Volume 1 Chapter 9: "New Acquaintances"

Feeling the tension in the air, Tasu decided to break the awkward silence and introduce his companions to each other.

“Let me introduce you to each other!” — he said with a smile, standing up from the sofa.

“This is Akusa Takaru — my best friend and probably one of the most reliable people I know.”

Well, thanks for such a title!

“And this is Kifuru Rielya,” he continued.

“Nice to meet you,” Kifuru said shyly, blushing slightly and lowering her gaze.
She looked a bit nervous in this unfamiliar situation.

“Nice to meet you too...”

“Hey... Akusa...” Tasu looked at me with a mischievous grin.

“What are you plotting now?”

“Looks like the date went well! You’ve got a mark from a kiss on your cheek!”

Akusa instinctively touched his cheek and indeed felt something sticky.
He calmly walked over to the sink to wash it off.

“I see everything went according to plan?” Tasu kept teasing.

“What are you talking about?”

“Well, you’ve got yourself a... girlfriend now, don’t you?” Tasu said with a smirk.

Akusa froze for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh. He knew arguing with Tasu was pointless, yet he couldn’t help but feel slightly irritated.

“...”

“Alright, alright. Tell me how it went then?”

“You first.”

“Hmm... Well, I was on another guild mission,” he began, recalling the recent events.

“On my way back home, when it was already getting dark, I met Kifuru. She looked tired, covered in scrapes, and her clothes were all torn.”

“It was obvious she needed help, and I just couldn’t leave her alone.”

Tasu looked at Kifuru warmly, and she nodded slightly, confirming his words.

“Turns out she was expelled from a neighboring kingdom,” Tasu continued.

“Because she failed to complete a guild quest.”

“Her parents went missing a few years ago, and since then, she kept training relentlessly... but unfortunately, she lost a bet and had to leave the kingdom. That’s the short version.”

Akusa listened attentively, occasionally nodding. He didn’t expect Kifuru’s story to be so heavy.

Now that he knew her circumstances, he couldn’t help but feel not only sympathy but also respect for her resilience.
She must’ve had a really hard time... Akusa thought to himself after Tasu’s story.

“I see. I think I get the full picture now,” I said thoughtfully, trying to piece everything together.

But outwardly, she didn’t look like a strong mage — her worn-out school skirt and white sweater with black accents looked rather modest.
However, her light-golden eyes, long hair of the same shade, and attractive figure hinted at something special about her.

“Tasu, why didn’t you buy Kifuru some new clothes?” I suddenly asked, looking at him.

“Oh... right,” Tasu mumbled awkwardly, clearly having forgotten about it.

“As always,” I sighed.

“Go to the store with Kifuru and buy her something decent before it gets dark.”

“Y-you’ll really help me?..” she asked uncertainly.

“Of course!” Tasu said, giving her a thumbs-up.

“Someone’s gotta keep an eye on Tasu anyway,” I added.

“Hey!.. I heard that!”

The girl blushed slightly.

“W-would you mind if I stayed here?” Kifuru asked, nervously fiddling with her fingers.

“I don’t think anyone would object,” I replied confidently.

“You’re both so kind... Thank you so much!” — her voice carried genuine gratitude.

They’re so kind... even though we’ve just met. And Tasu, who helped me... It feels like I’ve ended up in heaven... — Kifuru thought to herself, blushing faintly.

“Memories — Kifuru’s first meeting with Tasu.”

Kifuru was slowly walking along the road leading to Areon. Her clothes were torn in several places, and her body was covered in bruises and scratches.

“It seems I’ve gone quite far already...” she murmured quietly, glancing back.
“Ouch... My whole body... hurts...” she whispered, clutching her stomach.

Kifuru looked at her scratched hands, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Why... Why do I have to suffer like this...? I didn’t do anything wrong...
First, they bullied me at school... then my parents... disappeared... and now this!
I just wanted to complete a guild quest to earn some money, but that guy...
“If you don’t take the quest, I’ll torment you as I please!”
In the end, I almost died during the mission and barely managed to escape...
I’m just an ordinary girl... Why... — Kifuru thought, falling to her knees on the ground.

