What are we looking at?

Normally when facing a giant monster, they usually attack and kill a human.
But at this moment we were gazing at something astonishing and ridiculous.
Only three minutes have passed and...
Tori at this moment was being licked by the chimera and being friendly with her.

「STOOOOOOP!」

*licks*
Its gigantic tongue slid around her as she rested on the corner of the wall begging for help.

「SOMEBODY GET ME OUT OF HERE!」She angrily cries out.

*Lick*

「GYAAAAAH!」as the tongue slid on her small yet sensitive back.

Everyone's face froze in mixed emotions.
Both terror, embarrassment and also confusion.
Its large head continued its harassment of her whether sexual or not...

The combat suit, unfortunately, was soaked in its saliva.
however, the scene alone was something unexpected for everyone who was watching it.
As other's were intently watching through the screen.

「Your tongue is too ROUGH!
Curse this Cat's Tongue!
GYAAAAAH!」Relentlessly it licked her like a giant, lion, cat, thing.

As Talie tried to slowly slip away, Baster grabs her head as everyone's eyes turn to her.

"EXPLAIN."

『You all saw, how slimes are afraid of her?』

They all nod.

『Basically its not limited to slimes.
It affects any monsters around her surroundings especially animals.』

"That still doesn't answer everything...
 Why on earth is this happening!?" Baster said with a confused expression.

But Nelly spoke out and said in a pale expression.

"Are you saying that lesser monsters are afraid of her but...
Large ones like these are not? but instead drawn to her, like this?"

『Nelly nailed it.』

Castel our professor then asked me.

"Why?,
 Even I haven't seen a monster show that much attraction towards a human!"

『How the heck am I suppose to know that!?』
Was my retort to her while showing her a childish pout.

*All I can do is vaguely explain it...*

[In actual fact I already know why...

The hierarchy of monsters.
Tori who was once a former queen was a powerful dragon of her race.

During her journey.
She was beloved by monsters by her presence alone.
To the extent, she is greeted by them like this...

The reason: Her soul as a former dragon.
They apparently see her as a visiting ruler of their territory.
At this moment,
This time was no different...

After her transfer to the body of a human.

Unfortunately, her soul remained as a dragon.
Because of that,
we couldn't have a pet nor was she relieved of her curse of being unable to pet them as they often played dead when she is nearby...

Even our parents were puzzled why...

Small Animals like kittens she once wished to pet remained afraid of her.
She was restricted to majestic giants that usually ends up herself smacking them away.

Imagine the surrealism of a young lady at the height of 150cm.
Smacking a large beast the height of 400cm and above with her bare fist.

Shouting: "Don't you even DARE!"

This was another reason why she was regarded as a *Goddess of her race.*

"Beloved by even the most fearsome monster themselves."

Was a part of her praise.

To which she just smacked her face with a facepalm as most of them were unable to understand her pain.

However, she later deducted that...

Large ones would remain to see her like the top of their hierarchy and will act accordingly like a true lord of the land. Most large monsters respect her and at times gets too friendly with her enough that they let her ride them.

The cost...
Her own sanity.

As she is now being licked repeatedly by them as an act of greeting or just being friendly.]

「HOW MUCH LONGER ARE YOU GOING TO LICK ME!」

It was purring and enjoying its leisurely time with her but her face was a face full of misery.

A few moments later...

Her appearance was now a young girl covered in the saliva of a giant monster.
The combat suit glistened in liquid goo as she was feeling a mixture of both horror and sensation.
I can guess Tori wanted to repel it, but since she is currently being watched.
She was forced to endure the embarrassing circumstances.

After a minute it finally stopped and she was now petting its head as it purred.
Waiting for the room she was locked in to open.

Everyone was tilting their heads.
Tori in the meantime had lion hair all over her and reeked of the mouth and hair of a monster.
Every one distanced themselves from her unable to bear the stench.

After the Castel Everheims swiftly apologized.
She was then excused to take the showers and take the day off.

Our professor.

Was showing relief on her face as she turns to us and told us.

"Exercise is over..." as she clutched her chest in relief and agitation.

She then bowed to apologize to baster and me.

"Sorry for the scare...
I'm going to give those idiots a good scolding with my sword in the meantime."
As she tightly grips the large sword on her back.

Then soon swiftly left...
Everyone was stressed out, Tori especially.
As we went to the baths where she went ahead of us.

