"So, what are we doing next?"
After her brief bout of shyness, Emilia looked toward Shendu, wanting to see what she had in mind.
"Oh, I was thinking of having a spar with Puck."
Shendu considered it for a moment. She had yet to witness the strength of spirits in this world, so a simple test seemed necessary.
"A spar? I'm still very strong, you know. Are you sure you want to fight me?"
Faced with Shendu's challenge, Puck floated into the air and looked at the calm silver-haired girl with interest.
"Of course. Let me see the battle prowess of a great spirit in this world."
Just as the two were preparing to begin, Felt, who had arrived late, suddenly rushed forward at the worst possible timing and threw herself straight into Shendu's arms.
"Big Sister, why did you wake up so early? Why didn't you call me?"
Faced with Felt's sudden appearance, the others froze for a moment, then quickly accepted it.
"It's nothing. You were sleeping at the time. I couldn't very well wake you."
Shendu gently stroked Felt's head, her expression indulgent.
At the very least, this little sister of hers was quite adorable—especially when she behaved so obediently in front of her.
"Oh? I heard you talking just now. What are you planning to do?"
Felt lifted her head and looked at Shendu with bright, expectant eyes. She had caught part of their conversation and jumped in, eager to join the fun.
"I was going to spar with Puck. We hadn't even started before you suddenly appeared."
Shendu explained helplessly, and interest immediately sparkled in Felt's watery eyes.
"Wow, that sounds interesting! Can I come along too?"
The thought of witnessing their battle made Felt visibly excited, as though she could hardly wait.
"All right. Let's go together."
Shendu saw no harm in bringing one more person and readily agreed.
As for the location, Shendu chose the forest outside the luxurious manor. Finding an open clearing there would suffice and prevent the aftermath of their fight from blowing the entire estate away.
However, just as they were about to step beyond the manor grounds, Rem and Ram blocked their path, gazing at them suspiciously.
"Guests, may I ask where you intend to take Lady Emilia?"
It was Rem who spoke, her tone wary as she addressed Shendu.
"Without a proper reason, Lady Emilia is absolutely forbidden from leaving the premises."
Ram added in a businesslike tone. In short, they meant to stop them from leaving.
"Rem, Ram, you've misunderstood."
Emilia glanced at them and sighed softly before continuing, "Puck and Sister Shendu want to spar. Fighting here would destroy the manor."
As expected, Emilia's explanation worked. The twin maids whispered to each other for a moment before seemingly reaching some sort of agreement.
"Ram, you go. I'll take care of lunch today."
"Lord Roswaal will be returning soon."
After their brief discussion, Rem decided to stay behind to cook, sending Ram along to continue observing.
"All right, leave it to me."
Ram agreed briskly. Soon, the group made their way into a forest roughly two kilometers from the villa. The area was spacious and remote, with little chance of territorial residents stumbling upon them.
Ahead lay an open clearing. Shendu and Puck stood on opposite sides, locking eyes.
...
"Puck, this is only a spar. Don't go overboard."
Emilia, worried that Puck might hurt Shendu, gave a warning in advance.
"Relax. That young lady is very strong. You're underestimating her."
Puck shook his head. Truly, daughters grow up fast—before anything had even progressed, her loyalties were already drifting outward.
"Just make sure you show restraint."
Emilia insisted, leaving Puck with no room to argue further.
"All right, all right. I understand."
Puck nodded readily and shifted his gaze back to Shendu.
Seeing that they were ready, Ram, Emilia, and Felt moved to stand at a distance. Felt quietly took a ring from her pocket and slipped it onto her finger.
By now, Puck's interest in Shendu had only grown. He had never been able to see through her completely. He could discern only the color of her soul, and that alone had sparked deep curiosity about her strength.
"Miss Shendu, I am known as the Beast of the End. Since you insist on challenging me, let's begin!"
The moment he finished speaking, Puck launched a sudden attack. Vast magic power surged around him, instantly transforming into countless ice spikes. With a wave of his tiny paw, the sky filled with a barrage of them.
"So strong. Even stronger than the spiritual arts I command."
Watching Puck unleash such a large-scale attack in an instant, Emilia looked thoroughly astonished.
"Just how strong is she? I'm looking forward to seeing it."
Ram, observing from the side, kept her eyes fixed on the battle. She would most likely report every detail to Roswaal later.
Her loyalty to Roswaal was unwavering. As such, she did not fully trust these outsiders.
Sensing the sharp whistles of air being torn apart and the fierce wind rushing toward her, Shendu's expression remained unchanged. Her crimson eyes gleamed with interest, every movement exuding a unique presence.
"Interesting. Converting magic power directly into spells—is this the power of spirits?"
Shendu murmured in admiration. Just like Puck, she responded with a simple basic attack.
"Wind Blade!"
She gently raised her right hand and flicked it lightly. Wind blades no weaker than the incoming ice spikes burst forth in a torrent.
Each blade effortlessly shattered the approaching ice. The countless fragments drifted down like snow, scattering through the air.
Under the sunlight, they refracted faint rainbow hues, illuminating the clearing. In this first exchange, Shendu could already tell this great spirit was extraordinary.
Her wind magic had been nothing more than a basic attack, yet its power was formidable—easily reaching A+ tier or above. Even so, it had merely neutralized Puck's assault.
"Miss Shendu, you truly are strong. But the battle has only just begun. The warm-up is over."
As Puck spoke, the immense magic within him began to churn, drawing forth even greater power.