“Are you really okay? Is there something wrong?”
That’s how it feels.
There seems to be something going on.
Honestly, if you had seen what I saw just a moment ago, I think you’d react the same way I did.
The aftereffects of seeing that massive Sacred Sword were longer than I expected, continuing even after I finished bathing and came out.
“Aria?”
As soon as I came out, Evan tilted his head in confusion and approached me, noticing that I kept avoiding his gaze. But the more he came near, the more I wanted to avoid him.
Every time I see Evan, I remember that moment.
That shadowy, large Sacred Sword… Of course, it wasn’t the real sword he usually carries around. It was the one that every man has and carries with them.
“[Ah, it’s nothing… really.]”
I couldn’t meet Evan’s worried gaze and turned my head as I replied.
His expression grew curious, but then he seemed to dismiss it, saying that if anything’s wrong, I should let him know. After that, he went back to his room.
‘Did he realize I used Divine Power detection…?’
I wonder if he knows I accidentally sawthatpart of him.
Personally, I hope he doesn’t know.
Though, judging from how he reacted without seeming to know, it seems like he might not have noticed. But I can’t help but consider the possibility that he’s pretending not to know because he’s trying to spare my embarrassment.
Anyway, while it’s uncertain, his behavior reminds me that he, like Asclyna and me, is exceptionally sensitive when it comes to Divine Power…
Even if he looks like he doesn’t know anything, I can’t help but suspect.
Maybe he already realized that I saw him with Divine Power detection but chose to pretend ignorance out of consideration for my feelings—or maybe even his own embarrassment.
Alternatively, he might not have noticed that I sawthatpart.
If that’s the case, bringing it up would only embarrass me.
Still, it’s unclear whether he noticed or not. But considering that Evan is a Hero and highly skilled, it’s strange that he wouldn’t detect something like Divine Power detection.
‘Hmm…’
Why did I even do that?
Regret starts to creep in.
This regret continued until I parted ways with Evan and returned to the room with everyone else.
“I’ve always dreamed of spending the night with my friends like this!”
“Haa…”
Upon hearing Uriel’s words, Stella sighed and shook her head, reluctantly lying down next to her.
“I just wanted some peace while sleeping.”
“Ah… Am I disturbing you? If you wish, I can sleep in another room…”
“It’s fine, we can share the room. I’m not some VIP, after all…”
“St-Stella…!”
Touched by Stella’s words, Uriel teared up.
From the perspective of this Ph.D. holder in Stella Studies, Stella is probably embarrassed and is pretending to be grumpy, acting like she has no choice in the matter.
Speaking of a Ph.D. in Stella Studies… it does sound a bit strange.
“[Well then, now that we’re all together, why don’t we talk about things we haven’t discussed yet?]”
This would be a good way to get closer.
However, as we were about to start conversing, Evan crossed my mind.
‘Discussing things among just the three of us feels kind of…’
Doesn’t this exclude Evan from being a friend?
With that thought, I felt that I should invite Evan.
“[Maybe we should call Evan too?]”
“Huh?”
“Ah! Now that you mention it, Evan is here too!”
Uriel left her seat with a cheerful laugh to fetch Evan.
After Uriel left, Stella turned to look at me.
Her expression seemed pleased, as if she hadn’t expected me to invite Evan. Though I don’t understand why she’s smiling like that, it felt different from her usual smile—almost mischievous.
“[Why are you looking at me like that…?]”
“It’s just… You seem more proactive than I thought.”
“[What do you mean by that…?]”
Even as I said this, I understood her implication, but it still seemed baffling.
I didn’t want to know anymore…
While Stella and I were talking, Uriel returned with Evan.
Evan looked awkward about being suddenly called over and kept trying to leave, wondering if he should even be there.
Running away?
Trying to run away?
Absolutely not.
“[It’s fine, Evan. We’re just going to have the kind of conversation friends can have.]”
My words made Evan look stunned.
Indeed, we weren’t going to share anything particularly private, so Evan’s presence wouldn’t be an issue. In fact, since we’re trying to get closer as friends, not inviting Evan would be a problem, wouldn’t it?
“S-so, I guess…”
Despite his confusion, Evan hesitantly joined us.
“He’s so cute.”
This boy… Could he feel awkward about being in a room with just women this night?
“…What?”
What was I thinking just now?
Out of nowhere, I wondered why I found Evan cute.
Not just anyone—Evan?
“Ugh…”
What am I thinking?
Lately, I’ve been having strange thoughts.
I shook my head subtly to make sure no one noticed.
“Anyway, why did you guys call me over?”
Evan asked with genuine curiosity.
The truth is, there wasn’t any real reason. I just thought we shouldn’t exclude Evan if we wanted to genuinely bond as friends.
“[Not much of a reason. We thought it’d be nice to bond as close friends, and it seemed odd to exclude Evan from that.]”
“Right. That’s why Aria suggested we call you.”
“!!”
No, don’t say it like that!
Startled, I turned to stare at Stella, who grinned and chuckled mischievously.
By saying it that way, it makes it seem like I had some special reason for inviting him.
I didn’t invite Evan for any specific grand reason…
“Huh?”
As Evan turned to look at me, I awkwardly turned away, pretending I had nothing to say.
“Hmm, don’t think too much about it, Evan. We’re all going back to our rooms once the conversation is done anyway.”
“I wasn’t thinking anything weird!”
“Phew… Well, let me just say that if I were you, and I’m surrounded by girls as beautiful as me, Uriel, and Aria, I’d be thinking something…”
“I’m not!”
Evan shouted in denial, while Stella laughed heartily.
Meanwhile, Uriel tilted her head in confusion, not understanding what was just said.
‘Not long now.’
Next year.
The final holy artifact.
The final awakening.
If Stella and Uriel grow stronger, everything will be perfect. Unlike Evan, their growth is something I can’t directly influence.
The best I can do is perhaps find suitable weapons for them, but even that would be difficult to do secretly.
I’m not exactly wealthy after all.
Come to think of it, it might seem strange for a Saint to be rich, anyway.
Typically, Clerics don’t carry around huge sums of money.
Even Dannes, the captain of the Holy Knights, probably doesn’t have much.
‘The holy artifact…’
The final holy artifact will be in the Forest of Temptation, the exam site for the first semester.
If we obtain that, we won’t have much to worry about.
If three holy artifacts form a set effect…
‘I wonder if that will still apply.’
It’d be nice if it does.
So far, despite the changes, everything I know hasn’t drastically altered reality. Even if the effect isn’t exactly as I know it, it should still manifest similarly…
I’m not sure.
For now, it’s more important to enjoy the night rather than worry about this.
“Anyone up for a trip to the capital tomorrow?”
At Stella’s suggestion, I immediately raised my hand and replied.
“I’ll go~”
I can’t resist going out.
Not just me, Evan and Uriel also agreed to come along.
Especially Uriel, who was smiling happily, since this would be her first time going outside the palace with all of us.
‘Though, the seaside trip wasn’t really for fun, was it?’
True, it wasn’t for fun—it was a trial.
That must be it.
