Chapter Ninety-Five: Sharpening Resolve – Part Four

    I’d been lying in bed for an hour with an overactive and anxious mind.

    I turned to the left. Primrose hugged me from behind—she usually did that when I struggled to fall asleep, but it didn’t work. I rolled over and faced her. “What’s wrong?” she whispered, rubbing my sensitive new hand.

    “I can’t sleep,” I replied. “I was so tired a while ago, yet I can’t settle down.”

    “Are you worried about Lord Springfield?”

    "A little, I guess. She looked better after returning from her walk, but we didn’t have a chance to talk that much. I was focused too much on my...” I gestured to my prosthetics. It felt so weird to have feelings in my limbs. It was unfamiliar, not uncomfortable. “Do you think she’s still up?”

    “There’s only one way to find out. Shall we depart for her room?”

    I nodded and threw on my robe after getting out of bed. I loved it so much. It was a precious gift from Mila-- even if it originated from those siblings who caused that monster train incident. Primrose used her magic to form a nightgown of vines around her body, and we quietly left after Lei hopped on my head.

    We’d been staying in Beccy’s room, although, from what I gathered, she often slept with Murag and his other wives in Susize’s master bedroom. I didn’t know much about her, but Mila had said she was the melee powerhouse of her team. Beccy was a former queen who had lost everything she cared for before finding reasons to live. And I was the same. For her? It was meeting Amos and becoming his Soul Warrior. For me? It was meeting Mila and becoming her friend.

    I was about to knock when Tris opened the door.

    She probably saw us walking down the hall with [Skyview].

    “Is something wrong?” she asked.

    “We couldn’t sleep. Is Mila awake?” Updated chapters at novelhall.com

    “She’s not. Hmm... I sense a restless heart. Please, come in.”

    “Is that okay? I don’t want to wake her. She has to fight Sathtshas tomorrow.”

    “It’s fine,” said Tilde, who flew into view. “Besides, you can talk to us. And we can chat about Little Miss Sleeping Master. Hey, we have tea and cookies chilling in your storage, right?”

    “Ah!” Tris clapped her hands. “This is the perfect opportunity to have a tea party. You’ve told me so much about them. I’ve prepared for this!” Tris skipped away. Tilde smiled and beckoned us to enter. We did, and I saw Mila curled up on that massive bed. She used Surtr as a pillow. The lion raised his head and met my eyes, affirmatively acknowledging my presence before returning to sleep.

    Mila looked so peaceful...

    “That’s a clone,” said Tilde after locking the door. She pointed to a colorless slime sitting on the bed. “Master gave it to us in case we needed magic. Let me guess... You made a spell called [Wooden Furniture]?”

    “You know me so well,” replied Tris as a table appeared. She touched it, and a tablecloth appeared. A plate of cookies, a thick cheesecake, a pot of tea, a tray of cubed sugar, and a set of plates and cups followed.

    Lei hopped to the table and adorably jiggled, and we sat—except Tilde. She grabbed a cup and reached for the pot. “You don’t need to do that. I can pour my own.”

    “Would you deny me my job?” asked Tilde. “It’s a very prestigious honor, you know. Being Master’s head maid, that is,” she said, serving the drinks and sweets with a happy bounce in her step.

    “Anyway. You’re more than restless. You’re worried about the one we care about,” said Tris. She saw through me as if I were glass. I doubt I could hide anything from her.

    “Yes, I am,” I replied, taking a sip. The tea was delicious.

    “I was worried, too,” added Tilde, sitting down. She immediately bit into a thick chocolate chip cookie. “Just look at her See how calm that face is? Master was conflicted, but the paradoxes lessened by the second. Confusion still warped her mind, but she can see a brighter, bloodier tomorrow forming on the horizon. That uncomfortableness became more common, but I know those feelings were replaced by a warm heat in her belly. Okay, that’s three examples. I can do another two.”

    “No. That’s fine. I get the point. Mila did look much better when she returned. So, I know she’s fine. I’m still worried, though. It’s impossible for me to not be.”

