Unfortunately, Douglas doesn't spend long on being happy at his daughter's progress.

"Father! You must allow me to accompany Aria to protect her!"

"Rishya... I appreciate the thought, but I don't think you'll be able to protect me. You're not even trained in fighting techniques." Aria pleadingly tries logic on her.

"I do not mean from swords. I will protect you from this man." She replies, giving me a hateful expression as she pats her chest. Logic is out the window. She literally wants to be a cock-block, after all, now she knows what that implies. I think breaking her innocent delusions as I did has not enamoured her much to me, and she has become stubbornly adamant.

"Rishya, where they are going will be very dangerous. The princess needs fighters, not handmaidens." Her father adds.

"Nonsense. I cannot swing a blade, but I have no peer when it comes to the healing arts, father. Even you are aware that Master Manato praises my ability." She responds.

"I thought that might be the case." Seria suddenly whispers in my ear.

I jump slightly, turning to look at her, raising an eyebrow. Her eyes are close, flashing with her intelligence, and despite her grin, she has actually become vaguely serious now.

// It is true // The girl is an idiot savant // She is rather loved by light spirits //

She speaks in my head again whilst Aria and the headmaster continue to try and persuade her.

Is that so? You can tell?

// Yes, they continually swirl around her // I believe there is consensus among Sages that they favour those with strong convictions and belief and love //

Love and peace, is it? Bloody typical holy type spirits.

// Fufufu // It is why they have the worst compatibility with me, compared to vindictive thunder ones //

Hmm, so spirits have personalities like that. I guess Seria is pretty vindictive.

// Your gall never ceases to amaze and entertain me //

She grins a dangerous grin. Oh shit... of course she can read my thoughts. Does she know how much I was thinking about boobs earlier? CRAP! I just thought about them!

// Fufufu // As much as I would enjoy keeping you in a perpetual state of fear // Not all the time // Requires much concentration and eye contact // Your perversions are safe with me //

I immediately look away from this dangerous loli-baba and I hear her snicker.

"But daaad... you let Yuuzu go. And even though I hate this man, he needs my help!" Rishya is still pleading... she’s so contrary!

"Yuuzu is already eighteen, and can protect herself better than anyone. But ultimately, if you are not needed by the Princess and the Etranger, then that’s final." Her father says.

Who's Yuuzu? I must have missed something while Seria was in my head.

Oh well... it's up to me, huh? I decide to appraise Rishya. It can't hurt to know the extent of her capabilities, right?

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RISHYA MULLIGHT

NOBLE CHERUBIM

LEVEL 5 CLERIC

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HP>> 17/20 (=STR+END)

MP>> 70/70 (=(INT+PER) x 2.5)

12 YEARS OLD

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Strength 8

Agility 4

Endurance 12

Intellect 19

Perception 9

Charisma 20 (+2)

<> (Very dedicated to helping those in need, even at own demerit. Passively attracts Light Spirits, multiplying MP by x2.5, and boosting healing power by 33%.)

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<> (Grants bright golden blonde hair, red eyes. +2 Charisma.)

<> (Allows learning of INT-based Healing Magic. +3 Intellect for purposes of first-aid.)

<> (Healing Magic, costs 6 MP, Heals 25+(8) HP)

<> (Healing Magic, costs 18 MP, Heals 100+(33) HP over course of ten seconds)

<> (Healing Magic, costs 6 MP, Purges Blood of Poisons, Stops Bleeding.)

<> (Healing Magic, costs 37 MP, allows limbs to be reattached, and the rapid healing of third degree burns, broken bones, and nervous system damage.)

<> (Healing Magic, costs 13 MP, clears head of confusion, drunkenness, blindness and deafness; unless permanent.)

<> (Light Magic, costs 20 MP. Focuses Light Spirits power into a searing heat beam. Deadly, but requires charge up time of at least seven seconds.)

<> (Blessing Magic, costs 18 MP. Creates a barrier of force that prevents one attack and reciprocates the force entered into it twofold back at the assailant. Superior version of Bulwark of Purity.)

<> (Light Magic, costs 14 MP. Cast on Self only. Halves MP costs for next three Light or Healing spells cast.)

--------------

Huh... she's actually surprisingly intellectual? I guess its just common sense she lacks, or perhaps it’s an expert ability to delude herself? But one things for certain, she certainly has that cleric vibe, with the wide range of handy recovery and support skills.

She shivers slightly, and fastens a hateful gaze on me, crossing her arms across her chest protectively. I've noticed this a few times now... but the more magically inclined targets of Identify Other seem to be able to clearly detect its usage. I suppose it is prying them for information somehow... I'm fairly sure the title at least must consider their own opinions. Aria and Kiku apparently showed less of a reaction, didn't they?

"Well… I'm not going to be so cruel as to attempt to stop a girl from accompanying her 'best friend' so long as she understands the dangers." I say.

"As befits your dirty character you resist... eh...?" Rishya says, blinking and looking confused. She clearly had a canned response ready and it wasn't the right one.

Aria rolls her eyes but says nothing. I think she's being tsundere again, and actually enjoys Rishya's presence even if it does occasionally frustrate her. She wouldn't have smacked me so hard for a random stranger.

"Fufufu... as a Sage, I can vouch for the fact that your granddaughter appears surprisingly competent, Douglas, and would be a practical asset to our party. Unlike her grandfather was when he was five years her senior..." Seria adds from behind me. Douglas visibly crumples.

Rishya looks incredibly aghast at something and is wide-eyed.

"Whu- what is this? You are not adverse to my presence?" She manages to spit out.

I shrug, and hold out my hand. She stares at it suspiciously, like it might attack her... but slowly raises her own palm to meet it.

"Welcome to the resistance, soldier." I say, gruff voiced.

I always wanted to say that!

"The lolicon pervert legend grows..." Aria whispers under her breath, sighing exaggeratedly...