The Ancient Magus' Bride (魔法使いの嫁)

She's here.

Please, Chise. I want you to come to the College.

It's been a while.

Do you recall anything I told you about it?

It's a school for alchemists and a mutual-aid society.

I'm against it.

As a mage, what possible benefit would that place hold for Chise?

Mm... There are some.

Truthfully, my reasons for asking her to come

are that Chise is a Sleigh Beggy,

and she holds both the curse of the dragon

and the curse of immortality.

I apologize for being crass, but as a researcher the opportunity

to study Chise is one too great to pass up.

Would you consider cooperating with us?

We would support you

to the utmost of our ability, of course.

I can arrange for you to take classes if you like.

You'd be with the other students,

and you could stay in the dorms.

We'd cover all your expenses and you'd receive

the maximum compensation we can offer.

We might also find a way to lift your curses while you're there.

Chise.

You don't have to commit to anything right now.

Just consider it.

What do you think about me going to the College?

I loathe the idea.

I don't want them poking and prodding at you.

Hm.

That said, what do you think?

There's something that I've been wanting to work on.

I'm clueless.

There's just so much I don't know or understand.

I think that's why I default to sacrificing myself.

When I'm overwhelmed or out of my depth

it's the only solution I can come up with.

Even though people keep telling me that it's a bad thing.

I told you to stop trying to do everything by yourself!

You believe by destroying yourself,

you will earn the right to be here.

I feel like I'm supposed to know why

they say that, but I don't.

What's the difference?

You tried dying to get what you wanted, didn't you?

That's all I'm doing, too. I'm trying to get what I want!

I'm stuck. That's why I want to go.

I want to find solutions other than self-sacrifice.

If I can do that, then maybe I can stop hurting others.

And it's not just me.

What I learn might help someone else.

Someone like me who didn't know there was another way to live.

They may vivisect you.

Well, they could try, but I think we both know

that you wouldn't let that happen.

I understand your perspective.

I have thoughts of my own as well. Many, in fact.

Suffice it to say, I shall also attend the College.

Huh?

A pleasure to meet you. My name is Liza.

Liza Quillyn.

I'm the president of the English branch of the College.

Chise Hatori, I want to personally thank you

for agreeing to cooperate with us and to assure you

that you will be repaid properly.

A token as a sign of your welcome.

It's very beautiful. Thank you.

This institution exists to protect and nurture

all those who are in attendance, including you.

Enjoy yourself.

Though you would be wise not to become too complacent.

Yes.

Till we meet again.

How about a tour? There's a lot for you to see.

You, too, Ainsworth. You're a visiting professor after all.

I'll show you the Magic Department.

So, what's your impression?

Promising. While she may be lacking in confidence,

she makes up for it in will.

And that means?

She helms her own ship.

Only she will decide where it moors.

An underground sky?

With alchemy, we can project the sky

from another location. Come, this way.

This is a view of the entire College.

As you can see, it's comprised of several underground towers.

Administration is in the center. The training center.

Book management. Dormitory. Classrooms.

Laboratory, and waste disposal. Making seven in total.

And if we zoom in, we can see each tower

is separated into different floors.

Please don't feel like you need

to remember all of this right now.

Oh, good.

Normally I'd begin by showing you around each tower,

but there's someone that we need to go visit first.

Apologies. You see, I would've preferred to give you more time,

but she's very eager to meet you.

Why, hello there.

Um. Hello.

Delighted. I'm Alexandra Heath.

I'm in charge of the medical room here at the College.

And I'm Chise Hatori.

Follow me please.

I'll be doing your examination in the other room.

Don't want any prying eyes.

I believe I just said no prying eyes, please.

But I am Chise's guardian.

There are topics that some find difficult to discuss

even with friends, and especially with guardians.

U-Uh...

Sorry to interrupt.

It's just, I need to finish giving these two their tour

of the College, so could we possibly come by later?

Whaddya say?

Why don't you boys run along and have your fun?

Well then, I guess I could show you around the faculty dorms.

I have no need of a room.

How interesting.

You made a fairy ointment,

but the process nearly killed you.

You took in a dragon's curse that also nearly killed you.

And you survived getting punched through your gut

by a wandering alchemist-- after he exchanged an eye

with you and shared his curse of immortality.

Busy, busy.

Reckless troublemaking aside,

I'm happy to say you're doing very well.

Do keep in mind though

that your actions affect others as well.

I will.

And we're done.

Unless there's something you'd like to discuss?

Actually...

I'm surprised.

I thought you'd put up more of a fight.

Hm?

Back in the medical room. Why didn't you?

I fully expected you to stay behind or sneak back in somehow.

I mean, you can hide in shadows, can't you?

While my body is flesh,

it does not contain any biological organs.

Uh?

However, something happens to me when I think about

the time Chise caught me hiding near her.

I can only describe it as my organs tensing.

So, I won't do it.

Do you mean that you're afraid to?

Afraid?

Oh. Am I wrong?

It just sounded like you were.

Or rather, what you said sounds like being afraid to me.

Afraid. So, that's what it is.

It's not something I wish to experience for very long.

Why did you decide to come with Chise?

What changed your mind?

I had no choice. She needed something of a guard.

That does make sense.

You should know the Seven Shields aren't a monolith.

The current absence is significant,

and as such things are unstable.

You'd do well to keep an eye on her.

Yes.

He does have a point.

To think I'd find myself in such a populous place.

And to be here under such conditions as these.

I wonder what she's doing at this moment.

If she were to see me now, would she be surprised?

What are you doing here?

So, after that alchemist swapped

left eyes with you,

not only have you been having frequent flashbacks of memories