First Night in the Dormitory
Runes's ample breasts jiggled on her bare torso. Drawn by the sight, my reaction came a beat too late.
"Eep."
I ended up engulfed in a tight hug from the approaching Runes. My entire face sank straight into her soft flesh. She didn't seem to notice my squirming at all. Instead, she hoisted me up effortlessly and spun around like an excited child.
"Kyaa! I'm so glad! I never dreamed you'd be my roommate!"
"I get it, Runes. It's hard to breathe—could you put me down, please...?"
The problems weren't just one or two. The plush sensation smothering my face. The firm muscles of her arms wrapping around me. The warm heat radiating from her body, fresh out of the shower. A flood of sensory input assaulted my brain all at once.
And there was an even bigger issue. The front door was still wide open. At the very least, no one could see us like this.
I twisted my body cleverly and slipped free from her embrace. Then I hurried over and shut the door.
Click.
Only then did a sigh of relief escape me.
"We're right at the entrance. What if someone saw you, Runes?"
"Huh? Oh, it's fine. The second floor's all girls anyway."
Runes laughed it off casually.
"Even so. Weren't you a bit too careless just now?"
"Ahaha. Got it, I'll be more careful. Come on in, then!"
Without hesitation, Runes grabbed my bag and headed inside. I fanned my flushed cheeks in the meantime, then followed her belatedly.
The interior felt less like a dorm and more like a modern one-story house. A bathroom, living room, terrace, and separate bedrooms on either side. Following Runes's lead, I unpacked in the empty room on the left.
A petite women's uniform was already laid out inside—likely sized based on the measurements from when we received our exam outfits.
"..."
Don't tell me the other clothes are custom-sized too?
Just to check, I opened the wardrobe in the corner. And immediately slammed it shut.
I'd glimpsed a bunch of colorful, wildly eccentric outfits, including that exam suit. For now, I'd pretend I hadn't seen them.
I neatly folded the uniform on the nightstand and returned to the living room.
"All checked out? Nice room, right?"
Runes welcomed me, sprawled comfortably on the two-seater sofa. Still naked, of course.
"...Runes. Don't you think it's about time to put some clothes on?"
"Aw, it's just us girls. What's the big deal?"
Runes crossed her legs nonchalantly.
"I sleep in the buff anyway."
I see. That was some TMI not even in the original story. I'd known her chastity views were lax, but not this lax. Info I'd never have confirmed in a lifetime, given we weren't the same gender.
The problem was where to rest my eyes. If she were a stranger, fine—but knowing she was a heroine made it worse.
Runes caught my gaze and grinned mischievously.
"Harné, you're surprisingly shy, huh? Hang on."
She bounced off the sofa and dashed into her room, emerging moments later...
In just her underwear.
Her terrifying abs contrasted cutely with her refined face. I gave up protesting and sat beside her.
"How long have you been here, Runes? You already look at home."
"Hehe. Only about three hours. But with a full belly and comfy backrest, here I am. Oh, the cafeteria food's killer."
"Is it? We ate out today, so looking forward to tomorrow."
The academy cafeteria was reputedly delicious. ...Lots of descriptions in the original, anyway.
I shook my head, rubbing my temple briefly.
Runes tilted her head, then clapped as she continued.
"Anyway. I knew you weren't ordinary, but top-tier dorm? Didn't see that coming!"
"Just luck."
"Doubt it. Proctor mentioned the collapsing maze wall? Your handiwork, right?"
"Pure accident. But it did knock you out, so strategically, maybe?"
"Ahaha! Slick talker. Had me sweating my ranking."
You were already crushing first place.
"Coming from you, that's not convincing. Saw all those weapons laid out after—I nearly surrendered on the spot."
"Psh, just optimal strategy."
"Call that strategy, and don't you feel bad for the other students?"
The chatter went on for ages after that. Dorm life. Academy gossip. Our stories. Runes, all hyped, kept leaning into me as she talked. Her hip brushed mine teasingly, but I was too caught up in the conversation to mind.
How long did we talk? Glancing up, I spotted the living room clock. More time had passed than I'd thought.
"To make the entrance ceremony, we should sleep soon. Shall we head to bed?"
"Yawwn... Yeah. Night, Harné."
"Good night, Runes."
Runes waved sleepily and shuffled to her room. I slowly rose from the sofa.
Click.
The soundproofing was excellent—the surroundings fell silent in an instant. Time to prep for bed.
"Hm?"
Lifting the covers, a small box sat by my pillow. What now?
With a twinge of unease, I slowly opened the lid. My head spun for a moment.
Inside was a white nightgown. The issue was the design: sheer, flimsy fabric, overly revealing up top, and scandalously short overall. No place for this in a student dorm.
Of course, it wouldn't cause a fuss. This was the academy's official women's sleepwear, after all. Another remnant of reality-warping, like the exam suits.
...And I'll have to enter large-scale reality-distortion zones later. The future's looking grim.
At least it wasn't mandatory. I folded the nightgown neatly and shoved it under the bed. Then dove into the fluffy covers.
Alright, time to sleep.
My mind felt foggy, like it was shrouded in mist. As if I'd fallen into a dream while standing. Irritated by the sensation, I clutched my head briefly.
