…

Returning to Astrea Mansion, in her own room, she couldn’t help but smile.

Suddenly a blush appeared on her face and she thought with a love-struck look.

“~Hero~Ah~He called me a hero!~ I am his hero~ He patted me~He hugged me” she said in a sweet tone before jumping on her bed and rolling holding the pillow.

“Zero, I love you” she muttered holding the pillow imagining him smiling at her.

However, at that moment a knock sounded at the door.

“Reina! Are you there?!” hearing the voice, her mood instantly plummeted and she came and opened the door revealing a man.

He was a muscular man, with short-red hair, blue eyes and stubble beard.

“What were you doing in your room for hours?! Why didn’t you go on patrolling today?” he asked angry, looking at her as if looking at filth.

“I was reading a book, father” her voice strained as she uttered out the word ‘Father’.

He snorted and said “Anyway, come with me. I have something to tell you”

She nodded and followed him, he said “Listen, I have decided to support that gu- Felt in the Royal Selection”

“She is the best candidate for us to get the Dragon Blood, Lady Crusch is too rigid and she might deny the Dragon blood itself due to her ideology”

“Lady Antastasia meanwhile is too scheming for my taste, Lady Priscilla is too arrogant and she even called me servant, me?! The current successor of Astrea family! As for that last candidate, half-elf?” he snorted.

“Choosing her will mean losing, after all who would want a Half-Elf as their ruler? Now, while Felt is from the slums, we can do a total makeover of her in one month and with Astrea family’s support she has got a solid chance- I see potential in her” he grinned at the end as they stopped before a door.

‘So, you can see potential in her? And cannot even spare a glance to your own daughter?’ she thought sarcastically, her eyes dimmed before regaining their light as she recalled a smiling Subaru.

“However, she will need a Knight, and that’s where yo-” before he could finish his sentence Reina said “I refuse”

He was stunned; it was the first time his daughter has refused HIS ORDERS.

“What did you say?” his eyes became cold, as he towered over her frame and glared at her.

Not a bit fearful she said “As I said, I refuse father” he broke into laughter.

“Do not make me repeat myself! Are you so ungrateful that you cannot give your Loyalty away for your mother?! You scum!” he spat, looking at her with hatred and disgust.

Her heart broke seeing that look, however she stood firm and looked into his eyes “My answer is same, I refuse”

He rose his palm, ready to hit her, “You ungrateful bitch!”

“Stop!” his hand stopped mid-air and his face became pale as he was glared by an angry Felt with  her arms crossed.

“Princess- why are you outside? We were just about to meet you” he said a bit nervously, since he had accepted to sponsor her, it meant her position was higher than his.

She was a royal candidate after all.

“Sir Heinkel what were you going to do just right now?” she asked demanding an explanation.

“Princess, this daughter of mine refused to take oath as your Knight- Despite knowing whom the Astrea family is supporting!” he said.

She turned towards Reina and asked “Miss Reina, are you okay?” to which Reina gave a nod.

“If she doesn’t want to become my Knight, there is no need to force her, and isn’t it disgusting for you to force your own daughter to do something unwilling?” she questioned.

“Daughter?! She is a fucking curse to me! Because of her my wife went to coma and my mother died! It’s all this bitch’s fault! And now that I am giving her opportunity to redeem herself! She is refusing me!” he shouted his grievances.

Felt was shocked, not by what Felt did but how Heinkel treated her daughter.

“Heinkel, you disgust me!” she said and his eyebrows twitched.

“I disgust you? This is all this bitch’s fault! And remember! You are a gutter rat! Without my support you are nothing!” he spat in anger, however seeing Felt’s moist eyes his face became pale.

“I am a gutter rat huh?! Fine! I don’t need you to sponsor me! I can become the queen by myself!” she said turning around and walking away in anger.

“N-No princess wait! I apologize for my words” he said panicked, then he glared at Reina before going to Felt, trying to fix up his mistake.

Reina stood there for a moment, silent. Her emotions a mess, she turned around and walked, her steps hastened and soon she was running.

Reaching her room, she got inside and closed the door with a thud before falling on her knees and breaking into tears.

Her father insulted her, he called her a bitch again! Did she have no value in his eyes?!

