Re:Zero - Reincarnated on a Co-op Route

Subaru managed to steal a knife from the kitchen, making sure Rem didn't notice him as he carefully hid it in the pocket of his servant's suit. It was the third day at the mansion, and he was already in the middle of the day. He knew full well that in the night someone would attack, and this time he would be prepared. 

"I was not poisoned" Subaru reflected as he helped in the kitchen. In the first few days he had been present throughout the preparation of the meals, and noticed nothing strange in Rem's or Ram's behavior. "If I rule out poisoning, then there's only one option left."

He remembered clearly the first time Beatrice drained his mana, leaving him weak and moribund. He had the same symptoms as that night in the failed loop. "So that was it, I was drained of mana?" Subaru gritted his teeth, his mind beginning to form conclusions.

"If they drained my mana, there are only two possible suspects: Roswaal1 or Beatrice" Subaru thought, feeling a knot in his stomach. Roswaal, the best magician in the kingdom and the most mysterious figure in the mansion, always looked at him with that mocking smile that made his blood boil. On the other hand, Beatrice, the spirit that lived in the library, had shown her ability to drain mana before, but... Subaru bit his lip. "I don't want to think that Beako would do something like that to me. I don't want to believe it. "

Determined to stay alert, Subaru turned to Rem with an idea in mind. "Hey, Rem, I've been seeing that we're running low on groceries. Could i go to... Arlam village it was called, right? To buy groceries today."

Rem stared at him for a few seconds, assessing him. Finally he nodded. "All right. In that case, I'll give you a list of things to buy and some money."

---

Later, Subaru was walking through the garden with the shopping list and some coins in his hand.1 As he went along, he noticed Kaoru sitting on the grass, eyes closed, as if he was meditating. Above his head hovered Puck, and Emilia was standing nearby, watching them curiously.

"Hey, guys, looks like you're having fun without me, huh," Subaru said, approaching with a smile.

Emilia raised her hand, greeting him in a friendly manner, while Puck greeted him enthusiastically as well. "Hi, Subaru!" said Emilia. "Where are you going?"

"Ah, well, I'm going to Arlam Village," Subaru replied, raising his list. "And what's Kaoru doing?"

"We were just looking at Kaoru's magic element," Puck interjected, hovering cheerfully over the boy's head.

Kaoru opened his eyes and looked at Subaru with a smile. "Hey, Subaru, how's life treating you?"

"Not as well as you," Subaru replied with a snort, crossing his arms.

"Well, it was your choice to serve Roswaal, wasn't it?" Kaoru chuckled softly, then turned to Puck. "And changing the subject... Puck, what is my magical affinity?" he asked with eyes bright with excitement.

Puck spun in midair before answering. "Yin and Water element," he said excitedly.

Subaru's eyes widened. "Two elements!?"

"Really?" asked Kaoru excitedly, leaning forward. His eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"It's rare to see an element like Yin," Emilia commented, holding a finger to her chin as she thought. Puck nodded.

"It's not that element that allows you to obstruct your opponent's vision, prevent him from hearing sounds and slow down his movements, is it?" continued Emilia.

"Indeed," Puck confirmed.

Both boys were silent for a moment, their faces falling as they learned of the nature of the element. "Debuffs, huh?" they said in unison, their voices filled with disappointment.

"Too bad, Kaoru," Subaru said with a mischievous grin.

"Hey! At least I have two elements - I'm special!" Kaoru laughed, trying to regain his enthusiasm.

"What about water?" asked Kaoru.

"Ah, the Water element," Puck began to explain. "The user can wield water, heal wounds, cast ice crystals, create defensive shields, and a few other interesting things."

Kaoru flashed a cocky grin and looked at Subaru. "You were saying?" he added, enjoying his moment of advantage.

Subaru clicked his tongue, frustrated. "You lucky bastard..."

"By the way, you have mediocre control of your magic gate, Kaoru," Puck added, hovering in front of him.

"Yeah, I got that right," Kaoru admitted. "But it was much worse when I practiced at first. I was always on the verge of breaking my gate. Having mediocre control is much better than inefficient control."

"Talent-wise, you have good affinity for both elements, but your overall talent is barely better than that of a peasant," Puck added, frankly.

"Are you serious?" Kaoru sighed, deflating. "How good would I be compared to Roswaal?"

"On a scale of 1 to 10, Roswaal being a 10, you'd be a 4 in Yin magic and a 4 in healing and defensive as well as offensive Water magic.1 Roswaal can't use Healing Water magic though."

"So I'm barely better than a peasant, huh," Kaoru muttered, crestfallen.

Subaru, seeing an opportunity, approached. "Puck, can you tell me what my element is?"

"Sure, come over here and sit down," Puck said, floating over to him.

Subaru sat down, and Puck touched his chest with one of his paws. After a few seconds, Puck spoke. "Hmmm... Yin magic. Just Yin magic."

Subaru blinked. "What, just one element?" his excitement faded, and his feeling of inferiority grew rapidly.

"And seeing well, you have the talent of a peasant," Puck added with an innocent smile. "You'd be a 3 out of 10 compared to Roswaal."1

Subaru sank further into his disappointment, sighing deeply. **"I guess I don't have anything special, huh? "** he thought, watching his fantasy of being an isekai protagonist with a rare and unique power fade away as quickly as it began.

"Well, I can't waste any more time. I must buy supplies," Subaru finally said, standing up.

"Are you going to town?" Emilia approached him with Puck on her shoulder.

"Yes. If we don't have groceries, I can't prepare delicious food for you, Emilia-tan," Subaru said with a smile.

"And for me?" added Kaoru with a playful tone.

"There's still stale bread left from yesterday, if you want," Subaru replied with a mischievous grin.

"'That's too bad" sighed Kaoru. "Then take care of yourself and come back soon," he added with a grin.

"And don't flirt with Emilia while I'm gone," Subaru teased, while pointing a finger at Kaoru.

Emilia smiled softly. "Be careful, Subaru!"

"By the way, Emilia, can you help me study tonight? Ram and Rem can't."

"Sure, I'm not that good at teaching, but I'll do my best," Emilia replied sweetly.

Before Subaru could say goodbye, Puck spoke up. "By the way, Kaoru, do you want to learn a basic Yin spell? It's called *Shamak*."

"That blinding spell, right?" asked Emilia.

"Yes please, I want to learn!" exclaimed Kaoru, excited to explore more magic.

Subaru left them behind as he walked away from the garden and out of the mansion's territory. His mind was still fixed on the night to come. "I can't let my guard down...not this time."