Chapter 86
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: 29. Midterms
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The entrance was so narrow that only one adult could barely squeeze through.
I'd worried the interior might feel cramped,
but as I brushed aside the undergrowth and cautiously stepped inside, those concerns vanished.
The space within was far more spacious than expected.
A damp smell wafted in alongside a rush of cool air.
"It smells a bit more than I thought."
I was fine with it, but I wondered if it might be too harsh for her, the daughter of a duke.
I glanced back at Elysia as she followed me in.
"...You okay?"
"I'm fine! I'm an elf, so a natural scent like this doesn't bother me at all."
She flashed a spirited grin and winked, as if to dismiss my needless concern.
It wasn't forced—she seemed genuinely unbothered.
Her natural ease almost made me forget she was a duke's daughter.
Good thing she adapts so well.
Of course, visibility was another issue entirely.
"...Um, Evan? It's so dark inside, I can hardly see."
Elysia muttered as she groped her way into the cave's thick gloom.
With the fog-shrouded forest blocking all light and the cave itself pitch-black, it was no surprise.
But I hadn't come unprepared for that.
"Knew it would be, so I brought something for it."
I pulled a magic stone from my pocket.
A faint infusion of mana made it glow softly, illuminating the cave's interior.
"Wow...!"
The revealed space felt even cozier than I'd hoped.
The smell lingered, but the floor was relatively flat, the ceiling high enough—perfect for resting.
Best of all, the narrow entrance would block outsiders and prying eyes.
This'll do nicely.
Not a luxury hotel, sure.
But for survival, it had everything we needed.
No room to be picky about hot or cold meals.
Elysia would understand.
I nodded in satisfaction and started unpacking.
"We'll make this our base. Let's unpack first?"
"Sounds good!"
She rolled up her sleeves eagerly and got to work.
Base secured. Mission accomplished.
Now we just had to hold out here for three days.
And scout the surroundings occasionally to gather flags.
Snagged one on the first day—can't ask for better.
A smoother start than I'd dared hope.
By the time we'd finished settling in, it was already getting dark outside.
The thick fog must have hidden the sunset.
"...It's gotten this late already."
Elysia murmured, peering out from the cave mouth.
"Night makes visibility even worse—too dangerous. Better rest here tonight."
"R-Right? And I'm starting to get hungry...!"
Grrrowl.
Her stomach let out an adorable rumble just as she finished speaking.
Embarrassed by the hunger pang, she flushed and clutched her belly.
"Oh, um... Th-This is, you know... Ack."
Twitch twitch.
She forced an awkward smile like it was nothing,
but her wildly flicking ears betrayed her mortification.
"It's late anyway. Time for dinner."
Fair enough—my stomach was rumbling too.
We'd walked all day without a bite.
I pulled out the emergency rations I'd packed.
Nothing fancy, of course.
Just jerky, hard bread, and water.
But in a pinch like this, it was a godsend.
"Won't taste great, but it'll fill you up."
"Oh, no, this is more than enough for me."
She accepted the food like treasured treasure,
taking a dainty bite with both hands.
Even tough, tasteless rations seemed to delight her.
"..."
Relieved she had no issues eating, I let out a quiet sigh.
Most nobles—from counts to dukes—were notoriously picky.
Though I knew Elysia wasn't like that.
I chewed my jerky, eyes on the cave mouth.
Beyond the dense fog, the night forest lay in eerie silence.
Not total silence, though.
"...! ...!"
"...!"
Sounds of people nearby drifted in sporadically.
Even at night, someone was out hunting flags.
The occasional beastly howl just reminded us how dangerous this place was.
"Everyone's working hard out there."
Elysia whispered, following my gaze outside.
If I could hear it, so could she—with her elven ears far sharper than mine.
"It's the exam. They're all desperate for points."
The academy valued practicals over theory, so this test would make or break first-year grades.
If I weren't with Elysia,
I might've been out there pulling an all-nighter too.
"Hey, Evan."
"Yeah?"
"Don't you care about the score?"
Care?
"Hm."
Not at all would be a lie.
But I wasn't about to take dumb risks.
We already had one flag—no need to push our luck.
"Not that I don't care... More like, no point risking it."
I answered casually.
The primary goal was survival, after all.
Just last three days safe, and we pass. No need to wander at night.
"...Hee hee. That's so you, Evan."
Her smile glowed softly even in the dark.
Bathed in the magic stone's light, her face looked mystical, like a goddess of mercy—infinitely warm.
I rubbed my nose, embarrassed, and looked away.
"S-So, what about you, Elysia? No desire for points?"
"Me? Well..."
