Kumodesu

After learning that the second will had talent in magic, I immediately wanted to start using magic myself. However, the first will said that I didn't have enough skill points left to buy all the necessary skills.

Seriously, everything is hard when you're broke.

"What's there to worry about? Isn't she a genius? Just leave it be—she'll eventually gain the skills on her own."

Although what the first will said made sense, why did it feel like she was mocking someone?

"Pfft, only someone who always mocks others would even think that way."

Yep, she's definitely mocking someone.

Don't tell me... you're jealous of the second will?

"Jealous of what? We're all part of the same person, so why would I be jealous?"

She says she's not jealous, but her eyes are constantly darting toward the second will??

"My eyes are always like that."

The first will stubbornly refused to admit she was jealous.

Meanwhile, the second will, timid as always, had already been scared stiff and was now hiding behind me.

Hey now, second will, don't be scared. She doesn't mean any harm…

She's just a bit "jealous," that's all.

"I said I'm not!"

This was such a rare chance to tease her—there's no way I'd let it go.

"Hahahaaa! Will and host arguing, incompatible wills… You really remind me of my younger days," said Exc.

Huh? So you used to argue with your other wills a lot too?

"Not exactly. See, the others stayed with the host, while I was separated and placed into this sword. So the only one I argued with was the host."

If you argued that much, wouldn't it create some kind of separation? Like, you'd end up not understanding each other anymore?

"That does happen, but only after a long period of separation. Once a will spends enough time exposed to the outside world, besides retaining the host's original traits, it can also develop new ones of its own.

And if it stays separated long enough, it can eventually become an entirely new soul."

No way!

You can do something like that?!

"Yeah, but the process takes a few hundred years for a will to fully evolve into a soul. So it's considered very rare."

Then during that time, if something bad happens to the host, would the will be affected?

"If the will is already separated, then no.

Let me tell you another little secret, kid—if you're clever enough, you can actually use this method to revive someone who's died."

No way!

That powerful?!

"I'm not exactly sure—this is still just a rumor.

But even then, the one who can be revived is only the host of that will. It won't work for anyone else."

Still, that's totally overpowered, isn't it?!

It's basically like having an extra life!

"Oh? So, are you planning to split one of us off as a backup?"

The first will's voice was sharp, clearly not pleased.

Of course not…

I already told you—both of you are precious to me.

"Hmph."

Hey, second will, say something too.

"Um… I…"

Alright, alright. You don't have to push yourself. I get it.

But if you make any progress with magic, let me know, okay?

"Yes…" the second will replied shyly.

Now that things are settled internally, I need to figure out what to do next on the outside.

After evolving and checking my stats, I was super eager to start a fight—to see if I could bulldoze my way through the sixth layer with my new strength.

"If you want a fight, kid, I can suggest a few places," said Exc.

Oh? I'm all ears, buddy.

"Hey, can you stop calling me that? I'm way older than you, and all I hear from you is 'buddy this,' 'buddy that.' It's kinda annoying."

Alright then, what would you like me to call you?

"Considering I'm older, and I've already shared some pretty useful stuff with you, calling me 'senior' wouldn't be asking too much, don't you think?"

'Senior' huh… well, I guess that's fair.

So then, Senior Exc, where do you suggest I go?

"Here on the sixth floor, monsters are still somewhat sparse. But there are a few groups with huge numbers clustered together.

Most notably, the lava lake where the Fire Lizards dwell, and the cave system that's home to the Monkey apes.

These two species have the highest numbers on this floor, but I don't know the exact locations of their nests."

Hmm… I already know the creatures here tend to have odd names and shapes, but what the heck is a "Monkey ape"?

Just monkeys?

Anyway, I guess that gives me a clear next target. First, I'll wipe out those two areas before moving on to the seventh layer.

Over the next few days, I just wandered around looking for the zones where those species live.

But I only ran into a few small packs. There weren't any mutated individuals either, so they ended up in my belly pretty quickly.

Hey, me.

"What is it?"

"Y-Yes…?"

Both wills replied at the same time, so I didn't know who to talk to.

"Ahem. Normally, I'm the one in charge of things like this. You just focus on studying magic," said the first will.

"Okay…"

Don't be so strict.

"I'm being perfectly reasonable."

Still jealous, huh…

But now that there are two of you, calling out "hey, me" is kind of inconvenient.

Want to pick names? Or maybe nicknames to tell you apart more easily?

"Just call me Number One, and call her Number Two. Easy enough." said the first will.

Aw, come on. That sounds so cold and impersonal. You're both still me, so you deserve equal treatment.

"Up to you."

"I… don't really… mind…"

Great. Got any ideas for names?

"If that's the case, then just call me 'Number One Genius.'"

You big baby! Who gives themselves such a ridiculous name?!

"What do you mean ridiculous? The moment you hear it, you can instantly tell how amazing I am! It perfectly reflects my talents."

You're completely delusional.

I never realized you had this side to you.

"Hmph!"

And what about you, Second Will?

"Whatever… name you give me… I'll accept…"

"No backbone at all!" the first will cut in.

Ugh, what a headache. Who'd have thought having multiple versions of myself would be this annoying?

"Hahaa! Watching you all argue never gets old," Exc said, laughing at my suffering.

Senior, did you go through something like this too?

"Name trouble? Well, ever since I got sealed into this sword, I just used its name. But the other wills definitely kicked up a fuss over it."

Oh? So how did your host handle it?

"He named each will after someone important to him—tweaked the names a little—and gave one to each will.

That way, they all felt equally valued, and it kept them satisfied."

Hmm…

That's actually a good idea.

First Will, how about I name you?

"Do as you wish."

I'll take that as a yes.

Let's see…

Ah! How about I give you my old name?

"What??"

Yeah, my name from my previous life.

"And what about you?"

I want to change mine too. If I've been given a new life, then a new name seems appropriate.

"That's… allowed, I think?"

Sure it is.

"Still… why give me your name?"

Because, at the core, it was our name. And since you were the first to be with me, I wanted you to have the most meaningful one. Plus, I really wanted to pick a new name for myself.

"You…"

What? Touched, aren't you?

"Hmph, fine. I accept."

Hehe.

And for the second will—how about Suzu? That's my little sister's name, and she was one of the most important people in my life.

"Yes… if that's the name you've chosen… I'll take it…"

Come on, give me a real opinion.

"Um… well… I think I like it. I like anything… you give me…"

Glad to hear she likes it.

Though honestly, I feel like her words had some hidden meaning… And whenever I accidentally glance inward, I always catch the second will staring at me with this really strange look. It gives me goosebumps, honestly, but since it's just another version of me, I don't think too deeply about it.

Alright then, since neither of you have any objections: The first will shall be named Seina, and the second will is Suzu.

"So, what's your new name?" Seina asked.

Oh...

About that, actually, I've already decided…

I don't know why, but the moment I thought about getting a new name, this one just popped into my head.

And so, my new name will be… Shiraori!