Binary Soul

> Narrator PoV <

In a certain tower in the middle of a certain forest, due south a certain troublesome city, a certain duo were about to start their day. Kira’s eyes fluttered open and she looked at the person she fell asleep next to. The feeling of someone snuggling against her every morning and every night felt a bit awkward and uncomfortable at first, but she got completely used to it after several days.

Well… it’s fine if I spoil her a bit, right? (Kira)

She smiled gleefully and the still sleeping Ellie who was curled up next to her. This foreign girl’s innocent, often child-like behavior filled Kira’s heart with joy. She gently stroked her sleeping companion’s hair a few times before planting a small kiss on her forehead.

“Heeah… Kiraa… Huh? Ah! Good morning Kira!” (Ellie)

Ellie woke up gradually under Kira’s gentle touch. When she confirmed the most special (and only) person in her life was still there, she was overcome with joy. Like a flower in full bloom, her face blossomed into a full smile. Lately she had been smiling so much that her face had started to hurt at times, but she couldn’t help it. She was truly and honestly happy to share her days peacefully with another person.

“Good morning, Ellie. You too Nano.” (Kira)

“Ah! Nano! Good morning!” (Ellie)

{Good morning you two. You’re awfully chipper considering it’s not even dawn yet.}

“Kira’s hugs are really invigorating you know! And the good morning kiss is the best part! It makes me feel like I can take on the world!” (Ellie)

“Please don’t actually do that, though.” (Kira)

“Don’t worry, Kira! I won’t lose!” (Ellie)

“I know. It’s the rest of the world I’m worried about…” (Kira)

After going back and forth like this for a while, the two got up and prepared for the day ahead of them.

First was breakfast prepared by Nano. Mushrooms, fruits, herbs, roots, berries, nuts, bee honey and other edible ingredients were easily gathered by dozens of drones that swarmed over the forest. Kira had shared plenty of information regarding what was safe to eat and what was not, which Nano put to practical use.

Although overflowing with monsters, the forest still housed wild animals. The main differences between a monster and a wild animal was that the latter were much less aggressive and much more edible. Wild boar in particular had become a staple diet of Nano’s household. Finding one was difficult, but hunting them would provide meat for a long time to come. Especially since the wild boars in the vicinity of Runetap grew to the size of a bus. From Nano’s perspective, that just meant more meat for the freezer!

After breakfast, Ellie moved on to doing her exercises. Calisthenics to warm up before moving onto a series of kata. Three forms unarmed, three forms with the sword. Coordination between body and mind was essential for bringing out the full force of her [Telekinesis], so she would not skip out on these motions. Kira spent this time enjoying the sight the sight of Ellie’s ‘dancing’ as if it was some sort of performance.

After Ellie, it was Kira’s turn to train. Just like any other skill, spell-casting needed to be honed through effort and willpower. She took this opportunity to educate Ellie on the basics of countering and avoiding magical attacks, as well as basic magical theory that is common sense among adventurers. Ellie soaked in every word out of Kira’s mouth like a sponge. Nano would remember the details for her if need be, but it was important to Ellie that she listen closely to Kira’s voice. These basic lectures about magic had revealed a shocking truth to Ellie, however.

Ellie was unable to use magic. Kira had determined that Ellie’s body was almost completely devoid of mana. While every living thing had some amount of mana within its body, it was often too little to produce a magical effect. Let alone a mana pool, most people had what could only be described as a mana puddle. In Ellie’s case, it seemed to be even more extreme.

However, Ellie was not concerned with this. She could still rely on her psionic abilities to do things Kira couldn’t do with magic. [Telekinesis] was a flexible tool - she could hold and lift multiple heavy objects, repel enemies and attacks with an invisible push and ward off projectile attacks. [Telepathy] on the other hand could be used to weed out people’s true intentions, discerning their true motives and help protect the two from being misled.

And while overuse of these abilities do put a certain amount of strain on the mind, Ellie had been using them constantly for many years - to the point where they were second nature to her. However, this was the first time Ellie was truly glad she was born with these gifts. She finally had something precious she could protect.

