Baster's Pov:

Day 10: Tuesday. (Class time)

2 days have passed after Talies accident.
As for what I did within those days...

I was with Fenris.
He requested my help in learning how to properly fight which ended up myself being stuck with him.

(I hope this game doesn't go into a strange turn and make swing the other way.
Because if you chose the male protagonist, there is also a darn Male X Male pairing in the game.

Of course, the female has Female pairing as well, but both sides require sets of answers to achieve.)

That would be quite horrible if I somehow trigger than scenario.

Aside from that...
There was news of the prince coming here.
The numbers of these watchers increased and as for Tori and Talie...

Well...

Talie is somehow close to Nelly and Lotte.
While Tori is with Milim and Blink Mane(!?)

Milim was really attached and friendly enough to give her a hug.
Meanwhile the character who could read minds was with her as a chihuahua constantly following and helping her...

I rushed to her side and personally asked to speak with her in private without thinking about it too much she accepted as I soon explained it to her.

But...

「Oh, I already know that. 」

"Then why are you still with him!?"

「I already sealed his power from leaking.
He is now able to sleep properly.

As for now, well...
He said this was his way of thanking me.」

"Don't you think that relationship is dangerous?"

「How so?
I'm 12 years old and look like a damn child.
He's not asking for too much nor act like a bother.
In actual fact, he helps me out when carrying things and is actually quite nice.」

"That's not the point!"

「Ho? are you getting jealous?」she said while showing a grin.

He gazed at her and gave her a smug expression. "Heh?"

Tori at that point gave him a fist to the stomach in her agitation.
"Guah!?"

Then she said.

「I can understand you are concerned.
But Milim also seems to get along with him.

There's nothing wrong about the man aside from his Unique background.」

"Jeez, can't you hold back on that punch.
And also...
Unique background?"

「First, I did hold back.
What you experience is just a light tap compared to what I could really do.

Secondly, He's a half-human who carries the power of a mind-eater.

A demi-human for short.
Unfortunately, he is unable to control his power due to his lack of knowledge.

After explaining himself to me,
His power seems to have manifested the moment he arrived here a few months ago.
As for his parents, well, he's an adopted child of a noble family.

They didn't seem to know anything about his power.
But he was lucky enough to meet me before it was all too late.」

"How did you even seal his power? or how do you even know how to do that!?"

「My past-life husband was a mind-reader...
He was quite a reliable man who detected lies and helping me in my travels.
He told me quite a lot of things including the fact that mind readers have a tail quite similar to a cat that they usually hide...

It was in preparation in case our child ended up being one.
But it turned out to be a dragon instead.」
Tori had a grinning smile as she said those words while thinking.

[Speaking of that child, I wonder how he's doing.]

Baster could only give her a wry smile in response.

「His power can help us when making deals
when we start heading in our journey in that skyship you dream of...

So I don't see much of a problem asking him for help in the future.
A skyship isn't controlled by only a few people you know?」

Baster sighed as she said those words, most of what she had said was undoubtedly correct.

He was unable to retort but...

[But this man is a yandere!] he cried out in his thought.

After my talk with Tori, she continued her work in the workshop.
At that point, I was powerless as he continued to remain there.

I am still uneasy by his power but If what she said was true.
Then I suppose it's safe since she keeps a whole lot secret from me...

After our conversation, I returned to prepare for the next combat session.
This time it will be a two vs two...

You are probably asking why?
It's simply because they also teach teamwork in the practicals.
The first practice session was to simply test the capability of the students and their ability.
However...

"You must be Baster." one of the professors called out to me then handed me a folder.

"Please, give these to your sisters," he told me as I nodded.

But as I gazed at the folder and opened it just to check its content.

"Wha-what the fuck!"

...

...

...

"We have discerned both of your ability that you two have far surpassed the first and second-year students.

And thus have chosen to allocate both of you to the third and fourth practice sessions.

Be proud!
Young ones!

A new schedule will be given to both of you who have paired together for the next exercises this week. Expect new challenges and grow beyond your capabilities!"

Talie and Tori gazed at the piece of paper with annoyance.

