03x04 - A King-Class Water Mage

[bunniefuu]

Y'know, you were the last guy
I figured would bite the dust.

It still doesn't feel real.

He died shielding his son.
He must be satisfied.

You've got that right!

But with Zenith in the state she's in?

Better that than dead.

Yes. Zenith must be happy, too,
surrounded by family.

And she has a son she can count on.

Speak of the devil.

Hey there, you two!

Good morning to you all.

You're leaving today, then?

What's the matter, boss? Miss me already?

Of course not.

Well, it looks like things have settled
down at your place, so it's time to go.

We stayed longer than Paul
deserved, if anything.

Vierra and Shierra are long gone.

You won't be attending my wedding, then?

Ha! Who wants to celebrate
a lecherous elf?

What did you call me?!

Stop, both of you! This isn't the time!

I see some things never change.

Oh, right. Boss.

I almost forgot.

What's this?

Your share of the loot from
the Teleporter Labyrinth.

Wait. This is way too much.

Paul's share's in there, too.

Plus a little something from us.

Geese...

I told you, I'm fine with "new guy."

You've got more mouths to feed now, right?

Don't hold back. Just take it.

And take good care of your family.

I will!

Mr. Greyrat. Thank you for the other day.

Please give my best to little Aisha.

Thank you. I'll be sure to.



Oh, Big Brother.

Welcome home.

Good to be home.

Did Sylphie already go out?

She went to work right after you left.

Oh.

Come to think of it,
I don't bring in any money now, do I?

How does it look for a husband to
be unemployed when his wives work?

Aisha, when did Mom start doing that?

Huh? Oh, a while back.

My mom stopped her at first,
but she helps me when I'm gardening.

Lady Zenith is better at it than I am.

Huh...

Roxy, how many times are you
going to make this mistake?!

Zenith took good care of the
plants in our yard back in Buena.

{\an8}I know you can put it right, but
won't you stop to think how I feel?

Maybe that has something to
do with how she's acting now.

{\an8}In the first place, do you really need
to use trees for target practice?

Anyway, it might bring her memories
back, so I'd better leave her to it.

By the way, Aisha,

you know you can call my mom "Mom," right?

Nope. My mom says to call
Lady Zenith "her ladyship."

Lilia does? Talk about strict.

Well, why argue?

What we call each other doesn't
matter, as long as we're family.

Besides, gardening together,
they look just like mother and daughter.

Oh, Big Brother,

you have today off, right?

Yeah.

In that case,

come by my room later!

Lucie-pie, Daddy's here.

Bla-bla-blaargh!

I just can't get her to laugh for me.

She reminds me of you
when you were little.

His lordship often struggled to
make you laugh, just like that.

Did he really?

I guess maybe that did happen.

What could that be?

I'll go see.

Nothing wrong in Aisha's room.

Who's there?!

A treant?

Why didn't you say something sooner?

I was going to!

But you were so busy that
I thought it could wait!

Then you found it before I could tell you!

Treants are the most common
monsters in this world.

You could say they're like
slimes in a certain RPG.

But...

Has it always been this active?

No. It didn't move at all at first.

Meaning something caused
it to turn into a monster.

Have you done anything unusual with it?

Hm... I don't think so.

Oh, but I do give it leftover
bathwater sometimes.

Bathwater with Sylphie's and
Aisha's sweat mixed in?!

Of course! It makes sense that it
sprouted gropey tentacles, then.

Like hell it does!

Well, whatever the cause, we'd better
get rid of it. Burn it or something.

What?! But I worked so hard to grow it!

What do you want to burn it for?!

Aisha, this is a treant. A monster.

But it's so small and cute!

It may attack people when it
gets bigger. It's dangerous.

I'll train it so it won't hurt anyone!

Please, Big Brother?

Can't I keep it?

Act as cute as you like,
but the answer is no.

But it hasn't done anything wrong.

And it listens to me. Watch!

Shake.

See?

Are you sure I can't keep it?

I'm sure.

Fine.

If you really won't let me,
I know just what I'll do.

I'll tell Sylphie and
Roxy about you-know-what.

What do you mean?

The secret room in the basement!

What?!

Don't tell me she means the altar?!

A-Aisha, I'm only thinking of your safety—

No freakiness you get up to will faze me,

but what will Sylphie and Roxy think?

Especially Roxy. How will she like you
putting her old undies on a pedestal?