Yes, she wanted to save her mother too! However, she had already made up her mind to accept Zero as her Lord.

Did her wishes not matter to him at all? In fact, she wasn’t against supporting Felt, she only wanted to accept Zero as her ‘Lord’.

Recalling the gentle figure of her father from her past, she even cried louder.

She acted tough, she acted cold and distant, she acted as a perfect Knight, however in the end she was just a girl!

The words her father said hurt her deeply, she gritted her teeth.

Negative emotions flooded her mind, her father’s curses, her grandfather’s look of hatred, everyone’s look of disappointment during that day, the scared looks of Felix and Julius.

She started panting, clutching her heart, she was drowning.

“You are my hero! Reina!” like a ray of light cutting through darkness, the words reached her heart.

“Sir Zero” she muttered, her breathing becoming calmer.

‘I still have him, even if the world rejects me- I know he won’t, he is just that kind’ she thought and a smile appeared on his face.

She wiped her tears and she willed to acquire a Divine protection.

Soon a picture of Subaru appeared in her hands and she moved it closer to her face… and kissed it.

“~Ah~My Zero~” her yandere stage had just begun.

…

3^rd Pov

A few days passed by, Subaru was on guard however he was relieved that everyday Reina would come to teach him, in fact she would stay from dawn to sunset, leaving only during nighttime.

With her, there were not many things he had to fear. His powers also grew stronger, his swordsmanship skills were now decent, using the power of spirits he could cast lowest tier of spells a few dozen times and six to seven times if they were ‘El’.

He could also now use El Shamak and El Dona, and was making his way to higher spells.

Unfortunately, in other magics due to the fact he had only Lesser spirits, at best he could use ‘Ul’ or ‘Al’ spells one or two times before completely draining them, thankfully having several of them increased his versatility.

“Rem, how about I go to village with you today?” he asked surprising her, “If Master Zero wants to visit the village, then I shall come with him” she replied.

She had finally regained her sanity, and had realized her mistakes.

Now as Zero’s maid for the next few months, she fulfilled her punishment by acting as his maid.

“Reina, how about? Come with me as well?” he asked looking at the red-haired girl.

“I guess, it would be nice change of pace” she said and they soon departed for the village.

After arriving at the village, Rem went to buy grocery from the store while Subaru mixed with the children and started playing with them, befriending them.

“Reina! How about you come here?” he asked her and she sighed, she wasn’t good with children but since he had called her, she will have no choice but to do so.

Suddenly a puppy came through the fence and her eyes narrowed as it ran and hugged a girl.

‘A witch beast’ she thought realizing the true identity of the puppy.

Before anyone could comprehend what happen, Reina had taken the puppy in her hands.

“Uh! Miss! What are you doing to me to my puppy?” asked Meili surprised, and Subaru said “Ah, everyone can you leave for a second. We have something important to discuss with Meili”

The children became surprised while Reina glanced at him ‘He noticed it as well?’

The children didn’t know what was happening, however believing in Subaru they moved away leaving Meili whose expression changed.

“How did you know?” asked Meili as Subaru quickly got in front of the children who were confused and stopped.

“Nothing can escape my Divine Protection, little girl” Reina said realizing that Meili wasn’t your ordinary child.

“I see-” her eyes narrowed, and suddenly growls sounded in the periphery of the forest “Sir Zero! What’s happening? Meili! What are you talking about?” Petra asked however she received no response.

The puppy in Reina’s hands growled and tried to bite, only for its teeth to break, it tried to transform however Reina’s grip didn’t falter and she tightened into, blasting it’s head into gore as it fell dead.

Her eyes turned to the forest where the Witchbeast had appeared, they were growling at her cautiously, seeing their leader die.

“W-Witch beasts!” a boy cried out and the witchbeasts lunged forward.

“El Goa!” A torrent of flames erupted from Zero’s hands as it blasted one wolgram into cinders.

As for the rest? Reina simply broke through the sound barrier, and blasted every one of them into gore, in a few seconds she had killed rest of the witchbeasts.

“That was impressive magic, Zero!” she praised him with a smile, her eyes shining as she captured the moment with her Divine Protection, ready to create an ultra-realistic painting of these moment once she returns home.

