“A way for you to communicate with Lily.”
At the Chancellor’s words, Arthur’s eyes slowly widened.
“Really?”
“Yes, it’s actually a rather simple method.”
“What is it? Please tell me.”
Arthur’s eyes gleamed faintly with renewed vigor as he gazed at the Chancellor.
The faint spark of hope, which had been extinguished, was beginning to reignite.
At the sight of this, the Chancellor silently reproached himself.
‘I’m garbage. The greatest piece of trash in the world.’
Nevertheless, he had to lead Arthur.
He had to keep the spark of hope alive.
…Even if the means meant lying.
“It’s about praying.”
“…Praying?”
“Yes. Since it’s an Outer God, they can hear the voices of those who revere them.”
This statement itself was true.
The Outer Gods could hear the voices of those who revered them, whether directly or indirectly.
However, only the Chancellor himself knew whether that voice could pass through the utter depths to reach its destination or not.
It’s a place beyond dimensions, both the center and the edge, the beginning and the end.
An abyss that transcends space and time.
But the Chancellor had to say something.
For Arthur’s sake.
“If you pray, Lily will surely hear you.”
“…Will she?”
“Of course! Has Lily ever ignored you?”
“Never.”
“Maybe she’ll be too busy with meetings to respond, but she’ll still hear you.”
Arthur’s face started to regain some color.
The gloomy expression was brightening, vitality returning.
“Prayer… does the method matter?”
“No, do it however you like.”
“…What if my prayer reaches a god other than Lily?”
“That’s nothing to worry about. How many among all the worshippers in the world have seen their god directly? If you focus on Lily while praying, it will surely reach her.”
At this, Arthur closed his eyes, clasped his hands together, and took on the posture of prayer typically seen among the priests of the Holy Kingdom. He quietly mumbled something under his breath.
Not long after, when Arthur opened his eyes, he looked like an entirely different person compared to just a few minutes ago.
Brighter. More energetic.
The fact that his connection to Lily wasn’t completely severed made Arthur’s eyes sparkle faintly with hope once again.
“What did you pray for?”
“Huh…”
Arthur, slightly averting his head, muttered shyly.
“To see you again.”
“…”
The Chancellor was left speechless.
If Arthur were to discover the truth, he would fall into a despair deeper than ever before. The flame kindled by false hope would be extinguished forever.
But the Chancellor decided to gamble on that slim chance.
If Lily could return before Arthur discovers the truth…
The Chancellor himself wished he could pray to Lily right now.
‘Please…’
For Lily to return as soon as possible.
Just as the Chancellor was praying silently to something he might never reach, Arthur stood up from his seat.
“Urgh…”
His body’s condition had significantly deteriorated after lying in bed for so long.
Arthur, who had been slowly moving his stiff joints with awkward movements, turned his now slightly familiar smile toward the Chancellor.
“Thank you.”
“…”
The Chancellor couldn’t utter a single word.
—
The Chancellor left the dormitory with words encouraging me to eat more and gain weight. Alone, I looked around the dormitory.
This place, which I had praised and wandered around happily right after moving in, seemed to have lost its luster.
Because the presence that used to light up the room was gone.
I didn’t like this dormitory just because it had good facilities. It was because I could use them together with Lily.
The spacious entryway was perfect for hugging Lily.
The two newly added bathrooms meant more space to escape her seductive charm.
The larger bathtub was meant for the day when I hoped to share it with her.
The more spacious kitchen and the improved refrigerator were meant to make Lily’s food even tastier and eventually to cook something delicious for her one day.
All these reasons were based solely on Lily’s presence.
But now, with Lily gone, this dormitory was just a shiny shell…
Smack!
Striking my cheeks, I shook my head.
“Stop the negative thoughts. I need to prepare for Lily’s return.”
What kind of reaction would Lily have if she returned and found me looking emaciated and pale?
I needed to maintain at least a decent appearance.
Opening the refrigerator, I found it filled with various foods. I picked up the familiar Old One Roast and started eating, my meal warming up naturally. I chewed slowly, having not had a proper meal for days.
I suddenly remembered how the priests of the Holy Kingdom gave thanks before meals. Putting down my food, I clasped my hands together and prayed, bringing Lily to mind.
“I hope you’re eating well and taking care. Come back soon, please.”
After hesitating for a moment, I whispered further.
“I… love you.”
The warmth in my face made me fan it with my hand as I continued eating.
Searching the fridge, I found a bottle of golden honey wine and poured myself a glass.
After finishing my meal, I intended to clean the house, but…
“…Eh?”
