Chapter 149: Skill Requirements

"Huh?! Y-y-y-you...!" (Olivia)

"I’m just kidding (?_?)."

" It doesn’t sound like it!—that sounded absurdly real!. Or rather, say it again, holding the branch in your hands this time." (Olivia)

"I see /_ \. Like Iris says, I’m not very good at jokes... What I said isn’t true."

As she asked, I placed my hand on the branch and said I didn’t mean it.

And I’m not wrong—it really was Iris and the doppelganger.

As for transforming, if she wants me to answer that, she’ll have to ask me separately.

"So you’re not lying... Ugh, you really shouldn’t make jokes. Everything you say feels like the truth." (Olivia)

"Yeah, I just wanted to lighten the mood a little since it had been so tense. By the way, are we going to keep talking while holding onto that branch?"

"N-no, I’ve already checked what I needed to. So, what were you going to say about Iris? Or was that part of your ’joke’ too?" (Olivia)

"No, it isn’t. Anyway, that wasn’t Iris. As you know, in this world there are many abilities with effects so unique that even the best scholars haven’t been able to figure them out, right?"

"Yes... Are you telling me Iris has an ability like that?" (Olivia)

"Exactly. Iris has the ability to, so to speak, fuse her thoughts with those of another person, and, so to speak, the Iris who spoke earlier was the result of her impulsive and direct personality combined with mine. That’s why it felt so familiar..."

"That’s..." (Olivia)

"This is a secret that only she and I know. I’m only telling you this because I want you to know that next time, she might not act the way you expect—and it’s not because she’s manipulating you or anything like that. It’s just... she’s probably being herself."

"...I see. It’s strange to think of it that way, but there’d be no point in lying to me. Ugh, I said it wasn’t necessary, but I really feel like I want to double-check if it’s true." (Olivia)

"Are you going to do that? I have no problem with it."

"No, it’s already been awful to doubt you in all this, and it really doesn’t affect the plan at all, and you’ve already proven yourself to be very honest... Wait, if Iris is as simple and straightforward as you say... where does the manipulative part come from?" (Olivia)

"Excellent question... I’ve noticed that too and wondered the same thing. The conclusion I reached is the result of Iris’s fervent desire to get what she wants and, well, my capacity to think and analyze things."

"Hmm, That’s curious.... the study of skills related to the mind and soul is one of the most difficult—hmm—and also one that interests me. Do you think she could do the same thing to me? I’m curious about what happens or what it’s like."(Olivia)

"Hmm, well, I think so—it’s possible—but from what we’ve understood, certain conditions must be met, such as having a very close and mutual relationship with that person. But I think if you and she become close in the future, it could happen."

"Oh, so it’s an skills with specific activation conditions. Those are the skills that tend to have effects beyond their rank, but at the same time, they’re the hardest to study or break down. Obviously, that’s not a massage therapist’s ability, though I want to study it—that condition..." (Olivia)

"I see that when something interests you, you get really passionate.Well, you’ll still be in touch with her, so you’ll find out eventually."

"Ahem! Sorry, I got carried away by my thoughts. Anyway, however Iris behaves, it’s not relevant, but I’ll keep what you said in mind and won’t be surprised." (Olivia)

All right, now everything was clear, and going forward, this collaborative relationship could work out just fine.

"Right, and as for the rest, there’s no specific plan or anything like that, and you’re smart and capable enough to know what to do depending on the circumstances."

"Yes, I’ll do my best. I’ll also try to get Lys to come—or rather, I won’t stop her, since she’ll come on her own—and I’ll take whatever appropriate action I deem necessary." (Olivia)

"That’s good. Anyway, it’s about time for you to head back to the academy... From what I understand, the incident is over, and you’ve been here a long time."

"Ah! That’s right, it’s almost nighttime... How long did I sleep? Ugh, if the incident is over, I’d better get back as soon as possible." (Olivia)

When I said that, she looked outside and realized that the sun was indeed setting. She immediately got up and got ready to leaove, but...

"Wait a moment, Miss Olivia."

"Huh? Is there something else? If it’s about Iris, hmm... I really don’t know if I can see her right now, and I’d rather..." (Olivia)

"No, it’s not that. Just keep in mind that next time, Iris might want you and me to have some kind of close interaction, and you need to be mentally prepared for that."

"T-t-t-that’s... Ahem! Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind—thanks for reminding me." (Olivia)

Well, she didn’t react that negatively.

I think, in a way, this is a relief for her, since her time with Iris didn’t feel like some kind of "payment"—she actually enjoyed it.

But spending time with me might be the counterbalance that gives her peace of mind. After all, I’d feel uneasy too if everything were too good and there were nothing bad...

"I’ll try to keep things from getting out of hand, but Iris is beyond my control and I might not be able to stop it, so be prepared for the worst."

"...Yes, I will. Well, now then, if you’ll excuse me." (Olivia)

"Wait, there’s one more thing."

"W-what else?" (Olivia)

At this point, she was already looking at me fearfully, as if she didn’t understand what else I could possibly have to say. She really seemed like she wanted to leave already, but I can’t avoid this either.

"(?_?) You received our service, so you can’t leave before paying. You have money, right?"

"..."(Olivia)

.

..

****

POV: Third Person

****

"Aaaaah!~ What on earth have I gotten myself into?"

Olivia let out a heavy sigh as she glanced back quickly.

