I need a favor from Flora-Zamel.
Okay, well what can I do for you, sir?

　I was upright and immobile.
　I looked for Flora-Zamel and spoke to her and this is what happened.

'Actually, I'd like to do some experiments in witchcraft.
Yes. Please make me ... available.

　Why are you sticking your head in my direction?
　What kind of witchcraft experiments do you think I'm going to do?　Brainwashing or modification?

'I was impressed by the 'Compound Ancient Magic' just now. If you need me for Yuki-sama's magic experiments please use me.
'No, not now. We won't do the experiment until after dark.

　He pulls on Flora-Zamel's hand and holds her down as she tries to run.

'Don't be so desperate. It's just an experiment of an idea.'
Is that...?
'It's an experiment that may or may not succeed. So there's no need to panic or rush.
"...I'm sorry, Yuki-Grossalia-sama.

　Flora-Zamel's shoulders slumped and she sighed.

'I'm always like this. I'm easily swayed by someone's opinion.......and I try to conform. I wanted to do something about myself like this, so I became........Yuki-Grossaria-sama's squire.......
I suppose that's an advantage, too.

　I said.

'So I'd like to ask Flora-Zamel to help me with my sorcery experiments.
You need my ... ability to ... fit in with others?
Yeah. Can you help me out?
'Yes!　Of course. Let me do it!

　Flora-Zamel clenched her fists.
　She seemed to be motivated.

'Then I'll call you when I'm ready. Also, I want you to keep this a secret from the others. His Highness Iris will cooperate with me in this experiment, so keep it private.
Yes ... of course. And even if the fires of hell do consume me I will keep my mouth shut.
Don't be so desperate!

　I wonder.
　I feel like Flora-Zamel is dangerous in a different way than Iris.

'Well, I'll see you later.'

　With that, I went back to the carriage.
　First, I'll explain to Iris how to do the magic experiment.





　Evening.
　The camp was ready for us and we finished our dinner.
　Then, after dark, Iris and I slipped out of the carriage.




'Then we'll begin our sorcery experiments.

　I said.
　I said, "There's a place in the woods near the main road.
　It's deserted, and if anything goes wrong, we can be back on the wagon in no time.

"With much trepidation, I have secured the services of His Highness Prince Iris.

In a 'guardian knight' tone, I said.

'Your Highness, thank you for your patience in this matter.
''No, it was requested by Yuki-sama of all people. Besides, I'm also interested in 'Compound Ancient Magic'.

　Then Iris smiles.
　It's just as we discussed around here.

　The people who know about the magic experiment are me, Iris and Flora-Zamel.
　Also, I've talked to Rosso-Burns-san as well.
　The flames of magic will be in the eyes of the soldiers and we don't want them to mistake it for an attack.

'Iris your highness. Fear not, I'm afraid I'm going to be the one to share the magic experiment with you........
'Flora-Zamel. I've heard about you from Yuki-sama.
Okay.
Yuki-sama said she needed your help for this experiment. I believe in that. I look forward to working with you.
Yes. I'm willing to trade my life for it!
You don't have to change. Better yet, let's get ready for it.

　Once again, I said, in my 'guardian knight' tone.
　I can't get used to it, this tone of voice. It's so formal.
　Flora-Zamel is with me, so I can't help it.

'Well then, May, help me.'
"Funniest.

　The slime May, who was at my feet, jumped on my hand with a snap.

I'm not sure if you're okay, Yuki-sama.
What does that mean?
'When the slime eats, it gives off digestive juices...'
''I've told her that part, so she'll be fine. Besides, May's feeding off of my magic now.

　Slimes live by eating small insects, small animals and magic power.
　That's why I've given Mei plenty of my 'Myster Blood' (Magic Blood).
　She shouldn't need to eat for a while.

　Besides, the green slime only digests the bugs and other things it takes in.
　The surface is safe to touch.

'Well then, Your Highness. Could you hold May the Slime?
Very well. Yuki.

