After seeing Ram and Rem take Subaru away to teach him his chores (a fate I had cleverly dodged), I joined Emilia and Puck in the manor's magnificent garden. I was struck by the beauty and grandeur of the place, an oasis of calm after the agitation in the hallways.
Me: (Eyes wide, admiring.) "It's huge! It's the first time I've seen such a splendid and large place. Even the plants look like works of art."
Emilia: (She smiled, visibly more at ease in the garden.) "I was surprised the first time I came here too. Ram and Rem take great care of the flowers and trees. It's a peaceful place, isn't it?"
"That's right, Emilia only arrived at this manor this year, after being discovered by Roswaal. That's why she is still so amazed."
I turned to Emilia. It was time to start my training plan.
Me: "Emilia, I have a practical question. Now that I am a permanent guest, I'd like to make myself useful and not just rely on my body to die. How can I find out my affinity for magic?"
Emilia: (She vaguely pointed to her necklace.) "Oh. You should ask Puck, he is a Great Spirit of magic and he might be able to help you. But I think he left to see Beatrice a few minutes ago."
Me: (A mischievous smile returned to my face. No need to go through the random door this time.) "Don't worry, I have an idea."
I took a deep breath, then screamed at the top of my lungs, my voice echoing in the peaceful garden.
Me: "PUCK! IF YOU DON'T COME HERE RIGHT NOW, I'M GOING TO TELL EMILIA THE STORY OF THE BEE AND THE FLOWER!"
Instantly, a sharp sound rang out. A ball of magical fur materialized at high speed in front of me.
Puck: (He hovered, his cute face twisted with anger, his blue eyes flashing with lightning.) "YOU PERVERT! You dare threaten Lia's innocence with your dirty stories! I will never leave you alone with her again!"
A small block of ice, generated by the Great Spirit's rage, precisely shattered against my forehead. I stumbled back, holding my head.
Me: (Groaning in pain.) "Ouch! Sorry, Puck. I just wanted to get your attention! I had an important question, how do I find out about my magical affinity?"
Puck: (He calmed down slightly, but still hovered with suspicion.) "Hmph. You should thank Lia for not turning you into an ice cube. You want to learn magic, you? Why should I help the idiot's friend,"
Me: (I regained my composure, lowering my voice so as not to attract Emilia's attention, but enough for Puck to hear me.) "I faced the assassin. I saw what madness can do, and the weakness of the defenseless human body. Emilia needs all the protection I can get. I want to become a credible protector, not just bait. I'm not asking you to love me, I'm asking you to help me be useful and protect Emilia."
Puck stared at me intently, his gaze penetrating. He reluctantly accepted my apology and moved closer. He placed his two little paws on my forehead for a few seconds, a faint blue sparkle covering them. Then he flew off before landing on my shoulder, right next to my ear.
Puck: (With an amused, yet intrigued look.) "Hmm. Well, your affinities are really rare, Trizz. You have an affinity with Yin and Yang magic, and also an affinity with Spirits."
"Yin and Yang magic?" I didn't know anything about those two branches. My knowledge of Re:Zero was too vague to know more about the specific spells.
Puck noticed my confusion and continued, visibly delighted to have something interesting to explain.
Puck: "Yin magic is the magic of shadow and debuffs. It allows you to mess with space and time, control gravity, and decrease or increase the weight of your opponents to weaken them physically or mentally. It can even blur the perception of reality."
Puck paused for dramatic effect, then continued
Puck: "Yang magic is the magic of light and buffs. It allows its user to increase their own strength and speed, or those of their allies. Its base spell is the enhancement "Aka". It can also increase the strength and durability of a weapon. Finally, there is "Jiwald", which allows its user to launch rays of light at their opponents. The more powerful the spell, the greater the damage."
"It's amazing, I can remember all of this. Roswaal and Beatrice use Yin magic. Priscilla, Yang magic. This is huge potential! Maybe it's my Power that allows me to retain all this information and the details, even the vaguest ones. I can't wait to find out."
Me: (I turned to Puck, a new respect in my eyes.) "Puck. I need you. Can you teach me everything you know about Yin and Yang?"
Puck did not answer directly. Instead, he stared at me to see if I had any more questions.
Me: "Are there ways to increase the power of a spell? The fight against Elsa was... intense."
