We'll Be Sleeping Together
Yohan asked calmly. It was a truly important matter.
⋯⋯I need to research the mana I've just received.
If the mana I hadn't managed to contain dried up without a trace after arriving at the Magic Tower, it would cause problems.
“What? You knew about the Magic Tower?”
Aria asked, her face showing genuine surprise.
Rumors about the Magic Tower spread like wildfire, but most of them were wildly inaccurate.
That was why Aria stared at him with open curiosity, as if fascinated that he knew anything about it at all. Yohan realized his slip a moment too late, but the words were already out.
In truth, Aria only studied him for a brief moment before resting her chin in her hand and muttering to herself.
“I had no idea you were interested. Maybe I should have told you about it back then?”
Receiving that reaction, Yohan offered an awkward smile and conveyed his response.
“I heard that those with low mana cannot enter carelessly. They say it causes severe harm.”
“Is that so? Well, there are so many rumors floating around. It’s possible some of them are accurate.”
Since the Magic Tower was indeed surrounded by endless gossip, this seemed like a suitable enough explanation. Yohan discreetly pressed a hand to his chest in relief.
Besides, the fact that Professor Aria was the Tower Master had not yet been revealed to the public. It was better to continue pretending he didn’t know…
“Well, it doesn’t matter. I am the Tower Master, and if the Tower Master says she’s taking you, who would dare object? As for the part about people with low mana being unable to enter, I don’t know where you heard that, but you don’t need to worry about it anymore.”
⋯⋯Wow.
⋯I have no idea what to say to that.
Yohan let out a soft chuckle at Aria’s words.
“I’m not sure.”
When the truth about her identity had come out in the past, he had learned it first through academy rumors.
⋯⋯Well, since those rumors had shaken the entire academy, the feeling was probably similar.
⋯⋯That’s beside the point.
The important thing right now was whether it was safe to follow her.
“Why? Does it sound like a lie?”
Aria’s voice was calm. Yohan burst into a helpless laugh at the unexpected question, but she seemed to misinterpret his reaction.
Staring at him steadily, she suddenly reached out and pressed a finger against his chest, right above his heart.
“Even the professors inside the academy can’t manipulate mana at this level. Only I can do this. Anyway, you’ll understand once we reach the Magic Tower, so there’s no need for further explanation.”
Aria withdrew her hand and waved it dismissively, as if the topic had grown tiresome.
“You don’t need to worry about your mana, either.”
Yohan could only offer a slightly embarrassed smile.
“That’s true.”
⋯⋯The Tower Master had never gone this far to accommodate him in previous loops.
This was more than enough of an opportunity.
“So your concerns are settled? We’ll leave in an hour. Pack your things~ I’ll be out for a bit~ And don’t even think about causing trouble while I’m gone~”
With those words, Aria strode out of the cabin. Yohan suddenly found himself with urgent matters to attend to.
⋯⋯Huu.
Yohan let out a long sigh. Dragging his exhausted body, he collapsed onto the bed with a thud.
“Haha, thank you.”
Yohan smiled awkwardly and rolled onto his side.
With only a short hour given to him, he hurriedly gathered what he would need. While doing so, he also cleaned the cabin thoroughly, since he had no idea when—or if—he would return.
⋯⋯In truth, the odds of Edelbein collapsing before I could come back were far higher, but I’ll worry about that later.
⋯⋯Huu.
He exhaled slowly and closed his eyes for a moment.
⋯⋯By the way.
Why did the professor come here?
While Aria was briefly absent, a fundamental question rose in Yohan’s mind. According to Zeno, she must have arrived at the cabin right after the battle with the small Giant ended.
Since she used Space Movement Magic, the journey itself wouldn’t have taken long.
He wasn’t sure whether she could cover the entire distance in one jump, but it certainly wouldn’t have taken days.
Then I should assume she came the moment she learned I had bought this cabin.
The fact that she had already been waiting here, of all places, suggested she had been confident he would return and had stayed to meet him.
That was how Yohan interpreted it.
Just why did she come?
Yohan nodded. That seemed the most plausible reason for now.
⋯⋯I hope it’s nothing serious.
Once again sensing that faint unease, Yohan shook his head.
⋯⋯I’ll find out eventually.
For now, he needed to focus on his mana.
With his eyes closed, Yohan traced the flow of mana inside his body. The quantity had clearly increased, and it felt far more stable than before.
“Yes. I keep trying, but it’s not working.”
