It's finally happening.
The day Xeno anticipated the most is finally here. After two months of being crippled, he's going to be running about soon.
Within the room Crusch provided for Xeno, Felix had come by to heal his body. Rem was also here to keep an eye out.
Felix: "Are you ready, Xeno-kyun?"
Xeno: "You bet I am! Come on, let's get started already!" His excitement was palpable. The entire day, he acted like a child.
Rem always found it endearing when that happened. For the others, though, his actions, while understandably, was perceived to be immature.
Felix: "Careful, Xeno-kyun. The way you're jumping, you might just break your back even more."
Xeno sat at the bedside, with Felix to his left and Rem to his right, just in case he needed help.
Xeno: "I'll be fiiine. Man, I can't wait to run and do other stuff again." The sheer thought made his smile widen to the absolute limit.
Felix: "Okay, let's start. First things first—"
The first part Rem had been waiting for all day.
Felix: "Take off your shirt. Felix wants to see what he's working with."
Even before the femboy finished speaking, Xeno had rapidly thrown off his shirt, revealing his figure.
His chest was lean and toned with just the right amount of muscle, all of it well maintained. His six-pack was clearly visible.
If you weren't seeing it for yourself, you could have never guessed Xeno had this kind of physique.
But over his muscles were various faded scarred tissues all around. Based on their shape, they were made by something biting and clawing at him.
Felix: "These are some nyansty scars you have." He traced each one he was going to heal.
Felix: "Rem, could you hold—" He cut himself off upon seeing Rem's expression.
Her eyes were glued to Xeno's bare chest, her cheeks rosy with a subtle dreamy look.
Xeno: "Rem, Felix is calling you?" Bro didn't even see the look in her eyes.
Rem: "Huh!? Y-yes, Felix-sama?" She snapped out of it, rebalancing herself.
Felix: "I need help holding Xeno-kyun in place, and I'll make him even more... appealing."
He ran a finger across his chest, sending a jolt through Xeno. Rem, seeing this, felt a twinge of jealousy, knowing Felix was teasing her.
Xeno immediately smacked his hand away.
"Don't ever do that again, you weirdo!" He said defensively.
Felix: "I was just playing around, nyan."
He had a cheeky grin.
Xeno: "Die."
...
The healing officially began.
Felix placed his hand on his chest, planning to get the easy part done first. Meanwhile, Rem held him in place.
It felt miraculous. The scars that had plagued Xeno for two months... Gone within seconds. Even the one across his right eye.
Speaking of his right eye, Felix observed as the blank socket's purple pupil, matching the same depthless look of his left eye, gradually returned.
Felix: 'It returned? How?' He couldn't hide his shock, as healing a "blind eye" was something he could not do.
Felix: 'Is this because of his physique?'
When making the contract, Felix had asked for Xeno's condition, injuries, and other things he should be aware of before healing him from Emilia and Roswaal.
What caught his interest the most was that Xeno was "weird." At first, he didn't take it completely seriously, but now he would be keeping an eye out for it.
Xeno: "Is something the matter, Felix?"
Felix: "Nothing. I'm just double-checking, nyan."
'I need to know more about him.'
...
Next was the difficult part: Xeno's spine.
Rem and Felix switched positions. Rem was now directly in front of Xeno, while Felix was on the bed.
The cat gazed at the white line across the entire arc of his spine.
He already knew Xeno shouldn't have survived a dagger ripping his spinal cord in half.
The fact that he did was an anomaly Felix intended to find out. Placing a hand on his shoulders, he injected his Water magic into his body.
Xeno could feel the Water mana circulate and spread across his entire body. He could never get used to this feeling.
Felix: "What the—?"
Rem: "Felix-sama, is something wrong?"
She was on edge. Those words never meant something good.
Felix ignored her, instead examining Xeno again, his expression turning more and more horrified.
Unable to hold it in anymore, he finally said it.
Felix: "What in the world are you?"
Felix jerked back, his confidence and half-teasing attitude all gone. His eyes were wide with shock, even shaken.
Xeno: 'Again with that?' Those words were really starting to annoy him.
Rem: "What's wrong? Is Xeno-kun going to be okay?" She asked, confused and afraid.
Felix: "Okay!? OKAY!? How aren't you dead!?" He got off the bed and backed away from the two.
