Early morning.
Stepping out of the bedroom after spending ti with Stella, I found the living room empty.
I assud Findenai would be sleeping sowhere close with a blanket thrown over her, but she was nowhere to be found.
Although the possibility that she may have slept outside crossed my mind, I wasn’t worried.
Would Findenai even catch sothing as trivial as a cold now?
Having absorbed the power of the Mountain Lord, she had already gone beyond human limitations.
So then, where did she go off to now?
Even the Dark Spiritualist was nowhere to be found. I thought she might be hiding sowhere, grumbling to herself, but that didn’t seem to be the case either.
[Is sothing wrong?]
Stella asked as she erged from under the blanket, covering her body. She wasn’t wearing any clothes, only partially covering herself.
Although it made quite an impression, that was actually her way of protesting against .
“Stella, no matter what, you should at least put on so clothes…”
[Should the one who undressed in the first really be saying that?]
“Well… That’s true, but still…”
I had no defence against that.
The reason Stella was acting like this was because she hadn’t been satisfied earlier.
[You got all worked up and then left hanging.]
“My artificial body nearly broke.”
Yes, we had no choice but to stop in the middle of our late-night conversation.
After using it just for a day, my artificial body had almost broken apart.
An act filled with emotions rather than focused on research was far too stimulating for soone like , who was practically inexperienced.
And just like when I was with the Dark Spiritualist, my artificial body almost broke again, and I barely managed to stop myself through sheer self-control.
I thought we were only able to stop because I was a Soul Whisperer, and she was once a Saintess.
However, no matter what, it was only natural for Stella to feel dissatisfied, which was why she was sulking like this.
Seeing her pout reminded that she was no longer a Saintess, just a woman nad Stella. While her little tantrum was cute, it also made feel sorry at the sa ti.
Even if the cause was my artificial body, stopping midway was still a blow to my pride as a man.
[Hm? What was that?]
Stella, who had been following from behind while holding onto my clothes, suddenly started talking to herself.
It wasn’t surprising.
Is she talking to Velica?
Although it didn’t happen often, Velica did speak up sotis.
And this was probably one of those tis.
[Ah, okay.]
After hearing Velica’s words, Stella pouted slightly and let go of my clothes.
Curious about what was going on, I asked. However, she simply scratched her cheek awkwardly.
[Should I put it nicely or just give it to you straight?]
“Nicely?”
[She says not to provoke you. It’s exhausting.]
Now that she said it, I got a little curious.
“And what did she actually say?”
[If you wag your tail at a beast in heat, it’s you who’s gonna die…]
Pretending not to hear that, I turned away and began scanning the surroundings again. The sun was already up, and birds were chirping, but there was still no sign of anyone.
[Hmm.]
Stella, who had reconstructed her clothes, made her way to the dining table in silence.
Seeing the lone apple left from yesterday, she reached out for it with a strange expression.
Crunch.
She took a bite.
[…!]
Startled, Stella began chewing the apple she had put in her mouth.
As I stared at her in surprise, she swallowed and opened her mouth wide.
[It’s… it’s delicious?!]
“What in the world….”
I knew that a ntal body could function like a physical one, but I never imagined it would even allow her to consu food.
I approached her carefully and stretched out my hand. Stella closed her eyes without resisting.
I touched her neck gently.
Her thin neck was slender and smooth, and I could clearly feel her swallowing the apple.
Then.
Clatter.
The door connecting Erica’s room to the general store opened, and three won stepped out.
Findenai, the Dark Spiritualist, and Erica.
So that’s why I wasn’t able to find them for a while now. It seed they had spent the day in Erica’s room.
All three of them looked tired, which made feel a little sorry for them.
I was still touching Stella’s neck at that mont, so I ended up greeting them while in a sowhat awkward position.
“See… See… The floodgates have opened. Now they’re even doing it at the dining table.”
[Wow, I can’t believe this… the quiet cat climbs into the heat first! I never thought Stella would act like that!]
“So what you two told was true.”
I hesitated for a mont at their simultaneous remarks, but this wasn’t a situation to be misunderstood.
I explained that Stella was now able to eat an apple and maintain her ntal body, which shocked all three of them.
“I was just inspecting her neck to see if the food was going down properly.”
Honestly, since she could even taste it, I was planning to check her tongue if they hadn’t shown up. But that would remain a secret.
If I ntioned that, they’d definitely go wild again.
“The focus was on researching the ntal body. Don’t get any weird ideas.”
After I explained this much, the looks they were giving , as if I were so beast, softened a bit.
[That’s right, don’t be so harsh on him.]
Stella subtly chid in and grabbed my collar again. Though she was only a step closer than usual, it gave off a strangely different vibe.
