When Lowell, Qazar, and Weiss noticed that the other three are nowhere to be seen, all of them sighed in relief.

"That was dangerous.."

Qazar spoke as he removed his hand from the hilt of his sword.

"Yeah.. this is the first time I saw Lowell act like that.. I also heard something familiar back then.."

Weiss starts to remember Gladius.

Lowell tried to interrupt him from remembering.

"Rather than that.. Let's go an buy my present to .. AH!!"

My head hurts.. I'm about to enter the 'Outbreak'..

"What's wrong, Lowell?!"

Weiss saw Lowell's sour expression and asked with worry.

"Let's go back! I really think that this is a bad idea!"

Qazar hastily spoke and tried to grab Lowell's arm but Weiss stopped his hand before it reached its target.

"What are you saying?"

"I heard from Mom that she's almost breaking through, so we tried to force her not to push herself too much..."

"Then why did you let her go out?!"

Weiss grabbed Big Brother's shirt.

I need to stop them..

"It's not Big Brother's fault.. It's my fault.. but I really want to buy Teacher a wedding gift.."

Yes, because Lowell knew.. that it won't be just a wedding gift.. but a thank-you gift.. and a farewell gift.

She remembered her Teacher's words before they fought her..

『  Maxwell wants me to meet his parents and get married.. after that, we’ll make a journey around the world.』 

It means that she wouldn't see her Teacher for a long time... or maybe.. she'll never see her again..

If that's the case.. I need to make my final gift a very special one. 

Lowell gritted her teeth as she endure the strong wave of headache she's experiencing right now.

Weiss looks at her and sighed.

"I'm surprised that Lowell's breaking through Professor Rank at age of eight, but now's not the time to be surprised. We should go back and make Lowell rest. I know Teacher would understand, since I heard she had bad memories while she's on 'Outbreak'."

So that time created bad memories to Teacher.. 

"I can't buy her a present anymore? But-!"

"Yes, you can't. Even attend the wedding tomorrow. Just rest."

Weiss interrupted her before she could even finish her sentence.

He looked at Lowell with a serious expression.

He's always acting playful and naive.. but Lowell felt seriousness in his voice just now.

"Y-Yes.."

The three of them returned to Lowell's house without buying any gift.

When they arrived, Lowell was forced by her Mom to stay in bed.

As she entered her own room, Lowell saw Axie sleeping on her bed.

She didn't know why, but Lowell had a hunch that Axie knew that she's breaking through.

Lowell removed her hat and placed it on the table.

She dressed into her sleeping attire even though it's still noon outside.

Lowell cuddled the stuff toy she selected as present when they defeated their Teacher.

Lowell didn't know why, but when she picked it, Weiss and her Big Brother started to call her with a nickname - 'Girl with Strange Taste'.

The two had thoughts that the small stuff toy is cursed doll based on its appearance, but Lowell felt some connection when she first saw it.

She still remember it as if it happened yesterday..

***

"You want that doll?"

Her Teacher Aurel looks at her with an unnatural expression.

Please don't look at me like that.

"I want it.. but I want my reward to be something I could carry around.."

"What the matters the most is that you like my present. If you think of it, you can carry it around.

"But.. It won't last long that way.."

"You could hug it while you sleep. That way, you can remember me whenever you go to sleep and when you wake up."

"Yeah.. Okay!"

"But, before we buy that doll, let us remove your apprenticeship status first."

"Okay."

They asked the stall owner to reserve the doll.

The stall owner agreed while thanking them because he can't sell the doll since the day he received it. 

They approached the Guild House and asked to remove the apprenticeship status.

Since the three of them are already approved by their Teacher, the Guild could easily removed the Apprenticeship status of the three.

"Choice not to remove Master?"

Lowell asked the staff who is tasked removed their apprenticeship status.

"Ah yes~ that's one of our options. Many students wanted not to remove their master's name since they want it to serve as memento. Most of the apprentices pick not to remove their master's name on their Information Card. Are we going to do that to?"

Lowell looked at her Big Brother and Weiss.

Both of them nods, as these decisions didn't need words.

"""Yes!"""

After that, both Weiss and her Big Brother picked their presents.

Qazar chose a sheath ornament for his sword and Weiss chose a cheap leather arm bracer for additional defense.

We returned to the stall that sells the stuffed toy. 

***

"Teacher.."

Lowell fell asleep while thinking of her Teacher.

***

At that moment, in a restaurant around the village:

Aimee was walking towards the the location appointed by Gladius with Sarge and Hughes in tow.

As soon as they arrived, they saw Gladius sitting on a table.

In the opposite side, it was a man who had silver hair.

Aimee can't see his eyes because they were closed.

He was smiling towards Gladius as if he doesn't see him as a harmful enemy.

"Sorry, we're late.."

Aimee hastily apologized without removing her gaze on the silver-haired man.

"It's okay. Pick something you want to eat. I'll talk with our guest first."

"Yes."