Puck: (He nodded his little head.) "Yes. Spell power is often increased by prefixes. Take "Aka" for example. It's a simple base spell (the Goat of Yang magic) that allows even beginners to slightly increase their strength or speed."
He flew off my shoulder and circled my head.
Puck: "But there is also "El", which is the second level of magical power. It requires the user to focus more on their mana Gate. "El Aka" increases your strength and speed even more, but it uses a lot more mana. Beyond that, there is "Ul", then the highest level, "Al"."
Puck paused, his expression becoming slightly apologetic.
Puck: "To be honest, I don't know much more about Yin-Yang magic; it's not my base affinity. Roswaal and Beatrice know a lot more. You can ask them for advice."
He turned to Emilia, who was listening with interest.
Puck: "On the other hand, your affinity for Spirits is rare. Emilia is a contractor of contractual spirits; she could help you connect with external mana and find small spirits to contract with. This might be the safer route to start."
I leaned forward slightly to thank him, showing my deference despite our previous argument.
Me: "Thank you for the valuable advice, Master Puck. I'll start with the spirits then!"
Puck showed a proud and satisfied smile at the appellation. He then left my shoulder and flew away, returning to the library area to find Beatrice.
Puck: "I'll leave you with Lia. No inappropriate remarks, Trizz!"
Emilia: (She chuckled, looking relieved that the tension had subsided.) "He's going to watch you closely now, Trizz. So... do you want me to explain how you communicate with Spirits?"
Me: (I turned to her, enthusiasm replacing my fatigue.) "Yes, absolutely! Show me how. I need to make up for lost time."
Emilia explained that she used the external Mana present in the atmosphere to attract spirits, unlike mage who drew from their own internal Gate. She advised me to open my mind and let the environmental mana flow through me.
She conjured several shimmering balls of light in front of me and beckoned me over to them. They floated, silent and bright.
Emilia: "Now, focus. Don't force them, invite them. Show them that you are not a threat."
I closed my eyes and concentrated on the sensation of the Pure Mana circulating in my body, trying to extend it outward like an invitation. I thought of the faces I had just rediscovered in the photo, of my determination to survive. I emitted a powerful and pure vibration.
After a few minutes of silent concentration, I opened my eyes again.

A few white balls of light had approached me, timid but curious. I held out my hands, and two of them gently rested on my palms, warming them slightly. They vibrated softly, accepting my contact.
Emilia: (She gave a big smile, delighted with my quick success.) "Congratulations, Trizz! That's an excellent start! You now have a contract with two Lesser Spirits!"
She clasped her hands, very proud.
Emilia: "From now on, take care of them and speak to them often with emotion. You must establish a strong bond. They cannot cast powerful spells yet, but in a few days, they will become Quasi-Spirits and be much more useful to you."
Me: "Thank you, Emilia! I'm so happy! This is the first time I've succeeded at anything magical."
Emilia: (She blushed slightly and smiled, embarrassed by the compliments.) "You're welcome. I barely did anything. They just appreciated your presence and wanted to be your spirits. It's because of your... your heart, I guess."
Me: (I shook my head with conviction.) "Without you, this never would have happened. Thank you again, Emilia! I don't know how to thank you."
That's when I saw Subaru approaching us, with a cheerful and curious smile. He was walking strangely, probably due to the sadistic twins' intensive training.
Subaru: (He came near us, looking amazed.) "Hi! You look like you're having fun. Wait, Trizz, why are there little white balls following you? They're... cute."
I felt a surge of pride. I finally had something to show Subaru that wasn't a suicidal plan. I showed him my hands, where the two small spirits floated, oscillating.
Me: (With a satisfied and proud look.) "They're not just balls. They're my spirits. I even came up with names for them. These are Nini and Tyler."
Subaru looked at the spirits, then at me, his eyes widening in astonishment, quickly followed by an expression of jealousy.
Subaru: "What!? You already have spirits? I talked about magic with Emilia for hours, and you're the one who ends up with floating companions on the day you wake up? That is so unfair! Why not me?"
Emilia: (She intervened gently.) "The ability to contract spirits is rare, Subaru. It depends on the quality and quantity of mana in the Gate. Trizz's mana is very... pure."
Me: (I patted Subaru's shoulder.) "Sorry, buddy. Pure Mana is bought with amnesia side effects and death threats."
