"Ugh!... I feel something in my chest!"
Cassian despite having to fight an agitated Ellys had managed to swallow the fruit completely.
But it was when he swallowed everything in his mouth that he began to feel a dull pain in the center of his chest, causing him to hunch over slightly.
Ba-dum!, ba-dum!...Ba-dum!
It was as if something was beating there. Although it could well have been his imagination, it was an illusory but real sensation. The dull pain faded away and he began to feel a tingling sensation.
"Hmm... oh, it's starting to disperse and— argh!!"
Then that strange sensation spread throughout his body, running through his limbs with a tingling sensation.
When it reached his head, he felt a small pulsation that made him groan slightly, but then came a refreshing and revitalizing sensation that dispersed instantly and flooded every fiber of his being.
It was an ecstatic sensation, a unique experience... but he couldn't enjoy it for long, because at that moment—
"I hereby begin the ritual—Per flammae lumen et cordis..."
Suddenly, Ellys wrapped her arms around his head and, still climbing on top of him, began to recite something familiar that immediately snapped Cassian out of his reverie.
"No!! Ria, stop her. Get her off me, get her off me!!"
"Huh? Oh no! Wait, Sir Cassian, I'm coming... First, calm down. No, rather, Miss Ellys, calm down. Sir Cassian doesn't seem to be in any trouble."
"Huh? What happened? Why are Cazzy screaming like the little angel is going to kill him? Wait, that's what she is reciting, that sounds familiar, oh! she's a-""
"no time for questions, just help me get her off his back!"
"hehe~ this little angel really is funny..."
..
.
"N-Nothing is wrong... but it's the first time I've seen such pure mana in a person."
Finally, after Valeriane and Naelune intervened—which was so difficult that they had to ask Celestine and Yefeng for help—they were able to separate the very determined Ellys from Cassian, calm her down, and make her look at the situation.
The conclusion was that everything was fine.
"Ah! So it was the real thing. Well, now I can eat it without worry, thank you, Cazzy."
"Sir Cassian, I also have to thank you for taking the risk first."
"No, thank you, Ria, for taking her away from me. You saved me for the second time. As for you, Miss Lys, do you have anything to say in your defense...?"
Now that everything had calmed down, and he was out of danger, Cassian stood imposingly in front of Elly and looked at her sternly, as she looked away.
Finally, unable to bear Cassian's stern gaze any longer, she began to speak.
"I-I'm sorry... but if it was dangerous, I... I..."
Her trembling, faltering voice betrayed regret and a touch of sadness. He couldn't see her eyes, but he felt that they were definitely about to fill with tears.
"...Haah~ Fine. But you really need to stop trying to do something you consider irreversible every time there's a mishap."
"Y-Yes... I'm sorry."
It was so pitiful that Cassian's intense gaze softened, and in the end, he simply sighed. He didn't really approve of her methods, but he didn't feel like scolding her either. He didn't want to see her cry.
To begin with, she really seemed to be acting with the best of intentions toward him. Cassian wasn't really used to this level of concern for his well-being and didn't know how to act around her, so he decided to let the matter drop.
Of course, he wanted to complain and scold her enough so that she wouldn't try it again, but when he saw the apologetic expression and anguish on Ellys' face, he simply couldn't.
He just hoped it would be the last time he was involved in that ritual, which, honestly, he didn't even want to ask what it was for.
After that, starting with Naelune, they began to eat their respective fruits.
..
.
"Oh... I don't really feel like the amount has changed, but I do notice that it's purer. I also feel like it circulates better through my body. My affinity for water also feels more fluid."
"Hmm, I'm not very sensitive to mana, but I really do have that refreshing feeling in my body that won't go away. My art flows more fluidly, and I feel like I can exert more strength."
"Yes, when I ate it, I also felt stronger /_\"
"Sir Cassian, why do you look sad?"
"...it's nothing."
"...the purity of my mana improved a lot..."
"Um, it's true that I feel my aura circulating better. Ah! Ling, how do you feel? I mean, you ate yours, right?"
"..."
"Good, I'm glad."
"Hhuahahahaha! I feel the power coursing through my body. Now I'm more powerful and there's nothing that—!"
"Hey, could you stop? You know, it's obvious that we're all stronger, you don't have to shout it."
"Shut up, fish woman, or I'll fry you! Now that I'm back at my peak, I'll make fried fish out of you easily."
"Come to me, little dragon. I haven't tried my new affinity yet."
"You two, really, stop!"
..
.
"There wasn't time before, but I propose choosing a leader before continuing. We don't know what lies ahead, and we need someone to lead us so we can function better as a group. I propose diplomacy, and I ask those who want to take on that role to raise their hands."
Once everything calmed down and everyone talked about the improvements they felt after eating the fruit, the door opened.
Since it didn't seem like they were being forced into a situation again, Valeriane gathered them together to make this proposal: having a leader was important for critical situations that required quick decisions.
She herself had experience in her world as the leader of a small squadron of knights, so she thought she was capable of the role.
That's why she raised her hand when the proposal was made. Her gaze turned to the person she thought could also be a good leader: Cassian.
But, contrary to what she thought, he did not raise his hand; rather, he looked at her and nodded, as if approving of her taking on the role.