　Without hesitation, Iris lifts May with her right hand.
　It's a familiar hand. Well, you were using it as a cushion earlier.

"May, can you stretch out a little bit?
"Huh-uh, huh-uh.

　Mei, the slime, follows my instructions and stretches out.
　It stretches out and becomes like a string.

　Slime is an amorphous creature.
　On top of that, May's ability has been boosted by incorporating the Mystel Blood.
　It has the ability to change its body shape at will.

Excuse me. Your Highness!

　I wrapped the corded May around Iris's wrist.

'I see. So you're going to turn the slime into a cord (string) and tie it around my wrist?
I'll adjust the length of it, but it's not too tight, is it?
'No problem. May from Slime seems to be adjusting to my movements as well.
'Oh, um. Your Highness Iris, Yuki-Grossaria-sama....

　The next thing I knew, Flora-Zamel was staring at us intently.

'Why are you two so calm?
"...what?
'I've never heard of slime being used as a rope and tied to your wrist!　To be able to communicate with the slime to that extent and control its movements.......it's unbelievable. Rather, why is Your Highness Iris so calm!

　That's because Alice (...) in a previous life was good friends with slime.

　Alice would stare at the slime that was killing pests in the rice field all day long and then ask, "What does it feel like to be a slime?　My Lord! He asked me.
　There's no way I can understand how the slime feels.
　I had to ask the slime himself, and I wrote a report on it.

　But, well, it's bad enough that the Iris of this world is so calm.

"Your Highness, you are stunned by what happened to you, aren't you?

　I said as I looked over at Iris.

''The situation with the slime wrapped around His Highness Iris-Lestia's wrist, the Eighth Princess Iris-Lestia, should be too unexpected. You can't even speak in front of that situation, can you? I understand. I can see that you are very frightened.
''Yes. As a member of the royal family, the situation with the slime wrapped around my wrist was too unexpected. It was so unexpected that I couldn't speak!''

　Iris raised her voice in response.

'His Highness is very frightened, isn't he?
Yes. I'm so amazed!

　Me and Iris nodded. Okay. That should do it.

'So now it's Flora-Zamel's turn, isn't it?
'What?　Me too...?
'This experiment is to try to use 'Compound Ancient Magic' in support of the slime.

　Slime allows magic to pass through.

　In other words, Iris and the others connected by using slime as a rope will be magically connected.
　If those two use the Ancient Magic at the same time, it should have the same effect as my double (double) of the Ancient Magic.

This slime..........May is my messenger demon, so she will also be able to transmit magic power according to my instructions. Furthermore, I will also support the two of you so that your actions can be linked. Just try it for now.
W... okay!

　Then feel free to do so.
　I also wrap May of Slime around Flora-Zamel's wrist.

''Can Flora-Zamel use the 'Flame God Renegade' (Efreet Blows)?'''
Yes, sir.
''Then please try to time it with Your Highness and try the 'Ancient Magic' operation and magic power management.
I understand...

　Iris and Flora-Zamel line up side by side and draw the emblem (monshoushou) of 'Flame Divine Serials' with their fingertips.

　The timing of the spell chanting is right.
　This is probably because we can hear each other's voices.

　But their movements are slightly off.
　Drawing the emblem of "Ancient Magic" with your fingertips requires delicate movements.
　It's still difficult to do that at the same time.

May, I need your support.
...

　Iris and Flora-Zamel are connected to each other by a string of slime.
　So what does that mean...

"Whoo!
'Ha, yes!　Did you just.......pull it?
"....softly.
'You're pulling my arm down.................. Does that mean your arms are too high...?
"My God!
'Did you press it this time?　Does that mean you're going to move faster...?
"My-meow!

　May moves in small increments to adjust Flora-Zamel's movements.
　As it is, the two of them complete the movement of the "Ancient Magic" and then...

Activate 'Efreet Blows'!
Activate the 'Efreet Blows'.

