Elemental Cats

Hassandra turned to Vatel almost as soon as she heard Toz ask for a lightning attribute grimoire, but then she realized that Vatel was a fighter, not a mage. So the odds of him having a grimoire was low, though he might have several martial manuals. But Hassandra didn't know if Toz would appreciate them. And that was if Vatel was even willing to give them up. It was at that point she realized what else Toz said.

"Wait! Space?! You're a space mage?"

Toz had explained his inclination previously, but not in detail. So Hassandra and the others knew that he was technically a spirit cat beast mage with a penchant for the various elements. But they didn't know what attributes he and the cats had. However, if he wanted to get grimoires of the right attribute, Toz had to divulge that, which he was more than willing to do if it could help them increase their strength.

"Well, yeah. Is there anything special with that?"

Hassandra realized that she had reacted a little strongly and calmed down.

"No, not really. It's just a rare element, so I was a little surprised."

Toz thought that he shouldn't tell them that he also had the void element since he was sure that it was even rarer among human mages. Though, if the Church of Nihiltas worked the same way the Cult of Nihiltas in Pirate Haven did, maybe it was more common than he thought. While thinking about nonsense, Toz realized that Hassandra was talking again, so he turned his focus on her.

"I know Vatel has lightning attribute manuals he doesn't need anymore, but I'm not sure about grimoires. If he doesn't, I'm sure there's something in the base that I can get with the contribution we get for these two."

Toz realized that maybe leaving the base as soon as he stepped foot in it might have been a slightly hasty move. Hassandra continued talking, so Toz couldn't spend all day thinking about what else he missed.

"However, you probably won't find space attribute grimoires anywhere. They don't end up in the hands of people who aren't famous space mages for a plethora of reasons, none of them important."

"Okay."

After telling Toz all that, Hassandra quickly asked Vatel about any lightning attribute grimoires and martial manuals. Since he had overheard their conversation, she didn't need to say much before he answered.

Unfortunately, he didn't give a satisfactory answer. He didn't have any grimoires. And the martial manuals he wasn't using contained spear techniques. One of them could probably be repurposed into a sword technique. But Toz wasn't interested in that since he wanted something that both he and Scrael could use.

After hearing Vatel's negative answer, Hassandra turned an anxious look to Kaler and Hullie. They had also overheard Toz's and Hassandra's conversation and Vatel's answer, so they only shook their heads in response to Hassandra's gaze.

Finally, Hassandra looked at Toz again.

"D-do you think you can help me after we reach the base? Or is there anything else you want since I don't have suitable grimoires on me?"

Hassandra was naturally worried that Toz wouldn't help her either figure out a countermeasure for his mana vision or improve the strings' capabilities if they couldn't complete their trade first. It wasn't an unfounded worry since Toz had only shown a friendly attitude after Hassandra told him about the general's plan.

"Are you planning to break your word if I help you before I get a grimoire?"

"Well, no. But I assumed you wouldn't trust me if I said that I'll pay you back later."

"..."

"Does that mean you trust me?!"

Hassandra smiled since it looked like Toz was willing to help her without the need for her to pay him with grimoires first. However, Toz's next words froze that smile.

"Did I ever tell you who can vouch for my identity? My presence on the battlefield?"

When he spoke, Toz smiled slightly. There was no warmth in the smile, but it also wasn't cold. It was just an expression of confidence. And it sent shivers down Hassandra's spine.

"No. You didn't…."

"Honestly, we aren't that close, my backer and I, so she probably wouldn't give me grimoires if I asked. But I'm pretty sure I could use her influence to do a whole bunch of stuff."

"W-who is it?"

The things Toz said weren't inherently scary, but the way he spoke forced the Lightning Rascals to reconsider who they had teamed up with.

"Dyra Obsidiris."

"Dyra Obsidiris? Who's–"

"The youngest princess!?"

Hullie, who had stayed calm and mostly quiet for the entire time Toz had been in the same place as him, burst out and interrupted Hassandra. It was unclear whether it was due to his outburst, his interrupting of Hassandra, or the target of discussion, but what Hullie had done seemed to have upset Kaler as she crossed her arms before looking away, disgruntled.

"The one and only, I guess."

Toz was a little surprised at Hullie's unexpected liveliness, but he responded calmly.

"The princess is on on the battlefield!?"

"Obviously not. The princess is behind the backlines, where it's safe."

"Oh, that's good."

Hullie sighed in relief. Kaler snorted in displeasure. Toz found it a little funny how two people who had been so in sync showed such different reactions to mentions of the same person. Though it could be that Kaler reacted more to Hullie than to Dyra. Toz eyed Kaler with some suspicion, but he was looked at Hassandra since the talk about grimoires was more important than the relationship between Kaler and Hullie.

At the mention of Dyra, Hassandra had first been shocked, then pleasantly surprised, and then she sank into deep thought before finally looking up at Toz again.

"I see. I'm curious about how you met Miss Dyra, but if you're here on her behalf, it doesn't matter if I go back on my word. I look forward to your cooperation."

Hassandra reached out a hand to seal the deal with Toz, and he accepted.

While taking a break from brainstorming with Hassandra, Vatel approached Toz.

"The bunch of stuff that you would do if Hassandra broke her word. What would that be?"

"Are you sure you want to know?"

"Yes."

Vatel didn't have any reason other than curiosity for asking, so Toz happily obliged.

"Flag punishment."

"?"