GalaxyTL
“Thank you for everything!”
“It’ll be lonely. Make sure to visit again, okay?”
“Of course I will.”
The day we leave the High Elf Village had finally arrived. It’s been about half a year since the tournament dates were decided, and I feel like I was able to absorb a lot of things while I was here.
Firstly, studying at the archives. My days were filled with reading, every day, for a certain amount of time. That started the day after I first went to the archives. Gil-san set a time limit because I’d gotten so immersed in reading.
He was right… I’m sure I would have spent the whole day there! Because it was so interesting, filled with all kinds of fascinating things…!
After reading, I trained. Because it’s essential to train for the tournament! I think… my stamina’s increased, at least a little bit, compared to before. Honestly, my athletic ability’s hopeless.
But I’m proud of how much better I’ve gotten at handling magic! They even let me practice using my magic power to investigate things! But it’s still unstable because of my overflowing magic power, so I can’t do it when no one’s watching. Haa, it’s so troublesome. I just have to accept it, as something I was born with. It makes me nostalgic, thinking about when I first came to this world. I was borrowing magic power from the spirits back then. I’ve grown. Too much….
And about Dream Walking. When I investigated at the archives, I came across that story about the First High Elves. I tried to run away when I first found out, because of the scale of it all. But I couldn’t avoid it, so I read every single book! Thanks to that, I was able to learn all kinds of things, and my heart and mind are now much calmer.
And from the knowledge I gained, I realized a few things I should do. I can’t explain everything, so to sum it up:
I can choose to not see dreams with Dream Walking, with the power of will.
Don’t underestimate that! It’s incredibly important for me. It means I can choose to not see dreams I don’t want to see. This is what I’ve always wanted!
It’s true that I’ve been helped by precognitive dreams until now. But I also saw a lot of pointless things, and I’d agonize over the important ones.
So I’m currently training, trying to use my will to not see dreams. I haven’t seen any since then, but I don’t know if it’s just a coincidence, or the result of training. I think I’ll end up seeing them if I’m not careful… so I’ve also been studying countermeasures. Whether I can actually do it or not doesn’t matter, learning is important!
And every ten days, Schel-san helped me release my magic power. He was mostly silent though. When I wake up in the morning, Wiz-san or Pipi-san gives me a message, and then I go to the place where I first released it after breakfast.
The only things he said during those times were, “Do it,” and “Ten days.” I mean, I get it, but I wanted to get a bit closer. We’re spending so much time together.
But I wasn’t able to get closer, until the very end. Both physically and emotionally. Well, it can’t be helped, I guess. I hope someday… we’ll be able to talk more. I made sure to smile and greet him and thank him every time! I was sad because he never responded, but I won’t give up!
And so! The current Meg is completely different from the previous Meg, after all that training, preparing, and studying! I’ve been powered up. I admit that I’m getting a bit carried away. Uwaa~, but it’s because I’m so nervous about participating in the fighting tournament! I-I’ve never been this nervous, have I?
“We’re heading straight for the venue. It’ll be a detour to go back to the guild.”
I nodded when Gil-san said that, after we’d left the High Elf Village. I miss Ortus, but we’d have to go back, because the Lilthorley Kingdom, where Ortus is, is to the east, and Sainsley, where the tournament’s being held, is to the west. That would be a waste of time. And besides, even though we can’t go back, everyone else who’s participating is already at the venue. It’s only natural for us to head straight there, so that we can see everyone sooner!
“Gil-san, won’t you get tired?”
The way we’re travelling, is of course, on Gil-san, in his Shadow Eagle form. I’m still clumsy, I can’t ride any kind of beast, so all I can do is ride in the basket. It’s frustrating! I could also fly to the venue, using nature magic with Fuu-chan, because I have more than enough magic power. But I’m slow. Why? Because I’m scared.
“It’s much closer than if we were going from Ortus. There’s no problem.”
It’s true that this is like a midpoint, so it’s much easier than our original plan. But I can’t help but to feel guilty, because I’m the only one who’s having it easy.
“And… the Don said it’s okay for us to use his shortcut. We should arrive by tomorrow evening.”
I see, so we’re using that cheat route. That’ll definitely reduce Gil-san’s burden. I mentally thanked Dad. I’ll thank him directly when I see him!
“Well then, shall we go?”
“Yeah! Please take care of me, Gilnandio-san!”
Gil-san, when I properly addressed him and said that, smiled softly and then transformed into his Shadow Eagle form. He’s so cool, no matter how many times I see it. I’m envious of demi-humans, I also wanted to transform. But it’s just wishful thinking.
