A Spear Clad in Wind.

"I think I get the gist of it now."

"Is that so- truly elegant! Then, I believe I must now take my leave." Ryul began to stand up from his seat- he was about to take the plate of biscuits and empty cup of tea that he had been served to the kitchen but was stopped by Ima who took it for him instead.

"Ah, the twins- elegant as ever I believe."

"Do you really have to leave so soon Ryul? Can't you stay a little while longer?" I felt like puking my guts out seeing Levii swoon so hard over Ryul- but I didn't have it in me to say anything against it.

All I could do is be salty about it.

"Levii my dear, I wish I could- but I must continue my research at hand-- that of which, reminds me!" He looked at Flaur who was sipping away at some hot tea herself.

"Your Majesty, I believe I've made some considerable progress on that project of yours that you have had entrusted to me." Flaur rose an eyebrow.

"Oh, are you talking about 'that'?" A smile began to creep up her face.

"Yes, it as you think- I'll have an official handwritten report delivered to your room by mid-day." And with that, Ryul bowed out as he swiftly left the dining room; satisfied with his report to Flaur.

I wonder what was all that about- but that's her business, anything more troublesome I'd much rather not worry about.

"Kai!" Flaur yelled right at my ear.

"Now that you know what the Sanguidicium is all about, what're you going to do with yourself following up to it occurring six moon-cycles from now?"

That-... was a legitimate question that I hadn't thought too seriously about yet.

For the first trial- there was honestly not much I could do to really help with that. Having to learn all about a kingdom's history within six days would be stupid- this body is tougher, not smarter.

Plus, even if I did cram what I could- I wouldn't know where TO begin. It's like picking a place to dive in on an ocean- it's that kind of pointlessness.

For the second, the best thing I could do is figure out the limits of my strength. That, and do some research on Zephyr- and what companion he would likely choose.

Also- there's the ability that I haven't used yet- that being able to 'level' up Levii, with it being an option in the gray display.

Now on the topic about combat, however-

"I'm thinking about it- but tell me, where did you leave our stuff Flaur? My book and staff, and Levii's spear that is."

Flaur finished her cup of tea and handed it off to Ami- with that, breakfast was now officially over; for Flaur anyway, Levii and I were done like ten minutes ago.

"Your belongings? They should be at the Warmaster's office on the ground floor within the castle's courtyard where we had gotten off yesterday."

Warmaster? That's an intimidating title- I wonder who that could be.

"If you want to go collect them- I could lead you there right now; today is a rare free day for me after all!" Flaur jumped up and out from her seat in joy as her bust bounced up along with her, them nearly smacking her in the face.

"If you do not mind your Majesty- as even though that spear isn't in its best condition- it is still a dear family heirloom of mine." Levii added in.

"So, it's decided; let's go!"

And so- just like that, we began to venture down the castle to the ground floor with Flaur leading the way.

...

// just earlier before... //

"The Trial of Wit was made to be the most open ended of the trials." Ryul explained.

"As such, only the most elegant of results could be expected of it from either or of the competitors- as each competitor has to procure a boon that their lady in question would most adore and appreciate!"

Don't tell me- is this what he meant by this being within his field of expertise!?

Ryul smiled gallantly as he continued his explanation.

"Why- as I am a denizen of the court, I myself have been well acquainted with many an elegant maiden who ventures through Modos!" As he said this he snuck a glance at Levii- she caught him and looked away, she turning a deep shade of beet red. GAH! I WISH I COULD QUICKSAVE AND BASH HIS STUPID HEAD IN!!!

"As such, I believe I am somewhat of an experienced gentleman when it comes to understanding what it is a fair maiden truly wants." He tried to do the same thing to Flaur as he did to Levii with a sneaky suave glance, but she was looking at me instead and didn't meet his glimpse- in reality however, she was just eyeing the little bit of 'bacon' I had left on my plate.

this bottomless pit of a Demon Queen still had an appetite after devouring her dessert.

Sigh, I guess this'll keep her preoccupied while I continue to listen to Ryul.

I slid my plate over to the grateful Flaur who began to voraciously eat my last bit of 'bacon'

"And what of this experience? I doubt I'd know what Flaur really wants."

"wufth?" Flaur said as she looked up with a bit of 'bacon' sticking out of her mouth.

"Sir Kai-" Ryul spoke up.

