I love her

"My love, I promise I haven't fallen for anyone else."

I stood before a tall woman whose aura was unlike anything I'd felt—like looking into a reflection. I couldn't really explain it beyond that.

Her hair was as clear as a mirror, and her eyes held an ocean's depth, a shade of blue that seemed to shift.

Her skin was a warm fawn, and she wore armor of silver and black, carrying a long katana. An odachi, I thought, recalling the name.

"Yes, she had an odachi."

I shook my head and muttered, "No, my love, I don't love her." I sighed as the words left my mouth.

The woman gave me a confused look, but I didn't mind.

"Listen, your students here tried to kill me. I'm quite fragile and don't like confrontation," I said.

She facepalmed. "What made you two attack someone of his caliber?"

Dally, voice suddenly timid in her presence, replied, "Because you told me to kill anyone in the wastelands."

Gabbi just nodded.

For a moment, my mind wandered back to the two travelers I'd met before. I never did check if they reached Bell… they'd probably take a while. Hopefully, they wouldn't end up dead.

The woman turned back to me, her expression softer. "I'm very sorry, good sir. May I know your name?"

"It's Caelum. And… I was wondering—would you teach me?"

She tilted her head, a flash of confusion in her gaze, and I heard Aubrey's voice in my mind: "No, no, no!"

Ignoring her, I pressed on.

"I know you're strong. I'm looking for someone, and I need guidance. I hoped you might train me until then."

She didn't answer immediately, just watched me thoughtfully. Before she could respond, Dally pulled her down to whisper in her ear.

She nodded, then looked at me again, still confused, then nodded again. "Uh, okay, I'll train you. But first, I need to ask a few questions."

I nodded, listening closely.

"First off, what type of magic do you use?"

I glanced at Dally, then answered, "Nature magic… I think it's of the highest tier."

Before she could respond, Gabbi stepped forward and whispered something to her. She nodded. "Alright, and what magic did you use to switch places with objects and people?"

"That's spatial magic. I developed it to teleport, but… it failed." I sighed, shaking my head.

"Okay… uh, what other types of magic do you have?" she asked, studying me with suspicion.

"Let's see… nature, time, soul, and space. I'm also resistant to mind-based magic."

She raised her eyebrows, but her expression quickly turned serious. "Then what exactly do you need me for? You're not much weaker than I am, from what I can sense."

"Really? I do sense a powerful mana from you, but… it doesn't matter. My control is weak, and I'm not good at handling high-tier magic. Plus, I can't actually use time or soul magic yet, but I know I will be able to soon."

Her gaze lingered before she let out another sigh. "Are you skilled with mana control or the blade?"

"No, I'm quite the novice with my blade, and my mana control is… minimal."

She paused, shrugged, and said, "Well, I have no reason to reject you, and I am trying to start my own school. I have one more question."

She drew Gabbi and Dally closer to her side and asked, "What's your end goal?"

"I want to live."

***

I held the puppet down and glanced over at Dally, whose sword pierced the neck of another one, while Gabbi swiftly slit a third's throat.

I looked down at my own defeated opponent and sighed, absorbing the remnants of its soul before standing up.

This has been going on since I arrived here.

Every time we pass this lonely cabin, we run into more of these puppet-like beings, and every time, Solavane holds back, watching from afar, as if testing us.

I don't need her help, but something about her evasiveness gnaws at me. I want confirmation—just one clue that she's the Mirror Girl.

No, I'll check tonight. I cast one last look at the distant cabin and sighed. "No, my love, I cannot see," I muttered.

Gabbi and Dally caught up, each placing a hand on my shoulder—Gabbi on the left, Dally on the right.

"Hey, you're looking for the one controlling these things, right?" Dally asked. "Why not go from kingdom to kingdom, tracking his mana?"

"That would take forever," I replied. "Besides, I ran into one of his stronger vessels before, and his mana's… different. It wouldn't work."

"These guys seem strong enough," Gabbi said, eyeing the fallen puppets. "They're not as strong as you, but I struggle to deal with them."

"I can't handle the strongest vessels yet," I admitted. "Last time, my wife took it down; I just helped."

Dally turned, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "So, I've been meaning to ask... how did she… well, you know?"

"Oh, she fought with an angry snowman and ended up with frostbite. She's fine, though. Just resting on my back." I patted my shoulder, though, of course, they couldn't see her.

They both sighed, and we reached Solavane, who shook her head with disapproval. "Caelum, your swordsmanship is impressive, but you're too focused on covering your back, as if you're hiding something."

"In a battle, isn't that normal?" I asked, sheathing my blade.

"Yes, but you focus so much on that woman that when we spar, you'd rather take a hit than let her image be harmed."

"Well, I can't let my wife get hurt," I muttered defensively.

Solavane sighed and turned to Dally. "You, charging in headfirst every time! Patience and calmness are key."

Dally blinked in disbelief, then retorted, "You're the one who taught me this style! And now that he's here, suddenly I'm doing it wrong?"

Solavane stumbled back, flustered. "What nonsense! I'm no brute like you!"

Gabbi shook her head and face-palmed. "Idiots. Both idiots, and one of them is my master."

Solavane shot Dally a furious look and punched him hard enough to send him flying. "That's it! You're fighting Caelum, and I'm giving him permission to go all out!"