Chapter 114: Special Training 4
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 114: Special Training 4
Just moments before Loki and Yerika found themselves in a position on the bed that anyone would have surely misconstrued...
"Excuse me."
Yerika followed Loki into the dormitory, stepping inside after he had already entered.
"Sure, sure. Make yourself at home," the Clown replied with a short, breezy chuckle, his tone entirely nonchalant.
Feeling disgruntled that her heart was the only one racing, Yerika puffed out her cheeks and glared at the back of the annoying Clown’s head.
"Oh, dear."
An awkward sound escaped the Clown’s lips as he moved further into the room.
"Ahaha, I honestly never imagined anyone would actually come in here, so it’s a bit of a mess. If you could just wait there for three minutes, I’ll tidy up in a flash."
Hearing his words, the corners of Yerika’s mouth twitched upward, betraying her satisfaction.
Based on what he just said, it seems like no one else has ever been in here.
Ignoring Loki’s request to wait, Yerika stepped further inside. The thought of seeing the always-confident Clown in a state of disarray made her smile widen even further.
"Yerika? If you come in now... I mean, there’s a lot of stuff on the floor, but I usually clean very diligently! It’s just that I was tinkering with things yesterday and..."
Yerika, who had entered thinking this was her chance to tease the man who had just laughed at her, froze in surprise.
As the Clown had warned, the dormitory was indeed a mess. Countless items occupied the floor to the point where the carpet was invisible. However, it wasn't as if there were clothes or trash strewn about.
Everything lying around like clutter was actually...
"Are all of these... magic tools?"
There were the landmine-style bombs he had used against Rophri and the daggers that produced blinding light and deafening noise. There were also the small communication tools used during the midterm exams that transmitted sound when spoken into. Besides those, various other magic tools of unknown purpose were scattered across the floor like common junk.
"Ding-dong! Correct. I usually touch them up or check for broken parts whenever I have a spare moment. I just forgot to put them away yesterday."
"Don't you have a Pocket Dimension, Mr. Clown?"
"Well, there’s a certain aesthetic to having them spread out on the floor. It makes me feel a bit like a quirky alchemist."
"Pfft, what is that? Still, it would look better if you cleaned up..."
Yerika burst into laughter at Loki’s nonsensical reasoning. As her golden eyes scanned the magic tools covering the floor, they stopped at one particular spot.
That’s...
She instinctively reached for the Pocket Dimension necklace she was wearing. Inside was the Clown doll that Brother Lucas had brought her before. It had no special effects, but it was her number one treasure. The doll had been reinforced countless times with preservation artifacts usually reserved for fine art; it wouldn't show a single scratch even if struck by a knight’s sword.
And where Yerika’s gaze had stopped, there was a literal mountain of dolls that looked exactly like the one she owned.
However, having stared at, touched, and hugged her own doll until it was practically worn out, Yerika immediately caught the differences.
That one is bigger, and that one is smaller.
Oh! That one looks like its cheeks would be squishy.
There’s even a doll wearing armor instead of a school uniform. So cute!
That one has a completely different mask color!
"If you see anything you want, just let me know."
Loki, who was casually shoving the magic tools from the floor into his Pocket Dimension, spoke to Yerika as if it were no big deal.
"Really?!"
"O-Of course."
Loki was startled by how quickly Yerika’s face lit up.
I didn't think she'd be this happy about it...
Since he had made all these magic tools himself, he could always make more whenever he had the time.
"Th-Then, can I have those?"
Yerika pointed toward a corner with a slight tremble in her voice. Loki followed her gaze to the dolls he had occasionally tinkered with before bed—things he felt embarrassed to even call magic tools.
"Uh... I don't mind if you take them all, but those were just experimental prototypes I made before I started making real magic tools. They don't have any special abilities, you know?"
"I still want them," Yerika said, her voice shy.
Come to think of it, he had read in a book once that girls liked dolls. Moreover, since Yerika had no interest in combat or becoming stronger, it made sense that she would choose them. If she wasn't going to use them for battle, she’d probably prefer dolls over dagger-shaped magic tools.
Still, handing over such crudely made dolls to Yerika felt a bit wrong. If he was going to gift her dolls, surely she would prefer animal ones.
"If it's because you like dolls, should I make you some cuter ones? I'll make you the cutest dolls in the entire world."
This time, Yerika spoke clearly to the oblivious Loki, her embarrassment mounting.
"I want those dolls!"
Having shouted it out, she felt like a child throwing a tantrum for a toy. She hadn't wanted much since she was young. She had received plenty of jewelry and accessories that others would envy, gifted by everyone from the Empire's nobility to foreign aristocrats. In her heart, she wanted to exchange those useless things for money, but her mother had taught her that she shouldn't do that. However, she didn't want to put them in her Pocket Dimension necklace either, so she had just shoved them into a warehouse.
"Hmm... Yerika? I told you to tell me if there was something you wanted, but I never said I’d give them to you for free. Right?"