Oh, now’s not the time to be admiring. I jumped into the prepared basket and tied the cloth tightly. Then cast the fastening magic spell they’d taught me, and looked at Gil-san. Those sharp eyes checked my spell. It seemed fine, because he nodded slightly. It’s kind of cute how he’s nodding in that form, I couldn’t help but smile. I’m also incredibly happy that my spell passed. It looks like my training’s already paying off. Fufu.
Just as I was feeling a bit proud of myself, I felt us lift off. I looked up, and Gil-san had spread his large wings. We rapidly ascended, and in the blink of an eye, we were in the sky. The area where the High Elf Village is was already out of sight. Isn’t this faster than usual?
『I’m going to increase our speed.』
“Eh? W-Wah!”
Just as I heard Gil-san’s telepathy, my body felt like it was being left behind. I hurriedly gripped the edge of the basket. W-W-Wow, that’s fast! He can fly this fast!? Gil-san, you!
Once I got used to the speed, I looked up, and it seemed like Gil-san was having fun. H-He did that on purpose! I glared at him.
『Ah, sorry. Your reaction was amusing.』
“Geez! I’m not a toy, you know! You’re acting like Dad!”
He’s been teasing me more lately. Not as often as others, of course, and it’s not anything serious, and he always apologizes. It’s a bit annoying, but I’m also a little happy about it. Because it feels like he’s opening up to me. Like our relationship’s becoming more equal, that he no longer sees me as just someone who needs to be protected. Maybe I’m just being conceited, though.
『Because I thought you’d be okay, Meg. I couldn’t have done this back then.』
“Ugh, that’s unfair. I can’t stay angry at you, if you say it like that…”
So basically, he’s acknowledging my growth, and he did this to confirm that? It makes me happy, not angry. I’m sure I would have been blown away, back when I first came here. Thinking about that, maybe I really have gotten stronger.
『If you get used to this speed, maybe you’ll be able to keep up on your own soon?』
“Ah… I see. Maybe.”
But I feel like there’s a difference between creating this speed myself, and being carried at this speed. Even if I could create this speed, I’m not confident that I could handle any obstacles. I’d probably bump into them, or fall. Because I’m clumsy, I know! Sniff. I still have a lot to learn.
“I think it’s best for you to carry me, for now.”
So basically, I’ll continue to rely on him for now! I could tell that he was happy, not exasperated at all. You like being relied on, don’t you, Gil-san? I do wonder if it’s okay for me to be this spoiled, but I’m not going to stop growing, so it’s fine, for now, for now.
“I want to go on walks in the sky with you,” I said, and he replied that he’d never thought of that before. Well, there’s nothing to do in the sky. But it does sound like fun, to casually walk around in the sky, enjoying the scenery of the town and forests. And besides, any place’s fun if it’s with Gil-san!
『I… see… That sounds nice.』
He’s embarrassed because I told him my honest feelings. It’s true that it might have sounded like a flirtatious line, but it’s how I truly feel! I’m satisfied, I managed to get back at him for teasing me. Fufu.
Thanks to all that banter with Gil-san, I was able to enjoy the journey. It seems like he was flying incredibly fast, because we ended up arriving at the town at the southernmost tip of the Demon Kingdom much earlier than expected. Huh? It’s not even evening yet. We were supposed to arrive tonight. But it’s better to be early. We’re staying here for the night, so I have to tell the innkeeper that we arrived early.
Just as I was thinking that, entering the town with Gil-san, who’d returned to his human form, someone was waiting for us.
“Meg! I’ve missed you!”
“Father-sama!?”
It’s the Demon King! He’d probably erased his presence, to prevent intimidating the citizens, because I didn’t even notice! I was surprised! But… once I found him, it’s obvious how much he stands out, because of his presence and how handsome he is. It can’t be helped. Yeah.
“H-Hey, Meg, you seem to be doing well.”
“Licht! And Kron-san! And the others… are you all participating in the tournament?”
Seeing those familiar faces made me smile. I asked that because there were a few people I recognized nearby. Licht nodded.
“Yeah. And, well, over there.”
I looked in the direction he was pointing, and saw a dark blue figure, peeking out from behind a building. Ah, that’s…! I was so happy that I ran over to him, calling his name.
“Urbano!”
“Ah, u-um… M-Meg…”
Oh, I was a bit too loud, because Urbano flinched. Sorry, sorry. But he returned my call, without looking away, so I couldn’t help but smile. I-I’m so happy!