Chapter 90
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 90
Chapter Title: Suspicious Cat
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We sat around on the sofa, glaring at the cube that was suspicious beyond belief.
"Hmm..."
"""Hmmm..."""
It had suddenly copied my hand all by itself. No telling what might happen if we got too close.
But staring it down like this wouldn't change anything, so I levitated the cube with telekinesis to observe it.
"Doesn't look any different on the outside."
"Doesn't it seem a bit shinier?"
"You think? Let's try channeling some mana into it first."
Even when I poured mana directly into it, there didn't seem to be any changes to the stored spells or systems.
As we were locked in this staring contest with the cube, Veronica piped up with an idea.
"You said it was tainted by demonic energy, right? What if we try holy power?"
-Flinch!
"...?"
The cube had moved on its own.
The room fell silent in an instant...
"Veronica! Just blast it!"
"Got it!"
-Whoosh!
The cube spotted the massive holy power gathering in Veronica's hand and zipped behind Lea, trembling violently.
"Huh? Would you look at that?"
Lea placed the cube in her palm and peered at it with keen interest.
"You understand us, don't you?"
-...Nod
The cube gave a slight nod.
"It has a sense of self?"
Lea tilted her head at my question.
"Tch... This is a first for me too..."
I had no interest in tools that gained egos and became hard to control.
But I liked the thing too much to just destroy it, so I pondered what to do...
-Whoosh~
-Whirr! Nuzzle nuzzle
"...?"
The cube flew over and started rubbing against me affectionately, just like a puppy fawning over its owner.
Jenia furrowed her brow, then said in disbelief,
"Why... is it kinda cute?"
-Nuzzle nuzzle
"Hm... Doesn't seem malicious, my lord."
-Whoosh~ Zoom~ Nuzzle nuzzle
"Honey... it's an item full of our memories."
-Nod nod!
Well... when you're desperate to survive, you'll do anything.
I watched the cube perform aerial acrobatics that went beyond mere tricks and said,
"If you ever harm my kids even a little, I'll smash you."
It seemed to sense my seriousness and nodded while trembling.
-Nod... nod...
At least it understood for now.
But I'd have to keep it on me and monitor it personally from here on out.
"Hm... So it gained the ability to act autonomously? I should research it with Lumie."
"Honey, let me join the research too! This is my first time with something like this!"
She had fists like hammers, but at her core, Lea was a mage.
Her curiosity must have been piqued.
"Did you make one in your previous life?"
"No, I only gathered all the data in this life, so it's a first."
Even Lea only knew the basics.
"Is it growing because it absorbed the negative demonic energy?"
-Nod nod!
"The core material is from a mana beast... So, can you assist with attacks?"
-Wilt
Jenia was shocked again at the somehow dejected-looking cube.
"I can see its expression...?"
Its output wasn't enough for attack support yet.
"Hm... What about simple spells then?"
Hearing me, the cube vanished.
It circled around me a few times before reappearing.
"Oh... This means I can carry it around without worry now?"
-Nod
"Alright, what about other functions..."
-Click!
[Master... feed me... please?]
Lumie entered the room, rubbing her eyes, and locked gazes with the cube.
[The cube's moving?]
Lumie floated over with an intrigued look, examined the cube closely, and channeled mana into it.
The cube activated a spell, creating holograms of me and Jenia.
-Hum!
It was the original function I'd been using, so I was about to ask about the next one when...
-Slurrrrp! Mmm! Li-am...
-Haa... Jenia...
"Kyaaaaah!"
Jenia jumped at the embarrassingly lovey-dovey scene from the holograms.
"Stop it! What the...!"
Lea burst out laughing at the sappy display.
"Kyahahahaha! So it can record and replay situations?"
-Nod nod!
"Stop! Stooop!"
[Such a fuss...]
Lumie withdrew her mana, and the sappy holograms vanished in a flash.
Seemed like it had gained some really useful functions...
Even if it was a bit embarrassing.
"Ha... Honey, should we have the cube proxy for class?"
"Tempting... but it's still too unpredictable alone, so we need more training."
After skipping a day, the thought of going back to school felt annoying, but a student's duty was to study, right?
Honestly, if I got too into slacking, it'd be trouble, so I'd attend diligently.
I could handle any variables on the spot, so it worked out.
I repeated positive thoughts internally as I headed out.
"We'll head to class now."
"My lord! See you later!"
"No big plans today, right? I have swordsmanship club with friends, so I'll be late!"
"Sure thing~"
Midterms were still a ways off, so it should be fine.
Walking with Lea, we arrived at the classroom before I knew it.
-Slide
-...
"Ah."