Xeno: "Is it the fact I'm not breathing or don't have a heartbeat thing again? Look, I know it's weird, but it's just how I am."
Felix: "No, it isn't that, Xeno-kyun! I mean, it is, but it's even worse than that. Your spine..." He was in disbelief.
Felix: "Xeno... You should be dead. Completely dead. Best case, completely paralyzed, unable to move a muscle."
Xeno & Rem: "WHAT!?"
...
A couple of minutes later.
After everyone had calmed down a considerable bit, Rem and Xeno anxiously awaited Felix's explanation.
Felix: "Xeno-nyan, your spine... is barely holding itself together. Even the slightest movement should break it."
Xeno: "H-How is that possible?"
'Beatrice never told me anything like that. She wouldn't hide something that important, would she?' The more he wondered, the less it made sense.
When she healed him, that fact would have been apparent, so why didn't she? He could only think of two reasons.
Either A, her Water magic wasn't as good as Felix's.
Or B: his spine... deteriorated over time?
That seemed possible, especially since yesterday.
Felix: "The way it is, you shouldn't be able to move or even feel your body... But you can somehow?" He affirmed it more to himself than the others.
Rem: "Felix-sama, is it still possible to restore Xeno-kun back?" While she did find it strange, her main priority was getting this answer.
Felix: "Yes, Rem-nyan, it is. I don't know how, but it's like his spine is fixed in its current position, as weird as it is. It's actually a good thing as well. It should... only take a few days." He assured them.
Xeno let out a sigh of relief while Rem relaxed.
Xeno: "Let's get started again."
Felix: "Of course, Xeno-kyun."
What Xeno and Rem didn't know was that Felix didn't tell them the whole truth. He wasn't as selfless as he appeared.
...
After the first recovery session of the day, he felt better than he had in two months. He still couldn't run or anything like that, but the leeway he had did increase a lot.
Xeno was left to his own devices. Which was a problem since he didn't have anything to do.
This was one of the few downsides of being in Crusch's Manor. He had to dial himself down unlike at home. He had to maintain Rem and his dignity as guests.
And going outside was a no-go. Who knew if any other knights decided to attack him, or if he got caught in some other mess?
So while Xeno thought about what to do next, he occupied himself with something he had always wanted to try.
Rapping.
He sang down the hallway, making sure not to be too loud and keep it to himself.
"Each and every victim of this vile code.
A hunt and kill left beside the road.
An endless cycle, you're tooslow.
Youcan'trun!"
"I'm too fast! Nowhere to go!"
"And I shall suckle on the milk and honey.
Slaughter grants to me.
I'll be free of the prison of the Genesis.
And bring the sunshine of chaos in my bliss!"
Wilhelm: "Xeno-dono, greeting—" Wilhelm, coming around the corner, greeted him.
Xeno: "I AM GOD—aagahahhh!" He screamed like a little girl, jumping back slightly. He could do that now.
Wilhelm: "Are you alright, Xeno-dono? Forgive this old man for scaring you." The old butler didn't even blink an eye.
Xeno: "I... Yeah, I'm fine now." He took a deep breath and straightened up with the help of his crutch.
"Phew. So, Sir Wilhelm... You were saying something?"
Wilhelm: "Yes, I wanted to congratulate you on your steady recovery." He noted both of Xeno's functioning pupils and the lack of a scar over his right eye.
Xeno: "Thanks. I can't wait! No, really, I literally can't wait. I'm bored out of my mind."
Wilhelm: "Is that so?"
Xeno: "Yeah! It's kinda... disappointing. I was hoping this would be more eventful? It honestly feels like I'm just waiting for my treatment while everything else is just dull."
He cupped his chin.
Wilhelm: "That is a harsh thing to say, Xeno-dono. Some might take offense to it."
Xeno: "Really? Who?" He questioned curiously.
Wilhelm: "Crusch-sama... And the rest who find themselves living here."
Xeno: "Oh... I-I'm sorry if you were hurt by that."
Wilhelm: "Not at all. But Xeno-dono, be mindful of what you speak next time." He could tell Xeno didn't mean it like that.
Xeno: "I'll keep it in mind, sir."
With their chat over, Wilhelm planned to move on.
But as he did, he noticed a hesitant look on Xeno's face, as if he wanted to ask something.
Wilhelm: "Is there something you wish to ask me, Xeno-dono?"
