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No one could speak in the chilly atmosphere.

The one creating such a mood,

facing Stella’s gaze without even flinching,

was Siel, whose nonchalant demeanor left Shia somewhat impressed.

‘She truly lives up to being called the Archduchess of the North protecting the Empire.’

Even after having faced a big defeat in the last Midterm Exam, she probably didn’t want to meet anyone. But that indifferent attitude… was it the demeanor of someone worthy of being a high noble, or was she simply devoid of thoughts?

As a noble herself, Shia couldn’t quite tell.

However, one thing she could definitely ascertain was this.

“Thwack!”

“Ow!”

As Stella glared at Siel as if she were going to kill him, Shia delivered a playful smack to Stella’s head, who looked completely bewildered.

“U-uh, why?”

Stella, unable to comprehend that Shia would actually hit her, stared blankly, while Shia questioned if that was indeed the right response.

‘She wouldn’t hit me during the exam, would she?’

For a moment, she considered if it had been intentional, but seeing Stella’s dumbfounded expression, it felt unlikely.

“Ah, this isn’t the time, Stella! What are you doing? You’re supposed to be welcoming a guest!”

“W-why…”

Seeing Stella shrink back and unable to utter a word, Shia nearly found herself smiling reflexively but managed to hold it back.

“It’s not a ‘why’! It’s only okay because it’s Siel! If you shot that kind of killing intent at another student, they would normally foam at the mouth and faint!”

“Y-you’re right, but…”

“And! Siel has every right to celebrate as a friend of Nova!”

“…Hmph.”

“Right! I don’t know what’s going on with you, Stella, but you were in the wrong this time.”

With Anubis joining in, the stubborn Stella finally relented.

“Ugh, fine… I’m sorry.”

It felt like a reluctant apology, but Siel graciously accepted it.

“It’s okay, so can I join your birthday party plans then?”

At those words, Shia brightened up and nodded.

“Of course! The more, the merrier!”

“So, what’s the plan?”

“Well, you see… one person will keep Nova occupied outside for a bit while the rest sneak into Nova’s room and decorate it.”

“A surprise party, huh?”

Shia snapped her fingers as she said it.

“That’s right!”

Upon hearing this, Anubis put down the food he brought and called out to Stella.

“Then I’ll set up the food, Stella. Can you show me what you prepared?”

“Huh? Why?”

“I want to check if there’s anything I can help with… or if I need to enhance it a little.”

“Um… so you’re saying you’ll give me a taste test? Okay, it’s ready in the kitchen.”

As the two headed to the kitchen, Siel asked one more thing.

“Is everyone participating in the birthday party here?”

“Serena said she would come, but… Stella mentioned she might not be able to.”

“That blue-haired Mage?… He’s got quite the connections.”

“Haha… right,”

She wanted to add how someone from a prestigious noble family could be close to him, but she refrained from saying that.

Suddenly, Shia began to understand Stella’s feelings.

‘To think all of this started at the Academy…’

Including herself, she had become acquainted with two promising Mages and a famous princess of the North, and recently even had some exchanges with the second daughter of the Vladimir Clan.

“…Now that I think about it, this is also Nova’s fault.”

He showed clear signs of affection while not even confessing and conversing with other girls—it would surely make Stella anxious if she were in her shoes.

“Hmm… should I try to help a bit?”

Annoyed by the constant flirting between the two, Shia decided this time to lend a hand to their relationship.

If it hadn’t been for her having feelings for him…

It was a thought she had entertained before.

In fact, when Shia first met Nova, she realized he was someone Stella liked, so she had prepared herself mentally for the future, knowing that otherwise, she would have definitely pursued him.

That much, the man Nova seemed to Shia was quite a decent catch.

But the wish for the two to succeed was genuine.

“Stella!”

“Uh, did you call?”

Such a thought was something she could never express to the girl right in front of her.

*

“…I never thought I’d wear this outfit again.”

