Volume 4 Chapter 102: Chaos

After deciding to invite the members of the Sextet to My Garden, my body, which had been running on fumes, finally gave out. I’m pretty sure the one controlling it had been Magis-chan, but even her presence was gone now.

Once the shopkeeper undid the mana binding, we stepped out of My Garden. Apparently, we’d kept Tesea waiting for too long. Outside, where the sun had already set, Elle was dressed in that ridiculous outfit again, Sophie had a plain cloak pulled over her head, and the two of them were casually chatting with Tesea.

While I was relieved that Tesea hadn’t been left waiting all alone, I had no idea why those two were hanging around like it was the most natural thing in the world.

That said, Elle’s antics no longer surprised me. It’s an annoying kind of acclimation.

And Sophie? She’s usually wherever Elle is. At least they were trying to stay inconspicuous for a change.

“Hey, you’re finally out. Seriously… Milis, you shouldn’t go around using sacred artifacts in the middle of town.”

“The patrolling guards were suspicious of you. If Master hadn’t smoothed things over, it could have been bad.”

“Ah, my bad. Things got a little too lively in there, you see.”

Of course, the shopkeeper casually joined the conversation like it was nothing. There’s no point in overthinking it.

Elle beamed at me while Sophie bowed her head. Honestly, I should just be grateful they came to help. Today alone, Elle has saved me twice.

“Thanks, Elle, Sophie.”

“No need for thanks, Noil. I live for you, after all.”

“Uh, right…”

Are you sure you’re not wasting your life?

“It’s my pleasure to be of service, Noil-sama.”

I wonder if Sophie will ever stop tripping over her words.

As the two smiled at me, I matched their expressions with a forced coolness. Then Tesea walked up beside me. Whatever mess she’d made from her snacks earlier had been completely cleaned up, likely thanks to Elle and Sophie. Not that she’d been making a mess to begin with, but it seemed they’d taken good care of her.

“Welcome back.”

“I’m back. Sorry for making you wait, Tesea.”

“No, it’s fine. Elle-san and Sophie-chan came right away. But aren’t Ciara and the others out yet?”

“Tesea, you can just call me ‘Sister,’ you know?”

“Elle, let’s not derail the conversation, okay?”

Elle interrupted with her usual radiant smile, but I quickly shut her down. Please don’t fill Tesea’s head with weird ideas—she’s too pure. She might actually start calling you that, and then we’ll be living in a whole new reality.

“Hmm, then I shall also be addressed as Sister—”

“Shopkeeper, stop talking.”

This whole strange reality is escalating!

I cut off the shopkeeper with a glare and turned back to Tesea—

“Then how about calling Sophie—”

“Sophie is just Sophie.”

Redirecting smoothly, I gave Sophie a kind smile. She returned it with a delighted grin.

Damn it, we’re getting nowhere.

Why is it like this? Why is everything so chaotic?

That’s when I realized the problem.

Mina wasn’t here.

The one person who could act as a stopper for these two wasn’t present.

No wonder the burden fell entirely on me. Tesea isn’t ready to take on that role, and the shopkeeper? Well, he’s firmly on their side.

There’s no one here to back me up.

Until now, Mina had always been with us, so I never noticed how crucial her presence was. But now that she’s gone, her importance is painfully obvious.

I’m hopeless. Missing my best friend like this…

Still, asking why Mina isn’t here would be a mistake. Even I know Elle would react in the most annoying way possible.

Besides, there’s nothing unusual about Mina not being here. She has her own life and can’t always follow Elle around.

The thought of handling what’s ahead without her feels exhausting.

Including the three still sleeping inside My Garden, I’d have to introduce the entire Sextet. Frankly, I’m nothing but anxious.

The shopkeeper seems calm now, but will things really go smoothly?

Sigh…

I let out a deep breath and, seeking comfort, patted Tesea’s head. She tilted her head in confusion but didn’t seem to mind.

◇

In the White Road shop, with Noel, Fiona, and Ciara now awake and properly dressed, everyone, including them, watched intently as the shopkeeper handed me My Garden.

