—I kick the ground with force, propelling my body forward.

The sweat running down my forehead brushes against the wind, and I blink, ignoring it as it tickles along the edge of my vision.

I feel the ache in my lungs as I breathe in, my body compressing tightly around my solar plexus.

“—!”

Clenching my teeth, I push the pain out of my mind.

The only thought painting my mind is a single word: “Goal.”

“—!”

From somewhere far off, I sense a high voice calling out.

It draws nearer and nearer, chasing after me as I run. Relying on that voice, I pull ahead, pushing forward, forward—.

“—!”

Invigorated by that earnest voice, I don’t care if my eyesight blurs as I run.

Soon,

“You’re at the goal, you know!”

Just as I leap over the clumsy white line laid out at my feet, the world flipped upside down.

I nearly crash headfirst into the low grass, and in a flash, I plant my hands on the ground to roll forward. It’s a reflexive action to absorb the impact, and with a couple of unnecessary spins, I end up lying flat on my back.

“Bwah! Ah—! This is hard! It’s so exhausting! But it’s over! I did it!”

While panting heavily, I still shout with everything I’ve got.

The awful-sounding complaints are meant to invigorate my wilting heart. I mustn’t see fatigue as just fatigue, nor should I view my efforts as mere hardships.

I have to think that this isn’t the end and that there’s more to come, or my heart won’t move forward.

Each time I mentally try to draw a line marking an end to my satisfaction, I place my hand on my chest and remember that night.

“Subaru, you did great, didn’t you?”

Hovering above my sprawled-out form is a small shadow that crosses my line of sight upside down.

It’s a girl with a lovely face and luxurious cream-colored hair curled elegantly—Beatrice.

She swayed the hem of her dress, which seemed out of place in the meadow, and gently offered me a towel. I took it and roughly wiped my head, loading it with gratitude.

“Ah, this is a lifesaver. I hate how you’re so thoughtful, keeping it at just the right chill.”

“That was Petra’s consideration, who cooled it before giving it to Betty. If you thank her later, she might jump for joy.”

“As expected of Petra, always so considerate. But it’s rare for you to pop by, Beako. Did something unusual happen today?”

I sit up, waving my arms energetically before sliding my butt along the ground to face Beatrice. She diverts her eyes, placing her hands on her hips.

“Not really, just a whim, you know.”

“Heh, a whim, huh?”

“…I just wanted to see what the diligent-looking Subaru is truly like, after all the effort you put in.”

With her turned away defiantly, Beatrice unveils her hidden feelings easily.

It’s quite a transformation; I can feel the impact of her slowly opened heart.

Beatrice looks at me with a mix of emotions, yet she ultimately chooses to remain silent, just releasing a small sigh.

“So, just running around recklessly like this isn’t all there is to it. What are you planning to do next?”

“Just running around recklessly is pretty tough too, you know, young lady. I can’t promise I’ll meet your expectations, but from here on, we’re entering the dreamlike athletic zone!”

“…Oh, you’re talking about the stacking blocks in the forest that Garfiel had made? Athletic, huh?”

“Athletic zone. You don’t have to force yourself to remember it, you know? Just let it flow past you.”

“I want to understand all of Subaru’s words!”

At that, my cheeks loosen up even more. Beatrice, curious about my reaction, looks at me quizzically before she suddenly realizes the implication of her words and her expression changes in a fluster. Her slightly flushed cheeks are lovely like fruit.

“I-I didn’t mean it that way… it just happened to sound that way.”

“No, no, no, it’s all good, no misunderstandings. You can relax; I love you too!”

“You don’t understand at all, do you?!”

Grinning, I leap up, dodging the irate Beatrice and effortlessly wrapping my arms around her knees.

Beatrice, held in my arms, had a sulky expression, but she made no complaint about being carried.

“Subaru, am I sweaty?”

“Then just breathe through your mouth. Or just directly mana drain me.”

“If I can suck you dry until you’re dried up, I’ll do it!”

“If you do that, you’ll probably be the one crying.”

“Who would cry!? That’s ridiculous!”

As we bicker, I carry Beatrice and run off again.

My breath returns while we playfully mess around. It’s just the right weight to carry Beatrice as I dash from the grassy running course into the next athletic ground within the forest.

