Exorcism with a Rolled Tongue

From Elize, who has become Eric's, perspective

"Akira, you struggle with rolled tongue pronunciations in ancient languages, don't you?" I wrote the phonetic symbol for rolled tongue on the public sky blue whiteboard.

"Mmm... indeed. I'm Japanese, not Italian. I'm no cantor," Akira occasionally throws in terms I barely understand.

"I've never used magic that requires a rolled tongue before."

"True. But in dungeon delving, a rolled tongue is an essential skill."

"Seriously?"

"What's on the 8th and 33rd floors?"

As I asked, Akira flipped through the floor dungeon guide.

"Let’s see... the floor with a surge of wisps and the floor overrun by wights. So... undead?"

"Exactly, floors where undead stand as formidable foes. Both are marked with two and three stars respectively. They're challenging floors."

"So, you're saying magic to defeat undead requires rolled tongue?"

"Exactly right. Purification magic, exorcism. I want you to master this before the exploration event."

I handed Akira the sheet music I copied from the grand magic encyclopedia in the library.

"The pronunciation and melody of the ancient language are difficult. But if successful, it has an immense effect in wiping out the undead."

"I see... so this was the training you were talking about."

Akira began to chant the spell. His sense of pitch was perfect, and he had rhythm.

"Come forth, Exorcism!"

But he failed due to his rolled tongue.

"No good, huh?"

He knelt down, seemingly dejected.

"I'm surprised. To read such difficult music perfectly except for the rolled tongue is not something just anyone can do."

It's important to praise where it's due.

"Not yet... let's try one more time."

Akira stood up and started chanting again.

After two, three times... he still failed because of the rolled tongue.

On the 17th try, a gust of wind blew and my skirt fluttered.

"Wha?"

Embarrassingly, it revealed my polka-dot underwear.

While embarrassed, Akira continued to chant.

"Come forth, Exorcism!"

This time, his magic worked.

"Way to go, Akira! I knew you could do it."

I gave him a thumbs up.

"I did it! I mastered it!"

"Alright, let's keep it going!"

However, the failures continued.

And on the 51st attempt, the wind played its tricks again...

"Stupid wind! Enough already! It's really strong today."

"Yes! I did it!"

"Huh?"

Once again, Akira successfully cast Exorcism.

Hmm?

By chance or necessity?

Somehow, whenever my underwear was visible, his spellcasting succeeded.

"It seems like I succeed when I'm really excited," said Akira.

What?! I need to show my underwear for Exorcism to work?