"This particular potion was created with that specific ailment in mind! Not to mention that its effectiveness increases the colder its environment is! You see… I… we… well…"
Mira was speaking proudly, straightening her back until she realized how much taller she was than Rotsard, so she hurriedly slouched, accidentally causing her confidence to disappear alongside the height difference.
"...although I had to put the finishing touches on my own, Miss Lila and I handcrafted this medicine just for you."
The black-haired girl said, taking out an unassuming vial filled with an ice-blue-colored liquid with the viscosity of blood.
"While I said that, it would be best if, for the first dose, I was by your side, shielding your body with my own mana as a makeshift natural mana barrier. Just in case."
Mira added, tilting her head while showcasing the vial to the baffled Rotsard.
"We should get inside and administer it…"
"Go inside the cold room? Mira, no. It's freezing in there. Worse than that. How about either of our dorm rooms or here in the hallway? Maybe a room in the hospital wing."
The black-haired girl said, leaning to the side and looking over Rotsard's shoulder, but the boy let out a gasp and hurriedly shook his head before listing other options.
"...but… but the potion works better in the cold… and… I even made and took a really powerful cold-resistance potion already… Ack…!"
"..."
While Mira was fidgeting and questioning Rotard's hesitation, he simply reached his hand and touched her arm… and made her let out a pained cry when the bone-chilling cold seeped through despite all the layers and the protection of the potion she brought up.
"Mira. It's way colder inside. Your eyeballs are going to freeze the moment you step through the door. Each breath you take will stab at your lungs, dry-freezing them piece by piece."
The bleached-blond-haired boy pointed out while moving his hand back with a somber expression.
"...then… here would be the best place…"
"...Is there a specific reason why you want to enter?"
Although only her eyes could be seen, Rotsard easily picked up on Mira's intentions and asked.
There really shouldn't be anything in there that could interest her.
"C-can I at least take a look at the magic circuits enhancing it?"
"Oh."
In the end, Mira fidgeted and asked, giving up on her original plan, but just that vague statement let Rotsard realize her real intentions.
"You're worried about the illusion spell that is put on me when I stay there."
"...!"
The boy nodded with understanding and smiled wryly at the black-haired girl, who flinched at his words.
She stared at him in disbelief for a good few seconds before blinking a few times and composing herself.
"If you know… Is it something that's normal to do for the training facilities of your family?"
Mira asked hesitantly, embarrassed over the idea that she was about to make a big deal out of something obvious that she, as Rotsard's fiancee, should know.
"Hm~"
"...?"
Instead of answering, Rotsard merely smirked before slowly looking up into Mira's eyes… or maybe that was his answer. Either way, his response caused her expression to turn troubled.
"...w-wait…!"
As she seemed out of it for a moment, Rotsard took the vial out of Mira's hand and sat down cross-legged right where he stood, which in turn made the girl let out a worried voice of protest.
"About you using your mana to create a makeshift natural barrier for me… How do you want to do it?"
"...!"
The bleached-blond-haired boy asked with a mischievous smile while spreading his arms open as if inviting the black-haired girl for a hug, causing her to blush.
…although it wasn't really visible from beneath all the layers she had on…
"It's not just me coating you with my mana… You will have to circulate the mana within the potion around your body. Not in a pattern of a spell but through your magic circuit…"
Mira fidgeted but then spoke up properly in a serious voice.
"Understood, that won't be a problem."
"...eh…?"
She was clearly expecting that to be an obstacle, because once Rotsard nodded with acknowledgement without voicing any complaints, she let out a dumbfounded gasp.
"I learned a trick that helps me out. You'll see in a moment. Now, if you don't mind… your mana, please."
Rotsard chuckled over his fiancee's adorable behavior and explained briefly before opening the vial with the potion in preparation.
"O-okay… just remember, we have to stay in place until the potion settles within your body!"
"Understood."
Mira pointed out while already forcing her mana out, having her fiance nod his head and put the vial to his lips…
"Ready."
"Bottom's up~"
Once the girl declared, the bleached-blond-haired boy downed the potion and closed his eyes…
"!!!"
The next moment, a circle of light spread out from underneath Rotsard, taking over part of the hallway, startling Mira.
But if that was enough to surprise her, the next thing caused her to almost break her concentration.
A pair of half-transparent wings of light sprouted out from above Rotsard's back!
It wasn't some insignificant vision, the hallway could barely contain their full span!
"..."
Mira could only gulp down her saliva and gaze upon the spectacle with battered breath as the unknown pressure was weighing down on her.
Just being within the circle of light seemed like an ephemeral experience. It was so difficult to put into words that someone as withdrawn as Mira would never be able to describe it to another party.
"Done."
"..."
Mira was so fascinated by the sight that she didn't realize that Rotsard opened his eyes and spoke to her. She merely continued to stare with her mouth partially open, although that too was obstructed by the layers of scarves.
"Hmhm~"
Her gaze was so intense that it made Rotsard chuckle as he changed his position, pulling up one leg so that he could rest his chin on his knee as he waited.
Neither his movement nor his earlier words caused either the circle of light or the wings to disappear, making him more confident in his ability to maintain that state whenever he wanted.
Still, there were limits to everything, including the two of them being around each other, the bleached-blond-haired boy preferred to use that time a bit differently.