The Missing Keepsake
In the Mage's Tower, Elena rummaged through her room with a worried expression. Merslin noticed her distress and approached.
"Elena, what's wrong?" he asked.
"Something important is missing. No matter how hard I look, I can't find it," Elena replied, concern etched on her face.
Merslin grinned. "Then I'll help you! If we search together, we'll find it in no time!"
With exaggerated movements, Merslin began inspecting the room like a detective, dramatically analyzing every corner.
"First, we must preserve the crime scene and look for fingerprints and clues!" he declared, lifting a magnifying glass to examine specks of dust.
Elena tilted her head in confusion. "Merslin… where did you learn this?"
"It's from a famous detective in my world. I saw it in a show called Conan!" he said proudly.
Elena stifled a laugh as she watched him dramatically check under the bed, inside drawers, and through the closet.
"The culprit must have left behind some evidence!" Merslin announced.
Finally, after much exaggerated searching, Merslin reached under the bed and pulled something out.
"I found something soft and thin…" he muttered.
Elena's face turned bright red when she saw it.
"That's… Serena's—!"
At that very moment, Serena entered the room. She spotted what Merslin was holding and smirked.
"Merslin, are you revealing my secrets so openly?" she teased.
Startled, Merslin immediately dropped the undergarment. "I-I wasn't looking for this! I was just searching for Elena's missing item!"
Serena burst into laughter. She held up the garment against herself playfully.
"What do you think? Does it suit me?" she teased. "After all, it's mine anyway."
Elena covered her face, clearly embarrassed. "Serena, please… be more careful next time."
Merslin, still flustered, muttered, "Serena, don't just leave things like that lying around. Elena and I were both shocked!"
Serena chuckled. "Alright, alright. I'll be more careful. Now, let's focus on finding what we were actually looking for."
The investigation continued. Merslin noticed tiny footprints and dirt marks on the floor.
"Look here! Small footprints… and these dirt marks suggest someone entered from outside," Merslin analyzed.
Elena examined a dusty outline on her bedside table.
"Something was definitely here. Maybe the missing item?"
Merslin nodded. "Then let's follow the trail!"
The footprints led them out of the room and down the corridor, ending at a small storage room.
When they opened the door, they found various miscellaneous items stacked inside. Among them, a small box stood out.
Merslin lifted it. "Elena, could this be it?"
Elena opened the box and gasped.
"This is… the doll I loved as a child!"
Merslin smiled. "So that's what we were looking for—your childhood keepsake!"
Elena held the worn-out but cherished doll close, her expression softening.
"Merslin, thank you. This doll holds precious memories for me."
Merslin grinned. "And our detective adventure was pretty fun, too. I'm just glad you found it."
Elena nodded, her heart warm with gratitude.
That evening, as she cradled the doll, she reminisced.
"My grandmother gave me this when I was little. It was always with me… I didn't even realize when it disappeared."
Merslin smiled warmly. "I can tell how much it means to you. Now it's back where it belongs."
Just then, Serena barged into the room.
"Elena, what's going on? You were making so much noise I couldn't sleep!"
Elena showed her the doll.
Serena's eyes widened. "Wow, is that really your childhood doll? Where did you find it?"
Elena and Merslin recounted their adventure.
Serena, amused, laughed at Merslin's detective act.
"Merslin, you're such a fun guy! Next time, let me join your investigation!"
Merslin grinned. "You bet! We'll be the best detective team!"
Serena handed the doll back to Elena.
"You're lucky, Elena. Not just because you found your keepsake, but because you have good friends by your side."
Elena smiled at both of them, realizing that this doll wasn't just a toy from her past—it was now a symbol of the love and friendships she had in the present.
That night, Elena hugged her doll close and fell into a peaceful sleep, dreaming of happy times with Merslin and Serena.
Genesis Day
Merslin had no idea what to expect from Genesis Day.
He imagined a solemn religious ceremony, with everyone gathered in prayer, immersed in a sacred atmosphere.
But—
The moment he arrived at the village square—
"…What?"
His brain didn't just freeze—it completely shut down.
"Why is everyone…?"
As he widened his eyes and looked around, one undeniable fact struck him.
"Everyone… is naked."
Not just undressed, but completely bare, walking around with absolute confidence, celebrating the festival with no sense of shame.
Merslin's fingertips tingled.
"Where… where am I supposed to look?"
He tried—desperately—to avert his gaze.
But there was nowhere to escape.
Smooth skin on one side.
Elegant curves on another.
And behind him—something so overwhelming he couldn't even describe it.
And then—
"Merslin, are you alright?"
A familiar voice brushed against his ears.
Instinctively, he turned his head—
And—
"Oh, hell no."
Elena stood before him.
Under the bright sun, her skin glowed like polished ivory, reflecting the warm light in an almost ethereal manner.
Her long hair danced in the breeze.
Her flawless complexion seemed untouched by imperfection.
Her expression—calm, composed, completely unfazed.
But—
Inside Merslin's brain, alarms were blaring.
"TOO CLOSE!!"
With a gentle smile, she spoke.
"Merslin, Genesis Day is a sacred time."
She took a step closer.
Merslin instinctively tried to step back.
But—she was already too close.
He could feel her body heat.
"This is dangerous!"
