A Song from the Goddess
Two days had passed.
The temporary exam had been replaced with a practical that didn't require much physical movement and a written test. Fortunately, Adria, Ashy, and Jenella had all been registered in S Class.
Ashy was already a lock for S Class even without it, but half the reason was just for show.
And then the bloody course registration war began for all the students except me and Ashy, who'd signed up in advance.
Adria and Jenella were, of course, right in the thick of it.
"Ugh... my head..."
"M-my fingers..."
Jenella and Adria collapsed onto the sofa in my dorm room, utterly drained after barely finishing their registrations.
"You get it done?"
"Y-yeah..."
"I never thought something would feel harder than fighting a boss..."
No, really? That bad?
Still, glad they pulled it off.
I called out to Eodukshini.
"Eodukshini. Get some water for these guys."
"I can't exactly bring out the hammer, can I?"
Eodukshini grumbled for a second but obediently ran the errand after my hammer threat.
Should've grabbed everything at once, though.
"Ah, Eodukshini."
"Bring my sword too."
"Just occurred to me."
Eodukshini grumbled but brought the sword anyway. It knew what I'd do if it didn't.
"Eodukshini."
"I'll show you I might be scared of shit too."
Eodukshini got hung up on the clothes hanger as punishment for daring to call me shit.
Watching us, Jenella sipped her water and muttered softly.
"...You two get along so well, master and divine beast."
"What?"
We both whipped our heads around.
"We get along?"
"How does this look like we get along?"
Our strong reactions left Jenella flustered, and she apologized awkwardly.
"...Sorry, didn't mean to react like that. My bad."
"Yeah, that was way off."
"You deserved it."
But Eodukshini's position was eternal punching bag.
Eodukshini huffed and charged at me, but I flicked it away with one hand.
While handling Eodukshini with a single finger, I asked the girls who'd taken over my room.
"Anyway, why are you all in my room?"
"My stuff hasn't been moved yet."
"Mine neither."
"Ashy, you finished yours."
"I'm your fan, so I'm here?"
What does being a fan have to do with anything?
"Try taking after Mosik at least half as much."
"I don't want muscles that big."
"I like muscles... but not that much..."
"Ah, that guy... scares me..."
Poor Mosik.
I shooed them out with a wave.
I'd let them in for registration, but now it was done.
"Anyway, I'm gonna work out. Out you go."
"After hanging out this whole time?"
"You barged in uninvited in the first place. Hurry up. I'm stripping my shirt for training."
"Ooh, sounds gre— eek!"
"Out!"
Chasing out the ones trying to squat here brought some peace at last.
"Phew... uh, what? Where do you think you're going?"
Eodukshini, slyly clinging to Adria to sneak out, got snatched by my hand.
"You're not going anywhere. You've been hanging with Adria a lot lately, but you're my divine beast."
"You're not human, so how do I respect your human rights?"
Eodukshini sulked off to the corner.
Too harsh?
I scratched my head and tried to soothe it.
"Hey. Mad?"
"I'll buy you something tasty. Top-grade divine beast stone?"
I still had some divine beast stones from that "gift" last time.
Eodukshini twitched at the words.
I added a few conditions.
"And the most popular cake from downstairs on the way back."
"Deal. Even red bean shaved ice. Sound good?"
Finally tempted, Eodukshini perked up.
I just stared down at Eodukshini silently.
It started confident but deflated again.
"Rest today. I'll let you play special."
Eodukshini teared up in emotion.
"Oh, but no going out."
The dorm room assigned to S Class was ridiculously huge.
Like a luxury hotel suite!
It even had a private training room, perfectly soundproofed spaces, multiple bathrooms, no need to go to the cafeteria...
Pure luxury!
And as a special admission student, I didn't even have to pay. This was true bliss!
Perfect. Nothing much to do today anyway. Time to try this.
I laid my sword across my knees and opened the book I'd bought from the used bookstore: Methods of Communication with the Gods.
A tattered old thing that looked ready to fall apart.
Written before the Great War, no less.
More like a historical or research text, really.
Lucky find.
These days, temples were everywhere and hospitals weren't hard to find, so books on communicating with gods—stuff from ancient times—were rare.
Just pray at a temple!
But back then, hospitals and even temples were scarce.
Meant talking to gods was seriously tough.
Our situations are kinda similar.
No temple, no fellow believers in the same god.
So hunting down old books like this was one way.
I opened it and read intently. Old and worn, but restored with magic, so the text was clear.
Key is faith... and an object representing the god. Necklace or cross? This sword should work.
Grip the object with both hands, assume prayer pose, empty your mind, and earnestly call to the god.
If a random song pops into your head, the god responded. No sound, or weird intrusive thoughts? Rejected.
Pretty hacky. But what harm in trying now?
Time to get back to my day job.
Priest, despite the confusion.
I assumed the prayer pose and closed my eyes quietly.
Emptied my mind of clutter, called out to my god in the void.
Can you hear me?
Don't you know how desperately I...
...Did it work?
Seconds in, and a song started playing in my head.
One I'd heard a lot in my past life. Practiced it hard for a festival but got humiliated by delinquents.
I opened my eyes. Still in the dorm, but darkness enveloped me now.
Swish—
Something poured over my head. Silky fabric like fine satin... no, hair?
Luxurious red hair cascaded down, and gentle hands rested on my shoulders.
I knew instinctively.
Success.
A familiar voice after a month whispered in my ear.
"Finding a method like this already? Good boy."
A lazy alto timbre.
I tried to speak, but my mouth wouldn't move.
No verbal talk? So I muttered inwardly.
Show me your face.
"Too soon for that. Neither of us is used to this method."
Huh, it hears?
"I do. This is our mental world... Think of it as a virtual space."
Oh.
Just no speaking, then.
Still, it felt comforting. Priests belonged in temples.
"I've been watching. You're doing great. Swordplay's improved, friends made, bullies smacked... Keep it up."
Right?
I'm kinda badass.
"Yeah. You're badass."
Arcana chuckled low, ruffling my hair.
"Don't overdo it. Eat well, rest well, play well... Take it slow. Plenty of time. This pace is perfect. At school, don't try everything—just what you need to."
Just like now...
Keep rampaging at this level.
I nodded, and Arcana proudly tousled my hair more.
"Once a month max. But nice to see you after so long."
Once a month?
"Yeah. See you next month. No crying for me."
Am I a kid?
Like I'd cry missing you.
"You are. Should still be in my arms... But oh well. Have fun, see you on break."
I closed and opened my eyes.
Back in the dorm room.
The ruffling hand and hair gone, but the feeling lingered warmly.
A void I'd ignored filled up.
New way to talk... once a month, but still.
This was good enough.
Right on cue, Eodukshini stirring sleepily spotted me and freaked.
"What? I'm not crying."
"Nonsense. Anyway, I'm off to train."
I wiped my eye and grabbed my sword.
The sword felt quieter today.
Eodukshini, baffled, flipped open the book I'd left.
...Was I really crying?
Wiping my eye, it came away wet.
Pfft, sweat probably.
I glanced at the book, checking for tears.
No stains, good. Eodukshini puzzledly snapped it shut.
To a monster-born divine beast like Eodukshini, no matter how it looked, crying over a book made zero sense.
"If communication succeeds, that priest"
"can be said to be greatly loved."
"Blasphemous to say of a god,"
"but gods are more human than anyone."