Uriel and our relationship became very friendly rapidly.
Thanks to Uriel inserting herself into our group, the awkward feeling that had existed between us, making it difficult to call each other friends, melted away. Since Uriel’s arrival, we became genuinely close friends.
It was a moment that made me realize the significant difference having a mood maker in a group can make.
However, due to her noble status, being known as the “little princess of the empire,” she encountered troublesome situations within the Academy. But most of the time, Uriel handled those issues on her own, making it hard to dislike her as a princess.
Of course, while she helped foster our relationship, her excessive affections sometimes felt burdensome.
If I could say it wasn’t a problem that I was blind, I was only checking with my Divine Power detection, and yet, the way she looked, her pure thoughts, and the voice that resonated through my senses all felt so kind.
With such charm, it’s no surprise that she was popular even in the game.
I could really feel her appeal as a princess ranking within the top three in the popularity poll.
Every day, we all had meals together, including Uriel, attended classes together, and went out together for fun, creating our own little group. I wondered how long it had been since we started this.
Time passed, and before I knew it, exam season was approaching.
*
During the lead-up to the exam period, the Academy was impossibly peaceful.
So peaceful, I felt like I might have forgotten something important.
But whenever it’s exam time, the motivation of the students tends to plummet.
Aside from anything related to the exam, it was almost as if a strange sickness struck everyone—students generally despised it.
“The exams are almost here…”
Evan’s sighing voice reached my ears.
Seeing him sigh about the field trip disguised as an exam, despite having studied hard and trained in swordsmanship until now, piqued my curiosity.
“Isn’t it a bit much to call it an exam?”
Considering it was the first semester of the first year, and since we had all confirmed our levels during the placement exams, they said this time there wouldn’t be the practical tests usually taken along with the written exam.
In other words, this exam only consisted of the field trip to the Realm.
It was practically questionable to even call it a test.
It might be more appropriate to say we’re going for an experience.
Yet, seeing him sigh like that didn’t make sense to me.
“Evan, are you perhaps worried about just going to the Realm?”
“Ah… that’s definitely something to worry about.”
Anyway, the Realm was incredibly dangerous.
Although most of the Academy’s forces would accompany us for protection, it’s understandable to feel fear.
“No, it’s not that… I’m not scared or anything.”
“Really?”
“It’s not like we’re going to hunt monsters ourselves; we’re just going to watch.”
I found Evan’s reaction oddly amusing.
What should I say… it felt like watching a kid who was incredibly scared inside but pretending to be okay on the outside.
It’s kind of cute in its own way.
‘Ah, no… I’m thinking this guy is cute…’
I shook my head automatically.
I wasn’t looking at him as a romantic interest.
I used to be male, and even if I had lived as a woman for over two years, how could I view him that way?
I simply thought he looked cute from a purely enthusiastic fan perspective.
‘Who am I even saying this to…’
Get a grip.
I shook my head again.
“The Realm… I wanted to see what kind of monsters lived there.”
“Only scary monsters.”
Honestly, I wasn’t that scared because I was who I was; if it were an ordinary person, they’d probably wet themselves at the sight.
I had seen those visuals a lot in the game, and as I mentioned before, to me, they appeared not as intimidating but rather as unrendered 3D models, so they didn’t scare me at all.
I heard from others that they were frightening, though.
“…Wouldn’t they die if they got hit by high-level magic?”
“No… they would take some damage but not enough to die.”
“…”
For some reason, I felt my complexion pale.
The realization that they wouldn’t die even after being hit by the most powerful magic I could use felt frightening.
That must be the most terrifying thing for a magician.
“By the way, what kinds of monsters live in the Realm?”
Hmm…
Wait, when I last talked about the Realm, I explained only what kind of place it was and didn’t mention what kinds of monsters lived there?
It’s understandable that Evan would be curious.
“It might be good to let you know what kinds of monsters live there since we’re going on a field trip.”
Just in case anything happens, the things I taught can be helpful.
Even if it’s a field trip, the place we’re going is still one of the most dangerous areas in the empire, so it wouldn’t be odd for something to happen.
“I guess I’ll have to tell you quite a bit about what you need to know now…”
This is a problem.
There’s so much to explain, and saying it all would be overwhelming, but would just saying it be enough for it to be easily understood?
I needed not just mere explanations but some visual element that anyone could grasp.
‘What could work…’
Even if I wanted to provide some visual element, how could I create that since I couldn’t see?
What would be appropriate to show? I contemplated for a moment and focused on the things I had detected with my Divine Power.
…
Yes, this is the only option.
What else can I do? The only thing I could utilize here is drawing.
The problem was that I hadn’t drawn anything since becoming this body.
Back in my original world, I wasn’t bad at drawing; however, ever since I came to this world, I hadn’t drawn at all…
My skills must have deteriorated considerably over time.
‘It’s been a while…’
When I finally attempted to draw again after such a long time, it didn’t feel bad at all.
“I haven’t really drawn before but…”
“Huh?”
With a smile reflecting my excitement, I sat down and began drawing on paper.
Seeing a blind person trying to draw was probably so ridiculous that everyone looked at me in shock.
Well, I didn’t intend to create an elaborate masterpiece; I was only aiming to draw enough for them to recognize what kind of monster it was.
Before long, I finished the drawing to show everyone.
“I’m done!”
I called everyone over to show them the picture I drew.
Although I felt a bit embarrassed showing them since it wasn’t well-done, as an educator, one must endure even moments of shame.
I held the drawing forward, making sure it was visible to the three people approaching me with curious expressions.
“Oh…”
“Hm…”
As the three examined my drawing, I eagerly began to explain about the recently drawn monster.
The monster I drew was unique in appearance yet quite simple, making it easy to draw.
“This monster is…”
“Wait a moment.”
“Hmm?”
I was surprised.
I didn’t expect Stella of all people to ask me to wait a moment.
I asked what was going on, but Stella, still silently watching my drawing closely, subtly turned her gaze toward me.
Uh… is it possible?
“I’m sorry… I don’t understand.”
“Your drawing is very unique… ahahaha…”
“Aria…”
No.
No!
Everyone looked at me with pitying eyes, and this felt incredibly unfair.
What could I do if I couldn’t see!?
I couldn’t even tell what color it had and tried to draw it simply for easy recognition, but it was so simple that it became hard to recognize instead.
“Ah, no! I swear there really is a monster like this…”
…
Thinking it over, why should I be subjected to such slander while trying to draw for them?
Realizing how outrageous this was was truly frustrating.
This won’t do.
I had vowed not to let myself be treated this way just because I can’t see!
I’m angry.
“I don’t know.”
“Ah… I see…”
“Sorry, Aria!”
“Oh, Lady Aria?!”
Whatever happens in the Realm, I don’t care anymore.
I was initially trying to help, thinking I could be useful later, but if they were going to take it like that, then it’s beyond my control.
I was doing it out of goodwill.
I was genuinely angry.
I’m absolutely not going to teach them.
Stick it!
