(20) Tic Tac: 01

Subaru stood in the courtyard of the Roswaal estate, her crimson hair flowing like wildfire against the gentle breeze. She adjusted the weight of her dagger in her hand, its silvery sheen catching the sunlight. The blade was no ordinary weapon—it could extend into a sword with a mere thought and retract just as swiftly. Add to that her newfound ability to store and retrieve items from a shadow inventory, and Subaru felt like she was playing in cheat mode.

Her armour glinted, her cape swirled behind her with each step, and her striking blue eyes narrowed as she focused on the dummy she had set up. A swift swing later, her blade extended into a glowing white sword, slicing cleanly through the wooden figure. She smirked at her work.

Puck floated lazily nearby, his little paws tucked under his chin. "Not bad, not bad. You've got some style for someone who, what was it, got isekai'd by accident?"

"Hey!" Subaru pointed her sword at him playfully. "Don't mock me, you lazy furball. I'm getting the hang of this!"

Emilia sat on the stone steps, watching with a warm smile. "You're amazing, Subaru. The way you move—it's so graceful and... strong."

Otto, scrubbing away at the balcony railings above, paused mid-swipe. His poet's heart leapt at the sight. "Such splendour... The Lady Knight in her crimson glory, striking down foes with unmatched elegance!" he muttered to himself, already drafting a new stanza in his mind.

Subaru chuckled, running a hand through her hair. She was still coming to terms with her new female body. It had immense power—enough to send shockwaves with a punch or slice through steel like butter—but it came at a cost. Her metabolism burned through calories like a raging inferno, hence her insatiable appetite.

"Lady Subaru, would you allow me to compose an ode in your honour?" Otto called out.

"Save it for later, Poet-in-Chief," she quipped, flipping her dagger in her hand.

Unbeknownst to her, a certain blonde loli was pretending to read nearby. Beatrice peeked over the top of her book, inching closer and closer with every swing of Subaru's blade.

Subaru, however, was no fool. Her instincts were sharp, and the faintest ripple in the air made her side-eye the sneaky librarian. "Betty," she said without turning, "don't even think about it."

Beatrice froze, her hand halfway extended. "I-I wasn't doing anything, I suppose!"

Before Subaru could respond, Rem walked into the courtyard, her calm demeanour offsetting the hum of activity. "Subaru-sama, lunch is ready."

Subaru's eyes lit up like a kid in a candy store. "Lunch? Finally!" She grinned and focused on her sword, which shimmered and disappeared into her shadow. Her armour followed suit, melting into the ground as she re-emerged in her casual attire—a simple shirt and jeans. Shadow inventory was awesome. She could change clothes faster than a magical girl transformation.

"Time to eat!" Subaru declared, practically skipping toward Rem.

But just as she was about to step away, a small hand darted out and grabbed hers.

"Wait—"

A blinding red light engulfed them both.

When the light dimmed, Subaru blinked, now carrying an unconscious Beatrice bridal-style. She sighed, glancing at Rem and Emilia, who stared in concern.

"Again?" Subaru groaned. "Does this kid ever learn?"

Puck floated over, smirking. "She just can't get enough of your mana, Hero Girl. You're like her favourite flavour now."

"Great. I'm a walking snack bar," Subaru muttered.

Without another word, she hoisted Beatrice securely and marched back to the manor, muttering about lolis and their insatiable needs as Emilia and Rem exchanged bewildered looks.

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