Chapter 12: Roseline

"...I don't know, I feel... fulfilled somehow."

For her, it was probably a sensation she'd never felt before. When Sakika removed his magic-sealing equipment, he felt a strange sense of liberation and the mysterious sensation of something missing being perfectly restored. What she was feeling now was probably something similar.

Watching her in her daze, he had a sudden thought. With magical quality this high, maybe she could—

While listening to Naoma ask Lilith what it felt like, Sakika opened his Box and pulled out a book.

What he took out was an old but thick, solidly-built book. The cover was reddish-purple with nothing written on it.

"Th-that's...!"

Gaia cried out in surprise, but Sakika silenced him with a look. If he spoke now, he might say things that shouldn't be said. Sakika knew he wasn't that careless, but it was better to be cautious.

"What's that?"

Naoma asked, but Sakika said nothing and handed it to Lilith. Lilith reflexively took it. Sakika felt both surprise and a sense of "just as I thought." He'd been certain in the back of his mind that she would be able to hold this.

Lilith flipped through the book and looked at him suspiciously from under her hood. Of course—right now, the book would look completely blank to her. It was natural for her to question something that was too well-made to be a notebook.

"So what is this?"

When Sakika remained silent, Naoma lost patience and reached for the book. He could have stopped her if he'd wanted to. But he didn't want to perform the kind of lightning-fast action unbecoming of a student to prevent something that posed no danger of injury, only to have people read too much into it.

As expected, when Naoma touched the book, she was blown away.

"Naoma!?"

"...!"

Unexpectedly, it was Rate who first reached out to Naoma as she was knocked off the sofa. But she brushed away the hand of Rate, who had quickly vaulted over the sofa to crouch beside her, stood up, glared at Sakika, and raised her voice in protest.

"What the hell is this!? If it's dangerous, you should say so first!"

Sakika's eyebrows drooped. She was right—he should have warned her beforehand.

"...Sorry."

"Well... whatever, it's fine."

He felt guilty toward Naoma, who turned away with a huff and sat back down on the sofa, but figuring out how to apologize to her could wait.

"...Lilith, put your hand on the cover."

This would tell him whether she was recognized as a master.

Lilith looked puzzled but followed Sakika's words without question. Immediately after, the book's cover began to glow, and she froze. Her face was hidden in the shadow of her hood, but he could sense her sharp intake of breath.

Rate and Naoma didn't even cry out—they just stared wide-eyed, watching the scene unfold.

"Rose...?"

Lilith whispered softly. Sakika relaxed as he let out a small breath. She could hear that voice. The gentle alto voice of 'her' dwelling within 'this'—a voice Sakika hadn't heard for a long time since breaking his contract with 'this.'

The book's glow intensified, and a magic circle and text began to be carved into the cover.

'Purple Radiance Rose Grimoire [Rose]'

What was carved into the cover was this book's name. The glow gradually subsided, leaving black text and a magic circle on the cover.

Seeing that nostalgic name and magic circle, Sakika smiled to himself. After being unused for so long, tucked away in a corner of his Box, it had come back to life.

"A grimoire...!"

"Why do you have something like this..."

Naoma and Rate cried out.

A grimoire is one of the mediums used when casting magic. While magic can be used without a medium, having one improves spell construction, reduces casting time, and enhances magical effects.

Pure mages often carry staff-type magical catalysts for this reason, but those who also handle weapons like swords or bows don't want to carry a staff that would occupy their hands. Besides staffs, there are ring and bracelet-type magical mediums, but ones with effects equivalent to a staff cost dozens of times more and are rarely seen.

Grimoires are also one of these magical catalysts, but their special feature is that they can be used to cast magic regardless of the owner's attribute, and they consume dramatically less magical power than normal spellcasting—making them incredibly convenient magical weapons.

However, they naturally have drawbacks. First, their biggest flaw is size. The cover is as large as two men's palms placed together, with thickness equal to a man's fist. While fine for rear-guard mages, it's not a size that swordsmen can use while running around.

Furthermore, grimoires can only cast the spells written within them. Additionally, due to the construction of the magic circles and the ink and paper used, they can only be used by those with high-quality magical power. Each page of a grimoire contains a single magic circle. These circles are designed primarily for repeated use regardless of magical attribute, so unlike normal magic circle talismans that are drawn and activated by channeling magic power, grimoires require users with magical quality above a certain threshold.

