Chapter 101
A long time ago, I once asked the Lord, “If this world gets deleted, that’s the end, right?”
Because of the limits of the hair connection, I couldn’t get a detailed answer.
But from the way the Lord irritably replied, “It’s my world,”
I could tell this place wouldn’t just vanish so easily.
Since then, my question had changed a little.
“Even if this world isn’t an illusion, I’m just a person whose mind entered the body of a novel character, right?”
[…]
“Then someday… will I be kicked out of this world?”
The memory of those cold, despairing days in the orphanage was still vivid.
Even being adopted had filled me with fear.
But after that day,
good things began to happen—one by one—
until there were so many I couldn’t count them on both hands anymore.
If the magic-spear competition ends safely, and I can fully trust the Duke…
“I’m scared that I’ll be kicked out the moment I become happy.
What if I open my eyes and find myself shivering again in that freezing winter dorm?
What if this wonderful life itself is just a punishment you gave me?”
[…]
“Please be honest. It’s not like I can resist you anyway.”
Of course, there’s no such thing as a real “Lord.”
Maybe I’m just lying in an ICU bed, dreaming after being hit by a truck on my way home from work.
The worst-case scenarios kept chasing each other in circles.
I unfolded the sheet of paper I’d brought, ready for a long answer,
and set down a small bowl of ink beside me.
Limited space or not, at least this way we could write and read easily.
My hair began to move like a pen.
[This isn’t a dream.]
“Yes.”
[Why punishment.]
“Why do I think it’s punishment? Because the moment I criticized your favorite character, I got thrown in here with you saying, ‘You got a problem with that?’”
[Who’s my favorite character.]
“Seraphina, isn’t it?”
[Would you call the pasta you cooked yesterday your favorite character?]
“That’s kind of harsh. Isn’t she like… your child or something?”
My hair quivered faintly—as if sighing.
Then it moved again, roughly.
[Does Seraphina make you happy?]
“I’m not sure about ‘happy,’ but I like her as a friend.
She can be frustrating sometimes, but I bet she thinks the same about me.”
[It’s okay to hate Seraphina.]
“…What?”
[You can fight her. You can resent her. Don’t feel guilty.]
“Wait, hold on!”
I hurriedly rubbed the paper with my bare hand.
If Seraphina saw this, she might misunderstand!
She’d say something like, ‘So… you actually hated me?’
Even as I smudged the ink across my hands, my hair continued teasingly.
[Even if you hate the saint, it doesn’t make you a bad person.]
[Be honest.]
[People are like that sometimes. It’s how things get resolved.]
“NOOO!”
This was getting dangerous!
At least the page was almost out of blank space.
My hand moved almost on instinct—writing and smearing one last message:
[This isn’t a dream. You can choose the place you want to be.]
…At that moment, my hair stopped moving.
I stared for a long while at my blotched arm and the ink-stained paper.
Choose any place I want?
No—more importantly, could I even have a place I truly wanted?
All my life, ever since the orphanage,
I’d only ever wished for someone—anyone—to want me.
When Seraphina saw my inky arm, she didn’t even ask what had happened.
She just took me to the well and carefully washed my arm clean.
Her touch was so gentle—like a saint bestowing a blessing.
Hey, Lord. You really expect me to believe this girl isn’t your favorite,
but just some “pasta you made”?
If I’d made pasta this amazing, I’d take five hundred photos, spam them on social media, seal them in resin, and keep them on display for life!
“All done! Here, Sol. Dry your arm with this towel.”
“It’s fine—it’ll dry soon.”
“You’ll catch a cold before the Solstice Festival practice even starts.”
“That’s ages away. You’re already worrying?”
The Solstice Festival—
the day when the sun stands highest, held in honor of the Lord.
The students of Gruner Vant Academy would sing in the Grand Temple that day.
“I still don’t get why they’re making us do both a choir and a solo performance.”
I grumbled on purpose.
It wasn’t unusual for schools to make students perform at events.
But the Solstice Festival had one extra special feature—
—the “Miracle Bell” ceremony.
Seraphina’s eyes sparkled as she explained it to me.
“There’s this huge bell beside the Grand Temple, steeped in the temple’s history. It’s so old it doesn’t ring anymore—but legend says it’ll sound again when it hears the song of the one who will save the world.”
“Wow, that’s cool.”
“Right? If one of our classmates managed to make it ring, it’d be a once-in-a-lifetime memory!”
That’s you.
I nearly spoiled it right then but managed to hold my tongue.
Because the real spoiler was something else entirely.
“Seraphina, how are your parents doing?”
“Hmm? I’d like to say they’re fine, but…”
She sighed.
“They’re taking longer and longer to reply to my letters.
Even when I said I’d visit, they told me not to come because they’re busy.”
“That must be worrying.”
“I feel like they’re hiding something, but…”
Her face darkened for only a moment before brightening again.
“Maybe they’re preparing a surprise gift for me for the Solstice Festival?”
“…”
“I’ve dreamed of singing that day ever since before I entered Gruner Vant. My parents know that.”
No… soon, your parents will drown in massive debt and flee.
