Three months later, in a forest within Roswaal's territory.
Shendu leaned against a tree, quietly watching Garfiel and Natsuki Subaru spar. They had barely exchanged a few moves before Subaru was knocked flat onto the ground.
After being struck down, Subaru felt dizzy. He shook his head and quickly waved his hands, clearly signaling that he had no intention of continuing.
"Alright, that's enough for today! Lady Shendu, I think this is about as far as I can go."
Subaru was utterly exhausted. His mental energy had been drained to the limit. He could only shake his head helplessly.
"Garfiel, that's enough training for today."
Seeing Subaru on the verge of collapse, Shendu rubbed her forehead and waved her hand in resignation.
"Yes, Big Sis."
Upon receiving the order, Garfiel obediently stepped aside, watching Subaru's disheveled state with undisguised satisfaction.
"Don't get cocky, Garfiel! Next time, I'll definitely beat you. If I had used magic, you would've lost already."
Subaru stood up while grumbling. His once-clean athletic clothes were now covered in mud.
"Hmph!"
At the mention of magic, Garfiel's expression flickered with a trace of fear.
Ever since Shendu had given Subaru the scroll on alchemy, he had immersed himself in studying it and eventually mastered numerous magical formulas.
As long as he had sufficient materials, he could prepare a variety of powerful potions. His strength had gradually evolved from that of a mere apprentice into a true mage.
The first time Subaru met Garfiel, he had prepared a petrification potion that turned the wild half-beast into stone for three full days.
That was why Garfiel felt genuine dread whenever magic was brought up.
"You've worked hard, Subaru. You've already improved a great deal. Continue training. It won't be long before you can play a crucial role."
Shendu smiled mysteriously as she looked at him.
"Don't worry, Lady Shendu. This is the mission you've given me. I've always kept it in my heart."
Subaru's eyes were firm. Hidden within them was a trace of affection for Shendu that he kept carefully concealed.
Since leaving the Royal Guard three months ago, Subaru had been summoned here by Shendu. Every day, he ran endurance drills or trained in reconnaissance and analysis.
As for how he ended up here, it all began three months earlier.
...
Three months ago, on a bright and sunny day.
As usual, after completing knight training, Subaru returned to his room to brew various potions.
The ingredients required for magical potions were mostly common and easy to gather. In just one month, his independent room had been filled with countless powders.
There were even vials of blood extracted from Witchbeasts, arranged throughout the room like a chemical laboratory.
With Old Man's solid theoretical foundation, Subaru concocted all sorts of peculiar potions.
A flight potion that allowed someone to fly for ten minutes.
A shadow potion that enabled the user to pass through solid objects for half an hour, like a shadow.
A petrification potion that could instantly turn an enemy into stone until the antidote was administered.
An explosive potion whose power rivaled any known bomb—just a single drop could reduce an entire room to rubble.
Altogether, Subaru had crafted hundreds of different potions of various types. Used as auxiliary magic, they were immensely powerful. Gradually, he began advancing toward the path of a righteous mage.
Knock, knock, knock!
Just as he was preparing a new potion, someone knocked on the door. Irritated, he set his work aside and went to open it.
"Who is it?"
When he opened the door, a familiar face entered his view—the fellow transmigrator he had longed to see, Shendu, the first person who had helped him in this world.
"Yo, Subaru. Long time no see. Looks like you've learned quite a bit from that scroll."
Shendu greeted him with a smile, glancing at the shelves lined with materials, clearly pleased.
Subaru undeniably possessed something akin to protagonist's luck. Without it, how could he have mastered the knowledge so smoothly?
Old Man's alchemy was not overly complex, but it was not something just anyone could learn. For Subaru to have reached this level was already impressive.
"Yes. I've studied diligently. I've mastered part of it already."
Subaru replied modestly, showing great respect.
"Good. But I'm not here for a casual visit today."
Shendu shook her head and looked at him seriously.
"Lady Shendu, are you here because you need my help?"
Subaru's eyes lit up. He had long hoped to do something for her.
"Yes. But first, I need to release the authority of your Return by Death. That authority is an important power of the Witch Cult. Are you willing to work for me?"
Shendu asked politely.
"I am. You saved my life, Lady Shendu. I'm willing to do anything for you—give everything for you."
His expression was utterly sincere.
"Very well."
Satisfied, Shendu lightly stomped the ground. A surge of powerful magic burst forth, forcibly unlocking the authority sealed within him.
Moments later, an invisible miasma emanated from Subaru's body, carrying a faint lingering fragrance of the Witch.
"Come with me. For the next few months, you'll train under me. To become an outstanding warrior, magic alone isn't enough."
Shendu spoke thoughtfully, already having her own plans for him.
"Yes, Lady Shendu."
Without hesitation, Subaru sought out Reinhard to request leave, temporarily bidding farewell to his training with the Royal Guard.
Throughout the following three months, Shendu imposed strict demands on him. Yet Subaru never complained. He worked tirelessly to grow stronger.
Occasionally, he discussed alchemy with Shendu and learned even more.
His days by her side were fulfilling and satisfying.
After today's training ended, Subaru took out a green potion and drank a small sip. Instantly, his fatigue vanished. Even the minor injuries from sparring with Garfiel healed within seconds.
"Lady Shendu, may I ask what challenges lie ahead? You seem especially cautious."
After training, Subaru crouched near her feet, curiosity written across his face.
As a fellow transmigrator, and knowing how powerful Shendu was, if even she was acting cautiously, then the coming threat must be enormous.
"Yes. I must be more cautious than you think. Next, we deal with the Witch Cult. Everything else can wait."
Shendu saw no reason to hide her thoughts and spoke plainly.
"The Witch Cult... That's indeed a major problem."
Subaru understood all too well how dangerous that centuries-old organization was.
"There isn't much time left. If my calculations are correct, certain events have already begun to unfold."
Shendu's smile deepened as memories of future developments surfaced in her mind. Her eyes grew brighter.
If the Witch Cult had once lurked in the shadows while they stood in the light, that balance would soon shift.
The rats hiding in darkness would emerge soon enough, bringing trouble with them.
And Shendu was waiting precisely for that opportunity.
An opportunity to wipe out the Witch Cult in one decisive sweep.
She was willing to wait as long as necessary—so long as it meant their complete eradication.