Now with Kaede back in tow, we continue to ply the depths.

My arm is still rather sore. I truly have never felt such a bizarre poison. It felt as though my very life was leaking out the cut. It even stung as the light sealed it up.

To be honest, it has given me more respect for Kali, taking several spines directly. Even if it was idiotic to charge at an unknown factor. I am aware that I am not the most durable of girls, especially away from my tower, but that is quite an insane level of pain, just from a scratch. For it be multiplied twice, three, four times... more even. And to only collapse and complain?

The things one learns.

I had thought myself at the apex of human knowledge. But that is pure hubris, isn't it?

Even Sages can continue to learn. The boy and the others have taught me this.

Understanding love as well. I thought I understood this topic, because of Velour, and because of Lillianne. Previous Thunder Sages memories of men they desired.

And I thought even I had some experience with my parents, my little brother, and with master, and with Alice.

But those kinds of affection... and the thoughts of others... they hold very few light spirits to the frightening void that is love.

Love and lust for the boy.

I apparently am quite diseased by love. Inflicted and conflicted.

And it is a worse pain than the poison, limited to my small black heart.

It gives me worries that an old bag should not have at her age. If I was as old in body as I am in spirit, doubtless I would have been ground to dust by this worry.

Although... if that were the case, regular diseases would have taken me already, of course.

Perhaps I am starting to begin to understand the fervour... the fury... of a maiden in love.

All I want is for the boy to touch me. Hug me like he did when we studied together last, and my past of slavery came up.

It warmed me.

That is truly bizarre. Is a woman... nay... a human, little more than an empty vessel one is meant to fill with love?

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Hehe... fufufu... filling me up with warmth.

W-Whatever crazy things am I considering!? Goodness!

I blush to myself and swoon involuntarily. It is good that the boy is not looking right now.

I observe him speaking to the princess, heat on my breath.

"Um... Seria... are you okay?"

Unfortunately, this one is always needlessly sharp.

"Mmmm... I am fine. It feels as though I am complaining needlessly, but it appears that I am still mildly poisoned. How embarrassing." I try to be funny.

"Whhhhaaattt?" Rishya jets over, instantly putting her hand on my head.

Shit. This one was listening as well.

"Cripes! Seria-sama! You are burning up!" She looks distraught. "Ack... for us to miss this!"

"N-no! It's fine, truly...!" I panic and fluster in a flap. Unusual for me.

"Michael! Check her...!"

Well shit.

"I..." Rishya looks wide eyed at me.

I heard light spirits gave a good read on emotional states sometimes. So… I'm busted. What an embarrassing lack of control!

"Are you okay, Seria? Do you need to rest?"

Adding to the issue, the boy is of course needlessly diligent at times like this.

My embarrassment turns into my heart speeding up again. For Kinah's sake! I've come to cliff and plummeted straight off it! Shit!

"I... am fine." I force out. But my heart is disappointed that I do.

He nods and looks at Rishya.

"Is she really?" He squints. Damn it! Why can't this man be dense! I am going out of control, my love only surging at his concern.

I force myself to look away. But Rishya re-appears in my vision, giving me a flat look with her ruby eyes. She plants her forehead to mine, filling my vision, as if directly testing my temperature.

I am grateful, of all things.

//I am truly sorry, Rishya//It appears I have a fever//But it is not your fault//

...! Seria-sama?! This...

She replies with her mind, learning even quicker than the boy. Of course, she is an annoying prodigy.

She gives a wry, knowing smile, rolling her eyes.

...Your feelings for Elijah-sama are quite intense, Seria-sama. Hahaha... you want me to lie, then?

//Please...//All is ok, correct?//

Really... should I not tell the truth? I am, after all, quite a good girl... !... Shut up, Michael! What? Oh fine...!

Ah... she really does talk directly to her spirit. I was suspicious... and might be fascinated any other moment.

But right now...

//You should express yourself, Seria-sama//Elijah-sama should not be...//

What!? She directly projected back to me!? She learnt that quickly!?

//Ah... very well...//Your panic is truly adorable!//You owe me one!//

She pulls away.

"She truly fine, Elijah-sama. Medically." She gives him a radiant grin as she lies through her teeth. But that clause at the end… this woman!

Not much can scare me. But how frightening.

Elijah cocks his head and sighs.

"If you say so. I'm glad you're okay, Seria." He smiles, and then he ruffles my head like he does to Kiku.

I want to chitter like she does.

For fucks sakes.

"Fufufu... Do not worry about me, boy... we must continue to make you stronger!" I boast, puffing out my flat chest.

He nods, and moves away.

Rishya pats me on the shoulder forcefully with a bang, giving me a grin, and I involuntarily sigh.

Kiku squints at us scarily, her mouth turning into a flat line, but she eventually dismisses it, shakes her head, and moves on to follow the boy, the ninja and the princess.

I carry on as well. Rishya is still looking at me in a sidelong glance.

//You are welcome, Seria-sama//

This situation has become really annoying. Hah...