Keeping his breathing steady and his stance stable, Orion swung down once more, the action flinging a bead of sweat from his hair onto his face.
Having found a practice sword in a storage shed, Orion had done some basic warmup exercises and stretching before deciding to get into practicing his swordsmanship.
'Just like with boxing, mastering your form first is most important. And in this world, where power can be multiplied, maintaining your form is even more important to get the most out of every strike,' Orion thought to himself, swinging down once more. 'I just have to trust in the little instruction Reinhard gave me in the first loop and build off of that.'
Having gone through his memories of sparring against his red-haired friend, Orion pulled out all the lessons and advice he could while focusing on the few times Reinhard personally instructed how to use the sword, such as demonstrating the proper footwork, how to grip the sword, and parrying technique.
But that wasn't all Orion was using.
After all, unlike most beginners, he had already fought against an overwhelmingly terrifying opponent in a serious battle.
'Elsa… while she wasn't a swordswoman, her movements were extremely efficient. Especially how she weaved kicks and flexibility into her style.'
Orion swung down again, thinking of the last piece of knowledge he was using to push himself forward.
'Then… there was her and Reinhard's fight, where I was able to witness the peak of swordsmanship in this world.'
From the way Reinhard casually parried Elsa's strikes with utmost efficiency, to the final strike that decimated the loot house, Orion ran through that scene over and over in his head, trying to emulate even a fraction of that perfection.
His spar and lessons against Reinhard, his fight to the death against Elsa, and the final battle against his two 'mentors'. Orion used these three experiences as a manual for how he would fight and slowly master the sword.
'Though… I'm awfully slow and weak, aren't I?' Orion lamented, feeling his tired arms swing down once more, the practice sword arcing through the air at a pace easily visible to the human eye. 'Mana… it's all about mana.'
Orion stopped his swinging, opting to sit down in a crossed-legged position as he closed his eyes.
'I need to connect with mana and weave it into my body at will. Not unconsciously in the heat of the moment like I've done before. I also need to learn to put it into my blade if I ever want to defend a truly dangerous strike in this world,' Orion thought.
Meditating to the relaxing sounds of morning birds chirping, Orion looked inward in an attempt to bring out the foreign power.
He could feel it clearly.
A burning heat, thrumming with untapped potential. But despite his efforts, he couldn't get it to move out of its docile state.
It felt close, but out of reach, as if he was trying to consciously move his ear or nose. Something impossible for the current him.
'...Tsk. It's not working.' Getting back to his feet, Orion dusted himself off. 'Maybe after I learn a bit more about magic I'll be able to feel it, but right now I'm just-'
"Orion."
Hearing a voice calling him, Orion turned to see Rem a short bit away from him, looking at him in a much more… relaxed way than she had the day before.
"Your friend, Sir Subaru, was found passed out in the hallway, having had his mana drained by Lady Beatrice. I thought it prudent to inform you," she finished her words with a bow.
"Ah, thank you, Rem. I'll go see him."
'I think that's enough training for now. Plus, I should tell him what happened while he was out so he doesn't freak out when he wakes up.'
—
"That's a familiar ceiling…" Subaru voiced out, opening his eyes in the Mathers manor for a second time that morning.
"What are you talking about?"
Subaru then sat up, his eyes darting straight to Orion, who was doing some reading practice in the nearby chair.
"Senpai! You're alive!"
"I would hope so," Orion said, closing his borrowed book, a children's story about the Great Calamity and its resolution. "Anyway, aside from you passing out, everything ended up working out, and we're now at the Mathers manor. The place where Emilia is staying."
Subaru clasped his hands together with a dreamy expression. "We're with Emilia-tan!? Ooh, how lucky for me, to get to spend more time- Wait, then why are you here!?"
Pointing his finger accusingly at Orion, Subaru continued, "Weren't you going to stay with Reinhard or something? He even offered you the chance to be a knight!"