His eyebrows twitched since the person praising him had dispatched the rest of the witch beasts in a few seconds, while he had only killed a single wolgram.

Petra’s eyes too shined as she looked at Subaru and so did other children.

Meili meanwhile looked at the scene with shock “You killed all of my babies! How dare-”

Reina grabbed her by her neck and said “For attempting to harm the village, and its inhabitants. You are under arrest”

“Mama! Won’t let you go!” she glared at Reina who was unfazed.

The attack has already caused a commotion, at first some villagers were infuriated at Reina holding a child by her neck.

“Damn it! Whose child is that? That corrupt Knight would kill her” someone muttered.

However, Petra said “Miss Reina and Sir Zero are heroes! They protected us from Witch beasts!”

Hearing her words the villagers looked at the corpses of the witchbeasts.

“Yes! Also, Meili seems involved in this! She even called them her babies!” another kid chimmed in.

Everyone gasped and looked at Meili “Now that I see, she isn’t from the village, is she?”

“I am the village chief, and you-”

“I am Zero, and she is Reina my friend” he said not knowing hearing that he called her friend, Reina got a smile.

Poor girl, didn’t knew the horrors of being friend-zoned otherwise her Yandere self would have acted.

“I am Lord Roswaal’s honoured guest, you see this girl Meili has the ability to control Mabeasts, and her intentions aren’t kind. Thus, my friend due to her Divine Protection realized it, and we saved the children, though it was mostly her achievement” he said praising her.

She wanted to refute her praise, however seeing the smile on his face she stopped.

‘My father hates me for something I haven’t done, my grandfather is disgusted of me, Kingdom uses me a tool… and here is he, my love willing to give away his achievements and praise me’ she thought.

She swore that day, the Kingdom be DAMNED, she will give her loyalty to Zero and devote herself to him- and possibly make him hers.

The thought of making him, hers made her feel euphoric, thankfully due to her Divine Blessing of Actor, all her feelings didn’t show in public.

The villagers upon hearing that instantly expressed their gratitude towards them.

Rem meanwhile squeezed through the crowd, she also heard and saw what had happened.

They returned to the mansion with Meili and hearing about what happened, Ram and Emilia were shocked.

“S-She tried to kill the villagers?” Emilia looked at Meili with disbelief as she was merely a child.

“Yes, Miss Emilia, I think I should take her to the capital and detain her there”

“Reina, how about we detain her in Mather’s mansion instead?” Subaru said garnering their attention.

“No! Zero it is too dangerous! What if she tries to attack the village again? I would prefer to have her executed over imprisoning her in the mansion” Reina said while Meili shuddered in fear.

“Reina” Subaru said softly “She is a child, I know she is at wrong. However, we need to teach her what is right. Not to mention I fear what Knights might do to her”

His worries weren’t unfounded, he didn’t believe much at the justice of this world, Meili was commoner and last thing he wanted some pedo knights to rape her.

He would be broken if that were to happen, since it would mean it was his decision that led to such circumstances.

“Of course, bad children need to be punished though” he grinned and under Meili’s futile resistance grabbed her and- Smack!

Meili moaned in pain, while Emilia was dumbfounded, and Reina felt- jealousy?

Smack!

“Would you try to attack other people again?”

Smack!

“I-If you think this much pain wi-will break me-”

Smack! Smack! Smack!

“Tell me! Will you try to attack anyone with Mabeast again?!”

Smack! Smack! Smack!

“I-I I would-”

Smack!

“I won’t! Please don’t slap my butt again!” she cried out, feeling humiliated.

He let her down and his angry expression softened into a smile and he patted her head “That’s a good girl”

Reina’s jealousy peaked! For some reason she wanted to experience that as well!

While Emilia grabbed her buttocks in fear, Puck came out and said “Hey! What obscene scene you are showing to my daughter!”

He glared at Subaru who shrugged at said “I am just punishing a bad girl- Though she is not a bad girl anymore right?” he patted her head.

She sniffed and nodded like a chicken pecking rice and said “Meili will be a good girl! Meili won’t follow Mama’s orders anymore!”

