Since this is only a two-day trip, we opt to visit the mana pond immediately after having dinner at the duke's residence.

''I've indeed confirmed your identities. Please have an enjoyable night.''

''Good work.''

Passing by the guards, we enter a building reminiscing that of a museum. According to Scarlett, who volunteers herself as a guide, there aren't many tourists at this time of the year, so we should have a pretty good view of the pond.

''Why are you guys suddenly interested in a mana pond, anyway?'' Scarlett asks, her face showing a giant question mark.

''I think they're cool,'' Chloe replies absentmindedly, still hazy from the long afternoon nap.

When Scarlett turns to me, I lightly chin toward Chloe, indicating that I'm just following her. Although the heiress of Heisenberg seems unconvinced, she decides to let it pass regardless.

''How about you?''

So, she directs her attention to the remaining person.

"I told you. It's to awaken my guardian spirit.'' Claire proudly replies. ''Huhuhu... this world hasn't seen my best yet!''

''No, what BS is that...? No, but wait, she's the heroine, so there's a chance...''

Ultimately, Scarlett doesn't seem convinced in the slightest. However, against Claire's overly confident attitude, she tries to follow along anyway.

''But why does that have to do with visiting a mana pond?'' Scarlett continues. ''Are you gonna suck up the mana or something?''

''Uh... I'm not sure. The guardian just told me to find one.''

''...I'm telling you this, but mana ponds are so goddamn expensive.''

''H-How so?''

''You can buy a whole palace with the money you get from selling one. They can be used to make heavy artillery, you see.''

''Woah...''

Is that the reason why there are so many guards here? Maybe. It would be much better if Claire stopped cowering like a thief, though. She looks painfully suspicious.

''Haah... y'know, the cannons in Neveah... they're fueled by the stuff from mana ponds, too,'' Chloe interjects. ''These things are amazing.''

''First time I heard that.'' Scarlett shrugs.

While continuing our conversation, it seems we've arrived at the place.

''Holy...'' Claire exclaims.

''Beautiful, isn't it?'' Scarletts proudly puffs her chest out.

''More like... too bright...''

Ignoring the grumpy Chloe, Scarlett continues to be smug. She can be that way all day, but I think it's too bright as well.

Confined within a thick layer of glass is a small pond, in which the water is replaced by some type of thick rainbow-colored liquid. It's shining quite well. Too well, in fact.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

I could never guess why the guards wear sunglasses here.

Either way, the mana presence I can feel from this pond is underwhelming. I think these glasses have something to do with it. Other than that...

It's quite unremarkable.

What am I here for again?

Right. The concept of nothingness. I want to find out if mana has an origin or not. If so, this pond is not it.

While Claire is busy staring at the water, I tap Scarlett's shoulder.

''Hm?''

''Do you know where the headwater is?''

''Headwater... ah, you mean the headwater of the mana river?''

''Mhm.''

Scarletts, perhaps sensing my eager attitude, scratches her cheek in embarrassment.

''It's buried.''

''Huh?''

''No, like... as far as I know, there was nothing special there, so people flattened it to build instead.''

''...''

So... what am I here for?

'''' !!! ''''

The moment I start to question reality, something extraordinary occurs. On top of the already bright pond, an even more blinding light bursts out from Claire's forehead, much to her own surprise.

Her emerald-like eyes glisten, and the next moment, a faint silhouette escapes her body.

For a moment, time seems to stop as the enormous amount of mana inside the pond is sucked up, absorbing into the figure in the air. Being professionals, the few guards immediately take out the weapons—

''Stop! This is Claire, the owner of the Holy Sword!''

But they are stopped by Scarlett. Not until the heiress promises to shield them from potential punishments do they completely stand back.

Meanwhile, Claire, who is clearly in a daze, suddenly unsheathes the Moon Devourer and holds it horizontally in front of her body.

''What the hell is going on...'' I hear Scarlett mutter.

One minute. Two minutes.

As the pond slowly dries up, the figure in the air also starts to become more and more vivid.

Long, lustrous pale blond hair that cascades over her shoulder, gleaming emerald eyes, graceful facial features, and...

''Holy... those are huge...''

True to Chloe's words, her bosom is... a bit oversized. I've considered mine quite big, but I can't win against those, no matter what. Not like I want to be that big, though.

Her body is curvy enough, but it's her chest that stands out the most.

However, if one looks past that, they can also see that she shares many similar points with Claire.

Once there is nothing left in the mana pond, the woman's eyes regain their focus. With a proud smile, she looks down at Claire and opens her mouth.

''Well done, my child.''

Her warm voice sounds.

''You... you are...'' Claire replies.

''My name is Skylar, the one and only guardian who oversees children of light.''

The woman who self-proclaimed as Skylar indeed has an otherworldly aura. I suppose that is the real deal.

''Guardian...''

Claire seems excited. Clutching the Moon Devourer's handle, she poses a silly smile, probably fantasizing about some absurd scenarios again.

''My child, I am here to guide you on your journey to defeat the ancient evil. Let this be our first fateful encounter.''

Cupping Claire's little face, Skylar poses a kind smile that seems to radiate actual light to the surroundings.

''...''

Wait, is it a real light effect?

While the first meeting between the guardian of light and the heroine is indeed moving, a certain someone has something else to say.

''Um...'' Scarlett speaks up, seizing everyone's attention. ''It's nice and all, seeing our heroine grow like this, but... what are y'all going to about the pond?''

''The pond?''

''The mana pond. You sucked up all of that.''

''Oh.''

''It's really, really, really expensive, you know? Do you have a way to pay it back?''

Big drops of sweat begin to form on Claire's pale face as she listens to Scarlett.

Poor girl.

Her guardian appears unfazed, though. She sweeps her gaze toward our direction and prepares to refute, but then—

''!!''

For some reason, she widens her eyes when she sees me. From her frozen gestures, one can infer... cautiousness. Fear.

''You... you are...''

''What?''

No good. Has she seen through my cover?

Worst, I'll have to abandon this identity. It's a hassle, but I think I can be another maid.

Contrary to my premonitions, however, Skylar only shakes her head in disbelief, retreating her attention while avoiding contact with me.

''Ahem... my child, do not fret.''

''Skylar...? Do you have a way to pay them back?''

''Of course, my child. While I may not have the necessary funds to allocate, our family seldom fears the lack of finances.''

''...But my family's poor?''

Claire being from an ordinary farmer's house is widely known. Still, Skylar's puzzled expression calls for something rigged with incongruity.

''What are you talking about, my child? Our family is a Duchy.''