After all, this girl is surprisingly light despite her appearance. It feels like I’m running with the ease of flying.

That’s why, with wings on my back, I run alongside Beatrice, leaping as if we’re flying.

※※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

The new mansion that replaces the burned-down estate is still surrounded by greenery, just like before.

Lush grass and dense green clusters. A refreshing breeze blows through, and I feel my short bangs flutter in the wind as I kick the soil.

“Yo! Ha, to!”

In a place where green consumes all of my vision, sprinting through the forest, I gently place my hand on a log lying on its side, using a slight jump and weight shift to clear the obstacle.

This is called “Vault,” a movement technique effective in complex, obstacle-rich environments such as urban areas. The kind of sport that uses these techniques is known as parkour, and I’ve always been amazed watching parkour players on television.

I never imagined I would acquire even a semblance of such astonishing abilities.

“Ha, ya, ha!”

The climbing apparatus made of multiple logs is the highlight of the athletic zone Garfiel constructed for me.

With robust trees supporting it, logs are spread out in all directions, forming a jungle gym that leans toward the avant-garde.

Just simply climbing it slowly would leave one confused about where to place their next hand and foot.

Nonetheless, I leap onto it with the momentum of my sprint, using barely any handholds and toes to ascend its vertical walls in a single action.

I reach the top of the jungle gym at lightning speed.

But the magnificence of parkour techniques and this genuine jungle gym setup doesn’t end here.

“Hoh, hoh, hoh!”

Upon reaching the peak, I bounce across the narrow platforms, arriving at the edge and peering down. It’s about six meters to the ground, roughly.

Naturally, there’s nothing soft laid out on the ground covered with weeds and moss. Even the ground that might bear some softness is firmly packed by now.

In other words, landing normally would mean inevitable damage, causing my legs to tremble.

Yet,

“—Rya!”

Without hesitation, I leap towards the solid ground below. This unguarded leap might seem reckless, but it’s perhaps a sheer embodiment of my usual reckless nature.

Still, I kick my legs down and hit the ground. I’m engulfed by the shock, but I don’t just roll around and writhe in pain.

“—”

I bend my knees and lower my waist to disperse the impact, immediately rolling forward to mitigate further damage. After rolling twice or thrice, I manage to get back to my feet with no injuries. I simply brush off the dirt clinging to my sportswear.

This combines the parkour techniques known as “Landing” and “Roll.”

Landing is about the technique of touchdown, while rolling disperses the shock.

If I’m to fall from a certain height, I can redistribute the impact and continue without a hitch. This might not be a significant concern for the superhero types, but for ordinary folks like me, even this is a life-or-death matter.

Just acquiring this technique broadens the range of what I can do enormously.

“Well, that’s about it for now. Did I earn some respect?”

Spreading my arms wide, I glance at Beatrice, who had been watching the series of movements.

Sitting quietly on a stump meant for spectators, she looks at me with rounder eyes.

“Honestly, I’m a little surprised. I might have reconsidered a bit.”

“Reconsidered? For love?”

“I don’t quite understand what you want to make me say, Subaru!”

“I just want to feel that I’m loved by you, that’s all.”

It’s clear as day from her attitude that Beatrice shows how much she loves me.

With a red face, Beatrice looks irritated, but I just grin at her and turn back to look behind me.

As showcased by the parkour techniques I displayed, a portion of the forest has been transformed into an athletic zone primarily for my training.

Since this is Roswaal’s domain, there will be no complaints about it, but I genuinely want to recommend Garfiel to get into civil engineering given how easily he clears the land to create such structures.

Surprisingly, Garfiel is quite nimble and detail-oriented as well. His youthful, ferocious talent will surely blossom across various fields in the future.

“In any case, I suppose this is enough for today.”

“Ho-reh, eh?”

Catching the towel tossed at me, I wipe away my sweat as I had done in the field.

After that, I do some stretches, bending down to ease the tension in my legs and waist. The importance of a flexible body has been emphasized in my previous world, but ever since I started my serious workout routines, I’ve been particularly feeling the effects.

While I’m not quite at the level of doing full splits, I’ve become much more flexible.