“See? That’s how you discipline disobedient children” he said recalling Ayan’s father who used a belt to smack his buttocks to discipline him, and his mother who used slippers.

“Ze-Zero” Emilia suddenly said with hesitation and Subaru looked at her “Yes?”

“I-I will always be a good girl! I promise!” she said clenching her fists, looking determined.

“…”

“…”

Subaru and Puck looked at her speechless, meanwhile puck grabbed his chest as if having a heart-attack.

Reina suddenly asked “Zero! If I will be a bad girl? You will punish me as well?”

Subaru’s eyebrows twitched and he shook his head “Of course not, you are an adult it will be counted as harassment!”

“I see” while her expression didn’t change, she felt disappointed.

“Zero, promise me you won’t stray my daughter anymore! Otherwise, I will die of a heart attack” Puck said jokingly.

“Well, anyway let’s arrange her imprisonment for now. Let’s talk with Roswaal” he said.

…

“Hey it’s me, or the Sword Saint haven’t been patrolling for last few days?” asked a Knight, looking at his buddy.

“Yes, it’s weird. Miss Sword Saint is an impeccable knight, the fact that she is not doing patrols is unbelievable” his friend replied grabbing his chin.

“Don’t tell me she is ill” the first Knight asked horrified on the notion of that.

“Don’t joke- Isn’t it obvious? She must be doing a very important secret mission!” said a third knight and others two nodded.

“Indeed! To miss several patrols, she must be doing something very important! It might be related to entire Kingdom’s safety!” second said, and all of three could only imagine what important task the Knight of the Knights was doing and can’t help but admire her.

Meanwhile Reina was using several Divine Protections to peek*ahem* observe Subaru who was taking a bath.

Indeed, a very important task!

Her face blushed as she observed the body of Subaru, his six-packs, sweats glistening down his body. His handsome frame.

She bit her lips, and her hands almost found her way down there when suddenly someone entered.

She became surprised and quickly withdrew her hand and looked it to find it was Roswaal.

“What are you doing here? It is rude to interrupt when someone is taking a bath” Subaru said and Roswaal grinned.

“It’s myyyy mansion so I can comeee here anytimeee!” he said in his particular way and dipped himself in the water.

“I won’t lieeee, your body is reaaaally something” he licked his lips checking his six-packs making Subaru shiver.

‘Pervert!’ she glared at Roswaal, irony lost at her.

“Hey man, I don’t swing that way!” Subaru quickly stood up, his ding-dong hanging.

‘It’s big!’ Reina’s face became beet red as she looked at the size of the sleeping dragon and quickly ran away from the door, while both of them completely unaware of her presence.

Once outside she panted heavily ‘I-If that thing was to go inside me’ she thought and shivered, then shook her head.

Suddenly she acquired a Divine Protection of the Bedroom Wiles, and her face became redder!

‘W-What kind of Divine Protection is this?!’ she thought shocked.

Od Laguna itself was rooting for her.

If the three knights knew this, they would have lost faith in God.

(A/N: I lost it long ago XD)

…

“Hmph! Betty shall find the final velocity and solve this equation! I suppose” Beatrice said as she started solving a standard ninth-grade sum.

Subaru had already revealed to her that he was from Beyond the Great Waterfall, which shocked her.

He then made a deal with her; he will provide her otherworld’s knowledge and she will let him read all the books in library.

First, he decided to check her current level of intelligence, so he directly skipped the basics and taught her Friction, Newtons Law of Motion, Three equations of motions.

It is very simple physics, and after teaching her, he had given her around ten problems to solve.

Meanwhile he was reading a book that listed various spells of Yin Magic.

The book floated in front of him, after a few days he found out that exercising increased his mental energy.

‘Hm, while she solves let’s see what Yin spells we have’ he thought, after all Betty had recorded all types of spells for each magic attribute, it would be foolish if he doesn’t learn it.

First were the most common Yin spells, Shamak, El Shamak, Ul Shamak and Al Shamak with an extra spell Ol Shamak.

Shamak separates the user’s senses from its surroundings making them unable to sense where they are, it also has a secret use. If a huge amount of mana is used by someone with extremely good control, they can render space to achieve teleportation.

‘I guess I should focus more on this spell’ he though.

