Private Conversation

An idea soon popped into my mind.

I couldn't kill her, but I could silence her. To be exact, the spirits would.

I asked the spirits Flora summoned if they are capable of solidifying air just as Ani can. I had to make sure if they can. The exact gap between Humilis and Nobilis spirits is something that I haven't really figured out. I only knew that Ani is definitely stronger than Flora's spirits, but wasn't sure how much.

Fortunately, the answer they gave was a big yes. Although the power behind their solidification isn't at the same level as Ani's, it was more than enough for my purposes.

"If she ever tries to reveal anything about tonight, use air solidification to seal her mouth. If she tries to write it down instead, tear the paper apart. If she tries to instead write down on any other surface, trap her in an air bubble or something. Basically, use any means possible to keep what happened tonight a secret."

Flora was surprised and turned to look at her spirits.

"What?! You can't seriously do this to me!" She pleaded. But the spirits' answer made her shoulders slump.

"We are truly sorry, Flora. But we can't have you do anything that would bring harm towards the Child of Wind."

I smiled after hearing the spirit's response. It felt good having this kind of authority. Should I abuse it for a little?

On second thought... Nah. Flora looked like she was about to cry. I may be an asshole sometimes, but I'm not heartless.

After everything has been settled, Flora begrudgingly went back to her own room inside the manor, and I made my way towards the lodging for guests' servants.

I didn't forget to put on my blindfold again though. The lodging was just bunk beds next to more bunk beds. Not exactly something that says 'privacy'.

"Hey, where were you?" Mason asked me as soon as I entered the room.

He was still wide awake, for reasons I shall not pry.

"I took a shit. What? You wanted to watch me?"

Mason didn't answer. My negative attitude towards him for the past few days has proven to shut him up whenever he decides to open his annoying mouth.

After finding the bunk bed I was assigned to, I laid down on it and slept.

My mind drifted off into a dream. No... a nightmare. The same one I've been having ever since that day. Like a curse, constantly reminding me of what I must do.

...

The next morning, I woke up with a slight tinge of anger in my heart. The same nightmare. The same bloody and gruesome of everyone in the village.

Except something was different this time. The awareness of my affinity for the wind allowed me to use it against that 'thing's phantom in the dream. But it wasn't enough.

Before, I woke up before I could even hit 'it'. But now, it's like my desperate attacks using the wind are useless. Not a single blast fazed it. As if there was an invisible impenetrable barrier between 'it' and me.

It was frustrating. Despite my fast growth in strength over the past year, my nightmares keep mockingly reminding me that I'm still so weak.

If only there was a shortcut to great power. But... I'm not that foolish. If there was a shortcut, it always has a big consequence.

It's okay. It's only been a year since I started training, right? I still have decades of time to get stronger. More than enough time to find 'it', too.

But there must be at least something to speed up the process. Maybe Weiss knows something? That old bastard seems to know everything, it's worth a shot.

*PAK*

"ARGH, FUCK!"

Something smacked me in the back of my head. I looked to see who did it and saw Rebecca's shit-eating grin.

"Finished daydreaming yah lil' runt? Good. Now haul your ass and go escort Lady Rosaline. The other noble ladies have already left, but Lady Flora specifically asked for a private conversation with Lady Rosaline."

Ah shit. She's up to something, isn't she?

A private conversation huh? Normally, that would mean that only Rosaline and Flora are allowed inside a room. But since this is a noble society, there's a fair amount of paranoia that gave birth to some customs.

Even though it's called a "private" conversation, both parties will still need to be accompanied by a servant to protect them in case of any mishaps.

After tending myself and combing my hair to look at least presentable. On my hand was the blindfold I wore yesterday. After wearing it, I set off with Rosaline to the meeting room.

While walking, I peeked out of my blindfold and got a good look at the furnishings of the Hepburn estate. It's fancy and lavish, something you'd expect from a noble family, especially if it's a Count. But... I felt disappointed. Compared to the décor of the Montampes manor, the Hepburn manor feels... lacking.

Have I been desensitized? That's the only possible explanation I could think of for this feeling of disappointment.

Soon, we reached the room specified by one of the servants who informed us about the private meeting request. Because the Hepburn manor wasn't abnormally large unlike the Montampes manor, we didn't even have to walk that far.

I opened the door and Rosaline stepped inside. I entered as well and closed the door gently.

Inside were two sofas and one sofa chair all surrounding a coffee table. Or tea table? I still don't know if coffee exists in this world.

Anyway, sitting on the sofa chair was Flora Hepburn. I couldn't see her face, but I could practically feel her glare from across the room. Behind her was a butler. He was a lot older than me. If I had to guess, he's maybe... 18 or 19 years old? Somewhere around that age just based on his height.

Rosaline sat on one of the sofas and I stood behind her, as per butler protocol.