Xeno: "Actually, there is something I was wondering about. Could you answer it?"
Wilhelm: "Depends on the question."
Xeno: "It's just that... You're an Astrea, right? How come you're working as a butler for Crusch?" It was something he had been curious about since yesterday.
Wilhelm stayed silent, adding curious to his assessment of Xeno. He really was painting a naive and immature picture of himself.
Wilhelm: "You can say her goal just happens to be able to coexist with mine."
Xeno: "You also want to break the Dragon's Covenant?" He blinked, taken aback.
Wilhelm: "No, Xeno-dono. She just so happens to want to slay the same beast I despise."
Xeno: "Really? Never took you for the hunter type."
Wilhelm: "I think of myself more as a swordsman, but... when it comes to that beast, I'll hunt it to the ends of the world if I have to."
He said it with unrestricted hatred, so much so that it made Xeno take a step back, feeling a chill.
Wilhelm: "Does that satisfy your curiosity, Xeno-dono?" The hatred vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
Xeno: "Y-Yeah, it does."
Their chat now done, Wilhelm moved on and continued his duties, leaving Xeno to his own thoughts.
...
The rest of the day went by uneventfully for the most part. The only part of interest was that Rem played board games with him, one made using Envy.
The next day, sunrise.
Xeno lay on a patch of grass outside the mansion. His treatment would happen around nighttime from now on.
He wasn't completely idle, currently watching Wilhelm's intense practice routine with a wooden sword.
It was his first time ever seeing a master swordsman train. And he definitely lived up to the title.
He didn't know much about swords, but the sheer dedication the old man had in doing practice swings and martial forms was impressive.
When the old man finished his training, he grabbed a towel and wiped the sweat off himself. Aware of Xeno's presence, he said:
Wilhelm: "Xeno-dono, do you also train early in the morning as well?"
With how Xeno was positioned, his shirt was slightly lifted, giving Wilhelm a clear view of his well-kept body.
Xeno: "Nah, workouts aren't really my thing."
He sat upright, grabbing his crutch.
Wilhelm: "Then how do you manage to keep such a physique without exercise?"
Xeno, having fully gotten up, shrugged.
Xeno: "That's the neat part, I don't."
Wilhelm: "You... don't?" He said with newfound interest.
Xeno: "Nope. I have done absolutely nothing to maintain my figure. I don't even think I ever can get unfit." He replied casually, really glad about that.
Wilhelm: 'He truly gets stranger the more I spend time with him.'
And worse, he was making getting information on him so easy. He truly didn't see them as enemies to be wary of. It's almost worrisome.
Rem: "Xeno-kun. A guest has arrived to visit you." She came into view and to Xeno's side.
Xeno: "Someone came to visit me? Well, let's not keep them waiting."
Rem: "Xeno-kun, stand still for a moment."
She brushed aside the dirt clinging to his clothes, alongside a leaf stuck in his hair.
Making sure his appearance was acceptable, as a reward, Xeno patted her head, yawning and walked to the entrance with Rem, restraining her joy as she followed suit.
Seeing the entire thing, the corner of Wilhelm's mouth twitched up ever so slightly.
Wilhelm: 'I nearly had forgotten how beautiful young love could be.'
...
Xeno: "Reiny?"
The guest who came to visit Xenophanes was Reinhard van Astrea himself. Like always, he had a charming and noble air about him.
Xeno: "Reiny, what brings you here? I thought you'd be busy right about now." Letting out a smile, he walked faster toward him.
Reinhard: "It is a pleasure to meet you too, Xeno. As for my presence here, after tonight, I'm afraid I won't have another chance to thank and apologize to you for a while. I'm leaving to take Felt-sama to my family home. She still has much to learn, and there are things I must teach the newly hired personnel as well."
Xeno: "That's a shame... So, what was that about thanking and apologizing to me?" He got straight to the point, not wanting to keep Reinhard here any longer than necessary.
Reinhard: "I wish to thank you for your advice. I have a feeling Felt-sama truly did appreciate it."
When Reinhard was escorting Felt out of the castle, just before Xeno got into a carriage.
He had suggested to Reinhard that he take Felt to shop for clothes and other things she actually wanted.
All as a gesture of goodwill, showing Felt that Reinhard did care about her wishes, however he might express them.
Also because Xeno called Reinhard "sexist" for forcing Felt into dresses she didn't like.