I hook my foot on a nearby tree trunk and stretch my body. As I sit on the ground with my legs spread, Beatrice, having circled behind me without saying a word, leans forward, putting her weight into it.

“Stretching’s done. Alright, let’s head back to the mansion and lounge around.”

“Sounds good.”

There’s no rebuttal to the words I would have usually contested before.

Beatrice has grown accustomed to dealing with me now, and her responses have become familiar.

Grabbing her outstretched hand, I lead Beatrice toward the forest exit.

“Beako, are you perhaps holding back on the mana drain? I feel like it’s a lighter sensation than usual.”

“Even I have the nerve to be considerate to a fatigued partner, you know.”

“Oh wow! Such a difference in opinion after just two hours. But it wouldn’t matter if you broke your rhythm, just keep it regular.”

With a smile at the demure Beatrice, I lift our joined hands. Seeing that, Beatrice lets out a sigh, and the familiar feeling comes flooding back.

Inside my closed gate, Beatrice’s presence intrudes directly. This serves as an alternative entrance that bypasses the usual gate, specifically extracting mana from me.

This backdoor can only be utilized by Beatrice, and it’s currently my lifeline.

Due to overuse of the gate, I’ve completely lost that function.

However, just because the gate is gone doesn’t mean that the meager amount of mana generated from the Odo within me vanishes.

Rather, even with no exit, mana continues to gather ceaselessly.

If I leave it unchecked, the mana trapped within me risks going haywire, eventually leading to an explosion like an inflated frog—at least, that’s my understanding.

Whether it actually explodes is a different story, but it’s a warning Beatrice conveyed.

Therefore, in order to maintain our contract and meet the necessary mana requirements, Beatrice and I ensure we make physical contact at least once a day.

Though it’s in small amounts, my mana keeps building while Beatrice needs mana to act. Beyond our personalities, our physiological compatibility is exceptional.

However,

“If Beako’s mana drain could apply to others outside the contractor, I could have easily maintained that robust girl form from before.”

“Don’t get all nostalgic on me. I’m sure we talked about this long ago and reached an understanding. And even in small amounts, I’m diligently gathering mana, even if that’s just bird tears.”

Beatrice’s mana drain is a tricky business since it targets only the contractor.

Previously at Roswaal’s mansion, it appears she was casually draining mana from everyone entering or leaving freely, but that was a special method mediated through the Forbidden Library.

“The Forbidden Library served as an intermediary for Betty’s mana absorption, collecting mana from those residing in the mansion through it.”

That was Beatrice’s explanation.

Because of that, strategies to drain mana from Garfiel—who seems to be overflowing with it—or from Emilia, who was struggling with her tremendous mana when we left the Sanctuary, collapsed like a house of cards. I could almost hear someone silently judging the impossibility of such a situation.

Yet, while I was initially disappointed, I now think it worked out for the best.

Making contact with Beatrice regularly feels like a vital ritual for affirming the relationship between me and her, and the tangible connection we share brings positive effects.

The partnership between me, as a spirit user, and Beatrice, as my contracted spirit, is distinctly different from typical spirit-user relationships. Confirming this aspect of ourselves in these moments is essential for our way of doing things.

“It’s all done. Today, are you satisfied enough?”

“Yeah… I’m feeling relaxed.”

“I’ve decided not to comment on where you try to act tough.”

As I finish up our usual routine, Beatrice’s gaze scrutinizes me with an almost warm look.

Making our way back, we walk through forest trails, traversing the paved road leading to the mansion, a clear sign that we are near. Although resembling the route when we were close to Araham Village, it immediately connects to the nearby city of CosTool on the opposite side, drastically reducing the sense of isolation.

“But you know, Beatrice, I preferred the quiet forest back then.”

“I believe both a bustling city and a tranquil forest have their own merits. Neither is superior—though I’ve only seen larger cities like the Royal Capital, so CosTool feels new.”

“Muu, is what you’re saying to me.”

Pouting, Beatrice expresses her displeasure at my answer.

With her hand intertwined with mine, I say, “Hey, hey,” while we walk toward the mansion. Suddenly,

“—Subaru-sama! Beatrice-chan!”

