A New Discovery

-----Kaede's POV

During our chat with Luna, I've been keeping an eye on Natalie, the woman Yui brought over here. I'm glad that her mom will be coming to pick her up, since I'm not sure how I feel about sleeping together with another person right there.

Mai: "Hey!"

My thoughts snap back at the sudden voice that filled my head. Thankfully it seems like Yui and Luna are now chatting away with one another.

Kaede: "What? Did something happen to mom?"

Mai: "Huh? No, she's fine. More importantly, has Yui tried on those shackles yet?"

Kaede: "Oh... To be honest, I completely forgot."

Mai: "I'd like to know as soon as possible. Is she there with you?"

Kaede: "Y-yeah?"

Mai: "Then do it now."

Kaede: "Why the rush though?"

Mai: "I need as much information on those crests. Yui is quite unique, so I'm wondering if I can get something from her in order to help Lilith."

Kaede: "Fine. But wouldn't it be better if you're here as well?"

Mai: "Ah! Good idea!"

Without a second to lose, Mai appears in the room, shocking both Yui and Luna in the process.

Mai: "I'm here!~"

Yui: "Mai?"

Luna: "Y...You scared me..."

Mai: "Sorry, but this is important. Kaede."

She looks over at me, not elaborating any further. I begin to sigh as I reach into my bag, taking out one of the shackles that Mai wanted.

Luna: "What is-"

Mai: "Alright!~ Now, Yui. Could you please put this on?"

Yui: "Eh?"

Kaede: "Don't worry, I have the key to it."

Yui: "...Okay."

Nervously, she clamps the shackles down onto her hand. I can't say I'm curious what is going to happen, but Mai seems to be excited as she watches intently. I did wonder if the engravings would remain faded, but after a few moments, the engravings began to glow, indicating that it's successfully sealing mana.

Mai: "Huh... Odd, I would've thought there'd be no reaction."

Yui: "Could it be because I have Kaede's blood running through me?"

Luna: "What?!"

Mai: "Ah~ Yeah, that might be it. But you still gather mana from the outside, right?"

Yui: "I guess? Ah- Luna!"

Luna: "Y-yes?"

Yui: "Could you use some magic right now?"

Luna: "Sure?"

With a questioning glance, Luna forms a simple water ball in her hands.

Mai: "I was going to ask you to try creating something, but this might work."

Yui: "So you did want me to try and use magic?"

Mai: "Yes."

Yui: "I can only just barely be able to use magic, so I figured this would be better."

Mai: "Mhmm! This should be okay."

Now this is quite interesting. From what I know of how the mana-sealing crest works, it sucks out the mana from the person. But in Yui's case, she can absorb outside mana. Would it still affect it?

My questions would be answered as I watch as Luna's water ball begins to move around according with Yui's hand movements. 

Mai: "Amazing!"

Luna: "So, what's different about this?"

Kaede: "The shackle she's wearing, it seals off mana from the person who wears it."

Luna: "Ah~ I was wondering what that glow was. Wait, so then why can she control my magic?"

Mai: "Ohooo~ You're full of surprises, Yui."

Yui: "Hehe."

Kaede: "Wait-"

A sudden thought just occurred to me. Yui's vessel feeds off the outside mana. It happens naturally so Yui most likely is never conscious of it. And if what Mai said is true, that humans will die if they don't have mana, then shouldn't Yui be dead right about now?

Yui: "Hmm?"

Kaede: "You're still alive."

Yui: "Huh? Well, yeah?"

Mai: "Kaede?"

Kaede: "Normal humans, their vessels, they generate mana, correct?"

Mai: "Yes."

Luna: "Vessels?"

I completely forgot that Luna doesn't know. But I guess it's fine if she knows as long as she doesn't spread it, but even so, I don't think many would believe her.

Yui: "W-we'll explain later."

Luna: "O-okay."

Kaede: "But Yui's vessel doesn't work like that, does it?"

Mai: "Correct, it- ah~ I see. Now that you point it out, yes, Yui should be dead right now."

Yui/Luna: "WHAT?!"

