A Few Things on the Beach

Let’s play Cut the Watermelon!

Out of the blue, Margaret, clutching her handheld fan, proposed this.

…She even has a handheld fan? It feels like her worldview is completely different from ours.

But then again, the game has plenty of props that resemble modern gadgets.

…Probably just a convenient plot device added for the story’s sake.

Thinking about it that way, it’s not surprising she has so many modern-looking items.

Hearing Margaret’s suggestion, Olivia tilted her head in confusion.

“I get the ‘cut the watermelon’ part… but how does ‘playing’ fit into it?”

“It’s simple. You blindfold someone, give them a wooden stick, and guide them with your voice to hit the watermelon. If they split it, they win. If they miss, they lose, and it’s the next person’s turn.”

“Sounds fun! I want to go first!”

The young mistress was practically bouncing with excitement.

“Alright, you’re up then.”

Margaret handed the young mistress a wooden stick and a blindfold, which she promptly put on.

“Hmm… since it’s a rare chance, how about you guide her, little maid?”

“Me?”

“Yes, you. This game tests the bond between the guide and the one swinging the stick. Who better than you and your mistress?

It’s a pity Elizabeth doesn’t have hearing. Otherwise, I’d definitely try it with her—our synergy would absolutely split the melon!”

Since she put it that way, refusing would be like admitting the young mistress and I lack chemistry.

“Fine, I’ll do it.”

In the end, I took on the task.

I positioned myself where I could see clearly and began directing the young mistress.

“Young mistress, to the left…”

Swish!

The young mistress gripped the stick and swung diagonally downward to the left, the empty swing producing a startlingly loud whoosh through the air.

The watermelon split cleanly in two, its halves sliding apart.

You could see the neat cut marks on the melon…

Even blindfolded, she managed this with my vague directions?

“How was that? Pretty impressive, right?”

The young mistress eagerly tore off her blindfold, rushing to me with a proud grin.

“Uh…”

Impressive? Yes, very impressive. The melon was definitely split…

But why does this watermelon-cutting feel so different from what I imagined?

“What’s so impressive about that?”

Margaret, standing behind the young mistress, rubbed her forehead and grumbled.

I noticed her raise her hand, probably intending to give the young mistress a playful chop, but her height betrayed her, and she gave up.

“The point is to walk to the melon under someone else’s guidance and hit it properly with the stick… Who told you to slice it with sword aura?!”

“Huh? It wasn’t supposed to be sword aura?”

The young mistress looked utterly baffled.

“What’s wrong with you, you cheating prodigy…”

Margaret was left speechless.

“Forget it… After that flashy display, even if you hit it again, it won’t have the same impact.”

“Let’s just eat the melon first!”

Olivia suggested cheerfully.

“Little Katarina, can you cut it into bite-sized pieces? Something we can pick up and eat.”

“Of course.”

With a few more sharp whooshes, the watermelon was neatly sliced into even portions.

The sweet, juicy flesh was a delight to eat, refreshing both body and mind.

“It’s about time we start preparing lunch.”

When it comes to a beach lunch, a barbecue party is a must.

Elizabeth set up the grill, while I added the charcoal and ignited it with a quick burst of fire magic.

In the blink of an eye, the coals glowed with intense heat.

“Magic is so convenient,” Margaret said, a hint of envy in her voice.

Says the one who invented the magic stone lighter…

Next up was skewering the food for grilling.

This step was the real test—

“I don’t eat vegetables. Grill me more meat!”

“That’s why you’re so short—you’re too picky!”

“Mind your own business!”

Olivia’s jab was met with Margaret’s cold retort.

While they bickered, I stole a glance at our young mistress.

Why is it that she can be picky and still grow so tall?

No… perhaps the downsides of her pickiness show up elsewhere.

As for where, it’d be too rude to say out loud.

“…?”

The young mistress seemed to sense my gaze, looking at me suspiciously.

Oh no… I wasn’t thinking anything, I swear!

I pretended nothing happened and focused on grilling the meat.

“…!?”

But halfway through, my body suddenly shivered.

From past experience, this was often a bad omen…

My muscles tensed instinctively, ready for trouble.

Whoosh—

Sure enough, a commotion came from the sea—a ten-foot-high wave surged toward us.

I quickly pulled the young mistress and Elizabeth back to avoid the massive wave.

Olivia reacted swiftly too, retreating in time.

“Wah!?”

Only Margaret didn’t react fast enough, getting drenched head to toe by the wave.

The food on the grill didn’t escape either… It’s all ruined now.

…But the food wasn’t the only problem.

Under the cover of the wave, a pink tentacle slithered to Margaret’s feet and yanked her up.

Poor Margaret dangled upside down in the air, her frizzy hair hanging limply…

But the tentacles weren’t targeting just her. Several more were already creeping toward us.

The young mistress seemed a bit worried, as if afraid she’d fall.

No need to worry about her—she effortlessly knocked away the tentacle reaching for her with her stick.

I, meanwhile, used wind blades to sever three tentacles aimed at me, Olivia, and Elizabeth in one swift motion.

Only then did we get a clear look at our attacker.

It was a massive pink octopus, two stories tall, with irregular spikes on its head—a clear sign it was a magical beast.

“Hmph—hurry—up—and—save—me—!”

Margaret, still caught in its grasp, let out a hilariously flat cry for help.

“…!”

Elizabeth was visibly panicked, crouching as if to rush to her sister’s aid, but the blue-haired girl stopped her.

In times like this, it’s best to leave it to those of us with combat skills.

Without a word, I rummaged through our luggage, pulled out a longsword, and tossed it to the young mistress.

She didn’t even need to look—she caught it midair and assumed a perfect combat stance.

With a single leap, she sliced through every tentacle reaching for her and rescued Margaret from the chaos.

Olivia conjured a water cushion to catch Margaret, and with the young mistress’s help, they quickly carried the little one to safety.

“Grr! Grr!”

The octopus beast, now enraged, flailed its tentacles wildly, chasing the young mistress even onto the shore.

It didn’t notice me, quietly gathering magical energy on the side.

“Since you ruined our lunch… you’ll pay with your body! ‘Crimson Lotus Flame’!”

A blaze of red fire erupted, inescapable once it latched on…

Soon, the tantalizing aroma of grilled octopus filled the air.

“…At least let me collect some materials before you roast it!”

Margaret’s frustrated complaint rang out.