Next came El Shamak, the target becomes unable to control their body or basically are paralyzed.

‘This is a good spell, I would have to ask Reina later to take me to a Mabeast infested area for practise’ he thought, Reina has been really helpful to him, that’s why he wanted to ensure she doesn’t feel uncomfortable with him.

Next came Ul Shamak, which created a black hole of immense gravity.

‘Damn a blackhole… The next spell is even more broken’

The spell Al Shamak created a different dimension pulling the target, making it impossible to escape from it.

‘Impossible? If Reina is able to use her sword, she will probably cut the dimension into two’ he thought with a wry smile, however this spell was so powerful that possibly only a few people in the entire verse can escape from it.

Finally, Ol Shamak, an outlier from conventional spells, was a forbidden spell that paralyzed the target and the gate of the target. There was also a note that it can only be used at full power with someone having a witch factor.

‘Does the RBD count as an authority?’ he wondered, there was a big hint that it was the Authority of Envy however he couldn’t be sure.

He continued reading, the next spell came Minya which created crystallized stakes of mana covered with light purple flames, that could penetrate strong defences, in fact stakes explode in air to release smaller stakes.

El Minya did the same thing however created upto 40 stakes at once depending on the mana used, Ul Minya meanwhile binds the target and crystallizes their body.

Finally, Al Minya, the strongest spell of Minya class, which binds the target and crystallizes the target’s very soul.

Next comes Vita which increases the weight of the target.

El Vita does the same thing but at increased strength, Ul Vita distorts gravity and shreds the target apart, Al vita does opposite of the black hole, it is like a white hole that makes the gravity negative.

There were a few more spells, however they were just alternatives of previous ones.

As he finished reading the book, he found Betty had finished doing the numericals he gave to her and was waiting for him to check.

“Betty has finished and you should check how Betty did, I suppose” she said her voice softer than when they had just met.

He took the notebook and checked the Numericals “All of them are correct” he said finished with his checking.

Betty’s eyes shined and she puffed her non-existent chest “Betty is smart, one of the smartest people in this world, in fact!”

‘So cute!’ he thought and involuntarily his hand found way to her head, and he started patting.

“W-What are you doing?! I suppose?” she asked panicked, and with a glare.

“Me?” he smiled “I am just rewarding your efforts! Betty must be praised for her excellence”

“I-Is that so? Very well! You can praise me then, I suppose!” she said blushing lightly, he wanted to play with her drill-like hair however he restrained himself.

“Betty, would you help me with the magic, I want to try some of the spells in the forest” he asked her and Betty replied.

“Hmph! If you share more of your ‘Science’ then Betty can spare time for you, I suppose!” she said and her answer relieved him.

He had the idea to talk with Reina, but he decided to use this opportunity to get closer to Beatrice.

...

“You didn’t need to come with me Reina” he said sighing while looking at the Sword Saint.

“Zero, you will be my future Lord and as your friend how can I let you fall in danger?” she said, however to be true, she felt jealous the moment she realized he was going out with Beatrice.

‘Why didn’t he call me? I am stronger than this kid!’ she thought with jealousy as she glanced at Beatrice.

She was his hero, if he was to stay betray the Kingdom for him, she will do it in a heartbeat.

That’s how deep she had fallen in love.

And it wasn’t pure love either, it was mixture of true love and obsession.

If not for the fact she truly loved him, she would have tried to claim him no matter the consequences.

“Hmph! Do not try to disturb Betty’s tutoring then, I suppose” Beatrice said making Reina’s eyebrows twitched.

“Very well, we are quite deep now. Encountering Mabeasts is not out of the question” said Reina as she looked around.

“Very well, let me try- Murak!” he instantly felt himself to be lighter, it was a spell opposite of Vita, a special spell with no prefixal hierarchy.

He jumped, and he underestimated his strength. He soared up to 100 metres high in a blink of eyes.

“Arghhh!!!” he shouted shocked by the sudden height, a sonic boom sounded as the ground below Reina cracked and she grabbed him Mid-air, and gracefully landed in front of Beatrice.

“Stupid Zero! Do you not understand your own strength, in fact?!” Beatrice fumed in anger.