* * *

After the morning training session came lunch. Kira and Ellie both ate the food Nano provided with gusto and zeal. As for the taste of Nano’s cooking, one would find it hard to describe it as anything other than ‘okay.’ The lack of spices and seasonings, not to mention the focus on nutritional balance, meant that such things as flavor were left by the wayside. It was a small miracle the food actually tasted as good as it did.

Not that Nano’s customers minded that.

Kira could finally eat as much as she wanted for free. While she was never quite starving, her limited budget meant she couldn’t eat her fill regularly like this.

Ellie on the other hand was incredibly happy to have actual food to eat. With every bite, she felt joy overflowing from the bottom of her soul. The joy of finally being free of the pills and protein paste that had become the staple dishes of her former space-vagrant lifestyle.

It was more than that, though. The simple fact that both of these loners could share a meal with another person like this made it seem much tastier.

The result of all that was that even though these meals were, objectively speaking, a bit bland, neither of these two girls found them to be anything other than delicious.

* * *

And after happily finishing their lunch, the duo would head out into the forest. The hostile environment meant they would often encounter packs of monsters or encroach onto their lairs and dens. They worked diligently on honing their teamwork while tempering Ellie’s skills as an adventurer.

Ellie was in front as usual. Using a combination of her sword attacks, self-taught martial arts, [Telekinesis] and throwing knives, she was a versatile all-range fighter. She would sometimes get a bit too into it, losing herself in a sort of battle trance. A state that turned her into a veritable whirlwind of carnage! She easily took apart the pack of ferocious giant wolves they had come upon just a few minutes ago!

However, rather than praise, Ellie’s behavior earned her a scolding. One Kira was in the middle of administering with great zeal.

“An adventurer must be vigilant at all times! Getting drunk on adrenaline like that narrows your field of vision! It’s a bad habit that will make you miss crucial details during a critical moment!” (Kira)

“But! Nano is keeping an eye on us! I’m also watching the trees around us for suspicious movement!” (Ellie)

It was not overconfidence nor carelessness on Ellie’s part. It’s true that Nano’s surveillance net of flying probes would easily catch sight of any large-scale monster movements. However, that behavior proved Ellie was not thinking like an adventurer.

“Naive! What’re you going to do if a flying monster takes out Nano’s golems? What if giant insects attacks you from underground? Or what if a bandit has concealed himself with invisibility?! There’s even the possibility of insects appearing in your underwear!” (Kira)

“What? They just appear in my underwear!? Such a thing exists?!” (Ellie)

“Of course! Well... probably. I have my suspicions. They used to appear quite often in my Magic Academy days. No matter how diligently I check my clothes, I would sometimes feel caterpillars or beetles inexplicably appear in them!” (Kira)

“That’s seriously scary!” (Ellie)

{Kira. May I ask a question?}

“What is it Nano?” (Kira)

{When you say they ‘used to’ appear, does that mean they’re not an issue anymore?}

“Well, while it’s true that they haven’t appeared at all after my graduation, such thinking is also naive! They’re probably lying in wait, waiting for me to let my guard down!” (Kira)

{I’m pretty sure you were just being bullied.}

“Huh?” (Kira)

{Putting bugs down the clothes of kids they don’t like is a staple of bullies, is it not?}

“...” (Kira)

{Just… throwing that out there.}

“*Cough* That is, um. Also a likely explanation…” (Kira)

Ellie started seething with a quiet rage. She had heard how Kira was relentlessly persecuted in the past. It was not something Ellie would willingly forgive.

“So. Where did you say these bullies live? I may need to… educate them.” (Ellie)

“Ellie? Please don’t-!” (Kira)

Shocked by Ellie’s suddenly icy stare and bloodlust-laden voice, Kira panicked at what Ellie was preparing herself to do. Sensing her distress, Ellie relaxed herself and reassured Kira.

“I won’t kill them, Kira. I’m just going to… educate them.” (Ellie)

She cracked her knuckles in anticipation. Those that caused her friends pain - emotional or otherwise - needed to pay for their crimes. Ellie promised only to kill as a last resort. However, people are tenacious. They can still live on with broken bones and dislocated joints. She would simply return the pain they inflicted on Kira with even more pain.

