The next four days passed in the blink of eye, and it was now time to see Kiki back through the Gate.

  “Sure you don't wanna stay? We can always leave Shimo's mom behind and take you to Pristel with us,” Setsuna said as she hugged her, tears starting to form in her eyes.

  Everyone currently here - except for Kiki of course - were all part of the group traveling to Pristel for the wedding. Luci and I were obviously going, along with Setsuna, but the rest of the group was Ina, Shimo, and Freiya. Adrian was coming along too as our driver. With this arrangement, we were able to all travel together in a single carriage, although we would have to set up a few tents for sleeping.

  “I'll have to pass on that,” Kiki shook her head. “I've got some pretty big fencing events coming up this semester that I want my team to win, so I gotta be there for them. Besides, I wouldn't want to upset Mrs. Freiya.”

  “My, how thoughtful of you. I'll keep that in mind next time I have to choose between you two for something,” Freiya said as she chuckled into her hand. “I think I'll go ahead now and finish getting ready. Until next time, dear. Now, Adrian, could you help me out for a moment?”

  “Ma'am!” Adrian respectfully replied with a bow before the two of them left.

  “Setsuna.” Kiki returned her attention to the fox-girl in her arms.

  “Nn.”

  After a moment of hesitation from Setsuna, the two broke apart, giving the other two Kitsune a chance to quickly say their goodbyes.

  “Kiki,” I said, stepping up to embrace my sister. “I'll miss you.”

  “I'll miss you too, Mira. I know it's nearly been two weeks now, but it's still hard to believe you're back. I'll be busy over Fall break when that comes around, but I'll be here for Winter break. Just make sure I don't get another letter saying you died before then, ‘kay?”

  “Got it. I'll see you then.”

  By the time we had parted, the other three girls had already left to take care of any remaining business, just leaving me and Luci, who stepped up to say goodbye after me.

  They hugged for a moment, and while I couldn't hear it, I noticed that Luci whispered something to her, to which her eyes widened for a moment as a precursor to a grin before she finally whispered something back. When they parted she turned and entered the Gate without another word, simply shaking her head.

  “That's that I guess. What was it you told her?”

  “Hmm~ I wonder?”

  “Alright then. I guess we should find someone to close the Gate, then make sure we have everything ready.”

  It wasn't hard to find someone, we just had to ask a guard stationed nearby. Then, after about half an hour, all the preparations had been made, and we were ready to set off.

  Traveling during the day and setting up camp at night, the trip was set to take 10 days. Luci and I had hoped to stop by Lithhelm for that party we promised Rick, but it's probably best that we didn't take too long and make Luci's brother wait until we arrive or - even worse - end up with showing up after it's already over. With all of that considered, we decided to hold off until we got back.

  The first day flew by, and had set up camp a little south of Lithhelm, around where we were first attacked by Shadows. Of course, since I'm not even remotely tired, I volunteered for the night watch. With nothing else to keep me occupied, I decided to settle something that's been bothering me for the st few days.

  Hey, Sword.

  I crouched down by the fire we had set up, poking at it for a moment with a stick before adding it ti slowly-buring pile.

  [Hm? What do you need?]

  About the other day… I kinda shed out at you then. Sorry.

  [When you found out about your parents? Don't be. You had every right to be upset there.]

  No… you probably had your reasons not to tell me about it. It wasn't right for me to bme you like that.

  I stood up and leaned against a nearby tree. After a moment, I drew my sword and held it in front of my eyes, staring into my reflection.

  [...You know, talking like this takes mana. Your mana, to be specific.]

  That doesn't matter. If there's combat I can always rely on you.

  [That's not a good habit to get into, Mira. You never know when you're going to end up fighting someone stronger than you…]

  I know. I'm not going to run out mana just from talking to you. Besides, what the Goddess said to me after I saved Setsuna was a little ominous, but there hasn't been a single Shadow sighting since then. At least for tonight, I'm confident that we'll be safe.

  I sheathed my sword, and after briefly checking on the fire, I started walking around the edges of the campsite.

  [But- Ah, nevermind.]

  Hm? You know, you're awfully secretive for a telepathic sword. Not that it matters. In just the few times I've spoken to you I can tell you're trustworthy enough. You'll help me out if I need it. Like when you taught me that Hell on Earth spell. Speaking of which, I probably won't use it again though, it was useful then, but it's a little too destructive to use too often.

  [That's good, then. You wouldn't be able to use it again.]

  Hm? Not that I'm too upset about it, but why's that?

  [Since you didn't learn it properly through mastering the six tiers of spells before it, the… a mana cap was pced on you limit you from casting that spell again.]

  I see. Does it effect anything other than Fire magic?

  [No, you don't have anything to worry about as long as you learn the other seventh tier spells properly.]

  That's good, then.

  [...]

  After a few rounds around the camp without noticing anything off, I came back to sit by the fire.

  Ah. There's one more thing I want to ask.

  [What is it?]

  I always refer to you as “Sword” or something simir, but I feel like that's a little rude, like if you were to call me “Human” or something.

  [...]

  So, I was thinking: Do you have a name? Or at least anything you want me to call you?

  [I…]

  If you don't that's fine, I just feel bad about-

  [...Yuto.]

  Hm?

  [Call me Yuto.]

  Yuto, huh. That's a nice name.

  [...]

  I guess I'll stop pestering you now. I gotta save my mana, right? I'll talk to you another time.

  [Right. Call on me when you need me again.]

  Got it.

  The sword on my hip - Yuto - had been quietly buzzing for a while as a sign that we had been talking this whole time. Once it was gone, I was back to complete silence, save for the sounds of nature and the tails of the Kitsune occasionally flicking around during their sleep and brushing into the sides of the tents.

  Still though, Yuta… That's the first time I've learned of that name, at least as Mira, but I can't help but feel like I've heard that name before recently… In any case, I think I can trust that my sword isn't hiding anything too dangerous.

  For now, I think I should probably be wondering about how I'm going to expin to the rulers of the only kingdom of Elves that I'm dating their daughter…

  Alpy376