Chapter 64
“The two of them didn’t have a very pleasant first encounter. Lady Havika had already been betrayed by a mortal and was deeply wounded. On top of that, her lover’s soul had been torn apart and trampled by the Darkness. But her lover had an incredibly strong heart. No matter how hurt he was, no matter how many wounds he carried, he still approached Lady Havika even as she pushed him away.”
“With that strength… he healed Havika’s wounded heart, didn’t he?”
“That’s correct. Lady Havika opened her heart. After that, the two of them joined forces and overcame all hardships and trials. Everything they endured on their journey to meet the Goddess of Earth and rise to the highest point of the heavens.”
Welpion opened his eyes and lifted his head, staring upward.
Even though the sky was blocked by the ceiling, his violet eyes shone as if he were looking far beyond it.
Then he smiled faintly and looked at Estelle.
Not exactly at Estelle—at the bracelet she was holding, the one he had given her moments ago.
“That bracelet is the gift Lady Havika gave her lover. According to the divine word, the bracelet protects the one wearing it.”
It protects the one wearing it.
If only I hadn’t heard that…
Then I wouldn’t be feeling this uneasy.
Because items like that are a total cliché.
We don’t know when, where, or how it will be used—but the moment you get it, it means some crisis is guaranteed to happen later.
A cliché with certainty!
And that wasn’t the only reason this bothered me.
At that time, Welpion told both Estelle and me:
“I am curious as well. Why did Lady Havika command me to tell you two this story? And why did She tell me to give this bracelet specifically to Sister Estelle?”
In other words, the god Havika led us into that mural-covered passage, told us the story, and ordered him to give that bracelet to Estelle!
All during that short moment—right after Estelle mentioned it was her birthday!
Back then I just thought: “Wow. The future Cardinal can talk directly to a god. He’s even more impressive than I thought!”
…That’s all I thought at the time.
But after some time passed, I began to see it differently.
Isn’t Estelle’s situation oddly similar to Havika’s story…?
No—odd is too weak of a word.
Kidnapped, escaped, returned to her rightful place with someone’s help.
It’s completely identical. A perfect mirror.
Sure, Estelle is still young, so she won’t return home for a long while, but… she will eventually. So, same thing.
If you look at it that way, the two stories overlap too much.
Ugh. This is bad.
My heart felt heavy.
If Havika endured terrible trials and suffering, did that mean Estelle would face the same?
She barely has enough time just to be happy reading her books!
Sigh.
Why did I think, “Wow, the future Cardinal has amazing direct-god-communication powers!” back then?
I should’ve been thinking something useful instead.
Like what the God of Darkness and the God of Heaven did to Havika—or what conflict existed between mortals and Havika.
And now it’s too late to go back and ask.
If I knew something, I could prepare. Make a plan.
But the timing to ask has long passed.
What a frustrating situation.
Still… there was at least one thing giving me comfort.
Thank goodness for Claude.
Claude promised to share everything happening at the Academy through his little brother.
Right. As long as I know what’s going on, I can handle whatever happens to Estelle.
I took a deep breath.
“Alright. Let’s trust in that.”
I whispered under my breath while drinking my coffee, eyes fixed on Estelle.
Hoping the warmth going down my throat could push away the anxiety sitting in my chest.
It wasn’t long after that.
Not even a week since I convinced myself Estelle would be fine—no matter what happened.
“What is this supposed to mean?!”
How did this happen?
“Give me a proper explanation!”
I shouted at Claude across the desk.
[…Bullying against commoners in the Academy…]
My hand was gripping the letter he sent me so tightly it was practically crushed.
* * *
Ugh, I hate painting class.
Estelle, sitting in the cafeteria reading her book, let out a small sigh after checking the time.
In thirty minutes, the class she was worst at—painting—would begin.
No matter how much I try, it’s still so hard…
She muttered quietly.
Actually, Estelle had a dream.
To improve her drawing skills, so one day she could paint a portrait of Reina.
And hang it on the wall of their home—just like the painting of the Morris couple and Reina hanging in the Morris Inn.
But her dream shattered like glass on the very first day of class.
“Hm… you have absolutely no talent for painting.”
“….”
“I expected more from the top student but… ahem.”
Professor Bob of Painting shook his head at Estelle’s drawing.
He told her there was no hope no matter how hard she tried.
This is boring.
Was it because she lost interest? Or because she lost her goal?
Estelle hated painting class.
Unlike other subjects—where even if something was hard there was fun in trying—painting didn’t spark even the will to try.
Maybe I should go late.
She didn’t want to sit in that classroom any longer than necessary.
As long as I’m not marked tardy, it’s fine.
She convinced herself.
Any other class—she’d be in the room ten minutes early.
Instead, she ignored the ticking clock and lowered her eyes to her book.
Then—
“Ow!”
A loud thud echoed nearby, and a student fell.
His belongings scattered across the floor.
That kid…
The moment Estelle saw him, she knew exactly who it was.
The boy who had stared at her with admiration since the entrance ceremony.
The boy who entered with her—Sial.
To Estelle, Sial was…
A kid who draws well.
Professor Bob made it obvious.
He barely acknowledged Estelle, acting as if she didn’t exist—but always smiled and praised Sial’s work.
And to be fair, Sial really was talented.
His drawings didn’t look like the work of a first-year student—they were so good they made you gasp.
But at the same time…
He’s so fragile.
Estelle couldn’t help pitying him.
He was timid, weak-hearted, scared of everything.
He always walked with rounded shoulders, head bowed so no one could see his face.
So naturally…
He was bullied constantly.
Just like right now.
Again…
Estelle clicked her tongue softly.
Behind Sial—who had fallen face-first and was groaning in pain—a girl with reddish-brown hair casually stretched out her leg.
Anyone could tell she stuck her foot out on purpose.
Come to think of it, she’s always near him.
Estelle frowned slightly.
They were definitely not friends.
The girl’s eyes were sharp and cruel—nothing like the trembling, tearful Sial.
Anyone could tell instantly that she was bullying him.
And she did it often.
But that’s none of my business.
Estelle gave the scene a quick glance, then turned away with a shrug.
Her goal was to graduate and become someone who could help Reina.
She had no time to waste getting involved.
And she certainly didn’t want Reina’s name dragged into gossip because of her.
