Dead Drunk
"...Isn't Divine Clear a high-tier spell? I wonder if it's really alright to use something like that just for being dead drunk..." Eisel, who had taken her seat, spoke up as she looked at Priscilla with one eyebrow raised.
Since I had the exact same question, I nodded in agreement. Priscilla looked back and forth between Eisel and me before explaining the situation.
"Just once a day, only to the extent that it doesn't strain my divine power. That's the rule I set for myself. After all, I need someone to talk to when I'm drinking."
"...Besides, I'm her savior, you know?! I saved her when things got dangerous during the war! Right, Priscilla?" Reina chimed in, boasting about being Priscilla's savior.
Considering Priscilla's hidden combat prowess, it was highly unlikely she had ever been in a truly perilous situation, but Priscilla simply gave a small nod as if to let it slide.
"Now, now! That annoying Edward is gone... It's a shame Vanessa left too, but we've got to keep drinking!"
The power of Divine Clear was truly remarkable. It had completely restored Reina, who had been blinking and looking utterly wrecked just moments ago, to a perfectly sober state.
This is troublesome...
I was planning to just read the room and slowly sip my drink. That was, until Reina singled me out.
"Cadet Zeto! I've been watching you, and I don't like how you're sipping your alcohol like it's tea! Let's drink properly! Barkeep! Four Bombers here!"
"Four Bombers! Coming right up!" At Reina's hearty order, the tavern owner grinned, the corner of his mouth curling up as he shouted back.
"Um... I don't know much about alcohol, so what exactly is a Bomber?"
In the game, alcohol was an item that provided various benefits depending on the type, but the penalty of 'intoxication' was so severe that there was no real need to consume it. Since I had only ever drunk in-game to casually build rapport with characters, I didn't know much about the different types.
"It's what Kaliman, who is currently passed out in the corner, was drinking," Priscilla answered my question.
Kaliman was now curled up on the floor, fast asleep.
"How many glasses did Instructor Kaliman drink?"
"Two glasses? It's on the stronger side."
"Ahaha, two glasses..."
I pondered as I conversed with Priscilla. I had to drink something that could knock out a grown man in just two glasses. Based on Priscilla's explanation, asking her to use Divine Clear on me would be an unreasonable request. She might just ignore it, thinking there was no reason to waste it on me.
"Since when was he over there? Puhahat!" I caught sight of Reina giggling as she looked at Kaliman.
Since Reina was the most aggressive one pushing the drinks, she had to get drunk before I did.
"..."
At that moment, my head swayed slightly against my will. Even though I had only been sipping weak alcohol so far, the buzz was starting to creep up on me.
This is dangerous...
As I shook my head to clear my mind, I saw Sierra staring intently at me from across the table, right where Edward had been sitting.
"[My, you seem to be in quite a predicament. It appears... for once, you are in dire need of This Lady's assistance...]"
Sierra then drifted gracefully toward me and spoke.
"[Surely, you wish to escape this den of beasts baring their fierce fangs with your sanity intact?]"
I didn't know what kind of method Sierra was going to suggest, but thinking it would be better than getting drunk here, I gave a microscopic nod that only she could see.
"[Very well. This Lady also has no desire to see her disciple rendered defenseless in a place like this. ...Especially with that child Eisel around.]"
Sierra glared sharply at Eisel, cleared her throat, and continued.
"[Ahem. Th-this is something This Lady discovered by chance, a sort of... trick often used during drinking contests. Try focusing on the flow of your mana.]"
Following Sierra's instructions, I focused on the flow of mana circulating through my body. I could feel every minute movement—where the mana was heading, where it flowed, and where it temporarily took root. Incredibly, the creeping intoxication began to recede bit by bit.
"[It seems you have caught on. However, this is only a temporary measure, so the moment your concentration slips, the intoxication will come rushing back. Keep this in mind. You must absolutely, under no circumstances, lose your focus.]"
What Sierra had taught me seemed to be a 'cheat' she used during drinking contests. It made sense that she discovered it by chance. Who on earth would focus on the flow of their mana while drinking? It was simple yet ingenious.
With this, I might actually survive.
I had a firm grasp on it now. After a few dozen seconds, I became capable of moving around to some extent without losing my focus.
"[More importantly, disciple, what is this food? I am curious about its taste, so hurry and try some.]"
