elapt1c/ElapticAI-512 · Datasets at Hugging Face

text stringlengths 0 149M
By the sound of it, Emily was the name of Mr. Torrid s late daughter.
I ll help set the stage as well, said the apostle. So, Claire Fran ois, Rae Taylor, please flirt to your heart s content. For the sake of humanity, of course.
Saying nothing further, the apostle left.

***

Uh
Incredible.
Claire and I stood speechless at the sight before us.
We were at an empire-owned resort, one with a log house on the shore of a large lake in the capital. Philine and Thane had given us permission to take some time off. Of course, we couldn t exactly tell them that we needed time to flirt, of all things, so instead we had said we wanted to recuperate after all the hustle and bustle of the last few weeks. Thane and Dole were already opposed to the thought of us taking on any more work in the first place, so they readily agreed to our request. They were a bit more reluctant to agree to our participation in the coming battle against the demons, but they eventually relented, as I had expected they would. While it was a bit immodest to say so myself, there was no way they could choose not to make use of our strength.
Anyway, Claire and I were watching May and Aleah play in the water. The lake had a long stretch of shallow water, so we let them play as much as they liked, as long as they didn t go into the deeper parts. At first, they did normal things like splash water at each other and swim, but they soon got tired of that and began finding new ways to play.
Ready, Aleah?
When you are, May!
With a wave of her hand, May let out a burst of condensed magic and caused some waves to form. And I didn t mean cute little ripples but waves you might see in a massive wave pool in modern Japan, the kind that could swallow adults with ease.
Aleah, a tree branch in hand, slashed the waves apart as they came. Logically speaking, there was no way a tree branch of all things could make a dent in the giant waves May summoned. And yet Aleah slashed them apart with an intensity that reminded me of Dorothea.
Um Miss Claire? I began.
Yes, Rae?
We had set out a table and some chairs on the log house s terrace, from which we watched the children in amazement.
I was just thinking
Yes?
Maybe the girls are already stronger than us?
What a coincidence. I was just thinking the same thing.
I had always thought of May and Aleah as gifted, but this was unexpected. From what I could see, May was doing all that with pure, attribute-less magic; and Aleah was, well, using a stick. Claire and I had real fighting experience, so we d probably still be better off in a fight, but those two were likely ahead of us in terms of raw power. I definitely wouldn t allow such a thing, but hypothetically speaking, they were strong enough to hold their own in a battle.
It s a little worrying, Claire said.
Hm? How so?
They re still only in elementary school If things play out poorly, there could be some complications.
Ah
The twins saw their own abilities as normal, but the same couldn t be said for the children around them. For better or for worse, children were wary of those who were different. If the twins were regarded as geniuses by the other children, then all would be well and good, but there was a nonzero chance that they would instead be ostracized for their differences. It was a fact that May had already refused to go to school one day for something similar.
Interesting. One with four colors and another who s colorless. How rare.
Whoa?! Claire was startled by the sudden voice of a third party. I enjoyed my beloved s surprised expression, though I also felt a bit of exasperation.
Again, apostle? I said. How many times do I have to tell you to not sneak up on us like that?
Forgive me. I mean nothing by it.
The apostle was possessing one of May and Aleah s two bodyguards. As I ve mentioned briefly before, the twins bodyguards had been hired by Dole. Both were women. The one the apostle was currently possessing was actually my former boss and a familiar face to Claire.
I see you chose the senior maid today, Claire said.
It was either her or the other person close by.
Indeed, this bodyguard was actually the Fran ois family s senior maid from back when their house was still nobility. I d known her to be a skilled domestic, but I had only recently discovered that she was also a capable bodyguard. Imagine my surprise when Dole introduced us.
