“Thank you so much! I couldn’t ask for more!” Therese bowed her head as she thanked me and then saw the accessory Imiya had made for me and froze completely. “W-w-w-w-w-w-what is that?!” she eventually stammered.

“This? This was made by someone who could be considered . . . well, both my apprentice and a fellow student,” I said and showed Therese the Two Spirit Charm that Imiya had given me prior to my departure.

“Ah! It looks divine! So lovely!” Therese marveled. As though it were too bright for her to look at, Therese covered her face with her hands and looked away from the Two Spirit Charm. “It’s quite incredible,” she said, breathing heavily. “I never imagined such a fine piece could ever exist.”

Being able to draw out the power of accessories meant that this would be quite effective if given to Therese. That said, Imiya had been thinking more of me when she created it and handed it over. That said, if holding this made Therese stronger, then maybe that was the greatest value it had to offer.

“Therese, I’m sorry, but I can’t give this to you . . . but I could lend it to you, just until I go back,” I said. Imiya had given this to me, wishing for the safe return of not just me but everyone in the away party. Making the best use of it seemed the best way to realize that wish.

“Are you sure?” she exclaimed.

“Yes. But it’s just a loan. When I go back, I’ll want to take it with me . . . I know. How about we say you can use it until I fix the broken one?” I compromised.

“Whatever you say!” Therese started to practically grovel on the ground in thanks.

“—and then—” Filo was doing her best to translate for Sadeena and the others, facilitated with notes from Rishia. Based on the “oh mys” coming from Sadeena, they were getting the gist of it.

How had it come to this though? Therese was practically worshipping me. L’Arc had that look in his eye again too—the same look I supposedly made.

I proceeded to give the Two Spirit Charm to Therese. The change was immediate. Her body started to give off a light glow, and the bandages on her arm and leg scattered into pieces and blew away. The curse marks beneath them then just vanished too.

“Interesting. I have seen this in anime and games before. It is when a unit is replaced or promoted. A new unit comes in to replace the broken one that was used up,” Itsuki said. From where I was standing, he was barely making sense. I understood the nuance he was going for, but he really needed to work on his delivery.

“This is incredible,” Therese said, thrilled. “I feel so powerful I think I might burst!” She had actually started to float off the ground. Wings of fire grew out from her back and it looked like she could fly now too! “I’ll do my best to meet your expectations, Master Craftsman!”