Caelus entered the student's home and found that the interior had a strangely unsettling style.
Some areas were exceptionally luxurious and beautiful. In particular, the chandelier and carpet in the living room were clearly expensive, high-end products.
However, the tables, chairs, and stools looked inexplicably cheap, as though anything usable had simply been placed there without much thought.
There were also many conflicting design choices.
It felt as though two people with completely different tastes had insisted on combining their ideas while decorating the house, resulting in this bizarre interior.
"So, tell me about your situation."
Caelus asked.
"My mother ran into some trouble recently, so I stayed home to take care of her. She has almost recovered now. I'll return to school tomorrow."
"That sounds difficult."
"Mm."
The atmosphere once again fell into an awkward silence.
The wolfhound crouching nearby rolled its eyes in an almost human manner, then barked several times.
Lake seemed to realize something. She stood up, walked into the kitchen, and returned a moment later carrying a bowl of hot water, which she placed on the table.
"We don't have tea. There's only hot water."
"That's fine."
Caelus did not care.
After taking a small sip, he stood up, having completed the basic courtesy expected of a guest.
"Then I'll see you at school tomorrow, Lake."
"See you tomorrow... Caelus."
Lake seemed slightly uncomfortable when saying his name.
Caelus noticed the pause in her words, but he did not question her or pursue the matter.
He simply left.
...
["Hm? He died!?"
Far away in another world, the System that had been watching two candidates fight to the death suddenly cried out.
"No, that's not right. His life signs, causal connections, soul characteristics, and every other indicator still show that he is alive. But my System program says that, on a fundamental level, he is already dead!"
"He was directly absorbed by some higher-level existence!"
"Damn it! This has become a serious mess!"
"Not only did the resource world I cultivated become bait, but what it attracted wasn't merely one of my classmates. It also drew in a prehistoric monster of at least the Eighth Rank!"
"Am I incredibly unlucky, or somehow incredibly lucky?"
"This is no longer merely about the assessment."
"If an instructor discovers what happened in this world and traces the past information flow, they'll find out that I was responsible for causing the original mutation."
"Then that mutation attracted a higher-level existence, caused a massive transformation in the world itself, and may even prevent another student from graduating..."
"It also seems to involve regulations concerning fraudulent mission postings."
"If all of that is counted together, could I be forced to delay my graduation again?"
"No! I've already had my graduation delayed once! Why is this happening again?"]
The System screamed miserably.
It then searched frantically through its contact list, hoping to find someone capable of resolving the problem.
However, everyone with that level of ability was already a fully graduated adult System, and they were not permitted to interfere in an active assessment.
The System also lacked the contact information of any powerful long-lived Systems from the previous class who had survived until now.
At this point, it truly had no options left.
When it attempted to activate the hidden administrative functions it had left behind in that world and forcibly interfere with the world's operation, nothing happened.
At the same time, it clearly sensed that the administrator privileges it had left there had been forcibly taken away.
Its entire existence suddenly felt bleak.
It even began searching through its vocabulary database and drafting a formal letter of self-criticism.
...
["Host, I've already uncovered several leads. I believe it won't be long before I can determine what is happening in this world. How are things on your end?"]
"Other than the girl named Alice, who can transform into a magical girl, I haven't encountered anything especially unusual."
"I've also observed the city. Although it appears peaceful on the surface, crime is spreading through every dark corner."
["Why does that sound like Gotham?"]
["Forget it. Just be careful. This world is far too strange."]
["Why do I increasingly feel as though the entire world is some kind of ritual site?"]
["Did we enter a place prepared by one of my seniors, or perhaps by one of my classmates, for their advancement?"]
The System muttered in confusion before once again focusing on analyzing and investigating the world.
Caelus ended his conversation with the System.
He then sat on the sofa and looked at Cyrene, who was leaning against him while they watched television together.
He quietly studied her face, one that had long since become completely familiar to him.
"Partner?"
Cyrene noticed his gaze.
She raised her head and tilted it slightly in confusion as she looked at him.
"Cyrene, I'm very fortunate to have you."
Cyrene froze for a moment.
Then she smiled gently and placed her hand against Caelus's cheek.
"I'm fortunate too."
"Partner remembers me, loves only me, and wants only me."
"In that respect, I'm luckier than anyone else in the world."
"Receiving Partner's one and only love is the greatest blessing of my life."
Caelus raised his hand and placed it over Cyrene's as she touched his cheek.
"So what brought this on, Partner? Why are you suddenly saying something like that?"
"Nothing in particular. I simply had a few thoughts and spoke what I felt."
"Perhaps some of the emotions I consumed from those students were especially stimulating, so they affected my thoughts slightly."
"Does that mean Partner is about to recover all of your emotions?"
"Perhaps."
Caelus did not say anything more.
...
At noon the next day, Caelus went to the library.
He intended to read about the history of this world and learn more about its unique myths and legends.
It was normally a time when students rested in various parts of the school, yet someone was already reading inside the library.
The book appeared to be a collection of fairy tales.
A girl with long white hair braided and draped over the front of her right shoulder quietly turned the pages.
When she noticed someone entering the library, the white-haired girl raised her head and smiled as she nodded to Caelus.
The ticking of a turning clock sounded beside his ears.
For an instant, fragments of another scene flashed before his eyes.
The surroundings were still a library, but the girl before him looked several years older.
Her clothing was different, and a pair of rabbit ears even rose from the top of her head.
The inexplicable vision vanished.
All that remained was an indescribable sense of déjà vu and a strange familiarity toward the girl.
Caelus appeared completely unconcerned.
He nodded to her, then walked into the history section and began searching for the books he wanted.
The white-haired girl continued watching his back until the shelves completely blocked him from view.
Only then did she withdraw her gaze.
She looked down at the collection of Grimm's Fairy Tales in her hands, and a faintly bitter smile appeared on her face.
Had someone been standing behind her, they would have seen that the book was open to the story of Little Red Riding Hood.
The white-haired girl closed the book.
Her fingers traced the word "Grimm" across the cover.
Her eyes grew distant, as though she were recalling a faraway past, or perhaps gazing toward an imagined future.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)