Chapter 66: Best choice

I woke up on the ground. Someone had carried me down while I was asleep.

The moonlight illuminated the clearing. The first thing I looked for was the giant turtle, now a massive, rocky mountain, much taller than I’d realized. There was no sign of the turtle itself; it was as if it had shed its shell and wandered off.

The path the turtle had taken was a scene of devastation, the once-impregnable academy walls crumbled, trees flattened, a wide swathe of destruction.

Students, who should have been eating dinner, were busy clearing the debris.

I glanced at Linne, sitting beside me. Her earlier energy was gone, replaced by exhaustion; she was nodding off. I watched her for a moment, then spoke,

“Linne.”

Linne’s eyes fluttered open, and she turned, a playful smile spreading across her face as our eyes met.

“Finally awake? I was wondering if I should give you a princess-like wake-up kiss.”

She puckered her lips playfully, her half-lidded eyes sparkling with amusement, her blonde hair shimmering in the moonlight. I stared, mesmerized.

“Cat got your tongue? Silence means consent.”

I shook my head, snapping out of my daze. I didn’t want to admit she’d captivated me, even for a moment. I retorted, my tone sharper than intended,

“Judging by your crude remarks, I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.”

I’d been a bit harsh, perhaps, but Linne just smiled, her eyes twinkling.

“Were you…worried about me?”

I flinched, as if caught stealing. I couldn’t take back my words, so I just clamped my mouth shut, avoiding her warm gaze.

Sister’s arrival was a welcome distraction; I might have spontaneously combusted otherwise. She looked at us, then sighed.

“Let’s go back to the dorms and rest.”

“Aren’t you resting too, Ellie’s sister?”

“Call me Anna. I need to…supervise the students. I’ll leave Ellie in your care, Linea.”

Sister’s gaze lingered on me. I reassured her,

“I’m fine. I can sleep by myself now.”

She still looked worried, but she nodded, then turned to Linne, who’d stood up. She hesitated, then spoke softly,

“…Thank you…for earlier.”

Her face was flushed as she turned away. I assumed it was just the moonlight.

****

Sitting on my bed, I calculated how much energy I’d expended today.

Using my Flame Sword too much always had…unpleasant consequences. My body would overheat, a burning sensation far beyond a normal person’s endurance.

I hadn’t taken it well in the past, using my wealth and influence to find a solution, consulting renowned healers, even pestering Mother for remedies. But nothing had worked.

I didn’t need to calculate; I knew I’d overexerted myself, way past my… pain threshold. I should be preparing for the inevitable agony, not sitting here contemplating.

I looked at the small gem on my desk. It seemed…larger than before. I picked it up and held it to the light; a swirling black mist churned within its translucent surface.

“It doesn’t feel…ominous, though…”

Sister’s concern seemed excessive, but the giant turtle…that had been ominous. I stared at the gem, a strange fascination drawing me in.

I channeled some mana into it, and the mist swirled faster. I continued, enjoying the mesmerizing display, until the gem suddenly…melted, disappearing into nothingness.

“What? Where did it go?”

I checked my palm; it was gone without a trace. I shook my head; it was a worthless trinket anyway, destined to be destroyed. I shouldn’t be upset.

I lay down on my bed, my thoughts drifting to my sword, destroyed earlier. What kind of sword could withstand my power? The question gave me a headache… a literal headache. A sudden wave of heat washed over me.

“…Already?”

I quickly stuffed the corner of the blanket into my mouth, the dry taste unpleasant, but I couldn’t let go. The burning pain was coming.

****

“Haa…haa…”

I wiped the sweat from my forehead.

The pain, which usually came after I fell asleep, had arrived early, faster and more intense than usual, like…pouring water on an erupting volcano. Not that I knew what would actually happen if you did that.

“Hee hee…ugh.”

I chuckled at my pathetic state, then winced as a burning sensation spread through my chest. It was…intense, a fiery heat I hadn’t felt in a while. And it was just the beginning.

I checked the time; barely an hour had passed. The thought of enduring this all night filled me with dread.

I stumbled out of my room, not caring if anyone saw me like this.

My gaze fell on the door next to mine – Linne’s room. The thought of her sleeping peacefully while I suffered made me angry.

I was about to bang on her door and run, then stopped.

“Honestly, how irresponsible can she be…?”

Her door was slightly ajar. Was she awake? I cautiously opened the door.

The room was dark and silent. I followed the faint sound of breathing to the bed, where Linne lay sleeping. It was dark, but I could see her clearly, the image of her smiling face, bathed in moonlight, flashing through my mind.

I should leave.

But I hesitated, and it was too late.

“Ugh…!”

A burning sensation spread through my chest, a fiery heat threatening to consume me.

I sank to the floor beside the bed, clutching my chest, gasping for breath. I looked at the bed, my mind racing.

I wasn’t always helpless against the pain. There was one way…a way to…alleviate the burning.

But…I couldn’t. Breaking into her room and…touching her…even if it was Linne…

“Gah…!”

The pain intensified, unbearable. I pulled myself onto the bed and stared at Linne’s sleeping form.

“…It’s okay…right, Linne?”

Silence meant consent.

****

Linne woke up feeling…refreshed. Sunlight streamed through the window.

She tried to sit up, but her breasts felt unusually heavy. She reached under the covers and found…someone snuggled against her chest. She smiled, reaching out to gently stroke their hair.

The little wolf girl often slept with her like this. It reminded Linne of her childhood dog; she didn’t mind. Though she’d never tell Nina that.

Linne stroked the soft, fluffy hair, a much smoother texture than usual.

‘Did she change shampoos?’

The figure in her arms stirred, as if waking up. Linne paused, something feeling…off. She couldn’t feel the familiar tufts of fur that usually accompanied a head pat. Were wolf ears…detachable?

She reached down, searching for Nina’s tail, her favorite part.

“That’s strange…it should be here… Where…?”

Her hand wandered, searching, making the figure in her arms tremble. She accidentally brushed against their buttocks, and a startled yelp escaped their lips.

Linne stopped; this was getting awkward. And their reactions were…different from Nina’s.

As she considered this, the door suddenly burst open. Linne’s eyes widened.

“…Nina? Why are there two of you?”

Nina, who’d just entered, also looked puzzled.

“Two of me? What are you talking about? Still dreaming?”

Linne looked from Nina to the figure under the covers and swallowed nervously. She cautiously pulled back the blanket, her hand trembling slightly, and

gasped, stumbling back in surprise.

It wasn’t Nina, but Ellie, her ash-gray hair spread across the pillow, her eyes narrowed, glaring at Linne with a mixture of anger and…something else. Her voice, trembling with barely suppressed rage, said,

“You…pervert…”

Linne felt a surge of indignation. She hadn’t broken into Ellie’s room; this was her bed. She pleaded,

“I’m sorry. Please forgive me, just this once.”

She had so much to say, but
she chose the most…effective option.