A/N: Here's this week's final chapter. I haven't done a double header in awhile and this story seems to line up oddly for you, check the last chapter, as you might have missed it.
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Chapter 76: A Test of Aptitude
Feeling the sensation of being airborne, it ended with a quick thud first on his rear, and then on his lap.
YN: Ouch-ouch-ouch...
Reaching behind him, YN could feel the smooth touch of fresh cut grass, about the length he kept the mansion's lawn. Trying to open his eyes though, a new cascade of bright light challenged his vision.
Agh... This is a different light. It's natural in its color, not like the Trial's or that white space I get sent to.
Rubbing his eyes to adjust, YN heard a few familiar voices fill his ears.
???: Woah, hey, YN, and Rem-san? Where did—? How did—?
???: YN? Rem? Where did you just pop in from?
???: Myyyyy how nice of you both to drop by. We were just wondering where you both could have absconded off to.
???: How bothersome all this is I suppose.
???: Rem, are you hurt? Was YN cushioning enough for you?
???: Wha—? Who—?! Mathers?!
Somewhat recognizing the voices, it was the last one that drew a blank from YN.
Was that Puck? No... It's more masculine, but I don't know who that is...
Deciding he needed his eyes, YN forced them open. Filling his vision initially, was the calming hue of blue that was Rem's azure hair. The thud he had felt on his lap was the maid landing on top of him, sitting sideways like she would when YN drove the carriage to Saluzzo.
Feeling her two soft hands gently rest on either side of his face, she spoke to him.
Rem: That's Rem's YN-kun. We did it.
YN: Are... are we out?
Looking to his left and right, YN tried to figure out where they had been released to. Taking the hand he had reached behind himself with, it returned with a handful of loose blades of grass.
A few paces to his right was the lord of the Mansion and his employer, Roswaal. And standing to his immediate flank was the elder sister of Rem, Ram, who coolly observed everything as she did. Standing behind her though, as if frightened by their sudden appearance out of nowhere, YN's wayward traveling companion, Subaru, looked on at them with his piercing eyes. The three obviously had just returned to the mansion.
To his left though was the gazebo where Subaru had been passed out after using Shamak for the first time. Inside was Emilia, and the two resident spirits, Puck and Beatrice. But behind them sat someone YN did not recognize.
A young man of shorter stature, he seemingly was holding his head in frustration, which let his bangs hang forward, blocking his face, and making YN unable to get a good look at him.
Who's he? Was he that new voice?
Given everything that had just occurred, a new face being present wasn't a coincidence.
Just as he went to speak up about it and voice his curiosity, the mystery guest stood, slamming his hands down on the table.
I've been given another chance! I won't waste it!
With an evil grin on his youthful face, he spoke.
???: Margrave!
Referring to Roswaal by his title, the three who had just arrived turned their attention to the outburst being had to their side.
???: You're finished now you have-been! Those false Titles will be your downfall in the face of real skill!
Revealing what appeared to be a small ornate box of sorts from under his cloak, perhaps a makeup set, it began to glow brightly in his hands.
That's just like what happened when me and Rem got taken away!
Seeing it's shivering light, YN pulled Rem around him on his lap and braced for another trip to the white rooms.
If Rem gets accidentally taken by herself... that'll be a disaster!
Ram: Roswaal-sama!
Expecting for everyone present to whisked away, YN felt the harsh light on his eyelids subside like it had before. Expect when he opened his eyes once more—
YN: Huh?
Everything remained as it had been. Everyone, including the mystery guest, remained where they were. All except for one person.
Rem: R-Roswaal-sama? Where did he—?
???: I have achieved ultimate victory!
Turning his head away from where the Margrave had just been and to the mystery guest who was now proclaiming some sort of victory, YN's attention was then shuddered by the cold, sharp, single breeze that blew across the still warm afternoon atmosphere.
Ram: What have you done with Roswaal-sama?
Hearing her speak in a tone that was cold even for her, Subaru took several steps away from her, if only in caution.
