"Well, I figured it out the moment I saw that Restraining Magic. This fierce-looking guy next to us might just be a real softy."
As Fíliya spoke, a pleased smile began to spread across her face, because the system notification of her increased points had already proven her guess correct.
Although Wirbel's expression remained completely unchanged, Fíliya knew he was just putting on a front; his heart was anything but as calm as his face.
"Huh? I don't understand... I'm curious!"
Ehre blinked her large eyes, clearly wanting Fíliya to elaborate.
"Alright... Wirbel, that Restraining Magic of yours... does it break the moment you blink?"
"...That's right."
Wirbel raised an eyebrow slightly, but ultimately nodded.
"Wow... so it's true. Isn't that super weak? How lame."
Fíliya pinched her nose and put on a disgusted expression.
"Tch... Sorry to disappoint, but you're right. I was born with eyes that don't dry out easily, and I've trained specifically for this. I can usually go two or three minutes without blinking. That's enough time for me to make up my mind."
Oh no...
Wirbel found himself explaining out of habit, but he realized his mistake the moment he finished.
It seemed he had exposed something he shouldn't have.
Sure enough, Ehre immediately dragged her chair over from Fíliya's side and moved closer to him.
"Huh? Wirbel, what do you mean by 'make up my mind'? Make up your mind about what? I'm curious!"
Ugh... so troublesome.
Wirbel could feel a headache coming on.
So, the kind Miss Fíliya helped him explain.
"To... kill, of course. Didn't you expect that, Ehre? This guy needs time to convince himself to kill someone. How kind is that? Is this really the captain of the Northern Magic Corps, who's been fighting the Demon Race for years? The boy next door? Don't make me laugh."
"..."
Wirbel clenched his fists. If Fíliya's earlier act of using magic to improve his subordinates' food had slightly changed his opinion of this green-haired girl, now he just wanted to strangle the madwoman with his own hands.
"Eh? Is that really true? I thought you'd be more cold-blooded, Wirbel."
Ehre also looked at Wirbel with a shocked expression.
"Sigh, but you can't blame our little Wirbel. After all, killing is a difficult thing to do. Not everyone can take a human life without any psychological burden... For an academic type like you, it must be hard to understand, right?"
Fíliya said with a profound look on her face, as if she had seen through the vanities of the world.
As expected, Fíliya's tone immediately drew Miss Ehre's dissatisfaction.
"What do you mean, the 'academic type' me? Aren't you an academic type too, Fíliya? I even started getting field experience earlier than you. Weren't you just doing research at the Association after graduating? I heard all about it from my grandfather... And who's looking down on us academic types anyway? You should know, most of the discoveries that shake the entire world of magic are the results of us academics... and..."
Just as Miss Ehre was passionately defending her identity as an academic, Fíliya had already quietly crept up beside her.
"Yes, yes, Ehre is so impressive. There now, be a good girl and sit down."
"Eh... oh."
Miss Ehre, who was about to launch into an eloquent speech, was muddle-headedly pushed back into her seat by Fíliya.
"Mmm, now that we've chatted so much, it's time to get back to business."
Fíliya rested her chin on Miss Ehre's head, looking as if she was thoroughly enjoying herself, and turned her gaze to Wirbel.
"Let's talk about the Demon Race."
Fíliya said slowly.
"No, let's call it a day. You must be tired from your journey, Fíliya. We can talk about the Demon Race tomorrow."
Wirbel stood up and walked straight to the door.
"I'm going to check outside. As for you... sleep with Ehre. Ehre, what do you think?"
"Eh?... I don't have a problem with it."
Ehre's eyes widened in surprise, and she subconsciously looked up at the person above her, only to meet the same pair of eyes looking down at her.
So Ehre quickly lowered her head.
After all, Fíliya's eyes always held such an 'aggressive' quality.
"Good, then."
Seeing that Ehre didn't object, Wirbel left the room.
...
Watching Wirbel's strange reaction, Fíliya increased the pressure of her chin on Ehre's head slightly.
Her expression was somewhat puzzled.
"That guy is so weird... When I first arrived, he said the situation was urgent, but now he's not in a hurry. What do you think, Ehre?"
"Hmm... I don't always know what Wirbel is thinking either, but if he says so, it must mean the situation is still within his expectations. So there's no need to worry."
"Mmm... alright."
...
Before long, the two were lying in bed together... It couldn't be helped, given the limited conditions at the outpost.
And since the ability to 'fall asleep instantly' wasn't something everyone possessed, the two, who were initially a bit awkward (on Ehre's part), started chatting without realizing it.
"This is a bit surprising... I always thought you were a difficult person to get along with, Fíliya."
Ehre turned on her side, a smile on her face.
"Hm? Why would you think that?"
Fíliya stared directly at Ehre, causing Ehre to nervously look away again, though thankfully she didn't lose her ability to speak.
"Back at the magic academy... you were always by yourself, right? And you always had such a gloomy look on your face, as if everyone owed you money..."
"? I did not!"
Facing Ehre's accusation, Miss Fíliya puffed out her cheeks unhappily and retorted righteously.
"Am I not a beautiful girl with a kind heart? At school, I should have been a cheerful person, always smiling, making people feel as pleasant as a spring breeze. Who on earth is slandering my image?"
"Well... aside from the 'beautiful girl' part... the rest is debatable. I get it now. You're just living in your own world, Fíliya... You've never paid attention to what other people think, have you?"
Ehre said with a helpless expression.
"Mmm... whatever, let's put this boring argument aside... By the way, Ehre, you dream of becoming a powerful mage, right? You little honor student."
"...Don't call me little. I'm the same age as you, aren't I? But, you're right... I do dream of becoming strong. Strong enough to surpass my grandfather."
"Pfft... Surpass your grandfather? I'd say that's a long shot, you know? Your grandfather was a disciple of the 'Living Deity'—Lady Serie... The mages of this world can basically be sorted into two categories: ordinary mages, and Serie's disciples. Your 'talent', Ehre, is just too ordinary."
Fíliya stared straight into Miss Ehre's eyes with a mocking expression.
____
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