The three of them had seemed on the verge of another argument with the shopkeeper, but as soon as I started talking about the souls within me, their expressions changed completely.

Their faces turned utterly blank, and Fiona asked, “…Excuse me? There were women in there too?” Her tone was unnervingly sharp, but at least it diverted their hostility away from the shopkeeper. Not that it helped me; the redirected hostility was now stabbing into me like a spear. I gave up on resisting it.

I took the small, wide-mouthed vial with both hands. I’d seen it several times before, but this was the first time I’d touched it. It felt no different from any ordinary bottle. However, as soon as I held it, My Garden emitted a faint glow.

Apparently, that was the signal that I had become its new owner. Since My Garden could only be touched by its rightful owner unless transferred, this confirmed the handover. Slightly nervous, I set the bottle on the table between the sofas.

Now all I had to do was uncork it and focus on the people I wanted to invite.

If all went well, the members of the Sextet would temporarily leave my body.

…Well, that’s if it went well.

I took a deep breath.

In a place that isn’t quite reality, I’ve met them all many times. Not once, not twice, but countless times. I don’t remember those encounters, but deep down, they must be etched into my heart. Even though My Garden might not be part of reality, if I meet them face-to-face there, will I remember? Will I recall the time we spent together—the irreplaceable memories we shared?

There’s a dream I’ve always had—one I should never forget, yet I can’t seem to recall.

It’s a joyful dream that fills me to the brim, only for it to vanish from memory, leaving me with a deep sense of loneliness. That strange phenomenon has happened to me repeatedly since childhood. Now, I finally understand. In those dreams, I must have been meeting the Sextet.

I glanced at Tesea, who was seated beside me, analyzing my condition with her Analyze ability. She nodded slowly.

It seemed they were manifesting strongly now.

I let out another breath.

Focusing on the vivid images of them in my mind, I called out.

“…Invite.”

The moment I muttered the word, multiple lights were drawn into My Garden. I felt a sensation as if something was being pulled out of my body.

At the same time, my entire body felt feather-light. Surprised, I realized an overwhelming surge of power was rising within me. My mana had increased to an unbelievable extent, coursing through me in a way I’d never experienced before.

My body… felt completely different.

“What… is this?”

Unable to help myself, I stared down at my hands. What was happening?

“That’s your true strength, Noil.”

“Huh?”

The shopkeeper, sitting across from me, looked at me with interest, resting his chin on his hand thoughtfully.

“I always thought your mana flow was unusual, but… hmm, so that’s it.”

“…Like I said when we first met, Noil’s mana was divided,” Tesea added, continuing the explanation as she inspected my still-confused body.

“You’ve unconsciously been sharing mana with the souls inside you. The mana that should have been circulating through your body was split into seven parts. That’s why you’ve always been running low on mana. So now, even though your body feels great, it’s just back to how it was supposed to be.”

She let out a small sigh, then gave me a faint smile.

“Heh, you don’t look like you believe it. But this is your true mana capacity. And since your mana has returned…”

“The others… are in there…?”

“Yeah, exactly.”

Apparently, the Sextet had left my body. The changes that came with their departure were drastic, just as Tesea had described. It’s not something I can easily believe. Was this how I used to be before pulling up the Sealed Soul Orb? It’s been so long that I can’t even remember.

Come to think of it, wasn’t there a day when Dad carried me home on his back? I think I fell sick and was bedridden for a while after meeting Ciara… Wait, none of that matters now. Really, whether my mana was abundant or scarce in the past doesn’t matter at all.

The Sextet has helped me countless times up until now.

Sharing my mana with them is a small price to pay. They can use as much as they want. It’s not like I ever put it to good use anyway.

“Wait a minute. Are you saying… that senpai’s mana constantly enveloped them? And not only were they dwelling inside your body, but they also had that kind of privilege…?!”

Fiona, let’s not go there. Seriously, just let it go. It’s not important right now, okay?

I couldn’t bring myself to look at Fiona, who was visibly trembling behind me.

Feeling the pressure radiating from my back, I spoke without turning around.

“Fiona, it’s not really—”

“It absolutely is!”

