Chapter 12: Spirit's Memory and the Fluctuation of Magic Power
As they advanced deeper into the Flame Weeping Cave‚ the air was no longer just hot.
It was a temperature that lingered gently in the chest‚ as if someone's memories had been seared into it.
「Hey Louie‚ this space… it feels like it's crying」
「Crying?」
「Yeah. Ever since a while ago‚ the magic power has been shrinking. It's like an overbaked cookie saying 'I'm sorry'.」
Serina's magic power changes its “taste” when it touches the emotions of the space.
Right now‚ a scent like scorched milk tea was drifting through the air.
Louie activated Infinite Appraisal.
《Space Status: Emotional residue present. Spirit Memory: Unreleased. Magic Interference: High》
《Serina's Magic Power: Resonance Type. Attributes: Light・Wind・Emotion・Flavor. Runaway Signs: Minor》
The magician Liz from the escort party 《Crimson Fang》 furrowed her brows.
「Serina-san's magic power is touching the space's memories. I'll deploy a blocking array.」
「Wait a moment. It might just be crying…」
Serina gently reached out her hand‚ and a soft light danced in the space.
It was a small spirit.
It had flames for wings and a faint teardrop-like sparkle in its eyes.
「……Is this child lonely?」
「Spirits carry memories of emotions. I think it came closer because your magic power is gentle.」
「Then‚ I want to wrap it even more gently. Like a marshmallow.」
Serina's magic power spread out.
Its color was a pale pink. The scent was freshly baked madeleine and spring breeze.
The space swayed softly‚ and old memories engraved on the rock surface rose to the surface.
It was the memory of the spirits that had once lost their lives in this cave.
Burned by flames‚ losing their companions‚ only the final remaining emotions had soaked into the space.
「Louie… Somehow‚ I feel like I'm about to remember. It's very distant‚ yet nostalgic…」
「You don't have to force yourself to remember. What's important is that you're here right now.」
「But if I remember… I might change.」
「Even so‚ I'll be watching you. I know all the gentleness inside you‚ and the fluffiness too.」
At that moment‚ the space trembled.
Serina's magic power had resonated too strongly with the spirit's memory.
The fluffy air suddenly turned into a prickling heat.
Liz shouted.
「Blocking array‚ full deployment! Signs of magic power runaway detected!」
「Serina-san‚ please step back!」
Gald stepped forward and readied his sword.
Serina stood frozen in place.
Her eyes wavered‚ and her magic power began to rampage.
The space creaked‚ the rock surface cracked‚ and hot winds raged.
Louie grasped her hand.
That hand was hot‚ yet trembling.
「Serina‚ your magic power… I'll seal it. Just a little‚ to wrap up your anxiety.」
「……Sorry. I burned it again.」
「It's okay if it's burned. Your gentleness is still properly there.」
Louie activated his sealing skill.
He temporarily suppressed the runaway of magic power and calmed the fluctuation of the space.
Serina's magic power gently settled and returned to a faint light once more.
The spirit approached.
Gratitude shone in its eyes.
Serina's magic power had healed the spirit's memory.
「This child seems to be saying thank you.」
「That's because your magic power wiped away the space's tears.」
「Then next time‚ I'll wrap it even more gently. Aiming for zero burn marks!」
Louie smiled.
Serina also smiled‚ with just a few tears in her eyes.
The space was quietly holding its breath.
The bond between the two had been seared by heat‚ yet remained without burning.
Chapter 13: Encounter with the Blazing Sky Dragon King
The deepest part of the Flame Weeping Cave was a space as if the anger of the world had been condensed.
The rock surface pulsed red‚ and the air was like the inside of a freshly heated oven.
And there it was.
──The Blazing Sky Dragon King 《Ifrit Lord》.
Its form was a giant dragon wearing a crown of flames.
Its eyes were a scorching core‚ its claws blades of lava.
Val‚ the leader of the escort party 《Crimson Fang》‚ involuntarily swallowed his breath.
「……Didn't the guild request say Lv200?」
「Yeah. That's Lv300. Plus‚ it has a regeneration skill.」
Louie said calmly while activating Infinite Appraisal.
《Target: Ifrit Lord》
《Lv: 300 Attributes: Flame・Regeneration・Space Domination》
《Skills: Scorching Roar・Regeneration Core・Space Incineration・Magic Absorption》
《Weakness: Regeneration stops during light attribute interference on the core. Sealing Effect: 0.7%》
0.7%.
In other words‚ Louie's sealing skill would hardly work.
But he did not give up.
「Split sealing… I have no choice but to try it.」
「Louie‚ aren't you scared?」
Serina said in a slightly trembling voice.
「I'm scared. But if you're by my side‚ the fear becomes about as much as freshly baked bread.」
「Does that mean fluffy and delicious?」
「……Let's go with that.」
The Ifrit Lord roared.
