Section 8: Road of Resistance

...All I wanted was to repay my debt.

After being summoned far away to Paris, I lost my ties to the modern world, and was on the verge of disappearing.

I wasn't afraid to disappear. The truth is, Servants like me are little more than transient phantoms, anyway.

But, I did have one tiny regret. I wished that I had at least been able to spin a single thread, or weave a single cloth, before I went.

"Hey! Are you okay!? You look like you're...vanishing or something!"

That passerby turned out to be my savior. I guess I've always been lucky when it comes to meeting new people.

My saviorthe woman who would soon become my new Masterhad nothing at all to do with the world of Mystics...

...but she did know about other wonderful Mystics of which I was completely ignorant.

She brought me back to her threadbare boardinghouse, illuminated only by the light of the setting sun, sat down in an old chair that groaned even under her light frame, and showed me her sketchbook.

In it were wondrous drawings of silk and brocade...outfits beautiful beyond my wildest imaginings.

I doubt even officials from the imperial court, or the royal families of distant kingdoms, had ever dreamed of such spectacular clothing.

She told me she was a fashion designer, but added quickly that she was only just beginning her career.

I'll never forget her bashful smile as she said that.

She asked nothing of me. All she wanted was my friendship.

No one had ever asked such a thing of me before. I hemmed and hawed, but ultimately accepted, and soon, I felt at home.

I can still remember the sweet taste of the bread and wine we could barely afford, and the way the wind blew through her window as we gazed out at the beautiful full moon.

I will never, ever forget it.

One day, she fell ill. The doctors tried many things, but all to no avail.

And with my tenuous connection to the modern world, my own magecraft was far too weak to help.

Was this...her fate? Who decided she had to die so young, before she could even have a chance to show the world her brilliant designs?

No. I won't say goodbye. You're all the hope I've got. Please, don't go. Don't leave me. I just want to stay with you forever.

And then, she was gone forever. But her sketchbook, and her spirit, remained. I knew what I had to do.

As long as I didn't weave any cloth, I could use the magical energy I'd stored up to just barely maintain my existence.

I began working as a fashion designer under my Master's name. Before long, her designs had won countless awards and gained worldwide renown.

Are you seeing this, Master? Do you see how many people love what you created?

Not long afterwards, they showed up.

"It's an honor to meet you. We've heard all about your spectacular work."

Ahh, I see. You're not some apparel brand here to recruit me. You're mages.

"You're not human, are you?"

Oh no. No, no, no...

I had no idea someone would come to try and cover up any sign of Mystics... I have to get away!

I won't let them catch me. I won't disappear. It's up to me to keep my Master's dream shining brightly.

I hid anywhere I couldshadowy alleyways, deep forests, the dead of night... I even took shelter in an inn run by a kind sparrow, and in the cold of a vast tundra that stretched endlessly across the land.

I'll never forget her. Never, never, never. I refuse to say goodbye to her for good.

That's my one and only wish...the only way I can repay my debt.