How could she?!

Here I am, thinking of her safety,
and she blackmails me?!

Oh, damn it! What should I do?!

What's my best move here?!

Oh, goddess!

Um...

I heard my name.

Wh-What are you doing here?
What about school?

I forgot something at home.

Listen, Roxy,

my brother has your—

A treant?

Th-That's right, Roxy!

Aisha is saying she wants to raise it!

But that's too risky.
I mean, it's a monster.

Won't you tell her that
it's a bad idea, too?

I don't see a problem.

Treants take to people
if you raise them right,

and I doubt it could harm
anyone at this size.

Y-You really think so?

I do.

The Migurd raise them to keep
birds out of our fields.

Oh, yeah. Now that she mentions it...

Aisha,

your brother was wrong.

It's okay. I know you
were just worried for me.

Yes, of course I was.

So, I won't mention you-know-what.

You're the best!

What brought this on?

And so, the treant became
our latest family pet.

It's name is Byt.

Still, I can't believe
she found the altar.

It really doesn't pay
to forget about maids.

Whoa!

So, it can nullify barriers
as well as ordinary spells.

No wonder this crystal is legendary.

Yes. We ought to study it in more detail.

Yeah.

The technical name for the hydra scales
I got from Geese is "absorptive manatite."

Through experiments,

we learned that it instantly breaks
down things made of mana.

That's a hell of a power,
and it was a hell of an enemy.

How about we call it here for today?

Couldn't we keep going a bit longer?

I wouldn't mind, but what's the rush?

I mean, it's not really urgent.

Just...

Danger may threaten my
family again someday.

I figure it's better to do everything
I can now to prepare.

I don't want to lose anyone ever again.

Rudeus?

Master!

Forgive my t*rd!

Zanoba Shirone has now arrived!

Arrived!

Arrived way too late.

We told you we were experimenting
with the absorptive manatite today.

Oh, you know. I grew so engrossed in
my research, I lost track of the time.

Studying that automaton?

How is that going?

As to that, I disassembled
its inner workings

and discovered a large
mana crystal at its core!

{\an8}O-Okay, just calm down.

{\an8}I assumed it was a single stone,

Grand Master.

I made this.

{\an8}but on further inspection,

{\an8}I found it to be made of many smaller
crystals inscribed with magic circles!

G-Great.

{\an8}This discovery could turn
accepted wisdom on its head!

What do you make of the
fruits of Julie's training?!

I may be biased, Master, but I believe
it equals your own handiwork!

Yes, it's well made.

You think so as well, then?!

Master!

That's wonderful, Julie!

Persisting in your daily
training has paid off!

{\an8}Is it really that impressive?

Right. There's no need to rush.

{\an8}As of this moment, it is assuredly
Julie's greatest masterpiece!

I just need to keep chipping
away, one stroke at a time.

{\an8}Yeah? Now I'm curious to see
her other works sometime.

{\an8}Of course! We'd love you to see them!

Alongside everybody else.

How about dinner at my place after this?

Truly?! We wouldn't be intruding?

Of course. I've been wanting
to introduce you to Lucie.

In that case, permit us to
take you up on your offer.

Thank you very much, Grand Master.

Julie, be on your best behavior.

Yes, Master!

You don't want to do more tests?

No. At least, not today.

Would you mind helping again
tomorrow, and in future?

No problem. I'm your man!

Thank you very much.

Okay. I'm making progress studying
manatite and clearing the Sperd name.

I'm getting along great with my family.

Everything's coming up roses.

Which means...

it might finally be time to
move on to the next step.

You don't mind, do you?

{\an8}No, I don't think—

Pretty please?

Just once. One time is enough for me.

{\an8}Hey.

Please think it over.

I'm sure we'll both
get something out of it.

I know you might not like the idea now,

but I'm sure it will be better
for both of us in the long run.

Please say yes. I'm begging you.

{\an8}B-But still...

This is the student council!

Lord Luke!

{\an8}It's Silent Fitz!

{\an8}Fitz sure has gotten cuter lately.

Lord Luke, you're always so dashing!

{\an8}Look over here!

{\an8}We received a report that you, Rudeus,
were assaulting a female student.

Fitz, you take it from here.

Right.

Clear out. Nothing to see here.

A "female student," huh?

You can't blame them.

Word that you're a teacher
probably hasn't gotten around yet.

