Chapter 229: Change (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 229: Change (3)
“I’ll just hold your hand and sleep. I promise.”
Traditionally, the chances of that being a lie were exactly one hundred percent.
As I moved to get up, Dorothy scurried away from me. I stood and looked down at her, fully intending to give her a firm rejection, but the words died in my throat the moment I saw her face.
She was breathing raggedly, her cheeks flushed a deep crimson.
“What’s wrong, Isaac?”
I placed the back of my hand against Dorothy’s forehead, then compared it to my own.
Her temperature was high—far higher than I had expected.
Is her condition still this bad?
My heart sank, and I let out a heavy sigh.
“Haa…”
I walked over to the tree, retrieved my clothes, and pulled them on.
“Are you sure we won’t get caught?” I asked.
Dorothy seemed surprised that I had relented so easily, but a bright smile quickly returned to her face.
“Of course! Sneaking around and breaking the rules is my specialty.”
That really wasn’t something a student buried in demerit points should be bragging about.
*
“Do you have a bathrobe?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Nihihi! Then I’m going to take a quick shower!”
We were at Elma Hall, the dormitory for mid-to-high-ranked students.
I went to my room to wash up while Dorothy planned to sneak in through the window I’d left open. I hadn’t visited the hideout in a while, and it would have needed a thorough cleaning before we could use it, so the dorm was the only practical choice.
By the time I stepped out of the bathroom, Dorothy had already slipped into my room and was humming as she headed for the shower. I’d assumed she would have washed up in her own room before coming over, but apparently not.
First things first…
While Dorothy was occupied, I decided to prepare.
On the dresser beside the bed sat a bottle of aromatic oil. I uncorked it, letting a soothing scent drift through the air. It was an alchemical tool I used whenever I needed help falling into a deep sleep.
I quickly dressed and grabbed a basin, filling it with cold water and soaking a towel.
Preparations complete.
I leaned against the wall next to the bed and waited.
“That feels so much better…!”
Dorothy emerged from the bathroom, humming a cheerful tune. She was wearing nothing but a bathrobe, a sight that was certainly… eye-catching. Though she tried to act natural, I could tell she’d taken the time to apply a bit of makeup while she was in there.
As she dried her damp hair with a towel, she caught me staring and flashed a mischievous grin.
“Why the long look? Do I look that sexy~?”
She teased, deliberately letting the robe slip to expose one delicate shoulder.
I didn't say a word. I simply walked up to her and pushed her back toward the bed.
“Oh? I-Isaac?”
Her voice faltered, sounding flustered. Without her magic, Dorothy couldn't resist my strength and was easily guided backward.
“Get on the bed.”
“A-already? I’m not ready yet…!”
What on earth is she talking about?
I laid her down on the mattress. Looking down at her, I saw her face turn an even deeper shade of red. Her eyes trembled as they locked onto mine, her pupils shaking like an earthquake was hitting the room.
The usually talkative Dorothy fell silent. She swallowed hard, the quiet between us growing heavy.
“…”
Her trembling gaze shifted to the side. Though she looked tense, she gradually began to relax, as if she had finally made up her mind about something.
Her bathrobe loosened further, revealing the curve of her cleavage. I reached out, but only to pull the robe back up and tuck it tightly around her. Dorothy flinched in surprise.
Then, I stepped back and pulled the heavy blanket over her.
“Huh?”
She looked utterly dumbfounded.
I took the towel I had prepared, wrung it out, folded it neatly, and placed it squarely on her forehead. Only then did Dorothy seem to realize what I was doing. She stared at me with wide, blinking eyes.
Alright.
I checked her temperature with a thermometer.
As I thought. A high fever.
It was better than when her starlight mana had first rampaged, but it was still clearly painful. Her headache had to be splitting.
“Why didn’t you tell me, Dorothy? Your fever is still this high. You should have sent Ella to let me know.”
“…”
“Dorothy?”
She let out a tiny, defeated sigh.