“Ah, okay.”

Her piercing scream, almost like a shriek, made me flinch. My ears rang painfully.

“Ah! I’m so sorry, senpai! I just… But you realize mana is practically the essence of a person, right? And to be constantly surrounded by your mana, well… that’s practically the same as… as intimacy, isn’t it?!”

“No, it’s not.”

It’s definitely not.

I didn’t feel like I was doing anything, but I know for sure it’s not that.

Why does it even have to be compared to that?!

Fiona, there’s something very wrong with you.

“Indeed, that’s not the case,” a voice chimed in.

Just as I was struggling to figure out how to calm her down, an unexpected ally emerged: the shopkeeper.

Sitting across from me, she crossed her legs and raised a finger, looking quite smug. Considering her expertise in mana, she might be able to explain it better than me.

“Mana and physical interaction are completely different. Well, that sensation is something you’ll never understand in your lifetime.”

Hold on.

You’re just making things worse!

“In the end, those who dwelled within Noil’s body were merely given mana. They didn’t merge with him like I did, nor could it be compared to something as intimate as physical interaction.”

Hey, stop!

I’m about to get really mad here!

Even White Road has nothing to do with that!

“I get it,” Noel interjected from behind the shopkeeper, her smile unwavering.

The shopkeeper leaned her head against the back of the sofa to look up at her, clearly startled.

Am I the only one with a bad feeling about this?

“My new Magis Gear, Blood Bride, grows stronger the more of Noil’s blood I receive.”

…What?

What kind of gear is that?

Why is it like this?

And why is it my blood specifically?!

“When I take his blood, his mana flows into me as well.”

Ah… so that sensation of something being drained from my entire body… that’s what it was?

But why would your gear even work like that?!

“So, I understand. That feeling of Noil’s mana mingling with mine… It’s like he becomes part of me.”

There’s no hidden meaning here. There must be no hidden meaning.

Damn it, why does it sound so suggestive?

Am I the weird one here?

Unable to meet Noel’s gaze, I turned away. She was watching me with a hand to her lips, looking as calm as ever.

What’s going on with her?

She seems to be fully conscious, despite her earlier outburst. Come to think of it, Noel doesn’t lose her memory even when intoxicated.

“Well, that’s different from me,” the shopkeeper muttered. “But I see… so this was all calculated into her abilities… My, my, you are something else.”

For once, the shopkeeper let out a tired sigh, shrugging her shoulders.

Noel kept smiling at me, and instinctively, I pressed a hand to my neck.

“Fiona, calm down,” I said, addressing her without looking. She had gotten so close to my neck that I could feel her breath.

Activating Love Lover’s effect, I managed to make Fiona back off, leaving her with a shocked expression.

“No way…! Then please, give me your blood too, senpai!”

“No.”

“Then please, just be with me!”

Be with you…?

I’m not asking. I refuse to ask.

Ignoring Fiona, I turned toward Ciara, seated beside me on the other side of Tesea. For some reason, she had been silently but persistently reaching for my lower half.

I caught her hands, stopping what felt like her umpteenth attempt to assault me, and used the hand that had been guarding my neck to hold her down.

What is she even doing?

You’re worrying your big brother here.

“…Why are you stopping me, brother? This is just sibling bonding.”

You’re worrying me even more!

Still holding Ciara’s hands, I glanced past her toward Elle and Sophie by the counter. Their conversation, which I’d been hearing snippets of, was getting more ominous by the second.

“At worst… we can tie him up.”

“It can’t be helped.”

“That’s right. Sophie, do we have that thing we bought earlier?”

“Yes, Master, it’s right here.”

Sophie pulled out that scandalous piece of fabric we’d seen at the lingerie shop earlier.

Why do you even have that?!

“Well, it seems we’re out of options. I’ll have to deepen my connection with Noil immediately.”

“Good luck, Master.”

…Yep, this is spiraling out of control.

Help me, Mina.

“Tesea, I’m heading inside. I’ll call everyone later.”

“…Yeah, I think that’s for the best.”

With Tesea’s reluctant approval, I fled into My Garden.