Chapter 75 - Epilogue. It's a Misunderstanding, Really.

This is a trivial epilogue.

Just like that, Arien and I left the abandoned factory. Very carefully, at that.

It was a matter of course. With the factory blown to bits by Arien's 『Where the Stars Sleep』, it wouldn't have been strange for the guards to be dispatched immediately.

And… we decided to cross the Palkart District at dawn and take the tram back to downtown Endinium.

As I mentioned before, the tram that circulated between the outskirts of Endinium and the city center operated 24 hours a day.

However…

“Hey, you two look good over there. Got anything on you?”

Like some routine game event, we ran into some thugs again.

Kwaang-!

It wasn't really a big deal. We were tired, but with two powerhouses like us, what could they do?

Anyway. We crossed the Palkart District without any trouble… and were finally able to settle onto the tram in just an hour and a half.

It was the dead of dawn, and as expected for a route heading from the outskirts to the city center, there wasn't a single person.

There might be people commuting from the city to the outskirts, but not the other way around, I supposed. Given the time.

I sat down in a suitable seat. I wondered how we should sit in a situation like this, but… well.

And Arien also sat next to me, in the seat to my right. Well, we were friends, so sitting apart would be strange.

“……”

I thought about starting a conversation, but I could feel my body was just too tired.

‘I really pushed myself with D-rank Stamina.’

Running around all night, swinging a sword, dodging.

It was no joke, come to think of it.

As I was staring blankly at the city passing by the window, lost in my fatigue…

“I am sorry.”

Arien suddenly offered such an apology.

“...Sorry for what?”

Arien then continued, her head bowed.

“For getting you involved, Rain-ssi, and… for being swayed by that child named Stella.”

That was the gist of it. Did she realize that using the word 'child' to refer to Stella was quite unnatural for her?

“It’s fine since I did it of my own volition. I was actually expecting you to ask how I knew to follow you.”

And how I knew about the factory.

“Everyone has their secrets.”

“Is that so.”

If that was the case, well. The conversation ended there for now.

“...Stella.”

After the conversation ended, the complex feelings in Arien's murmuring and expression were clearly visible.

She must have had a lot to think about.

After this conversation, a little time passed, and…

“Also, I am sorry.”

Arien apologized to me again.

…Again?

“Last time, I told a lie.”

“Last time…?”

“A while ago, you asked if there was any instructional material on Origin Magic.”

“Ah.”

-In the case of Origin Magic, has its existence been fixed? If it has been fixed as knowledge, it seems plausible that something like a textbook would exist.

-I'm not sure. Not much is known in detail. Origin Magic itself is a lost magic. It's possible it exists.

The events of that time flashed through my mind in an instant. The conversation we had when she was visiting me while I was sick.

‘Well, I kind of expected it.’

I just thought she'd tell me when we got closer later on. But to even apologize.

It wasn't like she owed me anything.

“Actually, it did exist. However… I thought I had no reason to tell you. I also thought it was better to conceal it.”

“I see.”

It wasn't a particularly surprising fact, so I answered calmly. And Arien continued to speak.

“When we get back, let's talk about that material. I will try to bring it later.”

“...Thank you.”

I was somewhat surprised by Arien's decision, but I bowed my head as a sign of gratitude for now.

She was apologizing? I felt like shouting, ‘What a windfall!’

And then silence fell again.

It wasn't a particularly uncomfortable silence. Arien and I were often quiet when we were together anyway.

I thought of it as both of us comfortably enjoying the silence.

But right now, Arien seemed to be lost in deep thought.

‘Well, after what she went through.’

I nodded in understanding.

‘Then I shouldn't disturb her.’

So, in my own way, I fell into thought in that silence, wondering how I could use Origin Magic in my tactics.

And while I was lost in thought—.

Tap.

From my right shoulder, I felt something lightly touch me.

And when I turned my head in that direction.

Ssk.

Sure enough, Arien's head was there.

To be precise, it was the head of Arien, who had fallen asleep with her eyes closed.

‘...Well, she went through a lot too.’

The degree of physical labor was hard to compare with mine, but at this point, Arien's stamina stat was E-, after all.

I didn't say anything in particular and just stared blankly out the window, lost in thought.

Until the tram reached the station in the city center where we could transfer to the tram heading to the academy… there was still about an hour and a half left.

That's just the speed of a tram.

I decided to kill time with idle thoughts and by watching the scenery outside.

Right. What should I think about…

Thinking about thoughts…

What was it again…

Hmm…

…….

***

…Yeah, I slept. I fell asleep. Before I fell asleep, it was definitely the pitch-black dawn, but when I came to my senses, the sun was already rising.

