The glare of sunlight coming through the window wakes me up.
　I have a headache.

　This is ... the Free Alliance's lair. I had taught Filia magic in the attic, and she had fallen asleep.

　I looked around sleepily and saw a girl in front of me with a disgruntled look on her face.
　Her flowing golden hair was striking, and she was dressed in a pure white monastic uniform.

　Her beautiful jade-colored eyes were staring at me.

''Sophia?''

　In front of me was Saint Sophia.

'Why is Sophia here?'

What do you think happened to Mr. Solon?

　Sophia's gaze descended from my face to my chest.
　And finally I noticed.

　A happy, sleeping Filia was hugging me.
　I hurriedly tried to get away from Filia, but her hands were firm. But Filia's hands were firmly clinging to my body, and there was no way I could escape without forcing her to wake me up.

''Do you really want to be alone with the Crown Princess so badly?''

　Sophia says sulkily.
　I was about to explain that it's not like that, when Filia twitched.
　Apparently, she woke up.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work for you.

"I........fell asleep?

Yes. You've been practicing intensively for a long time, and I'm sure you're tired.

But ... we were supposed to practice all night.

Lady Filia has done her best.

'Yeah...'

　Filia murmured, and then seemed to realize that she was hugging me.

'Have I been sleeping with Solon attached to you?

'It looks like it. Maybe it was cold.

　I returned it nonchalantly and waited for Filia to pull away.
　But Filia giggled and hugged me tighter and tighter.

"Fui, Filia-sama?

Solon is a warm-hearted man.

"Uh?

'How did you thank me for teaching me magic yesterday?

　In contrast to the grumpy Filia, Sofia was teary-eyed.

''So, only your highness is unfair!　Me too...!

　Sofia says quickly, and then she takes my arm and tries to get close to me.
　........I'm in trouble.
　I can't push away Filia or Sophia.

　As I was twisting my head around to see what I should do, my savior appeared.
　Following Sophia, Leticia and Lucille came in, too.

　Lucille was expressionless, but Leticia's eyes had a distinctly amused color in them.

''You've been thriving since this morning,''

'Miss Letitia you say that on purpose, don't you?

Well, yeah.

　Filia and Sophia's cheeks flushed red and they hurried away from me.
　Letitia chuckled.

''Well, all kidding aside. Do you think it's possible to put Lucy's grimoire into actual combat?''

Thanks to Filia-sama's hard work, we may be able to use it itself.

By the looks of it, you're not perfect.

　It's unavoidable.
　No matter how fast Filia's growth is, there's too little time.
　On top of that, the magic in the example grimoire requires a huge amount of magic power, so even if we were to try it from now on, we can't practice it that many times.
　It's because Filia will run out of magic power.

''I hope you'll try it.''

　Leticia said with a serious face.
　From her point of view, it would be extremely important to know if Filia could be used as a fighting force or not.

　But I wasn't inclined to do so.

　First of all, I don't trust Leticia completely. Is it okay to show Filia using the magic in question?

　Secondly, in front of everyone watching, Filia might be too nervous to use her magic well.

　However, Filia seemed to be ready to do it.
　Filia stood up and announced to us.

''Now........I'm going to try to use it!

'But wouldn't it be better to be a little more prepared?'

　I said, and Filia shook her head.

'If it's preparation, it's what I did last night. Solon gave me all the knowledge and skills to use the grimoire.

　So, the rest is just a matter of practice.
　I tried to stop Filia from using Lucy's grimoire for a reason, but I couldn't think of one.

　Filia was right, whether it works or not, I'll have to try it anyway.

　Filia brandishes the apple tree wand.
　And then she holds the bright red-covered grimoire in one hand and flips through the pages.

　Based on the contents of the deciphered grimoire, I gave Filia detailed instructions on how to activate the magic, and she followed them to make preparations.

''By the way, since it's support magic, there's someone to strengthen it...''

Of course I'll be strengthening Solon?

　Filia assured me, and then pointed her wand at me.
　It was Filia's wish to help me.

　Then it's natural for her to choose me as the target of her enhancement.

　However, I got a little bit defensive.

　If it's not ordinary support magic, but a special magic left behind by Lucy, I don't know what will happen.
　If Filia failed, what would happen--what would happen?

　Thinking that far, I reflected on it.
　I told Filia that she would be able to use the grimoire and that I wanted her to believe in me.
　And yet, that I can't doubt Filia.

　I faced Filia squarely and nodded at her.
　Filia looked at me with blue eyes and then activated her magic.

　Sophia, standing next to me, gasped and was surprised.
　Filia's wand glowed red, and a terrifying amount of magical power rushed out.

　And that stream is directed at me.
　My body was enveloped in a red light.

　It's indeed an unusual magic.
　It's just that Lucy, a genius, created it, and it's impossible to use it without Filia's magical power.

　But--.
　Eventually Filia lowered her wand.

　She must have finished using her magic.
　There was a hint of fatigue in her eyes. It's natural since you've used a considerable amount of magical power.
　It would take half a day to recover.

　And then Filia checked on me.

''How are you?　Solon?

　I hesitated, then hesitated, then opened my mouth.

'I'm very sorry to tell you this but I don't feel any noticeable change.

　At my words, Filia's shoulders slumped in shock and disappointment.
　Flustered, I continue to speak.

'I just don't know, though it may actually be enhanced.

'But this grimoire really boosts every ability of the opponent, doesn't it?　Even when I used elementary supportive magic, Solon felt it was very effective, right?

　That's right.
　Filia has a magic circuit connected to me, and she has a huge amount of magic power. That's why even a simple support magic was quite effective, and I could feel the power pouring out of my body from within.

　But why is it that even if Filia uses Lucy's invention of support magic, which is supposed to be far more advanced, the effects don't appear in a way that is understandable?

　Is it just a mere failure, or........
　Lucille was looking at me and Filia meaningfully with her crimson eyes.