Flowery Reincarnation

"Do you know, Miss Lilia, that there are thousands of different flowers in the world?" Merlin asked, plucking a small yellow bloom from the side of the path.

"Is that so?"

It was a lie, however. Merlin honestly had no idea if there were really that many flowers in this new world, but the mention of them reminded the wizard of the wonders of Gaia.

On Mother Earth, there lived more than several hundred thousand varieties of blossoms, including both extinct species and those yet to be encountered by humankind. Furthermore, many phantasmal flora existed, their blossoms hidden away, allowing them to elude the grasp of the primitive races.

It was a marvel of the Moonlit World before phantasmal beings began to perish and vanish forever. A great pity it was for Merlin. Humanity could never again experience the beauty they once brought.

"I was unaware," Lilia replied succinctly. "Did Lady Zenith mention that?"

"Haha, mostly!" Merlin lied with a casualness that came as naturally as breathing. "Mother loves flowers, so I love them too! It's that simple."

"I see. Is this about Master Rudeus' desire to learn about Vatirus? The flower is quite unique."

"That's right! From what I've heard, it's widely used in high-class perfumes and some cosmetic products. Naturally, I was intrigued."

...

"It seems we've arrived," the maid commented, weary from their journey. She approached a nearby tree, leaning against it to steal a moment of rest while Merlin busied himself with his exploration.

They had reached the field where Vatirus flowers grew, a journey not particularly long, yet their home felt worlds away. Merlin surveyed the expanse before him, taking in the undulating line of blossoms stretching to the horizon. He couldn't see its end; perhaps only from the sky could one grasp the full scope of its beauty, he mused.

With a spell enhancing his sight, Merlin's curious amethyst eyes studied the flower's structure. Suddenly, the intoxicating fragrance washed over him, awakening something deep within his former nature. Startled, he nearly dropped the flower, reflexively fearing the consequences of further investigation.

"This is...!"

The aroma was unmistakable. The alluring scent of Vatirus stirred a familiar sensation within him.

The wonder of Vatirus flowers lay not only in their use for cosmetics and perfumes but also in the deeper truth hidden beneath their delicate petals. Beauty was coveted by all, a primal yearning for individuals to appear more radiant in the eyes of others.

Yet, the truth differed starkly from what was widely known.

Merlin quickly understood why this flower had become so popular among the nobility and high society.

He chuckled to himself. So that's how it is. He pondered whether the creators of these products were even aware of the hidden qualities of the Vatirus flower—or if they had merely exploited its surface beauty without comprehending its deeper significance. A veritable goldmine, wasted.

It was a rare find, and he had only stumbled upon it by accident while using his magic. No wonder his other nature stirred at the moment he touched the plant.

"To think I would find something like you so close. Coincidences truly are frightening."

This was no ordinary flower; the dense mana in the air had cultivated something extraordinary. It was not impossible but wholly unexpected.

Merlin began to collect the blossoms, knowing there would never be enough for his studies. With little else to occupy his time besides magic, he deemed it prudent to gather as much as he could while he had the chance.

After some time, he returned to check on Lilia, finding her with a lost expression that shifted to nervousness at his approach.

The red-haired maid quickly regained her stoic demeanor, asking if he had found what he was looking for.

Merlin sighed at the sight of yet another person unable to be honest with themselves. He sensed the conversation would become troublesome if they didn't address the underlying issue.

They began their trek back home.

"It was enjoyable having Miss Lilia with me," he remarked.

"But I didn't do anything," she replied matter-of-factly. "Master Rudeus had no need of me."

"It's about comfort! Comfort, I tell you! What would I have done if someone shady approached me?" The irony of his own words hit him.

Ahem, right, back to the topic.

"Sometimes, even during calm days, a person craves adventure. We can't always do the same thing, right? A little walk never hurts!"

He was met with a blank stare.

"Seeing Miss Lilia always at home, doing chores and all that, made me realize she might be seeking more freedom. It was so sad!"

In essence, he was voicing his pity for her, but the maid didn't seem bothered by her role.

