After thanking the maids and telling them to get back to work, I returned to the study with the Locust modified Lotus.

The ......
Hmm?

　As soon as I entered the room and closed the door, Lotus called out to me at the same time.

　When I turned around in the room, I saw Lotus, who had come in before me, sitting on the floor like a puppy dog, staring up at me with downcast eyes.

What's the matter with you?
Thank you. . for helping me.
"Never mind. More importantly, how is your body feeling?　Is there anything strange about it?
"It's okay ...... um
Hmm?

　The Lotus seemed determined, but this time she looked up and looked straight at me.

"Is there anything I can do to help?
What can you do?
"I want to return the favor,
"...... I see.

　I don't need to do that, I guess I won't be convinced.

　Especially if you have memories of a previous life Locust.

　That was a real disaster.
　She was a force to be reckoned with just by existing.

　The mind of the Lotus is an inherently kind one that now seeks to "repay" you.
　I struggled with myself back then.
　So that's why I returned the favor.

　You don't have to do that, it'll be the opposite - it will continue to bother you.

　I thought about it for a minute and said, "Well, I'll ask you for one thing.

"I'll ask you to do one thing for me.
"What is it?

　Leaning Lotus.

"But first, the prep work. Get up on that desk and wait for me.
"Yes!

　Despite not being given any details, Lotus climbed onto the desk with a surprisingly agile and dexterous movement, completely without hesitation.

　Seeing this, I put my hand on the bag of materials.

　--Yikes!

　The Lotus jerked.
　She shrinks back and gestures like she's scared.

"Don't worry, it's definitely the same one that sealed you in the bag. I don't use it for that purpose.
"Yes, yes ...... if it is--
I wouldn't have given you a name if I was going to, would I?
"...... yes

　The Lotus lowered its eyes.
　She looks happy, but apologetic.
　Such a complicated look.

　I reached into the bag of materials again, made a homunculus inside, and pulled it out.

　It's a puppy-shaped homunculus similar in size to the lotus.
　I put it next to the lotus.

　Lotus looks at it curiously, but her caution is completely blown away.

"What do you want me to do?
Stay still. Don't worry, I'll have it ready in a minute.
"Yes.

　The Lotus nodded honestly.

　I've used Hershel's magic.
　I'm going to strip the soul of the Lotus from its body, place it in the homunculus, and then immediately return it to its original body.

"Huh?　I'm back, though.
It's all right. It has to be replaced once.

　I said, and this time took out my dagger.

Next.
"The sword, is it?
Use this to slash my shadow. When you're done, just go in.
I'm not sure. ......

　Lotus gave a small nod and took the dagger in her mouth.

　I jumped off the desk, slashed my shadow, and stepped inside.

　That's good.

　A moment later, Lotus just came out of the room.

This ...... is awesome, but what do I have to do ......

　I went through the lexical decline characteristic of those who have entered the shadows, and gave an explanation.

You just need to stay inside. When I'm inside, if you have any special abilities, I'll be able to use them.
"Is it a special ability?
"Dorothy

　When I called out to her, Dorothy stuck out her upper body from the side of the Lotus.

　I used the magic eye on Dorothy herself, and then I used the same magic eye on her after she hid in the shadows.

　The magic eye's effect, it binds the opponent with gold.
　Twice I could see from the changes in Lotus' expression that she felt her bonds.



Like this.
"Hoa ......
I mean, just being in my shadow is useful.
I get it!

　To Lotus' great delight, he understood.
　When I thought he was just in the shadows, he had the eyes of a discarded puppy dog, but after he had actually been under the spell of Dorothy and me, he understood that if he was in the shadows, that was all there was to it.

''Speaking of which,''
"Yes?
What is your ability?　The miasma is a constitutional one, it's not like it's an ability or anything.

　Or rather, I wondered if there would be, I swallowed the word.
　I might get hurt if there wasn't.

Yes!　Try the magic!

　Lotus crawled into my shadow, leaving a gleeful look on her face and said, "I don't know, let's use magic.
　I'm not sure, but I'll use my magic.

　Turn to the desk and hold your hand over the remaining homunculus body.
　You can use the ...... matter transformation spell for now.

　The homunculus puppy immediately turns into a golden puppy.

　The next moment I used my magic, my body glowed faintly.

　A faint light seemed to emanate from deep within my body, my core.
　At the same time I experienced it.

"My magic power has been ...... restored?

　Gaze into your palm, feel your depths.
　There's no doubt that the magic you just consumed has been restored.

How are you doing?

　The Lotus came out of the shadows.

"You've recovered your magic, what does that mean?
That's my ability. When I use magic, my magic is automatically restored.
"Using magic to restore magic power?
Yes, whatever magic you use, it will recover 10%. ...... That's what it used to be, and I wanted to stop, but I couldn't. ......
Well, if you use it well, it's a perpetual motion agency: ......

　I stared at my palms again.

　Using magic restores 10% of your magical power.
　The Lotus' (Locust) ability was by far the most powerful one I had ever seen.