Rofan Time
Right after lunch, the three of them, their stomachs full to the brim, stepped out of the restaurant.
"Yaaawn~"
Rian staggered along as if he might collapse at any moment. He'd spent the entire morning fighting off sleep with Awake. Now that the spell's duration had ended, the backlash from forced wakefulness crashed over him like a tidal wave.
"Rian! Heading back to the dorm to crash?"
Vesperia gently tugged at his sleeve as she asked. Rian nodded heavily, eyes half-closed.
"Yeah. If I don't hit the bed right now, I might pass out on the street."
His voice was thick with exhaustion. On top of the spell's side effects from forcibly stimulating his brain nerves, the overwhelming urge to sleep was beyond what his willpower could fend off.
Vesperia glanced at his weary face, her expression tinged with regret.
"No classes this afternoon, so it would've been perfect to hang out. Still, get some solid rest! See you at dinner, Rian!"
"Yeah, you guys go ahead. Yaaawn~"
Rian let out a massive yawn that felt like it would split his mouth, waving lazily. Without looking back, he dragged his heavy feet toward the western annex housing the boys' dorm.
Vesperia kept waving until Rian's figure vanished around the corner of the building.
Feels kinda lonely without Rian around.
She soothed her quiet disappointment by gently stroking the little black cat spirit nestled in her arms. Kkmani purred contentedly under her touch, eyes half-closed in bliss, acting all cute.
That was when it happened.
"Kyuu?"
A strange yet endearing cry came from somewhere nearby. It was the massive velociraptor right up against Ardelia's side. Standing 50cm tall with a body length of 1.8 meters including its tail, its vicious form was intimidating. Sharp sickle claws protruded from beneath its dazzling golden feathers, and its serrated teeth looked ready to tear a person apart.
But the fearsome beast was now nuzzling its large head against its master's skirt hem like a puppy, tail wagging happily.
"Yes, you're in a good mood too, aren't you, Balgeumi?"
Ardelia naturally reached out and stroked the smooth feathers on Balgeumi's head. Just that morning in summoning class, when this creature first popped out, she'd turned pale and freaked out. But in mere hours, her attitude had completely flipped.
"Your Highness, you and Balgeumi are already super close!"
Vesperia beamed, watching the heartwarming yet bizarre scene.
Ardelia blushed slightly in embarrassment but didn't stop petting.
"At first, it looked like such a hideous magic beast, I was totally shocked. But the more I look, it kinda resembles a bird of prey... and its own way of acting cute is surprisingly adorable."
Human adaptability was truly terrifying. A living creature blindly loyal and craving affection toward her—even if it was a carnivorous dinosaur with savage teeth—constantly rubbing its head against her skirt and chirping "kyuu kyuu" made it impossible not to grow fond. Up close, those golden feathers even looked elegant and luxurious.
"Right? Kkmani too—spirits are so full of charm, it makes you really attached."
Vesperia enthusiastically agreed, scratching under Kkmani's chin.
The two girls, flanked by their mismatched spirits—a massive golden predator and a tiny black kitten—naturally set off walking side by side.
* * *
The girls settled on a quiet bench in the academy garden. Warm afternoon sunlight filtered pleasantly through the well-manicured trees.
Kkmani hopped onto Vesperia's lap, curled into a ball, and soon started purring. Meanwhile, the giant velociraptor Balgeumi crouched at Ardelia's feet like a loyal guard dog, tail swishing as it vigilantly scanned the surroundings.
"Today's morning classes were so amazing and scary."
Vesperia murmured softly while stroking Kkmani's soft fur.
"Especially the illusion magic one. Asrion must've been terrified, huh? Thrashing on the ground, screaming like that."
The image of the arrogant genius boy, once called a prodigy, wetting himself in breakdown had been quite a shock—even to an innocent girl like Vesperia.
Ardelia nodded quietly in agreement.
"The sheer terror of illusion magic destroying a person's mind without physical force was shocking. But..."
Ardelia's red eyes grew serious.
"What really gave me chills was Rian seeing it once and perfectly adapting it in real combat. Controlling all five senses and blocking perception..."
It went beyond mere genius—pure disaster incarnate.