“I-I apologize, I shouldn’t have done that. Thanks Reina, you saved me” he said looking at Reina who grinned “Do not worry Zero-sama! Your knight will cover up your mistakes!” she winked at him.

He blushed, the thought of having someone as beautiful and cute as Reina as his personal Knight

Suddenly a growl sounded and they got on alert, from the bushes emerged a Wolgram.

“Let me handle this! Minya!” Subaru shot a spear of crystallized man, burning with light purple flames, it tore through Wolgram’s defences, and obliterated its head.

Suddenly another growl sounded, and several Wolgrams came out of the bushes staring at them.

Reina grabbed her sheath, ready to kill them when Subaru grabbed her shoulder.

“Reina, let me do it” he said softly and she nodded, Subaru didn’t know that she was a ‘Yes girl’ for him.

He unsheathed the sword he had brought from Roswaal, and his body became a blur.

“El Huma!” he used magic decimating one Wolgram and swiftly cut another’s neck, he jumped and a Wolgram opened his jaw jumping towards him.

“El Goa!” he unleashed fire magic melting it’s head, then moved swiftly and dispatched another Wolgram.

*Slash* *Stab* *Slash*

He used spells, and swords soon having finished a group of twenty-nine wolgrams by himself, however in the end he was tired and his fire, wind and Yang Spirits were exhausted.

“It was so impressive! You killed a group of Wolgram that needs an entire platoon of Knights or a squad of elite knights!” she said her eyes shining, she seemed to have totally forgotten that she was the world’s strongest knight.

‘Damn it, she is stroking my ego too much’ he thought, however seeing her smiling face he couldn’t say anything.

In the original timeline, Rem’s praises made Subaru on cloud nine and he ended up doing that mistake in Capital.

‘Well, I can’t blame him, insulting their love in front of them could make anyone angry’ he thought.

Not to mention Subaru personally thought that Council of Wise men were too arrogant.

If not for Reinhardt- in his case Reina, what were they? What was the Kingdom without Sword Saint?

If Subaru didn’t saved Emilia, half of the Capital would have been destroyed by puck.

Crusch Krasten that bitch would have died in the battle against White Whale.

Priscilla would have gone missing and Antastia would have died as well.

There would have been no ‘Felt’ for the Sword saint to swear his loyalty to.

The Kingdom of Lugunica would have been probably destroyed by the neighbouring countries as well.

The Kingdom is already in a financially tight spot, hundreds of thousands of people live in slums, even having food two times is a luxury for the most.

‘I hope they aren’t the same in this reality’ he thought, though he knew the chance was a slim, a man could wish right?

He rubbed his nose and said “Thank you Reina, if not for your training it would have not been possible”

She grinned and asked “You will need to reward me then, right?”

“If it is within my power, I will definitely reward you” he said seriously.

Her eyes shined and she stared at his palm and then said “Pet me”

“…”

“…”

Beatrice and Subaru looked at her speechlessly and she blushed realizing what she had spoken.

“I mean pat me! I-I like when you do” she lowered her head, he chuckled and moved forward patting her.

She melted as he rubbed her hair, feeling his warmth, she grabbed his palm and guided it to her cheek.

‘Yeah, there is definitely something wrong here’ he smiled wryly, how can he not see the hints?

‘Then again, she might be just love deprived and considers me her elder brother’ he thought, deciding to observe more before coming to a conclusion.

(A/N: Idhar India meh, larki larko ko bhaiya banati hey, hamara hero larki ko deedhi banata hai, truly mindset of a single people XD)

Betty seeing this… Felt jealous.

“Betty accompanied Zero as well, so Betty should be praised as well, I suppose!” she said and he looked at her in surprise.

“W-well there you go” he said as he started patting her with his other hand and she involuntarily squealed in happiness.

Reina’s presence had made Betty jealous, and hastened his development with her.

…

The day passed with training, his exhausted Spirits found solace in their master’s body, to be honest he didn’t know where they exactly stayed inside him neither could he ask.

They were Lesser Spirits after all, unable to talk and only convey their emotions.

Once they returned, they were greeted by the sight of sumptuous dishes lying on Subaru and Emilia’s side.