    “That’s normal. You know... I gotta say, that conversation went off the rails. Guess you were right, Tris. It’s sometimes better to do it raw than follow a script.”

    “What do you mean?” I asked. “What exactly did they talk about?”

    “Okay, so it started out about forgiveness and what that means. Pretty basic, yeah? Then it veered into one about revenge that really shocked me. Wait, you have it memorized, don’t you?”

    Tris nodded. “I do. Would you like to hear what they discussed?” Prim and I nodded. The slime clone split into two and jumped off the bed. One took Mila’s shape. The other mimicked Quella, and we listened to the reenactment.

    “Did Lord Springfield really laugh like that?” asked Primrose.

    “Yep. Master sure did.” Tilde swirled her tea and took a sip before cutting herself a slice of cake. “Quella’s experienced a lot of bullshit, so this is good... Master’s biggest fear is betraying her resolve. For her? It’s her hatred towards her enemies. And today? She still bears it. Abhorrence can be a good thing. It’s not always bad. Spite is a more powerful motivator than almost any other emotion. Her enemies will grovel at her feet. And she will kill them. I’m not so nai?ve to think everything can be forgiven. I’ve lived far too long and seen way too much inexcusable bullshit. Some people deserve to die. Some deserve to be brutally tortured. Meruria and those other assholes top the list of both.”

    “Do you want to see them dead as much as Mila?”

    “I do, Niva. I really do... I don’t want Master to think I’m going soft, either. I know how much her identity was built around revenge. And I will never, ever deny her that. Not in a million years. And only if they truly, really deserve it. Undeserved revenge can change a person. I’ve seen it more than I could count. And I’m trying to save Master from an unnecessary realization. Tris, do you have copies of their journals?”

    “Yes, I do. Would you like to read what we learned from Team Quella’s diaries?”

    “That intrudes upon their privacy,” said Primrose. She nervously bit her lip. “What say you, my summoner?”

    “I’m lying if I said I wasn’t curious. It feels wrong, except we can’t shy away. We have to know all we can if we want to help Mila. Information is important.” I looked at Tris. “You taught me that.”

    “Information is a powerful tool that can alter the tide of battle. ‘The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.’ That’s a quote from my lord’s world. It’s from an ancient book about warfare and strategy. And I wholeheartedly agree with it, although I am biased due to my nature as a Fragment of Wisdom.” Tris touched the table and produced two notebooks. Primrose and I flipped through them.

    I already knew a little bit, but this was the first time I was reading it in clear detail.

    “They suffered so much,” whispered Primrose.

    “And you can’t rush that. Focus on the basics. Start with the fundamentals. Work your way up. And remember, you’re not doing it alone.”

    “I know... I know that, Tilde.”

    “Hey, look it at from this side. You’re destined to be stronger than me.”

    “Huh?” I asked. How could that have possibly been true?

    “I know this world’s skill system better than anyone else. I know its ins and outs, and I possess insight into its quirks and qualities. Except I’m not a fighter at my core. I’ll throw hands to protect what I love, but I’ll never be like Sekh. I’ll never cast an ice beam to freeze the clouds. Or I’ll never make an icy guillotine from frozen flames. Master will always be the better shot. I’m...a supporter, I guess. That’s my role, and it’s one I accept. You don’t see the potential we do.”

    “I’m still confused,” I honestly replied.

    “Just, you know, you can evolve. I can’t. I’m the Tilde you’ll see when my story ends. Do you know what I see when I look at you two? I see a dragon waiting to spread her wings, commanding a legion of draconic spirits that answered her call because she’s so goddamn badass. I see a Spirit Lord of Woodland with the power of an ancient, legendary forest behind every footstep. I see the two that will stand beside the Transcendent Dark Lord as equals—two she cannot imagine life without.”

    “You... really think we can do that?” Primrose voice quivered. I was afraid mine would do the same if I spoke. She gripped my hand, and her fingers felt weak.

