Full Moon Night (1)

Late in the evening, the maids of Shanellia Hall bustled through the halls. Today marked the start of Arsen Academy's new semester. Freshmen filled the once-empty dormitories, and even the off-duty maids had been called in to handle the miscellaneous tasks. As a result, the clatter of footsteps echoed endlessly throughout Shanellia Hall.

In the noisy academy cafeteria, I sat across from Iri.

"They're running around like crazy, huh?"

"It's the first day of the semester. Probably the busiest day of all?"

Having seen the maids at work in the Esperand household, I had a rough idea of how things operated. The duties here wouldn't be much different.

I drained the glass of water in my hand. Beside me, Kyle was poking at Serin Anette.

"...How many times do I have to say it? You won. Pretending to care about my honor now is an insult to me."

"No, that's not what I'm talking about."

"During the exam, I treated every other cadet as an enemy except myself. Failing to block the attack from behind was my own mistake—not something for you to console me over."

"No, no, just hear me out!"

It was a conversation I couldn't help but overhear, even if I tried not to. Especially the part about the attack from behind. That was me—the one who put a bullet in Serin Anette's head.

'Isn't that about you, Shion?'

'Probably.'

I wasn't the only one bothered by it. Iri leaned in and whispered.

I nodded vaguely and checked the timer.

About 40 minutes left until the event. Even after dinner, we'd have plenty of spare time. Given the difficulty, I'd worried the timer might fluctuate or advance unexpectedly, but it seemed steady. At this rate, it would align perfectly with the first incident.

The energy drink from earlier kept my eyes wide open. I'd probably be up all night—and so would everyone else at this table, like it or not. They'd get dragged into it whether they wanted to or not. Especially Serin Anette, who was now locked in a heated argument with Kyle. She was the prime candidate for the first victim. On Hell difficulty, other cadets sometimes became the initial sacrifice by cruel chance, but it was usually her. She was also the toughest opponent. Just look at the entrance exam—she'd gone on a one-woman rampage.

Of course, I'd already prepared to take her down.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Anyway, no matter what you say, what's done is done. It was a battle royale, so teaming up doesn't make you guilty."

Serin Anette looked exhausted just saying that—almost pitiful. But what could be done? Being assigned to the same dorm as Kyle was her mistake.

"By the way, Iri."

"Yeah?"

"Where'd you hear about the dorm ghost story?"

In the original story, the first incident started with Iri spreading rumors about something haunting the dorms. I was just curious about the source.

"From my sister."

"You have a sister?"

"Yeah. She's at Yoahim now, though."

Iri chugged her drink and patted her cheeks briskly, trying to wake herself up. But she wouldn't get a peaceful night's sleep tonight either.

"She transferred to Yoahim from Arsen. She stayed right here in Shanellia Hall."

"News to me."

"Ehehe…."

I knew she had a sister—it was in her profile from the setting document. Still, it was impressive. This world I'd only known from the game felt truly alive.

"She told me that on nights of the full moon, a faceless maid appears."

"…You don't actually believe that crap, do you?"

Someone cut in abruptly. I'd thought it was Kyle, but it was Serin Anette.

"It's not a rumor—it's straight from my sister."

"Don't spread unsettling stories on the first day."

"It's not unsettling! But, like, what if it's true?"

Iri waved her hands desperately in protest. I found the whole scene intriguing. Serin Anette reacting this sensitively? That wasn't in the original.

"It's nonsense. Nothing like that exists."

But through my Telescopic Vision, Serin Anette was clearly tense. Sweat dampened her collar. Her complexion had paled slightly.

Then it clicked why she was overreacting.

"Are you scared or something?"

"No."

Serin Anette whipped her head away.

"I just don't like bad rumors circulating about the dorm on day one."

Her words said no, but she was visibly repulsed, desperately avoiding Iri's gaze.

…Weak to horror, huh. Iron walls on the outside, but a surprise soft spot.

"Anyway, my sister saw it herself. So be careful, Shion. They say if you talk to it, you're enchanted."

"Yeah, got it. I'll watch out."

