Awakened on Master's Back
As her pleasure-addled mind finally cleared amid visions of moneymaking schemes, Asha's senses returned just as Ariel's hideout came into view. She seemed to be riding on her master's back. It felt warm, yet slightly damp. Strands of water-blue hair brushed her face, tickling faintly. Her body shivered more than expected—it's cold, she thought. A small sneeze escaped her, and Ariel's voice followed.
"…Awakened, art thou?"
After a moment's hesitation, she mumbled a reply.
"…Yes."
"Shall I set thee down…?"
At Ariel's words, Asha checked her condition. Her body itself seemed surprisingly fine, probably thanks to the vines that had bound her. The problem was… inside. Her lower abdomen still trembled faintly, and her lower body ached terribly from where the vines had been yanked out.
"…No."
"Very well."
With that brief exchange, an awkward silence settled in. It felt incredibly hard to broach any other topic.
Of course it does. From Asha's side, she'd clung desperately to her master for whatever reason. From Ariel's, even if Asha had wanted it, she'd still ravaged her disciple of her own will. It was bound to feel different—very different—from the last time, when there'd been no choice. Unable to find words, Asha just worked her mouth silently when Ariel spoke first.
"…So, how fares thy body? 'Tis a bit chilly, no doubt. Thou wert in the water until moments ago."
"Ah…."
Come to think of it, her sticky body was now pristine.
"…Thank you. Aside from the chill, I'm fine."
"Mm."
Ariel adjusted her grip on Asha's body. Her strength… it's more than I thought. Or had Asha grown too light? …Maybe both.
Her mouth tasted bitter. Still, an apology was in order.
"Um, Master."
"My disciple."
Their words overlapped perfectly, like a scripted cue.
"…You first."
"So be it."
Ariel chuckled softly, then spoke in a serious tone.
"…I am sorry for this affair. Thou shouldst not have endured such a trial. I ought to have foreseen thou wouldst follow… 'twas my oversight."
What does she have to apologize for? The root cause was Asha's transmutation failure—or accident, at least. If anyone was to blame, it was her most of all.
"…No. If anything, I'm more sorry. It was basically because of me."
"…Even so, I bear responsibility for losing control."
They went back and forth, each insisting it was their fault, the conversation running parallel lines. In an ordinary relationship, it might have escalated to a fight. As the disciple, Asha should take the lead.
"Let's say we're both at fault… and call it water under the bridge. Not pretend it never happened, but… no more blaming each other."
"…So let it be."
It seemed settled for now. Leaning against her master's back—now safe—brought a slight relief. After such an ordeal, she'd usually rationalize it away with excuses to bury the turmoil. But this… maybe accepting her changed body wouldn't feel so bad right now.
No, these weak thoughts are why I'm stuck. Steel thyself, Astarote Asha.
On the way from her workshop to Ariel's hideout, she'd encountered old friends and some tricky folks. It looked like nothing but hardship with no gains, but one thing was clear: judging by Claire's actions and Ariel's vines—the spirits' behavior—her fundamental essence hadn't changed.
Cross-verified, in a way.
…Whatever the changes to her body, she was still her. Hope remained. Not a total loss.
So, no moping. Hugging Ariel's neck tightly brought reassurance. Tension easing, her eyelids grew heavy. With Ariel's faint voice in her ears, she plunged into deep sleep.
She awoke to morning light. Blinking her slightly crusty eyes, she saw snow-white skin before her. Pale was an understatement—so purely white. Yet unlike its pallor, it felt soft and warm against her face. Unconsciously, she burrowed deeper, like a child seeking heat.
Giggling laughter sounded, accompanied by a stroking hand.
"My disciple's turned into a proper child, eh?"
"…Master?"
"'Tis I."
"Why are we… like this…?"
Even as she spoke, she craved the warm embrace more.
Still half-asleep? She didn't know. It just felt good.
"Thou fell asleep just like yestereve and wouldn't let go of me."
"…."
"Heh heh, so my young disciple, sleep well?"
As wakefulness sharpened her mind, a rebellious urge rose.
"…And you sound like an old geezer, Master."
"…What didst thou say?"
"Just what I said. I've always wondered… why do you talk like that…?"
Ariel's stroking hand paused. A faint tremble.
"This speech… makes me seem aged…?"
"…You didn't know?"
"I, th-that, no, aye."
Shocked, Ariel stammered like a broken machine.
She really didn't know? Thinking back, it made sense. Aside from the guild's old fogeys, Asha was her only close contact. No one else would tell her.
But was it that shocking? Had Asha never mentioned it?
…Can't recall.
As the babyish Asha and her now-"elderly" master dazedly cuddled on the bed, the door burst open with pattering footsteps. Something hot and fresh hugged her back tightly.
"Make room for Cecil too!"
No need to ask who. How Cecil knew, Asha couldn't guess.
"Child—er, Cecil. Thou art always welcome… er."
"Lady Ariel is stuttering!"
"Nay, I, uh, aye… quite."
Ariel's flustered look drew giggles from Asha, then Cecil's bright laughter. After much chuckling, Asha addressed the silently blushing Ariel.
"You're stumbling 'cause you're trying to change suddenly. But do you need to? I thought it didn't quite suit you… but no need to force it."
Ariel replied glumly.
"…Why saidst thou naught?"
"…Pfft, you've talked like that since we met? I figured it was just you… or whatever."
"Urgh…."
Sandwiched between mumbling Ariel and clingy Cecil, Asha finally extricated herself from bed. Dodging another nap, they all ate breakfast together—as if nothing had happened last night.
With Claudia out training, it was Veronica, Ariel, Cecil, and Asha. The four gathered at the workshop to discuss next steps. They couldn't tell Claudia Asha was Asha yet, so unavoidable.
Exchanging research results, they pondered body restoration. Asha felt oddly stared at.
Regardless, no major breakthroughs as expected. The closest was Ariel cracking the virility suppressant formula.
…But who buys that? She vaguely recalled a past-life rumor about 'Monster' energy drinks having similar ingredients. Pure myth. It was a white elephant no one wanted.
"…Disciple. Scheming money again?"
"Ah, no. Who'd buy that…."
"Thou art."
"…."
Still, maybe useful someday. She jotted the recipe. Like suppressing Cecil's sudden erections…
"Any other side effects?"
"Tested on myself—no others."
Veronica chimed in.
"No problematic ingredients, seems fine."
"Aye?"
Uses in mind, Asha continued. Oh, and something to confirm—what she'd forgotten amid yesterday's chaos. Had Ariel spread Cecil's semen in the capital? Had to check; might be another source.
Circumspectly, without alerting Cecil: yes, Ariel had, as Veronica guessed. Sold at a fair price rather than free—more effective. Proven results, no issues.
The gifts last time? Proceeds from sales. Shocking.
Cecil's semen makes money.
"The spread amount means supplies are running low now. Got the data needed, though."
Glancing at Cecil and swallowing, Asha earned a knuckle-rap from Ariel. No funny ideas.
Rubbing the spot, her eyes met Cecil's. Cecil beamed innocently, face promising any help.
…Maybe it'll be okay.
The thought lingered until Claudia returned.