“Are you okay?” a voice came from behind as a hand touched her shoulder — it was Tasu.

Startled, Kifuru instinctively swung her sword at him.

Tasu leaned back, and the blade cut through the air right above him.

Fast...!

When their eyes met, both froze for a moment, speechless.

“Wait! I don’t want to hurt you!” Tasu said, waving his hands nervously.

“Wh-who are you...? And what are you doing here...?” she asked, slightly embarrassed.

“I’m more curious about you! What happened to you?”

“Such a cute girl, and covered in bruises like that!”

Kifuru blushed even more.

“Allow me to heal you!” Tasu said, now standing behind Kifuru. Her body began to glow softly, and all her wounds disappeared. She felt part of her strength return.

“A-ah... D-don’t sneak up on me like that!” she cried out, jumping back in surprise.

“But... thank you,” she added quietly, looking down at her now-healed hands and body.

“Alright! Let’s just talk casually then,” Tasu said cheerfully, walking ahead.

“My name is Tasume Sukudzu — but you can just call me Tasu.”

“And you, lovely lady?” he asked, turning to her.

“I... Kifuru Rielya.”

“Kifuru... Nice to meet you!”

“Y-yeah, nice to meet you too!”

“So, where are you headed?” Tasu asked curiously.

Almost without realizing it, Kifuru began walking beside him toward the city.

“It’s... a long story...”

“I’ve got time, so go ahead and tell me!”

“W-wait! I mean... wait a second! Who are you, really? Why did you help me?!” Kifuru asked, reaching out as if to stop him.

“I’m just a first-year student at the magic academy — strong, handsome, smart, amazing, and all that!” Tasu said jokingly, turning toward her.

“But seriously, how could I leave such a cute girl in trouble? You fit my type one hundred percent!”

“E-ehhh?!” Kifuru blushed furiously.

“Alright, alright, maybe I was joking... or maybe not!” Tasu said with a slightly mischievous grin.

“M-Mhaa!... “ Kifuru shivered, goosebumps running down her arms.

Present time.

“By the way, Tasu, Kimi gave me a book of spells. I haven’t had time to study it yet, but if you need it, feel free to use it,” I said.

“Thanks!”

“Alright, go to the store first. Then I’ll tell you what happened,” I added, letting them go.

After Tasu and Kifuru left, I took the book Kimi had given me.
It was red, with the title “Kishidzu” — most likely the same book Tadoki once studied from.
Over two hundred pages, all filled with spells. I flipped through a few of them, then decided to start preparing dinner.

Half an hour later...

“That smells amazing! Akusa must be cooking!” Tasu exclaimed as soon as he entered the house, carrying several bags.

“You really went on a shopping spree...” I said, surprised at the pile of clothes they brought back.

“T-these are just the essentials...” Kifuru explained shyly, blushing a little.

Girls really do need way more clothes than we do... way more.

“Hey, Akusa, what’s for dinner?” Tasu asked, peeking at the table.

“Nothing for you — you eat too much already!” I said with a grin.

“What?! For what reason?!” Tasu looked at me in confusion, not sure if I was serious.

Kifuru giggled softly, covering her mouth with her hand.

“Alright, Tasu, show Kifuru her room, then come down for dinner,” I said, getting back to what I was doing.

“Got it!” Tasu replied, heading upstairs with Kifuru.

They went up to the second floor and stopped by her room.

“This one’s yours, and the bathroom’s right across the hall,” Tasu said, opening the door and placing the bags on the bed.

“Thank you,” Kifuru said politely.

“A-ah, yeah...” Tasu replied awkwardly, scratching his head after her little bow.

“Alright, let’s eat!” he added, and they both went downstairs.

I had already set the table, making sure everything looked neat.

“Mmm... this looks delicious!” Tasu said excitedly, seeing the dinner — fried fish, rice, vegetables, roasted meat, and several sauces.
Akusa was always an amazing cook — his meals were always perfect, and this time was no exception!

“It looks so good!” Kifuru said, sitting down.

“Simple, but it should taste fine,” I replied, handing out the portions.