On another note, it appeared members of the Spiritual Church weren t the only people the apostle could possess, as I had assumed. Did that mean they could possess Claire and me as well?
In fact, we cannot. You two are exceptions. If we could, we wouldn t have so many problems in the first place.
Could you not read my mind like that? I asked.
Oh. Forgive me.
As always, everything the apostle said was cryptically loaded with hidden meaning.
What did you mean by your comment just now, apostle? Claire said, her expression stiff. I can understand May, with her four attributes, but don t think I ll let you off easy if you mock Aleah s lack of magic aptitude.
No, no, that s not what I meant in the slightest. Aleah Barbet s colorless disposition is genuinely rare.
Huh? I only have more questions now, Claire said. Is Barbet Aleah s family name? Do you know Aleah s background? And what is this colorless disposition ?
Allow me to explain. With that, the apostle left to fetch a chair from inside the log house, returned, and sat down with us. It wasn t really that big a deal, but for someone who had told us to go flirt, they sure were getting in the way. Of course we know May and Aleah Barbet s background. We know the history of all humanity.
Is that so? Then do you know of their parents? Claire asked.
Yes. They are deceased, as you already knew. The twins have a number of living relatives, but none of them loved the children enough to look after them.
The way the apostle spoke was so objective and impersonal. I knew it was because it didn t matter to them, but hearing of May and Aleah s circumstances again left me wrestling with a surge of anger.
But they have you now, the apostle said. As for your other question, Aleah Barbet s colorless disposition is the polar opposite of Dorothea Nur s.
Which means? Claire asked.
Just as Dorothea Nur s disposition negates all magic, Aleah Barbet s colorless disposition allows her to store any magic.
And what does that mean? Claire pushed further.
It would be better to show you than to explain. Please call the twins over.
Claire and I shared a look, but we saw no reason to say no, so we did just that.
What is it, Mama Rae? We were just at the good part! May said.
It s not nap time yet, Mothers! Aleah said.
The girls still seemed full of energy. As their mother, that made me truly happy.
Miss May, Miss Aleah, your mothers said they would like to see your secret technique, the apostle said, pretending to be the senior maid.
Secret technique? I wondered.
Whaaat? You told them? May groaned.
We wanted to practice more before surprising them! Aleah complained.
Forgive me, I accidentally let it slip. But your mothers said they would love to see it.
Humph Okaaay, May said a little grumpily.
We will demonstrate it, then!
May and Aleah backed away from the terrace a bit.
Don t blink, Mama Rae, Mama Claire! Ready, Aleah?
Ready!
I watched as May created a flame arrow in her hand and fired it at Aleah.
No! I yelled.
Claire and I quickly summoned magic bullets to try to knock it down, but the apostle blocked us with their hand. Please watch.
Just as I thought the flame arrow would hit Aleah, it disappeared into a red glow around Aleah s body, as though it had been absorbed.
Huh ? What was that? I said.
That is her colorless disposition at work, the apostle said. She cannot use magic on her own, but she can absorb every conceivable kind of magic and use it as her own power instead.
Huh? Wait, wouldn t the ability to absorb magic be even stronger than Dorothea s ability to nullify it?
Mothers, please watch me! I m ready, May!
Okay!
This time, May threw a boulder toward Aleah.
Hiyaah! With a shout and a swing of her stick, Aleah cut the boulder in half, setting it ablaze as she did so.
That technique Aleah Barbet just demonstrated let s call it Spell Sword for brevity s sake is able to cut through even Dorothea Nur s Magic Nullification. Earlier, you hypothesized that the twins might be stronger than you, but you haven t the slightest idea. Together, they could rival even the former empress. The apostle chuckled. Of course, your strengths lie in a different direction entirely.