After a brief silence, Lilia finally replied, "I apologize if it appeared that way from your perspective. However, I am perfectly comfortable with my current circumstances. Working for Lord Paul and Lady Zenith has never caused me any distress, and I don't mind my duties with Master Rudeus either." Her tone was professional, her gaze steady.

Suddenly, a child-like cry resounded, drawing their attention.

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The girl with green hair and pointed ears hurried through the forest, her heart racing as she sought to escape her assailants.

Run fast! Get away! Hide!

Suddenly, she felt something hit the back of her head—a glob of mud now clinging to the pretty hair her mother had combed that morning. Sticky and messy, it resisted her frantic attempts to remove it. With tears gathering in her eyelids, the young girl pushed through the thick bushes surrounding her.

"Aaa!" She cried out as she tripped over a hidden branch, the sound echoing through the quiet woods, betraying her position.

"I got her! The demon is there!"

Fear surged through her, and without a second thought, she kept running, refusing to turn back or respond to their taunts. The boys behind her laughed, their voices a cruel reminder of the game they played.

"Nice hit, man!"

"It's just five points still!"

"Let's follow it, guys! It isn't that fast!"

Each shout pierced her heart like arrows. They treated her like prey, their joy in her suffering a bitter sting. She wasn't a mouse in their twisted game, but it felt the same.

"I'm n-not a d-demon! I a-am not!" she stammered, her voice barely a whisper, but they only laughed louder.

"Only a demon would say that!" one of them jeered.

"Bet she plans to lie about it!" another chimed in.

Sylphiette wished desperately that her father were there with his arms wrapping around her, offering protection and comfort.

Please help!

Her thoughts echoed in the recesses of her mind as she pressed onward, each breath a battle against the despair that threatened to engulf her. The forest around her blurred, but the shouts of her bullies grew ever closer.

Someone!

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A rustling in the bushes interrupted their conversation, and a petite figure burst forth, leaves and mud tangled in her hair. Hot on her heels, three other figures emerged. They appeared to be young boys, likely the same age as Zenith's son, if not older, their faces twisted into disturbing smirks.

The young girl cried out, and Lilia caught sight of something striking her back—a clumsy projectile of soil and muck. A sinking feeling settled in her stomach. Oh, so that's what was happening. The red-haired maid sadly recognized the signs all too well.

"Do you see what it is?" Master Rudeus pointed to the scene unfolding not far from them, but still out of sight.

"It appears to be a group of bullies," Lilia replied, stating the obvious, a sigh escaping her lips at the disgusting sight. What kind of values were these boys learning at home?

"How cruel." The words slipped out before she could stop herself. Lilia meant to remain silent. Speak not, don't involve yourself. This was her role.

Rudeus hummed thoughtfully, "Father once said to watch out for bullies. I assume he would want to intervene."

"Is that so?" Lilia replied, surprised. Paul Greyrat was still a knight after all, but somehow it felt surprising to her. Oh right, she remembered that the man spent most of his time ogling his wife, which made this detail easy to forget.

"What does Master Rudeus think?" she asked, trying to gauge his reaction.

"I don't like it either, so let's end this." His resolve brought a sense of relief to Lilia. It was good to see that the boy had a solid moral compass, though the lack of a strong reaction still worried her. Still, it was better than nothing.

"How do we proceed?" she inquired, hoping he had a plan.

"Miss Lilia," Master Rudeus turned to her, his tone now brimming with mischief, a stark contrast to the boredom he had displayed earlier.

The maid raised an eyebrow, wondering what the young master had in mind. Then, to her surprise, he grinned at her with an intensity that felt both devilish and enthusiastic.

"Say, do you know about roleplay?

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The mud-throwing was abruptly interrupted when an overjoyous voice called out to the bullies, prompting them to abandon their initial purpose. They lowered their hands and looked at the newcomer, a figure cloaked in black, standing confidently among them, a second figure similarly garbed trailing just behind.

"Hello there~!" the strange figure greeted with an almost musical lilt, utterly ignoring the tense atmosphere the boys had tried to create. "What game are you playing? Tell me, please!"

"Eh, what's it to you, weirdo?" The boy with a short ponytail replied, annoyance creeping into his voice as he sized up the newcomer.