That too.
Xeno: "Think nothing of it. We're friends. That's what good friends do." He waved it off.
Reinhard: "Friends... Then I have failed as your friend." He said with a self-deprecating smile.
Xeno: "...What?" His smile dropped.
Reinhard: "In the throne room, I had promised to keep Emilia-sama safe, yet when she was publicly humiliated, I'm ashamed all I did was stand around like a 'statue.'" Reinhard bowed his head in apology.
Rem gasped, while Xeno's pupils vanished as he stared at Reinhard bowing his head.
Xeno: 'Statue... That's what I called the knights. Don't tell me... Xeno, you moron!'
How could he be so blind? Obviously, his outburst would affect him. A knight. He had to fix things, now.
Xeno: "Reinhard, I..." He didn't know what to say.
Rem: "Reinhard-sama, Xeno-kun didn't mean it like that." She said when Xeno couldn't.
Reinhard and Xeno looked at Rem in surprise.
Rem: "Xeno-kun has informed Rem what had transpired. Rem knows she's in no position to say this, but..."
She looked Reinhard directly in the eyes, holding no doubts.
Rem: "Xeno-kun doesn't hold it against you. When he spoke of the incident, he was remorseful. He knew the peril you were facing, so please don't blame yourself. It'll only break his heart if you do so. Right, Xeno-kun?"
Xeno: "U-um, yeah! Don't blame yourself and that stuff I said about the knights doesn't apply to you. You did try to do something! That alone counts. Everyone makes mistakes. It's not your fault." He said whatever came to mind.
Reinhard was stunned, not knowing what to say. Instead, a genuine smile broke through.
Reinhard: "You truly are kind. Thank you, Xeno, Rem-sama."
...
This day and the next came and went as they went. Little to nothing interesting happened other than spending time with Rem and getting his spine fixed.
At this stage, he could officially say goodbye to his crutch. He felt more flexible than ever before. Well, before getting crippled.
Felix did advise him not to do anything too strenuous, so no running or rolling around. He was letting his body fully adjust first.
Xeno, now walking at normal speed, wandered around the mansion. It was nighttime, and the atmosphere was truly relaxing.
Climbing the stairs, he was met with a rare situation.
Crusch: "Xenophanes, would you mind joining me for a bit?"
Crusch Karsten stood before him. She wore a black dress with a pink ribbon, black high heels, and a pink cover over her shoulders with black frills along its edge.
Throughout these past few days, he had little to no interaction with her. Curious and seeing no reason to refuse, he agreed.
The both of them were sitting at a table on the balcony, having a clear view of the Capital and night sky.
Crusch: "The breeze is pleasantly cool tonight, perfect conditions for sharing a drink while gazing at the night sky."
She offered him a glass of alcohol, which Xeno accepted.
Xeno: "Thanks..." While alcohol had been ruined for him, unable to get drunk, he accepted solely for the taste.
Xeno: "Well... Cheers."
Their glasses met with a clank.
Crusch: "How goes the healing of your spine?"
Xeno: "It's going great."
Crusch: "That's good to hear. Ferris is excellent with healing magic."
Xeno: "So... how are you doing? Are you always this awfully busy?" He awkwardly started a conversation, not knowing what else to say.
Crusch: "My family is gathering people and objects in response to a certain occurrence. Plus, since word of the Royal Selection spread, I've had proposals every day."
She took a sip of her glass, speaking casually.
Xeno: "Makes sense. You are a very attractive woman." It was only after saying it that he realized what he said.
Xeno: "S-Sorry, I didn't mean to say that!"
Crusch raised a brow, amusement in her eyes. She continued.
Crusch: "I'm sure the other candidates are experiencing the same."
Xeno: 'No, I'm Pretty sure it's just you and that Anastasia person.'
Crusch: "Tell me, Xenophanes, what do you think of my camp?"
Xeno: "Ummm, what?"
Crusch: "I've been observing you, Xenophanes, analyzing your strengths and weaknesses, all in an attempt to gauge an enemy camp."
She was serious with this one, freaking Xeno out.
Crusch: "So I'll ask once more. What do you think of my camp? My people, and of me?"
She specified it to make it easier for him to understand.
Xeno: "I... Uh... I think... you're capable? You certainly have a solid roster?"
Crusch: "Is that truly all you have to say?"
