Another Day, Another Psycho

The biggest predicament now was getting Wilharrow and the others across the river.

("How can I fix this?") [Solace]

I felt like blaming myself for not stopping Zuyil, but that wouldn't fix the problem.

("Magic doesn't work, and swimming is…") [Solace]

It only took one look at the raging river to know it was a no-go.

("Anything other than magic can deal with it. Maybe This will work?") [Solace]

"Wilharrow! Can you hear me?!" [Solace]

I called across the river just in case.

"Yeah! Not too clearly though! Did you find something?!" [Wilharrow]

"I've got an idea!" [Solace]

"What is it?!" [Wilharrow]

Now, this is gonna sound dumb.

"Have Leon go berserk mode and have her throw everyone across!" [Solace]

To my surprise, my allies across the river actually began to discuss among themselves. I watched as they sent Raon somewhere, which he returned with a really big rock.

("What the hell are they doing?") [Solace]

I then saw Leon go berserk where her expressionless face turned into a sinister smile. 

("Is she actually going to throw someone?") [Solace]

Leon picked up the large rock and proceeded to chuck it about two thirds across the river. My eyes met Wilharrow's who only shook his head.

"It won't work! She's not strong enough!" [Wilharrow]

("Oh, the rock was just a test.") [Solace]

Now it made sense.

("Back at square one, huh…") [Solace]

If only we could just fly.

("Wait a minute…?") [Solace]

I'm a spirit. That means I can just fly right? I could probably carry them with my new form.

("Ah… but I don't want to reveal that I'm Fina's spirit…") [Solace]

That's something I would only do with Master or Leyhna. Since they know I'm a spirit, it really isn't a big deal.

("Hm… How should we get around this?") [Solace]

As I tried finding some kind of idea in my ingenious mind, I heard footsteps from behind.

"Excuse me, but are you going to fix that?" [???]

I turned to see a peculiar sight. There was a man with two distinct katanas.

("A… samurai?") [Solace]

That wasn't right. Now that I looked closer, the man didn't have the right outfit. It was a mix of western armor among the joints like the shoulders and knees, but the broader parts like the chest and arms had an eastern vibe to it. He also had his hair in a ponytail, or is it a high-ponytail? I'm not sure. Above all of those, his eyes were covered by some rock-like cover. Was it a blindfold?

"Pardon? Are you talking to me?" [Solace]

The blindfolded man came closer.

"Ah, was I too quiet? I was asking if you were going to fix that." [Blindfolded Man]

He pointed at the broken bridge.

"It just broke down. So, not really. I'm trying to have my friends cross it at the moment." [Solace]

"I see. Besides that, where is your summoner?" [Blindfolded Man]

"...What?" [Solace]

The blindfolded man leaned in closer as if to inspect me.

"It's strange to see a spirit out like this. Do you possess your own identity?" [Blindfolded Man]

And like that, my cover as a human being was blown.

"Sh-Shhh!" [Solace]

I glanced over my shoulder to check if my allies heard it. It was silly of me to think that since they were really far and the roaring of the river would have covered it anyway.

"Was it supposed to be a secret? I apologize. You didn't mask your mana structure so I assumed you weren't hiding it." [Blindfolded Man]

"Mana structure?" [Solace]

"Do you not know what that is?" [Blindfolded Man]

He placed a hand on his chin.

"Hm… I think it would take too long to teach you so I'll do it for you." [Blindfolded Man]

"Wait, are you gonna-?!" [Solace]

As expected, no one in this world even listens to me. The man struck me three times in the chest with a finger, causing something inside me to shift.

"Ugh!" [Solace]

I hunched over as I struggled to breathe for a moment. Thankfully, air filled my lungs naturally after a few seconds.

"What was that?!" [Solace]

"No need to thank me. From now on, most people will think you are human. Unless they've reached the peak of detection, then you will be fine." [Blindfolded Man]

"There's no side effects to what you just did is there?" [Solace]

"Perhaps? I've never tried it on a spirit before, not to mention another person." [Blindfolded Man]

Ain't no way this dude just used me as a test dummy.

"Putting that aside, you have great potential. I can sense it." [Blindfolded Man]

"...Do I?" [Solace]

"It is true. I'd like to test your capabilities myself. However, I think it would be a shame to cut you down now." [Blindfolded Man]

"Eh…?" [Solace]

Yep, confirmed psychopath.

"For now, I suppose we can leave the bridge matter to someone else. I also need to cross so I might as well help you." [Blindfolded Man]

He then approached the edge of the bridge and placed a hand on one of his katana.

("This feeling… He can't be…?") [Solace]

Was this guy going to do the anime slash? I expected him to draw the sword, but he did nothing.

"...Are you going to slash it?" [Solace]

"I'm waiting for it." [Blindfolded Man]

"...For what?" [Solace]

"For the river to realize I've cut it." [Blindfolded Man]

I don't know if something like a river could recognize something. Even so, it split apart.

("...Did this guy just bait me into delivering that line?") [Solace]

So I MIGHT be a side character?

"Your friends may cross now." [Blindfolded Man]

It was an unnatural sight to see. The raging river was now still, somehow keeping the opening made from the slash from crashing in. To put it simply, he stopped the river's current.

"I hope to see you again. More specifically when you've ripened." [Blindfolded Man]

He patted my shoulder before crossing the empty river gap.

("...He just pre-ordered me.") [Solace]