Cornelia’s Weekend
The first light of dawn was just beginning to break, with faint grey light seeping through the windows.
Alice lying on the bed looked especially endearing, even in slumber. Her breathing was calm and sweet. A faint smile lingered on her face, likely due to pleasant dreams.
“You’re quite the expert, turning nightmares into sweet dreams.”
Dekan, seated in a nearby chair, observed Alice’s peaceful state and couldn’t help but marvel.
“What do you mean by ‘turning’? I simply employed proper sleep-inducing techniques.”
Mia shot Dekan a glance and whispered.
“I think we should find a chance to exchange these ‘proper’ techniques of yours.”
Dekan had a strong desire to learn Mia’s method.
It was a must-have skill for all kinds of situations.
“Then, you’d have to give me a copy of your mental magic spell cards.”
Mia clearly understood what Dekan intended to use them for.
Dekan: “Of course, anything co-produced by the ‘Axis of Kindness’ should be shared equally.”
Mia: “You’ve already come up with a company name?”
Dekan: “What do you think of it?”
Mia: “It’s great, fits our nature perfectly.”
…
As the sound of steady breathing emanated from the bed, the slightly chilly air of the Capital City induced an unusual drowsiness in the two of them after the raucous night.
Dekan and Mia, having passed through another lively night, had now come to their parting moment.
“I might be busy with Alice today. I’m not quite sure when I can visit you; it could be tonight.”
Mia saw Dekan off at the dormitory entrance.
Dekan nodded and said, “No problem, we’re open 24 hours at my place.”
“Make sure you have slippers, towels, a toothbrush, and a glass ready for me.”
“Understood, understood. I’m heading back to sleep, you should rest well too.”
“Good.”
As the sky was just beginning to brighten, the suspect Dekan left Mia’s dormitory.
Upon returning to his own dorm, Dekan felt a sudden surge of exhaustion.
He headed straight for the bedroom, collapsing onto his bed.
The soft and familiar bed seemed to induce a chemical reaction, putting him to sleep instantly.
…
When Dekan awoke, it was already near noon. He stretched his body, the stiffness in his joints a result of maintaining a poor sleeping position for too long.
Apparently, Master hadn’t logged into his body again this time.
She should’ve repented by now.
However, just as Dekan thought this, that cold, familiar voice echoed in his mind once more:
“Who do you think is repenting?”
“… You’ve been listening in, haven’t you?”
“Not exactly, every time I wake up, I hear something offensive from you.”
“That’s what you call ‘teamwork.'”
“Don’t you think it shows how often you speak ill of me, instead of calling it teamwork?”
“Since you are my soul, isn’t it natural to be in sync?”
“…”
Master had already heard Dekan’s explanation of what “wagatama” means, but she still wasn’t used to being called that by him.
After a brief silence, Master said:
“I won’t be using your body without your knowledge anymore.”
Upon hearing this, Dekan chuckled with happiness, “Ho ho, Master is apologizing to me, huh? You’d be more likable if you were more honest.”
But Master didn’t say anything further. Dekan only felt his vision gradually darken.
“Stop, stop, stop! I take it back! You’ve always been very popular!”
“I won’t tolerate another mistake.”
With a cold remark, Master fell back into slumber.
Dekan breathed a sigh of relief but didn’t look flustered, even managing a faint smile.
(Daily clash with Master: 1/1)
After completing today’s daily task, Dekan stretched, feeling refreshed.
He patted his empty stomach.
“I’m starving.”
It was time to try out a new restaurant on campus.
Trecia had once given him a Hewenlit Academy Food Map, with markers showing the specialties and ratings of each restaurant.
There were still many good places in this school that Dekan hadn’t explored.
Frankly speaking, after coming to the Capital City, what impressed Dekan most was Baron Bachel’s culinary skills.
Perhaps because of the spice called “fear of Bachel,” every time he thought of Baron Bachel’s dishes, they seemed to have an extra flavor.
Never mind, a human shouldn’t think like that.
Maybe when he reaches level five, he could use materials dropped by Bachel to make a master chef.
While pondering, Dekan found a restaurant that piqued his interest and had a pleasant lunch there.
…
In the afternoon.
“Let’s go to the back mountain.”
With nothing else to do, Dekan decided to investigate what Cornelia had been up to these past two days.
Even if Cornelia wasn’t there today, if Dekan went, he was sure to find some clues.
So Dekan strolled across the campus, basking in the pleasant autumn sunlight, and slowly reached the back mountain.
Compared to an actual mountain, the back mountain more resembled a gently rolling hill, with much denser vegetation than other parts of the campus.
Under the sunlight, the flowers and grass glistened with a bright hue.
Since there weren’t many towering trees around, students could see this area from afar.
It didn’t take long for Dekan’s eyes to find the familiar figure.
Even in casual attire, Cornelia’s red hair made her unmistakable, no matter where she was.
Dekan saw Cornelia sitting under a large tree, looking slightly melancholy.
Her hands rested under her chin as she gazed from afar at a group of spirit cats on the grass.
They didn’t differ much from ordinary cats, except they possessed some magical gifts.
This group of cats was feasting on some dried fish.
Apparently, it was all brought by Cornelia.
But strangely, the cats didn’t seem to eat with peace.
They were rather cautious, like eating was a life-or-death gamble.
Each cat cautiously approached the bowl of dried fish, frequently observing Cornelia’s movements.
Only after determining that Cornelia, sitting far away, wouldn’t move did they sprint toward the bowl.
They quickly snatched a piece of dried fish and fled.
It was clear that the spirit cats were very afraid of Cornelia.
She radiated an aura akin to the King of All Beasts.
Even though she was completely human, in the eyes of the animals, she might be as intimidating as a Dragon Demon in Demon Academy.
She could only sit far away, unmoving, pitifully watching the little cats eat.
“Ah, she’s been coming here to feed the cats.”
Dekan muttered to himself.
Looks like he should help her out.
Her longing to pet the cats and only being able to watch them from afar seemed truly pitiful.
As a Beast Tamer specialist, Dekan wanted to see Cornelia smile.
With a sigh of resignation, he smiled and walked over to Cornelia.
