Rest in the Abode - Students PoV

[ ~ Chapter • Start ~ ]

The students had several things to do.

Talking to each other, reading books on the small library, engaging in small harmless banter, finding ways out of the Labyrinth, even taking care of Satoru, or going to upper floors to hunt monsters as a way to train themselves – all these activities just to pass the time.

They also found a throne which had a clothed corpse of the original Oscar Orcus, whose self in his recordings eerily looked exactly like Satoru.

But because they already had the creation magic, only the recording had been seen and heard by those who were around.

This day, just after the day if the battle against Oscar Orcus, was where Shimizu comes in.

He was a NEET.

At least, a former one

He was once a boy with an unhealthy physique, one who spends too much time in his room, deluding himself through certain sites.

He wanted to be special, maybe more special than the idiot, Kouki.

Shimizu was once a selfish, narcissistic brat with a bad reputation in the school. Not that horrible, mind you. All because of his sister's suicidal death at the indirect works of Kouki.

Yet it didn't really matter now.

This labyrinth taught him a lot, Satoru even taught him lessons. It's strange how he once tried to betray his classmates while they were going down here like Daisuke, only for him to almost lose both arms and get to immediate life-threatening situations afterwards.

Sighing to himself, he still hadn't thought of something he could spend his time on.

He was about to go towards the library to spend his time there, but at this time, there were two girls who were staring at him.

"Shimizu! Let's talk!"

One of them, Ayako Tsuji had been trying to get his attention to no avail earlier, but now, where their rest was very long, she had been eager to.

Especially the Rejuvenist, Mao Yoshino was right beside him, expecting him to be able to reply to them.

"Fine.... what do want to talk about?"

"About you! What else?"

It was at this moment that Shimizu realized they both were dating him at the same time, and if he complained right now, there might be consequences and he wouldn't be able to finally get real girlfriends he possibly needed in his life.

But.... there was one problem.

Shimizu was horrible in actual social conversations with girls, almost sounding awkward to the girls the moment he tried.

He almost looked embarrassed all the time interacting with them, though was careful not to reject them for no reason.

Meanwhile, in the library of the abode, two teenagers sat beside each other, reading a book that was written exactly by the creator of the Labyrinth.

They weren't even sure if all these were written by the same person or most of them were.

Though, it might be good to plan ahead of them because there's several hints on how to clear the other Labyrinths. All of their time spent together had deepened their relationships, and they even once privately confessed to each other.

Despite Hajime confessing that Kaori was actually pretty annoying months ago, she paid mind to it and accepted that fact. And because of his nature, Hajime had forgiven her as easily as Kouki does.

While they read the books written by Oscar, they eventually gained clues on how to enter or defeat the labyrinths.

One of them was accessing the Sunken Ruins of Melusine by acquiring a proof from clearing the inner part of the Gruen Volcano, which has a hot enough temperature to melt most metals and they needed the help of the Water Mages to keep them cool.

Another was through clearing the Great Labyrinth of Reisen, and with all types of magic being dispersed or weakened after they were casted, they would have to rely on pure physical abilities.

Alongside several vague clues and tips left alone by Oscar, Hajime's comprehension and knowledge about his transmutation ability had been increased significantly. He still wondered wherever had Oscar hid his treasures that possibly included rare materials so he could upgrade his craft.

Not counting the very preserved food, drinks, and other supplies that his classmates found around the abode.

Yet because he had a lot more free time on his hands now, he chose to spend time with Kaori instead of focusing on mindlessly increasing his power at this very moment.

It was not needed now.

He wanted to just find a way home, which was quite selfish for someone like him, but that really was his goal all along, he might just leave the heavier things to Satoru and his classmates, if he does approve of this.

And to achieve his goal, he had to finish the labyrinths with his classmates.

[ ~ Line • Break ~ ]

While the students had been doing what they wanted around the Traitor's Abode, two persons stood in front of a bed, they were Aletia and Eri.

The two of them had been tending almost tirelessly towards Satoru for a long while now, perhaps only a few days.

While he rested on one of the beds they found, several bandages covered his half-naked torso, and he seemed to be resting peacefully like a log.

Using the ambrosia, they kept him in the best state, and while that was what they wanted him to be, only waiting seemed to be the only way for him to return from a comatose state, and the ambrosia might as well be accelerating it.

Suddenly, Aletia noticed movement from his face.

"He's about to wake up."

She said, and her rival nodded, hoping he really was going to wake up now.

He actually did, and his first words unsurprisingly were:

"Good morning.... How long was I out?"

The two felt relieved, as Eri immediately reported what happened after telling him, and being satisfied from that, he patted the heads of both of them before making a request.

"Can you prepare tea for me? I have to begin stretching and exercising, my body feels very sore from waking up now."

[ ~ TO • BE • CONTINUED ~ ]

Author's Commentary: Part 2 out of 5 before they leave.

[ OMAKE ]

Back in Heilig Kingdom, a certain apostle disguised as a nun looked at herself in the mirror, contemplating more and more about herself.

She began feeling more free than she ever knew, her restrictions that were placed upon her by her creator were.... gone.

There was no loyalty left, only freedom.

But when she observed a smile towards herself, she became reminded of a certain enemy she once fought and was once defeated by her.

Hearst figured, trying to imitate Miledi would be best.

Still, what would this bring to our protagonist?