Aftermath (1)
Rana woke to the sunlight pouring in. The unfamiliar ceiling came into view. She didn't know exactly where she was, but a familiar scent wafted from every corner of the room. This must be Kyle's dorm. She tried to sit up as usual, but her body wouldn't budge.
Late to the realization, Rana recalled Kyle's words.
"Ugh... Kyle?"
She called out to him. But no response came.
Did he step out for a bit?
Just as that thought crossed her mind, the door creaked open. Heavy footsteps approached her. Rana addressed the unknown figure, unable to even turn her head.
"Kyle?"
"I'm afraid not, Young Master is currently asleep at his desk."
A curt tone. A voice she'd heard many times before. Rana knew its owner.
"H-hello...?"
Her greeting came out a bit awkward. Getting friendly was Rana's specialty, but this woman's unique aura made it strangely difficult—especially with Kyle's watchful guardian. Even at their first meeting, her greeting hadn't gotten a warm reply. A month had passed since they'd met, yet things were still stiff between them.
"I'll help you sit up first."
"Y-yes... sure..."
The words tumbled out stuttered, unbidden. Truth be told, this was the closest Elraim had ever come to her. And their longest conversation yet.
Elraim carefully propped up Rana's upper body into a sitting position.
"Any discomfort?"
"No, I'm fine..."
As she said it, Rana couldn't tear her eyes from Elraim. She'd always thought so, but this guardian was truly beautiful. Her long silver hair suited her distinctive aura perfectly. Rana had once envied that hair. For some reason, long styles never suited her, and even dyes wore off in a day. So she gazed at Elraim with envious eyes.
"Is something wrong?"
Elraim noticed the stare.
"Oh, no—it's just, where's Kyle...?"
"The Young Master is over there."
Rana laboriously turned her head in the direction Elraim pointed. There he was.
"Hehe..."
The moment she saw Kyle, Rana's face broke into a goofy grin. Leaning on his arm, sleeping soundly—it was a sight she'd never see otherwise, and it warmed her heart. Elraim watched Rana's beaming smile and quietly asked,
"Lady Rana... do you like the Young Master?"
She flinched at the question but soon answered in a shy voice.
"Yeah, I do."
Rana had no intention of hiding it. She'd already confessed, after all.
Elraim gave a wry internal smile. She'd known, but hearing it in that affectionate tone was on another level. Something must have happened while she was fighting Rana's grandfather.
"And please, feel free to speak casually..."
Lady? She only heard that from family retainers. Even then, it embarrassed her, so she'd asked the servants to use her name except on formal occasions.
"Then I'll call you Rana."
Only then did Rana relax. Elraim continued,
"Rana, do you know?"
Rana tilted her head, question mark practically floating above it, and looked at Elraim.
"This is the first time the Young Master has cared so much for someone else—or sacrificed for them. You're the first."
"Really?"
"Yes. Even I, who's known him since childhood, have never seen him like that."
Elraim's words delighted Rana, but another phrase caught her ear.
Known him since childhood?
The implication hit her like a thunderbolt—boom! in her mind. If it was true, this was an opportunity.
"Sis! Tell me all about Kyle!"
Rana realized she knew so little about him—how he'd grown up, his likes, his type. Nothing. And the perfect source was right in front of her. Information was power. With it, seducing Kyle would be easier. If used right, anyway. It'd help immensely.
Elraim replied,
"For the record, I like the Young Master too. Is that okay?"
"Ah..."
Her confession left Rana speechless. Sure, growing up together could do that. No idea how long, but longer than Rana's connection, at least. But Rana's response defied Elraim's expectations.
"I-if it's you, sis... sure..."
She stuttered, voice growing softer, but she gave her (tentative?) approval. Good people attract their kind. Elraim-sis seemed as kind as Kyle. Their relationship was still awkward, but Rana was okay with her. She'd get to know her alongside Kyle, of course.
"Rana..."
Elraim murmured her name softly, gazing at her. Cute. And kind, pure. That was her impression from their brief talk. Most would get jealous or uncomfortable. Not Rana—no trace of it. So Elraim smiled inwardly. No wonder Kyle treated her special. Rana was charming just existing. She even reminded Elraim of young Kyle. Same actions, different gender. That might've drawn him more.
"Got it. If that's how you feel, I'll tell you everything I know."
"Thanks, sis!!"
If she could move her arms, Rana would've hugged her right then.
A noisy voice jolted him awake. Opening his eyes, Kyle saw Elraim and Rana huddled together.
"Yawn~ When'd you get here?"
"She woke just as I entered, so not long."
"Sleep well, Kyle?"
"Yeah, like a rock. But when'd you two get so chummy?"
As far as he remembered, they barely talked last week. Now "sis" already?
"We just bonded!"
"Cool. Get along, then."
"Yup!"
Fine by him if they hit it off. In the novel, their personalities meshed well. He checked the clock. Just past lunch. Back before midnight, yet over twelve hours asleep.
"Anyway, Young Master, what about lectures?"
"Lectures? Skipping. Not in any shape to go."
Forcing power through an unfinished body hurt like hell. Every muscle ached, joints creaking. Attendance points stung, but better than bedridden for days. A day or two's rest should fix it.
"No injuries?"
