Chapter 24: Trauma’s Return: A Painful Memory

To one too beautiful for this world, I remember you.

Come to think of it, my decision to appear as the Saintess was due to my inherent otaku nature.

This beautiful girl’s body was too good to waste.

And what perfect timing, there was a suitable event for it. So, without thinking,

I blurted out, “Saintess appearance, coming right up!” and set the appointment.

But now that I think about it, they’re all strangers, two men and a woman, right?

“Um… the food is delicious, isn’t it?”

“It is.”

“Yes.”

“…Aha.”

Wow. This is incredibly awkward.

Was it a bit of a stretch to send my colleague because I was busy?

My students are so tense because of me.

This atmosphere-terrorizing teacher needs to say something…

Right. Let’s ask Ethan about his life in the Imperial Palace.

In the side stories, it was a happy and graceful life, so there shouldn’t be any problems.

“Ethan! How’s life in the palace…?”

“Ugh.”

Ethan started coughing, clutching his throat mid-sushi bite.

This is the first time I’ve seen someone choke on sushi.

Why is he acting like this, despite being a crown prince?

“Are you okay?”

“Cough… Yes.”

Ethan gave up.

Then Alex! …But.

Alex’s family situation is incredibly unfortunate.

Father’s suicide. Mother’s drug, alcohol, and gambling addictions.

Older brother’s abuse.

Then…

“Alex. How’s life at the academy?”

I’ve seen Alex make a lot of friends at the academy. Since he’s always smiling, maybe this conversation will last longer…?

“It’s good. The teachers are kind, the food is delicious.”

“Right? The academy cafeteria is famous for its…”

“Everything tastes good to me, someone who used to lick up someone else’s vomit in front of bars on the street.”

…Tsk.

This seems like a disaster.

When it’s impossible to lighten the mood no matter what you do, I’ll just smile and surely they’ll talk to me.

Because I’m a drop-dead gorgeous girl.

“Heehee…”

“That’s a really creepy smile…”

Alex, seemingly regaining his composure, sighed and said.

How impudent, to say such a thing in front of a stunning beauty like myself.

“Well, I apologize if that’s how you felt.”

Perhaps because of the Saintess’s memories, I’ve become rather confident in my appearance. Though I always thought I was pretty.

“It’s fine…so, teacher, about that…”

“Just call me Saintess. Everyone called me that.”

“Could you tell us why you were sent here instead of the teacher?”

Alex took a sip of tea, traced the rim of the teacup, and spoke.

Aha, I haven’t thought about that.

“I’m in the same group as him. I’m quite competent, you see.”

That sounded natural.

I took another sip of tea and swallowed.

The tea’s aroma completely cleansed my palate of the sushi’s fishy aftertaste.

“No one doubted me on that account.”

Alex quietly ate, his gaze fixed on me.

The beautiful Saintess was reflected in his eyes.

A breathtaking, poignant beauty.

“…!”

Ah, f*ck.

The trauma’s acting up again.

Reflexively, I grabbed his arm and pressed it firmly against the table.

As the feeling in my arm turned numb, I gradually returned to my senses.

“Phew. Excuse me.”

“…Symptoms that occur with prolonged exposure to demonic energy. Lesson learned.”

Is he used to it now?

Ethan observed me with a calm gaze.

I’m honored he remembers what I taught him.

Feeling a bit pleased without realizing it, I said to him,

“Oh my, you’re a wonderful teacher to even instruct me on such matters. Who might you be?”

Ethan closed his mouth at my question.

And then, as if deep in thought, he closed his eyes.

…What is this?

Does he not remember?

“There was. A rather strange and kind teacher.”

Ethan said so, then sighed deeply.

Alex also looked at Ethan with a knowing smile.

“…Hee.”

That’s good enough for me.

I managed to put down the teacup with my trembling right hand.

“The reason that teacher sent me is obvious. I can teach what he cannot.”

“Oh?”

“What subject might that be? There doesn’t seem to be anything the teacher hasn’t mastered.”

“That is…”

I threw it out there, but what should I say?

If I mess this up, the cool Professor Raven Pest will instantly become an idiot.

…Is this the only option?

“…Constellation magic.”

Bang!

Ethan shot up from his seat and slammed his hand on the table.

His eyes held a mix of anticipation and excitement.

