Ch.201Foreshadowing (1)

The kingdom’s crisis had finally come to an end.

People trapped in nightmares had awakened, and the pitch-black darkness that had fallen over the city had retreated.

Starlight that had ultimately overcome the dawn. The silver-haired girl had become a complete savior.

Feeling proud, I thoroughly ruffled Neria’s hair.

Even her malfunctioning reaction was endearing.

The night had ended.

“Thank you.”

“I’ll make sure to repay this debt.”

Once the situation was resolved, the monarch promptly departed.

Only a few words of gratitude remained by my side.

Perhaps he too had seen something in the nightmare.

His expression was mixed with fatigue.

‘A nightmare, huh.’

Perhaps it was a memory from his youth.

The incident where the Cardinal, once revered as a star, had completely annihilated the church’s upper echelon and several noble families.

A tragedy still occasionally mentioned, a disaster that left an indelible disgrace on the church.

I quietly watched the old man’s receding steps.

On his wrinkled nape, a faint scar remained.

A trace left by God… suggesting he was once a star.

‘The Fallen Star.’

I mulled over the forgotten epithet.

The name by which the old man was known before being called monarch, when he reigned over evil.

He crossed the street accompanied by his royal guards.

I, on the contrary, took the path leading outside the underground.

And so, the long dawn finally concluded.

‘Home.’

We returned to the academy.

The landscape of the school under lockdown remained quiet with nothing particularly changed.

The consecutive invasions by cultists had put the faculty on high alert.

Walking through the gentle breeze, I felt a twinge of bitterness.

The bustling noise of students was no longer present.

On the other hand, I was determined to restore that daily life.

After all, those were memories I cherished fondly.

‘Well… that’s a matter for after dealing with the cultists.’

The calm spring fragrance wafted through the air.

And I wasn’t the only one who had stepped into the academy.

Neria was also by my side.

‘The Igniter.’

A star that had regained its light.

Now free from her trauma, she was a girl who had accepted her calling.

At the same time, she would also be a guardian protecting the academy from now on.

Having removed her limitations, she would be a powerful asset to our side.

To exaggerate, she was on par with end-game spec Irene.

Though she herself seemed to still need time to adjust.

“This is Miss Neria. You all probably recognize her face? You must have crossed paths a few times. She’s like my right hand.”

“I’m Neria Lightni. I humbly assist my master.”

“From today, she will be in charge of security at Gallimar Academy.”

The academy was a major target in the original story too.

As the final chapter was beginning, it was time to put all our efforts into defense.

That’s just how defensive battles are.

“Despite appearances, Neria is quite shy. I hope everyone will treat her kindly.”

I introduced Neria to my companions.

Except for Irene, everyone was meeting her for the first time.

They might have crossed paths a few times, but this was their first formal introduction.

The silver-haired girl bowed stiffly.

That was probably her best effort.

“I look forward to working with you all.”

“……”

However, the atmosphere among the others remained tense.

Was it because of Neria’s inherently cold impression?

Plus, perhaps due to nervousness, she was maintaining an even sharper air than usual.

The group couldn’t quite bring themselves to speak. Even Irene, who had some familiarity with her, just watched.

Following this mismatch, the awkward atmosphere grew increasingly heavy.

In the end, I gently offered some help.

“Aren’t you being too stiff?”

“M-Master…?”

Plop-

I placed my hand on top of the girl’s head.

Neria instantly stiffened.

As I playfully stroked her hair, the chilly atmosphere crumbled.

Like cotton candy dissolving in water. She instantly reverted to a youthful appearance.

Her originally pale cheeks were now flushed red.

“U-uah…”

She’s become even more shy.

She always had this tendency, but it seemed to have intensified over the past few days.

More precisely, since accepting the starlight. Since overcoming her trauma.

As a result, it was rather troublesome for those watching.

Her threshold for personal space had suddenly lowered.

‘Like now.’

She would make whimpering sounds just from a slight hand-holding.

If I gently leaned on her shoulder, her entire body would stiffen.

If I silently poked her cheeks, she would subtly avert her gaze.

Things she used to handle just fine, but now seemed to fill her with embarrassment.

I think it’s a bit late for that…

‘Or is it?’

Thinking about it again, maybe it wasn’t so different.

After all, I was usually the one initiating such actions.

