As I entered the examination room, my stomach began to churn.
If I hadn’t prepared at all and given up on the test, I wouldn’t have been nervous, but because I had studied over the past week, there was no way I could avoid feeling tense.
‘Ah, I miss Lily…’
Though it hadn’t been more than ten minutes since I left the dormitory, I already longed for Lily’s embrace.
Recalling the warm tenderness that had lingered on my lips, I gathered my strength and took my designated seat. There was still some time before the exam started.
I opened my notebook, hoping to review a little more to ensure I answered correctly.
Looking around, I noticed the diverse array of students in the room.
There were those who chattered with friends and cared little for the exam.
Students like me were hunched over their notes, determined to do well.
And then there were those who had partied all night and were now sleeping with their heads on their desks. Most of the sleepers were nobles, likely hoping to make up for poor grades with their practical results.
A few months ago, I might have envied them, but now I had Lily.
‘Ah, I miss Lily… No, now’s not the time.’
Shaking my head to refocus, I turned my attention back to the notebook.
I was determined to do well on this exam and transfer dormitories.
As time passed, the professor entered the room.
“Everyone, put your studying materials back into your bags.”
The sound of bags opening and closing filled the room briefly before settling into silence. The professor waved his hand, and the bags moved to the front of the room.
After explaining the test rules, the professor declared,
“All right, when I distribute the test papers, everyone must remain quiet.”
With another wave of his hand, the test papers flew to each student’s desk.
This was the moment of tension. Recalling Lily, I calmed myself.
“Begin!”
The rustling sound of turning pages filled the exam room.
—
“I’m home.”
“Arthur!”
As Lily ran to me, I sighed in relief and embraced her tightly.
‘This is paradise…’
As the tension eased, my legs nearly gave out, but Lily tightened her arms, supporting me.
“Thank you…”
“For what? How did the test go? Did you do well?”
“Hmm…”
I paused briefly, then slowly replied, “Honestly, I’m not sure. I gave it my best shot, though… Everyone else seemed to be in agony after the test.”
Although I had thought the questions were manageable, seeing others react this way made me anxious. What if I was the one who got everything wrong?
“Didn’t you do the best?”
“Well, that would be nice…”
“Pfft, don’t worry. You’ll do well. You are my fiancé, after all.”
“That feels a bit pressured…”
“Heheh, let’s relax first. By the way, do we have to study for tomorrow’s test?”
“I was planning to relax a bit, have lunch, then study.”
After enjoying a pleasant time with Lily and eating lunch, we returned to study. Just because today’s test was easy didn’t mean tomorrow’s would be as well. The difficulty of the questions could vary greatly depending on the professor. The simplest solution would be to study harder. If I struggled with the questions, I should consider studying more.
As four days passed, the exams finally came to an end.
“Ugh…”
The relief after four days of tension was overwhelming. The results will be out tomorrow.
In the past, I would have been extremely anxious waiting for the results, but now I wasn’t so desperate. Still, I worked hard, canceling dates with Lily and even sacrificing the time we’d talk before sleeping.
I feel I gave it my all, so there’s no need to worry prematurely. First, I needed to keep the promise I made with Lily.
When I reached the dormitory, Lily was already ready.
Instead of her usual dress, she wore something more casual, exuding a sweet rather than seductive elegance.
“How do I look?”
“Beautiful. You look radiant.”
“Hmm, do you think so?”
Her genuine smile made me smile as well. Preparing for a date wasn’t complicated—just wear something neat and bring enough money.
“Arthur, would you try this on?”
“What is this?”
“Hehe, just try it.”
The clothing Lily handed me had a refined design. The deep black background highlighted with light gray accents perfectly matched my tastes.
After changing in the restroom, I stood in amazement.
“Wow… It fits me perfectly.”
The garment hugged my body just right, like being embraced by Lily. It reminded me of the clothes she tailored for me during the freshmen’s welcome party, as if made especially for me.
“Of course, I based it on your measurements from last time.”
It was clear the outfit was made specifically for me.
While admiring it in the mirror, I noticed the scent was oddly familiar…
“Sniff, sniff…”
It was a sweet fragrance that somehow made me feel better.
“…?”
Why did it smell so strongly of Lily?
‘Did she… make it herself?’
Upon inspecting the outfit more closely, another feature caught my attention—the color.
The dark black reminiscent of a starry night seemed strangely familiar.