We began to eat, and over dinner, I told them what had happened to me and what I had learned.

“Flames that burn away the body itself?” Tasu repeated, frowning in thought.

“Yeah,” I nodded.

“I see... But how did you survive?”

“In the moment I was burned by that flame, part of my memory returned,” I explained.
“I remembered how to enhance my abilities — and how to copy others’ powers.
But as for how the regeneration itself happened... even I don’t know.”

“I see... Wait... What?!” Tasu stared at me in total disbelief.

“L-let’s just skip that part...”

"If we put it simply..."

"You bravely protected Kimi and became her boyfriend, right?" Tasu teased with a sly grin.

"No! Why does everything with you always turn into some kind of love story?" I sighed, not believing my ears.

"So, when are you inviting Kimi over to your place?" Tasu asked, smiling mischievously.

"I... I don’t know..." I answered awkwardly, trying to avoid the topic.

"Tell me, you’re already taken, aren’t you?" I asked back.

"In what way?" Tasu looked at me, confused.

"Well, Kifuru, of course..." I said with a knowing smirk.

Kifuru blushed, lowering her gaze.

"N-no... it’s not like that..." she quickly replied, her face turning even redder.

"See?" Tasu confirmed, looking smug.

"I see..." I said, surrendering with a slight hint of disappointment.

We chatted a bit more before going to bed — tomorrow was a school day.

The next day...

"Hey, Tasu!" I called out to him while he was still sleeping. "Wake up, or you’ll be late for school!"

"Just five more minutes..." he mumbled sleepily, turning to the other side.

"Fine, then you’re going alone," I warned him while packing my things.

"Alright, alright, I’m getting up..." he finally gave in, sitting up lazily.

We got ready and left the house. Kifuru had decided to stay with us for a while and attend school too — I didn’t mind.

"Hey, Akusa, what class are we in again?" Tasu asked, catching up to me on the way to school.

"Rin sent a letter yesterday — we’re in Class A."

"So that’s the strongest class among first-years?" he clarified.

"Yeah, it’s the top class for first-year students."

"And what about Kifuru? What class will she be in?" Tasu asked thoughtfully.

"I think she’ll take a few placement tests today. Once they check her power level, they’ll assign her to the right class."

We were almost at the college when Tasu suddenly noticed someone ahead.

"Hey, Akusa, look!"

"What is it?" I asked, turning around.

"Over there — your love!" he said with a sly smile, pointing ahead.

"You again? Looking for trouble?" I grumbled, feeling irritation rising inside me.

"No, no," Tasu raised his hands, showing that he was just joking.

"Hi," we suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"Hi..." I replied, trying not to show my embarrassment.

"Hey," added Tasu.

"Hello," Kifuru greeted quietly, a bit nervous.

"Let me introduce you!" Tasu suggested, once again taking the initiative.
"This is Kimi Kishimiya, our friend, classmate, and the ruler of these lands. And this is Kifuru Rielya — she has been living with us recently."

"Nice to meet you!" Kifuru said politely, slightly bowing.

"Likewise!..." Kimi replied politely with a smile.
"Wait... living with you?" Kimi repeated in surprise, feeling a slight hint of jealousy.

Here we go... I thought, foreseeing her reaction.

"Don’t worry, Akusa was yours and will stay yours," Tasu said jokingly, waving his hand.

At that moment, I couldn’t take it anymore and punched him in the shoulder — he flew several meters away.

"Tasu!" Kifuru shouted in fright, rushing toward him.

"Don’t worry, he’s fine," I said calmly, knowing that Tasu would recover quickly.

"For what?!" he exclaimed indignantly, getting back on his feet.

"You talk too much," I replied, gradually calming down.

"Alright..." Tasu muttered, realizing his mistake.

"Was mine... will be mine...?" Kimi murmured, blushing completely and confused.

"Alright, it’s time to go to the college. Our classroom should be on the second floor," I reminded, deciding to break the awkward silence.

"You two go ahead, I’ll take Kifuru to the principal," Tasu suggested.

"Alright, see you in class," I agreed, heading with Kimi toward the main building.

We went to our classroom, leaving Tasu and Kifuru behind.