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Aiz sighed quietly, her eyes still closed. In the silence of the water, the world felt so peaceful, so weightless. A faint aura of magic began to unravel from her body like gentle ripples spreading slowly.
Like a spring breeze brushing against leaves, Little Ariel emerged from Aiz's body—unlike the fierce, storm-like magic of Ariel that sliced through the air with destructive force, this wind was soft, almost like an embrace.
For the past few weeks, Aiz had been secretly practicing this branch of magic. A nameless spell she had slowly shaped from the power of Ariel, which she usually wielded on the battlefield.
Unlike the sharp force she used to slay monsters, this wind carried no intent to attack. There was no pressure, no destructive impulse. This wind only sought to touch, to support... and to lift.
I can't imagine using wind like this in battle, Aiz thought quietly. But for now, this wind was enough—more than enough.
She didn't need to move her hands or feet. The power of Little Ariel formed a buoyant force around her body—like an invisible, giant bubble that kept her afloat, allowing her to stand upright in the middle of the pool with perfect stability.
Slowly, the memories that had sparked this magic resurfaced.
At first, it had been a distant, hazy recollection—her mother's soft voice, a beautiful woman with long blonde hair, humming a gentle lullaby as a young Aiz slept in her arms. That was the first time this tender wind had enveloped her, back when she was learning to swim under the Melen sun.
But now, there was a new memory. Closer, fresher... and strangely stirring.
Shirou's face.
—The time she had nearly drowned during swimming practice, her lungs heavy, the world darkening. Then, she had awakened. On the sand, under a blue sky. With her heart racing and Shirou's lips pressed against hers.
Logically, she knew it had just been CPR. A lifesaving measure.
But to Aiz... that memory felt odd. Warm. Odd, but not frightening. It made her heart pound as if she were facing an enemy, yet not out of fear... but something else.
And the gentle wind responded.
The breeze enveloping her grew steadier. She floated slightly, like a fairy dancing on the water's surface. Her posture remained upright, her golden hair swaying softly with the rhythm of the wind. Slowly, she opened her eyes, her expression filled with quiet confidence.
"...I can do it," she whispered.
From the edge of the pool, Shirou and Lefiya could only stare in awe, watching Aiz—who was usually fierce on the battlefield—now resembling a fairy-tale girl who had just discovered her first miracle.
Aiz continued to float calmly on the water's surface, the soft wind of Little Ariel still encircling her. A faint magical glow shimmered subtly from her skin, barely visible, yet enough to keep her effortlessly buoyant.
Lefiya, still swimming in the pool, slowly approached Aiz with curiosity. She squinted, examining the faint aura surrounding Aiz.
"Incredible..." she murmured. "So this wind... is what's keeping you afloat?"
Aiz gave a small nod, her golden hair fluttering slightly in the breeze. She remained perfectly still on the water, almost unmoving.
"If you used regular Ariel, it'd be way cooler, like—swoosh!—zooming straight to the middle of the pool," Lefiya said, mimicking the sound of wind with a sweeping motion of her hand.
Aiz shook her head. "If I used Ariel... I'd just sink," she replied flatly, as if stating the obvious.
"Huh?" Lefiya frowned, not understanding. "Why would you sink?"
Shirou, who had been listening nearby, swam closer with a faint smile. "Back in Melen, Aiz tried using Ariel to swim. But because the force was too strong and uncontrolled, her body got slammed underwater like she was being dragged down by weights," he explained, chuckling at the memory. "Instead of gliding forward, she did a forced dive."
Lefiya covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. "Ohhh... so she was overpowered, huh?"
Aiz remained silent, though her eyes briefly rolled toward Shirou, who was now leaning casually against the pool's edge, the water reaching his chest.
I did drown that time... Aiz thought to herself.
But it wasn't embarrassment over her failure that filled her mind now.
But because of that... I got my second kiss...
Her expression remained as stoic as ever, but a few bubbles surfaced as she exhaled softly, trying to hide the warmth creeping into her cheeks.
Meanwhile, Lefiya lightly splashed the water, sighing in admiration.
"So... Little Ariel was really made for swimming, huh?"
Aiz didn't answer immediately, just gazing at her hand, which was slightly lifted by the gentle wind.
"...This wind... only appears when I feel... warm," she murmured, almost as if speaking to herself.
Lefiya paddled backward, swimming a short distance before looking back at Aiz, who was still floating near the edge.
