proceed with caution

Magic-sickness is treated by familiarizing the sick person to the energy of the one whose magic they received. Your body is full of energy it can't process, which is why you have a fever. At This rate, it'll destroy your vital organs, and…you'll die. …Will you agree to the treatment?

"Your world is fascinating and inspiring," Aresh started. "Its advancements is unlike anything we'd ever reach in this lifetime. We'd need brains like yours before the kingdom can even start hoping that it can catch up." He then folded his arms against his chest. "But there's only one of you. On the other hand, this world is brimming with magic. And, you're the one who started it, actually- With how you conceived the plan to neutralize the miasma with a barrier, single-handedly stopping the tradition of summoning Holy Maidens. In other words, the kingdom has potential to advance in how it applies its magic. Who knows? We might be able to develop a way to transport through the air with wind or fire spells..." Aresh was a well-read and intelligent individual, though he knew that these matters were for discussion to the people who were equipped with years of knowledge and experience.

Despite all the upsides, Seiichirou's culture sounded like it catered more to the individual rather than the collective. On one hand, it could give an opportunity for the best of the best to stand out. But from his own experience, anything was easier when worked on as a unit. He wouldn't have reached his position if not for the people who believed in him, who were there by his side from the beginning.

"And it's no wonder why you developed these bad habits of yours," Aresh clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Though your lot is compensated, the insane workload is still the equivalent to that of slavery." He was being more sensitive with the topic more than usual, mostly because this did involve Seiichirou. "Your failure is your own burden to bear alone. I'd understand that with high-ranking positions, since that comes with being accountable for another's mistake- But it just sounds too harsh and cruel." He huffed. "You really are amazing at what you do, but at what cost?"

"It's kind of like the equivalent of carrying a sack of rice from the market to your home everyday," Aresh stated frankly. "But the human body is innate with the ability to adapt and improve. It does take time and grueling effort, but seeing everything pay off is worth the blood, sweat, and tears." This time, he was rather excited in this type of discussion. He had his pride as a Knight Captain, and he knew what it was like to train and be trained. While he went up the ranks faster, it wasn't like it exclusively had to do with his royal connections. He had to prove he was worthy of the position. He wouldn't have been able to help Seiichirou if he wasn't capable enough.

Though Seiichirou was not wrong, Aresh couldn't help but furrow his eyebrows with the way he talked to him- almost as if their age gap was wider than it already was. "Learning chooses no age," he said, his face showing a pout. But, he still wanted to look "mature" to the other, so the childish expression didn't last long. "While the management of funds still has a long way to go, we've already felt the impact and significance of prioritizing where the budget should go. This way, the kingdom can allot in actually helping the ones who need it the most."

" i don't think it's quite because of me but because i gave helpful input. that is all." in fact he only laid out an idea and he still was not a fan of recruiting random women from all over the world into a world full of magic, regardless if that is how it worked for hundreds of years.

yet aresh word's made him think again, falling quiet for a moment being. he still worried about his parents from time to time and being able to go back and forth between worlds would be quite to his liking. on one hand he had aresh now, not wanting to leave him behind and the work environment was, admittedly, much more healthier than his current workplace. modern slavery as it has been titled before. on the other hand he did miss his parents. they weren't that young anymore. he wondered what had happened. had they found his bag? what was the current situation in tokyo at the moment.

so many thoughts spinning around in his head as he absentmindedly starred into nothing. yet this was past his experience. regardless of how many books he would read or stay up late to find every possible source to make sure there would be a good calculated spell. this was not his forte nor would it probably ever be.

" we have a harsh hierarchy where i am from. it's workplace culture. the oldest are always right. if they want you out of the place they will no longer assign you work. they ghost you while you sit there for eight hours or more and do nothing. they want you to quit. even the co workers will gradually ignore you, stop sending invitations to meetings, no more invited to drinking and eating after work." it must sound like hell to aresh, at least that's what he felt like when he said it out loud. " you're to blame for every single mistake you make. you kneel and lower your head. you stay silent. you work harder and longer, you skip your lunch to be more efficient or do not even eat dinner and go straight to bed when you come home or even continue work from home. once you have been a disappointment, it is hard to recover from that. even sick days are a big catastrophe unless you end up in the hospital. but going to work with a fever or a cough is considered normal. you get paid less if you miss a day." he'd never experienced it like that himself, but he saw other co workers end up in that spiraling hell. " it does cost plenty of adults their life, if they do not end it themselves. but it's the harsh reality of how the world of the working continues every day for centuries. except for the youngest generation, they start to slightly rebel against these ideals. which i think is great. " words he never thought he'd say.

facing the knight captain again after his monologue and his comparision of carrying rice everyday to survive, he was not wrong. not at all. but even seii's mind started to change. the former corporate slave saw how work could be done even with a good work life balance like he experienced right now, but old habits are just to hard to break. sometimes (or all the time).

growling quietly at the jib from the youngster he had no choice but to go with his will. yet he'd lie if he would say he did not notice the positive change in his own health and well being. healthy food instead of instant noodles, more vegetables and more 'exercise' as he walked more definitely boosted his health but also his work attitude.