“Today is just not my day…”
Since Dorothy was my ally, I had already been clear with her, just as I had been with Kaya. Until I achieved my goals in my third year, I intended to avoid any serious romantic entanglements or open dating.
She knew this, yet she had still tried to seduce me. It wasn't just because she was lonely; it was a desperate attempt at connection. It was disheartening to see, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of pity.
To lighten the mood, I brought up something ridiculous.
“…You ate two whole chickens while you were this sick?”
“They were delicious. Besides, I thought eating more than usual might help me recover faster.”
Ever since the day her starlight mana went out of control, Dorothy had spent several days isolated in her dorm, suffering. She had even erected a barrier, fearing another outburst. Because her starlight mana naturally repelled healing spells from both the Church and the hospital, she had no choice but to wait for her body to heal on its own.
She had likely even turned away the academy maids.
Being sick and alone is a miserable experience. Her coming to me late at night just to talk probably had everything to do with the crushing loneliness of those past few days.
That makes me feel even worse for her.
I dimmed the lamp, leaving only a soft, warm glow to illuminate the dark room.
Soon, the towel on Dorothy’s forehead grew warm. I soaked it again, wrung it out, and used my ice mana to chill it before placing it back on her brow.
“Still… this doesn’t feel too bad.”
Dorothy stared quietly at the ceiling. Her voice had softened as the tension left her body, lulled by the cozy atmosphere.
Time ticked by.
I pulled up a chair next to the bed and started reading a book. Eventually, Dorothy spoke again.
“Isaac.”
“Yes?”
“There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”
I looked up from my pages and met her eyes.
“Did you know I have another name?”
“Another name?”
I knew her true name, of course, but I played along.
“My real name is ‘Dorothy Gale.’”
“Gale…? Then why do you go by Heartnova now?”
“That was the adventurer name I used when I was younger. After I lost my family and my home, I was left with nothing but a little time remaining… I found a way to survive as an adventurer using the power Stella gave me. Fairy power doesn’t require complex calculations, so even a kid could do it. So, I became Heartnova. Just Heartnova, the adventurer.”
Dorothy let out a soft, self-deprecating laugh.
“It was a bit dramatic, but I came up with it when I was just a child. It was too painful to think about my aunt, my uncle, Toto, or anyone from my hometown. I thought if I abandoned my name, maybe the memories wouldn't hurt so much. I hoped that if I forgot everything bit by bit, I could finally handle the pain.”
With only a few years left to live, Dorothy had been forced to endure the harshness of the world entirely alone. Every time she thought of home, her heart must have shattered all over again.
“Eventually, I just became numb. I knew I’d be joining them soon anyway, so I stopped being afraid to think about them.”
She had lived steadfastly until the sharp, vivid pain faded into a dull, distant ache. She had walked a dark path without a single light to guide her. At the end of that short journey, there was no one waiting to welcome her—only a high cliff, a place where she could finally reunite with her loved ones with just one more step.
Even though her life seemed devoid of meaning, she hadn't stopped. Precarious as it was, she had decided to enjoy the journey until the very end.
And finally, Dorothy had reached the edge of her life.
“And then, I met you.”
I had met her right there, at the edge of that cliff. Because I loved and admired the journey she had taken.
“Do you know what I call that?” she asked.
“What?”
Dorothy was still burning with fever. She stared at me, her face flushed, and offered a smile of heartbreaking beauty.
“A miracle.”
*
Dorothy eventually drifted off to sleep.
I remained in the chair by her side, reading a text on rock magic and occasionally refreshing the cool towel on her forehead. As the night deepened, my usual sleep schedule began to catch up with me. My head felt heavy, and the book in my hands seemed to weigh a ton.
Maybe I should just get some sleep.
The bed in Elma Hall was plenty spacious. I considered just lying down next to her.
Then—
Knock, knock.
A soft tapping came from the window.
What now?
I started, looking toward the glass. Outside, the Phantom Cat Cheshire was floating in mid-air.