"Probably crawled out of some hole!" another sneered.

Their mockery hung in the air, but there was an unsettling aura emanating from the hooded figure, a silent presence that made the boys uneasy despite their bravado.

"Ah, you know! I'm currently enjoying myself here. So I might join as well!" The hooded boy's voice was bright, almost too cheerful given the circumstances.

The young girl lying on the grass cast a fearful glance at the newcomer, panic rising within her. She tried to stand but stumbled, her body still shaking from fear.

"Sure you can join us! The game is called 'Chasing Away the Demon!'" the biggest bully proclaimed, a cruel grin plastered on his face, his confidence unshaken.

"Uhh, scary name," the hooded boy said, feigning a shiver. Then he suddenly broke into a wide grin, his eyes glinting mischievously from beneath the shadow of his hood. "But you know, isn't it a little unfair if I were to join you? After all, four versus one doesn't seem right."

"What?" The other boys exchanged surprised looks, while the most arrogant of them shrugged, clearly unfazed. "Hahaha! Get on with it! But no promises you won't get dirty!" The bully brandished a handful of mud, a taunt on his lips.

"Well, I don't care what you think." The hooded figure's tone shifted subtly as if a veil of amusement had been lifted to reveal something far more serious beneath.

The air around them thickened an invisible pressure building that made even the bravest of the bullies fidget.

"You think it's nice to put someone in this position? Fearing the outside world, knowing it could be the same every day, being called names and treated like a monster by your peers?" His voice, though soft, held a weight that demanded attention. "Do you have no shame?"

The boys shifted uncomfortably, their bravado faltering as guilt crept in.

The hooded figure stood firm, a guardian in the face of their cruelty.

"As the defender of such poor souls—and justice, there is no way I can allow something like this to continue." Each word dripped with a seriousness that penetrated their defenses.

"S-sorry," the black-haired bully stammered, but it lacked conviction.

"Sorry isn't going to cut it. A punishment is needed!" A vibrant red light began to seep from beneath the boy's cloak, illuminating his form with an ominous glow. "My companion here agrees as well!"

He gestured dramatically to his silent companion, who remained a shadowy figure, instilling fear with his mere presence.

"S-Somar?" The black-haired bully's voice quivered as he turned to the slightly plump boy beside him, panic etched across his face. "M-maybe it's better to go? They seem angry!"

"Ha," the hooded boy chuckled, and with it, the air shifted. Suddenly, he clutched his belly, erupting into laughter. "I'm joking, of course!" His mirth was infectious, yet laced with a teasing authority as he regarded the boys, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Shut up!" Somar shouted, frustration boiling over. In a desperate act, he hurled another mud ball at the boy, but it shattered against an invisible barrier that materialized before the hooded figure.

"M-magic!?" The boys' faces drained of color as realization hit them.

"Let's get outta here!" they cried in unison, legs propelling them forward with newfound urgency.

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Seeing the bullies scatter like headless chickens, Merlin couldn't suppress a soft chuckle. It had been far too long since he'd enjoyed himself this much, playing pranks on those who deserved it.

"U-um!" He turned his attention from the fleeing figures to the girl, now caked in mud, standing helplessly in the aftermath. The embarrassment must be overwhelming for her, especially now that she had to meet his gaze.

Her eyes were red from crying, and her cheeks were puffy. "Hello!" he greeted brightly, a warm smile spreading across his face.

"Please don't cry, okay?" he said, tilting his head in a way that made his hood slip slightly, revealing just a hint of his expression. "A pretty girl like you shouldn't have to feel this way."

Merlin glanced at the muddy stains marring her dress, a spark of inspiration lighting up his eyes. "Let's fix this, shall we?" He smiled gently, a touch of mischief dancing in his tone.

"H-hah? I... W-well!" she stammered, taken aback by his sudden cheerfulness.

Without waiting for her to finish, Merlin decided to demonstrate one of his more useful spells. One he had recently perfected.

Cleaning.

A surge of warm, translucent water erupted from his hand, enveloping Sylphiette. She gasped in surprise, the sudden warmth catching her off guard as it washed away the mud, leaving her clothes spotless and dry in an instant.