A high voice calls out our names, and Beatrice and I look up simultaneously. From the opposite side of the path leading to the mansion, a girl runs toward us.

Familiar voice, familiar face—a cheerful expression lights up as we spot her, with her tea-colored hair gently blowing in the wind.

Her big, round, cat-like eyes further enhance her expressive face, evoking smiles from all who witness her playful nature.

A wildflower blooming in a field untouched by humans.

To describe the girl named Petra Reite, such an expression is most fitting.

“I was just about to call out to you two! I’m glad we didn’t miss each other!”

Catching her breath, Petra rushes up to us, placing her hands on her chest before speaking.

In response, I gently ruffle the hair of Petra, who has grown taller, now reaching my chest.

“Why the hurry? We’re not running away or anything! Did the tarts you were baking come out perfectly?”

“If that were the case, I would have rushed over immediately! This is serious, you know?”

“Hey! Don’t tease Subaru-sama and Beatrice-chan!”

Puffing her cheeks, Petra scolds Beatrice, then tries to brush away my hand resting on her head. Instead of removing it completely, she holds onto it momentarily.

Still holding my hand, Petra, blushing, resumes speaking.

“I put off baking the tarts to deliver some news. We have a visitor at the mansion. Emilia-sama asked me to tell Subaru-sama and Beatrice that…”

“Wait, Petra. Stop right there. That’s raising my bad premonition.”

“Huh?”

Hearing her words, I openly display my alertness.

Petra appears surprised, while Beatrice has a face that suggests she understands.

And rightfully so. Since moving the mansion, Beatrice has been privy to the same events I’ve experienced.

“A significant portion of it follows patterns that have already been confirmed. There are times when Petra calls, times with Frederica, and with Otto or Garfiel, but it’s mostly troublesome. Even I’ve learned from my experiences.”

“A sudden visitor and Subaru being out? That’s definitely a pattern of misfortune coming our way.”

“Huh!? Even Beatrice-chan is using phrases like Subaru-sama does…! Subaru-sama, don’t teach her anything weird!”

“Regarding Beako’s upbringing, I stand by a flexible approach that the whole mansion agrees upon. But regardless, we have a guest. Petra, Beatrice and I are claiming stomachaches, so we’re sitting this one out.”

“No! Emilia-sama will get angry! I have no reason to go against Emilia-sama! Come on, let’s go, go!”

Even though I’m refusing, Petra, fueled by her duty, doesn’t relent.

It’s a stark contrast to the time when she solely followed my opinions; living here has had her grow up quite a bit, now directly voicing her thoughts to me.

With both her arms pulling on my right arm with all her might, Petra drags me forward, and I glance at Beatrice, whose hand I hold.

“Beako.”

“Have fun on your own!”

“You’re coming with me!”

“Ginya!?”

Seeking help somehow turns into dragging Beatrice along. She instinctively tries to shake off my hand, but I hold her tight with my left while Petra holds my right, leaving us with no escape.

The three of us head towards the mansion, with Beatrice’s annoyed attempts to escape countered by Petra’s unyielding pull.

“I understand we can’t turn back anyone who arrives now… but still, I wish I knew beforehand.”

“A messenger for a messenger? If that’s the case, how far in advance should I have sent someone? Even I understand that much.”

“For the sake of our mental health and future relationships, I’d like a bit of better handling. By the way, do you know who our guest is, Petra?”

Since it involves a visitor to the mansion, it would have been Petra, Frederica, or Ram who dealt with them. As Petra has come to call us, the two others are likely the ones handling matters.

“Hmm, well… I don’t really know.”

“You don’t know? Even if you haven’t seen the crest, surely you must have seen the messenger or heard something?”

“She was in a hurry, saying it was an important guest! But they didn’t seem that way at all…”

“Just because they didn’t look it doesn’t mean you should judge people by appearance! Even with a dangerously styled hairdo, a girl can have fearsome powers. Just because she looks like a spoiled child in a fancy dress doesn’t mean she doesn’t have extraordinary abilities…”

“Shut up!”

I was silenced by Beatrice’s sharp interruption of my harmless monologue.

Petra looked troubled at my abruptness.

“I too have resolved not to judge anyone based on looks, just like I’ve regretted it before.”