Answering the pink haired maid's question though, unafraid, was the mystery guest, presenting the same small box the light had shown from.
???: This Mitia traps, and subjects it's victim to a series of magical tests proportional to its wielder.
Placing the box back under his shoulder and pointing to Ram now, as if further declaring his self-assigned victory, he concluded his boasting.
???: If the victim is unable to escape the trials, that is definite *proof* that their magical ability is less than the wielders! From now on, the title of Legunica's most talented magician will no longer belong to the Margrave, but to me, the 'Gray!'
Subaru: I don't think that'll happen.
Hearing such a flat reply come from the person next to her, even Ram was caught off guard by his reaction.
???: W-What did you say?!
Subaru: *Sigh* I said, that's not gonna happen.
???: —tsk! A-And just what do you know, huh?!
Subaru: Obviously more than you.
Pointing over to where Rem still sat on YN's lap in the grass, he continued.
Subaru: Start by looking over there. Those two just popped right out of your little trap already, didn't they?
Gaining a clue, Rem whispered in YN's ear as Subaru continued to put the guest of short stature on flame.
Rem (whisper): YN-kun, Rem suspects that we were targeted since you had dressed as Roswaal-sama. It appears we were not his intended target at all.
Whispering back, he agreed.
YN (whisper): I think you're completely right.
Returning their attention to the two now arguing before them, the guest had grumbled enough to himself and had finally dignified a response to Subaru.
???: What does that have to do with anything?!
Shrugging in reply, Subaru pointed out the obvious.
Subaru: Think man, if those two could get out, what chance do you have on keeping Ros-chi inside?
Seeing the guest's eyes widen, he looked over at YN and Rem with a fear they did not understand. But, with Subaru driving home the answer, they soon learned why the guest was so apprehensive now.
Subaru: That over there is YN, the new groundskeeper for the Mansion and a talented, but nonetheless novice magician of less then a month. And the blue haired girl over there on his lap is Rem-san, who was taught magic by Ros-chi.
Leaning forward and giving the guest a rare look of contempt, Subaru had almost begun to question their intellect.
Subaru: 'Think either one of them is above Ros-chi?
Looking down at the box in his hands, the guest's worst fears were being realized.
YN: I mean, to be fair—
Moving his head to get a better look at the guest when speaking, YN's cheek smushed up against Rem's own, causing their faces to appear slightly chubby on one side. Pointing at Rem in very close range as well, it seemed to draw more attention to the oni's adorably round, smushed face.
YN: —It was this cutie who did most of the heavy lifting. She defeated most of the trials by brute physical force alone.
Giving her an inline headpat as well at the tail end of his comment, Rem's face blushed up at the sudden praise she was getting. Nuzzling her face closer to his own, Rem returned some of the praise back to YN.
Rem: We were only successful because YN-kun was helping Rem. It was truthfully most of his doing that we were capable of escaping.
Slightly bewildered at their level of teamwork, outside of the immediate confrontation, Emilia and Beatrice remained seated with their tea in the shade of the gazebo.
Emilia: Umm, what are they talking about?
Taking a sip, the Great Spirit responded.
Beatrice: How should Betty know, in fact?
Pursing her lips in concern, the half elf watched on as the mystery guest now deeply stared at the box he held while everything YN, Rem, and Subaru said sunk in.
They're not wrong, if that blue haired maid girl and her boyfriend escaped on their own while the Metia was running... that can only mean—!
Beginning to shake and rumble with a growing light of white being emitted from its opening, the Metia in question released its current occupant.
Knocking the mystery guest off his feet and backwards, triumphantly, the Lord of the Mansion in his clown regalia stood where he had once been.
Roswaal: I would hope that any dooooooubts you have of me are vanquished by this.
He passed my trials so quickly!
Shocked, the guest recovered himself to his knees.
Roswaal: You seem to tout that you're a rather talented magician, but are you really?
Closing his single blue eye, the Margrave observed the fallen guest with his yellow one. Having lowered his voice, the air became that much more tense as he awaited an answer.
Ezzo: Of course. I am Ezzo Cadner, the 'Gray' as I've been called.
