Tiffania was surprised.
“How do I know it? Anyhow, I lived very long, even though my memory is bad.”
“So… I'll tell you. As Sword-san said the 'Ancient Magic' with water power was placed into this ring. However, I do not know the name of it... it was given as keepsake from my dying mother.“
“Your mother was an elf?”
Tiffania nodded.
“This is rather complicated. I cannot tell you in full-detail… but, the magical power of the plinth was already used up.”
“Exactly. Since the Water magic stone was placed in there, the magic was absorbed by the plinth itself. Therefore, there is only a plinth left. However, it cannot raise the dead. It cannot heal the wounds of the dead ones.”
Saito was touched to the bottom of his heart. Though he didn’t understand well, somehow an important keepsake from her mother was used and he was cured.
“Tiffania-san… right?”
“Tiffania it is. Though, if it is too hard to call me that, you can call me Tifa.”
Tiffania said, giving a smile that was the embodiment of beauty. Hard to call, indeed.
“Tifa then. Really really, that… Let me express my greatest gratitude… Though it was such an important ring, to cure me…”
“Eh? It’s all right, it’s all right! Tools are there to be used after all!”
Tiffania said in panic.
“Indeed…”
Saito looked up.
“I would like to thank you, but I do not have anything to give but the little 'power' I have!”
“Partner.”
In an embarrassed tone, Derflinger muttered. Disregarding him Saito continued.
“I cannot tell the details, but I can use any weapon! Therefore, please tell me when you are in trouble! For instance if a fierce animal or monster attacks the village at night…”
Saito, on the bed, clasped Tiffania's hand.
“F-for now…”
Tiffania mutters, giving a wry smile.
“You’ll see! Weapon! Grab! And the runes on my left hand start to shine! Here!”
“Saito reached for Derflinger, who had been leaning against the bed and gripped him.
“Ah, partner…”
For some reason Derflinger’s voice sounded embarrassed.
“Hey! When I grip the sword this way, the runes on my left hand… T-that?”
Saito stared blankly. Though Derflinger was gripped, nothing shone. Usually, the runes on his left hand shined and his body felt light, as if growing a pair of wings… yet, it didn’t lighten.
“W-what’s wrong?”
In panic, Saito watched his left hand, with his mouth widely agape.
“Rururu…”
“See, partner? I told you so. Not legendary anymore, but partner is a partner. But we are still same old, right? Friends, right? Therefore do not worry. Because I am still your partner. Thu-…”
Derflinger’s words were interrupted,
“What’s with the runes?!”
Saito screamed.
And so…
The sign of Gandálfr disappeared without a trace.
Chapter Four: The Visit of the Priest
One week before the day Saito woke up…
One wind dragon landed on the courtyard of the Tristain Academy of Magic.
All the students, who were chatting in the courtyard, turned around.
Upon seeing the boy on the dragon’s back, a sigh escaped from the schoolgirls’ chests.
“Look! What beautiful hair!”
“Look there!”
On seeing the boy’s eyes, the schoolgirls became frightened in an instant. The colors of the right and left eyes were different.
“‘Moon eyes’.”
One girl muttered.
Eyes with different right and left colors were called ‘Moon eyes’, following the two moons of Tristain. In the provinces, where the superstitions are strong, it is believed that such person is evil and is despised by everyone.
However… they still absent-mindedly watched the beautiful boy get off the dragon.
“Hyaa… is he a noble from some country? He’s like a fairy!”
Priest of Romalia - Julio Cesar.
The schoolgirls rambled on – “Kyaa Kyaa”.
Julio, ignoring the commotion, jumped down to the ground from his wind dragon’s back….
Thump.
He hit the ground with his head.
Schoolgirls, dumbfounded, looked at each other, and ran up to Julio.
“Are you… all right?”
Julio laughed with a smile, while laying on the ground. What a charming smile – all schoolgirls were swayed in an instant.
“The soil is on your face… P-please use this…” one girl gave a handkerchief to Julio, making the other girls stir as well.
“H-here use mine!”
“My handkerchief has a nice smell to it!”
“I’m alright.”
“Haah! The soil doesn’t suit your elegant features!”
“It’s good. Just about.”
“But…”
“I still haven’t washed my face after the war. That’s why it’s dirty.”
Julio waved off.
“For three weeks? Seriously!”
“Do you really hate washing your face that much?”
Laughter echoed.
“That’s not it. I just cannot make a lady's handkerchief dirty.”
He stood up and bowed.
“Nooo! Stop joking!”
Girls shouted joyfully.
The boys sourly watched the schoolgirls swoon. One schoolboy, with a challenging smile, approached Julio.
One girl shouted.
“Pelisson-sama!”
Third-year Pelisson was a ladykiller of the Tristain Academy of Magic. Though he had a pretty face like an ancient sculpture, he lacked charm. He was jealous when a popular person showed up suddenly, and could not stomach it.
Pelisson crossed his arms and glared at Julio and noticed a Holy Saget on his chest.
Fuun, he gave a goofy smile.
“Priest, did you come to plead for offerings?”
Without loosing his cool, Julio answered.
“I came here to meet a friend.”
“This is a noble studying building. Go preach to the streets.”
“I don’t remember asking for your opinion.”
Pelisson’s brow slightly paled. Once understanding that Julio didn’t have a wand, he pulled out a long, thin wand. It was a brand-new one, one that young knight’s receive when joining the army.
“Judging from your words a little while ago, you seem to also have participated in the Albion campaign, Priest.”
“Aa.”
“I am a report officer from the Navarre unit. You?”
“Various jobs.”
Julio said, waving it off.
“It must have been taking care of your dragon. Like your follower. Yes.”
“For priests, any work suits.”
Pellison hit Julio’s head with his wand.
“By beating my head, you are insulting God and Founder Brimir, Officer-san.”
“I am not insulting God. I’m just teaching a cocky priest, who started acting like a noble, some manners. I’ll show you an insult.”
“So you are a noble? Then why you are so jealous about someone who is outside the noble’s circle?“
Pelisson's face reddened. Schoolgirls, who gathered around, became frightened.
“Then cast your spell!”
He shouted while uttering a spell…
The wind dragon, that was sitting behind Julio, sprang to his feet and jumped at Pelisson. And in one second, Pelisson, unable to resist, was pinned down by the large wind dragon.
“H-hey! It’s unfair! Don’t use a dragon! Guah!”
Pelisson, whose back was trampled down by the large wind dragon, fainted in agony.
“Since I cannot use magic, I use dragons instead.”
Hearing such commotion, teacher Chevreuse ran up in short steps.
“What’s this! What’s this! I think the war is already over, so stop fighting in the courtyard now! I’m serious!”