Moreover, grimoires themselves are extremely rare, and most are passed down from person to person, making them difficult to obtain.

Magical weapons come in two types: those crafted by artisans and sold in weapon shops, and those that aren't. The sacred magical weapons of royalty and the five great noble houses—holy swords and treasure swords—are created by artisans and passed down through generations. But commonly used magical weapons are created by channeling magical power into special stones called magic ore. Magical weapons created this way return to their original magic ore state upon the owner's death.

This was probably the first time Lilith, Naoma, and Rate had seen an actual grimoire.

"So this is a grimoire..."

The three of them stared intently at the grimoire. Perhaps because it was so rare, their gazes were drawn to it like magnets, making it seem inappropriate to interrupt.

But Naoma turned to look at Sakika as if remembering something.

"I got knocked back when I tried to touch it earlier... why?"

"That grimoire... [Rose] won't let anyone touch it except those it acknowledges."

Among magical weapons wielded by the strong, those with such power and will weren't uncommon. But for them, this wasn't common knowledge. Gaia shook his head with exasperation at Naoma's furrowed brow and Rate's bewildered expression. Whether he was exasperated with Sakika or the two of them was unclear.

"...Does that mean the magical weapon has consciousness?"

Rate's eyes widened at Naoma's question. He apparently hadn't understood Sakika's words.

"Yeah."

When Sakika nodded, both of them froze with their mouths half-open.

Sakika glanced at Lilith, who continued silently observing Rose, then looked at Gaia. He was still relaxing on the sofa, and when their eyes met, he gave Sakika a look that seemed to say "what now?"

"...To be precise, both Rose and Rose's guardian spirit have consciousness."

"Guardian... spirit?"

Lilith looked up from examining Rose when Gaia spoke instead of Sakika.

"That's right, a guardian spirit."

Guardian spirits are like protectors dwelling within magical weapons. They don't inhabit all magical weapons—only some. For example, they often dwell in certain grimoires like this Rose, or in sacred magical weapons passed down through royal and great noble families.

"Lilith, try commanding Rose's guardian spirit to come out."

"Huh? ...Okay."

Lilith closed her eyes. A few seconds later, when she opened them, something white emerged from the grimoire, swirling in front of her and forming a human shape.

It was a beautiful woman dressed in a silk gown. Flowing platinum hair, golden eyes that sparkled. With a saintly, gentle smile, she knelt before Lilith and bowed her head.

"Master..."

"Huh... whaaaat!?"

Even Lilith was surprised by this. She let out a loud cry of shock and looked at Gaia with a confused expression.

"H-hey, what's going on here!"

However, Gaia acted as if it had nothing to do with him, elegantly sipping his tea.

"It means exactly what it sounds like. You're its master."

"Wait... Rose isn't mine!?"

"No, it belongs to you, my lady."

The guardian spirit raised her head and spoke with a smile still on her face. Lilith stared at the guardian spirit in shock, then looked at Sakika as if seeking help.

"N-no, it belongs to Sakika!"

Sakika quietly shook his head in denial at her flustered state.

"The moment Rose acknowledged you, it became yours... I already broke my contract with her."

"Huh?"

"What?"

"...Why?"

Three different responses came back.

Magical weapons have something called contracts. These are established the moment the weapon acknowledges someone, and this applies to all magical weapons. However, weapons crafted by artisans don't have these contracts unless they're first-class items.

Normal magical weapons don't refuse contracts. For ordinary magical weapons, being "acknowledged" means being "recognized"—it doesn't mean being judged as someone with sufficient ability and worthiness to wield them.

Contracts continue until the person dies or voluntarily breaks them.

When a contract is broken, just like when the owner dies, magical weapons created from magic ore return to their original ore state, while those crafted by artisans become ordinary weapons. Therefore, few people voluntarily break contracts—exceptions are mainly when inherited magical weapons are passed from master to disciple.

"Huh? Um..."

He'd expected to be asked for reasons, but being looked at with such exasperated expressions was unexpected.

"...I have other magical weapons."

When he gave his prepared answer, the three responded in their own different ways again. Sakika smiled wryly at Rate's muttered "no way."