“Although I don’t like bringing up my status as crown prince, even I only read a single line about it in the library.”

Alex, looking at Ethan as if he were some strange creature, asked,

“What’s constellation magic?”

“Magic usable only by those who have formed a contract with a star. While each use carries a penalty, it is incredibly powerful.”

Ethan swiftly summarized constellation magic.

So quickly I couldn’t even interject.

To elaborate…this type of contract magic is common in fantasy novels.

What sets constellation magic apart is that it can only be used by chosen individuals.

Because it’s a one-in-a-thousand-year talent, only its existence is vaguely documented.

But I already know about constellation magic.

The Saintess is a natural-born constellation mage.

A woman who receives healing powers and divine power—slightly weaker than Divine Comedy—from “the distant stars” in exchange for her senses.

From the moment I received the Saintess’s memories, I instinctively knew how to use constellation magic.

“Do you finally understand my greatness? Well, more on that later…”

I found myself staring at Ethan’s face, which had gotten too close. Even if he’s handsome, he’s still a man. Disgusting.

I gently pushed his nose away and addressed their curiosity.

“I’ll teach you a diluted version of constellation magic. To help defeat the Demon King.”

“That’s…”

“I’ll explain in detail when we meet next time.”

I barely…managed to get through that…

 

***

 

“That was delicious.”

“Well, they say it takes months to get a reservation. Those who manage to eat here are the real winners.”

Alex and Ethan emerged from the restaurant with satisfied smiles.

I was satisfied too.

I was already in enjoyment mode, anticipating the meal with them.

It’s said that people wait months for a reservation, and many give up after growing tired of waiting.

So, those who actually get to eat here are the victors.

Though I can’t blame those who cancel.

I suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for the chef.

“Is our appointment over now? It ended quicker than I thought.”

They really just ate.

Shouldn’t we have a bit more conversation for something eventful to happen?

If we hadn’t even talked about constellation magic, it would have been a wasted meeting.

Ethan, looking at me, said,

“No. Since the teacher brought someone, we also called someone else.”

“Oh, is that so? I don’t mind. If it’s someone you invited, they must be…”

“Saintess?”

A large hand gripped my shoulder.

A familiar voice reached my ears, along with,

A title for ‘Saintess’ that shouldn’t be used by this person.

It’s Arthur.

The person I shouldn’t meet the most, in the form I shouldn’t meet him in the most.

There’s no reason for my mind to function.

Any miracle, any magic, would only worsen the outcome.

“…Who are you?”

As composed and warm as possible.

Thus, the cruelest way to treat him.

Now, with all paths leading to ruin,

my only escape was the lesser evil.

Arthur heard my words.

His blue eyes wavered, leaving afterimages.

“Ah.”

He uttered a single cry.

I don’t know what that cry represented.

Ethan and Alex looked at Arthur with concern.

“Senior, are you okay?”

“What’s wrong…?”

Arthur continued to stare at me as his juniors tried to comfort him.

Seeing his vacant eyes, I had no words.

Even if this shell held meaning for him, it wasn’t me.

I was merely the Saintess who saw him as a student, not the Saintess of old, who saw him as a friend.

Reading the sincerity in my eyes, Arthur quickly put on a smile.

A fake, ingratiating smile he used to detest.

I felt a twinge of guilt.

But I couldn’t follow the path the former Saintess tried to tread.

Though I could respect a teacher and student, a man and a man, pursuing such a relationship,

I couldn’t do it myself.

I stroked Arthur’s head.

Stroking his blonde hair felt natural, a familiar gesture from my past past life.

Then, as the greatest kindness I could offer,

I embraced him.

“I don’t know who you see in me, but I’m not that person.”

I whispered sweet words that might crush him. Perhaps the former Saintess’s habit of unconsciously bewitching men had transferred to me.

“I’m not criticizing you, nor asking you to change. I’m simply concerned, hoping that this projection doesn’t consume you.”

Arthur silently absorbed my words.

His strong arms around my back seemed to tighten.

“But I support your love.”

Arthur buried his face in my shoulder, speechless.

Ethan and Alex merely blinked, oblivious to the situation.

A single tear fell on my shoulder before Arthur pulled away.

He gazed at my face for a long moment.

“Thank you. Your name is…”

“Ah, I’m Ai…”

“She’s the Saintess!”

…Alex, please…