Chapter 71: Return (5)

A short while later, Lucy woke up, rubbing her temples.

“I knew she was up to something, but… I didn’t expect it to be world-altering.”
“A feeling?”
“Snowy said there’s some kind of… magical link between us. Any ideas?”

Avalli pondered for a moment, then nodded slowly. “I might have… done something unconsciously.”
“…Unconsciously.”

Lucy remembered being forcibly teleported back to the village chief’s house while trying to escape Asha. It had been a terrifying experience, a recurring nightmare. Now, after months of living with Avalli, it was just a funny anecdote.

“That sounds like Avalli.”

“Is it… uncomfortable, Teacher?”

“Just… unusual. And besides, being linked to you has its advantages.”

Lucy wasn’t naturally gifted with magic power. Mages from powerful families benefited from generations of selective breeding, their bloodlines refined.

But Lucy was… a street rat. While she had a natural aptitude for magic, she lacked the raw power, the sheer mana capacity of those born into magical lineages.

‘…Not anymore.’

She was aware that her mana reserves had increased significantly. And since she knew she didn’t possess any hidden talent, it could only be attributed to her connection with Avalli.

“Similar to Lumia and the Archangels,” Evan said, joining their conversation.

“Lumia?”

“The Archangels were originally just nature spirits. They gained sentience while serving the Goddesses.”

“So… the Goddesses created the Angels?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes.”

It was information known only to a select few, even 500 years ago.

“…Um, Evan?”

“You can call me Evan, Lucy. There’s no need to be so formal.”

“But you’re the legendary Hero; I can’t just—”
“I prefer it.”

Evan, still seeing Lucy as someone connected to the otherworldly Avalli, maintained a respectful demeanor. Flustered, but also strangely pleased, Lucy asked, following her own desires,

“…Evan, is that story about the Archangels true?”
“Yes. I heard it from them directly.”
“That’s… the kind of information that would make a Conjuration mage faint.”

It was potentially world-altering information, shaking the very foundations of magic.

‘…Wait, does that mean I could be transformed into some strange creature?’

A sudden wave of anxiety washed over Lucy, but then—

“So, it’s not a big deal, then? That’s a relief.”

—seeing Avalli’s relaxed sigh of relief, Lucy calmed down.

“And what’s this about you returning to the Holy Kingdom? To help the Goddesses?”
“Apparently, this world is… Selenoxia’s dream. They have to wake her up and… swap the dream with reality. Lumia and Asteria are struggling, so I offered to help.”
“…”

Lucy almost fainted again, but managed to maintain consciousness this time.

“This world… is a dream?”

“Didn’t Lumia tell you?” 

“I was a little… preoccupied at the time.”

Evan, too, looked a bit bewildered, but Avalli just casually munched on a cookie.

“It’ll be fine. Probably.”
“Can we… change the subject?”

Lucy said, fearing for her sanity.

“You two should rest today. We have a guest room, Evan.”
“Thank you for your hospitality.”

Evan’s excessively polite demeanor made Lucy glance at Avalli questioningly, but she was just as confused.

‘She seems to… misunderstand something,’ she thought. But Avalli was secretly pleased with Evan’s deference to Lucy. She considered Lucy her teacher, power difference aside.

“Go get settled, Evan. I’m going to let the villagers know I’m back.”
“You should probably go to the village then, Avalli. You’ve always eaten at Envel’s, and…”
“Alright. See you at lunch, Teacher!”

Avalli left and headed towards the village, her heart pounding with anticipation.

‘It feels like coming home.’

Home.

There was no better word to describe Asha Village. This small pioneer settlement had become precious to her.

“Avalli! You’re back!”, “Where have you been? We were so worried!”

“Arsene and Hans are away on a trip, but Envel is home. Go see her.”

The villagers greeted her warmly. Avalli gave them quick replies and hurried to the village chief’s house, knocking on the door.

“Who is it?”

Envel’s voice was slightly strained, tired.

“Envel unnie!”

“…Avalli?”

Envel stared at her, dumbfounded. Then she knelt and hugged Avalli tightly.

“Is it… really you?” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

“Um… yes?”, “You’re… really back.”

She hugged Avalli even tighter. No ordinary person could exert any force upon Avalli, yet…Envel’s embrace felt heavy, almost suffocating.

“I’m so glad… you’re safe…”
“…”

To everyone except a select few, Avalli was just a precocious child. The villagers, especially Envel, must have been so worried.

‘…I’m sorry.’

Avalli apologized silently, returning Envel’s embrace.

****

Even the Hero who saved the world had to do chores. As Avalli washed dishes by the river—

“Avalli?”

—Hans stared at her, his clothes dusty and travel-stained, his expression a mixture of shock and disbelief.

“…When did you get back?”
“Two days ago. Where’s the Chief?”
“He had some errands and went ahead. He should be back tonight.”

Hans said, crossing the river to join her. He carefully avoided getting the muddy water on the dishes.

Avalli, inwardly pleased by his considerate behavior, blurted out, “You’ve… gotten taller.”
“…Everyone keeps saying that. I haven’t noticed.”

Hans shrugged, but the change was obvious to Avalli. He wasn’t just taller, but broader, more…manly. It was more than just puberty.

‘He must be affected by my presence.’

Avalli nodded, recalling a conversation with Lucy.

“My, my, how quickly boys grow.”
“Your speech has gotten weirder. And you’re still growing too, Avalli.”
“I don’t think I’ll grow any taller.”
“You’re only thirteen.”

Hans questioned her, but Avalli knew her growth spurt was over. Her ‘Blessed Body’ trait considered her current physical state to be her ‘peak condition’.

“I have a feeling… this is it.”
“…Anyway, welcome back. Everything alright?”
“There were… some incidents, but nothing to worry about.”

Hans nodded. He knew Avalli possessed incredible power, enough to handle most situations.

Of course, being a simple village boy, he couldn’t possibly imagine that this small girl had single-handedly determined the fate of their world.

“I’ll help.”
“You must be tired. Go rest.”

“I’m fine.”

Hans said, sitting beside her.

‘He’s learned his manners.’

Avalli smiled, pleased, and continued washing the dishes.

“Still training with the Chief?”
“No.”
“Getting lazy already?”

Hans shook his head at her teasing.

“He said he has nothing more to teach me. So I’m training on my own. …Not much progress, though.”

“Is that so?”

Hans’s words made Avalli think of a certain swordsman. A black-haired girl who could probably wield a sword better than anyone in this world.