Listening to Ardelia, Vesperia gazed up at the sky and whispered softly,
"Rian really is an amazing person."
Ardelia turned to stare at Vesperia, her voice tentative.
"Lady Vesperia... aren't you scared of him?"
"All the power he showed today shattered common sense—like a walking calamity. He could put someone in a 30-day sleep with a word or trap them in illusions to die of fright."
The empire's top geniuses gathered at the academy were trembling in fear of Rian. But Vesperia was different. She tilted her head, then flashed a pure, unhesitating smile.
"I've never once thought he was scary."
"...Pardon?"
Ardelia's eyes widened slightly at the unexpected reply.
"Rian doesn't act scary to hurt people," Vesperia said, gently patting the sleeping Kkmani's back.
"He just does what he wants in the most convenient, efficient way. As long as you don't mess with him first, he's just a normal friend who loves meat and naps to recover."
Her innocent gaze pierced not Rian's destructive power, but his true essence. No malice to trample others, no arrogance to dominate—just a my-pace guy blindly devoted to what he likes. That's why Vesperia could smile so comfortably by his side.
"......"
Stunned by Vesperia's pure response, Ardelia fell deep into thought. A strange guilt pricked her heart like a sharp needle.
I've only ever seen Rian as a tool to secure my survival.
Her hope against her father—that was why Ardelia obsessed over and approached Rian. But her twin sister treated the overwhelming power with pure goodwill and friendship.
It starkly contrasted her own calculating selfishness with Vesperia's spotless kindness.
I'm ashamed.
Embarrassed by her petty attitude, Ardelia averted her gaze and changed the subject to lighten the mood.
"It's your first time at the academy—anything feel unfamiliar or tough?"
Her sister had grown up isolated in the Edelgart Duke's northern estate, stepping into the capital's academy for the first time. Ardelia inwardly worried she'd get hurt amid the nobles' scrutiny and schemes.
But Vesperia shook her head with a bright smile.
"Not at all! Way more fun than the northern duke's mansion—lots of kids my age, exciting stuff every day. So much more lively!"
Her smile was dazzling, without a shadow of doubt. Watching it, a fierce impulse suddenly surged in Ardelia's chest.
Weren't you lonely, growing up alone without any blood ties in the northern duke's house? My little sister...
The heartfelt question lingered on her lips. Her poor half, abandoned by family at birth due to the cursed star oracle. How had she grown so upright and radiant despite that cruel fate?
Ardelia wanted to hug her tight, spill everything—I'm your big sister. We're blood sisters—reveal all truths.
But she bit her lip and swallowed the words.
Not yet.
She had no right to demand familial bonds now. Still just a pathetic fugitive dodging the guillotine. She couldn't even protect her sister from the threats of those wicked outer god worshippers.
Revealing the truth rashly would drag Vesperia into deeper peril.
I have to endure. Until I'm stronger... until I can guarantee perfect safety!
Suppressing the lump in her throat, Ardelia forced a gentle, sisterly smile.
"I'm glad. If anything comes up in school life or you run into trouble, feel free to ask me anytime. I'll do my utmost within my power to help."
It was the most cautious yet sincere expression of affection she could offer.
Vesperia's eyes sparkled with genuine joy.
"Really? Thank you, Your Highness!"
Then, as naturally as breathing, she added with her innocent, beaming face,
"If Your Highness ever doesn't know something in school, ask me anytime! I'll tell you everything I know!"
To the noble princess, future ruler of the empire. The adopted lady from the remote north boldly offering to teach her, pure as can be. No noble maiden would dare utter such absurdity.
Ardelia stared blankly at Vesperia for a moment. Then, clear laughter bubbled from her red lips, impossible to hold back.
"Pfft... hee hee."
It wasn't the princess's laugh. It was the natural, comfortable genuine laugh of a 13-year-old girl.
"Kyuu?"
Balgeumi, lying at her feet, reacted to the sound by plopping its large, fearsome jaw onto Ardelia's lap. Still chuckling, Ardelia naturally stroked between its eyes.
Warm afternoon sunlight poured pleasantly through the academy garden trees. Peaceful time quietly flowed.