The chatter cut off abruptly as I opened the door, leaving the room a bit gloomy.
"Kukukuk... Gulp!"
"Just laugh out loud..."
I wasn't amused, but Lea looked like she was dying of laughter.
We sat and waited for class to start. Professor Rachel entered.
She was smiling brightly until our eyes met, then she quickly looked away.
'My imagination?'
She'd avoided my gaze last class too, and now again.
Nothing had happened, so I chalked it up to imagination.
But Lea tilted her head at the professor.
"Hm...?"
Lea chewed her lip and glared slightly, so I asked,
"What's up?"
"Huh? Oh, nothing... Just suddenly felt annoyed?"
"What kind of reason is that..."
Lea glanced at my face, then shook her head.
"Nah, forget it."
If something was wrong, she'd say so. I focused on class instead.
Class began...
"Alright! Today's lesson is..."
The professor conducted the entire class without glancing my way once.
Not even once.
As class ended uneventfully and I moved to leave...
"Um... Liam, do you have a moment?"
Professor Rachel called me over, her face slightly flushed, tail swishing.
Guess the awkwardness during class was just my imagination.
"Of course, Professor."
She beamed at my smile.
"Great! Want to head to the faculty lounge together?"
"Sure. Lea, I'll be right back. Won't take long."
Lea grabbed my sleeve tight as I prepared to follow alone.
"Lea?"
"Tch... Uh... Fine, go ahead."
"...?? Okay."
Something was off with Lea. As I went to ask why...
"Liam?"
"Ah, yeah. You're okay, right Lea?"
"Yeah! Go on."
I smiled back at Lea, who shook it off with a grin, then followed the professor.
Her tail swished as she muttered,
"Hau... What am I doing..."
"Professor?"
"Eek!"
'Eek?'
I stared blankly at the startled professor, her tail straight up.
"Ahem! What is it, Liam?"
"Oh, I just wasn't sure why you called me."
"Ah, that... I'll explain in the office!"
She probably needed documents to show.
"Got it."
"Phew..."
We arrived at the office.
"Liam, have a seat."
"Yes."
As I sat on the sofa and watched her, her tail twisted around, ears perked.
She turned, documents in hand, approached me, and...
-Plop
'?'
She sat right next to me and flipped through the pages.
'A bit close.'
'Well, side-by-side is easier for sharing.'
She pointed to a page.
"Here... I don't get this part... Nya!"
"...? Ah, this section means..."
Mid-explanation, her tail began brushing against my body lightly.
"? For this, you'd use that spell formula..."
"Nya..."
"Nya?"
"That's a purr-fect idea!"
'???'
"Th-thank you."
Her enthusiasm spurred me to continue.
"Sni-... haa... nya..."
"Um... Professor?"
"Yes!?"
"Your tail..."
"Huh?"
Her gaze followed to where her tail coiled around my calf, rubbing my thigh softly.
"Wh-what... why is it... ah..."
Her face turned beet red, nosebleed starting.
"Professor!"
I pinched her nose to staunch it and offered a handkerchief from my pocket.
"Ah... uh..."
"Professor, you okay?"
Clutching my handkerchief, she trembled and whispered,
"Nyaa..."
"Want a potion or...?"
As I reached for one from subspace, she waved frantically.
"N-no... I'm fine! Your input was great! Thank you! I-I need to be alone for a bit."
"Uh... okay. Take care."
She seemed urgent, so I stood, but her tail still clung to my leg.
'Feels like it's inching higher...'
"Professor?"
"S-sorry! Sometimes when I focus, I lose control!"
"I'm fine. Calm down. I'll head out."
"Yes! Thank you!"
I nodded at her staunching her own nosebleed and left.
'What was that...?'
Thinking of the odd professor, I saw Lea waiting in the hall.
"Phew... Honey~ Tch...?"
She'd waited for me.
"Go on ahead. You waited?"
Lea smiled prettily.
"Hehe, just felt like it!"
That's Lea for you, bubbly as ever.
"? Let's grab food."
As I took her hand to go...
"Ah, I need to see the professor quick... Go on without me?"
A refusal from Lea, who never let go.
I blinked wide-eyed.
"Huh? Will it take long? I can wait."
Lea giggled and shook her head.
"Nah, it's been ages since I saw her... Thought I'd catch up while I'm here."
'Ah...'
Seeing her downcast eyes softened me.
'Reuniting with old acquaintances every time... must feel like...'
All those bonds turning to nothing. I smiled silently and let go of her hand.
"Take your time. I'll eat later or whatever."
"Wait, not trying to make you sad! Eat first! Go on! The kids are waiting."
-Mwah!
I waved to the playfully affectionate Lea and headed out.
