Chapter 6 - Chapter 06 - The Awakening of a New Power (2/2)

Louise stared at Saito in surprise, an uncontained joy lighting up her face. Her heart pounded as she realized that Saito truly possessed magic—not just any magic, but something unique and incredible. A power that no one else in the world seemed to have. 'This alone could pave the way for us to be together... if that's what he wants.' The thought struck her like lightning, but it was quickly followed by a flicker of insecurity. 'Does he really like me? Just the way I am? And this magic… could it drive him away from me? He could choose any girl he wanted... and there will definitely be girls throwing themselves at him once they find out.' The idea irritated her deeply, tightening her chest with a mix of anxiety and jealousy.She sighed discreetly, trying to push the doubts away. She liked Saito—that was a fact. But she also knew she couldn't let herself be carried away by impulsive emotions. There was the entire political weight of her family, the traditions of nobility, the expectations she carried. None of that could be ignored. Even so, the image of Saito, focused and determined, made all those worries seem insignificant.'I really need to teach him about Tristain's customs. If he learns how to court me properly, I can show my father that he's a better suitor than my current fiancé... and at the same time, keep other girls away without looking like a jealous lunatic...'While Louise was lost in thought, Saito continued his solitary exploration of magic. He sat cross-legged on the floor, in a meditative position. His eyes were closed, his breathing steady. Without the magical fusion with Louise, he tried to better understand the essence of his power, feeling the energy flow within him. The first thing he noticed was the real limitation of his magic.The resonance of their magic together had temporarily expanded his limits, allowing him to create blades of impressive complexity, as if his energy were being amplified by an external force. However, now that he was alone, the sensation was different. The weight of his actual limitations fell upon him like an inescapable burden. His magic felt slower, less fluid, and creating swords required much more effort. He would need to get used to this condition and learn to work within his limits if he truly wanted to master his power.The core of his magic was sword creation—but not just ordinary swords. Sword Birth allowed him to forge blades from his own energy, granting them special properties, shaping them according to his will and imagination. He could create a sword of ice, a blade wreathed in flames, or even a weapon that inflicted pain without leaving a single wound. But at the same time, he felt the weight of this power.Each sword didn't simply materialize from nothing. There was a cost. The energy drained from his body was proportional to the complexity of the weapon he created. A simple blade didn't demand much, but if he tried to forge something extremely powerful, he could feel his strength being sucked away at an alarming rate. That meant that despite its potential, he still had to learn how to balance his creations, understand his limits, and develop a strategy for using them.He opened his eyes and looked at his hands. In them, a black metal sword slowly materialized. The blade was dull, as if absorbing the light around it. Saito felt the weapon's weight in his palm, sensing it as an extension of himself. A determined expression settled on his face. This was his magic. This was his path.Wanting to push his ability further, he decided to test a new idea. He created a sword with the power to absorb magic, but the moment he infused it with that property, he felt his own energy being violently drained, as if it were being swallowed by a bottomless void. His vision darkened for a moment, and he immediately dismissed the creation."That... was dangerous," he muttered to himself, breathing heavily. He tucked the idea away for later, knowing he needed to grow stronger before attempting something like that again.Louise had been watching everything, fascinated. The Saito she knew wasn't just some talentless commoner like many people thought… like she herself had thought for a time. He was so much more than that. And somehow, she knew he would only continue to grow stronger. Her heart warmed at the thought, but, as always, she quickly hid her emotions behind a timid expression."Saito... are you okay?" Her voice held concern as she noticed the strain on his face, but there was a soft sweetness to her tone.He smiled faintly, not dispelling the sword. "Yeah, I'm just getting a better grasp of what I can do. I think I still have a lot to learn."She nodded, looking away for a brief moment. "Then don't overdo it. I don't want you getting hurt... idiot."He chuckled softly. Louise always had a way of hiding what she really felt. But he could see it. He could feel it.With a spark of curiosity, Saito thrust the sword into the air, as if trying to store it somewhere. The blade vanished into an invisible rift, as if it had been placed inside some hidden space.Derflinger, his talking sword companion, vibrated slightly on his back, as if shuddering at the thought of that place. "Kid, I'm never going back there, no way."The sword had once described the storage space as a vast, barren desert, filled with colossal spinning gears in the distance. A realm of ruins, where thousands—perhaps countless—blades were embedded in the ground like grave markers in a forgotten cemetery. And yet, each one remained pristine, waiting for the moment they would be wielded once more.Saito closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the enormity of this newfound power. There was still so much to learn, so much to explore. But for the first time since arriving in this world, he felt like he was truly walking his own path....After finishing their magic practice, Louise felt exhaustion weighing on her. She let out a soft sigh and glanced at Saito, her face taking on a slightly embarrassed expression before she quickly looked away."Saito… go to the kitchen and bring something to replenish our energy," she said, trying to sound firm, but her tone carried a hint of concern.Saito noticed the care in her words, even though she tried to hide it. A small smile formed on his lips. "Got it. I'll bring something back quickly," he replied before heading off.As he walked through the academy's corridors toward the kitchen, the young swordsman took a moment to enjoy the gentle breeze flowing in through the open windows. The afternoon was pleasant, and he felt satisfied after training with Louise. However, his peace was suddenly interrupted as he neared the