The Heavenly Demon's Nostalgic Sanctuary
After my enjoyable time with Shao Mei at the Moonviewing Hall came to an end, I managed to ask her where the Heavenly Demon was staying. “If it’s Great-Grandmother, I don’t know why, but she’s using the abandoned building called Moonviewing Hall in the southwest as her residence-seumda.”
“Moonviewing Hall? Isn’t that a derelict building like Rose Hall? With the Heavenly Demon’s personality, I figured she’d be living large and loud in the Gold Class Dormitory.”
Moonviewing Hall was one of the random spawn points for the secret society event, just like Rose Hall. It was one of the Academy’s neglected buildings left to rot, a place where the only notable occurrences were the occasional ghost sightings. The main difference from Rose Hall was its location in the mountains rather than by the sea.
…The Heavenly Demon, of all people, choosing an abandoned building? That prideful show-off?
Yet when I considered the side of her I’d seen lately, I still couldn’t figure out why she chose to stay there. After all, this was the first time I’d properly met the Heavenly Demon in this turn. As expected, this world still held opportunities and events I knew nothing about.
“But why are you asking where Great-Grandmother lives? Do you have business with her?”
“Uh… she gave me some homework but didn’t tell me her room location and just told me to come for an inspection.”
To Shao Mei’s question, I gave a suitably vague answer. It didn’t feel right to tell her I was going to comfort the Heavenly Demon after seeing her depressed… and if I carelessly mentioned that the Heavenly Demon had cried, she’d definitely use it to pick a fight later.
“Then I’ll be on my way. I promised Cayen we’d check the homework together.”
“Yeees… Have a safe trip, Brother♡”
With a soft kiss as my send-off, I left the Gold Class Dormitory.
…It’s a little late, but it should be fine, right?
The time itself wasn’t a problem. A little over an hour had passed, so I could just say I’d taken a quick nap. But Cayen, who had no friends, would he really show up exactly on time at the meeting place after I’d set the appointment?
…Just as I thought.
I quickened my pace and found Cayen sitting on a bench near the clock tower—the appointed spot—killing time.
“Sorry. I closed my eyes for a bit and ended up late. Did you wait long?”
“Hyat! P-partner, you’re here! I didn’t wait that long, so don’t worry!”
When I greeted him warmly out of guilt, Cayen jumped in surprise, his face flushing red. What was that unpleasant reaction? It wasn’t his usual blank expression; he looked genuinely startled, which somehow made it even worse.
“…What were you doing just now? Why the sudden panic?”
“Ah, it’s nothing. More importantly, did you find out where the Heavenly Demon lives?”
“…I heard from Shao Mei. She said she’s staying at Moonviewing Hall near the mountains.”
He wouldn’t meet my eyes, which made it obvious he’d done something involving me. Still, without evidence, I decided to change the subject. It wasn’t as if his perverted antics were anything new.
“Shall we head over right away? Did you buy the sweet jelly?”
“Yes. When I mentioned it to the Pelcas Trading Company, they gave me all their highest-grade stock. I didn’t know what flavors she preferred, so I brought everything…”
Cayen pulled out more than ten varieties of sweet jelly from the bag beside him.
“I didn’t realize sweet jelly came in so many types…”
There was red bean, chestnut, sweet potato, green tea, walnut, persimmon… even ginseng and a mysterious blue one whose ingredients were impossible to guess.
“…I have no idea what that blue one is, but with this many, she should be satisfied. Ready to go?”
“Yes! Partner!”
With Cayen’s energetic reply, we set off toward the dormitory where the Heavenly Demon was staying.
“Walking like this feels exactly like… a picnic. Don’t you think?”
…If only that ominous comment hadn’t ruined it, the departure would have been perfect.
“Say something that unlucky one more time and I’m flying the rest of the way with magic.”
“…Sorry.”
Seeing Cayen’s dejected face improved my mood somewhat, and I continued toward the dormitory with lighter steps.
