Volume 01 - Chapter 4: Roar of the Orphaned Beast (Part 01)

A week into our journey, I find myself staring at Mizuka’s hair.

The afternoon sun flies high. Few clouds hang in the azure sky. Nothing exciting has happened. We wake up early, walk until lunch, eat, walk until dinner, eat, keep walking, get tired, go to sleep, and repeat the process ad nauseum.

We might’ve hired a carriage, but Mizuka didn’t want to potentially waste money if she detected a trace of her power and needed to leave the main roads.

So, we walk, walk, and walk some more. My legs ache without end, but constant pain is the same as no pain; or so I try to convince myself.

Caliburn keeps us entertained with stories from her days at Sparrow’s End, while I recount the many comical tales of my younger siblings. Mizuka complained about our sleeping conditions but stopped after the second day, admitting the fault lies with her for foolishly choosing impoverished companions.

Mizuka doesn’t say much, only probing me for information about Seiren: its history, economy, government, and the like. I oblige but am often cut short by a bored Caliburn demanding our attention.

A few caravans and travelers on horseback cross our path, offering food and chatting a while before continuing their journeys. Courtesy of the peacetime, Seiren’s citizens face little danger. Soldiers of the Royal Guard, the country’s primary military force, patrolling the provinces apprehend any bandits, while wolves and other dangerous animals avoid the well-traveled paths out of fear for humankind.

In short, our trip has been a pleasant one. Until now. There’s something wrong with Mizuka’s hair—as if it’s been replaced or swapped with someone else’s. Raven, shiny, long, wavy, and as mesmerizing as ever. But. It’s not her hair.

I can withstand this torture no more. The truth must out, and I shall be the one to uncover it. I edge behind Mizuka, just out of Caliburn’s sight. With great terror, but even greater curiosity, I grab a handful of Mizuka’s hair.

Soft, silky, a diamond dyed black, cut into strands, and woven into fabric; a texture I’d never tire of touching. This seems right. The issue must lie elsewhere. I lift it, stare more intensely, and sniff it for reasons I’ll never be able to explain. Just as I realize what’s wrong, I lose my footing and stumble.

“Hya!” Mizuka emits an adorable cry and whips around with rage and confusion in her golden eyes.

I turn my head as far left as my neck will allow. “Problem?”

“Leo…something pulled my hair. You must have seen what, standing so close to me as you are.” Her scowl morphs into a terrifying grin.

“Nope. Didn’t see a thing.”

“Oh? Well, given the pain, it couldn’t have possibly been my imagination. Did you see anything, Caliburn?”

“No, Master, but whatever it was, I’d like to thank it for allowing me to hear you make such a cute noise.”

“Geh…look! Over there!” She points to the sky.

I crane my neck while Mizuka lunges forward and seizes my wrist.

“What are these?” She squints at the strands of her hair I couldn’t bring myself to discard.

“W-What? Something there?”

“Don’t play dumb with me, servant boy. Give me those.” Prying my hand open, she takes the strands and stuffs them in her skirt pocket. “My hair may be the most beautiful thing you’ve ever laid your filthy eyes on, spare myself, but that doesn’t mean you can touch and pull on it as you like. You’d better have a good reason for testing my patience.”

“I do. And…I’m sorry. See, well…your hair…it’s different.”

She raises an eyebrow. “How?”

“The color. It’s not the same as before. I can’t be sure, but I think it’s lighter.” As if someone mixed in a dribble of white.

“Impossible. Why would it be? Your eyes must’ve gone bad.”

“No way. If I’m an expert on anything—it’s your hair. I’m ashamed to have failed to notice the change immediately, but after a long period of observation, I’m positive it’s lighter.”

“W-What are you saying? Do you hear the words coming out of your mouth?”

“Oh? You understand how wonderful Sister Master’s hair is too?” Caliburn nods repeatedly, hands clasped together.

“Indeed. Her hair was a beautiful, shiny black of the purest darkness, as if each strand was born anew each day. But now…something’s discolored it. Not ruined, far from it, but it’s not the same.”

“A shame.” Caliburn places a hand on my shoulder, joining me in my sorrow.

“Y-You two! Enough of this nonsense! And Caliburn! Stop calling me by that ridiculous title!” She stomps one foot forward, shaking her fist at us.

“Sister Master Mizuka?”

“That! Stop it! One of those is enough.”

“Yes, Master…I didn’t mean to upset you, Sister…Could you find it in your heart to forgive me, Mizuka?” Caliburn rubs nonexistent tears while suppressing a laugh.

Mizuka wriggles her fingers, fighting the urge to choke at least one of us. “Don’t think I’ll forget your impertinence, girl. As for you, Leo, explain yourself. Do you truly believe my hair has lightened?”