"If you just stay there, when are you gonna practice?" she teased. "Come on, try swimming to the middle, Aiz~."
Aiz blinked slowly. "Uhh..."
Her mouth opened as if to reply, but no words came out. She just glanced toward the center of the pool with a hesitant expression. The wind of Little Ariel still enveloped her, keeping her afloat, but her mental readiness to move further was clearly lacking.
Seeing this, Shirou took the initiative. He dove briefly before swimming a few meters away, creating a safe distance.
"Aiz," he called softly, shaking water from his bangs. "Try swimming toward me. No need to rush. It doesn't have to be perfect. I just want to see you try."
Aiz looked at him... then slowly nodded.
Still enveloped in Little Ariel's aura, she began moving her hands, paddling gently as she leaned forward. The first attempt worked. She moved forward slightly... one meter... two meters...
But as she lifted one leg to kick harder, her magical concentration wavered. The soft wind around her began to fracture—and like the snap of fingers, Aiz's buoyancy vanished.
"Wah—!"
Splash!
With a loud splash, Aiz sank.
Without a second's hesitation, Shirou sprang into action. His body shot through the water like an arrow, his eyes focused, his hand outstretched.
Within seconds, he found Aiz beneath the surface—her eyes wide, her body stiff with shock, her breath held. Shirou grabbed her shoulder and pulled her up.
As soon as their heads broke the surface, Aiz coughed lightly, shivering. Without a word, she wrapped her arms tightly around Shirou's neck. Her body trembled... not from cold, but from lingering fear.
"...Thank you," she whispered, barely audible.
Shirou held her waist firmly, keeping her steady as he looked into her slightly glistening golden eyes.
"It's okay. I've got you, Aiz," he said softly.
At first, Lefiya's heart skipped a beat when she saw her idol suddenly disappear underwater. Panic surged through her, but the next moment, as she watched Aiz reappear in Shirou's arms—so close, so intimate—a different feeling arose. The way Aiz's gaze lingered on Shirou, the way her arms clung to him... It made Lefiya's chest tighten. Why do I feel like this...? she wondered, her cheeks warming despite the cold pool water.
Still holding Shirou tightly, Aiz remained silent. Her grip loosened slightly, but she didn't dare let go completely. Shirou stayed calm, glancing toward Lefiya, who was floating nearby.
"So... as you can see, this is Aiz's current swimming ability," Shirou said lightly, trying to ease the awkwardness. "I need your help, Lefiya. To help her practice."
Instantly, the heat and tightness in Lefiya's chest vanished, replaced by surprise and nervousness. "Eh? M-Me?" She pointed at herself, her expression shifting like a subordinate suddenly entrusted with an important task. "What should I do?"
Shirou began explaining calmly, "We'll set up a practice line. I'll be on one side, you on the other. Aiz will swim from me to you. If she starts sinking, whoever's closest has to catch her."
Lefiya nodded quickly. "Got it, leave it to me!" she said enthusiastically, then began swimming away from Shirou. Small splashes marked her path as she glided into position. Once there, she brushed her wet bangs behind her pointed ears. "I'm ready to catch you, Aiz! So don't be afraid!"
Aiz, who had finally calmed her breathing, gave a small nod. Though her face was pale from the water, determination flickered in her eyes. Her grip on Shirou's neck tightened slightly as she prepared to try again.
Shirou smiled, feeling a hint of pride. We'll start here... one small but important step.
The water around Aiz rippled softly as the faint wind enveloped her once more. She closed her eyes, took a deep, measured breath, then slowly released her hold on Shirou. The gentle breeze of Little Ariel lifted her again, letting her float upright as if cradled by invisible hands.
Her hands began paddling slowly, like a child learning to swim for the first time. Though her posture remained stiff, the soft push of the magic carried her forward, inching toward Lefiya. Each movement was awkward yet full of resolve, reflecting the perseverance of a warrior conquering her weakness.
But when she was just a few meters from Lefiya, a wave of anxiety struck. The memory of drowning flashed in her mind, destabilizing Little Ariel. Aiz's body tilted, her shoulder dipping first—and the magic dissipated.
"Ah—!" she gasped, panic flashing across her face.
"Stay calm! I'm here!" Lefiya called, darting forward to catch her.
Splash!
The water rippled as Lefiya grabbed Aiz just as she began to sink. Aiz clung to her immediately, like a frightened little girl, her face buried in Lefiya's shoulder.