Emilia: The 'Gray'?
Clearly while not being the only one to be confused by the title, it was only Emilia who spoke up.
Ram: It most likely a reference to being capable with multiple affinities in magic. Although Roswaal-sama has a supreme mastery of all six colors, the titles of 'The Red,' 'The Yellow,' and 'The Green,' were bestowed upon him for his unclassed skill in those specific elements; Fire, Earth, and Wind respectively.
While being happy to put her employer on air, the pink haired maid now turned her expression sour as she looked down at Ezzo.
Ram: To be referred to as the 'Gray' could only be—
Ezzo: An insult. I shall prove my worthiness of the magical titles the Margrave unrighteously holds in order to wash away that disgrace of mine.
Ram: So that was your intention of trying to capture Roswaal-sama? Ram would wonder why you ended up first snaring YN and Rem in your trap first though...
Rem please don't say anything!
Seeing as her younger sister was looking up and away with a weak expression, and Emilia was silently twirling her thumbs, Ram concluded the answer she sought could be easily found out later. But as for now, it was Roswaal who once again spoke.
Roswaal: Regaaaaardless of the motive, I will admit, I have a soft spot for those who strongly pursue aptitude and understanding in magic.
Reopening his closed eye, Roswaal lightened his tone.
Roswaal: Therefore, I shall grant you the opportunity to prove yourself.
Ezzo: — — —
Remaining silent, a mild breeze blew across the Mansion's yard before Ezzo chose to respond.
Ezzo: An opportunity? Or a challenge?
Roswaal: Hmm, I shall let you decide that. Regardless, let this be a chance to become friends who acknowledge each other's skills.
Is he asking for me to take the Mitia trial then? No... It's something else first...
Giving the Margrave a nervous smile, Ezzo nodded in agreement.
If I can manage this, I can at the very least get him to acknowledge me!
Ezzo: I-I'll accept. Give me a metric in which to prove myself.
Roswaal: Very well. Now then—
Gesturing with his white gloved hand, Roswaal turned his gaze to the two who remained planted on the grass lawn.
Roswaal: YN-kuuuuuun I shall entrust this to you.
YN: Wha—?
Pointing to himself as if asking for clarification, YN babbled at the sudden prospect at being the center of an ordeal that clearly didn't involve him. About to inquire why, Ezzo was kind enough to do so for him.
Ezzo: M-Margrave! Why would you nominate such a novice?
He wants me to go against the buddening novice first then, huh?
Roswaal: I seem to recall you allowing me the decision to find a metric I deemed suitable. Allowing him this opportunity is a formality on my part as well. After all, an employer should allow his servants the chance to defend their honor.
'Formality?' 'Honor?'
Confused as to why Roswaal would choose these words to justify his involvement in this, YN was once more about to inquire for further information, but was questioned by Ram before he could speak, noting the obvious confusion on his face.
Ram: YN. Ram would like to reiterate that this recently most unwelcome guest imprisoned not only you, but also Rem. At any point did you two face dangers during your entrapment?
As Rem moved off his lap and helped him up, YN stared down at the hand that held hers.
So much could have happened to her while in there...
YN: Aside from the last trial... we faced towering flames, a cruel fate of being dragged into a muddy abyss, and being drowned in a flood...
Looking into her deep azure eyes, YN realized he was more than lucky to see their usual warm and caring gaze upon him. Her eyes were full of life, and never once during the trials was he forced to see them deprived of such.
Feeling a swell of determination from his lack of realization, Ram had stoked the fire in his chest that Roswaal had so carefully lit when he decided this was a matter of honor.
The honor of repaying a penalty to someone who had endangered Rem so.
Letting go of the blue haired oni's soft hand, YN nodded at both Ram and Roswaal before setting his sights on Ezzo, taking that same hand and tightening it into a fist.
YN: I'll accept.
Emitting what he felt like was an aura of grave intent for a change, the atmosphere was cleansed by the voice of a silver bell calling out.
Emilia: W-wait! YN!
