"Hah!!"
With a sharp shout, Mash slammed her shield hard against the ice wall in front of Lancer. Relying on her immense strength, she shattered the ice instantly, but to her surprise, a staff covered in hard ice was already pressed against her back, aimed directly at her heart.
Lancer, who had been wearing a serious expression, retracted his staff once Mash stopped her movement.
"Alright, that's enough for today. We'll continue tomorrow."
"Yes! Thank you, Mr. Lancer!"
Though the intensity of the training had her leaning on her shield and panting for breath, she was still very happy to express her gratitude to Lancer.
Lancer just smiled and didn't say much. To him, it was just a small favor.
At that moment, Leone walked over with a smile and handed both of them a towel.
"Thanks, Leone."
Leone just smiled at Lancer without saying a word; the two didn't need such formalities. Lancer smiled back.
Yesterday, Lancer had actually suggested that Leone change out of the maid uniform. After all, Leone had changed out of it during their fight. Since her "Imperial Arm"—or rather her current "Noble Phantasm"—would beastify over 30% of her body when fully activated (with a limit said to exceed 50%), she actually wore athletic shorts and a top under the uniform. Lancer had already told her that he wouldn't view her as a "servant," but Leone had ultimately refused.
According to her, she was already used to her current attire, and her choice to dress this way was simply a personal habit. Lancer, unable to win the argument, stopped pressing the issue. His goal was for her to be comfortable, but that standard had to be set by her. He didn't want to be a "know-it-all" and end up causing trouble.
Just then, Lancer looked over at Olga Marie, who had been watching from the sidelines since the second half of the session.
"Olga, do you have a moment later? There's something I need to talk to you about."
Olga Marie, who had been fussing over Mash, was startled for a second before nodding with a look of pure annoyance.
With Fujimaru Ritsuka support, Mash headed to the infirmary for her check-up, and Leone left the training room with a smile. Finally, only Lancer and Olga Marie were left in the room. Lancer didn't waste any time.
"Olga, do you understand your current situation?"
Lancer sudden question caught her off guard, but she eventually shook her head.
The things happening to her were far too bizarre. First "dying," then being caught in a "Rayshift," and now seemingly becoming a "ghost." Because of this, she couldn't use many of her spells. To keep herself from overthinking, she had poured all her energy into work. Now that Lancer had suddenly brought it up, she felt a sense of foreboding.
"While 'ghosts' often appear in games, novels, or anime, they are actually quite rare outside of certain specific worlds. In the year I worked at the Onmyoryo, I didn't see many. To put it simply, two conditions are needed for a ghost to be born: an external condition to manifest the spiritual body, and a strong obsession within the soul itself. Because of the 'Rayshift,' you gained a body similar to a 'spiritual body' through magical energy, but because it's different from a normal human body, there was no backup plan, leading to the failure of the transfer. In the end, I turned you into a 'ghost,' meaning I provided the 'spiritual body.' But do you remember what I said back then?"
Lancer words sent Olga Marie into a memory. Soon, the words Lancer said while pouring "wine" into her mouth appeared in her mind.
'You should say your goodbyes in person.'
Seeing her expression change, Lancer knew she had finally remembered.
"You could say your 'existence' itself relies on me. But I have to leave in three days, which means—"
"I have to leave too?! Can't you stay?! What will happen to Mash and the others without you?!"
Lancer words sent Olga Marie into a panic. In her mind, Fujimaru Ritsuka was just an ordinary high school girl. Although the determination and decisiveness she showed in Singularity F had made her look at the girl in a new light, that was just decisiveness; as a magus, she wasn't even a rookie. As for Mash, though she was gradually absorbing combat experience from the previously summoned Servant, she wasn't the Servant herself—her combat power was compromised. Olga hadn't forgotten the sight of the seemingly "burning" CHALDEAS when they returned. The two of them couldn't do this alone...
Olga Marie usually acted strong, but her heart wasn't as tough as it looked. She had only held on because of the pressure of her family mission and her assistant, Lev. But now Lev had betrayed her, and she seemingly could never fulfill her family mission. she was spiraling.
As if grabbing a lifeline, she suddenly grabbed Lancer right hand.
"Mr. Lancer! Please... at least! At least let me stay! If possible, even if I have to..."
Watching a blushing Olga Marie pull his arm toward her chest, Lancer expression became extremely subtle. It was obvious she had misunderstood what happened with Leone yesterday. In reality, Lancer hadn't been the one taking the initiative. You have to understand, he was quite desperate yesterday too! Lancer, strengthened by the Caster class, actually didn't have much of a gap in "stamina" compared to her, but who knew Leone would actually use her "Imperial Arm"? While beast-ear girls definitely hit his weak spot, the problem was that he had shamefully "lost the battle" in the end...
Ahem. Anyway, Lancer wasn't the type of guy who made a move on every woman he saw. But how was he supposed to explain that? Or rather, if he said it, would she even believe him?
Flick!
He flicked her forehead with his index finger.
"Ouch!"
Clutching her head, Olga Marie looked at Lancer with confusion, while Lancer shook his head helplessly.
"Is that the kind of person I am in your head?"
Seeing Olga Marie clutching her forehead with an aggrieved face that clearly said "Yes, exactly that," his mood became extremely subtle.
'Right, it must be because of the "Equinox Flower" that the initial favorability of the undead toward me has dropped. I'm a decent guy.'
After comforting himself, he continued his explanation.
"Cough. Anyway, there was a reason for what happened yesterday. Right now we're talking about you. Actually, you should have faith in Mash and Fujimaru Ritsuka. Those two aren't as fragile as you think. Didn't I tell you? I've seen the 'future.' Although they go through countless hardships, in the end, they really do stop all of this and save humanity. And while I'm leaving, it doesn't mean I don't plan to come back. Actually, using 'homunculus' technology, it's possible to create a 'flesh body' for you to possess. It wouldn't count as a true resurrection, but you could continue to exist. Right now, the only issue is 'time'."
Lancer explanation allowed Olga Marie to barely calm down.
If her initial self hadn't quite believed Lancer talk about the "future," the experience in Singularity F had led her to gradually trust him. Finally, she gave a heavy nod.
"Alright. Now that's settled, wipe your tears."
Taking a tissue from his pocket and handing it to her, Lancer finally couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Seeing this, Olga Marie had an expression like she wanted to laugh but didn't dare, because she seemed to recall how the two of them looked the first time they met.
As far as Lancer was concerned, this matter was settled. However, neither of them noticed that the door to the training room wasn't completely locked, and a figure was gradually disappearing...