“Somewhat, yes. I wasn’t positive until now, but it’s been bothering me for a while.”

“And you didn’t notice before?”

“No, from the time we met until we left Gamaloth, it’s been pitch black.”

“Hmm…did reclaiming my—no, is that even, why would it,” mumbles Mizuka, poking her nose. “Caliburn, come here.”

Caliburn bounds to Mizuka, who takes both her hands and interlocks their fingers. A green magic circle forms on the dirt beneath them, an updraft of air flowing from it, shuffling their clothes, skirts rising a touch too high for my sanity. Mizuka closes her eyes while Caliburn stares in confusion. A minute passes before Mizuka lets go, and the ring fades.

“Thought so. I knew, but wanted to confirm. You are correct, Leo. I have changed somewhat since our initial meeting. I had no idea what might happen once I regained a fragment, but now understand.”

Caliburn reclaiming her sword also restored a portion of Mizuka’s original power, but not all. Half remains with Caliburn lest her physical body cease functioning; it being partially made of myra. Due to this power transfer, Mizuka gained a greater pool of myra plus a smattering of her missing memories: those related to Caliburn and a random selection of events from the last time Mizuka was awake.

“So…your hair changed because of the power transfer?”

“There’s no other explanation. We’ll know for sure once I reclaim another fragment. Regardless, I’d appreciate your never touching my hair without permission again, understand?”

“And if I get permission?”

“That…is unlikely.” Her smile is the curve of a poisoned dagger.

I hide behind Caliburn, crouching low to do so.

“Good idea, Leo! Any time you’re about to be punished, I can take your place.” She spreads her arms like a bird poised to take flight.

“G-Get out from behind her. I won’t punish you.”

“So you say, but I bet you’re trying to make me let my guard down.”

“If I really wanted to, you wouldn’t have time to hide.”

“Oh, that scowl is wonderful, Master.” Caliburn squirms, her swaying skirt hypnotic.

“Y-You two…forget it. This isn’t worth the effort. We’ve rested long enough. We’re going.” Mizuka turns and plods off, but soon stops, waiting for us to catch up. “Speaking of regained powers,” she glares at Caliburn, “why haven’t you changed out of that vulgar thing yet?”

“V-Vulgar? Do you mean my uniform?” She guards her chest, the pleasure of receiving an insult and her love of the outfit generating both goofy grin and tears.

“What else? I’ve tolerated it given your fondness of it, but I’m sick of watching every male traveler we encounter ogle you through the entire conversation. Besides, haven’t you noticed Leo gawking at you? He can barely stop drooling long enough to form a sentence in front of you.”

“That’s not…never mind.” I’m surprised I haven’t gone insane yet.

“…Leo, were you really looking at me in such a way?” Caliburn blushes and sways, arms behind her back.

“Well…y-yes. I mean, I don’t want to, but—”

“Don’t want to?! Am I so hideous?”

“No way. You’re not hideous.”

“You mean I’m so far beyond hideous my ugliness defies definition?”

“…What? No. Caliburn, you’re not hideous or any variation of it. You’re well…” Complimenting a girl to her face is harder than imagined.

“Enough. I’ll not stand idle while you two flirt.” Mizuka chops my forehead and breaks us apart. “Dear sister, as you are a part of myself, you are one of the most beautiful beings in existence.” She flings out her hair, voice taking on an obnoxious pride. “To call yourself hideous is to call me hideous, and you wouldn’t want to do that—would you?”

“No. Not at all, Master. Forgive me. It was a slip of the tongue.” Caliburn bows deep.

“Good. Let’s return to the original topic. You know how to change outfits, correct?”

“She’s old enough to know how to change her clothes, Mizuka.”

“Be quiet, Leo. You’ve spoken more than enough for one day.” She bears down on Caliburn. “Well?”

“I don’t understand…I realize you want me to change, but can it not wait until we’ve set up camp? Rather, this is my only outfit. Or, could it be,” she presses her hands to her cheeks, “you want to trade outfits?”

“Absolutely not.” Mizuka sighs. “I’m not referring to physical clothes. Remember how I said my current outfit is made of myra? You can and should make one of your own.”

“Wouldn’t that be like walking around naked?”

“D-Do I look naked to you?!” Mizuka covers herself despite her words.

“No, but like Leo pointed out, if you ran out of—”

“Say no more. That may be true, but I assure you, I will not run out of myra and neither will you.”

“Really?” I ask, sidestepping a sizable rock embedded in the path. “You said you were using my myra. What if something happened to me?”

“I have enough of my own.”