"I can pay however much you want."
If she could have all those dolls that looked like the Clown, she was willing to give him every single gem in her warehouse.
"Puhaha! I can't exactly take money from you, Yerika."
"Then what do I have to do?"
Loki gave a small smile at the sight of Yerika pouting. Usually, in novels or games, members of the Imperial Family are described as experts at controlling their expressions. But with Yerika, every emotion was written clearly on her face. He found that very pleasant to see.
"Just wait a moment."
He had been wondering how to give these to her naturally, and a perfect opportunity had presented itself.
"I'll give you all those dolls, so please take these as a bonus."
Loki pulled items from his Pocket Dimension that he had obtained using his knowledge as a "possessor" before coming to the Academy. They were items that enemies would have taken anyway if left alone, so he felt no guilt.
"...What are these?"
Yerika stared at the items Loki produced with even more confusion. Surely the 'bonus' the Clown wants me to take isn't this?
"They're artifacts."
"That's not what I'm asking."
She could tell that much just by looking. What she was curious about was...
"Ah, this is a bracelet that protects the wearer from certain curses, and this pen creates a defensive shield that can block almost any attack with just a click of a button..."
"That's not what I'm asking either!"
What she really wanted to know was: "Why are you giving me such amazing things without taking anything in return?"
Artifacts were different from magic tools. They couldn't be mass-produced. From the brief explanation she just heard, she could tell how incredible the artifacts the Clown was placing on the desk were.
"I can fight better if I know you're safe and unhurt, Yerika. In a way, you could say I'm forcing these gifts on you solely for my own sake."
There's no way that's true.
The thought remained in her head, unable to find its way out of her mouth. If the Clown used these artifacts himself, he would become even stronger. If he didn't use them and put them up for auction, he could make an astronomical amount of money.
"Even so, I can't just take such high-level artifacts for free. Please tell me if there's something you want. It might not be enough to repay you, but I'll do anything I can."
"Well now, a reward..."
Loki stroked his chin as he looked at Yerika. The way she gulped nervously was adorable. There was only one thing he really wanted: for her to stay safe. Just having her talk to him over the phone every night like they did now was enough. He was satisfied with meeting her in person like this occasionally... no, frequently. Meeting outside the Academy once in a while would be fun, too.
But the Yerika standing before him was so cute that he instinctively wanted to tease her.
"Will you really do anything within your power?"
"Yes," Yerika answered without a moment's hesitation.
The Clown was trying to give her rare artifacts for free. Anything she could do...
"Kyaah!"
Her body was suddenly lifted into the air. She felt warm hands wrapping around her shoulders. Looking up with startled eyes, she saw the Clown, who had picked her up in a princess carry, staring intently at her face without a word.
"Mr... Clown?"
"You said you'd do anything, Yerika."
"Pardon?"
Before she could even process what was happening, she was tossed onto the bed. The mattress was so soft that it didn't hurt.
"What I want is..."
Trailing off, the Clown loosened his tie and slowly walked toward the bed. The image of the couple she had seen earlier in the empty classroom, kissing with their tongues entwined, flashed through her mind.
Could it be?
Even as she thought this, the Clown didn't stop. He climbed onto the bed, and as Loki's face drew closer and closer, Yerika squeezed her eyes shut.
"..............."
Nothing happened.
When Loki didn't move, Yerika opened her eyes just a tiny crack.
— Thwack!
She was bewildered by the stinging sensation on her forehead.
"..........?"
While Yerika was still trying to grasp the situation, a voice full of laughter reached her ears.
"Yerika, were you having naughty thoughts?"
— Whoosh!
Yerika’s face turned so red it looked like it might explode. Loki chuckled at her and wiggled the finger he had used to flick her.
"This is the reward I want. You weren't thinking of something strange, were you?"
"...I was not thinking of anything strange!"
Only then did Yerika realize Loki was teasing her. She hated the Clown in this moment as he giggled as if he knew exactly what she had been imagining.
"But I'm not finished yet."
"Do you think saying that will make me expect... I mean, make me scared?"
Loki shrugged at Yerika’s words and placed his hands on her sides and feet.
"....??????"
After giving the flustered Yerika a bright smile from behind his mask, he moved his fingers.
"Ahahahaha! Stop! Please stop, kya-hahaha-heehee!"
Yerika began to tear up from laughing so hard.
"Now, do you understand how scary adults can be? From now on, don't just go around saying you'll do 'anything' so easily."
After tickling her for a good while, Loki pressed down firmly on the sole of Yerika’s foot with his thumb as a finishing touch.
"Haa-ngh!"
A suggestive moan escaped Yerika’s lips.
"...................."
Loki, who had been touching Yerika’s foot, froze in place. Yerika, equally shocked, clamped both hands over her mouth.
"................."
"Hic!"
The silence was broken by Yerika’s hiccup and...
— Ring, ring.
The sound of Yerika’s communication device.