The Bonds We Formed, Like Magic | Chapter 16

[healingbonds]

Chapter 15 << | index | >> Chapter 17


Cain takes my proffered hand, his grip gentle but strong.
His wide palm is warm and reassuring.
Looking up, I see Cain’s eyes squeezed tight in concentration. I’m startled by his unguarded expression.
His eyes flutter open suddenly, red and yellow shades blooming before me.
Looking solemn, he purses his lips as he slowly surveys his surroundings from left to right.

Cain: I can’t see anyone.....

Akira: R-really......

Riquet: Are you sure you’ve looked properly? There’s about five other people from the castle here right now.

Cain: I can kind of sense how many and where each person is. Like how there’s one over there, another one there..... And probably one more right there.

Riquet: You’re correct.

Cain: But I can’t actually see them. I probably can once I touch their hands, but......

I am lost and puzzled. Cain’s fingertips remain in my hand.
What’s different from the times that it worked with Oz or Mithra?

Mithra: Are you sure you’re putting enough effort into it?

Akira: Effort...... But I don’t expend much effort when I’m asleep.

Mithra: Obviously. Because you’re sleeping.

Oz: You should calm your heart.

Akira: Calm my heart......

Oz: If you allow tranquility to spread across your heart, or.....

Mithra: It’s a matter of effort.

Oz: ....I think it requires tranquility.

Mithra: Effort.

Oz: Tranquility.....

Akira: I-I get it. I’ll try both.

✦✧☾✧✦

Akira: Hi-yah......!!

✦✧☾✧✦

Akira: ......Phew......

✦✧☾✧✦

Neither worked.

Cain: Hmm, maybe I’m the problem......?

Akira: No! I don’t think so......

Cain: Oz, how were you touching the Sage? What kind of magic did you use?

Oz falls into a contemplative silence.

Oz: I was carrying the Sage.

Cain: Carrying...?

Oz: I fell from the tower with the Sage tucked under my arm.

Snow: He’s not luggage, you know.

White: You should treat him more carefully.

Mithra: I haven’t carried him. Though I don’t know what happens after I fall asleep.

Cain: Carrying, huh...... If you don’t mind, can I hold you, Akira?

He asks with an earnest gaze, and I burst into cold sweat.

Akira: W-wh........B-but, well, I understand...... This is a matter of life and death, after all.

Cain: You don’t have to force yourself......

Akira: I’m not against it! It’s just that this isn’t common practice where I’m from......

Nero: We don’t do it in the East, either.

Heathcliff: We do not do it in the East.

Shylock: I can help you become more familiar with the practice.

Murr: I’ll give you a big hug~!

Akira: T-thank you.
Um, I was just a bit surprised, that’s all. Please go for it.

Cain smiles sheepishly, looking just a bit bashful.

Cain: Sorry. I’ll be gentle.

Akira: Yessir. Please take care of me.

Cain holds me close. His arms envelop me in a soft and gentle embrace.
I can sense Cain’s kindness, and I feel oddly nervous even though I’m being held so gently.
Maybe it’s just his party clothes, but a refreshing, slightly sweet scent wafts from Cain.
He speaks right into my ear.

Cain: How’s this?

Akira: W-what about you, Cain......?

Cain: Oh, right, this is about me. Hmm......

I feel him turn his head. His red hair flutters and spills around my shoulder.

Cain: ......It’s no good. I still can’t see anyone.

Cain removes himself regretfully. He peers at me with concern.

Cain: After you went to that trouble for me too. I’m sorry.

Akira: Oh no, not at all.....

Cain: Bradley, can I ask you to go next?

Bradley: Me?

Cain: I hate to admit it, but...... But if the effects of the Sage’s power are influenced by the strength of your magic, then you’d make a better subject.

Bradley: What, is this some kind of experiment? What are you gonna do if it fails and I end up flying off?

Nero: Hey, if you’re touching someone when you disappear, what happens to them?
Do they go along with you?

Bradley: Never tried it before. But I don’t ditch my clothes, or the stuff I’m holding.

Bradley wraps an arm around my shoulders, his eyes on Nero as he talks.
He draws me close with a careless motion. On Bradley, I smell an imposingly grand yet dangerous winter forest.

Akira: (Is this for the party!? Everyone sure got dressed up....!?)

Bradley: You sure? If I sneeze and disappear, I’m dragging the Sage along with me. Still want to run your experiment?

Mitile: That’s true...... You might not make it back for the party.

Riquet: Why don’t you take Oz with you? If you have Oz, you can travel back at once. He’s really convenient.

Bradley: You want me to carry the Sage and Oz under each arm? Is this a trip to hell? No fucking way!

Bradley laughs, his shoulders heaving. Even from a distance, he radiates an intensely compelling air — this close, I feel overpowered by the proximity.

Bradley: I’d rather just fuck off somewhere. But what are you gonna do if the three of us just stay stuck here with our arms around each other?
That’s way more awkward! Right, Sage?

Bradley leans in and peers at my face roguishly, gesturing expansively as he speaks.

Akira: Yes, boss....

Bradley: Hey, you’re blushing. That’s cute.

Nero: Cut it out, Brad. So, what are you going to do? Mister Sage.

Before I can heave a sigh of relief at Nero’s intervention, he produces a pepper shaker.

Akira: ............! Are you going to shake that!?

I finally understand the alarm Bradley feels at the sight of pepper.

Nero: No, it’s just a suggestion. But I’ll stop if you’re not keen.

Akira: I’d like to give it a try, as long as we can make it back for the party......

Bradley: Are you telling me I have to hold Oz’s hand?

Akira: Or Mithra’s. I don’t really mind.