***

After discussing things with us a while, the apostle left so we could spend some quality time alone as a family. We all played in the lake, made and ate dinner (naturally, we made sure Claire refrained from cooking), and were able to take it easy and relax for the first time in a long while.
We made sure to warn the twins to be careful when using their own powers, both to dispel Claire s worries and for their own sake. We had them promise to never use their powers recklessly and to especially never use them against a friend or acquaintance, explaining that their power could easily make others fearful of them. I was worried it would be too hard for them to understand, but they readily agreed. Perhaps they could comprehend our concerns because they d experienced something similar before due to the curse in their blood.
After our difficult talk, we played with the twins. Claire and I were always left dead tired after playing with them, as the girls liked games that let them move their bodies around more than things like playing house. But I didn t mind this kind of exhaustion. There was something fulfilling about it, unlike the exhaustion I felt after fighting demons or Dorothea.
The twins are fast asleep now, I said.
They must be tired from playing so much today.
After a full day of fun, the girls were exhausted. They had started to nod off in the middle of dinner, so we d quickly had them brush their teeth and bathe, by which point they had been practically counting sheep. Too sleepy to walk, I d had to carry them to their bedroom. I noticed they had gotten heavier yet again, proof that they were growing.
They were really happy to spend a full day with you for the first time in a long while, I said.
I m sure they were just as happy to spend the day with you, Rae.
Well I wonder about that. I knew for certain that I loved them, but I sometimes had my doubts as to whether they loved me back.
That s not fair to them. They adore you, you know? I could see it in their eyes during dinner.
They certainly love my food, I suppose. Huh. I wondered why I felt oddly self-deprecating today? In my heart, I knew they loved me back, and yet
Heh heh. So even you have moments like this, Claire giggled.
Like what?
Moments when you want to be comforted. Whether it be problems with friends or family, child-rearing troubles, political or diplomatic woes, or even conflict with demons, you re almost always the one comforting me. It s a breath of fresh air to see you depending on me for once. Claire spread her arms wide, inviting me in for a hug. I wasn t wholly satisfied with her response, but I was more than happy to dive into her arms.
I could swear I ve depended on you for comfort a number of times already, I said.
Not at all. You always put on a brave front, especially since we ve come to the empire. You don t let any weakness show out of concern for us.
Really? But I was pretty shaken when May and Aleah got kidnapped. I was still ashamed of how I had lost my cool then. I didn t think I could ever live that down.
As was I. Anyone would be in such a situation. If I looked calm at all to you then, it was only because you were that much more panicked.

By the sound of it, Emily was the name of Mr. Torrid s late daughter.

I ll help set the stage as well, said the apostle. So, Claire Fran ois, Rae Taylor, please flirt to your heart s content. For the sake of humanity, of course.

Saying nothing further, the apostle left.

***

Uh

Incredible.

Claire and I stood speechless at the sight before us.

We were at an empire-owned resort, one with a log house on the shore of a large lake in the capital. Philine and Thane had given us permission to take some time off. Of course, we couldn t exactly tell them that we needed time to flirt, of all things, so instead we had said we wanted to recuperate after all the hustle and bustle of the last few weeks. Thane and Dole were already opposed to the thought of us taking on any more work in the first place, so they readily agreed to our request. They were a bit more reluctant to agree to our participation in the coming battle against the demons, but they eventually relented, as I had expected they would. While it was a bit immodest to say so myself, there was no way they could choose not to make use of our strength.

Anyway, Claire and I were watching May and Aleah play in the water. The lake had a long stretch of shallow water, so we let them play as much as they liked, as long as they didn t go into the deeper parts. At first, they did normal things like splash water at each other and swim, but they soon got tired of that and began finding new ways to play.

Ready, Aleah?

When you are, May!

With a wave of her hand, May let out a burst of condensed magic and caused some waves to form. And I didn t mean cute little ripples but waves you might see in a massive wave pool in modern Japan, the kind that could swallow adults with ease.

Aleah, a tree branch in hand, slashed the waves apart as they came. Logically speaking, there was no way a tree branch of all things could make a dent in the giant waves May summoned. And yet Aleah slashed them apart with an intensity that reminded me of Dorothea.

Um Miss Claire? I began.

Yes, Rae?

We had set out a table and some chairs on the log house s terrace, from which we watched the children in amazement.

I was just thinking

Yes?

Maybe the girls are already stronger than us?

What a coincidence. I was just thinking the same thing.