Cassian didn't really think of himself as someone who could lead a group. For him, it was a challenge to relate to other people, let alone lead them.
And although he hadn't had that kind of problem since he arrived, he still didn't feel capable of leading them. For him, Valeriane was the most reasonable and strong, and she had proven herself to be a good leader, even without formally assuming the role.
Interestingly, the unrestrained Naelune also seemed to think the same: she said nothing, did not object, and did not raise her hand. The same was true of Ellys, Yefeng, and her sister.
But surprisingly—no, it wasn't really a surprise to anyone—there was someone with a different idea.
"Me too, obviously I'm the one who will be the leader. Not to mention that I possess the ancestral draconian lineage, I am strong, intelligent. You, woman knight, I recommend that you surrender, abandon your nonsensical ideas, and obediently place yourself under my command, and enjoy that privilege."
"Ria, do you want me to...?"
"...No, it's okay. As I said, let's go for diplomacy. If she wants to run, she's welcome to. Now, you, who will be the ones to follow whoever becomes leader, will decide. Raise your right hand if it's Miss Celestine, and your left if it's me."
"Nonsense, obviously it will be me. After all, I am the possessor of—"
"Ah, the votes are five to zero in my favor. Thank you for your trust. I promise to live up to your expectations."
Even before Celestine finished speaking, the group had unanimously raised their left hands. There were really no surprises here. The only surprising thing was Celestine's confidence in thinking she could win...
"Nonsense! This is rigged. There's no way I'm not the leader. I won't accept something like this. Let's have a fight! The winner will be the true leader. After all, strength is important for—"
"Boo~! What a sore loser. Why don't you go off on your own if you don't want to take orders?"
"Shut up, fish woman! This is none of your business... What do you say? Let's have a duel and prove our qualifications."
"..."
Valeriane remained silent. It wasn't that she didn't want to fight, but wasting energy and potentially getting injured wasn't a good idea in her situation. Besides, she understood that strength wasn't everything when it came to being a leader.
Honestly, she didn't feel like she was the most powerful in the group, but she did know that she was more capable than the woman in front of her, who had already demonstrated a lack of critical judgment more than once.
If it were Cassian, she wouldn't object; even Naelune, although as she is, seemed like a better leader because she was quick-thinking and aware of her surroundings. But Celestine...
Do I have to accept? she looks strong, and if she wins... Still, if there's discord, that wouldn't be good... so....
Valeriane was having a little internal debate. She was reluctant to let her be the leader, but if it was the majority's decision, she would respect it and follow it. Fortunately, everyone else felt the same way she did.
The rival in front of her did not inspire her with any confidence as a leader. And although she certainly seemed strong, she was not sure she could defeat her. But she knew that the unification of the group depended on this duel, so she decided to accept it.
"I acce-."
"Um... Ria, before we start a fight, can I try something..."
"Huh? Sir Cassian... well, if you think it's appropriate..."
Cassian burst in just before Valeriane accepted the duel. He seemed to want to say something to fix the situation.
"What do you want? Do you want to get involved too? Do you think you can do whatever you want just because you were my servant—?"
"Yes, yes, Celes, come here for a moment. There's something I need to tell you."
With Valeriane approval, Cassian put his hand on Celestine's shoulder, dragged her into a corner,.
"Hmph, impertinent! Who said you could call me that?...Well, never mind. What is it that... Huh?!"
Despite her complaints, he began to whisper something in her ear, something that left her confused.
"What did she...?! Sealed...?! What?! Amnesia...?! Really?! A-Apocalyptic!?...!!! The world...!?"
The group watched them with interest, not understanding Celestine's sudden reactions to Cassian's words, who occasionally spoke aloud in disbelief at whatever he was saying to her.
At one point, she looked in their direction fearfully—especially at Valeriane—then turned her gaze back to Cassian, who nodded. Finally, he gestured for silence, to which Celestine responded with a tense expression and a difficult nod.
"..." (everyone)
Everyone watched them in silence, not understanding anything. They returned; Cassian with a grimace, as if he had said something he didn't want to share, and Celestine avoiding Valeriane's gaze.
"I... understand. You will definitely be a suitable leader. Forgive my previous attitude. This is now in your care. You may also use my number one servant at your convenience."
"...Y-yes... This... Sir Cassian, what did you say to her to make her act like that?"
"Yes, Cazzy, what did you do? Did you threaten her or something?"
"No, I just told her a few things. Ugh! It really brings back bad memories, but it was necessary. Haah... Anyway, Ria, I really think you were the best choice to be the leader."
"This... Sir Cassian, are you sure you don't want to be the leader? I feel like you have more control over the group than I do!"
"Yes, if you had run, I would have voted for you instead of little knight."
"Mmm... I don't think so. I'm not very good at dealing with people, let alone being a leader. I think you're the best fit, Ria."
"I don't think so...! Hm, but I won't insist any further if you don't want to, Sir Cassian. Well, for now, since this seems like a safe area, let's take a break, and using it to prepare us for..."
Valeriane, now the leader without further delay, began to make decisions, better structure the roles, and prepare whatever was necessary for what would happen once they crossed that door.