After reviewing the recent occurrences, 'Power Throw' seems like a good investment. It's all the points I have though. I did briefly consider either developing some track up on the actual Throwing Skill or finally considering some kind of primitive firearms construction. But it seems the former is mostly concerned with accuracy and rapidity of delivering repeated shots.

It's naturally the sort of thing Kiku and Kaede need, but for myself, not so much. As long as the explosive lands in a vague vicinity like before, the accuracy is a moot point. The latter still has the same issues as before. Without a means to create and machine precise steel, brass and lead components, it's just going to be superfluous knowledge.

"Thank you for waiting. I'm ready." I say to the girls.

"Oooh... did you gain something interesting?" Aria asks.

"Not really. I should be able to throw things further." I reply.

Seria nods. "A practical choice. Fufufu... your Etranger ability is quite unique. It never ceases to interest me."

"Um... do you remember other Etrangers, Seria?" Kiku asks.

That's an interesting point. It is somewhat implied she has a point of comparison...

Seria looks momentarily surprised.

"No. Elijah is Seria's. First. Time." She states seductively, finger on her lips. I nearly get a nosebleed.

But wait...

"Um... but what about the previous Sages?"

Detective Kiku is at work today. I did notice that myself with Seria's random switch to third person.

Seria sighs.

"Godfucker. Your sharpness does you proud, Kiku. Ah... hell... of course... Elijah will still understand." She glares at me.

Kiku, however, looks puzzled and confused. Seria just spoke in Syjilian again? She sighs once more.

"I was saying your wit is to your credit, swordsgirl."

Kiku shyly goes 'hehe', with one hand behind her head.

"My... mothe... master. She loved an Etranger. Long before I was born. This must be... five hundred years ago, at least."

"He was a swordsman, who used a pair of long curved blades. He had hair the colour of night, and eyes like amber."

Seria squirms and blushes, but then narrows her eyes and shakes her head. Is she even reliving her master's emotions? And curved blades? Surely... not a samurai?

"But her love was unrequited. She travelled with him for a time, but he much preferred a slave he rescued from Syjil."

"I believe his actions, treating slaves as people, would plausibly be the seed that created the revolution that caused Jeraldine to appear. He was summoned by Syjil, but rebelled against them."

"They... they had many children. I do wonder... I do wonder if my own appearance is why... why I was selected as her pupil. Sages cannot have children. But perhaps my hair and eyes must have resembled his?"

She clears her throat.

"In any case, I would rather not have to recall this."

Kiku bows and apologises.

"Alas, it is my own fault for this deception. Your mind is never to blame. You should foster your ability." She smiles.

Kiku looks wide-eyed for a second, but smiles back.

I'm glad for her. She is far from the meek girl I first met in the guild. The change in just a few days is quite staggering.

She catches my eye and then blushes.

"Ah! Um... p-please don't stare at me with that... uh... smile... it's..." She squirms like Seria did a few seconds ago.

Seria grins. "The boy is such a lady killer. Ufufufu..."

I look away. I see Aria and Rishya pouting like twins.

Well... isn't this starting to become precarious?