Listen, Rudy,

I know you're married,
but that's no excuse to force her.

Sometimes girls just aren't in the mood.

Huh?

Yes, of course. I know that.

I mean, maybe Roxy is better,
but you do have me, too, so...

Don't tell me...

Oh, Sylphie! You're jealous!

I w-wouldn't go quite that far.

You have nothing to worry about, Sylphie.

Of course I would never
leave you out in the cold.

Huh? But—

You mean, all three of us?

You bet.

We'll get Roxy to teach us both at once.

I haven't agreed to anything yet!

Don't be like that.

Sylphie, you want to learn, too, right?

Um... Sorry, Rudy.
What are you talking about?

I asked Roxy to teach us
king-class water magic.

Matsukaze is a nice horse.

He's obedient, docile, and strong, too.

You're right about that.

Horses like him are hard to find.

Do you know a lot about horses?

No, not really.

But I have seen some of the best
horses in the Asuran royal palace.

The ones knight commanders
and people like that ride.

They must have been impressive.

Oh, excuse me.

You're impressive, too, of course.

After all, you are the
Greyrat family horse.

Do you remember Caravaggio, Master?

Yes. Paul's horse.
That brings back memories.

We rode out on horseback that time, too.

Wait, which time?

This was back when I was Rudy's tutor.

I guess I hadn't met you yet then, had I?

Oh, right.

Come to think of it, this area
does remind me a little of Buena.

Now that you mention it...

You may be right.

It's been an awfully long time since then.

Now that I've agreed to teach you,
I'm going to do it properly.

Are you ready?

Yes.

Go ahead.

I'm going to cast the king-class
water spell Lightning on that tree.

Watch closely.

Right.

Well then, I'll begin.

Grand spirit of water and imperial prince
of lightning who ascends the heavens,

grant my wish and bring
about a savage blessing.

Display your might to
insignificant beings!

Strike awe with a blow of your
divine hammer on the anvil,

and cover the land in water!

{\an8}Ah, Rain! Sweep all else
away and expel everything!

Hang on.

Isn't this Cumulonimbus?

Grand spirit of light and emperor
of lightning who rules the heavens,

No, it's different.

can you see the one who
stands tall, towering?!

See Your Majesty's haughty foe?!

I am one who would smite that
foe with a divine blade!

Bring your radiant might to bear

and display your imperial majesty!

Lightning!

Whoa!

Are you all right?

I'm so glad it worked.

Once is the limit with my mana,
even using a wand.

Anyway, did you see?

Yes, Master.

Do you think you can cast it?

I'll try!

Grand spirit of water and imperial prince
of lightning who ascends the heavens,

grant my wish and bring
about a savage blessing.

Display your might to
insignificant beings.

{\an8}Wow...

Strike awe with a blow of your
divine hammer on the anvil,

and cover the land in water!

Ah, Rain! Sweep all else
away and expel everything!

Grand spirit of light and emperor
of lightning who rules the heavens,

can you see the one who
stands tall, towering?!

See Your Majesty's haughty foe?!

I am one who would smite that
foe with a divine blade!

Bring your radiant might to bear
and display your imperial majesty!

Lightning!

Now you're a king-class
water mage, too, Rudy.

It's kind of frustrating.

How come I'm the only one
who couldn't get it to work?

Even I fail one time in five.

Rudy did it on his first try.
He really is something.

True. I thought he might,

but seeing him make it look
easy still stings a little.

It's beautiful.

Yeah, it sure is.

Lately, I find myself wondering
if maybe I'm dreaming.

Dreaming?

Yes.

Maybe I'm still in that labyrinth,

having a happy dream
on the verge of death.

My life has gotten a lot nicer
over the past six months.

I was able to get married
and become a teacher, too.

You may see me as an interloper, Sylphie,

but I'm glad that the three of us
are able to ride together like this.

You're not an "interloper."

I'm glad to make friends with you, too.

Especially since, if we fought
over Rudy, I'd probably lose.

In my case, I got lucky.

I met Rudy again when he was in a
bad place, and I managed to help him.

He would never have given me
a second glance otherwise.

I'm pretty sure you're wrong about that.

I'm the lucky one.

I could never have gone outside
without Roxy to lead the way.

I only have this happy life
because Sylphie forgave me.

Any promise I make to cherish them
will probably come off as empty words.

So, I'll let my actions speak for me.

To protect them. To protect my family.