Wiping the windowsill, I found not a single speck of dust.
Could Lily have left a lasting cleaning spell behind?
“Eh… no way…”
Still, the more I thought about it, the more it seemed possible that Lily, who never tolerated even a speck of dust, could have done this.
She really is a kind outsider after all.
Remembering the times Lily would snatch the broom from my hands, a smile naturally formed on my face.
Checking the time, I realized lunch was almost over.
“Should I attend the afternoon classes?”
Even missing just one week felt like a waste, as I used to attend classes diligently. Despite the urge to rush right back to them, I decided against it after looking in the mirror.
‘What is this… it looks like a person who’s risen from the dead.’
I needed to recover my physical condition first.
—
Day 11 since Lily left.
After four days of forcing down unpalatable food and maintaining regular sleep schedules, my condition had improved significantly.
“…This should do.”
The gaunt cheeks were somewhat restored.
I had returned to the state I was in before meeting Lily, at least not looking near death as I had been four days ago, so I decided to attend school.
Opening the wardrobe for the first time in a while, I inhaled deeply.
The neatly folded clothes exuded Lily’s fragrance.
Taking out an outfit Lily had gifted me, I pressed my face against it.
The sweet aroma of Lily left me feeling a sense of calm.
‘When I’m at home, I should wear this.’
Despite it clearly being outdoor wear, I decided it was perfectly comfortable and suitable for staying in.
Setting that outfit aside for now, I took out my school uniform and wore it. Gently touching the badge Lily had pinned on for me, I slowly made my way to the entrance.
Putting on my shoes, I stood there for a moment, waiting, instinctively, for someone.
“Ah…”
Out of habit, I had been waiting for Lily.
Exiting the entrance alone felt unusually awkward.
Closing my eyes now, I could vividly picture Lily running up to me, kissing my lips, and wishing me a safe return.
Rubbing my numb lips, I murmured.
“I’m leaving.”
Opening the door and stepping out, the sunlight pierced my eyes.
It felt like a whole new experience to be stepping out after 11 days.
With the absence of the adorable cat I used to carry around, my hands felt empty. I instinctively slid my hands into my pockets and quickened my steps.
As I settled into the first class, waiting for the professor, someone came rushing in.
“Arthur!”
It was none other than Reeti, loudly taking her seat.
“Hi, Reeti. Good morning.”
“Shut up! Good morning my foot. What’s wrong with you? Skipping school for a week… did you finally snap?”
Though Reeti’s words were rough, her eyes betrayed her worry.
In response, I recited an excuse I had already prepared.
“Lily got sick suddenly, so I was taking care of her.”
“Lily? Oh my, what’s wrong? I haven’t seen her today then? Is she doing very badly?”
This excuse effectively explained both Lily’s absence and my skipping school.
“Just seems to be a simple cold but it’s been lasting quite long… I thought I should come to school so I don’t fall too behind.”
“Then maybe I know a vet I can… Oh, wait, for summoned beings it’s different, isn’t it? Maybe asking the Summoning Magic professor would help?”
“I was planning to ask them today.”
“Alright, definitely ask them. Is it okay to visit her?”
“Um… She’s been a bit sensitive because of the illness, so it might be better not to visit.”
“Yeah, yeah. Cats tend to be like that. Be there for her.”
“Got it.”
The morning classes passed by quickly.
I attempted to focus and catch up with the week-long gap, but I just couldn’t concentrate mentally.
“Phew…”
Summoning Magic class.
Among the noisy classroom, I quietly closed my eyes and clasped my hands under the desk.
“I miss you, Lily…”
As I prayed quietly, someone tapped my shoulder.
“Hey.”
I turned to see who it was and recognized one of the three noble students who had once told tales of adventure in this Summoning Magic class and ended up doing backflips in midair due to Lily’s magic.
One of them casually plopped down on the edge of my desk.
“I heard your cat is sick?”
I hadn’t said anything else about it apart from my conversation with Reeti. Reeti wasn’t the type to spread such details, but it seemed parts of our conversation had been overheard by someone around us.
“…So?”
“Why’s a guy like you, who doesn’t even have a summoning beast, still sitting in this classroom?”
“Lilim just got sick for a bit.”
“Ha-ha, isn’t the top scorer in the theory tests a bit dumb? Summons don’t get sick. They’re not beings of this world, so they don’t have perfect physical bodies. Hence, they don’t get sick. If your summons is sick, it means the connection to their world is unstable. In other words…”
His statement was finished by one of his friends.