“What if you lost consciousness?”

“Should that happen, the last thing I’d be worried about is whether or not I’m naked.”

“So, you would be naked.”

“Totally naked.” Caliburn grins.

“S-Shut up! And wipe that stupid smirk off your face, Leo!” She threatens me with a fist. Caliburn jumps in front but receives no reward.

“Anyway! Come here, Caliburn. I’ll teach you how to conjure an outfit whether you want to or not.” She makes a pulling motion with her finger; Caliburn tiptoes closer.

Mizuka whispers a string of words in Sabigo to Caliburn, telling her to repeat them several times.

“Give it a try.” Mizuka pats Caliburn on the back.

“I’ll do my best,” she mutters, not the least enthused. “Wait, what will happen to my uniform?”

“W-Who can say?” Mizuka gives a dry laugh.

“It’s going to disappear, isn’t it? You were trying to get rid of it all along, weren’t you? How could you, Sister?” Caliburn sobs, tears false given her overdramatic tone.

“The spell might consume it for extra fuel, but I wouldn’t know…”

“You were naked when you changed into your current outfit after all.”

“Leo! Forget that already! Hurry up, Caliburn.” Mizuka glares, tapping her foot.

“No. I won’t. Not until I put away my uniform.” She grabs the hem of her top.

“Wait, you’re not going to—stop!” Mizuka bounds forward but is too late.

Caliburn strips in the middle of the path. Off goes her top, skirt, and before she unhooks her bra, Mizuka flies at me, knocking me to the ground and covering my eyes with her hands. Unable to decide who to be angry with, she alternates between scolding Caliburn and berating me. Caliburn utters the spell with some hesitation.

A glimpse of green, alien light shines through Mizuka’s fingers, and she stands, not offering me a hand. Scrambling to my feet, I rub my aching eyes.

Clad in a striking outfit rivaling Mizuka’s, stands Caliburn, smiling with a curtsy.

“How do I look?” Scarlet paints her delicate cheeks.

The sole response I can manage is nodding furiously, both thumbs raised. Her outfit is not as provocative as her barmaid uniform, but equally enticing.

A cotton white, long-sleeved blouse hides her enormous chest; thin, verdant strings wrap around its long sleeves. Over the blouse is a short, jade green dress with frilled shoulders. Lace flutters along the three layers of the skirt, and a big bow adorns her tiny waist—both chocolate brown. Beneath her springy thighs lie a pair of green and brown striped thigh-highs with frills at their peak.

Despite hiding her chest, the shape of the dress emphasizes her breasts, making them appear more bountiful than before—a seemingly impossible phenomenon, but true. The skirt is a tad longer, the cut of the frills shifting in a way that makes me think I might glimpse something I shouldn’t. Whoever designed both girls’ outfits is a master of subtlety. To imagine what lies beneath is better than having it in plain sight.

“Leo? Hello? Still alive?”

“Huh?! Oh, sorry Caliburn, I was…lost in thought. Anyway, it suits you.”

“My outfit?” She darts forward, almost pressing against me.

“Y-Yes, it’s nice.”

“Is that all?” She traps me with expectant emerald eyes.

“Eh…well, it…no, you, you look fantastic. The dress is gorgeous…on you, because you’re wearing it, yes.” Such is how my sisters taught me to compliment girls.

“Thanks.” She backpedals, avoiding my gaze.

“Are you two done?” Mizuka drums her fingers on crossed arms.

“Y-Yes, Master. Does this outfit please you?”

“It’s assuredly better than your shameless uniform.” She beckons us to walk again. “To think I was made to wear that vile thing…”

“Hmph, you simply don’t understand the beauty of barmaids.”

“Nor do I wish to. Regardless, I’m pleased you can still cast higher-level spells. Why didn’t you know that spell in the first place? You’ve been casting the language spell all this time. You should’ve at least known how to conjure clothing.”

“I’ve been doing what?”

“The spell about making my language sound like another? You’ve been speaking in Sabigo since we met, but Leo understands you, so you must be casting the spell.”

“…I don’t think so. I have no memory of casting it.”

“No, you are. The spell requires no incantation, and whenever you speak, traces of myra come out of your mouth.”

“T-They do? Sorry, Master, Leo. I hope none of it landed on you.”

“It’s not spit!” Frowning, Mizuka considers a moment before snapping her fingers.

Caliburn must have unconsciously cast the spell whenever she first awoke in Gamaloth, it being natural for Mizuka’s variety of existence to accommodate any era, and has been doing so ever since. She didn’t realize she was casting it because she wasn’t aware she had magical capabilities.

