Al!　How's that working out for you!

'It's amazing!　I'm walking on water!

　As me, Thor and Asmo are walking on the water using the shield, Viscount Doll and Tickle's eyes light up.

''We're just walking around with a non-attribute magic shield in place.

'My God!　How versatile unattributed magic is!

　With non-attribute magic, you can manipulate things and even walk on water and in the sky. Compared to the other attributes, it's pretty versatile or rather easy to use.

''Do you want to take a walk on the lake if you want?''

Oh, if you can, by all means!

　With a glittering look in my eyes, I set up a series of shields on the water in front of Viscount Doll. I make a path for them to join us.

　It's easier to walk collectively anyway.

''Come on, you can walk there.

　I point, and Viscount Doll puts out a foot to make sure.

　When Viscount Doll confirmed the feel of the foothold shield, Viscount Doll stepped out of the foothold, fearfully.

''Fuhahaha!　Wow!　That's great!　We're walking on water.

　Viscount Doll bounces and frolics on the water's surface shield, revealing his joy.

　It's a little surreal and smiling to see a big man piddling on the surface of the water.

"Here, Tickle. I can walk properly. Come on over here!

'Yes, yes, I know, but...'

　Viscount Dorr called out to him, but Tickle was unable to take a step.

　Well, it's only natural that if you put your foot on the water, you'll fall. Even if you know you won't fall, you'll hesitate, right?

　And the shield is so transparent that you can even see into the water's surface.

"Here, take my hand. It's okay. Trust in Al's magic.

　Saying that, Viscount Doll reaches out to Tickle.

　Viscount Doll, I wish you would have said "Trust me" there. If I did, I think it would be a goof from Tickle's perspective.

　Tickle takes his hand timidly and slowly steps on the shield.

　Then Viscount Doll takes his hand and Tickle takes two or three steps on the shield.

　As he walks like that, the fear of falling is gone, and Tickle's strong expression instantly becomes soft.

''How do you feel?　It's not going to fall off, is it?

'Yes, sir!　It's amazing!　I'm really walking on water!

　Looking at Tickle, who laughed as if he was impressed, I set up the shield in succession to make a path for the two of us.

　To be honest, it would be easier to move the shield itself around, but that's not romantic. It's the experience of walking on water that is meaningful.

　As Viscount Dor and Tickle join us, I create a large shield at my feet and install it in front of me in succession.

　With such a large shield, it won't fall off even if the five of us move around as we please.

　As I move forward, they all do the same and follow me.

'It's a strange feeling to be walking on water.

I don't usually walk on water, you know.

　As I was casually talking to Asmo, Thor next to me poked me in the shoulder and asked.

'Hey, Al. Just in case you're wondering, the scaffolding is okay, right?　If it cracks under the weight of Asmo, right?

"Fall in, Thor.

　Thor's concern was heard, and Asmo sounded like he was dossing.

　But Thor's concern is also paramount.

　It is still fresh in his mind that last winter, when Asmo blasted through the frozen lake with his weight. He must have the same concerns as he did then.

'It's okay. These shields are very strong, so it won't be like last winter.

That's good.

　When I say this, Thor looks relieved.

　Then he noticed something in his vision and Thor starts to run with a ta-tah.

'Whoa!　There's a school of fish right below us!

　Thor pointed to it, and we moved over to peer at it, too.

　A school of fish living in the lake swam lazily at our feet.

　There were other fish that reflected the sun's rays and emitted a glittering light that we could see here and there.

　It's like a pseudo aquarium.

　Wouldn't it be possible to act in the water by wrapping yourself in psychic?　Then I could enjoy the underwater world like an aquarium.

　But even if you could, it would be a breathing problem.

''Wow ... it's beautiful to see the fish.

Oh, the water is so clear, it really does look good. Maybe we could use dolls to represent the world of fish.

'Yes!　If that's the case, then we'll have to watch the fish swim around, too!

　Tickle and Viscount Dorr seem to be trying to put this scene to use in a puppet show as soon as possible.

　Anyway, Tickle is very ambitious. If he continues to grow, he may be able to move a variety of puppets in the blink of an eye.

　As I was thinking this, I suddenly noticed that Thor was moving in a suspicious manner.

　He doesn't even look at the fish at his feet, but is prowling around like he's looking for Tickle's feet.

'What are you doing, Thor?'

　I ask, and Thor approaches and whispers.

'Hey, Al. You know how puddles and stuff like that can sometimes show people?

Oh, yeah, the reflection of light.

It's called reflection. Anyway, well, sometimes people are reflected in the water. And Mr. Tickle has a skirt.

　The moment I hear those words from Thor, I feel a shock like I've been struck by lightning.

''........Al would know what I mean, right?

Oh, you're a genius...

　I grunted as I shuddered, and Thor's expression became distorted.

　Normally I'm usually full of rogue thoughts, but for once, I had to take my hat off to Thor's uncanny talent.

　..................Perhaps I can see it. Tickle's pants reflecting off the water surface and the shield.

　If he would normally peek inside the skirt, that would be a fine crime. If you tried to do it in a previous life, you would be caught by the officer at one shot.

　However, in this life, it's possible to do it just barely, using the age of seven as a shield. Even if you do it against an adult woman, you may be forgiven for being a child.

　However, I'm a member of the Throulet family that governs this place, and I'm a nobleman.

　A nobleman has to set the bar for his lordship. If I were to openly pull up my skirt, I'm sure I'd be looked down upon by my fellow citizens.

　If I were to push my power to the bottom of the barrel, the dignity and credibility of the Rowlett family would be lost. Or rather, even if the villagers forgive me, I don't think Elinora's sister, Erna's mother and the rest of the family will forgive me.

　This is why I am far away from the act of peeking at pants, but what if I could see them by accident, reflected in the water or the shield?

　This gives me the excuse that it wasn't an intentional peek and that it was a natural phenomenon.

　Furthermore, it won't give them the shame of having their pants looked at, it won't degrade the dignity of the Rowlett family, and I won't be pissed off either.

　Yes, this doesn't make anyone unhappy.

　I nodded as I looked at Thor and nodded as I collected my feelings in my mind.

　Then I look into the water where Tickle's figure would be in the picture.

''........Ah, that?　Can't you see me?

I don't see it.

　There was only a faint reflection of Tickle there, and the true purpose of the pants was never visible.

　Thor and I still moved frantically to see if we could change the angle. But even then, the pants were not reflected in the water, and the surface of the water only reflected the sun's light and glittered.

　I resent that glimmer now.

'Oh, excuse me, can't you see the fish because I'm in the way?'

　The tickle shifts sideways without a trace, as if it thought we were desperately trying to see the fish.

　Okay, if Tickle's location changes, we might be able to see it in the water.

　Thanks to the change in position of Tickle and us, the reflected light on the surface of the water is much lessened.

　Thor and I struck a fist-pumping pose in our minds, but even so, the water only reflected Tickle's face and body, not his pants.

'd*mn it, I can't see it,'

'What?　The fish are there, right?

　Thor and I and a grunt of regret and a somewhat bewildered Tickle's voice echoed across the lake.