Cayen and I reached Moonviewing Hall without incident.
“…Is this really Moonviewing Hall?”
“The signboard says it is…”
However, the condition of Moonviewing Hall—which should have been unmanaged and abandoned—was extremely strange. Or rather, “strange” might not be the right word.
“…For a building deserted for decades, it looks way better than the Silver Dormitory we live in?”
The garden was bursting with flowers and lush plants. The exterior walls sparkled as if the building had just been constructed. Lanterns glowed in every room as though people actually lived there. It looked so well-maintained that I could easily believe it was still an active dormitory.
“…Shall we go inside?”
“I suppose we should?”
The question of why remained unanswered, but it was clear the Heavenly Demon was staying here. The overwhelming presence radiating from within the building was unmistakably the aura of a supreme expert.
—Srrk.
“…Wow, it doesn’t even creak. What is this place? Was it recently rebuilt?”
Cayen and I opened the brand-new-looking iron door and walked through the polished, waxed lobby, glancing around curiously.
“The trophies and certificates are really old. These look like the originals that were here from the start.”
“…They must have put the belongings of past students on display.”
Everything in the Moonviewing Hall lobby looked brand new, yet the wall filled with certificates, trophies, and student portraits remained in their original shabby, rusted state, bearing the full weight of time.
“…Why leave only these untouched?”
“Because if I altered those as well, it would no longer be the Moonviewing Hall from my memories. So I left them alone.”
As we stared at the displayed items with fascination, the Heavenly Demon spoke naturally while descending the stairs.
It wasn’t surprising. She had probably sensed our approach the moment the building came into view.
“You seem to be in good spirits for someone who ran off crying earlier. And what exactly are you wearing?”
“Hmph. This lady merely changed into comfortable attire to sit and circulate her qi. Moreover, I was not crying at all, you brat!”
Instead of her usual cheongsam, the Heavenly Demon wore something resembling a tracksuit. The Academy’s version was closer to a gym uniform, similar to the student attire.
“By the way, what brings you two here? Classes ended early and you looked positively ecstatic about it.”
The Heavenly Demon pouted, grumbling. As expected, she was definitely sulking.
“We simply noticed our master looked upset, so your disciples came to visit.”
“Hmph! Do you take me for a child! And I told you I was not crying!”
“Enough. Just take this!”
“…What is it?”
I handed the bag Cayen had carried to the Heavenly Demon, who continued stubbornly insisting she hadn’t cried.
“You said you were sad about missing today’s sweet jelly, right? We brought some to cheer you up.”
“…Hey, sweet jelly? Just how many are there…! And these are the highest-grade ones that are nearly impossible to obtain!”
When the Heavenly Demon opened the bag, her eyes widened like a child’s and her face lit up with joy.
The Pelcas Trading Company people—exactly how premium were the sweets they’d given us?
…I should at least warn Jorba about the incoming stab wound.
It was basically a request to take good care of his young master. I mentally credited Jorba with one friend point.
In the meantime, the Heavenly Demon counted the sweet jellies with the delight of a fairy who had just received chocolate. Then, remembering we were still standing there, she cleared her throat and tried to compose an expressionless face.
“Hmph! It is not that I was crying or sulking, but since you came with such sincerity, this lady shall treat you to tea. Follow me.”
“…You never actually said you were sulking, though?”
“Be silent and follow! Or do you wish to receive supplementary lessons today!”
“Since Master is graciously offering tea, this disciple will accept with gratitude.”
I bowed politely and followed the Heavenly Demon back up to the second floor. Cayen trailed behind me.
“But isn’t the cafeteria on the first floor? Why are we going upstairs?”
“My personal room is on the second floor. Why would I need to use the first-floor cafeteria?”
“…You’re not using the entire building?”
“No. I have no need for so many rooms… and it would not be enjoyable.”