　The timing of the activation was off.
　A little later from Iris, Flora-Zamel's fireball flies into the sky.
　There is no change in its power.
It seems that it didn't become a 'compound ancient magic'.

''Your Highness Iris seems to be moving a little too fast as well. Please match it to Flora-Zamel.''
Yes. Milo... no, Mr. Yuki.
'I'm sorry I was moving too slowly...'
I think it went pretty well for a first time.

　Flora-Zamel said, "I am easily influenced by others".
　It's also the opposite: "I can turn myself off and fit in with others".
　That's why I called her to the 'Combined Magic Experiment'.

　Of course, if me and Iris do it, I think we'll succeed.
　But that doesn't make any sense.
　I want to make this Compound Magic available to other magicians as well.

　This magic can be an effective weapon in the fight against the Sanctuary Church and the Empire.
　If it becomes widespread, it's possible that the Magic Guild will be able to defeat the Empire and the Sanctuary Church without us having to do anything.
　And if everyone can use double or triple the amount of ancient magic, it won't be noticeable even if I use it. It's a good thing.

　So Flora-Zamel helping me out is a great help.
　If this is the first time, I think we'll get to a pretty good point next time.

''Also, let me try again.......Your Highness, Yuki-Grossaria-sama.
Yes. Of course I will. I'll get it right the next time.
"Squeak!

　Flora-Zamel, Iris, and May are all very motivated.
　I shouldn't stop them at a time like this.

'Well then, try again.
"Yes! "Fwoon!

　The second magic experiment has begun.

　This time, both Iris and Flora-Zamel are looking closely at May the slime.
　May, in her own right, is also moving in small increments.
　Perhaps she's pulling and pushing her arms to compensate for the subtle deviations.

　Soon, Iris and Flora-Zamel's chanting overlaps with each other.
　The two are connected by my magical power inside May.
　That's why I also understand the flow of their magic power management.

　........yes. It seems to be working well.
　Their movements are beginning to synchronize. If this is the case...

''Activate. ''Fire God's Bullet Chain (Efreet Blows)!''

　Iris and Flora-Zamel activated their magic almost (...) at the same time.
　At the tip of the two wands, a fireball is born. Large.
　About twice the size. The number of bullets is also increasing. This one is twice as big.
　The two of them release it into the sky.


"It's bright! 'Wow!' I'm scared!


　An army of bats is screaming around me.
　The flames created by Iris and Flora-Zamel illuminate the surroundings like midday.
　Furthermore, a roaring sound.


　



What the hell? Explosions? What the hell is...
Well don't panic. That was an experiment by the sorcerers.

　I heard the soldiers in the distance.
　As expected, Rosso-Burns-san seemed to have held everyone back.


''That's the 'ancient magic' that's twice as powerful.......''
I can't believe... I can't believe that I can unleash such amazing magic...

　Both Iris and Flora-Zamel stared at the flaming bullets as they flew up into the sky.

'May. Come back.
...

　May the Slime lets go of both of our arms and comes back to me.

'Thank you for your efforts. Is that a strain on your body?
....
So it's only a matter of transmitting magic, you're fine. I'm glad to hear it.
"Meeeeeee!

　May happily climbed into the leather bag I carried around my waist.

'This is a success, right? Milo........no, Yuki-sama!

　Iris came over to me and laughed.

'Yes. I didn't expect it to be such an immediate success, though.'

　I couldn't just pat Iris on the head, so I tried to praise her with words only.

'That's great. Your Highness. You're very talented.
I have a good teacher. I know very well that Yuki's instruction is easy to understand. You have the best teaching materials available. Hey, Mei-san.
"Whew!

　Iris pokes May in the leather bag with her fingertips.
　May also pokes back, stretching her body like a finger. They're really close.