I had always thought of May and Aleah as gifted, but this was unexpected. From what I could see, May was doing all that with pure, attribute-less magic; and Aleah was, well, using a stick. Claire and I had real fighting experience, so we d probably still be better off in a fight, but those two were likely ahead of us in terms of raw power. I definitely wouldn t allow such a thing, but hypothetically speaking, they were strong enough to hold their own in a battle.

It s a little worrying, Claire said.

Hm? How so?

They re still only in elementary school If things play out poorly, there could be some complications.

Ah

The twins saw their own abilities as normal, but the same couldn t be said for the children around them. For better or for worse, children were wary of those who were different. If the twins were regarded as geniuses by the other children, then all would be well and good, but there was a nonzero chance that they would instead be ostracized for their differences. It was a fact that May had already refused to go to school one day for something similar.

Interesting. One with four colors and another who s colorless. How rare.

Whoa?! Claire was startled by the sudden voice of a third party. I enjoyed my beloved s surprised expression, though I also felt a bit of exasperation.

Again, apostle? I said. How many times do I have to tell you to not sneak up on us like that?

Forgive me. I mean nothing by it.

The apostle was possessing one of May and Aleah s two bodyguards. As I ve mentioned briefly before, the twins bodyguards had been hired by Dole. Both were women. The one the apostle was currently possessing was actually my former boss and a familiar face to Claire.

I see you chose the senior maid today, Claire said.

It was either her or the other person close by.

Indeed, this bodyguard was actually the Fran ois family s senior maid from back when their house was still nobility. I d known her to be a skilled domestic, but I had only recently discovered that she was also a capable bodyguard. Imagine my surprise when Dole introduced us.

On another note, it appeared members of the Spiritual Church weren t the only people the apostle could possess, as I had assumed. Did that mean they could possess Claire and me as well?

In fact, we cannot. You two are exceptions. If we could, we wouldn t have so many problems in the first place.

Could you not read my mind like that? I asked.

Oh. Forgive me.

As always, everything the apostle said was cryptically loaded with hidden meaning.

What did you mean by your comment just now, apostle? Claire said, her expression stiff. I can understand May, with her four attributes, but don t think I ll let you off easy if you mock Aleah s lack of magic aptitude.

No, no, that s not what I meant in the slightest. Aleah Barbet s colorless disposition is genuinely rare.

Huh? I only have more questions now, Claire said. Is Barbet Aleah s family name? Do you know Aleah s background? And what is this colorless disposition ?

Allow me to explain. With that, the apostle left to fetch a chair from inside the log house, returned, and sat down with us. It wasn t really that big a deal, but for someone who had told us to go flirt, they sure were getting in the way. Of course we know May and Aleah Barbet s background. We know the history of all humanity.

Is that so? Then do you know of their parents? Claire asked.

Yes. They are deceased, as you already knew. The twins have a number of living relatives, but none of them loved the children enough to look after them.

The way the apostle spoke was so objective and impersonal. I knew it was because it didn t matter to them, but hearing of May and Aleah s circumstances again left me wrestling with a surge of anger.

But they have you now, the apostle said. As for your other question, Aleah Barbet s colorless disposition is the polar opposite of Dorothea Nur s.

Which means? Claire asked.

Just as Dorothea Nur s disposition negates all magic, Aleah Barbet s colorless disposition allows her to store any magic.

And what does that mean? Claire pushed further.

It would be better to show you than to explain. Please call the twins over.

Claire and I shared a look, but we saw no reason to say no, so we did just that.

What is it, Mama Rae? We were just at the good part! May said.

It s not nap time yet, Mothers! Aleah said.

The girls still seemed full of energy. As their mother, that made me truly happy.

Miss May, Miss Aleah, your mothers said they would like to see your secret technique, the apostle said, pretending to be the senior maid.

Secret technique? I wondered.

Whaaat? You told them? May groaned.

We wanted to practice more before surprising them! Aleah complained.