With the attention of the moment falling to her, Emilia stood resolute, despite the pressure.
Emilia: You need to prioritize your Gate! Yours still hasn't been properly examined. Any spell might reeeeeally damage it.
Knowing she did in fact have a point, the most unlikely one there to do so spoke up against her.
Puck: Now hold on a second, Lia.
Flying out from her hair, the little gray cat waved his paws as if calling for timeout.
Turning to Rem, Puck flew up to her.
Puck: I happen to think I overheard a bit of this trial you and him undertook. Did YN at any point use magic? Even if he just used a little?
Bowing to the spirit before her, Rem answered.
Rem: Yes, Great-Spirit-sama, YN-kun would have utilized his Gate a few times. Our escape from the trials is proof of that. Had Rem been alone, she is doubtful she would have been able to overcome them.
Flying back over to Emilia, Puck gave his verdict.
Puck: If he was fine earlier, he should be fine now, given he doesn't overdo it.
Emilia: But that's what he always does! It's the same with Subaru! I can't allow—!
YN: Emilia.
Surprised by his friendly usage of her name, rather than his formal style, Emilia gave him her entire attention.
YN: I promise I won't overdo it. But you gotta let me do this.
Sighing and shaking her head, the half elf gave him a weak smile.
Emilia: Fine, but it's a promise.
Nodding once more to Rem as she remained by his side, YN drew strength from the look of determination she gave him.
And don't worry Rem, I promise I'll get payback for you too.
Roswaal: It is settled then. Is this a suitable comparison for you both as magic users?
Ezzo: Of course. Magic usage in a practical setting is always a better analysis than magic strictly used in practice.
Roswaal: Indeed it is. YN-kun.
YN: Yes, Roswaal-sama?
Suddenly speaking to him as he began to move to roughly where he thought he should be, Roswaal gave him one final instruction.
Roswaal: Treat this like live combat.
Taking a good long look at who his opponent would be, YN replied.
YN: Understood.
Taking point at opposite ends of the lawn, Ezzo and YN stood roughly a few dozen paces apart.
Waiting for them to start, Emilia timidly held her hand to her chest.
Emilia: Puck...
Speaking softly enough that no one else could hear her, Emilia sought the council of her contracted Spirit. Sitting on her shoulder, ready to watch, Puck replied with a simple "Hmm?"
Emilia: Would now be a bad time to inform YN of... well, you know...? It might be helpful for this.
Shaking his little cat-head, Puck disagreed.
Puck: No. Chances are if you dropped that on him now, he'd either scramble and lose, or he'd become distracted and compensate by overdoing it like you asked him not to.
Looking downward with a somber expression, Puck sought to cheer her back up some.
Puck: I know you want to tell him, but if he finds out on his own, he'll be the one to seek you out for answers. And I have a feeling he won't be oblivious for too much longer.
Emilia: I see... I just need to continue to be more patient.
Watching as the breeze picked up slightly, light ribbons of wind danced across the neatly trimmed lawn as the two took their stances.
Ezzo: I don't believe I caught your name.
YN: It's YN. And I'm the one who's going to make you pay for putting Rem in harm's way.
Ezzo: And as I'm sure you're aware of now, but mine is Ezzo Cadner, and from this point, I cast off my title of the "Gray."
Putting a hand to his chest and giving YN a look of determination, Ezzo declared the start to their bout.
Ezzo: We'll begin with your move first.
Tightening his firsts, YN felt a sudden swirl of mana and heat envelope his body as his adrenaline kicked in.
I can understand the burst of energy, but I don't understand where this mana just came from...
Feeling the sensation build and build, like a boiling kettle of tea, the tension surfaced and simmered out like steam. Almost as if his body became lighter and his clothes lighter than that, they rippled and swayed as if a mild breeze was being blown in from below them.
Taking a deep breath, the sensation flowed out, overpowering the existing light gust across the grass, choosing instead to sway in a circle with YN at the center. Like ripples in a puddle, the grass bent over from the new breeze emanating from YN, which also caused his hair to flutter ever so slightly.