She sounded disappointed because she knew he was telling the truth.
Xeno: "What... else do you want me to say?"
Crusch: "I see the problem now. Xenophanes, I do not want to regard you as an insignificant enemy. So listen carefully."
"The Royal Selection isn't a game to play around. We're not rivals in a friendly competition, but enemies you must stay one step ahead of and defeat. Even now, you may be our guests, but you're still a knight of an enemy camp. Don't expect us to remain kind to you. Remember that we will not take things for granted like you have. And I hope you will as well after this."
Xeno: "..."
He could see it. Despite her harsh wording, she was trying to help him.
Xeno: "Thanks... Say, Crusch, can I answer your question again?"
Crusch looked intrigued by this.
Crusch: "Not at all. Go ahead."
Xeno: "I think... you're planning something massive to get a head start from all of us."
Crusch: "Do you plan to find out what that is?"
Xeno: "No." He flatly said it.
Crusch's eyes widened in surprise. That was the last response she expected.
Crusch: "You... won't?"
Xeno: "Nope. Not even going to try. Don't misunderstand. I'm not ignoring what you said. In fact, I'm doing this because of it."
"You're right. I am taking this entire thing for granted because I don't want to see you, ANY of the camps, as enemies. That's not who I am. I'm a simple person. This whole politics stuff is too stressful for me. So sorry, but I'm not going to play the same way as you. That is my personal opinion."
Crusch was silenced by the answer. It was so incredible, soft, naive, and dangerous. Yet her Divine Protection told her he was completely honest here.
Crusch: "Not a single wind of deceit? You truly are strange, Xeno. But I can respect your conviction to stay true to yourself."
Xeno: "Oh... Umm, thanks..." He rubbed his chin at the compliment.
"But what did you mean by 'wind of deceit'?"
Crusch: "Is it related to my Divine Protection of Wind Reading..." She was about to explain how it worked, but went silent when she heard Xeno's next words.
Xeno: "That's how your Divine Protection works? I still don't get what reading winds has to do with lie detection."
Crusch: "You knew about my Divine Protection?"
Xeno: "Yeah, I read about it." He said casually, waving it off.
Crusch: 'Read about it?'
She focused on the specific wording.
Xeno: "I have to say, that Divine Protection of yours sounds pretty convenient."
Crusch: "It is useful in a lot of cases, but it seems to have little effect on you. The winds around you haven't stirred even once during our conversation." She revealed this to see his reaction.
Xeno: "Really? That's neat."
He didn't seem bothered by it.
Crusch: "Aren't you even remotely wary of me? Knowing I can find the deceit and intention in your words?"
Xeno: "Not really. I did a few days ago, but when I actually thought about it... I realized that your ability... sucks. Like, completely sucks to have."
"I can't imagine the agony of knowing every noble, merchant, or even someone who knows you is constantly on guard around you or keeping their distance from you. I doubt people feel safe being around someone with that ability."
Crusch stopped mid-sip, blinking. She put down her glass and stared at him intently.
The winds didn't stir even once.
This was a first for Crusch. Nobody had ever expressed remorse for her Divine Protection.
She genuinely didn't know how to respond to that.
Crusch: "You truly are a strange man, Xenophanes. My Divine Protection has been called a blessing countless times. But you are the first to call it a curse."
She looked down at the city, her expression unusually contemplative.
Crusch: "It is as you say. Having the ability to know whether someone is lying or hiding something from you can feel rather isolating. More than even I originally thought."
"But you, Xenophanes..."
She looked at him, resting her head on her hand.
"You are the first my Divine Protection doesn't work on for the simple reason that it doesn't need to. It's refreshing that you speak without considering how your words may benefit you."
Xeno: "Thanks?"
He didn't know if that was a compliment or not.
Crusch: "No, thank you for making this night so refreshing."
It was this conversation that changed Crusch's options and even attitude towards Xeno in a way he didn't expect.
Crusch Karsten grew fond of Xenophanes that day. She still thinks he is naive, honest to a fault, reckless and amount other things. Not at all suited for politics.
But he is emotionally perspective about how powers or circumstances effect people that no one else see.
Crusch will be keeping a close eye on him, to see how he handles the Royal Selection from now on.
And beyond that. She is going to looking forward to their next conversation where she, for once, doesn't completely have to keep her guard up.