...

...

...

Academy Bath House: Conveniently stationed inside the training Area close to the exit.
Only used on Friday.

"What happens to the monsters that we killed inside?
Is it really fine for us, to kill them?" Were Nelly's question to Milim.

As she then explained.

"Don't worry, monsters inside the training area gets cleaned up and chopped up for materials.
It's not like they are going to let it rot inside that place.

Otherwise, it would reek."

Talie replied to them.

『But still, for them to prepare training areas and monsters for us to kill.
Isn't it expensive? 』

Milim then said with doubt.

"It is said that the academy uses soldiers of the royal kingdom to personally capture them for our use.

They particularly train themselves by capturing monsters as practice."

『That's pretty productive of them. 』

But then Milim complained.

"Talie, you once made yourself invisible.
Why didn't you use it during our training?"

Talie shrugged.

『It's useless on monsters.
On people, its effective but their senses are sharper than people.』

Nelly had a surprised expression.

"Is... is that so!
Can you place it on an ark-seal? and what element trait is it."

『Not impossible,
Also its element is shadow.
but are you sure you want to put a spell as dangerous as this on an ark-seal.』

Nelly and Milim whose curiosity was peaked realized a dark truth about her magic.

"It can be used to peek on us if it does spread," Milim said.

Nelly on the other hand said.
"Thankfully such a spell wasn't placed on an ark-seal."

Talie then asked.

『There's no invisibility spell other than this?』

Nelly replied.

"Don't you two realize,
what both you and Tori used are new and innovative magic?"

『Innovative?』

"That's right!
We haven't seen someone cut a spell apart with a sword before and rendering the attack worthless." Milim said while glancing at Tori.

Meanwhile, Tori was floating on the large hot bath enjoying her relaxing moment after her horrible experience.

This hot bath fit for 50 or so...
It was quite large...
In this academy, it seems to be only available on Friday.
Probably in order to save water and to relax after two grueling days of training or studying.

(We sincerely deserved this...) was what I deeply thought.

But the bigger problem right now was a young noble girl who only recently entered.
It was the purple-haired lady that Tori dueled and forced a tie with...

She nods to me and swiftly rushed to where Tori was floating.

________________________________________________________________________________

Analise Pov:

The current exercises had an incident it appeared to have occurred on all the training rooms.
Apparently, most of the student who was still inside the training room was locked in.

Then powerful monsters came out.

Those who were unfortunate enough to not finish their test faced the worst circumstances of their lives.

While experiencing agonizing pain was soon left unconsciously unable to bear their opponents.

It was fortunate the suits prevented bodily harm but this occurrence will undoubtedly leave a scar in their heart.

Those who fainted before they could experience pain were probably the most fortunate.

"My lady..." Reavis was showing concern but he was glad that we finished before the incident occurred. He is a reliable guard and a skillful servant born from another house, he was adopted into our house to become a servant.

But the fact his mother was taken in by my father...

It gives me quite conflicting feelings toward him.

"I'm going to wash, you should do so too..."

We worked a large amount of sweat.
The third person with us doesn't seem interested.

He was too afraid to even speak to me and simply assisted Reavis.

"Am I that scary now?"
As I reached the changing room and saw a mirror I touched it with my hand.

But something reeked from the rack of used suits to be returned within the room.
As I followed its smell, that emblem...

It was the seal of the black rose and I knew at that moment.

She was here!

I rushed to the academy bathhouse and saw their group.
After scanning the room and I saw a girl with green hair floating in the bathtub in complete bliss.

Even her sister was here but they look so alike...

"You!" as her voice echoed in the room.

Tori was shocked by the voice as she panics in the water.

「UAGH! What is it this time!」She retorts in anger.

But she saw an angry scary lady with purple hair,
The splashes of water that came from her pushing upward seem to have soaked her in water.

The moment she saw her, she slowly sank back in the water.

*Glub* *Glub*

"Um... which of the two sisters are you?"

「. . . .」

-Awkward-

At that moment

The girls in the bath were observing both of them.
A scary young lady that is intently gazing at a little girl with piercing eyes.

As she washes her body with the shower handle.
She soon joined in the large bath with her after being told the truth by Talie.

[There was no point in lying to her...] Tori thought.

She then asked Tori...

"About yesterday's battle...
Were you holding back?"

「No... of course not.
My body still hurts from our spar.