" for now i think the foundation for better calculation and handling of the funds has been laid and handled well so far. as long as no one tries to yet i wish they would adapt a little quicker and eventually i could give that knowledge to someone younger so they can be more efficient and still get to rest enough once i am no longer here. " but again, he was right. learning chooses no age.

Aresh almost wanted to quip that he could use a nutritional tonic to match Seiichirou's energy. Though, he knew better than to remind the older male of something he was deprived of. It was already a feat that Seiichirou didn't seem to depend on the tempting effects of what was literal poison for his body. While his resistance with magicules had come a long way, Aresh wouldn't estimate Seiichirou's need for efficiency and his dependency on its "positive" side effects.

When Aresh realized that Seiichirou had a much better complexion than he last saw him, the first emotion he felt was that of bewilderment. Though it might simply be because the older man took good care of himself, part of Aresh wondered if Seiichirou had an easier time without his company. Perhaps it was his exhaustion at play, since the person sitting across emitted a bright aura. Bright? Seiichirou was right. He needed to take it easy this time. While he was curious what it would be like on the receiving end, Aresh had his pride with the role of caretaker between the two of them. It wouldn't be that simple for his mind to adjust to that kind of concept.

"Hm... So does that mean you'll take care of me?" Aresh hummed. He didn't know whether Seiichirou would go out of his way to allot time for the Knight Captain. He would be surprised if he did, but since he also considered the accountant's situation, he didn't want to get in his way either. "To be honest, my mind is already taking me to strange places." His worn out state forgot to elaborate what he meant with his own words. "This must be the effect of using too much magic. Maybe I get delirious as a consequence."

Since it was Seiichirou who added portions to his dinner plate, Aresh didn't mind. If this was what it was like to be spoiled, he needed to indulge in every presented opportunity. "I will, don't worry." Given his build, and how he didn't eat before coming back home, he was more than ready to finish everything. "Hmm... If you do decide to leave for work in the morning, will you stay by my side until I wake up?" Since his feelings for Seiichirou had reached that deep in depth, shame from saying such things hardly existed anymore.

while it took him a while to get used to the lower magic inhanced meals he slowly had worked himself up in his absence, listening to his words and eating what he was served by his personnel. " of course i am. you have taken great care of me for months since i have arrived despite me not being supposed to be here so i can only return the favour now that you need it. " heck, he had even asked helmut if he could take half the day off today, so he could fully focus on his return and his well being, even for tomorrow he asked for a full day off. something be barely did at home.

" if that is the case, shall i call for a doctor?" it was the best option in case something actually happened to him. all he knew was he could not handle a situation where aresh would collapse if it was something serious, given the circumstances with the miasma, even he, as much as he learned about it recently, did not know it's full potential about what was going on and how it could affect even aresh himself. " i think it's best if you eat up, wash up and then get some rest. you should regain your strength. " all these things should do, especially if he was feeling as weak as he had just claimed. " i am glad you're home. it's been awfully quiet without you around. "

the man had gotten used to his never ending scolding and being told what to do, being picked up on time for lunch and all these little things became such a quick habit of his. always expecting him but also hoping to squeeze in a minute or twenty more for his work and yet it was different this time. he took one and a half day off. quite literally running home the moment he heard aresh was almost there. speeding home and being able to just make it in time to freshen up and not look like he ran a marathon to get back.

he was quite eager to leave today. too eager, even ignoring norbert on his way out. ( that goes without saying he did not leave the last financial report unfinished, he did in fact make sure it was done before he took his leave. )

a smile crept onto his usual tired and serious features, adjusting his glasses with a smooth gesture, pushing them up. " yes. i will be there the moment you wake up. i will have breakfast and lunch with you and make sure you will rest full day. perhaps a small walk during midday but other than that, you will rest. you are an important part of the army you will need your strength. given they only gave you a few days to recover and then you need to be back on your full potential and nothing else matters. "

seiichirou hoped this was over soon. he wanted to go back to regular days, being escorted to work, picked up for lunch and eventually meet outside the office to go home together. talk about their day, have dinner or...do other things in between.