Only some upper-tier academies generate magical weapons because magic ore itself is expensive. In other words, obtaining magical weapons costs money. Since they hadn't yet created magical weapons in class, having one was probably unusual.

And Sakika had said he had other magical weapons. Having multiple weapons was rare unless you were the child of a great noble.

"Just who are you, Sakika..."

Rate's stunned murmur was deflected with an ambiguous smile.

"So then, you're Rose's guardian spirit?"

"Yes. My name is Roseline. Please treat me well, Master."

Roseline gave a beautiful bow while maintaining perfect posture, causing Naoma and Rate's faces to stiffen.

"Mm... I'm Lilith. Lilith Krone. Apparently I've become your master. Nice to meet you."

"Yes, Master."

Roseline smiled softly, then turned her gaze to Sakika and Gaia.

Her appearance, seen after so long, hadn't changed at all from the last time. As if time had stopped, she maintained her youthful appearance without wrinkles or aging.

"It's been a long time, Sakika-sama, Gaia-sama."

The way Roseline addressed Sakika after bowing was "Sakika-sama." The way she'd called him right up until he broke the contract now belonged to Lilith.

He felt a touch of loneliness about this, but Sakika was no longer the contract holder.

"It's been a while, Rose."

"...Yeah."

Sakika extended his hand with a smile to hide his feelings. The warmth of her handshake in return was deeply nostalgic, bringing gentle warmth to the depths of his heart.

"I apologize, but I don't know your names. Could you please tell me?"

When Roseline bowed her head with downcast eyes, Naoma and Rate, who were in her line of sight, looked at each other but seemed to give up and spoke.

"I'm—"

"I'm Naoma. Last name's Suzukata. I'm Lilith's friend."

Naoma, apparently back to her usual self, immediately cut off Rate and introduced herself boldly.

"That's cruel..."

Though he said this, he didn't try to get back at Naoma—that was just like him.

Roseline probably understood his and Naoma's relationship from just this exchange. She had sharp intuition. She watched their interaction with a constant smile.

"And this is commonly known as 'the idiot.'"

"That's not right!"

Rate raised his voice at Naoma's terrible introduction.

"What do you mean idiot!"

"It's the most accurate word to describe you."

"If I'm an idiot, then you're an idiot too!"

"Huh? Don't lump me in with you. I got in with grades dozens of places higher than yours!"

"It's just dozens of places! Don't act all high and mighty over a measly twenty-point difference!"

Gaia let out a big sigh. Though expressionless, his eyes showed exasperation.

"...It's like comparing acorns."

"Right!?"

"How is it!?"

Both of them looked at Gaia at his muttered comment.

"In the end, you both got in through makeup exams."

Their faces twisted at this sharp observation that hit home, and they looked away from Gaia to glare at each other.

S-class was supposed to be the highest-level class. Yet there were students who barely made it in—perhaps because practical and written exams were separate things.

Sakika couldn't stop their exchange and just watched with a wry smile.

"...Master is a beastkin, isn't she?"

Ignoring the two's meaningless argument, Lilith and Roseline continued their conversation.

"...How did you know?"

"I received magical power from Master during the contract."

Roseline had probably realized Lilith was a beastkin from that magical power.

Many grimoire masters are beastkin. This is because there are more individuals specialized in magical quality compared to humans.

"I see... But is there something about that?"

"No, just confirmation. I want to know as much as possible about the person who will be my master."

They seemed about to continue talking, but when Sakika glanced at the clock, they followed his gaze.

"...Oh, it's already this late."

Naoma and Rate also looked at the clock showing just before nine-thirty and stood up from the sofa.

"Oh, it really is."

"I didn't notice."

Gaia had already started walking toward the door, and the two followed him while continuing their apparent staring contest.

"We should go too."

"Indeed."

Hearing Lilith's voice, Roseline bowed to Sakika before returning to the grimoire.

"Well, good night."

"...Yeah, good night."

Lilith left still holding the grimoire. She'd probably learn how to store and retrieve magical weapons from Roseline.

The room, now empty, felt larger than before they'd arrived. Looking around the room that had fallen silent enough to make his ears ring, Sakika's expression went blank.

Having spent a long time in the unfamiliar activity of conversing with peers his age, he was more tired than he'd expected.

"...I'll take a bath and go straight to bed."

Standing up from the sofa he'd been leaning against, he stretched greatly and headed toward the bathroom.