The entire cave shook‚ rocks collapsed‚ and hot winds raged.
Val shouted.
「Everyone‚ fall back! Blocking array‚ maximum deployment!」
「Louie‚ Serina! Don't push yourselves‚ retreating is also an option!」
But the two stepped forward.
Serina's magic power spread out softly.
Its color was pale gold. The scent was freshly baked cinnamon roll and morning light.
「Serina‚ aim for the core with your magic power. I'll stop the regeneration skill for a moment.」
「Okay. If Louie says so‚ it's fine even if I burn.」
「Don't burn. Stay fluffy.」
Louie switched his sealing skill to “Split Sealing”.
An extreme timing to stop the target's skill for just an instant.
His eyes read the Dragon King's movements and discerned the pulsation of the core.
「Now‚ Serina!」
Serina's magic power was released as light.
It was fluffy and gentle‚ yet its core was sharp.
Just like the spice hidden inside freshly baked bread.
The light pierced the core.
The Dragon King roared‚ its regeneration stopped‚ and its flames wavered.
And then──it collapsed.
The cave fell silent.
The escort party stood there in a daze.
「……Did we defeat it?」
「A Lv300 Dragon King‚ with just the two of them…?」
「Moreover‚ the magic power… smells sweet…」
Serina jumped into Louie's arm.
「We did it‚ Louie! It's a victory fluffier than bread!」
「No‚ I thought I was going to die…」
「But Louie's sealing was amazing. It was like turning an overbaked cookie back to the perfect softness.」
「I'm not sure if that's a compliment… but thank you.」
At that moment‚ Serina's magic power swayed softly.
The space stirred‚ and a faint light floated up on her back.
《Title: The One Who Destroyed the World──Partial Release》
Louie's danger detection skill sounded a warning.
But he immediately activated his sealing skill and wrapped up the fluctuation of magic power.
「Serina‚ it's okay. You won't break. I'll wrap you.」
「……Thank you. When Louie's here‚ I feel like I can return to being fluffy even if I'm about to burn.」
The escort party was watching the two.
Their eyes held surprise and a bit of respect.
「……Those two aren't just ordinary newcomers.」
「The quality of their magic power is way too different. That's a power that can wrap the world.」
「But as long as that bond exists‚ there won't be a runaway. We're fine just being the burn prevention.」
In the deepest part of the cave‚ the two stood.
The flames had quieted‚ the space was healed‚ and──their bond was gently expanding like freshly baked bread.
Chapter 14: Victory and Fluctuation
After the Blazing Sky Dragon King 《Ifrit Lord》 collapsed‚ the Flame Weeping Cave was enveloped in silence.
But that was not the “end”.
Rather‚ for the two of them‚ it was the “beginning”.
Serina's magic power swayed softly.
It was a gentle lingering heat‚ like when freshly baked bread cools down.
But inside it──a faint roughness was mixed in.
「Louie… Somehow‚ my chest feels prickly.」
「Maybe your magic power is touching the memories.」
「Memories? Am I forgetting something?」
「……Yeah. Probably something very important.」
The space stirred.
The traces of magic power engraved on the rock surface began to glow faintly.
Spirits appeared‚ floating fluffily.
They were small spirits with flames for wings.
They gathered as if drawn to Serina's magic power and gently wrapped around her.
「……Are these children crying?」
「No‚ they're probably… saying thank you.」
「I didn't do anything though.」
「Your magic power healed the pain of the space. Fluffily and gently.」
Serina's magic power fluctuated even more.
Its color was pale light blue. The scent was air after rain and a hint of lemon baked sweets.
The space projected fragments of memories.
──The sea.
──Light.
──A boy reaching out his hand.
──A girl drowning.
「……Is this… mine?」
「Serina‚ you don't have to force yourself to remember.」
「But I want to remember. Because I feel like… Louie was there.」
The magician Liz from the escort party 《Crimson Fang》 quietly approached.
「Serina-san's magic power is contacting the memory domain. It's dangerous.」
「Should we redeploy the blocking array?」
The leader Val asked.
Louie grasped Serina's hand.
That hand was trembling just a little.
「Don't block it. She's trying to remember. Something important.」
「But if the magic power runs away──」
「I'll seal it. I'll wrap up her anxiety and her memories too.」
Serina squeezed Louie's hand back tightly.
「Louie… What if I break?」
「It's okay if you break. I'll wrap you. Softer than a marshmallow‚ more reassuring than a cushion.」
「That's a bit too sweet… but I'm happy.」
The spirits danced around the two.
Their light was gentle like a blessing‚ healing the space.
Serina's magic power spread out softly.
Its color was rainbow. The scent was freshly baked croissant and morning dew.
The space quietly exhaled.
And then──the memory gently sank.
It was still too early to remember.
But the bond between the two had certainly deepened.
The escort party was watching the two.
Their eyes held surprise and a bit of respect.