Roswaal: Hmmm this will be mooooost interesting.
Extending his arm and palm out, it took no time at all for the mana to build in his hand for the spell he intended to cast, aimed right at Ezzo.
YN: Jiwald!
As the cascading rays of heat and light raced toward him, Ezzo himself held a hand out.
Ezzo: Huma!
Shrouding himself in a blue sphere of protection, it was a defensive water spell.
Inside of his dome, Ezzo heard the rays of Jiwald crash into his shield and sizzle with heat. Holding his other hand up, he shielded his eyes from the intense light.
Ezzo: You're going to have to do much better than that to best me!
A Yang user? That's rather... surprising, and rare... I had him taken for earth, or maybe wind with him being a 'groundskeeper...'
Seeing the light begin to subside, Ezzo had begun to lower his other hand, ready to go on the offensive, but rather—
YN: Jiwald! Jiwald!
Ezzo: —Tch!
Putting more mana into his Huma, it held strong against the repeated blasts of Jiwald.
I have to give him props for being able to cast so rapidly, but—
YN: Jiwald!
They're not nearly strong enough to break my Huma. He really is a novice, just firing off spell after spell in vein like this.
YN: Jiwald!
Ezzo: I remember you saying earlier you overcame my trials using brute force, the exact thing you're trying here! Unfortunately though, that doesn't always—
YN: You're wide open!
Suddenly hearing his opponent's voice much closer and clearer, his vision was still hampered by the bright light he was being forced to shield from.
Ezzo: Wha— GAH!
Following the sound of his Huma shattering and breaking apart, a fist flew in from just off-center of where the Jiwald's had been hammering his defense. Continuing forward, the upward hook impacted right into his abdomen with a force nearly enough to send his stomach right out of his throat.
I-Impossible...!
Surprised the fist hadn't traveled all the way through him, Ezzo staggered backwards before falling to his side, holding his gut and trying even harder to hold his lunch down.
Blocking the sun from his vision, Ezzo gazed up at the silhouette that stood above him, responsible for having put him where he was. Unsure if it was his vision being warped, or if he really did see a heat rising off of YN's fist he still held in front of him, he groaned out the only words he could on the cusp of passing out.
Ezzo: H-H-How...?
But, cutting him off, the blue haired maid ran up to this fight's victor.
Rem: YN-kun! Rem is very impressed! He used what he learned today during the trial!
Having put his mana into his fist, YN had amplified his physical strength, just as he had during the Earth trial.
Feeling frustration at his words being ignored, they were answered by someone else to his side.
Ram: 'How' you ask? It's simple. Not only did you completely underestimate your opponent, you also failed to react to him pining you in place and taking away your sight.
Ezzo: My sight...
Ram: Yes. While you were unable to see him and had assumed he remained stationary while casting, he had closed the distance with each spell, changing their width to appear as if they still were coming from the same location.
Roswaal: Indeed, it was quite the display.
Also approaching the fallen Ezzo's side, was Roswaal.
Roswaal: In all my time in magic, never have I seen Jiwald used as a bliiiiiinding technique. Tis a rather unique usage.
Ezzo: I really thought it was just brute force... That my skill could overcome that...
Holding up a single finger, Roswaal lectured the still collapsed Ezzo.
Roswaal: While skill is more useful than brute force, taaaaactfulness is always better than just skill alone. Knowing mafic of all kinds means nothing if you can't do anything worthwhile with them.
Subaru: Knowing how to fully take advantage of simple magic is better than recklessly using advanced or powerful magic.
Puck: Exactly!
Flying up while Subaru also approached, the little gray cat summersalted midair.
Puck: Although you've got a long way to go before you can even use simple magic simply.
Subaru: Hey! I'm the one who damaged their gate using that simple magic to save everyone!
Beatrice: Betty highly doubts your presence at the festival was of any use.
Going off onto their own tangent, and while Roswaal and Ram attended to the injured Ezzo, YN was left with Rem, until the last of those outside had approached them both.
Emilia: YN.