She's... so cute... Lefiya thought, feeling Aiz's slight tremble in her arms.
To her, Aiz had always been a symbol of strength—an untouchable idol, far above her. But now, the roles were reversed. The girl who usually led the way was leaning on her, vulnerable and in need of protection.
A faint smile touched Lefiya's lips. She hugged Aiz tighter, gentle yet firm.
"I won't let you drown, Aiz... I promise."
Though her breath was still uneven, Aiz's golden eyes burned with renewed resolve. With a soft motion, she closed her eyes and summoned Little Ariel once more. The gentle aura wrapped around her, and after giving Lefiya a small signal, she began gliding back toward Shirou, who waited calmly a few meters ahead.
But as before, nervousness crept in as Little Ariel weakened. Aiz's movements faltered, her breathing grew ragged, and then—
Splash!
"Aiz!" Shirou called, diving swiftly and reaching for her.
Aiz trembled slightly as Shirou pulled her back to the surface. The moment her face emerged, she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck again, her shoulders rising and falling with each ragged breath.
"...I failed again," she murmured but didn't loosen her grip.
Shirou held her firmly by the waist, keeping her steady. "No. You tried—that's what matters."
Though he tried to stay neutral, his gaze flickered briefly over Aiz's form. Her white halter-style swimsuit clung to her body, elegant yet not overly revealing. Thank goodness it's not a bikini like in Melen... he thought, taking a deep breath. At least I can stay focused this time.
Despite repeated failures, Aiz showed no signs of giving up. Each time she sank—whether on her way to Lefiya or back to Shirou—one of them was there to catch her without hesitation.
Splash!
"Got you!" Lefiya cheered, pulling Aiz up before she could lose control again.
Splash!
"Don't be afraid," Shirou reassured as Aiz fell into his arms once more.
Over and over, they repeated the pattern, a rhythm filled with determination. The faint glow of the Dungeon's hidden crystals cast a soft light over the rippling water, mirroring Aiz's unyielding spirit.
Lefiya sighed, pushing back her wet hair. "Aiz... you're really stubborn," she said.
"Yes," Aiz nodded slightly in Shirou's arms. "But I have to succeed..."
Shirou and Lefiya could only smile before returning to their positions for the next round.
Round after round, progress became evident. Though Aiz's body still trembled whenever she released Little Ariel, her movements grew steadier. Each near-sinking brought her closer—sometimes just a hand's reach from Lefiya or a few strokes away from Shirou.
"Almost there," Lefiya murmured, supporting Aiz as she reached the edge. Aiz's short breaths were soft against the water, her eyes still focused.
Yet, amid her resolve, a flicker of doubt emerged. Why does this magic always falter midway? Aiz wondered, her brow furrowing. Am I too afraid? Or... am I still not strong enough?
Her thoughts spiraled into uncertainty. And at that moment, without realizing it, her control over Little Ariel slipped again—the gentle wind slowly fading from her body.
Splash!
Aiz sank once more, this time right in the middle between Lefiya and Shirou.
Their reflexes were lightning-fast. Shirou dove from the right, Lefiya from the left. Each grabbed one of Aiz's shoulders, pulling her back to the surface where she gasped for air.
Amid her ragged breaths, Aiz closed her eyes. Her fear of water... wasn't just about drowning. It was about loneliness. About having nothing to hold onto. About childhood trauma. Quietly, she realized something—it wasn't fear she felt, but... understanding. Every time I feel alone... that's when Little Ariel falters. But now...
Now—her hands were held by two people who had saved her without hesitation.
She turned her head to the right—Shirou's slightly damp face, his worried gaze. Then to the left—Lefiya's reassuring smile, though she looked just as tired. I'm not alone anymore...
Aiz met their eyes. Slowly, her heart—once cold and hardened—felt warmth.
Tsubaki's words, which she had once dismissed, now echoed loudly in her mind:
You're like a sword always drawn... But now, you've found your sheath. Your place to return to.
Tsubaki... you were right, she thought, recalling the blacksmith's words, which had struck like a hammer-shaping metal. I'm no longer a sword fighting alone.
Aiz took a deep breath, then looked at them with golden eyes shining with confidence.
"Thank you... Shirou, Lefiya," she said softly.
She pulled away from their grasp, then spoke calmly yet with conviction:
"Next time... I'm sure I can do it."
Shirou felt relieved. "That's the spirit I've been waiting for."
Lefiya clenched her fist. "Let's keep going, Aiz!"