The two spirits, Nini and Tyler, started flying around me and "skipping," like mischievous little points of light. They were so cute.
Me: "Emilia, I have a question."
Subaru, still amazed by Nini and Tyler, was momentarily speechless.
Emilia: "Yes, tell me?"
Me: (I frowned slightly, confused.) "What exactly are Quasi-Spirits?"
Emilia: (She raised her voice slightly, making sure Subaru could hear too.) "Quasi-Spirits are the evolution of Lesser Spirits. Your spirits will develop to become much stronger and more autonomous. We will soon know what their affinity will be; it could be ice, water, or even wind."
Me: "Thank you, Emilia. Any tips on how to help them grow?"
Emilia: (She gave a big smile, her eyes sparkling.) "Yes. Give them your mana, talk to them often with your emotions, and give them lots of love. That's how you nurture a spiritual bond."
Subaru: (He finally came out of his daze, looking jealous but curious.) "Wait, wait! What are you talking about?"
I turned to Subaru, delighted to share the news.
Me: (With a smile.) "About my affinities and my new spirits. I have affinities with Yin magic for shadow and Yang magic for light. Is that right, Emilia?"
Emilia: "Yes, that's what Puck discovered."
Subaru: (His face lit up with new determination.) "Then I do too! I have an affinity with Yin magic! That's what Puck explained to me while you were unconscious, Trizz. But I haven't tested the spell yet."
Emilia: (She quickly moved away, pulling me with her.) "Trizz, step back! Subaru, you're going to test your spell, aren't you? Make sure you're far away from any fragile objects."
I knew what was going to happen. Subaru was going to fail, his magic gate already weak due to his world of origin. But I remained silent, watching the inevitable disaster.
We moved away from Subaru. He concentrated, looking tense.
Subaru: (He yelled, his voice full of hope.) "Shamak!"
A thick, unstable cloud of black smoke burst out of Subaru, spreading chaotically over a small area. The Yin Magic spell, supposed to be a low-level illusion, was uncontrollable.
A few seconds later, the fog dissipated, leaving Subaru on the ground, breathless, visibly exhausted.
Emilia: (She ran to him, her face filled with worry.) "Subaru! What happened?"
Subaru: (He was panting, his complexion ashen.) "I... I don't know. I have no energy left."
Emilia quickly gave him a fruit containing mana to help him recover.
Emilia: (She examined Subaru with a serious look.) "Your spell was weak and unstable, Subaru. It damaged your Gate. You shouldn't be able to use magic for now."
Subaru remained there, his dream of becoming a magician shattered.
I knew he now had to face the reality of his weak magical potential. But my own success only emphasized the need to strengthen myself.
Moi: (I placed a comforting hand on Subaru's shoulder, offering him a sincere smile.) "I'm sorry, Subaru. But you know what? That just clarifies things."
Subaru: (He looked up, feeling lost.) "Clarifies what, Trizz? That I'm the only idiot who can't even cast a basic spell?"
Moi: "No. It now shows our roles. Look: I'm the muscles-the one who learns magic and gets sliced up. You are the brain-the one who observes, plans, and can prevent future failures. A good duo needs both, right?"
Subaru: (He smiled, the sadness fading a little.) "Muscles and brain. I like that... Thanks, Trizz. And Emi..."
Emilia: (She blinked, surprised by the nickname she hadn't heard from him before.) "Em... Emi?"
Subaru's face instantly turned red, realizing he had used the affectionate nickname in front of her.
Subaru: "Uh, yeah, it's... it's a nickname."
Me: (I intervened with a wink, unable to resist teasing him one last time.) "Anyway, Subaru thinks you're cute, Emilia."
Emilia instantly blushed, covering her cheeks with her hands, while Subaru glared at me with an intense look of anger.
Subaru: "Trizz, you're way too direct! That's my nickname, I'll handle it!"
With a chuckle, I made an apologetic gesture in the air, acknowledging my victory. It was time to leave.
Me: "Well, lovebirds. I'm exhausted from magic and marriage threats. I need a little nap. See you at dinner."
I walked away from them to return to the mansion, leaving Subaru to grapple with his embarrassment and Emilia with her blush.

END OF CHAPTER III: MAGIC AND SPIRITS