There was the massage parlor she’d just left—the place where she’d had the most indescribable experience of her life.

Although Astan had cleared things up, she was still confused about many things, but it wasn’t his fault.

What was confusing her wasn’t something that logic and reason could resolve.

She felt a host of contradictions she couldn’t quite put into words.

The only thing that was clear was that she felt a little guilty toward Lys for somehow plotting all this behind her back, but Olivia realized something.

Isn’t it actually good for Lys that she’s now part of this?

Yes, Lys had already, unwittingly, become involved with that strange couple, and she was an additional factor; in fact, now that she was involved, things wouldn’t spiral out of control... Or at least that’s how she justified it to herself.

"Haaah! Although now I have to...".

Another thought also crossed her mind—the matter between her and Astan... Iris had said she could take her time, but according to Astan, that Iris was out of the ordinary, and things might not turn out that way.

But what Astan said, on the other hand, seemed more likely, and she needed to prepare herself.

And she understood that, in fact, even without his words, she had to do it and not take it lightly or drag it out.

That would only slow down the whole plan, and she was the one who needed everything to go quickly and smoothly the most.

She had to do her part, put her shyness aside, and do what she had to do.

In fact, this wasn’t anything new to her. Ever since she was fifteen, when she was informed of her role as heiress to her house, she had been aware that one day she would have to meet a man to produce an heir.

She took her responsibilities seriously, and, setting everything else aside, she was already firmly resolved to face that reality when it eventually happened.

So, if she could just apply that same mindset to Astan, she could do it... Thinking about it that way, she believed that no matter what happened, she’d be prepared next time; in fact, she didn’t even need more time—she could do it right now...

"Wait a second!"(??)

"Ah! W-wait, I think I do need more time after all. I... Huh?"

Suddenly, a voice spoke to her from behind, and its masculine tone made her confuse it with Astan and what she was thinking, but she realized something was wrong.

When she turned around, she saw that it was a stranger—a winged man in golden armor—and there wasn’t just one; there was a group of at least seven.

She had been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn’t noticed when the group had approached.

"Identify yourself. We’re currently under martial law, and you’re not supposed to be outside your residence."(Guard)

"I-I didn’t know. I fell asleep and—and..."

"Wait! Look at her bracelet—she’s a student at Omphalos. She must have been away from the academy during the incident and is trying to get back now, right?"(Guard m)

"Y-yes."

Another voice interrupted—this time a woman’s—who seemed to have noticed Olivia’s bracelet.

She stepped forward and said this, and Olivia confirmed it while nodding nervously.

"I see. There was an alert that some students were missing. Well, this is outside our jurisdiction. Escort her to the academy; they’ll take care of her there."(Guard)

"Affirmative."(Guard m)

With that said, the group of men and women in golden armor flew off, and only one woman—the one who had spoken up earlier——stayed behind to escort Olivia.

"Follow me."(Guard m)

"Yes."

Olivia had no choice but to put her thoughts aside for now and quietly followed the woman.

..

.

"Please let me out. I need to confirm something."(Lys)

"I’m sorry, student, but you’re not allowed to leave right now."(Guard b)

When Olivia and the guard reached the academy entrance, they noticed a brief argument taking place.

Olivia immediately recognized Lys’s voice.

It seemed the argument stemmed from the fact that she wanted to go out, but the guards at the entrance wouldn’t let her.

"It’ll be quick—I just want to know if... Ah! Livvy!"(Lys)

Just then, they finally arrived, and Lys spotted her.

Upon seeing her, she immediately approached Olivia with a hint of concern. That somehow made Olivia very happy.

"Hmph! I see you’re a little worked up and worried about me, but that’s unnecessary. After all, I’m—"

"Livvy, put that aside. Do you know what happened to Astan? The three of you disappeared after that strange explosion—h-he vanished right in front of me, and I couldn’t do anything. Do you know what happened to him?"(Lys)

"...".

At that moment, Olivia felt a blow, but it wasn’t physical—it was something more painful, something that made her feel awful.

Something inside her felt slimy and disgusting. She felt like she wanted to spit it out, but she couldn’t.

"Livvy? Don’t you know what happened to him?"(Lys)

Even so, Olivia pushed all that aside and did her best to put on a normal face and respond calmly.

"No, don’t worry, he’s fine. Actually, somehow we ended up at his massage parlor, and I was there all day—thanks for asking—I can tell you were really worried about me; what a good friend you are. Anyway, I talked to him a little, and, like you said, he was a nice guy."

"Aaahhh! So he’s okay—I was really worried... Obviously, I was worried about you too, but since he’s just a helpless massage therapist... By the way, Livvy, you didn’t get a massage from him, did you? ?_?."(Lys)

"...No... he and I just talked; it was Iris, his wife, who gave me the massage."

"I see. So it’s true that he rarely gives massages to women... That’s good. Hmm, well, if he’s okay, there’s no need to go out... By the way, Livvy, tell me a little more about what the two of you talked about. I’m glad you understand how nice he is, but did you two get close? And if you did, how close?"(Lys)

During their conversation, they both simply walked away from the guards and headed for their bedrooms;

On the way, Olivia talked a little about what had happened—of course, without going into the most sensitive details.

She was answering calmly, but one thing even Lys didn’t notice was that she was clenching her hand tightly and her face—especially her eyes—was blank and devoid of emotion.