A Sister in the Depths

A few days passed after that.

Going to sleep at night ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was terrifying, but fortunately, I didn't have that dream again.

I only had ordinary dreams, free of goat-headed monsters and horrific worlds.

Everything was so peaceful that I began to wonder if that dream had just been a bizarre nightmare, and if everything that happened had been a figment of my imagination.

...Of course, there's no way that's true.

The wounds I received that night, and the sheer terror of encroaching death, were not things that could be dismissed as mere delusion.

And there was one more thing. A clear piece of evidence proving it wasn't a dream.

Status window.

The existence of the status window was undeniable proof of what had happened that night.

In other words, because I used the Pale Cameo, not only did I transmigrate into a romance fantasy novel, but a bizarre game-like system had been tacked onto it as well.

Seriously, pick a lane!

Why do they have to go and mix genres like this?

To be honest, I'm more familiar with games than romance fantasy, but... no. If I transmigrated into a game, I should at least get some starter perks. Everything here is completely useless.

Still, it looked like something new had appeared compared to the first time.

I shifted my gaze.

• Active Bonds: Loyal Subject

Loyal Subject, huh? I liked the sound of that.

At least it was much better than an ominous name like Witch.

Ah, she's absolutely adorable. To think the bond name is literally "Loyal Subject." Just how much does she like me?

The description was pretty standard.

I was secretly hoping for ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠something like, "Actually, she is deeply in love with Edwin."

I turned my attention to the [Assigned Quests] section.

Come to think of it, new quests were added every time a bond was activated.

Was this like a bond quest?

Hmm?

The previous quest had been quite wordy, but this one was incredibly straightforward.

Since the quest was named "Unity of Soul and Body," I had secretly hoped for something like, "Have relations with Cordelia."

But it was much more ambiguous than I expected.

But considering the explanation of the bonds, there's a high probability this quest is related to Cordelia.

If so, this was actually good information.

It meant that getting closer to Cordelia would be the key to using aura in Sheol.

The reward, "Enhanced Aura Manipulation," also sounded simple but highly useful.

I looked at the other quest.

Oh, now this one was a bit spicy.

Even the description caught my eye.

Anyone could tell it was referring to Thalia.

Does this mean Thalia really likes me after all?

And a "Gentle Kiss"? Does that mean I get to kiss Thalia as a reward?

No, since ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it's a quest reward, it probably doesn't mean that literally.

But wait, sleep in the same bed?

Did it mean we had to share an intimate night together?

No, that was unlikely.

My kiss with Cordelia was purely for resuscitation, yet the system counted the medical treatment as a kiss and completed the quest.

If so, I should interpret this literally as well. All we had to do was sleep in the same bed, but...

That won't be easy either.

Whether Thalia has feelings for me and whether I can drag her into my bed at night are two completely different matters.

Considering her personality...

It was practically impossible.

Honestly, it felt like it would be easier to actually seduce her and have some late-night fun.

...Hmm, is there no other choice? Should I just sneak into her bed in the middle of the night and... hehehe.

A sly grin spread across my face.

Just then, my eyes locked with Cordelia's, who happened to be looking in my direction.

Why are you smiling all of a sudden? she seemed to ask with her eyes.

...It's nothing, I replied with a look of my own.

A silent exchange of glances during class.

I shrugged my shoulders.

Once the lecture ended, Thalia gestured for me to lean in, indicating she had something to say.

"Thalia, in a place like this... you're being too bold. Mmm, tickles when you touch my ear like that."

"Please shut your mouth."

She let out an annoyed huff, then carefully whispered into my ear.

"...Regarding Professor Cordelia, she kept glancing at you during the lecture, Lord Edwin."

She was looking at me? Oh no, she wasn't mad because I was staring at my status window the whole time, was she?

"My goodness, has my charm managed to seduce even the professor? This is a real problem."

"Please, I am being serious."