"If you ask her Majesty what she truly desires before the Sanguidicium- you will be automatically disqualified from the third trial." he gave me a serious look as he pressed his hands onto the table.

"B-But- I hardly know anything about her!" I pointed to Flaur.

"Oh Kai~" Flaur spoke up- 'bacon' grease was visible on around her mouth; charming.

"Why- you just simply have to spend some with time with me during the week and learn how truly wonderful and gracious and, and - wonderful that I am, hehe~" You said wonderful twice idiot.

"..."

"Why're giving me those pitying eyes Kai!"

"What elegant chemistry you two have!" Ryul clapped once to get my attention back.

"I believe you can get an idea as to what her Elegance might desire within this short period of time- even without my guidance, as I can see that now!" Is that a hint of...? Never mind, no- for him that'd be impossible; I can't compare normie logic to myself.

"Sir Kai- or should I begin to call you Lord Kai?" Is that some sarcasm I sense?

"No- no, just Kai if you could- or Sir if you really need to." I felt queasy with the growing possibility that I might actually end up being forced to marry to this eggplant-haired midget of a Demon Queen.

I looked at Levii to see how she might've felt about it- about me being tracked into this suitor problem. But she just kept longingly looking at Ryul-

I think I'm going to be sick.

....

"Here we are! The armory of Modos!" Flaur proudly presented a large building outside of the main castle within its courtyard, there was a single guard planted outside of its door.

"Y-Your Highness!" The guard wasn't dressed like the knights in red, rather he was just in regular chainmail without a helmet; he had a sword sheathed onto his hilt.

"Ah, Lethan- good to see your hard work." Flaur motioned him to quit his bowing.

"Y-Yes, for the glory of Modos!" the nervous Demon shouted from the top of his lungs.

"Yes, yes- can you let us through the armory now Lethan?" Flaur's tail flicked impatiently as she waited for him to open the armory gate for us.

"M-M-My apologies!! Please, a-after you your Highness."

As we left the guard to his frayed nerves, we followed Flaur into the inside of the armory.

it was pretty bare compared to even the dingy part of the castle's bottom level- with only candles decorating the walls; everything else being just regular brick stone.

We walked until we found a large solid wood door, on it was engraved the title "Warmaster".

Flaur stepped towards it and opened it without knocking- I guess that's her privilege being Queen.

But as she did, I felt a horrible gut feeling-

"FLAUR!"

I lunged forward, grabbing Flaur and spinning around- baring my back to what was now a spear being thrusted into my back.

"Intruder! Intruder! H-Human scum!" A panicky man's voice was heard behind me- likely the culprit for the near-death experience for Flaur.

"Milord!" Levii sprang into action- she ran into the room and jumped into a flying kick at the culprit.

"Uph!" The spear that was touching my back retracted quickly as soon as Levii began her flying kick, from what it sounds like- I think they managed to block Levii's kick.

I look back, still with the dizzy Flaur in my arms as I now see who this crazy man was.

Levii had her leg up against a long, silvery-metallic spear.

"Not bad, for a filthy HUMAN!" An old Demon with a tricorn hat was the one who had tried to attack Flaur. He had a greying goatee and steel-gray eyes that matched the silver of the spear in his hands to a needle point.

"T-That spear!" Levii cried out as she retracted back to me, she had one of her legs up defensively towards the Demon.

"Oh this? It ain't mind, it's a patch job- Human SCUM, HOOPH!" He thrusted at me once more- it was too fast for Levii to react.

"I ain't got a clue how my pierce didn't land a scratch on ye the first time' Human- but I won't be beat!" He screamed as his lunge seemed like it distorted the space between where he was in the office room to me- It was about to pierce Flaur in between my arms.

What do I do! What do I do?

This old moron thinks were Humans! I can't directly hurt him, or I might accidentally end up killing him!

I guess this is the only thing I CAN do.

I drop to the floor, wrapping Flaur deeper into my chest as I curl myself up along with her hard onto the stone floor; making sure my arms hit the pavement first before her head.

"Oh no you don't!"

"Wind-Deity Magic: Activate..-!"

"Gae- ASSAIL!" As the old Demon flew over me at an insane speed, the air around him began to warp.

He twisted his body at an impossible angle, chanting his magic as he lunged his spear at me once more- this time it looked like the spear itself was a spiraling hurricane.

But his mistake was using magic against me.

// Activate [Reflection]? [Yes] or [No]? //

// [Yes]! //

///