However, on Roswaal’s side lied only boiled tatoes with salt. The contrast between their food, questioned who was the mansion’s real master.

“Betty… To think youuu will comeeee” Roswaal said with narrowed eyes as she looked at the Great Spirit of Yin.

“Rem, I have invited Reina to eat as well. There should be no problems, right?” he asked the blue-haired Oni who nodded.

“I have made enough food for three of you” she said casting a glance at her sister was drooling seeing their food.

However, unfortunately for them Subaru had strictly forbidden her from making food for them.

It hurt her to see her big-sister in such a state, alas she needed to bear the punishment.

Roswaal eyes shifted on Subaru’s lavishing dishes then his boiled potatoes, he lost appetite.

“Master, it isn’t too late. Do you want me to make some soup for you?” Ram asked him concerned and he shook his head.

“Noooooooooo Ram, I think boiled potatoes are juuuust fine” he said grunting, obviously displeased.

Emilia meanwhile looked at Roswaal somewhat guilty and tugged Subaru’s clothes.

“Zero, I feel bad that we are eating such good food and Roswaal and Ram are eating boiled tatoes” she said.

‘Feeling bad for the guy who is trying to make you, her puppet?’ he rolled his eyes at her.

“Emilia, don’t you remember Lord Roswaal is sick, and Ram loves boiled potatoes” he said.

Their eyebrows twitched and Ram said “No need to be concerned Lady Emilia, me and Lord Roswaal are completely fine!”

“Is that so? Then I am relieved” she said and then ignoring them started eating her food.

“…”

“…”

Emilia was really naïve.

…

A month passed by peacefully, Subaru’s prowess growing day by day.

Never did a day passed that Reina didn’t come to teach him and spend time with him.

She seemed to have completely forgotten her Knightly duties.

According to Reina, Subaru’s current Sword Skills were only surpassed by the likes of Julius.

Subaru also learned to physically reinforce himself using mana, now he could increase his already monstrous strength by several times.

According to Reina, Subaru’s strength without reinforcement was nearly half of Julius, however his speed surpassed him by a small margin.

After reinforcement the gap between them became narrow, as Subaru had a talent to boost his strength immensely for a short duration of time.

Today a carriage was parked outside of the Mather’s mansion, an old man who was none other than Felix and a Demi-human femboy, Felix had come on behalf of the Duchess Crustch to escort Emilia to Capital.

“Sorry for parking the carriage in front of the mansion” said the old man, Wilhelm as he looked at Emilia and Subaru and Betty who was standing beside him.

“Hmph! To disturb Betty when she is about to do a scientific experiment!” Betty snorted, as she tugged Subaru’s sleeves.

They have gotten closer to each other in the past month, with Subaru teaching Betty something new everyday and they were just about to go outside to do a scientific experiment.

Wilhelm looked at the loli ‘I have heard about her, she must be the Great Spirit of Yin’ he thought, his eyes couldn’t be mistaken.

‘She seemed rather close to that boy’ he thought looking at Subaru.

“You can call me Zero, on the request of Lord Roswaal I am currently acting as Emilia’s bodyguard” he said recalling how Roswaal- asked him to be Emilia’s bodyguard.

He decided to agree to his demands, firstly he wants to visit capital as well and secondly, he wants to meet with other people.

To see how much this reality is different from the original and what other’s personality are, he cannot judge everything from Anime.

‘He probably thinks, I am in love with Emilia’ he sighed at Roswaal’s stupidity.

“On request of Lord Roswaal?” he quickly caught up the words.

“To be honest I am the honoured guest of Lord Roswaal and friend of Emilia, however since she had no suitable knight or bodyguard, he asked me to her bodyguard for the time being” he said.

Wilhelm nodded and Felix came out “~Nyah~I greet you Lady Emilia and also Mister Zero”

They nodded and soon they were escorted to the mansion.

“Sir Zerooo, this matter conceeerns the Royaaaal Selection, you should wait outside” Roswaal said with a strange glint in his eyes.

Emilia looked between them with hesistation, Subaru shrugged and said “Fine”

Unlike original Subaru he was Emilia’s bodyguard, so he had more reason to listen to their discussion.

But obviously Roswaal was cooking, and whatever he was cooking was bound to be disastrous.