"None. Lord Ratral oversaw and sparred carefully."
"Kyle, what're you talking about?"
Rana reacted. He explained plainly.
"Fought your prof 'cause he blocked the Contract Land. You know he's the caretaker, right?"
"Uh, no? Gramps is always busy in his office..."
Even now, lying for her grandfather. Cute.
"Knew for ages. No need to fib."
"W-when?"
"Entrance ceremony, first sight."
"Ugh, then all my Grandpa chatter back then... mortifying..."
She buried her face in shame. She'd gushed about him nonstop.
"Gramps super strong. You okay?"
"Handled the World Tree instead—no injuries, just a headache."
"The World Tree..."
She pondered deeply, then spoke.
"Kyle, you didn't make some weird contract with it, right? It's nice but kinda man-crazy, so surely..."
Chatting with it often gave her good insight.
"It offered, but I passed. Wasn't interested."
"Hehe, phew. No shady terms, though?"
"Nothing unfair."
Summons were contracts too—she cared. Contracts needed caution; skim details, get burned. Technically, he lost big. He asked little—link minds. Its request? Obvious, insanely tough. But only she could handle it safely then.
Rana asked no more. Contracts were private. He stretched his stiff body, stomach growling now that he was alert.
"Food first. What'll it be?"
"Anything you buy me!"
"Meat-heavy meal for me, please."
"Got it."
They left the dorm. Elraim stayed with Rana, so solo trip. Outside, Rana's summons guarded the entrance—wilted, moping. Looked like Rana at her saddest. He called softly,
"What're you lot doing here?"
-Chirp!
"No clue what that means. Rana's awake—go in. She's rough, so don't bother her."
-Squawk!!
Nene bolted first, others clamoring after. Anyone'd think years apart.
"Noisy bunch."
Wonder how they held till noon. Owner near-death, makes sense. Strolling along, he reached the central area. At the Student Council Hall, whispers erupted. Atmosphere tense.
"Hm..."
Didn't last. It's me.
Rana, loved by all creatures. Missing since morning? Chaos. Novel had minor fuss from skipped classes—she was diligent. Plus, her friends from yesterday spread rumors. Like he'd kidnapped—or killed—her. Half-day rumor mill: academy-wide.
Hence the stares.
Hundreds of eyes prickled worse than trial. Rana Heytald—our bubbly heroine—wielded that influence.
Later.
Explanation needed, but not now. Food first. She'd reappear, rumors die. He ignored, moved on.
Then, someone blocked him.
"What brings you here, Princess?"
Ariel, lately fixated. Post-field trip, glances doubled.
"You... skipped lectures today, so I worried and came."
"Personal issues—no notice to prof, had to skip."
"I see..."
She stared. He met her eyes. She sighed deeply.
"Haa... Not into interrogations, so straight: Did you kidnap Rana?"
Rumors reached her quick. Expected.
Even without spy networks, gossip flowed to her—good character, revered imperial.
"I know it's absurd given you and Rana, but many asked me. Plus, rumors you knocked out her friends to silence 'em, eyewitnesses saw you running all night. Here to confirm."
He gave her desired answer—truth, no lies.
"Rana's safe, resting at my dorm. Recovering by tomorrow."
"What happened to her?"
A strange sensation probed. He flared mana, blocking it.
"Princess, on my name, Rana's fine. No need to worry."
"...You always detect my power, then and now. How?"
"No idea what you mean."
"Fine. You've always played dumb except that time."
Her face hardened.
"Hoo, got it. I'll spread the word."
"Thank you."
He bowed respectfully.
"Oh, where to now?"
"Food run. Rana starved two—no, three days."
"Right. Give her my regards, buy something nice with this."
She handed a gold coin. As he reached,
"Mind if I see what this is?"
Her hand gripped his right wrist. Glove hid the mark, suppressed aura—but her senses pierced.
"...Let go, please."
Sudden contact surged deep disgust, rage boiling. He clamped it down. Body's reaction to her persisted.
"Imperials must protect citizens. Gotta know about holy power overnight."
"Haa..."
Too many eyes—can't knock her out daytime. Frustrating.
"Just a peek."
Ariel slowly peeled his glove. Mark's top showed. She froze. He yanked glove up, stepped back.
"That enough?"
"That's the World Tree's... What happened?"
"For Rana."
No intent to reveal yet, but now she knew.
"Under a god for her..."
Misunderstanding, but he let it slide. Unlike saint/saintess perceptions, royals saw them as god's slaves. Mark near-stigmata: seemed Rana-like god contract, not her.
"Does Rana know?"
"Yes. Now one more."
Sarcastic jab. With her, snark flowed.
"...Sorry. Didn't expect."
"Fine. Keep secret."
"Got it. Till you reveal."
Ariel stepped back.
"Held you up. I'll talk to prof."
She retreated slowly.
"Sorry again."
"No issue. Take care."
Bowed farewell. Heroine Ariel needed watching, but their bad blood complicated. Someday, resolve the grudge.
He shopped capital for supplies/food, returned. Entrance: one loiterer.
"What brings you, Professor?"
"You..."
Yesterday's blocker—Ratral Heytald, Rana's grandfather.
"I'm unwell—please leave."
He dismissed curtly.