I can't believe I went through with Mai's plans without considering this. It's a blunder I'll never forget. But now the real question is, why Yui isn't dead.

Luna: "W-w-wait. Okay I need some explanation."

Mai: "Humans are the only creatures that have vessels in order for humans to use magic. They constantly generate mana, so when the person's mana is sealed, they still have that constant source of mana being generated inside of them, the mana just gets absorbed into the crest. But in Yui's case, her vessel is incapable of generating mana. So sealing off her mana, she should not be alive."

Yui: "Then, why am I still standing?"

Mai: "Fufu~ Thank you, Yui. This is a wonderful find. The mana sealing crest only works one way. The only way you're alive right now is your vessel is still feeding off mana from the outside. In other words... You're immune to the shackle."

Hearing Mai's explanation left me and everyone else speechless. But my eyes naturally find there way back to the shackle as it's still glowing.

Kaede: "So... if Yui never drank my blood that one time, the crest on the shackles wouldn't be glowing?"

Mai: "I believe so, yes."

Even though that does appear to be the case, I won't risk this any further. I take out the key to shackles before quickly unlocking it, freeing Yui's hand before stuffing the shackle back into my bag.

Luna: "...I'm still confused with all of this. So... humans have these vessels that allow us to use magic?"

Mai: "Yes. Only humans have them."

Luna: "Then what would happen if Kaede puts it on? She's not human, right?"

Mai: "Hmm. Well when I was wearing the bracelet with the same engravings, I did feel my mana being sucked. But that's only when I actively wanted to use mana."

Luna: "But wouldn't someone like Kaede die?"

Mai: "Ah~ I see. No, only humans have the limitation of needing mana. If Kaede were to put it on, she'd live just fine."

I'll be honest, I was a bit worried when Luna brought that up, so it was relieving to hear that I won't just die from something as stupid as that. Actually, now that I think about it, if it did work like that, then wouldn't this mana-sealing crest be widespread and be used on monsters all the time if it would just kill them?

With my worries now gone, I pull out the shackle once more before clamping it around my wrist.

Yui: "Kaede?"

Kaede: "I wanna feel what it's like."

Just as I finished that sentence, the shackle grew brightly, almost blinding in a way.

Mai: "Ah! Don't use so much mana! It'll break."

What? But I'm not even doing anything. But with Mai being this concerned, I quickly take it off. As the light slowly began to fade, I could see that there is a crack now on the shackle. This definitely wasn't there before, so... I did this?

Mai: "Hah~ We only have a limited amount of these. Don't just break them."

Kaede: "I didn't mean to."

Mai: "Do you not even know how to limit your own mana?"

Kaede: "No?"

Mai: "Oh- that's right. I forgot creatures of this world can't do that. My bad~"

What does she mean by that? So someone like her can do it? Or maybe something like spirits can limit their mana?

Luna: "So... Kaede has too much mana for that crest to hold?"

Mai: "Correct. And thank you again, Yui. I may have figured something out."

Kaede: "To help mom?"

Mai: "Yes. But I don't think I can do it alone. In other words, I'll need to work with the mages in Ya-"

Kaede: "Shh!"

Sensing that Mai was about to slip the idea of Yarene, I cover her mouth with my hand. Sure Luna will be coming, but we promised Yui's mom to keep this a secret.

Kaede: "Don't bring up Yarene around others."

I speak to her though my mind.

Mai: "Huh?"

Oh, right. I forgot that Mai wasn't there at the time. She probably has no idea of the significance that is, Yarene.

Kaede: "Just don't mention Yarene."

Mai: "Okay."

Happy, I let go of her mouth, sighing in relief.

Luna: "What was that about?"

Mai: "Oh, just that I'll need help getting the crest off of Lilith's back."

Luna: "Lilith?"

Kaede: "My mother."

Luna: "What?!"

Seems as though Luna will be catching up on a lot of things today. I would be annoyed by it, but over the past week, she's been quite kind with me. It genuinely feels like she's accepted me in a way. I can't help but smile at her as she comes to learn all these things.