Merlin nodded in satisfaction, the corners of his mouth curling. The spell was incredibly effective, and he could sense Lilia's slight shift of posture behind him. She hadn't expected him to possess such a handy trick, had she?

Hehehe~

Shifting his attention back to Sylphiette, he noted her stunned expression, eyes wide with disbelief. "So, what do you think? All better, right?"

"Y-you… you really did that!?" she breathed, her face lighting up with wonder.

"I did!" he declared, puffing out his chest with exaggerated pride. "It's all part of my royal wizardry, you see." His voice dropped to a half-whisper, adding an air of mystery that captivated her attention.

"R-royal!?" Sylphiette's eyes grew even wider, her surprise spilling over as she took in his cloak and attire. She stared at him, her mouth agape.

"Shhh," he shushed her playfully, an impish glint in his eye. "It's a secret."

"S-sorry!" she mumbled, blushing and looking down at her feet, suddenly shy. There were so many questions swirling in her mind, but her embarrassment held them back.

Noticing the awkward tension, Merlin quickly changed the subject. "I'm on a super secret mission!"

"B-but you don't look like a wizard," Sylphiette pointed out, glancing at his casual attire beneath the cloak. She didn't quite grasp the implications of her statement, completely oblivious to how it might bruise the pride of a less confident person.

"Exactly!" he said with an exaggerated gasp. "That's why it's called a 'Secret Mission!' I had to disguise myself!" He gestured dramatically to his cloak, pretending it was a grand robe worthy of royalty.

"Oooh!" Sylphiette seemed to grasp the concept, her expression shifting from confusion to awe.

From Lilia's perspective, however, Merlin's antics painted a different picture. A dark cloak in broad daylight? In a secluded village like Buena? It made him look more like a shady scammer than a genuine wizard.

The maid behind them shook her head, suppressing a chuckle at the absurdity of it all.

"May I know your name?" Merlin asked, sidestepping the uncomfortable questions and maintaining his playful demeanor.

"S-Sylphiette!" she replied, a hint of pride sneaking into her voice.

"Hehe," Merlin beamed widely, his enthusiasm infectious. "That's a beautiful name! I didn't expect to find someone so special here."

Sylphiette blushed, a soft pink hue creeping up her cheeks. After a moment's pause, she took a deep breath, calming herself.

"Um, what is a wizard doing here?" She finally ventured, curiosity piqued. "W-wait a second! How do I know you're a real wizard?"

"Did you forget I just cast a spell?" he replied, feigning shock.

Her expression faltered as she remembered. After all, her mother had told her stories about royal wizards living in grand castles, not wandering about farms. "A lie?"

"Not at all! You see, there aren't many people like me who can gather information on the state of vassal lands," Merlin explained, his voice rich with conviction. "It's essential that I stay informed!"

"Is that so?" she asked, brow furrowing in thought.

"Of course! Just as many ugly, fat nobles would love to seize control of this land. Isn't that fair?" His words were punctuated with a casual confidence, yet they seemed to weigh heavily on her young mind.

"N-no…?" Sylphiette struggled to make sense of the complex vocabulary, feeling lost amidst his grandiose claims.

Merlin continued unabated, "That's why I had to come here personally—to ensure no injustice befell the land. Does that make sense to you?"

Sylphiette's eyes glazed over, lost in the whirlwind of his explanations. "Ah."

"I even have a handmaiden with me, so it must be true!" He gestured toward Lilia, who stood silently, observing Sylphiette with a mix of pity and exasperation.

Then she nodded very slowly, her expression carefully schooled into neutrality.

"True… true," Sylphiette murmured, starting to believe the outlandish story.

How utterly shameless, Lilia thought, shaking her head internally. And yet, she couldn't help but admire Master Rudeus' flair for persuasion even if it was terribly wrong.

"Now that we're acquainted," Merlin continued, undeterred by the chaos he'd created in Sylphiette's mind, "may I call you Sylphy?"

"S-so sudden! E-eh, why!?" she stammered, taken aback by the rapid shift in their relationship.