「Baster...
What does this mean?」

『I feel trouble just by hearing this...
What's the difference between the first and second from the third and fourth years.』

Baster gave a deep sigh and said.

"The third and fourth years are students who aspire to become knights, soldiers or captains that command airship. To make it simple, those students are way stronger than the first and second.

Your conventional tactics won't properly work for what I recall."

「Oi! that sounds a bit drastic don't you think?
What kind of school is this!?」

『Did they just forget we are 12 years old or something?』

"It doesn't appear like they changed your class.
Just the opponent you are going to face.

To make it simple,
They most likely assessed both of you have already surpassed.
The strength that the first and second years have...
And decided to throw you into a more fitting place that can contend with your abilities."

「They definitely forgot our age...」Tori said in gloom.

『This is clearly child abuse.
Where the heck is the child law's in this bloody place!』 Talie shouted in anger.

Baster gave a wry smile, unfortunately, child laws don't exist in this world.
As he recalls there was also slavery in certain island cities.
But since this was the decision of the academy, there was nothing both of them could do.

Except... Prepare.

As Baster then said.

"You two need better weapons.
Those in the third year use armaments different than the rest."

「Haa?」

『Haa?』

"Both of your weapons are going to break the moment you make contact with them.
Those kinds of students use personal weapons manufactured from monsters.

And they pack a punch."

「Hey wait, you're talking about the weapons they use right?」

『Where the heck are we suppose to get those!』

"It's best to ask for Lotte's help for these kinds of situations..."

As both of them sighed in response to his word.

...

...

...

 

As Lotte gazed at their paper she sighed and said.

"Wow, you two sure are in a pickle.
Does the academy hate both of you are something?"

「I don't know, but I want out of this place the moment I hit the first year.」

『Same here, this is just cruel.』

"I don't blame both of you...
But the academy must have seen your strength using magic.

That they became afraid the next pairing of duels is most likely unfair for the other student and dumped you there, Just to even the odds."

「We heard from baster they actually use their real weapons in the 3rd and 4th-year batches...」

"Yes, they do...
And quite nasty ones that are capable of using magic on contact."

『I don't like pain.』Talie honestly said.

「Me neither.」Tori added.

It was then Lotte gave it a thought...

"Tell me, you two specializes in using magic right?"

Both of them nod to her question as she soon smiled.

"We do have weapons that amplify magic power.
Why not try them out."

「Really? I've never heard of it before.」

『Same here.』

"Then wait here, I'll go prepare them for both of you."

She said then left the office.
Both of them felt unease in what she has in store for both of them.

...

LoAdInG...

In...

Progress...

...

...

We were soon brought to the weapon testing area in the back yard of their home.
It was an empty place full of craters and dummies for their experiments.

Both of them were soon given a single gauntlet each.
Two gauntlets that were soft on the inside but rough on the outside that reaches towards the elbow. It didn't particularly fit them properly but tried it regardless.

There was a spherical Light Blue jewel on the backside of the hand and inside the palm protected by some kind of glass. It looked odd and strange in appearance that doesn't seem to be useful in combat.

『It looks a bit cool, yet I sense something from them...』

「What the heck are these? I feel a presence of magic.」

As each said their thought to her.

"As expected of you two.
To notice it so quickly..." she then presses her glasses.

"Those two gauntlets absorb magic and allows the user to use it as their own.
It can fire a bolt of mana when properly controlled."

「Isn't it more fitting for this to be used as an accessory than a weapon.」

She then replied to her words.

"Try using a bolt of magic with it and then you will understand why..."

She then directed the two to three targets in front of them.
As they raised their hand wearing the glove towards the target.
But...

「How do we use these things exactly?」

『Nothing came out... I was expecting something like a bolt.』

"Good grief...
You two are sorcerers.
Try casting a spell and it will automatically function."

Tori was then the first to step forward.
As she cast a spell as she raised her hand along with chanting.

「Defy the weight of this world!」

A magic circle appears on top which made Talie flinch...

「Graviton!」She shouted as she aimed it towards the dummy.

A black sphere that sucked the air of its surrounding took shape in the circle as it was sent flying towards the target. Talie grabbed her skirt while Lotte was gazing at it in astonishment as it soon reached the target.

