Shirou in Another World.

Volume 1: Beginnings CH11

Days came and passed. Soon, winter was ending.

Shirou was watching Lunea chase the falling snowflakes. The heavens above were in a good mood. There had been no blizzards in the last month or so. Which meant that this winter was the best winter the village had in a long time. Something which Shirou was happy about.

At least, that was one glimmer of positivity. Come winter's end, Lunulupae and Lunea would be leaving the forests behind to travel.

She explained that they were forced to bunker down at the mountains because of winter. Travelling during winter was fine for Lunulupae, but she was weakened after the birth of Lunea. Not only that, she was recovering after a fight with some hunters after her. Combine both factors, and Shirou figured out how he was able to hold Lunulupae back briefly.

He only managed to delay her slightly even at her weakest state.

The realization came with clarity. Shirou had been confused about their fight once he started using his analysis skills on Lunulupae's magical strength. Not only was he shocked by her sheer magical presence, but he couldn't even imagine how powerful she could be at full strength.

He could only imagine how strong the people chasing Lunulupae were.

Shirou glanced at Lunulupae beside him, questions plagued his mind. Just as he was about to ask her, she answered ahead.

"I can tell you have questions Shirou. But the less you know, the safer you are." Lunulupae replied to his inquiries before he even uttered them.

His face must've been conflicted. That was the only reason Lunulupae could tell right? Unless she could somehow tell from his heartbeat. Then again, it wasn't a long shot. She could tell if he was lying after all.

"At least tell me when you plan to leave. I want to give you both a farewell feast."

"Oh? Now that I think about it, I haven't tasted your food at all. Lunea keeps telling me how good it is." Lunulupae smiled at him. It was a nice gesture from him.

It was unfortunate that they wouldn't be able to stay long anymore.

"This will be our last week here. By now, the snow should start melting in lands further south. Which means travel would begin again. We will leave before my hunters arrive."

It made sense. Leaving before winter ended guaranteed that Lunulupae and Lunea would get the lead from their pursuers. Why they were being pursued, Shirou didn't know. But he hoped that they would escape safely.

"But before we go, I have a gift for you."

Shirou blinked at her words. A gift? He wasn't expecting anything from the phantasmal beast. In fact, the training he received was already more than he could hope for. His magical ability must've jumped by leagues by simply training in the presence of a magical beast.

Lunulupae's presence had boosted the ambient mana around her. As a phantasmal beast with a connection to Gaia, the surrounding energy had become more potent just by her sheer presence. Shirou guessed that this was because phantasmal beasts had deeper ties to the same origin as the mana of the world. They could even possibly be condensed ambient mana that took form on its own will. Lunulupae explained that phantasmal beasts were born naturally either with parents or without parents. Lunea was born because she had desired to care for a child. As such, it was her power which fragmented to form Lunea. That was the reason she was weakened during winter.

Naturally, Shirou got excited. A gift from Lunulupae? It would be something to remember them by. Shirou was a good kid in that way. He didn't look at the benefits he received, but rather the valued bond underneath the gift.