Turning his head to her voice as Rem clung onto him, proud as she could be, YN assumed the half elf's next words.
YN: Emilia. I can promise, my Gate feels fine. That was a lot of mana, yes, but it really doesn't even feel like I used any.
Shaking her head and smiling, the half elf proved YN wrong.
Emilia: No-no, I could tell. I just wanted to say congratulations on winning.
Giving her a thumbs up, Ezzo getting to his feet stole his immediate attention from Emilia.
YN: So uhh, considering everything, what do we do with him now? Should we like, ya know, take him to prison?
Ezzo: —Hk!
Recoiling at the prospect of his words, YN looked over to Ram as if looking for her opinion on the matter, but before she could answer, Roswaal spoke up, waving a gloved hand.
Roswaal: Oh there's no need for that. Allll has been forgiven! After all, the Trials don't exactly have the power to kill.
YN: What?! Why didn't you say something earlier?!
Closing one eye and pointing a finger upward as if making a point, Roswaal spoke with a wry smile on his face.
Roswaal: Because then you might not have given this little bout your all and taken it as seriously as you did. Had you failed in the trials, you simply would be forced to fail over and over again until let out.
With Roswaal turning to leave, YN was left thinking what that could have possibly meant. But, having his self reflection cut short by the blue haired maid hugging him harder, he looked down to see her smiling brightly up at her hero.
Rem: Rem does feel very safe knowing her YN-kun would go to such great lengths to protect her.
Ram: And I should say, I am once again reassured I made the right decision.
Speaking as cooly as she could, YN relished in the praise from Ram.
Ezzo: Err....
Getting the three's attention, Ezzo had moved backward, away from everyone else.
Ezzo: I will take today's defeat and learn from it, but I will train and study more to redeem myself of it.
Raising his arms upward, a twinkle could be seen in his eyes.
Ezzo: Farwell!
Lowering them quickly, a great flame erupted from his feet and shrouded his body.
Just as quickly as it had been cast though, it was gone, and with it was Ezzo Cadner as well.
Rem: Nee-sama, Nee-sama, our guest has left.
Ram: Rem, Rem, he did so while also leaving a most loathsome parting gift.
Pointing to the ground where Ezzo had been, YN followed the direction of Ram's finger until—
YN: Aw, shit!
Running over, YN desperately stomped out the small remnants of the former flame burning away at the neatly cut grass.
Hearing the fuss, Emilia, Subaru, and Roswaal turned back to see what it was about.
YN: Oh you gotta be kidding me!
Seeing YN standing in the middle of a sizable burned patch in the lawn, the bald dirt spot truly looked terribly crude among the rest of the nicely kept landscape.
As Emilia put a hand over her agape mouth and Subaru snickered, Roswaal pinched the bridge between his eyes.
Roswaal: He hadn't done anything bad at all until that.
Sighing in annoyance, Roswaal turned to Subaru.
Roswaal: Subaru-kun, please assist YN-kun with repairing the lawn, we need it presentable as soon as tomorrow, as we're expecting coooooompany.
Halting his laughter and dropping his head, Subaru complied with a weak thumbs up.
Emilia: Well, this was fun, but I should return to my studies, good luck you two.
Roswaal: And I must see to some paperwork. Ram, would you and your sister please begin dinner preparations?
Ram: Yes, Roswaal-sama.
Calling out to her master to confirm, Ram turned to Rem, who was also looking at her.
Ram: Rem.
Rem: Yes, Nee-sama.
Waving to YN who was still contemplating the damage done, she called to him as well.
Rem: Rem will make her YN-kun something special for his victory!
YN: Sounds good. Thank you, Rem.
Smiling as brightly as the sun above, Rem departed, idly chatting just out of earshot with her sister as the two walked back to the mansion.
Beatrice: The show is over, I suppose.
Finishing her tea, the drill haired girl also began her return to the mansion.
But with Subaru approaching, YN wasn't left alone.
Subaru: I've been assigned to help.
Weakly declaring his orders, YN retrieved a pair of gloves from his back pocket, and put them on.
