Being a Valkyrie is not easy [HI3rd FF/ selfinsert]

17. A Magic Show

~Yuki POV~

After Mei told me that she was supposed to die in 10 days, I overreacted a bit. Out of shock, I had opened a void portal and had some difficulty closing it again. I didn't know why it upset me too much, it was clear that nothing would happen to Mei, not if I had anything to say about it. It was probably because I still hadn't heard from the Herrscher, for whom I still had to think of a name. Mei told me to rest and we would talk more tomorrow. When Raven wasn't looking, Mei showed me a smile that I hadn't seen in a long time.

The next morning I was rudely awakened by Felis who excitedly announced that we were going to watch a magic show with Mei. Mei then explained to me what exactly was going on. She had received an invitation from a Vill-V to her magic show. ,,I don't mind coming along, but is that really okay?" I asked with my arms crossed. ,,What do you mean?" asked Felis. ,,Well, the ticket clearly says that Mei is invited and not me. What if that Vill-V has something against it?" I explained. ,,Don't worry, Vill-V won't mind," Felis assured me. ,,If you say so....'' I mumbled and followed her and Mei.

As the three of us walked through the realm, we kept encountering strange things. Once was big Homu our opponent and once several small ones. Fortunately, we got through quickly. ,,Mei Onee-chan, Yuki Onee-chan did you hear that?" asked Felis when we stopped at a floor. I nodded and Mei also agreed. ,,Ah, our esteemed guests.... are finally making an appearance. Excuse me while I skip the introductions and get right to the show. I have prepared surprises especially for you. Before the big show, you get to choose!" said a strange female voice and suddenly three big hats appeared in front of us. ,,What's going on now, Felis?" I asked. ,,I-It's Vill-V talking! It's happening too soon!" she answered me and seemed nervous.

,,Which means we walked into what was supposed to be a magic show," Mei said, drawing her katana. As we approached the hats, they burst and confetti flew around. Instead of the hats, the usual portals were now there with a new signet. As we walked through the portal we were greeted with various mini games which Mei and I quickly solved. Somehow I felt like a child who had to solve puzzles. One time one of the hats even held me in the air, it was almost as if that Vill-V didn't want me to help Mei all the time. When we finally reached the end we were on a level where we had never been before. We were standing on a platform and could see the blue sky. The surrounding area was filled with white pillars with golden decorations. But I could not marvel any further, because enemies were also standing on the platform. ,,Mei!" I said in panic. ,,The performance still hasn't ended?" Mei asked, sounding a bit annoyed.

The sound of clapping drew our attention away from the enemies. ,,Astonishing... simply astonishing! Welcome! Dear guests from afar, are you satisfied with this ''magic show''?" asked the girl who came up to us. From her voice I realized that it must be Vill-V. ,,Pardo... what are you doing here? I don't remember inviting you, just like the white-haired girl," Vill-V continued. I knew it, it would have been better to stay back this time. ,,Uh... Escorting your guests. Klein was too busy to get the invite to Mei, so I'm helping,'' Felis explained. ,,Pardo, what is this..." muttered Mei next to me. ,,Ah... what a mess. I almost forgot my actual audience. Allow me to make an introduction. The greatest mage of the Dusk Era, progenitor of all that is escape art- Vill-V! Welcome... to my show!'' said Vill-V and turned to Mei. ,,Vill-V, signet... Signet...'' muttered Felis beside me excitedly.

,,No need to rush. We have to follow the script, page by page. Here I am the master of the spiral inscription and... all miracles!" Vill-V continued. ,,Yes, Yes, really good. Is the show over now?" asked Mei, unimpressed. ,,Aha! There's still the grand finale, but we're not there yet. We have to build up the excitement.'' ,,...Pardo, you stay away. I don't have anything valuable with me. And the white-haired girl stays away, too,'' Vill-V replied, and I flinched. While Mei and Vill-V talked, I observed the surroundings. It was still amazing that this was supposed to be just a simulation. Yet it felt so real. My gaze wandered back to Vill-V.... Something about her seemed familiar, or rather the way she acted. It felt like I had known someone like that. Suddenly a sharp pain went through my head followed by a beeping in my ears.

,,Yuki Onee-chan, are you okay?" Felis asked me anxiously as I fell to my knees and held my head. ,,My... Head...'' I answered in pain. The pain became more intense and the beeping louder. Felis said something but I could not understand it. My gaze went to Mei who came to me worried, before everything went black...

When my consciousness returned, I heard worried voices talking through each other. ,,I really don't know what happened to Yuki Onee-chan. She was just looking at the surroundings and suddenly she was in pain.'' ,,She was still fine when I talked to Vill-V. Maybe Aponia also reached out to her.'' ,,What happened?" I asked, opening my eyes and trying to sit up. ,,You suddenly collapsed and fainted," Mei explained, looking at me worried. Only now did I realize that we were back in the lobby. The more I tried to move, the harder it became. ,,Don't overexert yourself," Felis said and helped me a little. ,,Did you meet Aponia?" Mei asked me and I shook my head. ,,No... Aponia had nothing to do with it. I think I was about to remember something, but it was blocked,'' I answered. ,,Was it the Herrscher?" asked Mei. ,,Yes and no. She's still asleep, but maybe she's blocking my memories anyway, she kept saying I'm not ready for it," I explained.

,,The Herrscher is really mean that she hurts you just to hide your memories," Felis pouted. ,,I appreciate you caring for me, but I don't think she does it on purpose. I have noticed that the Herrscher is very protective of me. That's why I know she doesn't mean any harm,'' I said. ,,May I ask you what triggered these memories?" asked Mei. ,,Of course. After looking at the surroundings, my gaze wandered back to you and Vill-V. Somehow Vill-V's behavior seemed familiar, as if I had known someone like her, but the exact memories didn't come up, unfortunately,'' I explained. ,,Did I just hear my name? I'm glad you're back among the living, too,'' said Vill-V, who came to us. ,,What do you mean by also?" I asked confusedly and in the corner of my eye I saw Felis shaking her head violently. ,,After Mei accepted my signet, her heart stopped," she said calmly. ,,What?!" I gasped and hurriedly stood up, which was not a good idea because my legs gave way.

,,Calm down, Aponia saved Mei," Vill-V continued. I was still clearly overwhelmed with the situation and did not know how to react. While I was unconscious Mei almost died.... ,,Vill-V is right, Yuki-chan, calm down," Mei said and helped me up. I took a deep breath and tried to relax again. Vill-V and Felis had disappeared again and only me and Mei were here. ,,Yuki-chan, are you feeling better?" asked Mei. After we were alone, her caring side came out. ,,A little bit... It was just such a shock to hear that you almost died," I admitted. ,,Believe me, it shocked me too. Only your reaction was a bit more extreme," she said. ,,I don't know why, I think it had to do with the memories, or at least that I almost got them back," I explained. ,,You really shouldn't try too hard," Mei said worriedly. ,,And leave all the fun to you? Forget it, I decided to help you more, so you'll have to deal with it," I contradicted with a grin, which elicited a small laugh from Mei.

,,I'm really glad you're here with me, Yuki-chan," Mei said gratefully. ,,That's what friends are for,'' I waved her off.