I love time travel the most!

Like Subaru Natsuki, Reinhard's situation is not something he can talk about himself; he can only rely on external forces.

The external force was naturally Kobayashi.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The second day after arriving at the Carlsten residence.

Early in the morning.

With Ryuko's help, Kobayashi walked out of the room feeling refreshed.

"Kobayashi! You slept well last night, meow!"

Good morning, Kobayashi.

Good morning, Phyllis and Natsuki-kun.

As soon as I stepped outside, I saw the two of them together in the corridor.

Seemingly noticing Kobayashi's curiosity about why they were gathered here so early in the morning, Phyllis explained, "Subaru and I met on the way, and of course we came here to find Kobayashi, meow."

"Find me?"

"That's right! Just thinking about getting intimate with Kobayashi kept me so excited last night that I couldn't sleep!"

"Don't be so ambiguous, it's just about learning magic."

"But I just can't resist the excitement! Just thinking about Kobayashi makes my heart pound so hard it feels like it's going to jump out of my chest!"

Phyllis's words were even more misleading.

Moreover, his slightly flushed cheeks from excitement and the way he placed his hands on his chest made him look more like a shy young girl in the throes of first love.

What's going on, you cat-eared man?

"Give up, Kobayashi." Natsuki Subaru patted Kobayashi on the shoulder and said, "That's just how Phyllis is. You'll have to get used to it as soon as possible."

As always, he's a smooth talker.

It looks like it's back to normal now.

Yesterday, when Kobayashi discussed the alliance with Emilia, Kobayashi's side made it clear that it was Natsuki Subaru who had brokered it. Therefore, the reckless boy who had taken a lot of credit was immediately freed, although the silver-haired half-elf girl looked conflicted and unwilling when she made the decision.

It wasn't that she didn't want to see Subaru Natsuki, or that she was afraid he would cause her trouble, but rather that she was worried that he would force her to do something and get hurt again.

The guilt stemming from one's own incomprehensible good intentions is especially intense.

"That's it! Phyllis, I'm really looking forward to Kobayashi's lesson, meow!"

"Don't call me Xiaolin, call me teacher."

"Okay, teacher. No problem, teacher!"

Phyllis answered without hesitation.

Unlike the stubborn, willful, and temperamental little girl, the cat-eared boy who studies is much more obedient and well-behaved, and will gladly accept whatever pose Kobayashi asks him to pose.

"Then, Ms. Kobayashi, let's go have breakfast!"

"Huh? I thought you'd be in a hurry to drag me to study."

"That was my original plan, but when I met Subaru, he said he wanted to go eat first, and that's when I remembered it."

"...So you really intend to do that?"

Looking at the cat-eared man making a "heh heh" face, Kobayashi sighed helplessly. A willingness to learn was a good thing, and he was happy to teach such a student, but excessive enthusiasm was a headache.

If only Phyllis could balance things out with Felt, who always needs to be appeased.

That's what I couldn't help but think.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

On the way to the restaurant.

Phyllis briefly described the situation at the Duke's mansion, such as the fact that there were not many servants in the mansion, with less than ten maids besides Wilhelm and himself, and that since the royal selection ceremony, Kursch had been so busy every day that he had no time to chat with him, etc.

This made Kobayashi very suspicious that his enthusiasm for learning magic was due to loneliness.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, Rem treated us to a rather substantial breakfast.

I thought something had happened to the blue-haired maid who wasn't with Natsuki Subaru, but it turns out she was just preparing breakfast for them.

However, during the meal, I kept feeling Rem's gaze coming my way.

She wasn't looking at him, but at Liu Zi beside her.

Those eyes held a defiant, or rather, a competitive spirit.

Did they have a conflict?

Kobayashi looked at the two maids, who were very similar, with suspicion, and began to think about why this was the case.

But he couldn't remember it until the end of the meal.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

After the meal, Phyllis couldn't wait to take him to the small dark room.

Watching him meow anxiously can be amusing, but satisfying students' thirst for knowledge as quickly as possible is also a teacher's responsibility.

It wasn't because the cat-eared man hugged her without any sense of distance that made Kobayashi uncomfortable.

Well, absolutely not.

Then came the formal instruction.

First of all--

"Break the stereotype that healing magic is water magic!"

"……what?"

"Do you know that healing magic is not water magic, but one type of it? This should be etched into your mind."

“Meow meow meow???”

Kobayashi had anticipated Phyllis's questioning look.

This is similar to someone telling you that the timeline is not a horizontal axis but a vertical axis. Although both express the same meaning, they are just different ways of explaining the truth of things. However, the preconceived notions have already formed a cognitive barrier that is difficult to change.

However, this has little impact on Phyllis.

With Kobayashi's constant explanations, the cat-eared man gradually understood everything, and the whole process was incredibly fast; he learned the healing magic in just a few hours.

"Is this the magic that healed Subaru? It's amazing!"

Phyllis sensed the immense energy contained within the small, aquamarine ball of light and was momentarily mesmerized.

Kobayashi sighed inwardly:

It’s indeed a good seedling.

He was rewarded with joining the Axis cult!

Thinking of this, a smile crept onto his lips, but even though he was good-looking, to Phyllis it looked like a wicked smile meant to lure an innocent little girl.

"Kobayashi, your smile is strange, meow. Are you perhaps thinking about something bad?"

"It's not a bad thing. Phyllis, would you like to learn more magical arts?"

“Meow meow meow???”

Phyllis kept shaking her cat ears and tail.

More magical wonders were indeed very appealing, and he was quite curious. But seeing Kobayashi's scheming smile, he couldn't help but wonder if this was a bait being laid by the other party.

It's like placing a bet.

At first, the dealer will definitely let you taste the sweetness, but once you fall into the trap, you will never be able to get out.

Seeing the cat-eared man's hesitation, Kobayashi took the initiative to say, "I told you, I don't want it to be involved in any profit. I only taught you because I admired your talent."

"Everyone knows Phyllis is a genius, but... is that really true?"

"Stop nagging! Are you going to learn or not?"

"If Kobayashi teaches me, I'll definitely learn!"

Seeing Kobayashi roll his eyes in anger, Phyllis just smiled.

"Then, I have to tell you about the Axis cult!"

Then, they infused the cat-eared man's body with the doctrines of the Axis religion and their goddess—the water goddess Aqua.

Phyllis, upon hearing this, neither accepted it as divine will nor resisted it; instead, she asked with great interest:

"Could Kobayashi be a member of the Witch Cult?"

"Is there such a lame witch cult?"

“Indeed, it doesn’t look like it. And I’ve never heard of the title ‘Goddess of Water’ before.”

Xiaolin pouted.

In this world, the term "church" is hardly a compliment; the Witch Cult is a source of fear in the hearts of ordinary people. However, unbeknownst to many, the Axis Cult is an even more terrifying calamity-inducing group than the Witch Cult.

Phyllis was still somewhat resistant.

"Xiaolin, is it okay if you don't join?"

"If you don't want to learn more novel magic."

"Hey—, this is bullying."

"Stop complaining. It's free anyway, so believe it a little."

Thus, under Kobayashi's deception, Phyllis successfully signed the application to join the Axis religion, and was instructed to pray every day and memorize the doctrines.

Phyllis won't be able to gain any real benefits at first, but as time goes on, he will surely understand the advantages of the Axis religion.

As long as he's willing to give up enough, no one can hurt him!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The afternoon was for the match against Wilhelm.

Subaru Natsuki was among them.