He swallowed hard.
But—
Elena gently took his hand, her fingers soft and warm.
"Merslin," she whispered, lifting his hand slightly.
"Your heartbeat… it's racing."
"I'm screwed!!"
Merslin struggled to keep his composure, but her touch was too delicate, her warmth too inviting.
Her skin was impossibly smooth.
Her breath was too near.
Her eyes—too dangerous.
"Merslin."
She lightly brushed his cheek with her fingertips, her voice a whisper.
"Today… we return to our origins."
"THIS IS REALLY DANGEROUS—"
Her fingers slid down his arm, slowly, deliberately.
In that moment—
"I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE!!"
Merslin tried to retreat—
But—
"Oh? Are you running away, Merslin?"
A playful voice called out behind him.
Startled, Merslin whipped around—
And—
"WHY THE HELL ARE YOU ALL NAKED TOO!?"
Serena smirked as she slid behind him, casually wrapping her arms around his back.
Her chest pressed against him.
"Mmm, seems like adapting to our culture will take some time, huh?"
"I CAN'T HANDLE THIS!!"
Then—
"Oi, what's with that look?"
Lisa crossed her arms, eyeing him up and down.
"…"
"Look at his face! It's completely red. Is this how you celebrate a sacred day?"
"SORRY, BUT I CAN'T THINK ABOUT HOLY ANYTHING RIGHT NOW!!"
Lisa approached, casually trailing her fingers along his arm.
"Relax, Merslin. Today is just about embracing nature."
Merslin broke into a cold sweat, desperately searching for an escape.
But—
Elena.
Serena.
Lisa.
They had him completely surrounded.
"Merslin~" Serena teased, leaning in close.
"Are you…"
She grinned mischievously.
"Excited?"
"NO!!"
His immediate denial sent Serena and Lisa into uncontrollable laughter.
"Haha! That reaction is priceless!"
Elena, still holding his hand, gave him a soft smile.
Then—
She leaned her forehead gently against his, whispering:
"Merslin."
"…"
"Don't worry."
She brushed his cheek with her thumb.
"We'll teach you… slowly."
"I CAN'T SURVIVE THIS!!"
And in that moment—
Merslin fully realized just how difficult adapting to this world's culture would be.
The Day After Genesis Day
As Genesis Day ended, the village of Luminaria transformed overnight.
Gone was the uninhibited energy of the festival. In its place was a quiet, reverent atmosphere.
Merslin sat up in bed, still processing everything.
The morning sunlight poured through his window, painfully bright. He rubbed his forehead and muttered:
"What… the hell did I just experience?"
Memories flooded back—
Elena's calm expression and soft warmth.
Serena's playful whispers.
Lisa's unshaken confidence.
It wasn't just something he remembered.
He could still feel it.
With a sigh, Merslin got up and stepped outside—only to freeze at the sight before him.
The villagers were now fully dressed in formal clothing.
The transition was staggering.
Unlike their usual casual, free attire, everyone wore modest, covering garments—a tradition observed for two days following Genesis Day.
It wasn't mandatory, but nearly everyone followed it naturally.
As Merslin tried to process this cultural whiplash, a familiar voice called out.
"Merslin, you're awake?"
Elena stood before him.
She was now fully clothed in a long, elegant robe, looking completely different from the day before.
Yet—
There was a faint hesitation in her expression.
She absently adjusted her collar before speaking cautiously.
"Were you… too overwhelmed yesterday?"
Merslin hesitated.
Yesterday, she had seemed completely composed.
But now—she looked uncertain.
And somehow, that made him feel better.
Even Elena had felt embarrassed.
He cleared his throat.
"Honestly? I still can't wrap my head around it."
Elena gave an awkward smile, nodding slowly.
Unlike before, she kept her distance.
Merslin could tell—Genesis Day was over.
It was time to return to normal life.
But then—
"Oh? Finally awake?"
Serena and Lisa appeared, arms crossed, smirking.
Merslin tensed immediately.
Just as he finished a delicate conversation with Elena, these two had to show up.
Serena chuckled.
"So… did you sleep well last night?"
Merslin cleared his throat aggressively.
"Ah, yeah… just a little tired."
Lisa shrugged.
"Well, you should be used to this by now."
Merslin hesitated.
"Used to it?"
How was he supposed to get used to this?
Then—
Serena suddenly cupped her chest, lifting it slightly with a smirk.
"By the way, Merslin… you totally panicked when you touched me yesterday."
His brain shut down.
"Th-That's natural!! Who wouldn't panic in that situation!?"
Lisa laughed.
"I don't get what the big deal is. I was in the military for years—this stuff doesn't bother me."
Casually, she reached over and squeezed Serena's chest.
"Like this."
"LISA!!"
Serena gasped, then grinned before locking eyes with Merslin.
"Merslin~ Are you sure you're not interested?"
"I CAN'T ADAPT TO THIS!!"
He internally screamed.
But—
Then, Elena softly spoke.
"That's enough, you two. Give him time to adjust."
Merslin sighed in relief.
"Elena, you're a lifesaver."
Yet—
Her face was redder than before.
And with that—
Merslin realized:
Genesis Day might be over.
But its effects still lingered.
And from now on—
This world would never be the same for him.