Geal sprints at full speed until she finds herself in a forest. The dense darkness of the night makes it almost impossible to see. She's extremely agitated.
"Uruta! Where are you?! Shout like you always do! Make as much noise as you can, please!" our heroine pleads. "I ran off without a plan. I have no idea where to look. Which way should I go?" she wonders.
Suddenly, she notices something: a trail of bright white feathers lying on the ground, forming a path. She realizes what it means.
"Those feathers... they're Uruta's!" she thinks, relieved. "He left a trail for me to follow. You're a genius!"
Without hesitation, she takes off at full speed, following the trail her friend left behind, sending clouds of dirt and leaves flying with the gusts she creates.
*
Elsewhere, in a cold, metallic environment, Uruta wakes up, confused and tied to a steel table.
"Where am I? What's going on?" the bird wonders as he slowly opens his eyes.
Around him are countless machines and electronic devices, an array of tools and uncommon gadgets. It's a laboratory, everything around him expensive-looking.
"The last thing I remember is a Royal Mechanic drone capturing me. I left a trail of feathers for Geal to find me. Will she notice?" he thinks.
"Well, well, finally awake, birdbrain!"
A shrill, smug voice echoes. It belongs to a skinny scientist, seemingly young, with severe acne, long hair, round glasses, and a lab coat much too large for him. He cackles in front of the bird.
"Your primitive little brain must be asking itself, 'Who is this spectacular guy standing before me?'" he says, tapping his temple with a finger. "Well, I'm Isaac! One of the brightest minds at Royal Mechanic. Remember that name, birdbrain, because I'm going to be world-famous very, very soon!"
"Why did you capture me? What do you want from me?" Uruta demands.
"Why did I capture you? Oh, please, don't play dumb. You destroyed one of my glorious machines with that strange magical cry of yours," Isaac accuses. "Damaging one of my babies is something I never forgive!"
Isaac walks to his workbench, picks up a handheld circular saw, and puts on a malicious expression. Though, with a face like his, it's hard to take him seriously.
"The boss asked me to study you to see if your power has anything to do with that girl's strange Crystal. So, you've got no choice."
The scientist turns on the saw and brings it closer to one of Uruta's wings. The bird struggles against the straps binding him. He can't enlarge himself; it's as if the table is draining his strength.
"Obviously, a mere birdbrain like you wouldn't understand the brilliant plans of the boss. He's almost as intelligent as I am!" Isaac boasts. "Don't worry; your death will serve the future of science."
As the saw nears him, Uruta struggles harder and harder.
"Let me go! Let me get out of here!" he yells.
"Now that I think of it, you're one of those extinct Spirit Birds, aren't you? I've read about your kind. I'll conduct research on you that'll earn me billions! How lucky am I, ha, ha, ha!"
The bird clenches his beak and shuts his eyes, bracing himself for the pain.
But suddenly, Geal bursts into the lab, punching through the wall. Isaac stops and turns at the sound of destruction. The effects of the potion are still active, and the girl is furious.
The scientist stops and steps back, bewildered.
"What are you doing to my friend?" Geal demands with deadly seriousness.
"You!! It's physically and mathematically impossible for you to be here!" Isaac exclaims, pointing a trembling finger at the girl. "H-How did you get past the security? The base is surrounded by my precious robotic babies!"
"Security? You mean them?"
Geal points outside, where a group of humanoid robots lies on the ground, smoking and destroyed, bearing marks of fists and boot soles. Isaac lets out a muted scream, his eyes bulging from their sockets.
"Impossible! Their programming was powered by the finest AI, their materials top-notch. An ordinary person couldn't defeat them."
"If you don't want the same thing to happen to you, free Uruta. Now." Geal orders, her eyes blazing with anger.
"Ha, ha, ha! An ignorant little villager like you wouldn't understand the magnificence of the man before you," Isaac retorts, placing a dramatic hand on his forehead. "Don't think I'll give up so easily, fool!"
Mechanical arms begin emerging from Isaac's back, sprouting like roots, their metallic fingers menacing. Ten arms surround Geal.
"Did it never occur to you that I've also used my technology on myself? What a backward mind!" Isaac taunts. "With the mechanical implants in my nervous system, I can control any of my machines!"
Various weapons within the lab begin floating, immediately launching themselves at Geal: plasma knives, laser pistols, and other dangerous objects. She dodges as best she can.
"Don't worry, Uruta! I'll take down this freak and get you out of here!" she yells, catching two metal orbs resembling cannonballs with her hands.
"Who are you calling a freak, you brat? I'm a genius!" Isaac screeches, offended.
Isaac sends punches her way using his mechanical arms. Geal blocks, but the rapid barrage pushes her backward. The strikes are light but relentless.
"What's wrong? Is your magic no match for my science? You shouldn't be surprised. After all, we're going to rid this world of magic," Isaac declares. "Embrace technology, Geal!"