‘…A night sky-like black? Where have I seen this before…’
One suspicion struck my mind, freezing me in place.
“Impossible..?!”
I burst out of the restroom.
“Lily, this… you didn’t…”
Lily grinned mischievously, nodding.
“The outfit?”
Her grin confirmed my suspicion.
The sweet smell of Lily.
The familiar color.
It seemed the fabric was none other than…
Lily’s hair.
“This… how can I wear this…”
Stammering, I stopped mid-sentence as Lily approached me.
“It’s a gift to celebrate the end of your exams. It’s one of a kind in the world.”
“But… your hair…”
I looked at her luxurious, long hair. Sensing my gaze, Lily pulled a handful of it towards me.
“Don’t worry, I can make as much as I want. Forgot? Do you know who I am?”
I couldn’t bring myself to continue speaking.
The surprise of receiving such a gift from Lily, knowing it was made from her own hair, mingled with various emotions, making my heart swell.
The best way to express this gratitude was naturally…
“Thank you, Lily.”
“You’re welcome. I was worried you’d feel pressured.”
“A little surprised, but not pressured.”
Clothing made from Lily’s hair—thinking of it reminded me of a dress she wore, also made from her hair.
When we first met, seeing her weave her hair into clothes had amazed me. Now, I was wearing one. Overcome with amazement, I idly touched the fabric, and Lily whispered into my ear,
“You know… I didn’t just make this outfit.”
“Huh? What else did you make?”
“Clothes. But these are… different types of clothes.”
Lily’s hand trailed down my stomach until it reached…
“!!”
My face flushed as Lily chuckled softly.
“What a cute reaction.”
“Ah… I…!”
My head was so heated, I could scarcely think. Lily grabbed my hand and pulled me.
“We’ll try those later. Let’s go!”
—
A few hours earlier.
The chancellor fidgeted uncomfortably with his teacup.
It made sense to feel uneasy, given the presence across from him.
“What do you want this time?”
“Do you know when Arthur was born?”
“Talking about his birthday?”
“Yeah, his birthday.”
“Hmm…”
The chancellor searched through all the data from the orphanage and his private investigations, yet…
“I don’t know.”
“…Hmph.”
The chancellor’s eyebrows twitched.
“There wasn’t much information about Arthur at the orphanage. Unless we could travel back in time…”
“Then we’d be torn apart by the Hounds of Tindalos.”
“…True.”
The name from Lily’s lips darkened the chancellor’s face.
And in curiosity, he asked,
“What about the Outer Gods?”
“Do your kind get chased by the hounds when you travel through time or dimensions?”
“No. We transcend the physical, so we’re not technically considered life forms. The hounds only chase actual lifeforms.”
“…I see.”
After momentarily pondering the hounds, the chancellor casually inquired,
“Why are you asking about Arthur’s birthday?”
“For a gift.”
“What kind of gift?”
At that moment, the chancellor saw it.
The flicker of red in Lily’s eyes and her mischievous smirk.
“The gift of love.”
“…”
“Hehehe…”
Seeing Lily’s playful grin, the chancellor felt a sense of cognitive dissonance.
“…You’ve changed a lot.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“You… The version of you described in the Necronomicon and other grimoires is nothing like the one before me now.”
“Of course, I’ve changed.”
Lily tilted her head, as if questioning why he’d ask such a thing.
“I’ve learned about pure love now.”
“What were the ones before?”
“Garbage unworthy of the name love.”
“Hmph…”
The idea that the Queen of the Night, the archetypal Succubus and Outer God, would embody pure love was entirely incongruous.
When the chancellor first learned about Arthur and Lily’s relationship, he doubted the sincerity. He believed it was a false love for Lily to cling to Arthur’s life.
But the way Lily now behaved was oddly familiar, reminiscent of the relationship he once shared with Irena.
…Admittedly, it was somewhat twisted.
Nevertheless, the chancellor could admit that her smile reflected her genuine feelings.
Really…
It was extremely troubling.
The chancellor prayed to whoever might be listening—any deity that might exist—that Arthur could withstand Lily’s kind of love.
“Ah, is the exam over by now?”
“It should be about time.”
“I better go now. I have a date.”
“What kind of date?”
Just before teleporting to the dormitory, Lily replied,
“A date!”
With that, she disappeared.
The chancellor stood in his office, staring at the spot where Lily had vanished.
“…Hmph?”
—