Neria was always the one being overwhelmed.

I always teased her because her reactions were amusing.

“M-Master… o-others are, w-watching…”

“Your hair really is soft, Miss Neria.”

“Th-thank you for the compliment, but now is not the time…!”

Anyway.

Thanks to her completely crumbled composure,

The chilly atmosphere gradually began to thaw.

Right on cue, Selena, who had been hovering nearby, joined in.

Her purple hair flowed along the curves as she casually brushed it aside.

A slight nasal tone lingered at the corner of her mouth.

“Hmm.”

Her red eyes examined the girl, interest piqued.

Then she smiled with her eyes.

“She’s cute.”

“Master.”

“I wish you had given me a heads-up. A transfer student so suddenly.”

“There wasn’t really an opportunity… That’s why I hope you’ll look after her from now on.”

“It’s a request from my only disciple. Besides, she might become family someday, right? As the eldest, I should definitely take care of her.”

“What? Family…? M-Master? What does that mean?”

“I wonder. I’m not sure myself.”

“You’ll naturally come to understand. I look forward to working with you, Student Neria.”

Selena skillfully teased Neria.

Perhaps thanks to her actively breaking the ice,

The other children who had been hesitant also began to join the conversation one by one.

I quietly watched Neria surrounded by my companions.

It was a heartwarming scene.

“So, you’ve known Judas from before? About three years ago?”

“Elise. I don’t think it’s good to be jealous of someone you’ve just met.”

“I’m just asking a question, sis?”

“Yes. Elise has strong jealousy.”

“How was that jealousy at all?”

“But I like that side of you too.”

“Are you even listening?”

Elise with a dissatisfied expression.

Beside her, Sharlotte still living in her own dimension.

While the two bickered briefly, the blue-haired girl joined in.

“Nice to meet you. We’ve met before, right?”

It was none other than Amelia.

Judging by her reaction, Neria seemed to remember her as well.

“I remember. It was during the Venatti extermination order.”

“I’m indebted to you from that time. Shamefully, I had to rely on others for family matters.”

“Not at all. It was my master’s will. If you wish to express gratitude, it would be more appropriate to direct it to him.”

“I’ve already thanked him plenty. Besides, there’s no limit to how many times one can say thank you, right? I thought it would be better to thank everyone involved.”

“I see. Wise words.”

“May I call you… Neria?”

“You may simply call me Neria. I am merely my master’s servant.”

“Then, Neria. Welcome to Gallimar. I look forward to working with you.”

“Th-thank you…”

Amelia, speaking with a mix of primness and subtle consideration.

Who would have expected to see such a combination?

The dormitory scene filled me with renewed sentiment.

I quietly lowered my gaze.

‘Everyone.’

In the original story.

A mid-boss who reduced a tenth of the continent to ashes.

A villainess who was meant to be sacrificed by her family.

A princess who suffered from an incurable disease and ended her life in futility.

A head professor who betrayed the academy, followed the cultists, and was then discarded.

Seeing them gathered in one place stirred something within me.

Perhaps it was the sentiment that so much had changed.

Beside me, the fox poked my side repeatedly.

“You look strangely happy.”

“Do I? Hehe.”

“It’s rare. To see you smile like that.”

“Hmm…? I don’t think it’s any different from usual.”

“Never mind. It was something I wanted to know for myself anyway.”

“My, now you’ve made me even more curious.”

After a few meaningless exchanges, I turned my attention forward again.

Neria being swept up in the somewhat boisterous atmosphere.

Still, she didn’t look displeased.

I smiled softly.

‘The Igniter.’

To you who always felt alone.

Now this place too will become one of your many homes.

I only wished that you would no longer be lonely.

The everyday atmosphere dispersed like fluffy clouds into life.

“……”

Meanwhile.

There was one person who couldn’t blend into that flow.

None other than the protagonist of this world, Lezia Pillots.

Her pink hair subtly downcast.

Her green eyes also held a gloomy light.

“……”

I quietly observed her.

It was a familiar sight lately.

Not just today, but she had been in this state for quite some time.

Unable to approach her, I watched her hunched shoulders.

Inwardly, I pondered about the days to come.

‘Is it… about that time?’

Lezia Pillots.

It seemed our protagonist was also approaching her final awakening.