No one would believe me if I said it, but Iri was right. There really was a ghost in this dorm. And the first one to face it would probably be the guy dozing face-down on the table after dinner.

Kyle Ivanstair.

Dormitory B Wing. Titania Hall.

Across from Shanellia Hall, the dorm supervisor's orientation was underway in Titania Hall as well.

After receiving the pamphlet of rules and finishing introductions.

"Hua…."

Lara fought the overwhelming drowsiness but couldn't stifle the yawn that escaped.

"B-32, Lara Steelhiden."

"Ah! Yes!"

"Arsen values cadet dignity. I'll let it slide this time, but next time it'll be penalty points. Be mindful."

"Ah, yes… Understood…."

She felt the stares from the other cadets. Some were sneering—probably those she'd beaten in the exam.

Lara ignored them and opened the pamphlet. It ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was packed with rules, but none registered. Her eyes were heavy.

She'd been up all night sniping around, searching for one specific cadet.

She hadn't found Gallion.

Despite combing through A, B, and C Wings, not even a 'Gal' from his name.

What if….

Unwelcome thoughts crept in. What if Gallion had failed the entrance exam for insufficient ability and been eliminated?

The supervisor droned on, but Lara couldn't focus. Her gaze kept drifting to the ring on her finger.

She'd benefited greatly from it in the exam. Mana exhaustion long recovered, her depleted reserves now brimming. She'd unleashed high-tier spells she'd normally fear to cast. Her score was high enough to cover living expenses for a while.

But that was the problem. With performance like this, what had happened to Gallion after handing it over so casually? Had he lacked his artifact at a crucial moment and fallen into danger?

It was a logical deduction. No Gallion anywhere in the dorms meant he'd packed up and left Arsen.

Gallion… because of me…?

Lara couldn't accept it. She refused to.

This only deepened her debt instead of repaying it. Especially without even knowing his family name, repayment seemed impossible.

"Next cadet."

If he'd truly failed, what should she do? No clear solution emerged—only growing headache and pressure from the unpayable debt squeezing her chest.

"Next cadet."

No. Whatever his reason, he'd given her his artifact, hoping she wouldn't fail. And she'd secured her spot spectacularly.

"Next cadet, B-32. Lara Steelhiden."

"Yes?!"

Startled by the sudden call, Lara shot to her feet. All eyes were on her.

"Still sleepy, I see. Lara Steelhiden."

"N-No! I was just—"

"This is self-introduction time."

Lost ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in thought, her turn had come. Now marked by the supervisor on day one, Lara cleared her throat.

"B-32, Lara Steelhiden. P-Please take care of me."

She shrank into her seat with the words. The supervisor's gaze prickled.

Introductions continued. Titania Hall housed 88 cadets total. About 50 more after her.

To lift her unusually heavy eyelids, Lara pinched her hand. Her left hand reddened.

…And so evening fell at last.

As cadets gathered in groups, Lara hadn't eaten properly. She'd dozed through it all.

"Um? Hey."

"Y-Yes!"

"Ah, time to wake up. Closing time."

"Closing… time?"

When she came to, bedtime loomed. A maid had woken her just in time.

"Th-Thank you."

She staggered up, head throbbing. She pulled her staff from subspace and used it properly.

Tap. Tap.

Passing the main entrance, ascending to the second floor—

Crash!

KyaAaAaK!

A woman's scream echoed from the corridor's end. Lara's shoulders jerked.

Something wrong? She crept closer.

The dark hallway. Ceiling lights flickered. Lara squinted.

At the corridor's end, around the corner: shattered glass everywhere. Shards glinted—broken plate pieces. An overturned tray spilled plates, cups, forks in disarray.

"Dropped them again… The head butler will scold me…."

In the midst, a maid sat huddled, face buried in her knees.

"Um, are you okay…?"

Lara extended a trembling hand toward the sobbing maid.

The maid didn't move, just shook and sniffled.

"Dropped them again… The head butler will scold me…."

"…Hello?"

"Dropped them again… The head butler…."

Repeating the same words.

Lara sensed it. An unnatural mana pulse.

She gripped her staff tightly. As her fingertips neared the maid's shoulder—

The maid turned.

She had no face.