Break Time Gone Wrong

“Alright then, what do you need me to do?” I decided to get right down to business. No point in putting it off, especially since Ram was here to pick me up! I gave her a smile along with my response. I didn’t remember much of her from the original show, she played second fiddle in the hearts of many to the Re:Zero community.

Though to be fair I didn’t know much of Rem either.

“You seem to be getting along well with Lady Beatrice.” Her tone was measured, she truly intended on remaining quite distant from me it would seem.

“I am, she’s quite the nice lady. She’s been nothing but helpful since I’ve gotten here.” Despite the fact that the spirit had been a bit arrogant with me she honestly just seemed to be stressed about a new person in the manor. I was used to tough customers, and Beatrice was no exception!

“You’ve only just gotten here and you already needed help? Hmph.” Her snide remark was simply laughed off. She was right to be fair. I did need help!

“So Miss Beatrice aside, what can I do for my amazing senior coworker?” My words were catering, but I didn’t think it was wrong to be nice to the people around me.

“Let’s see how you do in the kitchen. You said you worked in a restaurant before, correct?” 

I nodded my head in agreement, my words casual to her statement.

“Indeed, though I’m certain you have more experience than I do with food.” 

She sent me a light glance before turning away with a small sigh.

“That’s to be expected, I am far more experienced after all.” She didn’t look at me when she spoke those words, her back already turned as she made her way down the hallway. I followed close behind and inevitably we entered the kitchen. It was a surprisingly large area for the lack of people in this manor.

Many magical devices were in the area, though they all appeared vaguely similar to things like an oven and stove back on Earth.

I gave the things a glance before raising an eyebrow.

“So how does any of this work then?” My tone was genuinely confused. These buttons looked nothing like they did in my previous world despite the ‘machines’ being recognizable.

For a moment I thought she let out a sigh of relief, though I couldn’t fathom why.

Rank 2: Loyalty of Two Chains - Increases rate of Mana absorption.

What? That- what could have possibly triggered this?

Ram POV

I was glad. This man was unlike that disgusting wretch who infiltrated the manor under the orders of the Witch. He did not know where everything was, he did not know how to work devices he had never seen, and most importantly he did not smell like her. He was a bystander. Someone who had seen the opportunity to help the half elf.

He did not seem to be a bad person. So I could only hope he would not be corrupted by a twisted sense of kinship with the interloper.

I began to show him how everything worked, and he took to it quite well. He did work in a restaurant before so that was nice. His technique also did not appear to be a carbon copy of what Rem and I used. 

His style was natural, not stolen from us through a method we could not ascertain.

“You shouldn’t cut so quickly even if you can do it. You aren’t in a rush as Lord Roswall prefers to converse before the meal is served.” My words were cold but I couldn’t help but feel a faint sadness as I looked at him.

He truly had trusted the wrong person. His smile was kind, and he took to my advice near-instantly. 

However what was most telling was the friendship I heard he held with the Sword Saint. The Sword Saint was a horrifying monster, yet she was kind. She would not hold a friendship with just anyone, more certainly not someone related to her.

“So what are we making for dinner then?” His tone was filled with camaraderie I did not share with him. He was getting far too familiar.

“Rem and I shall be handling dinner. You will be allowed a break in order to explore the manor grounds.” 

He gave a light bow and a thank you accompanied it. Truly I did wonder if he worked for a noble family in the past.

Could it be that he worked for the Astrea family? That would explain his connection to the Sword Saint . . . such musings were a waste of time.

I watched him leave with slightly narrowed eyes. I did not trust him, however I did hope that I could.

It would do well for Lord Roswall to have less enemies.

James Bell POV

I made my way out into the courtyard with my hands in my pockets. My walk was casual and I couldn’t help but appreciate the new set of clothes on my back. Comfortable, stylish, slick, and most importantly they didn’t bother me when I leaned down! 