Thankfully, it subsided quickly, and my thoughts cleared. I looked down at the unfamiliar body. Slightly swollen breasts. Slender, fragile limbs. Silver hair cascading to my waist.
Four years since that damned goddess dropped me into this world. The complete opposite of the hero Aizel's body I'd been using.
Frail beauty, straight out of the trope.
Surprisingly, it felt healthy and full of vigor, despite the first impressions.
"...So, is this body really the best you could do, Hismea?"
Secretly pulling my soul out for a 'contact' was fine. But sticking it in this body?
Hismea902 - Mystic Beauty Module: Inappropriate speech and behavior... adjust...ment...
Hismea, noticing it, narrowed her eyes with a smile.
"Oh. You shrugged off the module in that body. Impressive strength, #77."
"Answer the question."
"Yup. Best option. No better vessel to possess."
Hismea shrugged and circled me playfully.
"This 'avatar' I made myself is special. Undetectable by the goddess. New core design. No side effects for long-term possession..."
"Enough."
I cut her off midway.
"Doesn't matter what body it is."
I clenched my fist. Nails dug into my palm. Swallowing the surging emotion, I glared at her, biting my lip.
"As long as you don't pull any tricks, I'll do whatever it takes."
It's the only way to bring them back.
And that goddess, who deserves death a hundred times over. The only way to catch her.
Hismea slowly lifted the corner of her mouth at my words.
"Intense. I like it."
"Cut the attitude. That experimental-subject tone grates."
She dropped her smirk and smacked her lips.
"Sorry. Picked it up from her. But this is me betting my life on betrayal."
Hismea pointed to the talismans in the darkness. The underground ruins were blanketed in them, blocking all external gazes.
"As I said, to save them, we regress the world."
She nudged a pebble with her toe as she approached.
"To do that, seize the goddess's domain."
"Which means capturing her first."
Her light steps belied the weight of her words.
"So, what's my first move?"
Not a new question at this point. I looked up at Hismea calmly, and she nodded as if reading me.
"The goddess often freezes time to inspect the hero's body. You've noticed, right?"
"Yeah. Felt unnatural more than once."
"At those times, your mind can't have specific memories. Like our interactions."
"Related to this body's special function?"
"Spot on. Quick learner. First mission, then."
Hismea pointed at herself, twisting her lips provocatively.
"Learn memory sealing and transfer from this brilliant teacher."
She looked less like a tutor and more like a friend spilling game tips.
"Time's short—keep up."
Morning sunlight filtered through the window. I stared blankly at the warm rays, pressing my throbbing temples.
"Just a dream, then..."
Less a dream, more like sealed memories from the previous worldline leaking during sleep. But 'memory leak' sounded too clinical—dream it was.
...When was the last time I had a real dream?
I poked my aching head and rose from bed. The dorm's alarm spell had about ten minutes left. Might as well freshen up early.
I headed to the bathroom for a quick wash.
"Ah."
In the mirror stood 'Harné.' But her expression was gloomier, colder than usual.
Runes would freak or worry if she saw this. Smack! I slapped my cheeks hard.
Then stretched with some on-the-spot exercises. A bit ridiculous, but effective. Sleepiness fled, and the gnawing negativity eased.
Full dissipation would take hours, though.
I washed quickly, returned to my room, and donned the uniform. Surprisingly normal—for academy women's wear. Save for the microskirt and off-shoulder top.
...Hating myself for feeling relieved at this.
Sighing, I changed swiftly. Then summoned my inventory and pulled out a small black box—like a ring case.
Click.
Inside gleamed a tiny crimson communication stone. One of Pietsha's gifts from yesterday.
I fitted it to my ear and channeled mana through my fingertip. A glance in the mirror—even lifting my earlobe, nothing visible.
What did that girl make? Good to have a friend with a top-tier magitech expert.
I retrieved more from inventory: rings, necklace, bracelets. They blended seamlessly, turning transparent.
Perfect. Ready.
At that moment, a soothing melody rang through the dorm—the alarm spell activating. The academy day had officially begun.
"...Harné, mornin'~"
The door burst open as Runes stumbled in. Half-lidded eyes, bedhead everywhere. The epitome of someone dragged from deep slumber.
"Good morning, Runes. Up early?"
"Yeah... Woke up ages ago, but the blankets wouldn't let gooo..."
Runes yawned hugely, staggering through a stretch. True to her word yesterday, buck naked.
At least wear the nightgown.
I fanned my cheeks pointlessly, straightened the covers, and nudged her groggy back.
"Runes, let's start with your hair. We'll be late."
"Yeah... Got it..."
Pro mercenary, yet mornings wreck her.
In the end, I brushed her hair and helped her dress. She snapped to midway, letting us barely make assembly time.
"Alright! Down to the first-floor lobby now?"
"Yes. But thanks to you, we might be last again."
"Eek, want me to princess-carry you down?"
"Hope that's a joke. No black history on day one."
Thankfully, it was. Runes grinned sheepishly, grabbed my hand, and broke into a jog. I chuckled and followed.
With prior worldline memories sealed, this felt like my first true entrance ceremony. Looking forward to it.
And today—the worst ceremony in history awaited, utterly unbeknownst to me.