“Oh, impressive, Petra. I don’t know what happened before, but that’s an important lesson.”

“It’s just that I used to think the new, scowling worker in the village was weird… but they were nothing like that.”

“Boomerang!”

Taking an unexpected hit, I tilt my head at Petra’s remark. Apart from her first impression of me, I ponder her preceding statement.

She resolved not to base her judgments on appearances but still found someone odd regarding their looks.

“How was that person?”

“To put it simply… a kitty?”

“A kitty?”

When I hear “kitty,” the first image that flashes to mind is one of a small cat spirit with long tails swaying gracefully and a gray coat. I have mixed feelings about this entity and look forward to the day when I must confront them directly.

“I’ll have to ask for the lady to let me have her.”

“Beatrice also thought of Nii-chan, but Petra must have seen Nii-chan before. So, it must be different. Petra, what kind of kitty was it?”

“It’s funny that Beatrice-chan also calls them kitties! How cute!”

“Pe-Tra!”

Beatrice stresses my name in exasperation.

Petra cheerfully apologizes, then gazes upward as if remembering something.

“Saying ‘kitty’ isn’t entirely accurate. I haven’t seen them closely, but I think it was an animal person of the cat tribe. Whenever I hear ‘animal people,’ I always think of Garfiel, but…”

“Garfiel is mixed blood, so there’s no clear feature at a glance. Upon closer inspection, it’s just the dangerously sharp eyes that give a clue…”

I could mention his sharp fangs as a differing trait.

According to Garfiel, that set of fangs apparently keeps growing continuously like a rodent’s front teeth, requiring him to gnaw on hard objects to maintain their length and sharpness.

It’s not uncommon to find Garfiel chewing on the mansion’s handrails, leading to the occasional scolding from Ram or Frederica.

“So, it seems we’re looking at an authentic animal person. A cat tribe would mean I might recognize a few faces.”

Naturally, animal people are common in both the Royal Capital and CosTool.

Under Roswaal’s domain, notorious for being animal people-friendly, the prejudices toward them have been slowly dissolved over a long period. Hence, the environment for animal people is much more accommodating here compared to other lands. That’s what I gathered from the recollections of a dandy rabbit-eared bar owner I’m acquainted with.

However, since Petra primarily works in the mansion, often escaping from her occasional day off to return to Araham Village, she hasn’t had much exposure.

“I see. Then, will you guide me through CosTool on your next off day?”

“Sure! I’ll inevitably be making frequent runs for shopping, so use those opportunities to meet acquaintances and make friends!”

When I casually agree, Petra poses like a victor.

Beatrice lets out a sigh, while I can only chuckle awkwardly, still holding onto her hands.

“Well, we’ve arrived. Nostalgically back at my home.”

As we talk, the mansion gate comes into view, and I lift our joined hands high. Ignoring the protests of the girls, I straighten my back to gaze at the estate.

The new mansion, built to replace the burned down one, retains a similar exterior to the original design, fitting the same architectural theme as the former mansion.

The distance from the main gate to the entrance has widened, now featuring a lawn neatly trimmed alongside a gravel road. To the right, there is a fountain; to the left, a path leads around the side of the mansion, where there are stables for dragging carriages and housing Earth Dragons.

Behind the fountain, a flowerbed adorned with colorful blossoms blooms, with a fountain that waters them at regular intervals. By the way, at one corner of the flowerbed is a small garden tended by Petra and me, yielding seasonal vegetables sporadically, which become fairly popular during bountiful harvests.

As we cut through the front yard over the gravel, the grand double doors welcome us. The door knocker displays the Meizars family crest—a motif of a bird resembling a hawk—radiating an undeniable air of the Meizars estate.

“There’s a carriage I’ve never seen by the stables. Is that the guest’s?”

“It’s a carriage, but unlike Patrasche, it’s not drawn by an Earth Dragon; instead, it’s being pulled by a large dog.”

“A big dog pulling it… wait, could that be…?”

As memory strikes me, I try to put the dots together, but before I can articulate the answer, the visitors provide it sooner than my thoughts could.

Namely,

“Oh! Big Brother! Long time no see! Have you been well?!”

An exuberant, high-pitched voice catches my attention, and when I open the door, I am taken aback.