‘Still I expected her to stand up to me- Well, she is naïve so I guess I can let it go’ he thought.

He came outside to meet up with Wilhelm.

“Sir Wilhelm, if I am not wrong you are the famed Sword Demon right?” he asked and Wilhelm nodded.

‘Lord Roswaal didn’t let him enter the discussion? I guess his standing is lower than he makes out to be’ he thought, considering Subaru as an hired bodyguard.

“Indeed, though it’s in the past. I was once called such” he said recalling some bitter and happy memories.

“Sir Wilhelm! I have a request! Can I spar with you?” Subaru’s eyes shined as he asked.

Wilhelm became surprised and thought for a moment before replying “Hmm, if it’s a spar then I guess we shall pass time with it”

“Rem, heard that? Quickly get us some wooden swords” he said to the Rem standing quietly beside him.

“As you command Master Zero” she said and dutifully brought two wooden Swords.

“We shall spar in the garden”

They moved to the garden and finally took a battle stance.

‘He seems experienced’ Wilhelm noted.

Subaru charged at him, with one step he reached near to him and unleashed sword slashes.

*Stab* *Slash* *Slash*

Their swords danced with each other, clashing at a speed invisible to naked eyes.

“A fine skill of pure swordmanship” Wilhelm praised as they exchanged blows.

“Sir Wilhelm, I want to take it to next level” he said and Wilhelm smirked.

“Very well, young man” and his figure vanished.

This time Wilhelm began an offensive and Subaru could only block and parry.

Wilhelm was half-serious now, while Subaru was sweating, his senses strained to follow Wilhelm’s each movement.

Wilhelm’s each attack made his hands tremble, suddenly with a clash of their swords, Subaru’s sword broke and Wilhelm’s sword stopped at his neck-

When Subaru vanished, for the first time Wilhelm was surprised and felt a broken sword touching his neck.

“I lost” he admitted while Subaru sighed and looked at himself.

“Nope, I lost- I used magic” he said lying to his teeth.

“Really?” Wilhelm’s eyes narrowed, while he wasn’t a magician he knew how to enhance himself using mana.

His mana control and senses rivalled an experience mage, making him easily counter magicians.

However he felt no distortion or use of mana when Subaru vanished.

“Very well- Let’s consider a draw” Wilhelm propose however Subaru refused “Nope, I lost- I used something, I shouldn’t have”

“Hmm” Wilhelm nodded unwilling to say anything further about this.

“Though I must admit, your skills are polished and you don’t seem to lack experience. If we both used mana to enhance ourselves, I doubt I could win easily” he praised Subaru.

“You shouldn’t praise me, You should praise my teacher who taught me, she is really the best of the best” he said praising Reina.

“If I am not being too presumptuous, may I ask who your teacher might be?” Wilhelm asked, obviously curious.

“She is someone you know very well” Subaru smirked and Wilhelm’s eyes narrowed.

‘It can’t be? Is it her?’ he thought but then shook his head, he doubted that Monster would teach anyone.

“Her name is Reina Van Astrea” Natsuki declared proudly, and Wilhelm was stunned.

“R-Reina?” he whispered in disbelief, he remained silent.

Soon Felix returned and looked surprised seeing Wilhelm in deep thought while Subaru standing quietly near him.

“~Nyah~ What happened?” Felix asked and Wilhelm broke out of his stupor.

“Nothing my friend, just a small spar between a junior and senior” he said before nodding to Subaru.

“Sir Zero, I hope you can become a Royal Knight soon” he said before getting in the carriage.

Soon they left.

…

Meanwhile Subaru tried to repeat what he had involuntarily done, and successfully teleported.

‘Amazing! It seems I have unlocked a new psychic ability!’ he thought overjoyed, his control over psychic energy have seemed to met the criteria to unlock teleportation.

He tried to teleport again, this time in the village.

He successfully appeared in village and grabbed his head in pain.

‘I guess, I cannot teleport too far- It drains to much of my psychic energy’ he thought.

However looking back to his past month and his spar with Wilhelm, gave him much needed confidence.

Finally, he wasn’t so weak.

To be continued...

(A/N: Give me your lovely comments!)