Thalia whispered, "Mages are generally a dangerous breed. You must not think of her as just another magic student at the academy. It is said that those who make magic their life's work have a completely different way of thinking from ordinary humans."

Thalia warned me, but I let it slide in one ear and out the other.

Think about it. Those breasts of hers were already proof of her goodness. You could practically call them bags of benevolence.

"Understood. I'll be careful," I replied simply.

Before the next lecture started, I ran over to the swordsmanship department building to attend my class there.

After the lesson, I spotted the female lead, Rianette Bellone, wandering around and talking to various people.

Rumors were already circulating among the students that one of the swordsmanship instructors had been dismissed due to some incident, and that Rianette was involved.

Looks like she's already started making her moves.

True to the title I Will Become a Villainess in This Life, she had lived as a gentle lady in her past life, but after her regression, she became a cold-blooded villainess, stirring up trouble all over the academy.

I'm somewhat interested, but... my own situation is more urgent.

There was still plenty of time before any events that could directly affect me would occur.

More importantly, the bizarre alternate world that opened up every night was a direct threat to my survival.

"Are you staring at that young lady again?"

Having noticed the direction of my gaze, Thalia stepped in to nag me.

I shrugged.

"It feels like she's hogging all the attention that should be mine. I'm just jealous."

"And what attention is it that you should be receiving, Lord Edwin?"

"Mainly the attention of women. The natural right of a man born with handsome looks."

"...Sigh."

Thalia nagged me once more.

"Just in case, let me warn you: messing around with your academy peers is not a good idea. If you compromise the virtue of noble ladies, it could escalate into a diplomatic issue."

"But Thalia, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a woman's company without compromising her virtue..."

"...Lord Edwin!"

"What? I meant kissing and stuff."

When I made a puckered kissing face toward Thalia, she recoiled in horror.

"...Let us go train."

"Sure."

And so, I continued my training that day.

Even if I couldn't project aura, reinforcing my reflexes and physical abilities through aura was something I could still use in that other world.

So, I asked Thalia to teach me in that direction.

However, Thalia gave a subtle response.

"Physical reinforcement through aura? That kind of training is highly inefficient, Lord Edwin."

"Still, isn't there some way we can train it?"

Her expression grew suspicious again.

But soon, Thalia nodded.

"Did Professor Cordelia say something to you? Well, fine. It is not an efficient method, but let us train together."

The explanation that followed was familiar.

Feel the flow of aura circulating within the body, move it from one point to another, and so on.

It felt like some kind of martial arts cultivation technique.

But why did she say this wasn't important? Usually, isn't this kind of thing supposed to be the most crucial setting?

Confused, I asked, "But why is this inefficient? It seems like a really important training method to me."

"It is not that it is unimportant. However... since swordsmanship training naturally includes the circulation of aura, practicing only this aspect separately is inefficient. Would it not be inefficient to practice fast walking just to become a better runner?"

Ah. That made sense.

As expected of the smart Thalia. She's so ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠adorable.

But in a situation where one cannot run—for example, a racewalker—practicing fast walking would be useful. And that was exactly my situation.

"But... Thalia, something feels weird. Ugh... *cough*, *wheeze*...!! My, my aura is backfiring...!!!"

"L-Lord Edwin?! What is wrong?!"

"Just kidding."

"...Do you truly wish to die?"

Fortunately, according to Thalia, things like qi deviation rarely happened during aura training.

Thank goodness. The last thing I wanted was for some dangerous event to trigger while I was just trying to practice.

My life already had more than enough bullshit to deal with.

I didn't use the Pale Cameo.

It was a waste, but I didn't know what kind of additional penalties I might face if I used it any further.

With that, I lay down in bed.

...If I close my eyes tonight, will I end up back there?

I swallowed hard.

To be honest, I was terrified.

Part of me just wanted to pull an all-nighter.

Even now, closing my eyes brought back the chilling sensation that had brushed against the back of my neck. I could still remember the moment when the fear of death crept in as my mind grew hazy from losing too much blood.