Not enjoyable? I struggled to understand what she meant, but the moment we reached the second floor, the meaning became somewhat clear.
The hallway looked as newly built as the first-floor lobby. The difference was that it was decorated as if people actually lived here. The protective spell formulas along the corridor were now outdated classical magic circles, and the nameplates beside each door listed names as though residents still occupied the rooms.
“Here. Room 208. This is where I stay.”
“…”
The nameplate for Room 208 had names clearly written on it: Lin Xiangfei of Taishan Dojo, and likewise, Shen Ziwei of Taishan Dojo.
“Partner, this is…”
“…Shh.”
I could guess what Cayen wanted to ask, but I quietly followed the Heavenly Demon into the room.
“Sit wherever you like. I will bring refreshments shortly.”
“Ah, thank you, Master.”
Once the Heavenly Demon left to prepare the tea, we sat down and surveyed the room. Just as I expected, it was vividly arranged—not as the dwelling of the ‘Heavenly Demon’ of the Central Federation, but as the living space of the student ‘Lin Xiangfei.’
And then there was the portrait on the desk. I had never seen the man before, but if I had to guess his identity, I could say with absolute certainty who he was.
“…Partner, this place is indeed…”
“Probably exactly what you’re thinking, Cayen.”
An abandoned dormitory, yet decorated as if it had never been abandoned. The answer was obvious to anyone.
…This must be where Chunma Xiangfei stayed during her Academy days.
Only then did I understand why the Heavenly Demon had chosen to live alone in this remote dormitory instead of staying with Shao Mei.
…Even I, during the fourth round, missed dormitory life while wandering the Demon King’s territory because everything else was too exhausting.
I could understand a little now. Staying in a place from the past would naturally bring back happy memories.
“Um, Artin…”
“The Heavenly Demon must have many memories here. To recreate her old living space so meticulously, complete with portraits…”
“No, that’s not what I—”
“The items displayed on the lobby wall were probably left by old classmates, seniors, and juniors. She wanted to preserve them. Even the Heavenly Demon has quite the romantic side—”
“Artin! Look over there…!”
“…Why do you keep interrupting?! I was trying to have a sentimental moment!”
When I snapped at Cayen for repeatedly poking me, he pointed frantically at a spot with his fingertip.
“Th-that… isn’t that…?”
“What is ‘that’ and what is ‘it’? Why are you making such a fuss—”
When I followed Cayen’s finger, the words died in my throat.
Beneath the second-floor bed. A book was slightly sticking out. The cover looked extremely familiar. I reached over and pulled it out…
“…Isn’t this an erotic book? And it’s… specialized in busty other races…?”
I discovered more than ten erotic books hidden under the bed. They were incredibly familiar. These were from the series I had collected most enthusiastically right after arriving in this world.
It was A Variety of Breasts!
“This one’s the orc special, this is the beastman special, this is… the fantasy dwarf special? Why are these rare books here of all places?”
“…Artin?”
“…Ahem! Why would such strange books be here?”
Oh no. My collector’s instinct had taken over and I’d reacted without thinking.
When I glanced at Cayen, he was staring at me with pure contempt—the first time I had ever seen such an expression from him. Cold sweat broke out on my back.
“…No, don’t look at me like that! I’m really not into that kind of thing!”
“…”
“It’s true! I only collected a few because they were interesting! Elves, vampires, that sort of thing…!”
“…..”
I desperately tried to prove I had normal tastes, but Cayen’s gaze only grew colder and more judgmental.
It was so unfair. I had only started collecting them out of curiosity about this world’s erotic literature…!
“Partner, are you doubting your partner right now?”
“….I’ll believe you. Partner.”
Only after I invoked the word “partner” did Cayen finally nod and withdraw his icy stare. Thankfully, my sincerity seemed to have gotten through!
“…Though seeing Unicor makes me doubt it.”
“…What did you just say, Cayen?”
“Nothing.”
Damn it. He still doesn’t believe me.