Truly a good butler uniform. Good for the Master, good for the Servant. Though I wasn’t the biggest fan of holding such a title such things honestly didn’t matter to me that much. 

Honestly it just another job at the end of the day. At least as long as their was no magical contract involved it wasn't a big deal. Was that even a thing here?

As I moved I spotted Subaru conversing with Puck, who seemed to have chosen to leave Beatrice all alone! I chuckled lightly at the small joke, and I considered searching for her before scrapping the idea. I had just finished up a bunch of work and preferred not to be in service mode at the moment! Subaru was wearing a maid outfit and laying in the grass staining the garment with some shades of green.

https://i.postimg.cc/8csNjYC4/588829d8bb45bc115498eddc9db15523.jpg

As I approached the pair I spotted Emilia sitting in a gazebo, alas she seemed all alone so I decided to approach her. Not sitting down immediately I gave her a light smile.

“Hello James, are you done with work for the moment?” She gave a bright smile and I could see how Subaru fell in love with her. The sheer kindness in her voice was melting as she greeted me after I finished my labor.

However her almost childlike demeanor wasn’t something I found attractive, I only found it cute instead. She sort of reminded me of a large golden retriever.

“I am, however, I'm also learning a bit about the terrain of the manor . . . which I must say is quite astonishing in its beauty.”

She gave a smile and nodded

“Indeed, the lesser spirits quite like this area as well because of how mana dense and healthy it is.”

Lesser spirits? 

“I’m not certain what a lesser spirit is, but I can see why they like it.” The area brought a sense of peace, though I was certain it wouldn’t last long.

“A lesser spirit is a partially sentient spirit that hasn’t fully developed a mind of its own yet. They are quite adorable and I use them to aid me in my Spirit Arts.”

That’s pretty interesting, I wonder if I could do that as well?

“Would it be a bother for you to show me how to use Spirit Arts?” My tone was soft, I didn’t want to pressure her after all. Yet I seriously wanted to use magic!

“No,no, I’d love to! However there are only so many spirits in an area so Spirit Arts users can interfere with each other . . . you also need the affinity to do so.”

Rank 2: Spirit Father, Elven Child - Increased Affinity with Spirits

Well that was good timing. Though I wasn’t certain if my Spirit Arts would be better than the far more experienced Emilia. Most likely not, but it didn’t hurt to learn a new skill.

“So how do we start then?” My tone was a bit excited, I couldn’t hold back the feeling from learning magic.

“Well you’ll need to-” She was interrupted by the sound of black smoke bursting forth from where Puck and Subaru once rested. I instantly went on high alert. I grabbed Emilia, putting her in a princess carry and shielding her with my body.

Then darkness. Silence. Lack of feeling. No smell. No Taste. Just pure nothingness. I tried to breathe but my breath caught in my throat. So despite the lack of feeling I relied on pure instinct to run. 

I couldn’t feel Emilia, I couldn’t hear her. I didn’t know what happened, but I was getting the two of us the fuck out of here. I just had to trust that she was still in my arms.

I moved, of that I was certain. Even if I could not feel it my mind did not lie to me. 

Then I was able to breathe again as reality came back to me. Breaking free from the darkness Emilia looked slightly frightened as I set her down on the ground with a small heave.

Then I turned back and gritted my teeth.

Subaru was totally in there as well. 

“I’m going back in.” I moved, and I didn’t hear her words as I moved in a straight line from where the smoke bursted outwards. It was an awful lack of feeling, however as I moved I felt the power fade. My senses returned to me slowly as I started to speed up.

Rank 3: Lavender Stigma - Increases Growth of Kindness. Increases Mana Capacity.

The plummeting form of Subaru being just barely caught in my arms as I dived to save her from a nasty fall.

“Sorry about that!” The cat spoke with some humour in his tone, even playful bapping himself on the head. I gave him a deadpan stare and spoke the obvious question.

