The Water Magician

The space was one that Ryo was now all too familiar with.

"Sealed corridor..."

Ryo murmured.

He had been separated from Abel and Duke Helb.

"If Abel dies, will he come back to life like Secretary Zuluma after being treated by Duke Helb?"

He was muttering something ominous, but he was still somewhat worried.

However, he quickly returned his focus.

Before him appeared the bespectacled woman from earlier.

"Both phantom beings and human swordsmen are rare, but you are exceptional. What is that droplet overflowing from your body?"

The bespectacled woman examined Ryo from head to toe multiple times.

It was quite uncomfortable.

"Is it the fairy factor or the fairy droplets?"

"Ah, yes, that. Quite rare indeed. To think such a rarity is out here in the seas of the Eastern Nations... Fate can be terrifying."

"Fate..."

"I encountered you while I was conducting experiments. What else could you call this if not fate?"

The bespectacled woman nodded repeatedly as she said this.

"I didn't come here because I wanted to... This island, or rather, the Death Dragon approaching the southern continent, is a problem. I'm here to eliminate that."

"Hmm. Yes, it would be a problem for a human. But it can't be helped. My experiment requires various materials. I found the Death Dragon, so I decided to proceed with it... but I must apologize to those who will be caught up in this."

"...How many people do you plan to involve?"

"I'm not sure, but... around a million?"

The bespectacled woman answered after a moment's thought.

"That's troubling."

"Yes, I understand that. But to obtain great results, many sacrifices must be made... It's an unchanging truth since ancient times. However..."

The bespectacled woman once again scrutinized Ryo from head to toe.

"Right now, there's something in front of me that is more interesting than the great experiment."

"No, there's nothing. I feel it would be better for a million people to be sacrificed for my sake..."

"Don't say such heartless things. Just accompany me for about fifty years for my experiment."

"What?!"

"Just a simple dissection experiment. That droplet overflowing from you..."

"Absolutely not!"

"You might be able to get closer to the truth of the world, you know?"

"Please find the truth of the world in a distant realm unrelated to me."

Ryo shook his head slightly.

"Ah, yes, my name is Pastra. What is your name?"

"...Ryo."

"Ryo, huh? That's a good name. Dissection subject Ryo. Hmm, I feel a thrill."

"Absolutely not!"

"If you insist, I could anesthetize you before the dissection? I don’t like it because you won’t show natural reactions..."

"No way! Dissection without anesthesia would hurt!"

"Exactly! It's painful. Ah... Ryo, you're the type who dislikes pain, huh?"

"I absolutely hate it!"

The world seems to be quite complicated.

"Will you really not cooperate with the dissection experiment?"

"I won't!"

"Even after all this pleading?"

"I absolutely refuse!"

"In that case, it will come to force. Even if I have to kill you..."

"I'd prefer that over being dissected... Wait? Kill me?!"

"Kill you, extract information centered around your brain..."

"..."

Pastra shook his head slightly.

Ryo regulated his breathing.

"It can't be helped. [Stone prison]."

"[Abrasive Jet 2048]."

A stone prison formed around Ryo to capture him.

However, the line of water containing ice polish cut through it instantly.

"What!? Wind? No, water? It's interesting that water can cut stone. As expected, I must conduct my dissection experiment..."

"Absolutely not!"

As his surprise turned to delight, Pastra invited Ryo to the dissection experiment.

Of course, Ryo refused.

"Then I'll use force!"

"It was force from the start!"

"[Stone rain]."

"[Ice wall level 20 package]."

A rain of stone fell.

An ice barrier deflected it.

However...

Clang.

Pastra, holding a stone spear that he had created without Ryo noticing, thrust it.

The stone rain was a diversion.

Naturally, Ryo had anticipated such a move.

He received it with Murakumo.

"What’s that sword? An ice sword? How interesting, truly fascinating. I must dissect it at all costs!"