"Well… I suppose there's two reasons for that," Orion explained. "First, I wanted to stay with you since we're seemingly linked due to your power, with me being the only one who remembers failed loops."
Subaru's eyes widened. "...You'd do that for me?"
Orion sighed, "Yes, that's part of it. But it would also suck if you got killed just as I started making a life here and got us sent back to our first day. There's also the fact that your power is quite… lonely."
Subaru's head tilted down, remembering the first loop with Emilia, where while she did give him a fake name, they shared quite a few fun experiences together. At least he got to relive helping the little girl with her in the last one too.
"Anyway, the first reason for me staying here is you, for both of our sakes, while the other is… well, I guess you could say I found something to devote myself to."
"Devote yourself to?" Subaru repeated, his head tilted in confusion.
"Protecting Emilia and helping her get to the throne," Orion said, eyes hardening in resolve. "That's what I want to do. Something I believe in and something that matters."
Subaru's eyes twitched. "What?"
Noticing the jealousy in his gaze, Orion quickly got rid of the misunderstanding. "I'm not romantically interested, so don't worry about that. Instead, you should think of your reward. I asked for mine to be taught literacy and to work as Emilia's attendant if you want to know."
"Hmm, I guess- Wait a moment!" Subaru said face scrunched up in thought. "You said you would 'help Emilia gain the throne'... what do you mean by that?"
"Hm? She didn't tell you?" Orion asked, surprised that in the two loops they spent together, Emilia wouldn't tell Subaru the importance of the insignia.
'Well, I guess she didn't even give him her name the first time, so that makes sense,' he thought.
Orion then went on to explain how the royal family had died off, and how among the five candidates that would compete for the throne, Emilia was one of them. Effectively a royal princess with a serious chance of becoming the queen.
"Huh… We're totally suspicious here!" Subaru lamented.
"Yes, but since Beatrice drained your mana, I assume they know you're not doing anything bad," Orion said, getting up. "Just don't mention being from another world since we don't know how that will be received. Anyway, let's go."
—
"You really took my example to heart, huh?" Orion said to Subaru. "But a butler? Are you really okay with that? Why not just become a guest or something?"
"Come on, Senpai! I spent my whole high school career wasting away in my room," Subaru said, suddenly turning serious as he looked at his palm. "I can't just do nothing. Not when I've been given a second chance like this."
He then cheered back up, regaining his usual enthusiasm. "Besides! I'm quite good at chores, you know?"
Knowing the amount of work that would be required of him, Orion patted Subaru's back sympathetically.
"Yeah. I'm… sure you'll do great."
"That's the spirit!" Subaru cheered. "But aside from that… it seems that Ros-chi got you something nice, huh?"
Looking down at his hip, Orion grazed his hand across the handle of his new sword. It was a straight, double-sided arming sword, with a black handle and silver pommel, and had been given to him by Roswaal during breakfast. Apparently, the man had picked it up during his trip the day before, much to Orion's surprise and pleasure.
"Yeah. I'm surprised too," Orion said. "I thought I would have to buy one with my own money, but this is great. Speaking of, you shouldn't call your employer by that nickname. Especially not around Ram."
"Aww, it's fine!" Subaru waved off his concern.
As the two young men walked the perimeter of the manor, they came across the sight of Emilia walking towards them. "Good morning Subaru! Orion! Sorry about missing breakfast, but I'm glad to see you're awake, Subaru."
Subaru squinted his eyes with a content expression, "Ah, Emilia-tan's pure-hearted concern never fails to warm my heart! That aside…"
He then overlooked the half-elf, who was wearing a pair of white thigh highs and a simple pink sundress, a small flower ornament she had received from the girl she brought to her parents pinned to her chest.
"Whoever chose that outfit totally gets it! Maximum points!"
Emilia sighed with an amused smile, "I'm not sure what you're talking about, but the fact that I know it's something stupid is a little disappointing."
