You can read 505 episodes for $10. p.*atreon.com/Astrid02
༺ Small Devil ༻
Ding-ding!Ding-ding!
"Hoam…"
I opened my eyes to the blaring sound of the alarm clock and let out a yawn as I got up.
"Hm?
The weather has started to get colder in recent days. I set aside the warm blanket and got off of my bed. Then, I tilted my head, sensing another presence beneath my bed.
"Huuum…"
I bent down and the sight of Lulu in her pajamas, crouched beside my bed, came into view.
"...…"
Lately, she had been coming into my room to sleep without hesitation. I had attempted to dissuade her, but she insisted that a pet should sleep by its owner.
"Lulu."
"Huam."
The room had a slight chill. I reached out to wake her up, but instead, she nibbled on my fingers.
"Ow."
I frowned slightly in response. Then, I took a deep breath and pondered with my eyes fixed on the girl chewing my fingers.
'Today… is the day I'm supposed to meet Aishi, right?"
Yes, it was the day I had received a letter from Aishi, asking me to meet.
'And… I have to undergo training with Isolet today too…'
It coincided with the day exactly one week after Isolet had made her rather blackmail-like proposition to me.
If I went to see Aishi before going to Isolet's house, it would mean that I have encountered every sub-heroines I needed to encounter.
Of course, there were others I still needed to observe or be aware of, but it seemed like I could feel less anxious now.
"Phew…"
With that in mind, I gently pulled out my damp fingers from Lulu's mouth and carefully got up.
"I even prepared a new bed for you. What's so good about sleeping like this?"
Afterward, with the blanket I had used, I carefully covered Lulu. Just in case she woke up due to the movement, I silently made my way to my desk.
"Master…?"
However, despite all my efforts, Lulu, who had been sleeping in the chair, awoke.
She rubbed her eyes for a moment before slowly getting up and walking over to me.
"Hehe…"
She walked right behind me and started hugging me, rubbing her cheeks against my back.
'She's at it again…"
These days, she has been pouncing on me too frequently.
After Isolet's recent encounter, I couldn't understand why Lulu had suddenly turned aggressive. Whenever I was sitting or lying down, she behaved like a big dog and clung to me like this.
Irina had a large, red pet-dog that would also pounce on me and act coquettish. Lulu's actions were even more overboard than that dog's.
It left me feeling a bit drained lately and my back was a little sore.
–Creak
Lost in thought, I started opening the envelopes on my desk when the door opened, and Irina entered the room.
"I-It's today's breakfast… Frey."
For today, She had once again placed a plate of dog-shaped omurice on my desk with a heart drawn on top. She was punctually dressed in her maid outfit and was secretly observing me. I looked at her and then asked in a roundabout way.
"Irina, I have something to ask you."
"Yes, yes, just ask. I'll answer any questions you ask…"
"When is Clana coming?"
"…..!!!"
Initially, she was looking at me with an intense gaze, but when I asked that question, her expression turned cold.
"Th, th, that, why are you asking that, Frey?"
In the end, she urgently sat beside me while basking in cold sweat and asked.
"Well, I'm just curious. You never really told me when you're leaving for the Western Continent or when Clana is coming, right?"
"Ah…"
Hearing that, Irina's expression turned stunned for a moment.
"Uh, well, that… it hasn't been that long… What should I do? It's almost time for the rotation… Uh…"
"Irina?"
"My actions until now were all lacking… an impact… what should I do to create an impact…"
Then she began muttering, looking as if she were possessed by a ghost.
"You contacted the Magic Tower Tower Master?"
I asked Irina about the request I had made to her a few days ago.
"I, I… still haven't done it. I don't know why but she didn't respond. Maybe she's busy with something?"
"Hmm…"
I received such an answer.
"It's a shame. I wanted to ask her about the experiment involving the 'Youngest Paladin'. It would be great if we could contact her as soon as possible…"
"Shou-Should I barge into the Magic Tower right now? If we bring that 'pet' with us, even if we end up fighting with that damned hag, we might have a chance to win…"
"No need. I have to meet Aishi today. I also have to find Isolet."
"…Ah."
I tried to calm down the overly excited Irina and spoke cautiously while observing her trembling ears.
"That, Irina. I have a request… you have a pet right?"
"Huh?"
"The pet… it seems to be… in heat. Can it be trained or something?"
Irina was shocked upon hearing that question.
"She's been pouncing on me a lot lately. It's not just once or twice. It's a bit strange. She's also a female dog. So, I personally think she should be sterilized…"
"I, I will control her!"
"What?"
"I mean, I'll control her! In the future she won't pounce on you as often anymore. Yeah, yeah."
Then, Irina's face started to turn red and she quickly ran out of the room after that answer.
"".....""
For a moment, the room was filled with silence.
"Master, if that dog still pounces on you in the future, you can tell me."
Lulu, who was snuggling on my back, woke up quietly and said in a low whisper.
"I am your only pet, so I'll give that dog a stern lesson."
After she said that, Lulu licked my face once and hurried out of the room.
"Huuaaa."
I was left alone in the room, and a chill started to envelop my whole body.
"I'm so happy…"
I smiled in my room. My gaze then turned to look at the things piled on my desk.
"I am happy but…"
Soon, I stopped smiling and began to murmur with a slightly darkening expression.
