Week 2, Day 7

“Lady Everfrost.” Kaname greeted her new rift partner the next morning. Camelia had arrived earlier, far earlier than the scheduled time. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”

She shook her head. “You didn’t. Let’s go.”

They challenged a level 2 rift, and so this was easier than the day before. They got the crocodiles again, and Kaname was quick to share tips on how to defeat them. Stabbing them in their mouths was an easy task, for Camelia’s spears.

Fighting was enjoyable, a second nature for the ninja-summon, and during battle, she was naturally quiet and focused. Thus, it was the young lady of the ducal house that initiated conversation. “Lady Kaga, would it be acceptable to you, if I referred to you as Kaname?”

“Yes.” Kaname replied and Camelia was pleased.

“What do you plan to do when the rifts close?”

Kaname pretended to be thinking over the question as she relayed the question to her master. She jumped on top of a crocodile. The crocodile tried to shake her off, but it didn’t work.

[Ethan: Say you’re going to travel and will be out, and ask what she’s doing. The art of conversation is to keep your conversation partner talking about themselves.]

“I’ll be traveling. What are your plans, Lady Everfrost??”

“I see. I... haven’t thought about it, but I most likely intend to spend that time studying.” Camelia stabbed another crocodile through the mouth, and then the tip of her magic spear exploded in the blast of ice. The crocodile’s head detonated from the ice blast.

[Ethan: Ask her what she is studying, and why.]. “May I enquire about what you study, Lady Everfrost?”

Camelia killed the third crocodile with a thrown ice-spear, and they were done with the section. “I’m studying magical-spiritual abilities, soul-related research.”

“Why, Lady Everfrost?”

Camelia paused, “Before that, can you call me... Camelia?”

[Kaname: Is there some rule about nobility I should be aware of?]

[Ethan: drag her longer - play it cool. Say she’s high-nobility and it’s inappropriate]

“We’ve just met not long ago, Lady Everfrost. It would be highly inappropriate of me to refer to a member of a ducal house so lightly.”

The girl with the ice spear pouted. “...ignore that, and call me Camelia, please?” Ethan, of course, wasn’t sure whether this was just ‘noble-assertiveness’, or was Camelia really trying to move Kaname along this path of ‘friendship’. As it is, it felt artificial, like she was checking little boxes along a list of things that friends do.

[Ethan: Say okay, and lead back to the earlier topic.] “Alright, Camelia. Why are you studying magical-spiritual abilities and soul-related research?”

“Someone I care about is sick, but I’m not sure what exactly is the cause.”

“I’ve never heard of spiritual or soul sickness.”

“It’s-” Camelia paused, thinking whether to answer, and decided not to. “-complicated and difficult to explain. I can’t tell you more. Not yet.”

Ethan made a note to secretly investigate this, and wondered whether it was related to her earlier research in the library. The pair waltzed through the next batch of crocodile defenders, and entered the boss’s area.

The next creature was a giant crocodile, the boss. Kaname’s weapons had fairly limited range, and she felt her dagger’s damage would be insufficient, unless she dived for the mouth. Tactically, it was better to rely on Camelia’s ice spear.

“You’ll have to take this one, Camelia. Its weak spot is also its mouth.”

Camelia nodded and charged. “It’s larger. That makes it easier to hit.” Her entire body was momentarily shrouded in ice, and she transformed into a huge icicle with two spears of ice.

The noble slammed into the giant crocodile’s belly, and the crocodile actually staggered backwards!

At that moment, Kaname knew in terms of overall strength, Camelia was stronger than her. In a straight fight, Kaname would be able to dodge Camelia’s attacks, but in the long run Camelia was likely to come out ahead.

The heroine created multiple magical spears of ice that stabbed the crocodile repeatedly, the spears of ice pierced the crocodile as if they were paper, and with each impact, a part of the crocodile’s skin froze. Six to seven magical spears of ice later, the entire giant crocodile was turned into an ice statue... then shattered.

She was too overpowered for this level.

“You could complete the entire level 2 rift yourself, Lady Everfr- Camelia.” Kaname clapped her hands.

“I could, but that really drained me. It’s also not wise to be overconfident.” She inspected the frozen remains for the core, and collected it. “One rift is enough for today, so I’m planning to get cakes. Would you like to join me for more cakes and tea?”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

[Kaname : She’s inviting me to tea again.]

[Ethan: Go.]

“Okay.”

In many ways, summons were very lifelike. They could eat, sleep, drink water, sweat, and do almost everything a human could do. Tea and cakes were served in the same cafe, in their own private room.

“Do you know anyone in the Garden, Kaname? Any friends, or family, or uh... enemies?”

Kaname relayed the question to Ethan and then answered. “No. What about you?”

“My cousin, Sylvia, works as one of the instructors. I...” She paused for a moment, and then decided to continue. “I don’t have any friends in the school. Or I did, but then I told all of them to go away since all they want from me are benefits, and I feel used.”

“I see.” Kaname had no answer to that.

They had an awkward moment of silence, and Kaname asked for help. Camelia slowly tasted the cake, and the ninja looked around the room. “Those portraits, are they current?”

Camelia briefly turned to look at the painting and nodded. “Think my grandfather commissioned them a few years ago. I look much younger then.”

“Oh. You’re not that little girl over there?” Kaname pointed.

“That’s my sister, she’s six years younger than me. She’ll only be here when we are about to graduate.”

“Ah. Are you close?”

