What Do You Do on Your Day Off? (6)
Polymorph. It's an age-old spell from fantasy novels and such, where dragons transform into human form. But it didn't exist in the game. Familiars never used humanization magic to take on human shapes. Strictly speaking, it wasn't a spell called Polymorph—it was more like Avatar.
Avatar. In other words, an incarnation. A non-human entity operating in a human guise. The foundation of such a body is, naturally, mana, with a single core infused with the being's will. My current body could be called an avatar too. Unlike a typical avatar, my mana-composed form isn't a mere clone—it's me in essence—and if a clone dies, the mind doesn't return to a main body but reverts to core state. That's the key difference—
"Who would've thought a unicorn could change like this."
"I only learned about it recently myself."
Esta shrugged as she stroked the unicorn's head.
"I've known she was female for a while and kept it under wraps, but just the other day, she remembered a 'forgotten ability,' or so she says."
"Pardon?"
"After the academy term started and the angel's first attack, she recalled this ability to shift forms."
Esta was relaying what the unicorn had said, but it matched perfectly.
"She's still clumsy at talking with humans and gets shy, but I figured you'd better hear it from her ahead of time."
"That's..."
"The unicorn gained this change right after the angel appeared... It feels like the world is starting to shift in some way."
Esta continued with a serious expression.
"A familiar like her remembering 'lost memories'—is it because the angel showed up, or because it was defeated and sealed, unlocking something?"
As expected from the White Sword Saint.
"I don't know the details yet, but my gut says it's nothing good."
She'd already sensed the world's changes through sheer instinct.
"The angels have already stirred things up... and whatever comes next, I have a feeling it'll head in a bad direction."
"Who knows. Change is coming, sure, but good is good, right?"
I played it cool, pointing at the unicorn.
"She was stunning as a white horse, but this girl form? Even prettier. You two could pass for sisters."
"You..."
"Mom and daughter wouldn't fit— you're way too young-looking for that."
"...Hmph."
Esta chuckled softly, petting the unicorn's head, who promptly hid completely behind her, avoiding my gaze.
"She's more skittish than I thought."
"Yeah."
The unicorn probably couldn't see it. But for a terrestrial familiar, glimpsing my true nature would be terrifying on multiple levels.
Like how Ederson Lionheart subtly noticed—the aura of the Demon King dwelling within me. A fragment of Hell's seven limbs, one of the seven demon dukes sealed in my core.
She was face-to-face with a being that could erase or devour her in an instant, yet it was hiding its identity, mana, and even true form for some reason.
'Though my true form looks like a 100-meter raid boss, while hanging around the protagonist, I come off more like a cute little summon pet.'
It might look human—golden-haired, tanned delinquent vibe—but to a familiar, I'm a beast.
"No need to be so scared. I'm not gonna eat you."
"Eek...!"
"For real. But keep tensing up like that, and maybe I will."
"S-Sorry...!"
The unicorn whimpered in panic.
"Phoenix."
"My bad. She just reminds me of a crying young Instructor Esta... Ahem."
I raised both hands meekly under Esta's sharp glare.
"Anyway, thanks for the heads-up. A familiar regaining memories tied to the angel's arrival and defeat? Could mean plenty of angel-sealed stuff in this world."
"Yeah."
Esta stepped closer at my words.
"Got any guesses?"
"You grilling me now?"
"Just asking your opinion. Not accusing you or anything..."
She leaned in until our breaths mingled, grabbed my face, and peered into my eyes, turning it this way and that.
"Others say you look kinda similar somewhere, but I just can't see it."
"......"
"Any idea who it might be?"
"What're you talking about?"
She was probing. About the soul I possessed—Regiph Hapsderk.
"Who else said I look like them?"
"That's a secret."
Yurha? Seya? Or maybe Ludbekia. Especially Ludbekia—she'd talked about adopting me as a son after we met, so Esta might've chatted with her since.
"Honestly, I can't tell if it's a resemblance or not."
Esta was probably unsure because I hadn't spent much time near her back then.
"If it were the person in question... well, no harm in letting it slip."
Esta scratched her cheek, muttering softly.
"...Dunno what they've been through, but glad they're back safe. That's what I'd wanna say."
"......"
I just shrugged with an awkward smile.
"Hope you find who you're looking for—with good results."
"Mm... Or maybe it'd be worse if it is them?"
"Why's that?"
"Not great news for you, so I'm hesitant, but if it's 'that guy'..."
Esta held up three fingers and shook her head.
"Three people waiting to devour him whole. All I can offer is my condolences."
"......"
My heart skipped for a second, but as Red Soul Phoenix, I played it teasingly.
"Devoured by three women? Sounds kinda enviable."
"......"
Esta eyed me with half-lidded suspicion, tilting her head.
I didn't need to pry what she thought of me—
"Well, for me, it might be a good thing."
She smirked meaningfully.
"Since I'm here, wanna do that thing before I go?"
The unicorn had vanished with a poof, and Esta flopped onto the bed, arms still spread.
"Plenty of time till nightfall, right?"
"Got it... But you're staying like that?"
I pointed at her clothes as I flexed my fingers. Esta grinned and tugged her outfit aside a bit.
"Too lazy to undress."
"No..."
"When I marry someday, it'll be practice. Wanna try?"
She nodded at her buttons.
"Help with the practicals."
"...Gladly."
Esta. A true mentor.
[And so, March second week—Saturday night.]
"You didn't have to drag me out mid-fun, did you?"
"Fun? You've been at it since dinner yesterday. But yeah, it's getting late even for me."
"Haha, sorry. No time tomorrow since it's Sunday."
Instructor Cardisha Alreister had summoned me to her lab—technically the old school building's infirmary.
"Sunday's just hours away now."
It was nearly 10:30. Esta had dozed off deeply, letting me slip out early, but I needed to wrap up my day soon too.
"Don't you usually crash around 2 AM?"
"Not that late."
"Oh? Thought you were a night owl."
"And what kept you up late enough to call me?"
"Well, wanted to chat about stuff—"
Cardisha held out a cubic box.
"Ta-da."
"...Roll cake?"
"Dunno if it's your taste, but too much for me alone."
"Called me to share?"
"Yep. Only one, and with six of us, it'd be gone quick."
Cardisha hummed nasally, heading to the coffee pot in the infirmary.
"Oh, right. Not from Silverstar, so eat up worry-free."
"I'd eat Silverstar cake too."
"For real?"
"Handy reference for when I open a bakery."
I sliced the roll cake with a bread knife.
"Baking demands strict recipes—stray even a bit, and it's ruined. Standardized stuff like this is great study material."
"Haha, true. Feels just like alchemy."
"......"
"Hey."
Cardisha pulled something from the magic fridge.
"This."
"So that's why you called."
"More like, wanna collab on a creation?"
She offered a fresh cheese tart.
"Try it?"
"Nothing weird inside, right?"
"Not weird. Just... a personal experiment."
"Mm."
I took a big bite—could've finished it in one, but better check the filling first.
"Mm."
I got it.
"Mana tart."
"Bingo."
What I'd just eaten was Cardisha's take on mana bread.
With one twist.
"...Wanna teach me? I can't suppress calories yet."
"Cheese swapped for mana?"
"Kinda—to fool the tongue."
"Calories—"
"Real talk."
Cardisha loosened her gown, cupping her underboob.
"Eat without thinking, and only your chest balloons."
"Pass."
"Huh?"
"Research declined."
I firmly rejected Cardisha's proposal.
"Not belly fat—just boobs? What's wrong with that?"