“…Why does this feel so gross?”
[I feel the sa way.]
“It feels like everyone but is growing up.”
Though their words differed, their reactions were similar. I also felt that Stella seed closer than before, even though I didn’t feel particularly uncomfortable with her holding onto like this.
It was clear that last night had strengthened the bond between us.
“Ahem, let’s not make any weird comnts. Keep an eye on Stella today, especially you, Dark Spiritualist.”
“Aren’t you subtly taking her side?”
[I was the first!]
Stella showed a relaxed smile while approaching the grumbling Findenai and Dark Spiritualist.
[Don’t be like that. It’s for all of us.]
“Wow.”
[How annoying.]
[Fufu, why are you all so angry?]
Stella covered her mouth and giggled. If it was ambiguous before, now it was crystal clear.
She was subtly trying to flaunt the ti she spent with .
This wasn’t about feeling superior. In the first place, Stella wasn’t the type to indulge in self-satisfaction like that.
This was just a pure act because she genuinely wanted to flaunt the ti she spent with .
Of course, the others couldn’t help but feel irritated by it.
“You were weeping like you were about to die yesterday, but you seem to be enjoying life now, huh?”
[Y-yeah! You were crying and apologizing like crazy, and look at you now!]
[Ugh…]
Pushed back by the combined attack of Findenai and the Dark Spiritualist, Stella blushed deeply as she glanced at , seemingly recalling last night.
I was about to step in to help when she signaled for assistance. However…
“I dare you to try.”
[I’m really going to get mad!]
Their sharp gazes pierced right through , so I had no choice but to back off this ti.
[Kim Shinwooooo.]
Stella called out to , but the two were already dragging her away. And even in that state, her ntal body remained intact, making wonder if it had stabilized.
I’ll need to observe a bit more.
Regardless, there was so success in the research on ntal bodies.
It was just like how excessive emotions in a soul could turn it into an evil spirit instead of allowing it to find rest.
Conversely, lingering attachnts to life through positive emotions might naturally sustain a physical form through mana.
However, this was obviously just a hypothesis, and it was still too early to draw conclusions.
[Kim Shinwooooo!]
[Tsk! Be quiet!]
As I watched Stella being dragged away while thinking about ntal bodies, a finger poked my side.
With her hair slightly ssy in the morning and wearing yellow pajamas, Erica puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction.
“Don’t you have work?”
“I have a lecture in the afternoon, so it’s fine. I’ve decreased my lectures because of my preparations to beco an Archmage.”
I tried to divert the conversation, but Erica wasn’t swayed easily.
With her cheeks puffed out, Erica kept glaring at as she spoke.
“Weren’t you supposed to be the cold professor to your students?”
I pressed my finger against her cheeks to let the air out, and Erica replied shyly, seemingly pleased by the brief contact.
“C-can’t I relax a little at ho?”
Ho.
Hearing Erica call this place ho gave so odd sensation, but it wasn’t a bad feeling.
I thought about telling her what I had discussed with the other three yesterday, but she spoke first.
“I heard from Findenai and the Dark Spiritualist yesterday. You’ve decided not to choose anyone, right?”
“Yeah…”
Erica waited for my response, as if she wanted to hear it directly from .
The reason Findenai and the Dark Spiritualist had forcibly dragged Stella away was probably to give Erica and so private ti to finish our conversation.
“Honestly, I’m still not completely sure. And I’ll probably keep agonizing over this decision over and over again.”
However, I couldn’t go back on it.
After all, it was their victory for managing to break my convictions.
“When it cos to ending relationships, I plan to stay passive. If they wish to leave, I won’t stop them.”
It was sothing I had said many tis before.
And suddenly, I rembered saying this to Erica as well.
If they grew tired or weary of and left, I wouldn’t stop them. I would simply wave and wish them well.
“However, as long as they stay by my side.”
I offered this respect.
To the victors who defeated .
To those who shattered what I thought were unshakable beliefs.
“I will love them wholly and forever.”
It might sound ridiculous. The word “forever” might even seem like empty bravado.
However, this was my sincere heart at the mont.
Seeing Erica’s slightly teary eyes in the morning, I reached out to wipe her tears.
“Tell .”
Erica gently took my hand and pressed it against her cheek.
“Confess your feelings to .”
Now that I thought about it, this might be the first ti I said it out loud and I would have to say the sa words to multiple won.
It might feel awkward, but it didn’t diminish the weight of the words.
So, I confessed to her.
“I love you, Erica Bright.”
With utmost sincerity.
“Yeah, too.”
As she replied, Erica kissed gently.
The faint scent of lemons filled the morning air.
***
sko-fi/genesisforsaken
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