Sierra took hold of my hand, which was holding a fork, and guided it toward a dish. The movement was remarkably natural. I immediately skewered the food with my fork and popped it into my mouth.
Fish? Seafood?
It was a rather ordinary-tasting seafood dish. Since I didn't know the name of the dish either, I pointed at it and asked, "What is the name of this dish? Judging by the smell and taste, it seems to be seafood."
"That's a Kraken's eyeball."
"...By Kraken, do you mean that famous sea monster?"
"Yeah, that's why it's quite expensive." Reina replied with a smirk, pushing the four freshly served Bombers in front of each of us.
"[I see people eat Krakens these days as well. Speaking of eyeballs, didn't you eat one before? So eyeball dishes really do exist...]"
At Sierra's intrigued remark, I immediately put down my fork. The memory of the Lycanthrope's eyeball I had eaten yesterday flashed through my mind, completely ruining my appetite.
"[You ate it just fine yesterday...]"
Sierra clicked her tongue at me before drifting off to watch the drinking contest again.
The contest seemed to be nearing its end, as there were only a few survivors left. Now, the final two were engaged in their last showdown. The tavern owner was watching the scene with a pleased expression, his sales having skyrocketed thanks to the contest.
"...Aren't you drinking?" Eisel, who was sitting next to me, suddenly tapped my glass as if egging me on.
"Cadet Zeto, drink! Hurry!"
Prompted by Reina's subsequent urging, I gulped down the Bomber. The moment it entered my mouth, a tangy, refreshing flavor burst forth, followed by a burning heat as it slid down my throat.
Focus on the flow of mana...
As long as I drank moderately and maintained my concentration from now on, there should be no problem. When I finished the Bomber and set the glass down, Reina stood up, clapping and making a fuss.
"Kuh! Cadet Zeto, you may have the bracelet!"
"...Really?"
"Of course I was just kidding, haha. Do you have any idea how much that costs..."
At Reina's follow-up, everyone at the table chuckled.
...The drinking party was reasonably enjoyable. The reward money was great, but I decided to treat this as a reward for myself after running so hard. As we listened to the increasingly drunk Reina's exaggerated tales of heroism, the atmosphere grew warmer.
"You're drinking really slowly, aren't you?" Eisel, who was resting her chin on the table, looked up at me and said.
"You know why. I'm worried I won't be able to control my body like last time... Haha."
I tried to maintain my focus even while conversing with Eisel. Sierra's 'cheat' was working wonders. In truth, I hadn't even finished a single glass, but since Reina was already drunk, she hadn't noticed. Eisel, on the other hand, was already on her third Bomber.
"Maybe I should play another prank on you. That would snap you right out of it. Heheh..." With her face completely flushed, Eisel whispered as she stared intently at me from her slumped position. Her slowly moving lips glistened. Just like that time.
In an instant, the memory of the prank she had played on me flashed back. Her breath, her touch, and all the sensations I had felt at that moment began to scramble my mind. At this rate, I was going to lose my focus.
"..."
Without answering, I quickly turned my head away from Eisel. Then, I absentmindedly picked up and ate a piece of the remaining Kraken eyeball. But my head began to tilt. I had already lost my focus.
"[Disciple! You must not lose your focus!]" Having seen my head sway, Sierra rushed over to me and cried out.
Master...
I muttered a final, silent word that not even Sierra could hear. Soon, my head slammed onto the table.
Thud!
Suddenly, my consciousness began to fade.
"[Ze-Zeto...!]"
Thud!
Zeto's head slammed onto the table.
"And here I thought he was holding out pretty well..." I took a sip of my drink as I watched him. Eisel, who was right next to Zeto, was slumped on the table, staring at his face as if admiring a work of art.
"Puhahat...! Zeto! Is that it already...? So weak, so weak..." Reina, who was already completely wasted and slurring her words heavily, laughed at Zeto.
Thud!
Right after mocking Zeto, Reina's head slammed onto the table as well. Watching this, a chuckle escaped my lips.
It feels like it's been a while since I laughed so lightheartedly.
It felt much warmer and more enjoyable than the usual quiet drinks I shared with Reina. Soon after, Eisel slowly pushed herself up. Her body swayed slightly. For some reason, she had kept checking on Zeto while drinking quite a bit, almost as if she had a dry throat... It was only natural she was tipsy.