Aimee saw Dwain sitting on a nearby table.

They also took a seat beside him and listened to Gladius and man's conversation.

"So, how does the 'Great Silver Adventurer, Louis-kun~' can help you, little kid?"

His smile became wider, clearly showing that he has confidence that he could take on the five of them.

"As I thought. It is true that the 'Silver Adventurer' isn't just your normal adventurer. Greetings to you, 'Silver Adventurer', or I should say.. Eight of Chalices."

When they heard Gladius voice, they became shocked and reflexively stood up, instanly looked at the man with strong hostility.

To think we'll encounter one of the Chalices out here.. and even the guardian of the present Queen of Chalices.. We need to get vigilant against him.

Aimee thought as she observe the opponent's movements.

"Oi, Oi. You're the one's looking for me, right? I just heard from some Unknown Sources~ that you're looking for me. I was surprised to see that it was just a bunch of brats playing adventurer. I don't know what's your objective, but give me a very good reason not to kill all five of you right now~"

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

His smile remains the same, but the four felt chill that pierced through their hearts.

Before the four of them could take arms, they were stopped by Gladius who was still sitting comfortably as if it was nothing.

They followed his instruction and took their seats again.

"Don't scare my companions like that, 'Great Silver Adventurer-san'. I'm here to strike a deal."

"Ohohoho~ My bad, my bad! Of course, you're not here for a fight since you didn't know my identity at first. Well, let us hear Little Brat's deal~"

"Cooperate with me. First, help me find a sword. If I could recall, it was dropped from the heavens around eight years ago. The other condition would just come after that."

"Hohoho~And what would I get in return?"

"End of this Game of Gods."

As he heard Gladius' proposal, Louis' face turned serious for a moment, but his usual smile returned after a few moments.

"That's a good return, but how would I believe a person who killed all of his Lower Officers? Aren't they supposed to be your vassals, Little Sword King?"

His eyes starts to open.

Like his title, he also had silver eyes, making him the 'Silver Adventurer'.

"Unlike you, I can sense something different within them. Why let a worm live if it would destroy your hard work in the end?"

"You could've used-"

"The Allegiance Trial? Don't try to fool me, because I see through deception. Those lapdogs of Ethyne just wants me to be their figurehead. In the end, they would indirectly cause my death. If your King dies because of an outside force, you can't say that it was a betrayal. Only when the vassal is directly caused the King's death can it be called Betrayal. You know that from experience, right?"

"What a sickening ability you have there, child."

Louis mocked him without breaking his smile.

"Thank you for the compliment." 

"Well, let's get back to business. You, my enemy, want to receive me, your enemy's, assistance?"

"Yes."

"Well, I don't think that would work. I heard your adventures, Mr. 'Mad' Sword King. You won't hesitate to kill anyone, even the innocent, to achieve your own goals. I find the reward pretty tempting, but are you sure that my 'Kingdom' can't achieve the same result? For a bunch of kids, you sure have guts."

Gladius spoke with no remorse.

"For that innocent part.. It is a code for adventurers that by the time you held a sword, you should know that there are only two choices, kill.. or get killed. Those 'innocent' people you're talking about pointed their sword towards us. Why won't we retaliate? If you give us time to mature, we can surely count as an exceptional fighting force."

Gladius continued his sentence, but his faced changed into a mocking one.

"...And you surely like to jest, 'Silver Adventurer'. You, who is walks the Path of 'The Hanged Man', should know yourself. You'd rather sacrifice your own self rather than make your 'Queen' fight the 'Kingdom Battle'. What is 'True Sacrifice'? I can't think that what you are doing now could be called 'True Sacrifice'. You're just fearing that your family would be swept in this storm called 'Kingdom Battle'. You're foolish to think that way. Why not walk the Path of 'The Fool' then?"

When Louis heard him, his eyes closed again and smiled.

Louis started to speak again.

"Last question, how did you think I won't betray you? Even your comrades wanted to betray you.. Why do you think I won't betray you?"

"A madman's Intuition, I guess?"

Louis' face didn't change, but suddenly..

"Pfft~! Ahahaha!~ Really~ Your madness exceeded your reputation. You really have the right to be called like that! I will help you, but in two conditions!"

"What is it?"

"One, don't try to hurt my family. Befriending them is fine. You could surely change your ways if you meet my daughter. But I won't hand her to you~ She's still my princess~ but seriously.. Don't ever think of hurting my family."

He opened his eyes, making a cold look.

Gladius' group could sense that he's threatening them right now.

"Of course. We have no intention of hurting anybody except those who fight against us."

"Two! Make a Devil's Contract."

Louis suddenly spoke of Devil's contract..

When both sides of the contract signed it, it won't be irreversible until one of the person who signed the contract dies or the contract was accomplished. In this contract, when one of the sides betrayed the other, the traitor would experience something worse than death. It is said that the person's soul would vanish, making him unable to reincarnate.