...Still.

It wasn't like I could stay awake forever.

I quietly closed my eyes.

Bring on the goat head or whatever. I am absolutely not going to die.

If you transmigrate into a novel, you've got to build a harem. I need to kiss Thalia while squeezing Mommy Cordelia's maternal benevolence bags at the same time.

I can't die before that. Absolutely not!!

Sleep gradually overtook me, and soon, my consciousness slowly drifted away...

"...Uh."

When I came to, I saw an open door right in front of me.

It took me a moment to grasp the situation.

This was it. The dream dungeon!

And this is... the final moment of my last dream!

The dream had resumed exactly where it had paused the moment I woke up last time.

Wait a minute.

If this is a continuation of that dream...

A chilling premonition washed over me, and—

—Grrrrr.

I knew it!

Confirming my suspicion, I immediately rolled across the floor to dodge.

The goat-headed monster lunged right where I had been standing a split second ago.

"...!"

I was circulating aura to my eyes to react quickly to its movements, and to my legs so I could spring away instantly.

It was the technique I had learned from Thalia.

Thanks to that, I could definitely handle the beast's movements better than before. However...

—Thud!

Damn it, my attack power is still too low!

I struck the monster's torso once and immediately fled before it could counterattack.

It was no use. Without the explosive power of projected aura, no amount of physical reinforcement could pierce that tough hide.

"Screw this! Tactical retreat!"

Without a shred of lingering regret, I turned on my heel and ran.

As I bolted through the doorway—

"...Huh?"

The atmosphere around me completely changed.

The room beyond the door didn't have those disgusting walls made of human faces, and the dark, oppressive aura that had clouded my vision like a horror game was gone.

It was entirely different from the previous space.

It was a spacious room that actually looked fit for human habitation, carrying the vibe of someone's bedroom.

Does each room contain a completely different space?

What kind of layout was this?

I couldn't make heads or tails of it.

I looked back.

Since that goat-headed monster lived in the other room, surely it wouldn't be able to cross over to this side, right?

Or so I hoped, but—

—Grrrrr!

"...I am so sick of you!!"

Not a chance.

The goat-headed monster crossed the threshold and kept chasing me.

Hey, that's cheating!

Isn't it a universal rule that clearing a stage automatically despawns the monsters from the previous one?!

Even the shittiest game wouldn't be designed like this!

Left with no choice, I spun around to look for the next door, when—

What? A notification at a time like this?

A friendly entity? What on earth—

"Oraboni, watch out."

Just then, a voice echoed from right beside me.

Oraboni?

I turned my head and witnessed an astonishing sight in that brief instant.

—Grrrrrrr!

The goat-headed monster lunged forward.

And in the next moment—

"—Bang."

A playful voice rang out.

—Boom!

Along with an explosive sound that tore through the air, the goat-headed monster shattered into pieces and scattered.

"...!"

I collapsed onto the floor.

What just happened?!

That goat head had definitely lunged at me, a voice had spoken, and then that thing had instantly blown away...

Right.

That girl.

It was her doing.

"...Uh, excuse me. Who... who are you?"

I stared at the girl.

She was short enough that I had to look up slightly even while sitting on the floor. Maybe a hundred and twenty, a hundred and thirty centimeters? She was a girl with a tiny frame.

Was this child the friendly entity the status window mentioned...?

The girl stared at me for a moment, then nodded as if she understood.

"Ah, so Oraboni is asking me a question? You want to know who I am?"

"Huh? Uh... yeah."

"Ah... you don't know me. Of course."

The girl smiled brightly and answered my bewildered question.

"My name is Ariella."

"...Ariella?"

"Yep, Ariella. That's my name."

The girl sat down in front of me and spoke.

Curly white hair cascading down, golden eyes staring intently at me, and a gaze filled with a certain innocence.

"I'm so happy to meet you, Oraboni."

And right at that moment, the familiar notification window popped up in front of me.