"I hate to admit it, but he's too strong," Geal mutters to herself. "Even with the Enhanced Strength Potion active, I can't figure out how to hurt him... Think, Geal! You're great at cheating; put that brain to work!"
After a few seconds, Isaac forces our heroine down to one knee from the constant attacks. Her body is exhausted, not just from the fight but also from recently passing a Chosen One's Trial.
"Already giving up? Pathetic," the scientist scoffs, confident. "Maybe you're worth experimenting on too. A body as strong as yours warrants investigation. Heh, heh, heh," he says, wiggling his fingers disgustingly.
"That's it!" Geal exclaims as an idea strikes her.
Geal rummages through her backpack, searching for something, but before she can pull anything out, the scientist snatches it away with one of his mechanical arms. He flings it against the wall, and its contents spill across the floor, revealing all the trinkets and gadgets our heroine carries with her. The scientist approaches her, confident in his "superiority."
"Listen, killing isn't my style; that's what the blockheaded recruits are for," Isaac clarifies. "But if you don't want to die here, get out and don't come back."
"You're right. I can't do anything against you," Geal says, still kneeling with her gaze lowered.
"Geal, what are you doing?" Uruta asks, confused.
"I admit it, you're a very brilliant scientist. I've never met anyone so amazing. You're smart… and also handsome," Geal murmurs.
She shrugs her shoulders and makes a duck face.
"I barely know you, but I think you're an incredible guy. I-I think I'm in love with you!"
"In love?" Isaac's eyes turn into hearts, and steam puffs out of his ears. "At last, someone recognizes my greatness! Ha, ha, ha!" He slicks his hair back. "You're the first person to acknowledge my virtues. Fine, I'll give you the honor of going on a date with me if that's what you want. What should I call you, darling?"
Isaac leans in closer, his lips puckered grotesquely. Geal instinctively recoils but quickly extends her hand to shake his.
"How disg—! I mean, could you hold my hand first? I've always wanted to hold hands with a guy."
Isaac laughs like a fool, his expression resembling that of a giddy monkey.
"Nyahaha! Of course! Once I'm done with that birdbrain, we'll head somewhere and—"
The scientist wiggles his fingers as he reaches for Geal's hand, a dream of his about to come true. He clasps her palm, and… ZAAAP! A powerful electric shock courses through his entire body.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH—!!"
Isaac collapses, unconscious! All his machines deactivate and crash to the ground, the mechanical devices instantly shorting out.
"Ha! Geeky weirdos are the easiest to fool. Just show them a little affection, and they're putty in your hands," Geal says with a smirk.
"Y-You knocked him out? Wait, how?" Uruta stammers, more confused than ever. Geal reveals her secret to Uruta: a strap with a button embedded in the palm of her glove.
"I rigged a hand buzzer! When he shook my hand, he got a shock," Geal explains, grinning. "Since his body's practically all mechanical, it caused a short circuit. Serves him right for being so arrogant and overconfident!"
"You may be impulsive and reckless, but sometimes you come up with great ideas!"
Now calmer, Geal begins untying Uruta from his restraints. The effects of the Enhanced Strength Potion start to fade.
"Are you hurt?" the girl asks.
"No, you made it just in time. That guy was about to do something crazy," Uruta replies with a faint smile. "But I knew you'd pass the trial and come for me."
"I couldn't just sit still knowing my friend was in danger. I was so worried; I pushed myself to the limit to get through the trial," Geal says, her voice wavering with emotion.
The young woman lowers her eyelids and lets her lips droop. She looks visibly downcast but holds back her tears.
"I was really scared I might lose you. I'm so glad you're okay."
Now free from the restraints, Geal gives her feathered friend a tight hug.
"Love ya! you dummy!" she says, her voice a mix of relief and affection.
*
Outside the lab, there isn't a soul in the forest besides Geal and her friend. A ray of sunlight briefly blinds them, signaling that dawn is breaking. Suddenly, Bredgy arrives at the scene, completely out of breath. She stops to catch her breath.
"Bredgy! How did you get here?" Geal asks, genuinely surprised.
"I saw when Uruta was abducted," Bredgy admits, still panting. "I passed the trial and came as soon as I could, but it looks like everything's already sorted out."
"I can't tell them I put a tracker on them," she thinks to herself.
Our heroine walks toward Bredgy, her arms limp and weary. Geal smiles at her, but her eyes are noticeably heavy with exhaustion.
"We did it, Bredgy. We beat Royal Mechanic again… we also passed the trial… now we can res—"
Just like that, Geal closes her eyes and collapses into Bredgy's arms. Startled, Bredgy catches her before she falls. Geal has fallen asleep. She snores contentedly, cradled in her friend's arms.
"Huh? What happened?" Bredgy asks.
"It's the side effect of the Strength Potion," Uruta explains. "She needs to sleep for a whole day to recover the energy she burned. Her body's at its limit."
Geal smiles faintly as she snuggles into Bredgy's arms. The latter can't help but smile softly.
"I don't know why, but… maybe being around her isn't so bad after all," Bredgy thinks.