"Because we're friends now!" he exclaimed, arms stretching wide as if welcoming her into his newfound camaraderie. "It's part of Mother's quest!"

"Is that how it works!?" Sylphiette's excitement bubbled over as she realized the implications. Her father had sent her to make friends, and yet, she felt the weight of the mud on her clothes, a reminder of her earlier isolation. She didn't know what he meant by that 'Mother' part though.

She kicked the soil, frustration mingling with longing. It was lonely being alone.

"Hmmm," Merlin mused, scanning the field of Vatirus. An idea sparked in his mind. He carefully plucked one of the flowers, ensuring he didn't harm it, and turned back to Sylphiette with a grin.

"You—" she watched in rapt attention as the tips of the flower glowed a bright pink, almost luminescent in the daylight.

"It's so pretty!" she exclaimed, unable to contain her awe. "Can you make more?"

"Hahaha, not this time," he chuckled, enjoying her delight.

Sylphiette pouted, clearly disappointed but still captivated by the beauty before her.

Merlin smiled softly at her wonder. "It is indeed lovely. Do you know what this flower represents? The power it holds?"

"W-what does it mean?" she asked, her curiosity sparking again, eyes shining brightly.

"The bond between us begins here, Sylphy," he said, his tone sincere as he gazed into her eyes, capturing her attention completely.

"We are friends?" she whispered, her cheeks warming as a smile crept onto her face.

"Exactly! The bond is born when we share in the joy of something beautiful together." He pointed to the horizon, the light glimmering in his amethyst eyes.

"..."

"Now," Merlin said, breaking the serene silence, "let us meet again, okay?" He winked at her and, with a dramatic flourish, summoned a gust of wind that whisked him and Lilia away.

Sylphiette stood there, smiling widely, feeling as if she'd just stepped out of a fairytale. The encounter had been fleeting, but the warmth it left behind lingered in her heart.

As she prepared to head home, excitement bubbling within her, a sudden thought struck her. "EEEEHHH!? B-BUT WHERE DO I FIND H-HIM!?"

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"Master Rudeus."

"Miss Lilia?" He turned slightly, the hood casting a shadow over his smile.

"The sun is soon going down. Lady Zenith would like us home by now."

"Ah, I see. That makes sense. Mother must be worried, but it's fine. Let's take it slowly; there's no need to rush." Lilia sensed a deeper meaning behind his words, interpreting his calm demeanor as an acknowledgment of her leg injury.

"Thank you." The maid nodded gratefully, her mind racing with questions. "However, I must ask—what was the show for? Surely, we could have solved it in a simpler way."

Their fake hoods and clothes faded into particles to what was before.

"The presentation is important. Without it, they'd continue their antics unchecked. And besides, where's the fun in that?" Merlin replied, illuminating the hidden side within him.

A chill ran down Lilia's spine at his words. This boy…! His actions seemed rooted more in seeking amusement than adhering to the values his parents instilled.

Calm down.

As they walked, Lilia pondered the day's events. The stark contrast in Zenith's son's behavior unsettled her. He was vastly different around her than he was with his parents. Was it because he felt he could dismiss her at any moment? The uncertainty gnawed at her, amplifying her worries.

This boy had revealed his true colors, first showcasing an unusual type of illusion magic and then reveling in the joy of playing tricks on that green-haired girl.

Lilia sighed, wanting to rub her temples to ease the throbbing tension. She couldn't shake off the gravity of his words; he spoke of aristocracy and nobility with a sharp insight that was unnervingly accurate. Treachery and corruption had festered for centuries, yet he seemed unfazed by their implications.

Hah. She was overthinking. Analyzing every word was giving her a headache. How did he know these things? Where did Master Rudeus acquire such knowledge? And why was this boy—this demon—so at ease in her presence?

Just as her thoughts spiraled, the nearby trees trembled, snapping her focus back to the moment.

"What was that?" she asked, her instincts sharpening as she scanned their surroundings.

Merlin paused, his expression shifting from playful to alert. "It seems our little escapade isn't quite over yet. Stay close, Miss Lilia."

Whatever lay ahead, she knew it wasn't anything good.

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