A black sphere erupted as it swallowed the three dummies and caused a wave of wind towards them as Talie then soon complained.

『Tori! can't you use something less destructive!』

「I forgot most of the basic and simpler offensive spells...

Most of my spells involve using intermediate and advanced magic.
This is the least destructive spells I have at the moment...」

Lotte at this point could only think as she heard her response...

[How powerful are the other spells you have?
If this kind of level already obliterates three of the dummies at once.

Is this still reality?]

Indeed, the spell doesn't particularly reach them but the wave it released made them cover their faces. Flying greeny and dust flew in the air as it soon subsided the three dummies were nowhere in sight and as for Tori.

She was gazing at the gauntlet as it soon gleamed with power.

『Tori what's wrong?』

「I can feel it...」

『Feel what exactly?』

「The same feeling I felt in my past life...
This thing is undoubtedly the same.

But...」she then turned towards Lotte and approach her to soon ask.

「Lotte, this weapon...
Wouldn't this cause mana-collapse if a person recklessly used this?」

Lotte showed a surprised expression as she smiled.

"Well, yes.
That's why it isn't widely used as an accessory and mostly used as a weapon."

『Oi, for what I recall that isn't that the nasty effect of overusing magic.』

Tori nod's to her and sighed.

「I didn't feel much fatigue when I used it...
But without a doubt, it did restore my inner mana.」

Lotte then said to her.

"Do you see the jewels on top and below it?"

Tori and Talie nod.

"Those jewels determine whether you are overusing it.
It will slowly turn red and if it darkens, it means you are already pushing your limits."

Tori gazed at the jewel as it was now in the color of green.

"Light blue -> Green  -> Red -> Black.
These are the warnings of those gloves.

It's not widely used as an accessory due to its size and weight.
It is simply called the Arcane gauntlet."

「Can't they just make a glove out of it?」

She shook her head.
"Others tried, but every time it has been placed in a glove.
it doesn't last long enough in a battle that usually causes it to malfunction."

『Malfunction?』

"Well, the jewel that usually detects your limitation.
 Loses its ability to track your current state.
It needs a sturdier and tougher outer shell to prevent that from happening.

Hence a gauntlet is the only choice for it."

The two were feeling weight from the large gauntlets as she said it.
They realized how it was both useful and burdensome to use.

"Well? are you two going to use that?
We can manufacture better sizes for both of you.

For your next practice session tomorrow..."

The two sighed at that moment.

...

...

...

While the manufacturing was underway the two were given a free rest from work.
Even Lotte understood their circumstances and didn't want to push them too much.
They were presented with donuts and hot chocolate which they gratefully received.

But after a moment,
The two soon discuss regarding the gauntlets.

『Hey, Tori about the gauntlets...』she asked with concern.

「The gauntlets power that detects a person's magical limits is worthless on us.
However its ability to constantly give us inner-mana is probably more than I expected...」she calmly said.

『Doesn't that make these gauntlets quite powerful on us?』

「It's best you don't tell anyone about the blessing of the spirit lord.」

The Blessing of the Spirit lord.
One of its abilities is to allow the user to call upon a spirit without cost or sacrifice.

Its second ability is to sense the presence of death.

Finally, The third blessing allows their spiritual bodies to retain themselves in the material world without collapsing.

Mana Collapse.

A similar situation where too much usage of mana causes the body unable to handle the flowing power which they have released.
But the third ability of the spirit-lord completely negates it,
as it misinterprets the body being affected by the world around them instead as the presence of mana inside them.
Have caused their body to become ethereal/Spiritual that normally would have caused their body to slowly diminish from the world.

This, in turn, allows the twins to use magic as long as they contain inner-mana within them.
The twins at this moment were gazing at the gauntlet's they borrowed and gave a deep sigh.

「We found something that defies the normalcy of our lives once again. 」Tori could only cover her eyes.

『I hope, we don't get kidnapped and experimented on, because of this. 』Talie gave a wry smile at it.

This was another day for the twins as they pondered how they were supposed to deal with the next practice session.