As expected, the remaining half refused to come under control. It would probably take a long time…
The door suddenly swung open with a loud creak. Yohan jerked upright in surprise.
“Even so, a surprise is still a surprise.”
If he had been able to produce sound, he surely would have shouted. Not being able to hear and then suddenly regaining the ability really creates these kinds of problems.
Yohan breathed a sigh of relief.
“What, were you sleeping?”
“No.”
“Really? Well, the journey won’t take long anyway, so you can sleep once we arrive. You haven’t been getting much rest lately.”
Aria took Yohan’s hand and pulled him up from the bed.
“You even cleaned up?”
“Yes. There won’t be anyone here to look after the cabin while we’re gone.”
“Ah, about that. Claire told me to ask your permission first.”
Yohan tilted his head.
⋯⋯What is this about now?
A sense of foreboding washed over him.
“There’s that unidentified corpse in the cabin and the strange object you found in the forest, right?”
The sudden shift to the main topic made Yohan’s body go rigid.
“Don’t tense up like that. I won’t ask what they are yet. I’ll just tell you what measures will be taken for now.”
Aria gently brushed his shoulder, a silent command to relax.
⋯⋯Huu.
Yohan exhaled slowly.
“We’ll take the corpse with us to the Magic Tower today. As for the object in the forest, I’ll send a few high-ranking mages to handle it. We’ll also install a proper teleportation circle for easier travel. That’s why I’m asking.”
Withdrawing her hand, Aria continued.
“Would it be all right to install it inside this cabin? Setting one up inside Edelbein would be a headache. I’ll pay you for the inconvenience.”
Yohan nodded slowly.
Well, since he had no idea when Edelbein might be destroyed, this much was acceptable.
“Preparations are complete. Let’s go.”
Aria had already created the space movement magic circle. She took Yohan’s hand and stepped onto it with him.
“It’s linked to a circle inside the Magic Tower, so we’ll arrive instantly. I told the others to stay away, so you don’t need to cover your face.”
Yohan, who had been about to hide his face with his clothes, simply nodded.
⋯⋯It was astonishing that she could cross such a distance in a single leap.
And.
Where is the Giant’s corpse, Sir Zeno?
⋯⋯A coffin, huh.
It seems she left earlier to obtain one.
He had wondered where she had gone so suddenly; now he understood.
She must have decided the corpse shouldn’t be shown carelessly.
A wise judgment.
“We’re moving now. Let me know if you feel dizzy.”
Yohan nodded.
A moment later, a deep hum filled the air.
The sound of rustling leaves faded, replaced by the profound silence of an enclosed space. They had teleported indoors.
“Welcome to the Magic Tower. Let’s head to my office first.”
Yohan nodded.
The journey to the office was uneventful. Aria simply kept hold of Yohan’s hand and teleported them there directly using magic.
Yohan had sensed the presence as well.
“⋯⋯Hello, Student Yohan. I am Claire, adjutant to the Tower Master.”
⋯⋯Ah, so it’s the adjutant. She was here during this time as well.
But what was that strange silence just now?
Ah, right. My hand.
Before he could dwell on it, Yohan bowed politely toward the direction of the voice.
“Claire, his eyes still cannot see and he cannot speak, so be careful.”
“Yes, Tower Master.”
Claire bowed her head apologetically. When she looked up again, her expression showed she had no idea how to continue the conversation. Aria sat down in the office chair—still holding Yohan’s hand—and spoke.
“I’ll handle most things myself, so you don’t need to worry about the details. Just bring his meals on time. Make sure they aren’t too hot.”
“Understood. And, Tower Master…”
Claire sought permission to ask a question.
“Go ahead.”
Aria nodded readily.
“Where should we prepare a room for Student Yohan? Should I ask the high mages to vacate one of theirs?”
Aria was the master of the Magic Tower. Since Yohan was a guest she had personally brought, there was nothing strange about assigning him any room she wished. Even if she ordered a high mage to give up their quarters, they would obey without complaint. Such was the authority of the Tower Master.
And yet.
Aria said,
“Ah, that? There’s no need to worry about it.”
She smiled as though the matter required no thought at all. A sudden wave of anxiety washed over Yohan.
⋯⋯No way. It can’t be…
Surely she doesn’t mean to continue like we did in the cabin…
“He’ll sleep with me in my room.”
⋯⋯Oh dear.
Adjutant, please say something…
Yohan waited for Claire to speak up, but her voice did not come for a long time.
⋯⋯Haa.