His partymates looked at Gladius seriously, waiting for his answer.

"No Problem. Then it's a deal."

He reached out his hand.

Loius shook the hand, forming a deal.

"Well then, look at the time! My boss would get angry at me if I don't return now. Here, take this. Break it  to make me know if the Devil's contract is ready.

He threw a stone towards Gladius.

Aimee noticed that it was a 'Tracking stone'.

"Okay. Thank you for your cooperation."

Louis left the restaurant without making a sound.

Gladius' partymates noticed that the atmosphere was too tensed that they forgot to order their meal.

Gladius stood up from his seat and walked towards them.

"Well then, let's eat?"

***

Lowell's mind is in chaos.

"Little Elle?! Little Elle?!"

She heard voices that called her name.

Lowell knew that the voice came from someone dear.

When she opened her eyes, Lowell saw her body moving on its own.

She can see it move, but can't control its actions.

Then, she noticed that she was walking towards their house's door.

Her body tried to go out, but she was held by someone from her back.

"Little Elle! Please stop. Little Elle!"

Lowell noticed that the voice came from the person holding her.

She saw two slender hands hugging me tight - it was her Mom.

Is this the feeling of being in 'Outbreak'? I'm seeing my actions while I can't control my own body? Is this what Teacher felt when she was breaking through? If it is, now I know why Mom said she's crying when I got teleported.

She knew that I did it to escape her.

While thinking these things, Lowell noticed that her hand stretched out and pointed upwards.

This is bad! My body would use Lightning Element of Spell Forger! Mom, get away!

"Lightning Spark!"

When her Mom noticed that Lowell was about to use a spell, she lets go of her and tried to dodge.

Her right foot was hit by a small spark, making it numb.

"I don't have any choice- Qazar?! Please bind Little Elle's hands!"

Then Lowell saw her Big Brother, who was at that time training with Weiss outside, blocking her path.

He readies his sword, trying to defend himself from her.

Lowell also saw that Weiss looked at her with a worried face.

He's also holding his shield and sword to defend himself.

"Earth Bind!"

Qazar tried to bind her hands to stop Lowell from using spells.

Lowell thought that her body would stop there, but it started to chant a spell.

"Ice Mantle."

It was an Ice Area-of-Effect spell, Ice Mantle.

It creates chilling ice around her body, making Lowell hard to approach.

It was her body's second usage of 'Spell Forger', and her body starts to quiver.

One more usage of 'Spell Forger' and her 'Outbreak' mode will subside.

"Mom! It's cold around Lowell!"

"All of us, use Fire skill!"

""Yes!""

Her Mom gave the two boys instruction which they immediately followed.

"Flame Circle!"

""Fireball!""

They tried to nullify Lowell's Ice Mantle, her Mom using Flame Circle while the boys used Fireball.

Before their spell hit Lowell's Ice Mantle, her body started to use a spell again.

Lowell noticed that when she used Ice Mantle, She didn't need to gather mana within her hands.

Is this another effect of 'Spell Forger'?

"Gravity Increase."

Her body used a Spatial Skill, Gravity Increase. 

Her Big Brother and Weiss knelt on the ground, while her Mom's left foot that was supporting her starts to shake.

Lightning may have numbed her right foot because of shock, but her left foot can withstand the Gravity's pressure.

As expected of a high level person.. but using Gravity Increase, their Fire spells were disrupted.

Lowell's body found a chance and used another spell.

It was reaching its limit.

"Spatial Hole"

"This is bad! Little Elle's trying to enter a random location!"

Her Mom, who knew what would happened, panicked and started walking while holding on her numbed foot.

Since the Ice Mantle's effect wore off, Belle slowly moved as she approached her daughter.

Lowell's body started to move towards the Spatial Hole.

Before she could enter..

"Mew~!"

"Meow~!!"

Lowell heard Axie and Nephie's voices.

She was one step away from the Spatial Hole, but a wall of earth emerged, blocking her.

Before her body could do something again, both of them bit her on the legs.

Axie bit her left leg, while Nephy bit the right one.

Lowell felt her remaining mana was being drained from her body.

Her body lied down on the hard ground.

"Ah.. Ah.."

Lowell tried to speak, but she didn't have any energy left to move her muscle.

She could only observe what's happening around her.

"Axie and Nephy, stop. Little Elle's already back to normal."

"Mew~!"

"Meow~"

Both of them stopped sucking her mana and moved towards Lowell's shoulders.

Nephy licked her right cheek, while Axie caressed Lowell's left cheek with her head.

"Well, that was close.. It was stupid of me to panic when that happened. Good job, children."

Her Mom petted both Axie and Nephy's heads.

Both of them showed satisfaction.

"Well then, I'll carry Little Elle back towards her room. She needs to rest. You two, come with me. Guard her until she gets better, alright?"

"Mew~!!"

"Meow!!"

Both of them looked happy.

When Lowell noticed that everything was alright, she closed her eyes and returned to sleep.