In the dark space filled with sinister energy,
– Olferga was defeated.
Black mist that appeared in the air spoke to the robed figure.
Upon hearing those words, the robed figure trembled, emitting a clattering sound, and expressed confusion.
“[Who is the opponent?]”
– It seems that the Hero and Saint of the current era have shown up at the Academy.
“[…]”
The robe began to shake with anger.
– They seem to have grown even more since they were in the Realm. Of course, considering how overwhelmingly weak they were against Olfer, it appears they haven’t fully matured yet, but they can withstand a full-force attack from Olfer.
The shaking of the robe came to a halt.
Revealing the azure flames’ gaze hidden among the shadows, it murmured softly.
“[I need to pull the weeds out quickly.]”
The growth rate of the Hero and Saint is astounding.
Especially, during the Great War that almost led to the world’s destruction, the growth of the Hero of ‘Salvation,’ who appeared despite the invasion aimed at triggering the Cataclysmic War, was so remarkable that even the Demon King was left tongue-tied.
Thinking about how long they prepared to instigate the Cataclysmic War makes my teeth grind even now.
Despite the arduous times caused by the war, they managed to break through the overwhelming legion and barely managed to seal the Demon King…
This time, I must prevent anything like that from happening again in advance.
“[The Demon King instructed to eliminate the Hero and Saint before they fully grow.]”
– Then…
“[It would be wise to expedite your plans.]”
– … Yes, that seems wise.
The places where the Hero and Saint appear are not predetermined.
They could very well be an ordinary citizen of the Empire, or conversely, a barbarian from the Northern Region could become the Hero.
To prepare for the Hero and Saint, who could appear from anywhere, and to bring destruction to this world, I have spent a long time preparing.
‘Everything is for the sake of the Demon King.’
For the Demon King to whom they have devoted their loyalty over the centuries…
*
The next morning dawned.
‘Finally, classes…’
Classes…!
Back when I used to attend school, I dreaded them, but now I’m excited because it’s a place to learn various things rather than just rote memorization of subjects.
Most importantly, it’s something I’m learning in the game that I loved, so how could I not be interested?
In the game, I had heard that regular classes were hurriedly conducted and skipped, but I was curious to directly experience the content of classes that dealt with overlapping events in the storyline.
It’s our first class, but for the other students, it would be the second.
It’s inevitable to feel anticipation.
After all, it’s quite strange to dislike the current situation of attending classes in the Academy from the game I loved so much.
However…
“Studying in the dorm would be more comfortable…”
While I left the Academy with a pleasant expression, Stella was beside me, radiating dark energy as if she wanted to return home immediately.
She seemed to be expressing some kind of inexplicable dissatisfaction, claiming that if it weren’t for me, she wouldn’t have come out today.
‘What should I do about her?’
She was the one who said she would try her best just yesterday, and yet, the very next day, she was whining about not wanting to go to the Academy. It appears that innate tendencies cannot be ignored.
It’s a pity that her will to grow is hard to see, but isn’t that the opposite?
With someone like Stella, even studying in the dorm would yield tremendous efficiency.
In any case, considering how much she struggled mentally on the first day, it’s fortunate that she has returned much closer to her original self.
Although it’s not my fault, she suffered significant mental damage because of me.
To be honest, I set off to face the demons alone without revealing that I was worried something might attack, hoping to not burden anyone, and yet it was the two of them who followed me.
I feel wronged.
But it’s true that she experienced that trauma because of me, and more importantly, we will all have to hunt down the Demon King together in the future, so she needs to overcome this now; all I can do is help her.
If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t have gone this far.
Healing her is one thing, but I cannot provide mental care as well.
Without Stella, dealing with the Demon King would become incredibly difficult.
She is the mage assigned to the Hero party, and we can’t do without her.
As such, the one most worried about Stella was me.
I worried a lot about whether she would never return to her old personality, but it seems that she has improved, so I feel immensely relieved.
And then…
“[Hello, Brother Evan~]”
“Uh, uh… Hi, Aria… and that…”
“Stella.”
“Hello, Stella…”
Seeing Evan greet me with a dazed expression raised some questions.
He seemed to have lost a lot of confidence.
‘Is the fact that he couldn’t properly fight the high-level demons at that time still bothering him?’
Even in the game, encountering high-level demons at the beginning made him feel a wall, which became a source of growth… but I thought it would be alright since many more events that could become sources of growth would occur in the future.
Most importantly, I, who know how to grow quickly, am right beside him to help, so I thought he could handle that much.
But if that’s the case, it’s better to allow things to flow as the original story intended.
Assisting him only enough not to impact the storyline.
Well… the process of coming this far because of me may have changed slightly, but it seems the story flows as it should, so I’m glad.
Next time, I think I should avoid changing the future arbitrarily.
“[What a coincidence~ Should we go to the Academy together like this?]”
“Is that okay?”
“[Yes. Once we arrive at the Academy, our classes will differ, so we’ll have to part ways anyway.]”
I said that with a somewhat awkward smile.
Of course, meeting Evan here is certainly no coincidence.
Considering the distance between the male and female dormitories…
Typically, people tend to walk towards their destination in the shortest direction possible.
In other words, if we were going in the original direction to school, meeting like this would practically be impossible.
The reason we met here was entirely because I deliberately guided the path this way.
By using spatial awareness, I located Evan among the people in this vicinity and moved to ensure we would meet.
Stella, anyway, was simply following my direction while not knowing the way herself, so she probably wouldn’t have felt any sense of discomfort.
If she did, it might only be because it seemed like it was taking a bit longer to arrive.
It seems she didn’t even notice that discomfort.
No…
‘Is she simply disinterested…’
While I certainly hoped she would return to her original personality, it’s a bit concerning if she remains in a completely unmotivated state…
…
That can’t be right?
In any case…
Compared to Stella, her recovery is slow, but the mind is like a spring; even if the recovery is a bit slow, it will eventually return to its original state.
The fact that she had the composure to cut off her arm following my call indicates that the mental shock was not that severe…
It’s better to meet and talk like this often, to grow closer and gently remind her of that time and make her accustomed to it.
Well… I feel sorry for Evan, but in the future, he will witness even more severe situations, so it would be troublesome if he struggles just because of this.
Having my body turned into a donut is on the weaker side.
I experienced worse in the Realm.
And considering what lies ahead, it’s true that I’m in a weaker position.
‘So…’
I hope she can muster up her strength.
‘I will help her.’
It would be a bit remorseful to force her to fight alongside her while showcasing my creative ways of dying against the Demon King.
I plan to assist her in developing a close relationship with Stella and the other Hero party members who will appear in the future.
For now…
‘Starting with Stella.’
The goal is to lead Evan to fall for her, resulting in the two of them developing a romantic connection, aiding Evan’s mental care…
Let’s do our best!
“Ah… I want to go home…”
“…”
Seeing him muttering that everything is bothersome, I start to wonder if he will ever end up liking Stella.
Still, since I know all the things she likes and the little things that touch her heart, all that remains is to guide Evan to do those things for her.
‘I might end up becoming a servant.’
It would create a harem, but who cares?
I smiled at Evan.
This brother will do his utmost to help.
Though I’ve never even dated a girl and it feels a bit awkward, what can I do?
If you’re dissatisfied, you should have been the Hero.
Sigh.