I stood up and cracked the window open. The monster grinned wide, its torn mouth stretching across its face.
[Meow. How have you been, Isaac?]
“Cheshire? You’re back already?”
[I was eager to see you! I flew back as fast as my paws could carry me.]
Cheshire perched on the windowsill and immediately spotted the figure on the bed.
[Dorothy? Why is that scary woman here?]
“Things happened. Where’s Alice?”
[With me, of course.]
The academy planned to announce that Alice had been manipulated by demons to clear her name. Given her previous reputation, she was likely to receive a lot of sympathy and support from the students. However, since the investigation was ongoing, she needed to stay out of sight for the time being.
“Sorry, I haven't settled Alice’s living situation yet. I didn't expect you back so soon.”
[It’s fine. Can I bring her in? We don’t exactly have anywhere else to go right now.]
“Wait, what?”
[Alice, it’s okay. Come in.]
I hadn't actually given permission, but I didn't have a better solution. Alice couldn't go back to her own room—it was a crime scene—and the hideout was a mess. I couldn't exactly leave her out in the cold.
Alice Carroll floated into the room using telekinesis. I reluctantly stepped aside to let her in.
“Hello, Baby.”
“Alice…”
She approached me with a warm smile. The memory of our kiss made my face heat up, but I fought to keep my expression neutral. Cheshire closed the window behind them.
“You really did come back fast,” I noted.
“You told me to come back soon. Is it okay if I stay here for a little while…?”
Alice’s gaze drifted to the bed, and she froze.
“Dorothy?” she asked, her voice tinged with clear displeasure.
“She’s not feeling well, so I brought her here to look after her.”
“I can see that.”
Alice walked over to the bed, sat on the edge, and gently stroked Dorothy’s cheek. “She still has quite the fever.”
“Yeah. And her starlight mana repels most healing spells.”
“How troublesome.”
I walked over to Alice’s side, changed the towel on Dorothy’s forehead, and returned to my chair.
“Sorry. You just got back, and I’m already too busy to properly welcome you.”
“Hehe, it’s fine. Just hearing you say that is enough. But you look exhausted, Baby.”
“I am. I’d usually be dead to the world by this hour.”
I couldn't stop myself from yawning. Seeing this, Alice smiled brightly and stood up. She moved behind me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders and pulling me back against her.
My head ended up nestled against her chest. My eyes went wide. Despite my mental fortitude, the incredible softness was an immediate, involuntary comfort. I tilted my head back, meeting Alice’s tender, smiling gaze.
“What are you doing?”
“Isn’t it obvious? You look like you’re about to fall over. You need something to lean on… Shall I sing you a lullaby?”
“This is a bit much, Alice…”
“Why are you so surprised?”
She seemed remarkably high-spirited. The distance between us had shrunk significantly since we last met.
“Ah… are you feeling shy? Because your beloved Dorothy is right there?”
Pretending to just realize the situation, Alice leaned in, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper.
“Don't worry, Baby. Dorothy is… fast asleep.”
Her voice was pure seduction. Her usually kind smile had taken on a distinctly predatory, sultry edge.
“What are you thinking about, Alice?”
“Naughty thoughts.”
“What?”
The sheer boldness of her answer made me choke. What is she even saying…?
Just then, there was a rustling sound from the bed.
Both Alice and I snapped our heads toward the noise.
[…]
“…Ella?”
A white cat magic beast was sitting on the mattress, glaring at me with narrowed eyes. It was Dorothy’s familiar.
“Kugh…”
Dorothy groaned, clutching her head as she slowly forced herself upright. The cool towel slid off her forehead and hit the sheets.
Through her messy, light purple hair, her cold starlight eyes locked onto Alice—who was still holding me tightly against her chest.
“Good morning, Dorothy,” Alice chuckled. She didn't let go; instead, she pulled me even closer, maintaining unwavering eye contact.
The atmosphere in the room turned leaden. I felt like I was walking a razor-thin tightrope, and the wind was starting to blow.