“What in the world happened?” At least he looked slightly embarrassed at the action.

“She wanted to learn magic, so I provided!” 

Is Subaru OP? That was insane! Though considering she got knocked out from it going off I guess she’s just a one shot wonder then? I let out a sigh and moved her over to the benches in the gazebo I was with Emilia in.

Said Emilia was running over with concern.

“Is she alright? Puck! You should have told me she was going to try using magic!”

“Well since you seemed busy I took the liberty of teaching her! I honestly didn’t expect it to turn out like this, I’m really sorry Lia!” He gave a dramatic bow to her and I decided to play along. He seemed genuinely apologetic at least.

“Master Puck truly is sorry, can you find it in your heart to forgive him?” My tone was heightened to that of a snobby butler, yet my words were far from arrogant.

“My Butler speaks true! Oh please Lady Lia, can’t you forgive me?” His voice became deeper, and he sounded like the master of a manor!

In response she put her hands on her hips with a small frown.

“This is serious! Don’t play around when someone gets hurt,” She let out a small huff and then turned to Subaru. “Let me just make sure she’s alright.”

“She’s not used to her Gate, she’ll be up in a minute.” Puck spoke, causing me to raise an eyebrow.

“What’s a Gate?” 

Puck slowly turned to me with a razor sharp smile.

“Would you like to try learning magic as well?” 

I paled. I didn’t want to end up like Subaru! I preferred to not knock myself out! However, . . I couldn’t resist. Forgive me Subaru, I must walk your path if only for a moment.

“Yes Master Puck.” I gave a gentle bow to the spirit who let out a hearty laugh in response.

“Ugh, what happened?” Subaru took that opportunity to wake up, her maid dress was slightly dirty, however that was because she was sitting in the grass despite her expensive clothes. She didn’t touch the ground due to my failure at least . . . 

“Are you alright Subaru?” I spoke to her with concern, I was actually sort of surprised she could use magic at all considering how she was from Earth, I figured I could because one of my Confidants (Subaru herself ironically enough) gave me an increased Yin Affinity.

Though I suppose it made sense she could use magic then with a Confidant Rank like that!

“What even happened?” 

Emilia decided to interject then, her words stern but with care.

“You overused your Gate Subaru, the mana inside your body broke free without you being able to stop it. Every drop of mana inside of your body ran out and caused you to go unconscious for a moment.” 

Subaru looked annoyed at the statement.

“What am I? A bottle of soy sauce with a loose bottlecap?” 

I raised an eyebrow at her. Seriously? Of all the bottled liquids you chose soy sauce? I love soy sauce as much as the next guy- Oh wait she’s Japanese. Yeah, nevermind. 

Subaru caught my raised eyebrow and let out a smug smile, her pride regained for a moment.

“It’s an amazing sauce from my homeland, goes well on so many things!” 

I nodded in response. Soy sauce was good after all! She tried to get up, but her body struggled deeply to respond.

“You shouldn’t move Subaru, just rest for today, you most likely won’t be able to work anyways . . .” Emilia trailed off but Subaru suddenly responded with a fervor I hadn’t expected.

Though I suppose it made sense considering what she’d gone through.

“No! I have too!”

My gaze softened at her words. I scooped her up in a princess carry without a word causing her to look at me with incredulity. A sigh broke from my lips and turned into a smile.

She really was determined to save everyone.

“Stop smiling at me like that, you perverted Ikeman!” 

I frowned lightly in response. I still had no idea what that meant, but I could understand an insult!

AN: Back at it again, Subaru continues to get seduced by James and Magic is on the Menu! Also at this point he has three spirit affinity boosts . . . Spirit Crack anyone?

His Affinity with spirits is now greater than Subaru’s, while it was a little bit weaker before this chapter. Once the Julius Confidant goes a long he’ll get another one. Spirits will stand no chance!

Feel free to leave comments and questions down below, I love to read them!

Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time!