but my mind quickly went to the worse case scenario.
'Was it a lie? Is he still upset with me?'
I didn't want to question his intentions, but once I was stopped from getting a chance to feel useful to him, I panicked.
"Really?" I asked in a shaky tone.
He finally lifted his head and looked at me, but I couldn't help being ashamed that I became a distraction instead of an aid.
"I-I'm sorry. I should go-"
"Wait."
I took a step back, but froze in place when he said, 'wait'. He pointed at the seat across from him and so I meekly sat in it. I fiddled with my fingers as I thought about how rude it was for me to barge in and distract him, but it would be even more insolent if I rushed to give excuses.
Soon after I sat down, he closed the book in front of him and rested his chin on his hand. It was a simple motion, and yet still one that made my heart skip a beat.
However, I grew tense once he began speaking telepathically.
"Jeanne, I wanted you to tell me yourself, but since it's reached this stage I'll have to push you. You seem to be worried about something lately, what is it?"
"That's... I can't trouble Master with my trivial-"
"Jeanne, I want you to tell me what's wrong. Your master is asking."
I didn't want to expose this petty side of myself, but as if he was seeing through me, Master indirectly forced me to answer.
I objectively looked at my feelings and dug into them, until I found the core of my problems as well as the solution.
"Master, I want to get stronger."
With a steady expression as if he had seen it coming, Master went straight for the bullseye.
"Is it because you couldn't defeat that intruder and had to rely on Kaili?"
I wasn't even surprised that he had realized my thoughts. I felt bare before those gem-like magenta eyes, but at the same time I also felt comfort.
"That's right."
"But that wouldn't have been possible without your new magic. Besides, that was a matter of affinity, even with a grimoire and a spirit king, you can still beat her."
"I know that, but I don't know for how long that'll be true. I still remember how glad I was when you chose me to be your aide, and I plan to be by your side till this life ends, but I can't be complacent. As you continue your path there will surely be more who fall under your banner, some as talented or maybe more than Kaili. Therefore, I have to get stronger so that I can stay ahead of them. Otherwise, even if you don't dismiss me as your aide, I won't be able forgive myself for taking advantage of that kindness."
Once I poured my heart out, I stopped feeling nervous as I faced Master. I looked into his charming eyes and waited in anticipation for his next words. But before those words, I saw a special smile on his face, one that I had seen him show to Kaili on a previous occasion. He seemed to be satisfied by my response, and compared me to my past self. He nodded in approval, and from his eyes I could tell that he was, proud of me.
"That's an interesting answer. Naturally, I would be glad if you could achieve greater heights, but surely you understand that it takes time to build strength."
I shook my head to wake up from my stupefaction, before replying.
"I know. I only wish for you to lead me in the right direction."
I knew it wouldn't be simple and easy, but I had faith that he would come up with something that had slipped my mind.
And just like I thought, after staring at each other for a several seconds, Master gave me excitement.
"I suppose there is something I could I teach you."
Master then got up and came towards me. My heart raced as he got closer, and my nose became more familiar with his scent. My throat felt dry, but I stopped myself from imagining anything inappropriate. However, my restraint was barely effective when he held my hands.
"Um, Master?"
I knew that he had a proper goal in mind, but my face felt hot as I experienced his warmth.
While I was frantic on the inside, he said, "Close your eyes and focus. I want you to create a hollow sphere with your barrier magic."
"O-okay."
I was a little disappoint, but I couldn't let that show! I quickly cleared my head of bashful thoughts and concentrated on feeling the flow of mana. Unlike with other magic, I had to fuse myself with the flow of mana in order to borrow its power. I used my own magical power to form the framework of the sphere, and then led the mana to fill it. Not long after, I could feel a small ball between my palms.
"Good. Now follow my lead."
I nodded and focused on the way Master controlled the mana. Following his lead as I sensed the activation of light magic, I made a ball of light in the sphere. Then, sensing the activation of dark magic, I made a ball of darkness in the sphere. At this point I thought I already knew what Master would make me do next, but I couldn't predict the result. When I tried to forcefully fuse the two orbs together, I heard a sharp sound of dissonance like the screaming of a mandrake.
"What is-"
"Hold it in!" Master shouted.
I hastily strengthened the barrier in response, but even when it surpassed the durability that I used to defend against the black beast, I could still feel cracks forming. I didn't want to imagine the destruction that would result from it breaking out of the barrier, so I poured everything I had into sealing it in. Even then I didn't think I would last long, but luckily the blast ended after a short period.
[Conditions have been met. Preliminary access to skill Chaos has been granted.]
[Chaos (Special)
The power to control opposing energies.
Restricted.]
Before I breathed a sigh of relief, I was made speechless by this notification. I looked up at Master who had a faint shine on his forehead with confusion.
"Master, this..."
"Looks like it succeeded. As I thought, you should be able to master it. But be careful, until you master it you shouldn't use this power carelessly."
***
While I looked at Jeanne still in shock after witnessing the power of the technique I taught her, I secretly treated the injury I got from the backlash. Thanks to the tens of simulations I ran in Laplace space, I was able to find the ideal route to solving her worries, but I couldn't find a route that didn't have me enduring this pain before I lost focus.
Knowing her, she would probably think that I was far ahead of her in terms of magic, but now that I had taught her how to use Chaos, her power was slightly above mine. After all, despite getting the chance to look at it closely, I couldn't use barrier magic so I would always have to restrict the power of Chaos lest I get blown away by it.
Similar to my enhanced nature magic, it was a magic that could only be used because her race made it easier for her to synchronise with the natural mana. I didn't know if it was the same case with the previous user of barrier magic, but it wasn't a magic that studying alone could allow you to use. Maybe I would find a way to use it with Laplace, but there was something fundamental lacking so I doubted it.
'Hopefully this satisfies her for now. Now that I've taught her how to use Chaos, I should come up with a different trump card. After all, this relationship will only last for another ninety years or so. I can't wring her dry like the guys in my old world.'