Her expression then changed into one of slight worry. "But Subaru… does anything feel off? I know Beatrice played a mean prank on you like she did with Orion…"
"That loli? Yeah, it did hurt during the moment, but I'm fine now!" Subaru said, flexing his biceps. "In fact, I'm feeling particularly energized now! That must be thanks to your healing, Emilia-tan!"
Emilia smiled before tilting her head in confusion. "What does '-tan' mean?"
"Ah! It's a sign of affection! Like how Puck calls you 'Lia'," Subaru said, his cheeks gaining a bit of a red tint as he rubbed the back of his head.
"I… see," Emilia looked away, her fingers twirling a strand of hair. "Are you sure we're that close?"
Subaru hung his head as his hand clenched his robe over his heart.
"That somewhat hurts, but I won't give up! Think of it as me wanting to advance our relationship to where we can call each other whatever nicknames we want!"
"Oh!" Emilia said, her cheeks dusting red as she averted her eyes. "I… suppose I can accept that."
'These two idiots…' Orion shook his head, though there was a small smile on his face.
"B-But don't look at me!" Emilia complained, turning her face away.
Subaru looked on in amazement. "I expected her to cringe, but I got a positive response."
"If you expected her to cringe, why did you even say it?" Orion sighed.
As he said that, a cat suddenly materialized over Subaru's shoulder. "Well, Lia doesn't have many friends, so she secretly craves things like nicknames."
"Ah! So my main heroine is easy to please!" Subaru pumped his fist.
'While I said the two were idiots...I think one is a bit more of an idiot than the other,' Orion thought dryly.
"That aside, I should thank you two for helping my dear Lia," Puck said, bowing his head. "And sorry for not saying hi earlier, Orion! That fight took a lot out of me, you know! And then I had to help Subaru here!"
"Ah, that's fine," Orion said to the cat spirit. "I was kind of overwhelmed with everything yesterday, I didn't need the shock of a talking cat spirit added on to that."
Puck then drifted back over to land on Emilia's shoulder, the girl having regained her composure.
"Anyway, since you two saved my dear Lia, I think it's only fair I do something for you," Puck said, wiping his tired eyes. "Is there anything you want?"
"Okay, then…" Subaru said, walking over to pick up the cat spirit. "Let me pet your fur whenever I want!"
"Done! Though your reward is a bit lacking in ambition," Puck said, enjoying Subaru's touch as he looked over to Orion. "And? What about you?"
"Hmm…" Orion hummed, cupping his chin. "Emilia said you were a fire spirit, right? If you could teach me a few tricks once I get started with magic, that'd be great."
"I would have done that anyway since you'll be helping to protect Lia, but I accept!" Puck said, flying over to Orion before landing on his head and closing his eyes. "...To think Betty was right… You're an even better meat shield than I thought!"
"Hey!" Orion voiced his dissatisfaction.
"Fufu! You three are so funny!" Emilia said, covering her mouth with a hand. "But sorry Subaru, I have to go back inside and start studying."
"I understand, Emilia-tan! I'll just have to work extra hard today and earn some time with you as a reward!" Subaru said happily.
"Yes, work hard, but don't push yourself," Emilia chided him. "And Orion? Do you want to join me? You won't have to do anything, since I know you can't read or write yet, but it might be useful to see what I do."
"Sure thing, just let me grab my notebook from my room first," Orion said, walking alongside her.
Subaru, now left alone, gritted his teeth in annoyance. "Dammit. I should have asked to do the same job as Senpai! Now that bastard gets to spend alone time with my dear Emilia-tan while I'm left out here alone!"
"If you are that upset about doing nothing, then we can begin immediately, Barusu," Ram said, interjecting on Subaru's complaints. "And while I've only known you for an hour, I can already tell you are much too carefree to be the attendant of a royal candidate. In fact, rather than a servant, you would be a better fit as a jester."
"So mean, dear sister~" Subaru cried.