''It's only natural for an official student (........) to respond to Yuki-sama's guidance.
''Your Highness, is it possible to spread 'Compound Ancient Magic' using slime?
''If there is a slime that is as good at teaching as Mei-san, I think it will spread quickly. But it's difficult to turn a slime into an errand boy, and there's no other example of them being able to communicate with each other to this extent...
I guess I'll have to be involved for a while.
Okay. I'm here to help you.

　Iris laughed as she said that.
She's really happy that she succeeded in 'Compound Ancient Magic'.

　Well, I thought you could do it. It's Iris.
　Even in her previous life, this guy's swallowing speed is a genius.

"How was Flora-Zamel?　Was that a problem?
Well yes.

　Flora-Zamel stared at her hands.
　Her slender shoulders were trembling faintly.

''But........I can't believe it. I can't believe that I used such an amazingly powerful 'ancient magic'.......
'Flora-Zamel did a perfect job. Thank you.

　She adjusted to Iris' movements perfectly.
　Even though May had made the adjustments, it was still due to her talent that she was able to succeed after only two attempts.

''You're good at 'Compound Ancient Magic', aren't you?

　I said.

''Please help me when I spread this technology to the 'Magic Guild'. With Flora-Zamel's synchronized ability, I think anyone can match it.
'Yes, sir!　Yes........

　I'd heard it all before.

　It was all of a sudden.
　Flora-Zamel held her face and began to cry.

''D-Do you mind?!''

　I couldn't help but notice that the language was back to the bare minimum.
　That's how surprised I was.
　I don't think there's any part of the story that makes me cry now........

...Old Zamel's grandson was pissed off that this was okay...

　Flora-Zamel was mumbling in a tearful voice.

　........But it's funny.
　Flora-Zamel has a normal talent for magic.
　She has knowledge, and she can accept the guidance of others with an open mind.
　If that didn't work out.......

''Well isn't that a leadership issue?''

　As I said it, Flora-Zamel shook her head (headband), buzzing.

'........I had given up on myself. I was going to quit being a sorcerer, saying I didn't have any talent, but Yuki-Grossaria-sama told me that there was something I could do, even if I was like this.

　Flora-Zamel looked at me, tears trickling down her face.

'Thank you. I will never forget this favor. I will definitely........repay you.
Then you'll have to come along for the next magic experiment. It's strictly confidential.
Yes ... absolutely.

　Good.
　Flora-Zamel is good at "Compound Magic".
　She'll be able to spread her skills to the guild. I'm also relieved.

"...Yuki-sama.
What's the matter? 'Your Highness.'
"We think that Yuki-sama and I should practice our 'combined magic' experiments as well, just in case.
...Isn't it?
'Yes, sir!　Absolutely!

　Why are you trying to be so bare? Iris.
　You don't need to do that. Iris has drunk my 'magic blood' and is like an errand boy, so I'm sure she'll succeed.

My esteemed mentor once told me. One of my respected instructors told me, 'It's important to learn with your body and practice repeatedly. "My instructor, who I respect, told me, 'It's important to learn with your body and practice with repetition,' and it's from this experience that you will naturally develop your skills. That's why I think Yuki-Glossaria and I should also experiment with magic. Yes, because that's what our esteemed leader said.
'Excellent words. You had such a leader....

　Something tells me that Flora-Zamel is also impressed.

'I would love to be mentored by someone like that.

　Yeah. I just gave her some guidance.
　Iris is talking about Dean-Nosferatu - my words from a previous life.

"Well it certainly takes practice. Your Highness.

　It's no use.
　We'd better practice just in case of an emergency.

We'll deal with it later, then.
'Yes. Lady Flora-Zamel must be very tired.
What?
Later. - Later.
'Yes. I'll see you later.

　We decided to go back to the camp.


　Midnight...

We did it....
'You've done it. My Lord........

　Me and Iris inadvertently made a huge hole in the ground with the "Red Lotus Star Bullet (Burning Meteor)" 5x, including the bat army, and we had a hard time making an excuse for Rosso-san... but that's another story.