Summer is approaching and the nights feel a little hot and humid. The chirping of leaning insects from the garden adds to the silence of the night. In one room of the magnificent mansion, which stands under a relatively brighter sky than in winter, there are two people in the room.

''--That's why we're going to that volcano. So Wraith said he was going to make a magic tool, and it was awesome. Well, we did the experiment, and we took the damage...

　Seth chuckles as he thinks back to the moment when his eyes were damaged. The narrative was fun though. Most of the talk is about Lace.
　Looking at him, his sister, Leisha, smiles serenely.

''I see. That's good to hear, brother.''
"...?　Did I do something wrong?

　I can't help but nod my head at my sister's unusual behavior. Huh, I wondered if I had done anything to her.
　However, Seth's thoughts were immediately dismissed when Lisha shook her head.

''No, it's just that your brother seems to be having the most fun these days.
Is that right?
Yes, sir.

　Basically, Seth is a negative thinker and sighs a lot. His sister says that he seems to be enjoying himself, which is unusual for him.

　Seth looks back at the memory - and nods that it may indeed be true.

''Well, for better or worse, it's rare to find someone who treats us (the four great nobles) so casually.''
I'm sure you're right.

　Due to his position as a person from a family of four great noble families, he had been somewhat of a step back in his relationships since he was a child. Friends certainly existed, but he had never met anyone as unreserved as Wraith before.

　Even as Seth, it was nice to be able to treat him without any unnecessary thoughts. For the first time, I felt like I had a true friend.

'Normally people would shy away from it if they knew my status. It's a good thing that he has that alchemy skill, that personality, that he doesn't know his own weight in a good way.
I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, too.

　Suddenly, the clock on the wall gurgles low.

'Is it that late already? We have an early day tomorrow, and it's time to get back to my room.'
Please do so. ...so that tomorrow you won't have to look at the woman you're going with.

　Leesha chuckles happily as she sticks her tongue out to warn him. I could tell she was teasing me, and somehow I didn't seem to have enough dignity as a brother.

'I won't...'

　Seth said with a sultry, reluctant expression before standing up.

'Good night then,'
Yes, good night. See you tomorrow.
Yes, thank you.

　He opened the door and stepped out into the hallway. A fresh, warm breeze came in through the open window and loosely caressed my cheeks.
　I was about to go back to my room, wondering if I should put on a few more muscles or something else for dignity, and thinking of other uncomplicated things.

''Oh, well, isn't it your brother-sama?''

　The theatrical tone of voice pulls Seth back to his feet as he almost steps out. He turned around with an inwardly tongue-tied look, and there was Alda, smirking and smiling weirdly. He narrowed his eyes in a good mood and put a hand on Seth's shoulder.

''I'm sorry to call you away, even though you're busy tomorrow.
I'm not impressed with your eavesdropping.
I'm sorry to hear that. I'm just passing through.

　With that being said, Seth, who has no hard evidence, has no words to say back. Looking at Seth's shushing figure, Alda snorts as if to mock him.

''Even so, I'm surprised. That you're still with that commoner.''
It's none of your business.
Yes, that's true. I don't care where I fall, it's up to you.

　Seth glared sharply at Alda and shook off the hand placed on his shoulder roughly.

'Oops...'

　Pretending to look up deliberately, Alda cowered her shoulders and smiled.
　Deciding that it would be foolish to continue the conversation, Seth turned away to leave quickly.

''Well then, take care of yourself tomorrow. .........Goodbye (.......), brother-sama.

　At the same time as the words that were somehow implied, not even sarcasm, reached my ears. I felt something alien mixed in with the wind that caressed my cheeks. That sensation that seemed to be sticking around disappeared in an instant, leaving an indescribable aftertaste in my chest.

''It's ... disgusting.''

　Without noticing Alda's malicious eyes and smile behind him - Seth quietly spilled that out.



　*****



　Transmigration refers to magic that allows the surgeon to move in an instant to a place that is within sight of the surgeon or to a place that has been visited once. There are several reasons why you can't transfer to a place you've never visited, such as the possibility of being buried in a wall.

　The most important reason, though, is because it requires an enormous amount of magic power that cannot be compensated for by a very single person.

　A week after the day Wraith experimented, that is, the day he invited Raffy and the others to go to the volcano. The Wraiths and the other five had gathered on the plains where Sylvia had practiced her transition. The purpose, of course, was to go to the volcano and collect the light silver.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that Raffy and Sylvia have taken care of it. To be honest, the three of us weren't really comfortable with it.
Well, I don't mind, but...

　One of the main reasons why Wraith invited Raffy and the others to join him is because of Raffy's sword skills.
　Within the volcano, it's hard for magic to work due to the influence of spirits. If they encountered a demon, there was a chance that mages alone would not be able to deal with it.

　That's where Raffy's white feather came from. He is the strongest vanguard as far as the Wraith knows.

''They all have the 'Shock Resistance' ring, right?

　At Wraith's confirmation, the other four nodded together with a coy smile. It's insurance in case of an emergency.
　Furthermore, the three mages, except for Wraith and Raffy, have been given rings of magic enhancement. This is a trump card in the event of an enmity with a spirit.

　We are fully prepared.

Wraith, I was wondering, how are we going to get to the volcano?
Hmm, do you mind?　Well, don't worry. We have a mentor.
I'm on it.

　Ahem, Lurimes with a chest full of excitement.
　Raffy and Sylvia, who have an idea of how to get to the volcano, look divine.

　Seth, who felt as if he had seen the same trend before, felt a vague sense of unease. However, without even having time to say it, Lurimes raised one hand wide to attract attention.

''Let's go then! Gather round!''

　Not knowing what was going on, Seth did as he was told anyway. Still, he can't hide his inner unease, and he can't help but look at Wraith, who stands next to him. He grins at her as if to tell her to be reassured.

　Seth is about to breathe a breath of relief, though.

'Don't worry, if you fail, your torso and your neck will just have to be put away.
... what?

　Seth took plenty of seconds to squeeze out that one voice. In front of him was Wraith, who was still smiling the same way. It was hard to believe that he had just made a statement of a very disturbing nature.

''Give it up, if you're going to keep up with Wraith, you'll have to get used to it to some extent. Well, there are many things that come beyond that........''
Yeah.

　Seth is stunned, and his sisters give him a pitying look.
　Aside from the two of them being used to it, Seth's thoughts are only confused.

''Wait a minute...!
No. I'm not waiting.

　Wraith grabs Seth's wrist as he hurriedly tries to move away and gives him a gentle smile. The moment Seth lets out a scream, his cheeks twitching.

　The Wraiths disappeared from the scene.