—
"So… your work is essentially overviewing the Mathers domain?" Orion asked.
"Yes. It is the perfect way for me to gain experience as a ruler, especially since I don't hold any lands of my own," Emilia answered, shuffling a few pieces of paper. "I go over the reports of the vassals and make any decisions that need to be made, though everything gets handed to Roswaal afterwards so I don't make any mistakes."
"I see… so what are you doing now?" he asked, unable to read the papers without using his notebook to slowly translate.
"Overlooking a problem one of the nearby farming villages is having," Emilia said, pointing to a spot on the map. "Apparently, there has been some trouble with low harvests, and they've had to rely on nearby towns to keep themselves fed, but it's been getting expensive."
"Hmm… why don't they store it then?" Orion asked.
Emilia shook her head, "They've tried that before, but had most of the crop go bad before it could be used, leading to them losing money from not selling it… it's quite the predicament."
'Hmm… sounds like one of my inventory problems from last year. Could I…?'
Pulling out a quill and a blank page, Orion began scribbling some things down while asking some questions to Emilia.
"What's the population? And how long did it take for the crop to go bad? Also, how much did they produce this year and in the last three years?"
Emilia, while confused, provided Orion with details about the situation as the young man began writing down some things she couldn't understand, mumbling about 'inventory turnover' and 'reorder point' before he eventually presented a mess of unidentifiable scribbles.
"Here. While it's not optimal, this should be a good guide for them to keep a rolling safety stock each season. It should be enough of a buffer to last a poor harvest without outsourcing food while being able to sell it before it goes bad," he said.
Emilia was confused, but she could notice a few numbers spread out across the page.
"Umm, I'm not sure I understand, Orion," she said apologetically.
"Oh, right. Sorry, forgot about the writing being different," he said. "But basically, the village should keep a certain amount of stock before each season, and continuously replenish it so it doesn't go bad."
Emilia's eyes widened. "That sounds like exactly what they need! If you can translate that for me, I'll be sure to send this to Roswaal! Thank you, Orion."
"Ah, no problem," he shrugged.
'Thank god I downloaded that textbook on my phone,' he thought to himself. 'But I should probably write some stuff down before my phone dies, huh?'
"Now it's time to do some studying!" Emilia said, energized after having Orion solve a problem.
—
Emilia's studies ranged from a wide variety of subjects, including politics, studying the important members of the kingdom, history, geography, finance, resource management, laws, and diplomacy.
While Orion was quite useless in many of the subjects, especially history and geography as it was a completely different world from his own, he was able to help Emilia with things related to problem-solving and math, much to his joy.
'To have begged to be an attendant only to be completely useless… that would've been extremely embarrassing,' he thought to himself.
As Emilia put back the last of her things, she looked to Orion before bowing in thanks. "Thank you, Orion. You really helped me out today, especially with arithmetic. You're really smart, you know that?"
Orion shook his head with a smile. "Thank you for the compliment, but anyone with a high school degree and two years of university could do that. I'm not that special."
"'High school'... is that something from your hometown?" Emilia asked.
As Orion nodded, Emilia clapped her hands together. "Well, that may be so, but I don't know about anyone else who went to this 'high school', so you're special to me!"
Orion's eyes widened as he bashfully scratched his ear.
"Thanks, Emilia. You're too kind."
'Well, I can't agree with her, but she is right that I have an advantage in education. I know I'm not anything special, but… maybe I could be,' Orion thought. 'Jeez, now I'm all excited for my magic training later today.'
"No, it's only right to praise someone when they're deserving," Emilia said, shaking her head. "Anyway, I have to go talk with my contracted lesser spirits. Have fun learning magic with Roswaal!"
With Emilia taking her leave, and Orion being left alone, the young man got up to stretch before looking outside.
"Well, let's hope this works. Apparently, I got lucky with having three elemental affinities and a divine protection, so it'd be embarrassing to fail now."