「……Those two aren't at the level of ordinary newcomers.」
「The quality of their magic power is like embracing the space itself.」
「We aren't burn prevention anymore… maybe just the decoration on the baked sweets is enough. Like parsley.」
Serina leaned against Louie's shoulder.
There were just a few tears in her eyes.
「Hey‚ Louie. I'm scared. I feel like there's something unknown inside me.」
「It's okay. I'll seal all the fear. As long as you smile‚ that's enough.」
「……Thank you. Louie's words are warm. Like freshly baked bread.」
The two stood at the center of the Flame Weeping Cave.
The space was healed and had begun to quietly regenerate.
And their bond──was gently expanding like freshly baked bread.
Chapter 15: Completion of the Re-baking and Toward the Next Journey
The space of the Flame Weeping Cave was quietly regaining its calm‚ like freshly baked bread cooling down.
The red of the rock surface faded‚ and the heat in the air was gently eased‚ wrapped in Serina's magic power.
Serina's magic power was now so soft that one would want to call it a “blanket for the space”.
Its color was pale mint green. The scent was sunrise butter and a hint of cinnamon.
Every time that magic power spread throughout the cave‚ it felt like the space was letting out a sigh of “Phew…”.」
「Re-baking‚ complete.」
The magician Liz from the escort party 《Crimson Fang》 muttered while looking at the magic power measurement device.
「Space distortion: zero. Magic disturbance: zero. Serina-san's magic power is too fluffy to measure.」
「Too fluffy to measure—is that a compliment?」
「Of course. It's already healing magic. Gentler than a bakery in the morning.」
The leader Val walked up to Louie.
「……Who exactly are you two?」
「Um‚ just newcomers.」
「Do newcomers seal a Lv300 Dragon King‚ re-bake the space‚ and get thanked by spirits?」
「……We have just a little special skill.」
「That's not at the level of “just a little”. Your sealing… that's a futon that wraps the world.」
Serina stuck closely to Louie's arm.
「I like Louie's futon‚ it's so fluffy.」
「Was I a futon?」
「Yeah. When my magic power is about to run away‚ you wrap me up. It makes me feel like I could fall asleep peacefully.」
「Don't sleep. We're still on a mission.」
The members of the escort party were watching the two.
Their eyes held surprise and a faint freshly baked respect.
「……Those two aren't just ordinary newcomers.」
「The quality of their magic power is way too different. That's a power that 'strokes' the space.」
「We aren't “burn prevention” anymore… maybe just the side dish for the magic power is enough. Like parsley.」
The guild's magic power measurement stone glowed faintly.
It was proof that the mission was complete.
《Request: Flame Weeping Cave・Space Re-baking》
《Achievement Rate: 100%》
《Reward: 50 gold coins + Guild Evaluation S Rank》
《Special Notes: Restoration by space-healing magic power. Spirit gratitude record present》
「……Does spirit gratitude count as a reward?」
「It does. The guild treats it as a “space blessing”. Also‚ you sometimes get discounts at bakeries.」
「Eh‚ that's nice!」
Serina grasped Louie's hand.
That hand was faintly warm‚ like a freshly baked cookie.
「Hey‚ Louie. Where are we going next?」
「Hmm… According to the guild map‚ there's a place called “Valley of the Wind” to the north.」
「Valley of the Wind… It sounds like a name where bread would ferment fluffily!」
「Is that based on the terrain or on bread standards?」
The two began walking toward the cave exit.
The space was quietly seeing them off.
As if saying “Come again.”
At that moment‚ Serina's magic power swayed softly.
Its color was pale pink. The scent was spring breeze and strawberry jam.
The space trembled gently.
「Louie… I'm a little scared.」
「Of what?」
「I feel like there's something unknown inside me. Sometimes my magic power moves on its own.」
「……Yeah. I noticed too. But it's okay.」
「Why?」
「No matter what kind of magic power you have‚ I'll seal it. I'll wrap it fluffily so it doesn't burn.」
「……Thank you. Louie's words are warmer than freshly baked bread.」
The two stepped out of the cave.
The sky was clear‚ and a gentle wind was blowing.
Serina's hair swayed‚ and Louie's sleeve puffed up softly.
The escort party called out to them one last time.
「If you take the next mission‚ we'll escort you.」
「Eh‚ together again?」
「No‚ honestly‚ it's more like… observation. Just watching your magic power heals us.」
「That's a comment like a bakery clerk.」
「Yeah. But you two are “dough that wraps the world”. We're fine being the ones who watch the baking degree.」
Serina whispered softly into Louie's ear.
「Hey‚ Louie. I want to stay fluffy. Always‚ without burning.」
「Yeah. I'll wrap you. No matter what magic power or what memories.」
「Then it's a promise. Fluffy means no burning.」
And so‚ the two walked on.
Toward a new journey.
Carrying fluffy magic power and freshly baked bonds.
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