“Not really. Our age gap’s a little wide, and we.... We like different things.”

Kaname nodded, and walked around the room, admiring the little decorations made by their own houses. “This room, is it something of a tradition?”

The noble lady’s eyes followed Kaname as she surveyed the room. “Yes. All the duchies maintain a room here. Everyone in our family came through these buildings.”

“Even the husbands and wives?” Kaname asked.

Camelia’s face tinged slightly red “...yes. Well, almost all.” She then pointed at another lady. “Aunt Selena was from the Vines of Mardonne.”

“Never heard of it.” Kaname admitted.

“It’s a school from our neighboring empire, Mardonne. They claim it’s the Garden’s equal.”

Kaname just stared at the picture, and then moved on to the other pictures. Kaname pointed to a stern, regal looking man in his middle ages with whitish-blue hair, and in a suit filled with medals. A woman stood next to him, holding his arm. “These two are your parents?”

She nodded, and the ninja noticed her facial expression was unusual. “...yes. My mother passed away a few years ago.”

“My condolences, Lady Everfrost.”

Camelia didn’t reply, and changed the subject. “You’ve not tried any of the cakes. The orange chiffon is particularly good.”

Kaname smiled, and sat back down. “Sorry, that was a bad topic to talk about.” The orange chiffon cake was really fluffy, and she looked at the noble lady happily devouring cakes.

“Between cakes and studying, what do you like more?”

Camelia actually paused, and had to think for a while. “I... I don’t know, actually. Probably cakes, but I also like books and reading...”

The ninja smiled and mentally added it to her notes. “What about fighting? How’d you learn how to fight?”

“We have instructors at home. Everyone in the Everfrost family is expected to fight, and fight well. It's the same with all the noble houses, because our power is our claim to rule.” Camelia said. “I’m certainly average, compared to the geniuses of our past. The greatest of the Everfrost started in the Garden with a 3rd realm dragon-grade, and finished at the 5th realm. That was my grandfather, Archduke Rayar Everfrost.”

[Ethan: Ask her about the Argos family conflict, but be discreet about it.] “If it’s inappropriate for me to ask, just let me know, but the rumors speak of a power contest between the Argos and Everfrost family.”

Camelia listened, and then just grinned. “Hah. Lies. My grandfather and Archduke Solitus are great friends. It’s just friendly rivalry and ribbing, and certainly not a power contest.”

“Oh. But you’re not close with Sara?”

“Ah well, we’re.... We just kinda didn’t get along.” Camelia finished her set of cakes.

***

At the same time, Ethan, Alia and Zaram fought two more level 2 rifts, and earned a grand total of 120GP. They now had enough GP to buy out the contracts on Alia’s parents, and walked to the trades and administration office.

“Hi again, it’s regarding that inquiry I made a few days ago.” Alia approached the counter, her hands slightly trembling.

The counter person nodded. “Ah, the buyout of your parent’s contract of service with the Ennes family. Do you wish to proceed?”

“Yes. Alright, as previously advised, the cost to buyout the contract is estimated to be 150GP, and we, the administrative trades office will charge a service fee of 15GP to handle the paperwork on your behalf. It’ll take about a month for both the Family Registers, and the Contracts Registered to be updated. Do you have the sum required?”

“We are allowed to pool money for it?” Alia asked.

“Certainly. Just wait about thirty minutes, I do need to print out a big stack of forms for you to sign.”

Alia looked at the boys. “You two sure?”

“Yes.”

“I owe you two a debt I’m not sure how I’ll ever repay.”

Ethan laughed. “Oh, come on! All I need is the chance to beat up those guys. I’d love to see their faces when they find out you’ve freed yourself from their grip.”

Alia stared back at the counter lady, and wondered. “I hope so. I’m not sure if they have any other leverage on my parents.”

“Now’s not the time to worry. We’ll help you where we can.” Alia nodded, and she fidgeted as she waited. She was nervous, far more than any fight ever did, this part of buying out her family’s freedom seemed to really scare her. Ethan walked closer, and then sat next to her. “You’ll be alright. Relax. We’ve got the GPs, and your parents will be free men. We’ll share this equally, right?”

Zaram nodded. “Yes, Miss Redwoods. Freedom from indentured servitude is worth it.”

“Miss Redwoods, the documents are ready, I’ll need your signature and all your student cards to deduct the agreed GPs.” He had 100GP, and Zaram had 115GP, after earning 80 GP each over the two days. Both of them will each spend 55GP, so now they have 45GP and 60GP left.

“Alright!” The lady at the counter nodded. “We’ve got the documents ready, and our agents will start the buyout process and expunge the Contract of Service from all known registrars. Here’s a receipt and a letter acknowledging that we’re acting as your agent. You can check back in a month, but if we complete the transaction earlier than expected, we’ll let you know.”

Alia held the receipt and letter in hand, and just froze. She looked like she was going to cry, and Ethan quickly tapped her shoulder. “Alia. You need to write a message to your parents.”

The lady at the counter nodded. “Oh, we’ll also notify your parents that you are buying out their contract. If you want to attach your message with our notification letter, you can give us your message tomorrow. Our runners will collect the documents at sundown tomorrow, and the notification should reach your parents within a week.”

Alia didn’t know how to react, and just stared at Ethan. “I can’t believe this is real.”

“Yes. It ist. Now write a message to your parents.”

She sniffled a bit, and then nodded as a surge of determination returned to her. “Yes. You are right. I’ll do that.”