As my groggy mind returned, I could roughly tell what position we were in.

Before I fell asleep, Arien had been leaning on my shoulder.

And I, in turn, had fallen asleep leaning against Arien. In a form where we were supporting each other.

‘…So we've been like this the whole time.’

Looking outside, it was probably around 7 o'clock. Arien and I had dozed off in the empty tram during the dawn.

“Ugh…”

I first looked at Arien without breaking the posture.

If I moved carelessly here, I might wake Arien up…

“Good morning.”

“……”

Arien was already awake. As soon as I seemed to be awake, she moved only her eyes in that position and looked at my face.

And she offered such a morning greeting.

“...Good morning to you too.”

What else was there to say? I answered awkwardly and then subtly corrected my posture.

‘Ugh.’

Anyway, Arien and I got off at the station and transferred to the tram heading to the academy.

The tram heading towards the academy was deserted, as it was a Sunday morning. It was also a bit early.

There were still a few people, but anyway, Arien and I were on our way to the academy on the train.

“Rain-ssi.”

During the ride, Arien spoke to me.

“Yes.”

“It's nothing much. I have a favor to ask. It's something I kept thinking about last night.”

A favor. She seemed to be thinking about something before falling asleep on the tram earlier.

Was that it?

A favor now, I wonder what it is.

“...What is it?”

I listened with some tension. And the words that came out of Arien's mouth were—.

“When I call you, Rain-ssi, may I drop the honorific 'ssi' and just call you 'Rain'?”

“……”

It was really trivial.

“Well… I don't mind. Yuna-ssi calls me without any honorifics anyway.”

“That's true, Rain.”

She applied that quickly.

Anyway, the tram reached its destination… and we were finally standing at the entrance of Archenia Academy.

Normally, the academy closed its gates during the dawn, but since we were a little late, the academy entrance was wide open.

“...It's only been half a day, why does it feel so long…”

I muttered. The only thought in my mind right now was that I wanted to go in quickly, wash up, and sleep.

I dragged my weary feet towards the academy entrance. Arien looked tired too.

And, just as we were about to enter.

“...Rain-ssi?”

I heard a familiar, deep voice from somewhere.

And when I turned my head towards the owner of the voice.

“...Are you just coming in now?”

There was Khan, with a very surprised look on his face.

He had a water bottle in his hand, and his hair was drenched in sweat, so he must have been doing his morning workout.

“Uh… Haha, good, morning…”

And next to him was Elwin in the same state. I wonder when they got close… Do they even do morning training together?

“Ah yes, we're just coming in now. Good morning.”

I replied. But for some reason, their gazes were a bit strange.

“...It seems the two of you came in together... Is that correct?”

Elwin asked me. That was true, but…

Huh.

Eh?

Wait. Something's weird.

“Yes. That's right. We're just coming in now with Rain.”

As I fell into confusion, sensing something was off, Arien replied.

With a perfectly serene expression.

“...You stayed up all night together and are coming back now?”

“Yes.”

When Khan asked with a surprised look, Arien answered as if to confirm it.

Thud.

Thud.

And then, almost simultaneously, they both dropped their water bottles.

“W-wait…”

I tried to fix the situation somehow, but…

“Let's go, Rain. I'm tired.”

Arien's follow-up attack was relentless.

“Ra-Rain…”

Khan muttered. It seemed he caught the change in address.

Uh, wait, that. It is strange, for sure. This situation.

So this was the situation. We went out on Saturday night, and came back on Sunday morning after spending the night together.

And upon our return, the previously formal address has suddenly become friendly.

“……”

A shiver ran down my spine. I had a bad feeling about this…

-Wow, what's this?

-Did they just come in together?

-They look really comfortable with each other…

And just as I feared. I could hear the murmuring of other students passing by.

No, that, uh, huh?

“Ha…”

In my confusion, I let out a deep sigh. And…

“...Rain-ssi.”

Khan opened his mouth, his voice filled with deep concern.

“Did you... do it again?”

“...Wait, what do you mean, 'again'?”

The situation is ripe for misunderstanding, but what do you mean 'again', you punk.

Making me out to be some kind of weirdo…!

“Let's go.”

Whether she knew my thoughts or not, Arien was pulling my sleeve.

Right, you're in the same dorm as me, right? Coincidentally? Since we're going the same way, we might as well go together, right?

“……”

Hah…

I don't know.

“Let's go…”

I really don't know. I just need to get inside, wash up, and sleep.

Thinking that, I headed towards my dorm, Aurora Hall, with Arien.

I'm tired.

So tired…

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