I didn't feel like fighting monsters today because of it.」

She turned her head away from her unable to say it to her face.

"Is... is that so..."

Unfortunately, while the Arena can seal away any physical/magical harm directed towards them.
It doesn't stop self-harm from straining oneself.

"Who taught you how to fight? then..."

「No one.」

She flinched and retorted with a displeased expression.

"Are you saying you self-taught yourself!?"

「Yes and a No...」she vaguely said.

"What! please explain yourself!" she shouted in eagerness

『Don't get too excited... 』Talie said.

She soon joined in their conversation as she was the next to join them.

『Both of us were neither taught by anyone regarding combat.
With our family circumstances only recently joining with the main family.
We didn't have the chance to have others teach us, how to fight.

Not to mention...
Surely you already heard the news of the harassment of pirates in our family. 』

She then asked in exasperation face unable to believe it but it is true their family is in dire circumstances.

"Then how were both of you able to fight like that!"

『We taught ourselves.』Talie said.

「With our brother's assistance.」Tori added.

Baster then sneezes...

The two clutches both of their hands together like two mirrors as they said it to her face.
Water was weaved as they moved in the large bath while smiling.

"That young man...
Didn't you beat him in a duel?

How is that even possible!"

『I only beat him because he wasn't paying attention.

In regards to magical knowledge, he isn't as talented as us.
But he taught us how to avoid attacks and fight using our weapons.』

(*Truthfully baster didn't teach us anything.
But it would be best to give him a bit of attention that will put him in a good light with the girls.
Not to mention we are drawing too much attention that he should take a bit of brunt from this.*)

Both of them had the same intention.
Nelly and Milim soon joined in.

"I didn't expect your brother to be so reliable!
I'm kind of jealous." Milim said.

Nelly, on the other hand, was showing a bit of disappointment seemingly thinking about someone.

Analise face flinched and sighed with disbelief.
But she couldn't retort as everyone around her seemed to believe the two.

"Then can someone tell me,
what caused your clothes to reek like that?"

Everyone froze especially Tori herself as she felt a sudden drop in motivation as she sank back in the water.

It was something the two groups between girls wanted to avoid the most.
But before their conversation lengthened a group of female students from other groups entered the bathhouse where they were soon flooded the wide spaces of the place.

The moment they saw the flock of girls,
Tallie and Tori swiftly made both of themselves slowly became invisible.

『Meld.』The name of the spell.
Both of them said in a whisper as at this moment.

Only drops of water can be seen as the two slowly slipped away.

"Eh!?" all of the girls with them cried out.

「It's a pleasure meeting you,
but we don't want to get remain here due to our circumstances.」Tori said politely to Analise.

『See ya...』But before Talie could leave.

Milim then told her.

"Ah...

My master told me that you should visit back at the workshop.
She has news for you."

『Alright.』

The bath-house didn't have any cameras.
Which the possibility of others causing problems is high.

In order to prevent this, the two simply fled.

As the Milim, Nelly and Analise saw their wet footprints as they fled to the dressing room and pick up their normal clothing. The rest of the girls could only give both of them a wry smile.

Analise then asks the other two.

"Those two truly are magic geniuses aren't they?"
she said Nelly and Milim could only nod in response.

"But still,
Care to explain to me what happened in your training?"

Milim's face went red as she was trying to explain it properly.
Her eyes turn to the Nelly but were looking away reluctant to explain it.

(*It truly was a difficult situation to explain.*)

As she said.
"Let's just say an incident occurred and one of us got trapped inside alone."

"I see, so the incident occurred to your group as well."

Nelly and Milim were surprised by her words.

...

...

...

________________________________________________________________________________

Current Location: Academy Workshop Mech Station.
Time: Evening.

After exercise, Tori was curious regarding where I went to ditch her and followed me to the workshop.

Her expression was the same as mine when I first laid eyes on them, up close.

「It's going to be a terrible experience if one of those things starts attacking us. 」

『Which is why I was curious about them.
I don't want to get stuck getting cornered by something that big without knowing at least a few of their weaknesses.

After riding one...

They were slow and clunky when in use...』

「But Baster told us, that these are extremely expensive and only sets of them exist in every faction. Why would someone let you ride one for the sake of their curiosity? 」

A voice then interrupted from behind the two.

"Because young talented sorcerer's such as yourselves are a rare existence lately.