Emotional and otherwise.

“Look Ellie, while I’m happy that you’re mad for my sake, those people have nothing to do with the task at hand. Therefore, forget about them and focus!” (Kira)

“Right! Sorry Kira.” (Ellie)

I do get a bit carried away when I think someone might be disrespectful towards someone this Kiramazing.

Kira deserves their respect and admiration.

I’ll be sure Kira gets what she is owed when the time comes though.

“Very good. Now then, let’s go find another pack of wolves - the way they cooperate against us will be good practice. Just remember to keep focused this time!” (Kira)

“Roger!” (Ellie)

Kira looked around them before turning back to Ellie with a puzzled expression.

“I don’t see him.” (Kira)

“Hmm?” (Ellie)

“Where’s this Roger guy at?” (Kira)

“Who?” (Ellie)

“Why are you asking- You know what, nevermind.” (Kira)

* * *

After working hard all afternoon to thin out the pests and vermin around their new home, Kira and Ellie would return for supper. A satisfying meal after a hard day’s work. But the day would not be over just yet. The dark evenings were reserved for Kira’s lectures on writing and culture in the Kingdom of Ferseit.

After all, things that were common sense to Kira should be completely foreign to Ellie and Nano. Things like greetings and general etiquette, which derogatory terms and phrases to avoid. Admittedly, Kira was maybe not the best teacher on the subject of common sense, but it was better than nothing.

A few hours of studying later, Kira and Ellie would take a long relaxing soak in the bath before cuddling up together for the night. Simply knowing the other person was there for them would ensure they both have a restful sleep. And like this, another day in Kira and Ellie’s new life would come to a close the same way it had ever since they met each other.

Well, with one small difference. Ellie was hugging Kira’s midsection ever so slightly tighter than usual, as if the thing in her arms was a body pillow rather than a person.

“Mmmm… so soft…” (Ellie)

“Ellie! It’s embarrassing when you keep focusing on my chest like that!” (Kira)

“Hmm? But that’s not what I meant. Kira’s chest is fluffy and warm, but the waist is also gotten a lot better!” (Ellie)

“... The waist?” (Kira)

“Yeah! It used to be firmer, but lately it’s been getting much more comfortable! My hands seem to sink in slightly! It’s great!” (Ellie)

In Ellie’s mind, this was completely a compliment. Using the logic of ‘soft things are nice’ this straightforward and blunt girl had blurted out a truth Kira had been deluding herself about for a while now.

While it was true that every spell a mage used would consume some measure of their body’s energy reserves, it was an almost insignificant amount. Even for Kira, whose daily output was much higher than most mages, this was easily remedied by eating an extra mouthful or two with each meal. Using that as an excuse for double and triple servings was just her way of justifying eating so much.

It was Kira’s bad habit of self-delusion, a way to run away from the bothersome parts of reality.

{Now that Ellie mentions it, Kira has been getting a bit-}

“Okay! I get it!” (Kira)

Having been forced to face her own blunder, Kira was a little upset. But she knew better than to blame others.

“Nano. I might need your help with this.” (Kira)

{I understand. I’ll make sure you don’t overeat so much.}

“... Thanks.” (Kira)

Kira had to face the reality of her being a glutton. The reality that she had gained weight. It was a problem that needed to be addressed.

“Hm? Kira? Something wrong?” (Ellie)

Ellie was so engrossed in the feeling of wrapping herself around Kira, that she didn’t even realize there was a problem.

“Nothing I can’t handle.” (Kira)

*Smooch*

“Good night Ellie, Nano.” (Kira)

“Good night Kira! Good night Nano!” (Ellie)

{You girls sleep tight.}

Kira closed her eyes and reaffirmed her determination. Her reasons for wanting to lose weight were entirely related to her occupation. Being an adventurer was demanding on the body. Even if mages were typically not as strong as warriors or as quick as scouts and spies, hey still had to keep themselves fit. Long treks and intense combat were both a regular occurrence after all.

It had nothing to do with the fact that Kira wanted to look her absolute best for the sake of a certain special someone.

This and that are completely unrelated. (Kira)