Chapter 69

Everyone was worried that they might not be able to play together, but fortunately, we all had a great time.

Well…

There aren’t many things to enjoy in this era, so we spent most of our time walking around, but thanks to the princess, who unexpectedly became the mood maker, we were able to enjoy ourselves with this group.

I wondered what was lacking in this party, and it turned out it was someone to lighten the mood.

“[There are many amazing things in the Academy.]”

Well, I can’t see them.

The dazzling things that please the eyes were of no use to me.

How could I see something I can’t?

The people around me could only see shapes; they couldn’t know the intricate details like colors even if they wanted to.

But that didn’t stop the people playing with us from having fun.

“Wow…! Look at this, everyone!”

“Ooh… That looks fun!”

A game where you shoot bullets with magic and hit as many targets as you can…

For students attending the Academy, making stones fly would be no big deal, so it wasn’t a particularly challenging game.

As expected of the Academy, even the activities made to entertain us only serve to improve our magical skills.

While I awkwardly smiled to myself, Stella stepped forward with a grin.

“I’ll smash it!”

Um… is that right?

This is something that requires good aim regardless of magical skill, so I wonder if Stella can pull it off.

If her aiming ability is considered part of her prowess as a magician, then she might manage, but how easy is that?

“Just start.”

Contrary to my thoughts, the proprietor, having already collected the entry fee, declared that we could shoot as much as we wanted.

It was only to knock down the targets with the power of a single bullet at a time.

And there was even a condition that it had to be the ground-level magic, Stone Bullet. We, who don’t know much about magic, took it for granted, but Stella looked surprised.

“What happens if I use another spell?”

Evan, evidently curious, asked the proprietor, who was standing by watching us.

“Is there anything to ask? You’re disqualified.”

That was an obvious answer.

Stella, anticipating that they might challenge her if she didn’t use the spell called Stone Bullet, prominently displayed the magic circle.

“If you’ve opened a shop like this, you do know about the spell Stone Bullet, right?”

“I have no intention of cheating without some reason… but distrust is a human feeling. Do as you wish.”

He looked slightly displeased that he was being doubted, but eventually waved it off. Having confirmed that the magic was indeed Stone Bullet, Stella confidently shot it.

Although she could only shoot a maximum of five bullets, that seemed to be enough for her.

The most expensive-looking doll in the shop was hit by the five Stone Bullets Stella had gathered and fell straight down.

The look of shock on the proprietor’s face was evident.

“I-I can’t believe it…”

“V!”

To think she would use such a method…

Although she hadn’t used particularly impressive magic, it was amazing that she managed to shoot them all at once by taking advantage of the lack of a rule demanding each bullet to be fired separately.

It seemed no one had ever done it this way before, judging by the expression of shock on his face.

“This… is a score, young lady.”

He chuckled and handed Stella the fallen doll.

“Isn’t this expensive?”

“Exactly. It’s made of high-quality silk sold only at the Artina Association.”

“That’s indeed impressive.”

If it’s that high-end, I can understand her being a bit spoiled, but seeing him laugh while admitting he was outsmarted and handing over the doll was surprising.

Stella glanced down at the doll in her arms and turned to me.

Hmm?

Surprised for a moment, Stella approached me and silently extended the large doll she was holding.

What is this…?

“A gift.”

“[Is this a gift for me?]”

“Yeah.”

Stella replied and kept offering it to me as if telling me to take it quickly.

It was something I couldn’t refuse, so I reluctantly accepted the doll and hugged it.

“[It’s big…]”

This was bigger than I expected…

It looked like a reasonable size when Stella was holding it, but now that I was holding it, it was big enough to block my line of sight.

Well, it didn’t matter since I couldn’t see.

While I was contemplating how to deal with it, Stella looked at me with an expression full of anticipation.

Hmm…

Well… since she participated to bring back the best item for me, I couldn’t help but be grateful.

I could only detect its presence with Divine Power, so I couldn’t tell if it was pretty or cute, but since it was given by Stella, I felt happy.

“[It’s soft… Thank you, Stella Sister.]”

It was incredibly soft…

Moreover, it smelled nice, so I wanted to keep hugging it just like this.

‘I usually don’t like these kinds of things…’

Holding a doll like this probably wouldn’t make me look like a saint, so I felt a little troubled, but neither Uriel nor Evan seemed to care much, so I guess I’ll just hold onto it.

*

After that, we wandered around the Academy, trying various snacks.

Since I was always either healing other people or spending time in the infirmary, this was my first time playing and enjoying myself like this.

I felt a renewed sense of being in the Academy and believed I had made many friends.

Friends…

Are they really friends?

In the not-so-distant future, we would have to defeat the Demon King together, so I wonder if enjoying ourselves like this is really right.

When I see the kids enjoying their daily happiness without a clue about the hardships and challenges that await, I can’t help but feel a bit mixed up.

‘Everyone is growing well.’

I still couldn’t gauge how much Uriel had grown, but Evan had obtained a necklace, and Stella was developing her unique magic.

In any case, creating one’s own magic is the best way to lay the groundwork for becoming a great magician.

Once someone masters a specific branch of magic, they gain a title alongside their ascension to a great magician.

Even though it’s possible to become a great magician with conventional elemental magic, I’d still prefer them to become unique magicians who create their own spells.

Although I couldn’t confirm what kind of magic it was, since Stella boasted an impenetrable defensive barrier, I didn’t think it would be something to worry about; it seemed to be spatial magic in my view.

‘At first… I thought this world was no big deal.’

I believe I committed a terrible act against Dannes.

Even if it was for the sake of becoming a saint and removing obstacles… I committed sins not only against Dannes but also against his party members.

I nearly caused everyone to die by luring an ogre.

Even though I could save Dannes from dying with my own death, it was an incredibly dangerous moment.

Up until then, I had been considering this world half a game.

Of course, I was aware deep down that this was reality, but thinking of it that way was essential for maintaining my sanity.

So, I didn’t hesitate to throw my body into danger.

After all, I wouldn’t die, and unlike others who felt pain, I had a body and mind that felt pleasure instead, which might have led me to feel this world wasn’t as real.

Because of that, I threw myself into danger time and time again and considered it fine if the world ended with my death.

I even thought about how dying could allow me to return to my original world.

However, after the events in the Realm and the time I’ve spent since… I have slowly begun to hope that this world wouldn’t perish.

I’m still just feeling that way for now…

Compared to before when I wished to feel pain and thought of becoming a saint for the sake of concept play, I have made close friends.

I have people I must take responsibility for.

The ones I had considered mere tools for defeating the Demon King have slowly been working their way into my heart.

‘Ah… truly…’

That’s why I felt the weight of the title I hold and wanted to bear it.

The goals within me were gradually changing.

The aim to just see the ending, carelessly enjoying concept play regardless of whether everyone dies or not…

Has somehow shifted toward the goal of definitely defeating the Demon King and bringing about a happy ending, no matter what.

And well, Evan forming a harem as well.

They are my favorite characters from my favorite game, so I want them to be happy.

Yes, it was just that.