"I feel a little anxious these days…"
I felt so happy right now, to the point where I couldn't imagine being happier, especially compared to past times when I destroyed everything with my own hands. However, I also sometimes felt scared.
I was afraid because I didn't know how long this happiness would last.
When I had no one and had to do everything by myself, I felt lonely yet comfortable because I only had to look after myself.
But now, there was Kania, Irina, Clana, and Ferloche. Even Lulu lived in my mansion. I had quite a few people on my side.
I no longer felt lonely or ill-fated, but now that I need to protect them all, I felt anxious in my heart.
So, before the start of the second year, I was supposed to sort out these complex feelings I had inside of me during this winter break. But somehow, the things I had to work on kept on piling up.
It was nice to have some happy times, but they seemed to pass by too quickly.
Even now, I felt like a week had passed in the blink of an eye.
In order to prolong these peaceful and happy times a little longer, I purposely found more things to do. Reflecting on this irony, I could only manage a bitter smile.
When I had no one on my side I was consumed by loneliness, but now that I had people on my side I was still consumed by anxiety… It seemed like I couldn't live comfortably either way.
"Huft…"
I heard the news that Ruby, the Demon King, was getting better. So it seemed like the 'Verification Ceremony' would proceed as expected during this winter break.
With that, the events that happened in the winter break would come full swing. And then there was my downfall at the 'Fake Hero Verification Ceremony'.
After that I would have to face the main events of the second year: the 'Student Council President Election' and the 'War against the Church', both of which were quite important events.
And the finale, of course, was the 'Siege of the Academy' and the Fourth Ordeal.
Could I really get through all these events without any casualties? Could I save those girls even if it meant sacrificing my own life?
"…Originally it was impossible."
I muttered. I wasn't sure if it was due to my now-fragile body or my constant anxiety, but I was feeling the weight of it all. I stood up from my seat, my heart pounding heavily.
"Nya."
At that moment, a cat doll poked its head out from inside my pocket.
"Huaa… When did you get in my pocket?"
A few days ago, it had called out to me anxiously as if it was worried I had been kidnapped. After that, this gift that Kania had given after cautiously asking about my preferences stared fixedly at me.
– Shrruuuk
Then, the cat doll handed me a piece of paper from out of nowhere.
"Ah."
It was only after I read what was written on the paper that I regained a small genuine smile.
DLC
On the paper was a drawing of the birthday gift Irina had given me. It was the drawing of a half-moon, a boomerang, and a crescent moon.
"Nya…"
"Okay, I know."
I always keep that note safely inside my outerwear pocket. With a small smile on my face I stroked the cat that was now carrying that paper.
"There must be some hope."
"Nya!"
Then, I put both the cat and the paper inside my pocket and went out of the room.
"Prepare the carriage. I need to meet Aishi."
"…Yes."
"And I will also go to Isolet's house. Tidy up the house until then."
With an expressionless face, I commanded Alice who was sweeping the hallway.
"There are flowers and a letter from Roswyn… what do you want to do wi…"
"Return them."
Beside her stood Arianne. After answering her question, I descended to the first floor.
"…Irina, about the result of the examination that time, are you sure about that?"
"Hm?"
Then when I saw Irina, who was standing at the entrance waiting for me, I asked her that question.
"I'm referring to when I asked you to examine a curse. Are you sure about the result?"
"Ah, that? Of course I'm sure. I searched your body thoroughly just to be sure."
"Um…"
I fell into thought when I heard those words.
'Why is the 'Frozen Heart Curse' like that?'
A few days before I met Aishi, I had received a comprehensive and full body curse examination from Irina.
And the result that came out was a surprising one. There was a fragmented piece of ice containing the curse inside my body.
Irina mentioned that it was a rare occurrence that had never been reported within magic academia.
For some reason, I felt a coldness and a pain in my heart, wondering if such a case could happen.
"Is there a possibility of recurrence?"
"…What we can be sure for now is only that it is still in a dormant state. Apart from that, I need to conduct further research to find out more…"
"Hmm…"
I gulped after hearing those words and then quietly retrieved a letter from my chest pocket.
-Sender: Cloud Kingdom
[To Young Master Frey Raon Starlight.
I am aware of your appointment with Lady Aishi. I have something to discuss with you about the recent changes that happened to Lady Aishi…]
I read that letter for the nth time.
"…I was already afraid of having to go to Big Sis's house. What is it now? What the hell is up with this girl?"
I stepped outside the mansion.
"Well, I can just go there and check in person."
.
.
.
.
.
Meanwhile at that moment, in the location of the secret meeting.
"Princess."
The Cloud Kingdom's attendant cautiously approached Aishi, who was sitting and sipping her tea.
"...."
"Young Master Frey will come. He left the mansion just now."
"You, come here."
"Yes?"
Aishi commanded the attendant in a cold voice.
"Ye, Yes…"
The attendant approached her with a slightly frightened look.
"Eugh!"
Suddenly, ice formed on the ground and the attendant fell heavily.
"...…"
Aishi stared intently at that attendant.
"…Pft."
Soon after, she covered her mouth and whispered with a devilish expression.
"You are really sloppy."
There was a lingering cold air in the room.
You can read 505 episodes for $10. p.*atreon.com/Astrid02