YN: Go get a few trowels and spades from the equipment shed, I'll start on getting the dead and burnt grass pulled up.
Kneeling down, YN began his work.
***
Subaru: Phew. Why did that take so long?
With the sun beginning to just set, the sky had turned a hue of orange.
YN: Well, I guess grafting a piece of lawn from one area to another takes a lot of attention to detail.
Having once again relied on his digital lessons app on his phone, he found this solution in the section on botany and agriculture. Using it to figure out what to do, the burnt patch of the Mansion's lawn had been repaired.
Leaving on a rake, YN removed his gloves.
YN: So, how did the trip earlier to Costuul go? You get a diagnosis on your Gate?
Also leaning on a shovel, Subaru shook his head.
Subaru: I basically just babysat the carriage while Ram and Roswaal went and spoke to whoever they needed to.
YN: Hmm, I see...
Letting the conversation die off, they were both still too tired to begin the cleanup process. Enjoying a small breeze of cool air, YN felt a return of the guilt he had from the previous events in Saluzzo. Getting the better of him now, he carefully articulated a question to Subaru.
YN: So, hypothetically, let's say I had died in the trials. What would have you... ya know, have done?
Surprised by the sudden question, YN saw Subaru's tired expression turn serious before it went back to normal.
Subaru: To be honest? I don't wanna think about it... I've had to do something like that before and it wasn't an easy choice...
Not getting a desired answer either way from him, YN played it bolder.
YN: Okay, another question then, but more weird.
Subaru: Shoot.
Trying his best to seem lighthearted at it, he spoke of a more direct and familiar scenario.
YN: What would you do if you found out you'd reset a bunch without knowing? But like, tons of times. How would you feel finding that out if it was someone, let's say me since that's the most likely other person, telling you that those had happened? And they were also the only one who remembered it all happening, unlike how you always can now.
Furrowing his brow, Subaru tilted his head and cracked an unbelieving smile.
Subaru: What?
Giving the idea a slight chuckle, he shook his head.
Subaru: Have you watched Haruhi too many times? What kind of question is that? You know as well as I do how Return By Death works by now.
Getting a less-than-serious reply from Subaru, YN breathed a sigh of relief in his mind.
YN: Yeah, I guess. Anyway, I'm sure the twins are done with dinner now.
Subaru: Ya know, I think I can smell it from here.
YN: Good, I'm hungry.
Slinging the last of their equipment over their shoulders, the two cleaned up, washed up, and departed back to the mansion.
Oh that's right, Rem was gonna make something special.
With thoughts of the blue haired maid he held so dearly to his heart in his mind, YN let the aroma of her cooking take him away.
Yet, little did he know...
—That anyone knew...
Things starting tomorrow would be the beginning of a great amount of sorrow, joy, pain, and happiness for the residents of the mansion.
Never again, would they have times like these at the Roswaal Mansion.
END ACT TWO
***
A/N: I'm sure as many of you have noticed, if you knew, this last series of chapters were loosely based off of the "Endless Eight" arc in The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, like Subaru had mentioned in this chapter. It's a series that is near and dear to my heart, and if anything, you should watch the anime if only to watch the movie, since its an absolute masterpiece.
But anyway, work on ACT THREE (Arc 3) has already begun, and I'm currently writing the 4th chapter of it. It will more then likely be awhile before the hiatus is over, but I do not plan on abandoning this fic!
The support and kind words I've received on this entire endevor have been absolutely jaw dropping. I never would have imagined I'd get to read such kind words left by my readers. I really do enjoy writing this and hope that this is something you all look forward to reading as much as I look forward to seeing everyone's feedback.
This fic currently stands out as one of the largest Re:0 ones on this site, and to me, that is slightly intimidating since that means its so visible now (which, I suppose I shouldn't be complaining about) and because of that, I'm sure many have high expections for it (sometimes even higher then my own!).
This A/N is getting really long now, but I do want to take one last time to thank everyone who is reading this. I will be posting the one year anniversary chapter next week, and after that, the hiatus begins. But until then, cao cao!