“That means your cat is about to die, right?”
“Ha-ha, such a troublemaking cat. What a fate!”
Their snickering filled the air.
My grip tightened involuntarily.
One of them noticed and mocked me.
“What, are you going to hit me? What can a guy like you, without magic power, family, or parents, and now without a summons, possibly do?”
He was right.
Without Lily, I was helpless.
… Or at least, I used to be.
Kreeeek
Something inside me shifted.
‘I’ll offer it.’
‘What to offer?’
‘My life force.’
A chill ran through my body as the life force from my heart seemed to drain.
“Hey.”
“Huh?”
At my beckoning, the one who turned looked at me.
And then, an attack—a basic attribute-less magic wave.
What used to be called a Power Wave erupted.
BANG!
With a powerful wave, the guy careened through the air before crashing hard against a wall in a far corner of the classroom.
“Kuhh!”
Clutching his back, the guy groaned in pain.
“Magic! How… how could you…”
As the remaining two were startled and started retreating,
“Why don’t you try something else? Why not go ask your cute girlfriend?”
“Haha, that’s a good idea. If she directly asks, we might even apologize. Of course, we’ll also make just one request in return, right?”
Without Lily, I am powerless.
… That used to be true.
Creeeek
A mental balance shifted.
‘I vow it.’
‘Sacrifice what?’
‘My life force.’
A sense of coldness spread as the force in my heart waned.
“Listen.”
“Huh?”
To the turned head, I unleashed:
A basic attribute-less magic wave.
An ancient term for this is Power Wave.
BOOM!
With a thunderous wave, the guy who had plopped down on my desk went flying.
“Kuh!”
As he crashed, holding his aching lower back, the other two behind him started casting summoning glyphs.
I wasn’t stupid enough to wait for that.
Basic Light Magic.
The light around my hand glowed intensely.
Taken by surprise by the unexpected brightness up close, the two guys clenched their eyes shut in pain.
Upon them, an intangible wave erupted.
BOOM!
Above the guy who fell atop his fallen companion was a chaotic pile-up.
“Kuh!”
The one crushed at the bottom appeared unconscious with eyes rolled back.
As I approached the tangled heap, the guys noticed me and, in panic, crawled backward and abandoned their unconscious friend.
Seeing the fear in their faces, I chuckled.
“Huh, right… just about that level.”
These were the cowards who wouldn’t dare approach when Lily was around.
They won’t dare bother me anymore now.
Deciding to leave it at that, I turned around,
Only to meet dozens of gazes from around the room.
“… Should I have held back?”
—
The Chancellor had left, telling me to eat more to put on weight before heading back to the dorm.
Left alone, I glanced around the dorm.
This place, which felt so welcoming when I first moved in, now felt dull and lifeless.
Because there was a void where Lily had once been.
It wasn’t just about having good facilities that made me enjoy the dorm. It was the fact that I could use those good facilities with Lily.
The spacious entrance was perfect for hugging Lily.
The additional second bathroom meant a place to escape her allure.
The larger bathtub was one I had hoped to share with her someday.
The expansive kitchen and upgraded fridge were intended to make her cooking taste even better and eventually let me cook for her one day.
All these reasons depended on Lily being there.
Now that she was gone, this dorm had become just a shiny, hollow space.
Smack!
I slapped my cheeks lightly and shook my head.
“Negative thoughts must stop. I need to prepare for Lily’s return.”
If I’m in a sorry state when she returns, she’ll likely be disappointed.
First off, I needed to get myself back in shape.
—
On the 11th day since Lily’s departure,
After forcing myself to eat over several days despite my lack of appetite and making sure to lie down at regular times, my condition had greatly improved.
“… I think I can do this.”
My hollowed cheeks were starting to fill out again.
I was back to the state I was in before Lily and I met — not exactly on the brink of death as I was a few days ago, so I decided to go to school today.
When I opened my wardrobe for the first time in days, I inhaled deeply.
Among the neatly folded clothes was Lily’s lingering scent.
Taking out an outfit Lily had given me, I pressed it to my face.
The familiar, sweet scent of Lily filled my senses, calming my mind.
‘I should wear this when I’m home.’
It was clearly casual wear, but since it was so comfortable, I decided not to care.
Placing that outfit aside for now, I took out my school uniform and put it on. Gently touching the badge Lily had once pinned for me, I slowly walked toward the entrance.
Putting on my shoes, I paused for a moment.
“Ah…”
Almost by habit, I had waited for Lily, as if expecting her to appear, tell me to be careful, and kiss me