Forgive me, I accidentally let it slip. But your mothers said they would love to see it.

Humph Okaaay, May said a little grumpily.

We will demonstrate it, then!

May and Aleah backed away from the terrace a bit.

Don t blink, Mama Rae, Mama Claire! Ready, Aleah?

Ready!

I watched as May created a flame arrow in her hand and fired it at Aleah.

No! I yelled.

Claire and I quickly summoned magic bullets to try to knock it down, but the apostle blocked us with their hand. Please watch.

Just as I thought the flame arrow would hit Aleah, it disappeared into a red glow around Aleah s body, as though it had been absorbed.

Huh ? What was that? I said.

That is her colorless disposition at work, the apostle said. She cannot use magic on her own, but she can absorb every conceivable kind of magic and use it as her own power instead.

Huh? Wait, wouldn t the ability to absorb magic be even stronger than Dorothea s ability to nullify it?

Mothers, please watch me! I m ready, May!

Okay!

This time, May threw a boulder toward Aleah.

Hiyaah! With a shout and a swing of her stick, Aleah cut the boulder in half, setting it ablaze as she did so.

That technique Aleah Barbet just demonstrated let s call it Spell Sword for brevity s sake is able to cut through even Dorothea Nur s Magic Nullification. Earlier, you hypothesized that the twins might be stronger than you, but you haven t the slightest idea. Together, they could rival even the former empress. The apostle chuckled. Of course, your strengths lie in a different direction entirely.

***

After discussing things with us a while, the apostle left so we could spend some quality time alone as a family. We all played in the lake, made and ate dinner (naturally, we made sure Claire refrained from cooking), and were able to take it easy and relax for the first time in a long while.

We made sure to warn the twins to be careful when using their own powers, both to dispel Claire s worries and for their own sake. We had them promise to never use their powers recklessly and to especially never use them against a friend or acquaintance, explaining that their power could easily make others fearful of them. I was worried it would be too hard for them to understand, but they readily agreed. Perhaps they could comprehend our concerns because they d experienced something similar before due to the curse in their blood.

After our difficult talk, we played with the twins. Claire and I were always left dead tired after playing with them, as the girls liked games that let them move their bodies around more than things like playing house. But I didn t mind this kind of exhaustion. There was something fulfilling about it, unlike the exhaustion I felt after fighting demons or Dorothea.

The twins are fast asleep now, I said.

They must be tired from playing so much today.

After a full day of fun, the girls were exhausted. They had started to nod off in the middle of dinner, so we d quickly had them brush their teeth and bathe, by which point they had been practically counting sheep. Too sleepy to walk, I d had to carry them to their bedroom. I noticed they had gotten heavier yet again, proof that they were growing.

They were really happy to spend a full day with you for the first time in a long while, I said.

I m sure they were just as happy to spend the day with you, Rae.

Well I wonder about that. I knew for certain that I loved them, but I sometimes had my doubts as to whether they loved me back.

That s not fair to them. They adore you, you know? I could see it in their eyes during dinner.

They certainly love my food, I suppose. Huh. I wondered why I felt oddly self-deprecating today? In my heart, I knew they loved me back, and yet

Heh heh. So even you have moments like this, Claire giggled.

Like what?

Moments when you want to be comforted. Whether it be problems with friends or family, child-rearing troubles, political or diplomatic woes, or even conflict with demons, you re almost always the one comforting me. It s a breath of fresh air to see you depending on me for once. Claire spread her arms wide, inviting me in for a hug. I wasn t wholly satisfied with her response, but I was more than happy to dive into her arms.

I could swear I ve depended on you for comfort a number of times already, I said.

Not at all. You always put on a brave front, especially since we ve come to the empire. You don t let any weakness show out of concern for us.

Really? But I was pretty shaken when May and Aleah got kidnapped. I was still ashamed of how I had lost my cool then. I didn t think I could ever live that down.

As was I. Anyone would be in such a situation. If I looked calm at all to you then, it was only because you were that much more panicked.