Despite promising never to wear it again, wasn’t this skirt just too short?

Just as she prepared to leave her room, Shia called out to me and did a full makeover.

[Stella, please take Nova out for a little stroll! We’ll take care of everything else!]

So suddenly, I found myself playing the role of a disruptor, but why did I need to dress up this much?

“Uh… I know it’s not exactly a surprise.”

She probably wanted to connect me with Nova… which was an unnecessary effort since someone like me doesn’t really fit anywhere.

Even if I begged him to stay by my side, I couldn’t make him.

“…But these are nice memories.”

Recently, I hadn’t been dreaming of nightmares either, and I had started to enjoy this life at the Academy.

Hanging out with friends, going to cafés, gaming with Nova, watching movies… it was all genuinely fun.

“I wish… time would just stop…”

But such thoughts were useless.

For now, finding Nova was the priority.

“Where could he be… he should be around here somewhere.”

In a small corner of the dormitory grounds, a hidden garden few people knew about, a place I often trained.

Normally, I wouldn’t tell anyone about it, but for Nova, it wouldn’t really matter if I did.

Stepping inside, I spotted Nova sitting deeply engrossed in something.

“What is he… so fixated on?”

Why was he staring intently at the empty air? What on earth was he doing…

[‘Nova’ that guy is your enemy.]

…Why did that guy’s words suddenly pop into my head at a time like this?

Nonsense… it was worthless nonsense…

“…Uh… why are my hands…”

Before I knew it, my hands had started to tremble.

It was strange; they wouldn’t stop.

Why? There was nothing to feel anxious about.

Why? Was it because of that bastard’s words?

That couldn’t be right.

Why would Nova, of all people… it just couldn’t be…

Where is he?

“This is strange…”

Why did I feel so at ease when I was near Nova?

Why did I feel so reassured?

It didn’t make sense… since the day I reincarnated,

No, since the day I shattered a world with my own hands,

I had never been able to sleep peacefully.

Every time, the people I killed haunted me in my dreams.

They always cursed me, and of course, I deserved to be cursed.

No matter the reason… I was the worst murderer.

“Then… why is it only when I’m with you…”

It’s strange. What’s this unease…?

When I was with you, it felt like my sins were forgotten.

As if I was wished to forget that

and just do what I was supposed to do…

“…God?”

I wanted to say that couldn’t be the case, but,

The sight he had shown me last time,

That otherworldly aura humans shouldn’t possess,

My heart cried out against it, but reason insisted it was true.

So what on earth was I supposed to do?

Now that I think about it,

The God Anubis had revealed himself when emotions ran high…

Before that, Nova almost died when he unleashed that bizarre power.

“…Should I give it a try?”

If I inflicted a deadly wound, wouldn’t the God show up too?

He wouldn’t just let his pawn die, after all.

That should have been how it happened last time.

Yes, I just needed to kill.

Before I realized it, I found myself standing behind Nova.

He seemed oblivious to my presence as he continued to stare blankly into space.

“…”

I quietly raised my staff.

Just before the staff could pierce Nova’s neck,

I suddenly came to my senses.

Thud!

The staff that had plunged deeply didn’t stick into the nape of Nova’s neck.

By a stroke of luck, I managed to intervene with my remaining hand,

but blood began to seep from where the staff seemed to have cut through.

‘W-what have I done…’

Did I just try to kill Nova? With my own hands… again?

My mind went blank in an instant.

The staff seemed to have penetrated deeper than expected,

and blood flowed profusely.

Just before it could touch Nova,

I regained my wits.

“Ahhh!”

Nova looked up, startled, and locked eyes with me.

In a rush, I hid my hand behind me to conceal my wound.

Then I wore a smile as innocent as I could muster and asked,

“What are you doing, sitting here like this?”

Even though I was filled with deep loathing for my actions,

I didn’t want to show him this… my dirty hands stained with blood.

 

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