There's no way,
I'll lose the opportunity to hire both of you,
 just because of your family's terrible history."

The two turns to where she stood.
There she was a lab-coated woman wearing an intellectual presence paired with her glasses.
Her brown hair fluttered as she widely smiled at both of them.

But then started panting a bit.

"I expected there you were twins.
But to think the second one was a skillful magic user as well.

You two truly made a shock amongst the staff members and the student."

She paused for a moment and composed herself.

"Ah, speaking of which, Talie your under heavy watch from now on."

「Eh?」

『Eh? Why!?』

"The academy is now looking at you in a new light after your duel with your brother."

『But it's only been like a day!
 After that fight.』

"Yes, there was an urgent student council meeting about you.
I was there as well.
Simply because it concerned you.

 My special assistant."

『I don't like the sound of that.』she retorts.

「Is there a reason why she is now under heavy watch?」

"She used shadow magic.
Of course, we let her slip by thinking you were only capable of defensive magic.
But when we saw how she managed to take down her opponent in the Arena footage.
They are worried that someone will provoke you enough, for you to harm the other students."

『If I wanted to do that, I should have done that on the first day of class.』

『Why now, though?』she retorts.

"This is merely a precaution.
It only simply means there would be more floating golems flying around you,

During class and after..."

『As as long as those things don't bother me during my privacy.
I won't bother destroying them.』

"Please, don't break them.
It will be sent in my workshop and bother my subordinates."

「But... is that the only reason you called her here?」

"Not really, I came to give her this..."

She handed sheet of paper and a letter with it.

『This is...』

"Your, advance payment.
Since you agreed to assist me in my work.

Your now one of my staff members."

Her eyes then sharply gazed at Tori.

"Speaking of which...
Is your sister here to join us with work?

If so, then I don't mind giving her a set of clothes."

Tori took a step backward as she hid behind Talie...

「Uhh... No thanks.」

But Talie then said.

『Baster told us to participate in a certain school activity.
Are you sure you want to remain in class being forced to take all of them?』

In the academy, there is multiple school activity.
Swordsmanship training.
Arcane Study.
Mechanical Practices.

A student can choose one of them to specialize themselves.
Unfortunately, doing so would cause them to be unable to join the other classes but increases in that specific activity.

「Good point...」she groaned.

"Well?"

「Let me think about it, for now.」

Talie then sends out another sale's pitch.

『Milim and Nelly works here too.
They are quite easy to get along with...』

「Ah, then I am in then...」

The lab coated woman then lightly laughed.

"Looks like you know your sister quite well..."

Talie winks at her in response then said.

『Tori here is pecularly interested in magical objects than I...
I'm sure she will fit in if you tell her that the machines function by using magic.』

「Eh? they do!?」

『See...』

"Well then, let me introduce myself.
My name is Lotte Arkwright."

「Arkwright, does that mean your daughter is...」

"Nelly, yup..." She proudly said.

『She is also Milim's teacher and master.
Quite a reliable person, not mention...

About this letter.』

The letter was different it was from their family.

Talie was reluctant on opening it but she did so anyway.

『Wow, you work terrifyingly fast...』

"Being punctual is one aspect of being a good businessman and mechanic.
Such a shame we are understaffed, so having you two here is a great help."

「Why are you understaffed?
I figured these giants would have catered a great interest in everyone.」

『I can guess a few reasons why...
Airships are most likely more useful than these hunks of metal.

Baster merely told us, these large giants are only used in battle on the ground.』

「Hey wait...
They can't fly!?」

"Heavens, no...
They are extremely heavy!"

『But if they could fly,
then these giants made of stone and metal are possibly the most dangerous creation at this time.

It's probably used in seizing islands though.』

"Which is basically what they are mostly used for...
Giant monsters are quite a threat and harvesting resources are quite difficult when they start attacking."

Tori gazed at it once again then turned to Talie who was reading the letter.
「But what exactly is that letter about?」

『They are saying thanks.
Lotte our professor here just sent our family some support for the airship.

This should keep our expenses low for us to slowly pay off that debt.』

「That's great news!」

"Don't forget you still have to work today...
We have spent too much time idling,

 ah...Tori is it..."

「Yes!」

"Follow me, I got some work for you."

「Already!」she retorts with surprise.

Talie could only give her a wry smile.

"Don't worry, I'll teach you how to do it step by step."

Thus the twins are now part of her workshop.