kitchen entrance.Just outside the doorway, he spotted Siesta rushing out. Her face was filled with sorrow, her eyes glistening as if she were holding back tears. Her steps were hesitant, as if she were lost in dark thoughts. She passed by him without even noticing his presence.Saito frowned. He had intended to greet her, maybe even crack a joke to lighten the mood, but seeing her so distraught instantly made him reconsider. His chest tightened at the realization that something was very wrong."What could've made her so upset?" he wondered, a growing unease settling inside him.It didn't take long for him to get a clue. Voices coming from inside the kitchen caught his attention. The conversation sounded casual, but there was a heavy undertone that made him furrow his brow even deeper. Moving silently, he approached the door and leaned against it, carefully listening."I heard Count Mott requested that one of the academy's maids be sent to work at his mansion," one of the cooks muttered, his voice laced with irritation."Yeah, he went straight to the academy administration. He's got his eyes on our Siesta. Looks like he wants to make her his mistress," another cook added, anger clear in his tone. They sounded powerless to do anything about it.A surge of fury swelled inside Saito as he heard those words. His fists clenched involuntarily. He didn't know much about Count Mott, but he had heard enough to understand that the man was a despicable noble who used his status to get whatever he wanted. The mere thought of Siesta being forced into something against her will made his blood boil.He had grown fond of Siesta. There was something about her that brought him a sense of familiarity and comfort, like he was standing before someone dear to him. Maybe it was because, in a way, she reminded him of his younger sister—the one he had left behind in his world.Taking a deep breath, Saito tried to contain his rage. He couldn't lose control now. If he revealed that he had overheard the conversation, he might alert the wrong people and make it harder to stop this from happening.Steeling himself, he pushed open the kitchen door and walked in as if nothing was wrong. He strolled over to one of the counters, grabbed a glass of cool water, and picked up some fruit. The cooks continued talking, unaware that Saito had heard everything. With a casual nod, he turned and left the kitchen, carrying not just the food, but also a growing resolve to protect Siesta from the fate that awaited her.Back in the courtyard, Saito found Louise waiting for him beneath the shade of a large tree. She watched him with a slightly impatient look, but her expression softened when she noticed that something seemed off about him."You took your time," she muttered, crossing her arms. "What happened?"Saito hesitated for a moment but decided not to tell her what he had heard. Not yet. Forcing a small smile, he sat down beside her and handed her one of the fruits."Nothing much. The kitchen was just a bit noisy. I'll tell you later," he replied.Louise narrowed her eyes, as if unconvinced, but she didn't press the issue. Instead, she took the fruit and took a small bite. The silence between them was a comfortable one as they enjoyed the cool shade of the tree.But in Saito's mind, one thought remained constant: he would not let Siesta be handed over to Count Mott....In the dimly lit room, illuminated by the gentle glow of candlelight, Saito decided it was time to talk to Louise about Siesta. The day had been exhausting, and he knew he couldn't simply ignore what he had overheard in the kitchen. The room carried a pleasant scent of lavender, wafting from the impeccably arranged sheets on Louise's luxurious bed. The finely carved wooden furniture had a refined finish, and the velvet curtains swayed softly with the night breeze filtering through the slightly open window.As Louise stepped out of the bathroom, her damp pink hair fell in tousled waves over her shoulders. Her nightgown, made of fine white fabric, highlighted her fair skin, and her small steps on the plush carpet were almost inaudible. Saito watched her for a moment, her face softly illuminated by the flickering fire in the hearth."Louise, we need to talk," he said, his voice firm yet gentle.She raised an eyebrow, sitting across from him at the small polished wooden table. Her pink eyes studied him with suspicion. "What is it now? Why do you look so serious?"Saito took a deep breath before continuing. "I need to ask you a favor. I want you to take Siesta as your personal maid."Louise's eyes widened in surprise. "What?! Why would you want that?" There was a faint hint of jealousy in her voice, and a light blush dusted her cheeks.Saito noticed but remained resolute. "In my world, things like this don't happen anymore. Slavery and forced servitude were abolished a long time ago. Count Mott is trying to take Siesta as his mistress against her will, and I can't just stand by and let it happen."Louise crossed her arms, her expression shifting between irritation and doubt. "But she's a commoner, Saito. This is normal here. Nobles, even if they don't do it all the time, have that right."He frowned, his intense green eyes locking onto hers. "Forget about nobles and commoners for a moment. Think about this as a woman, Louise. How would you feel if you were forced to serve some noble against your will?"Louise hesitated. She bit her lower lip, clearly uncomfortable with the question. The firelight reflected in her eyes, making her expression even more vulnerable. Her rigid posture softened slightly."Besides," Saito continued, seizing the moment, "Siesta reminds me of my younger sister. I can't just turn my back on her."Louise let out a deep sigh. She averted her gaze, her fingers lightly playing with the hem of her nightgown. After a moment, she relented. "Fine... I'll do it. But I'll have to speak with my father first to arrange her payment."Saito's face lit up with a sincere smile. "Really? Thank you, Louise!" Without thinking twice, he pulled her into a tight hug.Louise turned completely red, her face burning from the unexpected contact. "I-Idiot! Don't think I'm doing this just for you! This won't be for free!" She quickly pulled away, trying to regain her composure. "In return, you'll have to learn about Tristain's customs and culture! If you want to stay here, you need to understand our world properly!"Saito chuckled, still holding her shoulders gently. "Deal!"Louise huffed but couldn't hide the small, satisfied smile on her lips. The rosy tint on her cheeks lingered as she stood up and walked toward her bed.In the end, they both went to sleep feeling relieved, knowing they had solved yet another problem together.