    "Yep. I do. Tris does. And Master thinks the same. Remember what I said about your pedigree?” Tilde flashed a bright smile. “Ah, no pressure or anything. It’s not like I’m asking you two to live up to some insane degree that most can’t even dream about.”

    No pressure... Hearing her say it so casually... It makes me feel like I can do it. And I will do it. I will realize my potential. I won’t let anyone down. Not now, and not ever again.

    “Anyway, I sense a restful heart. You’re considering Tilde’s words, yet you aren’t shying away from her challenge,” said Tris. “You’re thinking you can do this. You’re ready to prove yourself.”

    “You can read me like a book.”

    “Does it frighten you?”

    “No. It’s not scary. I’m...glad I have someone like you looking after me, Tris.”

    If I was the old me, I’d say I wasn’t deserving of it. I won’t think like that anymore. That’s the old Niva.

    “Yep. Little Miss Tris is kinda like the group’s mom. She’s a mother hen looking after her chickies!”

    “Says the great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great and ancient fairy.”

    “Hey, I’m like wine. I get finer with age, baby. And nothing’s more finer than me. Go on. Try and find something older.”

    Tris displayed a [Skyview] window of the ground and proudly answered. “The planet. I’m certain you’re not that old.”

    “Hey, I could be. You never know. I might be an alien from another planet. One that''s older than this one.”

    “The wind, then? Winds can be found on any planet with an atmosphere.”

    “That’s an aspect of nature. What if the wind originated from me?”

    “Are you a wind goddess?” Primrose went along with the joke.

    “Just wait until I get me some wind magic. I’ll send a gust to tickle your neck, Primmy.”

    “Then shall I reply in turn?” Primrose used a non-damaging version of [Razor Wind] that couldn’t cut a leaf. It encircled Tilde’s head and fluttered her pretty hair.

    “Hmm... The breeze feels kinda good. Almost like...it’s asking to return to being a part of me?” She laughed and yawned. Then I yawned. And Primrose couldn’t stave off her sleepiness. “It is getting late, so let’s end things here. We totally have to do this again! And maybe this tea party will have a new face? It might be far too soon, though.”

    Tris put a hand on the table and stored everything, then walked Primrose and me to the door. “Thanks again.”

    “You’re welcome, Niva. Please do not hesitate to knock. You’re a close friend. I wish to see you and Primrose smile for many more decades!” She wished us good night and closed the door, although I looked up and waved because I knew she was watching.

    The bed seemingly called our name when we locked our door behind us. Almost immediately, I felt drowsy after touching the pillow.

    “Hmm? This... Father is...attempting to open the mana link. I should accept, right?” Primrose gripped my arm out of support, not fear. Why would she be afraid? Our relationship with Aetos was better than ever.

    I nodded, and...our surroundings changed in the blink of an eye.

    Why were we in the Spiritual Grove? And why did it look flawless? You couldn''t find a blemish in this beautiful place even if you''d searched for a hundred years. From the rolling fields of grass to the ponds in the distance... And to the tall, imposing snow-covered mountains on the horizon...

    “We are in the world of dreams.” I looked up and saw a light. It flashed and turned into an eagle we were familiar with.

    “Dreams? So we’re asleep, Father?”

    “Yes. I’ve brought you here because I wish to continue your training. I can only do this because the transplant will rejuvenate the mana I’m expending. Also, forgive me, but I overheard your conversation with Tilde and Tris. Your potential shines bright, my daughter. You hold the power of this great forest and the Eagle Yew within your core. And you, Niva. I agree with the maid’s future and imagine you as a strong, proud Dragonfolk. Alas, as you are now, neither can wield what you’re truly capable of.”

    “Are we going to train every night?”

    “Only if you agree. Understand that this cannot always be done. This technique becomes unstable if we are too far apart.”

    “Primrose?”

    “I... Thank you, Father. My summoner, let’s do this!” Primrose formed a fist and smiled. She created her staff and tossed it to me.

    I caught it. “Thank you, Aetos! We’re ready to begin!”