Next to me, Petra chuckles while Beatrice seems to grip my hand tighter. I overlook their reactions to focus on the lively figure rushing toward me.

A tiny figure.

She’s even shorter than Petra and just a bit taller than Beatrice. In other words, she’s a child in stature, but this might be the extent of their growth.

Her vibrant orange fur covers her small body, and her upright cat ears are irresistibly cute. Her round, curious eyes shine, complimented by a mischievous grin revealing her playful teeth. Twisted into braids, her long orange hair lends itself to a girl-like demeanor, snugly wrapped in a white robe.

She’s like a kitten standing on two feet, a dream come true for any cat lover.

A cat person—one whom I’m acquainted with.

“Mimi! It’s you! Long time no see! You look as energetic as ever!”

“Yeah! Yup! Mimi’s super energetic! You got that, Big Brother! Also, I’m taller now than before! I’ve grown up! Ehehe!”

Placing her hands on her hips, Mimi swings her tail back and forth proudly, striking a pose as if to show off.

She may look like a simple, boisterous girl, but in reality, she serves as the vice-captain of the mercenary group made up entirely of beastfolk—“Iron Fangs”—and carries quite a bit of combat prowess to boot.

She and I have previously teamed up to take down the White Whale and Petelgeuse, forming a bond of friendship easily through those encounters.

By the way, “Iron Fangs” is essentially a private army for Anastasia Hoshin, who stands as the political opponent of Emilia, which places us in apparent hostility.

Yet harboring any animosity toward Mimi would be quite distasteful.

“That’s right. Thank you for coming all this way. By the way, let me introduce you. This adorable maid over here is Petra—our future all-purpose maid who works at our mansion. And the wary little girl over here is Beatrice.”

“Oh! I got it! The maid is Petra, and she’s Subaru’s daughter! I’m remembering this! Mimi’s remembering!”

“Wh-what an utterly bizarre way to remember this…!”

Beatrice, trembling with wariness, manages to retreat a step, shying away behind me. Meanwhile, Mimi doesn’t hesitate and boldly approaches.

“What’s this? If you keep shrinking back like that, you’ll never be able to grow up like Mimi! Come on—come out, come out!”

“W-wait, s-stop! Beatrice isn’t concerned about being small, and you’re the one who’s so little yourself!”

“Hmph, that’s why you’re such a rookie! Mimi’s got the spirit inside, so someday I’ll grow big on the outside too! The captain said so!”

“That’s nonsensical!”

Suddenly, as Beatrice attempts to shake off the playful Mimi, I watch her being dragged around.

Beatrice glances at me for help, but I observe her face of embarrassment over learning to make friends with someone awkward and watch over her as if I were a father.

“Hey, Subaru-sama. Beatrice-chan’s looking at you with a super scary face, you know?”

“People grow through facing their fears. Beako just happens to be a bit too picky, so I think it’s great if she slowly nurtures some adventurous spirit. Let’s sit back and watch, Mother.”

“M-Mother?! I—I understand!”

Blushing and momentarily silent, Petra realizes the word I used wrong, but I choose to forgo addressing it for now.

Then I redirect my focus toward Mimi, who’s twirling Beatrice’s hand while having fun.

“So, now that you’re here, are the others… like your two brothers or Ricardo, here too? I really hope Julius doesn’t show up unannounced.”

The knight of Anastasia Hoshin, Julius Euclius, and I have a complicated relationship that makes facing him quite a challenge.

Admittedly, I feel a certain reluctance toward Anastasia, but my feelings toward Julius are considerably worse.

But Mimi shakes her head, responding to my concern.

“Heathero and Tibby aren’t here, nor is the captain or Julius or the lady! Today, it’s just Mimi! I came here all by myself, so there!”

“That’s impressive, but… so then, what did you come for?”

“Um, oh right! I just remembered!”

After tilting her head to ponder my question, Mimi hops up onto Beatrice, who is uneasily cradling the girl. Ignoring Beatrice’s startled attempt to steady herself, she smiles brightly as she says,

“It’s an invitation to a party! You know, the lady said we should all come and play together! So that’s why I’m here to invite you! I’m super looking forward to it! It’ll be amazing!”