Mithra: What do you mean, you don’t mind? You want it to be me, right?

Akira: Absolutely. Please help us, Mithra.

Bradley: Yeah, yeah......

Bradley beckons Mithra over with a wave of his fingers.
Mithra grabs Bradley’s arms and slings them around his neck.
Owen smirks.

Owen: I really want to trap you in ice just like this.

Lennox: They look like they’re getting along.

Lennox says, approaching us with bread and other baked goods.

Lennox: Sir Sage. I’m placing provisions in this bag and attaching it to your clothes in the event that something happens.

Akira: Th-thank you, Lennox!

Lennox: And these are for you, Bradley and Mithra.

Bradley: Put meat in mine. Lots of meat.

Mithra: I’d prefer mana stones.

Murr: Let’s give you some flowers from the vases too~!

Rustica: I’ll place the teapots on the tips of your shoes.

Bradley: Stop, stop, stop!

Nero: Well then, let’s do this. Brad, Mithra. Take care of Mister Sage.

Bradley: Got it.

Mithra: It’ll be fine. By the way, what are we doing?

Bradley: I’ll explain later. Don’t let go of me. Akira, you too.

Akira: Yes......!

Nero: Three, two, one......

Turning his face away, Nero shakes pepper all over us.
Obviously, Mithra and I get a full face of it too.

Nero: Ah, my bad.

Bradley: Ah.... ah......

Akira: Ah.... ah......

Mithra: Ah.... ah......

Akira & Bradley & Mithra: Achoo!

(Disappearing sound)

✦✧☾✧✦

(Winter scenery)

Bradley: Ah, shit! We got sent flying!

Akira: C-c-c-c-c-cold!

Mithra: Huh? Where are we?

Akira: ......M-Mithra......! Can you arthim us back......!

Mithra: Bradley, did you finally learn how to travel long distances using magic?

Bradley: It’s my injury from the < Great Catastrophe >. Come on! Open the door in space! The Sage is going to die.......!

Mithra: You’re always dying.
<< Arthim >>

✦✧☾✧✦

(Castle courtyard)

Murr: Ah, they’re back!

Arthur: You’re all covered in snow! Are you okay, Sir Sage......!

Akira: I-I’m okay......

Rustica: Oh dear, you’re completely chilled through. But that’s what the teapot I left on Mithra’s shoes is for.....
.....! It’s gone cold......

Bradley: Hah, I’m beat. But who would’ve guessed, whoever I’m with goes along for the ride......
Hehe......

Nero: What’s with that creepy smile.

Bradley: Next time you bust out the pepper, I’ll just grab your arm.

Nero: ............
I’ll make myself an extra long pepper mill......

Rutile: Sir Sage, have some hot tea. Oh no, even your eyebrows are all frozen.....

Akira: Thank you...... Phew..... I feel revived......
......But in the end, we never triggered the Sage’s power. Even though we were holding hands, and Bradley was carrying me and everything......

Rutile: But we learnt more about Mister Bradley’s injury! That’s a big step forward!

Akira: Mister Rutile......

Rutile raises his arms in a big circle above his head; I am deeply grateful for his praise.
After that, we test all sorts of theories, but that’s about the only meaningful discovery we make.
Before long, everyone starts to grow bored of the meeting, so we decide to call it a day.

Akira: We’re all getting tired, so why don’t we call the meeting here and either go sightseeing or head down to the sea?

Chloe: Yay~! I want to go check out the bazaar!

Shino: Apparently there’s a barbeque at this venue at night. Let’s buy ingredients at the bazaar.

Nero: Huh. Well, if we can borrow the kitchen, maybe I can cook something with local ingredients from Borda Island.

Shylock: Then I suppose we should each wander as we please until nightfall.

Murr: Sounds good!
A barbeque party and a meteor shower await us tonight! There’s so much to look forward to!

I smile, infected by their lively laughter.

Akira: (Somehow, I feel like this is the first time that everyone has relaxed and spent time in each other’s company......)
(.......Hang on. I literally just witnessed an intense death match earlier this morning. I’m really getting desensitized here....)
(But, oh well.....Looks like they’ve made up, so I’ll just enjoy this day off with everyone.)

✦✧☾✧✦

Oz: ......

Arthur: Sir Oz.

Oz: ......What is it?

Arthur: You’ve been looking at Mithra this entire time. Do you plan to carry on from where you left off this morning?

Oz: ......

Arthur: You don’t have to worry about me. I’ll train more, and get stronger. So please do not repeat what happened this morning......

Oz: ......No need to worry.

Arthur: Can I believe that you won’t do anything like that again......?

Oz: ......

Arthur: Sir Oz......

Oz: This has nothing to do with you.

Arthur: ......

✦✧☾✧✦

Mithra: ......

Rutile: ......Mister Mithra. Mister Mithra!

Mithra: What?

Rutile: You won’t stop glaring at Sir Oz...... Won’t you make up with him so you can enjoy the party?

Mithra: I will enjoy myself just fine tonight. Under the meteor shower, I’ll gaze down at Oz as he succumbs to me in defeat.
I’m sure it will feel great.

Rutile: Are you going to attack Sir Oz while he can’t use magic?

Mithra: ......I wouldn’t do that. I don’t have to.
I’ll turn him to stone before night falls.

Rutile: You can’t! That’s......

Mithra: Oh, shut up. A Southern wizard shouldn’t tell me what to do.
You don’t understand a single thing about me.

Rutile: ............

Mithra: Tiretta would’ve told me to go for it.
Maybe you never knew such a Tiretta, but......
The meteors know — as do I.

Chapter 15 << | index | >> Chapter 17