n

n

n

"John, is everything alright?

" Asked Ariel once she noticed that John was staring at the small crater formed by his Black hole.

n

"Everything's fine, let's head back to Eleanor,

" I replied.

nAriel didn't seem convinced, but she nodded.

nAfter that, they walked back to the ice sphere he had formed. It took a while to get there because John was out of magic. In fact, he couldn't even use deprehendre.

n'Is this an aftereffect from the possession..?' John wondered.

n'She seemed to be able to use chants, could she teach me them too..? But I don't really want to have to chant, I like having something unique like chant-less magic... Maybe even I can make a black hole…' John thought.

n

"John, why are you just staring at your hand? Let's go,

" Said Serena.

n

"Y-Yeah

"

n'Moreover, where did she find enough magic power to do that... The amount of pressure required... Unless she used her own magic power..? But she's in my body... How would she…'

n'Argh! I'm confused. There's no point in asking so many questions about it.' John cursed.

n'More importantly, this sensation, my heart can't calm down... The strange feeling in my stomach…' John thought.

n

"I'm getting excited...

" he said with a weird grin on his face.

nAriel and Serena, who happened to hear and notice me at that moment, both got startled and slightly scared.

n'Man, I can't believe I lost, I thought I would be unmatched for a long while after reaching the 15th floor, But I found someone that actually managed to beat me…' John thought.

n

"Looks like I'm about to encounter even stronger people... I can't wait!

" he said to himself.

n

"Hey, Ariel, don't you think John is a battle junkie?

" Serena whispered to Ariel.

n

"Eh?

"

nAriel looked over at the weird expressions of excitement John was making and looked back over at Serena.

n

"Yes...

" She said with a saddened tone.

n

"What are those two whispering about?

" John muttered.

n-----------------------------------------

n

"John! Serena! Ariel! You're all back!

" Said Eleanor Joyfully as she grabbed on to his hands.

n

"Yeah, told you I'd be back.

" John replied.

n

"Says the guy who got caught in the enemy's trap 10 seconds into the fight,

" interrupted Serena.

n

"Can't argue with that.

" John replied.

n

"Hm? Shouldn't this be the part where you disagree with me?

" Asked Serena.

n

"I guess some people just change,

" John replied with a bright smile on his face.

n

"A-Ariel! Something's wrong with John!

"

n

"Eh?!

" Said Ariel with a panicked expression.

n

"Serena, please, you're embarrassing me, it's obvious that I'm~ O~Kay~ Right~?

" John said with a smile as he made weird poses.

nAriel's eyes lost life, and it seemed like her soul was slipping away.

n

"Eh? Ariel, I was joking,

"Come back, don't leave us!!

"

n

"You're creeping me out...

" Muttered Serena as she stared at him..

n

"Serena, please don't stare at me like I'm some sort of creep, It was just a joke,

" John hastily said.

n

"Pfff, hahaha- Ah, sorry, it's just, it feels like you three really enjoy spending time with each other,

" Said Eleanor as she bowed.

n

"That's right!

" Said Ariel with a proud expression.

n'Looks like she completely recovered.' John thought.

n

"Yeah! I really enjoy it, despite how they look they're really strong and have saved me countless times,

" John said as he placed his arm on Serena and Ariel's shoulders.

nThey were startled by it, but didn't seem bothered.

n

"As weird as he can be, He's pretty fun to be around,

" Said Serena.

n

"Serena, T-Thank you...

" John said as tears streamed down his face.

n

"Why are you crying?!

" Asked Serena with an annoyed expression.

n

"I'm envious...

" Muttered Eleanor.

n***

nThanks to John's act, the tension from the fight had slightly disappeared. It's been 30 minutes since then, they had checked the carriage and the horses. There was nothing wrong with them. Alfred seemed better but was still asleep, and now they were about to continue the journey.

n

"Is everyone ready?

" Asked Serena.

n

"Yeah, let's go,

" John replied.

n

"Okay

" She said.

nThe horses began moving, and their travel continued.

n

"I'll be back, I'm going to go ask Eleanor more about where we are and where we're going,

" John said to Serena.

n

"You don't have to tell me...

" She replied.

n

"Y-Yeah...

"

nHe moved to the back of the carriage while it was still moving and sat on one of the seats next to Eleanor.

n

"Hm, John? What's wrong? Serena will be lonely,

" Said, Ariel..

n'She won't, besides, it's just for a few seconds, and I need to ask something.' John internally thought.

n

"It's fine, I just needed to ask Eleanor something, Where are we and Where are we going?

"

nEleanor made a surprised expression at John's question. It looked like Ariel never asked her.

n

"I thought for sure, you three knew. I mean, it's pretty hard not to...

" Said Eleanor.

n

"We've been through a lot, and I'm sure it's a little hard to believe, but we really have no clue where we are,

" John replied.

n

"No, no, I believe you, I was just surprised, sorry.

" She apologized.

n

"It's fine, and thanks.

"

n

"We're in the magic continent, one of the 6 continents, it's called Asteria.

"

n'Asteria..? Oi.... Are you kidding me? We were sent to another continent?!' John internally exclaimed.

n