"Hic, Officer Priscilla... I'll... take Zeto back..."
"Is that so~? But how are you going to get Zeto into the men's dormitory?" Because Eisel's melted expression was so cute, I ended up speaking to her as if she were a young child.
"I'm... strong... hic, it's fine..." Eisel said, but as she tugged on Zeto's clothes to pull him up, she ended up falling flat on her back.
"...You're very drunk, Eisel."
It seemed tonight was over. My eyes fell upon the sword at the waist of Zeto, who was face-down on the table. I could see a faint, peculiar energy emanating from his blade.
What kind of past does Zeto have...
Whatever it was, I only hoped it wasn't as hideous as mine. He was intriguing. His desire to learn acupuncture, his sword, his skills. I had heard that he kept the Lycanthrope's eyeball he hunted before as a trophy. While it wasn't common knowledge, I knew that a Lycanthrope's eyeball was used as a medicinal ingredient.
Does he want to cure his eyes...
His sight, which had already been taken by the Goddess, would never return no matter what he did.
"He's a riddle of a guy..." I murmured softly, looking at Zeto at the now silent table where everyone else had collapsed.
Of course, I had no intention of digging into Zeto's secrets. I, too, had secrets I wished to keep buried. Looking back, Zeto didn't ask many questions about me, unlike others. Perhaps that was why I felt comfortable keeping him close and treating him so casually.
And I'm proud of him for learning acupuncture so well...
...The rate of his growth in acupuncture was absurdly fast, but I didn't dwell on it too deeply. I emptied all my thoughts about Zeto into my glass.
Clack.
I drained the remaining alcohol completely and set the glass down on the table. As I stood up, I saw Eisel lying on the floor, still clutching the hem of Zeto's clothes.
"Hic, I... shouldn't... hic, get drunk..." Rubbing her eyes, Eisel mumbled to herself between continuous hiccups.
I can leave Reina and Kaliman anywhere, but I should take care of the cadets...
After all, I was still the academy's medical officer. Carrying two people was a piece of cake. As I walked over to the owner to pay, I recalled Reina telling Zeto to treat us with his reward money.
Reina, really...
She was a good friend, but sometimes she was downright wicked. Even as she aged, her mischievous personality remained unchanged. I approached the tavern owner, settled the bill, slung Eisel over my back, and dragged Zeto along. The academy uniform was durable, so dragging him on the floor wouldn't scratch it.
Leaving Reina and Kaliman behind in the tavern, I stepped outside, my breath turning to mist in the chilly dawn air. Still, thinking that it had been quite fun, the corners of my lips curled up slightly.
"[Wake up, disciple...]"
Through my dizzy head, those words echoed.
"[...Wake up already, disciple!]"
It was Sierra's voice. Startled by her scolding, I bolted upright. Out of habit, I reached up to touch the blindfold over my eyes.
No signs of anyone having touched it.
Fortunately, I still had some of my memories.
It seems I ended up passing out just like that yesterday...
Looking straight ahead, the expression of Sierra, who had woken me up, was far from good. With smoldering eyes, she was glaring not at me, but at the corner right next to me.
I tried to assess the situation, waking up my sluggish senses. An unfamiliar ceiling. An unfamiliar room. An unfamiliar bed. The problem here was that I could feel a presence right next to me in the bed. The moment I heard a rustling sound, my body froze. I hurriedly reached out to feel the space beside me. And then, I realized. It was a person.
But whether it was a man or a woman, it was going to be troublesome either way. I lowered my head slightly to check my own body first. I was only wearing my uniform shirt and trousers, but the shirt was completely unbuttoned.
Oh no...
While I was struggling to hide my bewilderment, the rustling sound beside me grew louder.
Pushing my anxiety aside, I turned my head to identify the person. Soon after, platinum-blonde hair popped out from under the blanket.
"...Did you sleep well...?" She spoke in a slightly raspy voice, having just woken up herself.
I couldn't even breathe a sigh of relief that it wasn't a man. It was Eisel. Her eyes were half-lidded, and a faint blush dusted her cheeks. What on earth did all of this mean?
"Ahaha..." Laughing it off casually, I scratched my head and thought.
Yes, this had to be a prank. She was definitely trying to tease me again.
"Yesterday..." Eisel trailed off, her voice shy as she buried her face in her hands in embarrassment.
...It absolutely had to be a prank.