She brushed crumbs from her bread, pretending to think,
then smiled.
"I do want them... But right now, being here with you feels better?"
"...Huh?"
Her words hit like a sucker punch.
I nearly spat out my water.
Please hold back on lines like that.
...Bad for my heart. Seriously.
"Hee hee. Half joking. Oh, look at that blush."
She giggled at my reaction.
Playful eyes, but I could tell her feelings ran deeper.
Half joking?
That meant the other half was real.
"And with you, everything feels okay."
"...You're too kind."
I coughed and turned away.
Lately, her heart-attack lines were too frequent.
"Ahem... Anyway, we should sleep. Need rest for tomorrow."
We settled into our spots.
The magic stone kept things from total dark, but it couldn't block the floor's chill.
In the quiet cave,
how much time passed?
"Mm..."
Elysia curled up, shivering from the cold.
Her thin blanket wasn't cutting it.
This is trouble.
She'd catch a cold like this.
Fire risked smoke giving us away.
What to do.
After a moment's thought, I slipped off my blanket and draped it over her.
Wasn't planning to sleep anyway.
I'd set a simple magic ward at the entrance,
but I planned to stand watch just in case.
As I covered her trembling form
and turned to check outside—
Grab.
My wrist was suddenly caught.
"...?"
Startled, I looked back.
Elysia stared at me with sleepy eyes—awake already.
"...Evan. Why aren't you sleeping?"
Thought she was out, but my movement woke her.
Should've been stealthier.
I scratched my head awkwardly.
"Can't sleep. I'm fine—rest up."
She glanced between me and our shared blankets, then shook her head.
"...I'm okay, Evan. I asked a spirit to keep watch."
She'd noticed.
Sharp as ever—she'd seen right through my watch plan.
Grateful for her thoughtfulness, but I felt guilty too.
Wanted her to rest easy.
"Still..."
"It's fine."
She pressed a finger to her lips, silencing me.
I couldn't argue.
"A-And! It's cold, so sleep with me."
"...Pardon?"
I blinked, sure I'd misheard.
But she gazed at me with a soft smile.
She played it cool,
but her ear tips flushed deeper red in the light.
"What'd you just say...?"
Did she say... sleep together?
"I-It’s... c-cold, right? Sharing body heat would make it warmer..."
She mumbled, head down, voice tiny.
Her scarlet ears fluttered—she'd mustered huge courage.
If it's that embarrassing, why say it?
But unlike her blushing face, her grip on my wrist was firm—no letting go.
"E-Elysia, still... A guy and girl sleeping together is..."
"...You don't want to?"
She looked up.
Her emerald eyes glistened, trembling like candle flames.
Like a puppy about to cry if rejected.
...How could I say no to that face?
"No, it's not that I don't want to..."
"Then it's settled!"
Before I finished, she beamed and yanked my hand.
Her expression flipped instantly, like a dream erased.
I stared blankly,
but whether her strength or my lack of resistance,
I ended up beside her.
...Huh?
By the time I snapped to,
I lay next to her, back to the hard floor's chill—her warmth at my side.
"Warmer now, right?"
She spread the blanket over us both.
In the tight space, we lay close enough to feel each other's breath.
Every nerve stood on end.
Her sweet scent dizzied me,
and each rise-fall of her chest against my skin made my heart pound wildly.
Going insane here.
No way I'd sleep stuck like this.
If anything, I was wide awake.
Is this even okay?
A guy and girl in a cramped cave, sharing a blanket?
Anyone seeing this would misunderstand big time.
"..."
I stole a glance down at her.
Her suit hugged her curves tantalizingly.
Especially the soft press against my arm—enough to numb reason.
Hold it together, Evan. You're not an animal.
No matter how tempting.
Not now, not like this.
I chanted inwardly, desperately distracting myself.
Otherwise, sleep was impossible with her on my mind.
But no use—every sense locked on her.
"...Evan."
Then she whispered my name.
"Asleep?"
"...No."
I answered awkwardly, eyes snapping to the ceiling.
As if sleep were possible.
"Hee hee. Good. Can't sleep either."
She wriggled closer, face inches from mine.
Even in shadow, her sparkling emeralds bored into me.
"Hey, Evan."
"Yeah?"
"Um..."
She hesitated, lips parting,
then shook her head with a bright smile.
"...Never mind. Nothing. Goodnight, Evan."
She whispered and nestled into my chest.
Her steady breaths soon followed.
Exhaustion from the tense day's march, no doubt.
"..."
If you're gonna say something, finish it.
...Whatever. Ask later.
I carefully wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
In the cold night air,
warmth lingered between us.
Thus, the first night in the fog forest deepened.