Ch.7676. Results Announcement

*Sigh…*

This is going to be troublesome again.

I know my own body best.

This level of strain can be recovered from just by moderately adjusting my workload.

Honestly, with my current workload, recovery happens in an instant.

So, I could even handle Arin’s training without any problems.

While I was pondering this, Blanc hurriedly opened the door and came in.

“Malnourished, you say?”

“Yeah, I gave you the weight measurement data earlier. Look at the magic power readings here too.”

“The output is definitely different from when she was in the hospital. Though her basic magic reserves seem fine.”

“The important thing is that this is her output after full recovery. It’s not enough to meet the basic magic consumption her body requires.”

“So, high demand but insufficient supply?”

“Yes. Fortunately, that dog collar suppressing her magic output is helping now. And it’s also fortunate that she’s detached her tail.”

“As expected, that tail is a magic-devouring hippo, isn’t it?”

“Yes. More than you’d think. It’s only because Vine’s magic reservoir is so large.”

“The tail was made to correspond to her original magic capacity, but her current output…”

“With the collar, it’s at Arin’s level. Even without the collar… in Eden terms, she’d be a mid-level legion boss.”

“Sigh… So you’re saying she needs to commit evil acts.”

“Fortunately, I brought a device from Eden that can monitor magic quantity and output in real-time. Maybe we could have her perform simple evil acts for just today?”

“We haven’t received permission yet. The Association President knows, but apparently has a lot to deal with first…”

“So, something we can do within this dormitory. Like, for example, beating you to death.”

“Why would I ask her to do something that would obviously drain Vine’s stamina?”

“Well, for starters… how about having her abandon work and sleep?”

“Is that even classified as an evil act?”

“Who knows. If she considers it evil, there will be changes in her output. If the lock on Vine’s magic generation organ is released, we can confirm it with this device.”

“So if the lock is released and activated, this graph will fluctuate, right?”

“Exactly. So we monitor in real-time while she performs evil acts that can be done here. Somehow, that should work.”

“Well… that aside, her physical condition seems problematic too.”

“For that… there’s not much we can do.”

“Then, do we just give her more days off?”

“From the perspective of eliminating the cause of physical deterioration, that would be correct.”

“But will Vine actually rest properly if I give her days off?”

“Hmm… probably not? Just thinking about what we just saw.”

“Sigh… Then, inevitably… Yes. Let’s discuss this separately later when Vine isn’t around.”

“What is it? Just tell me quietly… Oh, oh… Ah, if it’s that, then I’m all for it. Yes, no need for discussion!”

“I’m worried it might cause a fight.”

“Come on, you can just decide in advance!”

“Wouldn’t that be a problem? Who am I to decide arbitrarily?”

“The contract states you’re the employer, so you can do as you please. Just push through with it.”

“Then what are you planning to do?”

“I don’t need to be involved. I just need to check on Vine daily.”

“Did you just say you’re not needed?”

“Oh please. Between people who know everything about each other, why bother?”

“I know you that well? Were we that close?”

“At least while you hold my lifeline and ownership, I have to follow your orders. Is your memory failing, master?”

“Let’s put that aside. Vine comes first for now.”

“Yes. Vine first.”

What are these two giggling about and having such strange conversations?

And it seems they’re making some weird plans for my rest.

What on earth are they trying to do to me?

Surely they won’t tie me up and force me to rest?

First, I need to finish this examination, so Ellie needs to let me go.

“Ellie.”

“Yes?”

“How much longer will the examination take? It’s done, right?”

“No, you need to rest now. Where do you think you’re going?”

“I’d like to rest in my own room.”

“Knowing your personality, you definitely won’t rest, so rest in this room. If you really hate my room, go follow Blanc.”

“More importantly, I’m not malnourished, really. I’m perfectly healthy!”

“The numbers say otherwise. The numbers. Blanc will adjust your workload, so just follow along.”

“…Anyway.”

“Anyway what? Just listen for now. Both Blanc and I are saying this for your own good.”

“Fine… Blanc, shall we try that evil act plan or whatever? Isn’t it meaningless to waste time like this?”

“Just rest for now. I have preparations to make. Stay here and listen to Ellie.”

“But still…”

“I told you today is a vacation.”

“Tch, if it’s a vacation, shouldn’t I be able to do as I please?”

