『Miguel: Good morning, my lord. 』
『Alberto: It seems the boy is improving a lot, isn't that right, Miguel? 』
『Miguel: That's right, my lord. I observe his progress with the sword closely every day, and I can confidently say that this boy has great potential. 』
However, Neizan was not paying attention to either Miguel or the marquis. His gaze had shifted to one of the men accompanying Alberto, and he couldn't help but frown.
『Neizan: 「What on earth is he wearing?」 Who is that? A clown? 』
His attention was completely focused on an individual dressed in an extravagant suit, full of bright and striking colors, with a long cape cascading down his back.
Alberto let out a soft chuckle upon hearing Neizan's comment.
『Alberto: No, not exactly. As you know, to finalize our contract, I had to bring this mage. 』
The man, clearly amused by Neizan's words, smiled before speaking.
『Mage: Allow me to apologize and introduce myself. My name is Sergio Gómez González, and I am a mid-level mage. 』
『Neizan: So, you are the one in charge of the contract. 』
『Sergio: Yes, you are correct. 』
『Arthur: Wait a moment... 』
Arthur interrupted while listening to the man's explanations. His eyes focused on the last person they didn't yet know: a beautiful girl with short blue hair and black eyes.
『Arthur: Meilia? 』
She was wearing a black and white maid's outfit that sparkled dazzlingly under the sunlight. At first, they hadn't noticed her presence since the girl used to have long hair. Furthermore, the makeup and the impressive work done on her haircut and clothing made her look completely different.
『Alberto: Surprise! 』
『Neizan: Huh? 』
The noble's words confirmed the identity of the person.
『Alberto: She volunteered. We brought her here yesterday and prepared her to work in this mansion. 』
『Arthur: ...I didn't expect that. 』
『Alberto: I told her to take charge of whatever you need, so I came here to inform you in person. See you later in the dining room. 』
After this encounter, the noble went back into the mansion, accompanied by the other guards and the mage. Now, only Meilia and Arthur remained, sitting in a corner where they could watch Neizan continue his training.
The two young people stayed silent, maintaining a certain distance between them and avoiding any conversation.
『Arthur: So... how have you been? 』
Arthur tried to break the ice, glancing at the girl with a hint of shyness.
Meilia, with a serious expression, was looking straight ahead. However, upon hearing his words, she slightly shifted her gaze toward him. She didn't look at him fully, just cast a quick glance before returning to her previous focus.
『Meilia: ... I'm fine. 』
She averted her gaze and looked away uncomfortably, likely due to the maid's outfit she was wearing.
『Arthur: I'm glad you accepted and are here now. 』
He smiles warmly, trying to ease her tension.
『Meilia: I never want to go back there again. That's all. 』
Her voice trembles slightly, and she clenches her fists on her lap.
『Arthur: Well, I don't think you had many other options, did you? 』
He raises an eyebrow, attempting to make a joke to break the ice.
『Meilia: ...I also want to see my sister again. 』
Her eyes soften, and a spark of hope flickers in her expression.
『Arthur: Now you will be able to. Don't worry about that. 』
『Meilia: Mph. Of course. 』
She tries to smile, but her lips curve uncertainly.
『Arthur: ...Don't you think it's amazing? 』
『Meilia: ¿...? 』
Confusion crosses her face, her eyebrows furrowing.
『Arthur: If it weren't for Neizan, we wouldn't be here right now.』
His gaze becomes reflective, filled with gratitude.
『Meilia: What is he doing now? 』
『Arthur: He's being trained by that knight every morning. 』
『Meilia: ...Do you really think he has a chance of winning? 』
『Arthur: I used to think he never should have accepted to participate in that coliseum, but... I'm growing more hopeful that he can do it. 』
『Meilia: It seems like it's over now. 』
She looks towards the field, where the fighters are sheathing their wooden swords. After both fighters sheathed their wooden swords again, Neizan headed toward where Arthur and Meilia were sitting, while the knight walked away in the direction of the mansion. They were in a garden, sitting on a bench by a water fountain, where birds could sometimes be seen perching to drink.
『Neizan: I still can't believe I'm seeing you. 』
The boy first looked at Arthur and then turned to the girl beside him, breaking into a smile.
『Meilia: If you don't want anything, I'll wait for you inside... 』
『Neizan: Sure. Go prepare something good to eat for me, haha! 』
The girl got up from her seat and left, letting Neizan's laughter linger in the air.
『Arthur: Hey, Neizan. 』
『Neizan: You're not upset about that, are you? 』
He asked with a teasing smile while Arthur looked at him somewhat seriously.
『Arthur: It's not that. I just think you should be a little nicer to her. I have something in mind. 』
『Neizan: Well, then tell me. 』
『Arthur: As I told you, once established, contracts can't be undone without the help of the same mage who summoned them. We could ask her if she can be the one to annul the contract with Alberto instead of the mage he called. 』
『Neizan: I don't see what difference that would make. 』
『Arthur: You have to understand that the terms of the contract, if broken, can turn into a deadly curse against the traitor. That man might plan to dispose of you once you're no longer useful to him. 』
『Neizan: We all came to an agreement. Why do you keep suspecting? Besides, you don't even know if she can do it or if Alberto will allow her to be the intermediary of the contract. 』
『Arthur: I know. That's why we need to ask her, so don't act like a fool around her. It's in our best interest to get along and make allies. If something goes wrong, we'll have more chances to move forward. 』
『Neizan: You're right, but for me, it's just as hard to trust someone who has already betrayed us as it is to trust someone who only uses us out of convenience until they no longer need us. In any case, I don't trust either of them. 』
『Arthur: Things have changed since that day, and I'd rather trust someone we know better and who doesn't hide their intentions. 』
『Neizan: Do whatever you want, but don't involve me in this. You talk to the marquis and his mage, and tell them now that you don't trust them. 』
『Arthur: If you don't help me, the only thing I'll achieve is that they'll want to get rid of me. 』
『Neizan: Tsk... Fine. 』
『Arthur: ...Well... Then let's lay all the cards on the table. 』