As for why she didn’t know the spell for conjuring clothes, Mizuka isn’t positive but places the blame on Caliburn being a fragment. As the ‘main body’, Mizuka retained most of her original knowledge from before fragmentation. Caliburn possesses knowledge and spells related only to her sword, but she couldn’t access them until reclaiming her sword and subsequently her memories.

“About Caliburn being a fragment,” I face her, “you said when you first awoke in Gamaloth, you were hungry, right?”

She gives a hesitant nod. “I only survived thanks to the tavern owner feeding me.”

“Then you need to eat to survive?”

“…Yes?”

“And you get tired and have to sleep?”

“Like anyone else.”

“And bathing…you’ve taken baths whenever we found a river, didn’t you?”

“I am a girl, for what it’s worth. Hygiene is one of my top priorities.”

“See? That’s what I don’t understand.” I throw up my hands. Caliburn stares with crossed eyes.

“What this idiot is trying to say is your being a fragment has left you more human and less like myself.”

Unlike Mizuka, Caliburn, as a fragment, doesn’t share most of Mizuka’s abilities. Spare having a greater pool of myra, Caliburn doesn’t differ from a regular human being. She must eat, drink, and sleep to survive as opposed to Mizuka, who lived in that forest for three years with nothing. As for why Mizuka doesn’t have to bathe, she doesn’t possess some special power keeping her clean but casts a cleansing spell on herself.

“I’ll teach it to you when we’re alone.” She whispers, shooting a glare my way.

“We’re not the same?” Asks Caliburn, voice glum.

“In a way, you are me, and I am you, us being incomplete pieces of a singular being, but I’m unique in that I am closest to what we once were. But as I haven’t the faintest idea what that wretched warlock did to me, I’ve nothing but baseless theories. Don’t bother worrying about it for now.”

“No problem there.” Caliburn edges closer to Mizuka.

Another hour of us trailing along in silence passes before I remember something of the utmost importance.

“Say, Caliburn, I’ve been thinking…”

“About what, Leo?”

“Oh, just your name. That’s all.”

“My name?”

“Ignore him, Caliburn. I know where this is going, and such idiocy is not worth entertaining.”

“I just want to give her something.”

“Something from Leo? For me?” Her eyes sparkle as she presses her palms together. Mizuka sighs, shaking her head.

“A name. I want to give you a new name.”

“…Is there something wrong with mine?” Her joy disappears in an instant.

“N-Nothing wrong. It’s a wonderful name. Only…it’s a bit hard for me to pronounce.”

“But you’ve been saying it just fine.”

“H-Huh? I mean…well, I don’t want to risk mispronouncing it. You wouldn’t like that, would you?”

“No, I wouldn’t mind. Rather, it might be nice in its own way…” She squirms a bit.

“Eh…then…ah, of course, Mizuka’s name.”

“Don’t bring me into this.”

“What about Sister’s name?”

“I gave it to her. So, giving you one as well is only fair. Don’t you think?” Nice and smooth.

“You did?! To think Leo could invent such a wonderful name…Then, if you really want to—please, give me a name.” She stops, grabs my hands.

“O-Of course.” Unlike with Mizuka, I prepared one for Caliburn in advance. I wanted to give her one earlier, but devising a suitable name for this odd, yet lovely girl took me all week. “Are you ready?”

“Let’s hear it.” We lock gazes, and her cheeks turn rosy.

“Koishi. I want to give you the name Koishi.”

She says nothing, staring a few long seconds before giving the tiniest of nods. She smiles, a ray of sunshine piercing my heart.

“Koishi, Koishi. Yes, it’s wonderful!” She shakes my hands up and down while whispering the name over and over.

“Sure…Koishi.” My ears burn.

“Yes, yes, that’s all very nice. However,” Mizuka steps close, squinting hard, “over there, I sense something. Can you Cali—er, K-Koishi?” She scratches her cheek.

“Hmm? I don’t…wait, yes, what is that? This sensation is familiar…” Koishi releases me and faces the ground with empty eyes.

“It should. It’s a part of us.” A dash of eagerness hides beneath Mizuka’s stern expression.

“Another fragment?”

“That’s right. Leo, what’s in that direction?” She points to a break in the path ahead, a thinner trail bending east.

I take the map from my satchel and unravel it, tracing my finger along the current path until I find our approximate location.

“Hleigar. It’s the first village along that path.”

“To Hleigar, then. You two ready?” She grins.

We each share a nod, Mizuka’s zeal infecting me and Koishi.

“Good. Let’s go!”

Mizuka runs off, a bounce in her step. Koishi dashes to her side. Hleigar, huh? It will be the first unfamiliar village I visit on our journey. Excitement floods my veins as I chase after the girls.