“Think of it as sick leave. Who plays around during sick leave? You should rest at home.”

“No… I’m practically resting my body compared to before. Right? Didn’t I tell you?”

“No, the body you overworked back then is now screaming for help. So to recover, you need to rest properly.”

“I’m really fine. You know how good a Goein’s recovery is.”

“The data clearly shows you’re not fine. Lie down and rest. Listen to Ellie.”

“Sigh… It seems you won’t listen no matter what I say?”

“Yes, of course. Your health comes first right now.”

With those words, Blanc left the room.

Leaving just me and Ellie.

“Ellie. When are you going to return my clothes? It’s getting chilly.”

“Stay like that a little longer.”

“What is there to see that you need to keep me undressed?”

“Examinations must follow protocol.”

“Ah, yes, yes… Whatever you say…”

“Getting irritated won’t change anything. Think about it. In a month, we’ll…”

“Hey! Be quiet! What if someone hears? We don’t have a solution for that contract yet, and if Blanc finds out…!”

“Calm down. Calm down. Blanc doesn’t seem interested in prying into my thoughts anyway. As long as I don’t act suspiciously, there shouldn’t be a problem. And right now, both Blanc and I are prioritizing your well-being.”

“No, I’m really fine. I could handle actual combat without any issues right now!”

“That’s just your opinion. Let’s observe for another hour like this. Just lie still. If you’re bored, should I bring your phone?”

“No… Sigh. This is really annoying.”

“You’re the one who’s more annoying. I’ll bring it, so stay still. If you move and the device falls off, you’ll have to stay for another hour.”

“Yes…”

Now I’m left alone in this room.

I’ll be alone until Ellie returns.

Thinking back to when I overheard Blanc and Ellie’s conversation…

It seems like they’re trying to force me to take a vacation to do… something.

I can’t think of anything right now.

Just staring endlessly at that plain ceiling…

Hmm… I’m sleepy.

My stomach is full. The weather is warm.

The sunlight is warm too.

Just…

Yes, it’s warm…

Maybe I’ll sleep a little.

I think Blanc told me to sleep earlier.

Considering that, falling asleep isn’t a bad thing.

Blanc told me to sleep.

Ellie told me to sleep too.

So, sleeping must be the right thing to do…

Yes…

Good… night…

* * *

Under the warm sunlight.

A child who fell into sleep like one ignorant of the world.

From a distance, anyone would believe if told it was a doll lying there, such a child.

From that frail body, the soft sound of breathing.

The rise and fall of her chest showed that she was a living being, and that this surreal space actually existed.

“Sigh… I hope she sleeps all day today.”

“I agree. Vine never takes care of her body. She gave me so much grief at Eden too.”

“From what I heard, you gave her more grief.”

“Well, that’s… the desire to be protected by Vine?”

“Is that a thing?”

“Of course. You haven’t spent much time in daily life with Vine. Leaning on Vine is such a good feeling.”

“Leaning on such a small child…”

“Then, is it okay to load magic into such a small child and attack her until she faints?”

“That’s a different issue.”

“Well, anyway. Vine is surprisingly responsible. She has responsibility toward the organization, but also in relationships between people.”

“I see that too.”

“So she needed management. But I ran away.”

“…No, I should have found her sooner.”

“If I had known, I would have implanted a tracking chip inside Vine’s body. At least then…”

“The Association would have removed it before she went to prison.”

“What? They don’t even have the technology to detect it.”

“It’s true. They remove all devices that send signals outside. There were no such devices in Vine’s body.”

“Right, they don’t have the detection technology.”

“Huh?”

“You think I did those examinations for nothing? Not a single device is missing.”

“…Is that the truth?”

“Why?”

“If discovered… Vine would have to go back to prison…”

“What?”

“They’d claim she found a way to secretly communicate with remaining members, and public opinion… higher-ups…”

“…Pretend you didn’t hear that. Most are for collecting Vine’s health information, and the ones capable of long-distance transmission have reached the end of their lifespan.”

“I… for Vine’s sake, I won’t report it. But in return, you should tell me everything you know about Vine.”

“…Yes. I understand.”

After their conversation ended, for a while, only the sleeping breaths of the small girl filled the silence in the room.

The two of them could only look at the girl with the same feelings in their hearts.