You’ll become the debtor, get kicked out of school under creditor pressure—
‘How dare you attend school when you can’t even pay your debts!’—
and barely survive by working errands for the temple.
That song on Solstice Day will be the temple’s final kindness to you—
the last moment of peace before the life that turns you into a saint.
But whether she goes bankrupt or not, she will get to sing in the Grand Temple.
Did I really need to tell her what’s coming?
“Sol, why do you look so worried?”
“I’m wondering if I should say something no one would believe.”
“I’d believe anything you said.”
“I actually came here to destroy the world.”
“I’d believe you… but I’m not sure my faith would survive that.”
“Ow, ow, ow! My cheek! Sorry! No more nonsense!”
Her holy-power-filled fingers were cold but refreshing.
I’m sorry! I’ll shut up now!
* * *
Though the Solstice was still far away,
Gruner Vant Academy began splitting up time for choir practice.
It must’ve been an important event—
the students seemed excited just to be rehearsing.
“I’m not expecting to ring that bell, but I’d better not mess up my solo!”
“Do you think we’ll have a big audience?”
“Should we… wear makeup?”
“Don’t overdo it! If a priest catches you, you’ll be washing your face with holy water.”
Excitement buzzed all around.
Well, for students with few chances to meet guys,
this festival was the perfect opportunity to meet someone new.
The male and female students took turns using the small auditorium for choir practice,
and I saw quite a few pairs exchanging glances in the hallway as they switched.
Ah, the air was practically steaming.
A school ban on romance only means one thing—
some people will just fall harder and burn brighter.
Then suddenly, Betty turned to me.
“Sol, you look like some grandma watching her grandkids play.”
“Grandma?!”
“You know—like someone who’s already married, had three kids,
and is now just watching other people’s love lives for fun.”
“That’s… very specific.”
“I trust my eyes.”
Betty grinned slyly and whispered in my ear.
“You’ve got a lover, don’t you? Alcaios Lafrande.”
…I almost dropped my bag.
It hadn’t even been a week since I rejected Kai’s confession!
Stay calm. Don’t react.
If Betty even suspects I’m flustered, she’ll start rumors like
“Sol’s marrying Kai next month and expecting triplets!”
“You too? There’s nothing between us.”
“Huhu, that’s what people say. But you can be honest with me!”
“You’d only believe me if it made for a good story.”
“Hey, that’s mean!”
No, what’s mean is your mouth.
The other students nearby turned their heads toward us.
Why is everyone so invested in other people’s love lives?
Soon, the priest came by distributing sheet music.
But before the rehearsal officially began—
“Right this way, my lord.”
A man entered the auditorium, escorted by priests.
He wore a bright red frock coat, its collar embroidered thickly with golden flowers.
If this weren’t a fantasy world, I’d have thought he was some celebrity patron.
The students’ attention immediately focused on him,
and he, mistaking it for admiration, smiled and raised a hand.
“I am Marquis Godel, protector of art and holiness!
No need to mind me, ladies. As a sponsor of the Grand Temple, I’m merely observing.”
“Yes, students, please carry on as usual.”
“…”
The priest ignored his self-introduction, raised his baton, and began.
Apparently expecting to speak, Marquis Godel glared daggers at the priest’s back.
But the music started, so he grumbled and sat nearby.
Marquis Godel… That’s him, isn’t it?
The man who invited me and the Duke to that banquet six years ago—
the one who owned the locket I wear around my neck.
He’s not here looking for it now, is he?
Unlikely… but I lifted my music sheet higher, covering my face and chest just in case.
Ugh, he’s crossing his legs, staring at us with that smirky grin.
Disgusting. This isn’t some little show for your amusement!
I hoped he’d take the hint and leave,
but he stayed through the entire practice, ignoring even the priest’s annoyed glances.
Finally, when rehearsal ended, he swaggered to the doorway as if to deliver a grand speech.
“Know that many generous patrons are watching over your growth.
We all await the day you blossom into beautiful, graceful ladies.”
What do you even plan to do when that happens, you creep!
Avoiding his slimy gaze,
I tried to blend into the crowd of girls leaving the hall.
But he spotted me.
“Oh? Could it be, Lady Schlaeger?”
“…Hello.”
“Ah! My eyes haven’t failed me yet. I still remember those golden-brown eyes from six years ago.”
He looked me up and down, like he was inspecting property.
His lips curled into a crooked smile.
“I heard you were quite adored, and yet you enrolled in a public academy?
Surely you haven’t fallen out of favor with His Grace?”
Trying to intimidate me, huh?
Buddy, I’ve heard worse. At least 273 people have said the same crap.
And no one’s going to jump in to defend me with
‘That’s not true! The Duke donated holy relics just so she’d be treated well!’
So I decided to return the favor—with some bull of my own.
I leaned close to his ear and whispered.
“I was supposed to attend the Central Academy,
but when some nobles looked down on me for being a commoner,
I used the persuasion methods my father taught me.
That… caused some trouble.”
“…”
“I plan to keep a low profile for a while.
So please cooperate, won’t you?”
Will he buy it?
After all, even in the original story, Benen was acting like this at fifteen.
