Change (5)

I fell asleep surrounded by human warmth. How well I slept told me so.

Morning sunlight streamed in, and I naturally woke up as if my internal alarm had gone off. Beside me, Dorothy was sleeping with her bathrobe slightly askew.

I sat up and looked around. The other side of the bed was empty, but I noticed a strand of pale gold hair. Alice had slept here too.

That smells nice.

The scent of food wafted from the kitchen. It was obvious Alice was preparing breakfast.

I checked the clock. There was still time before classes started.

I straightened Dorothy's bathrobe and placed my hand on her forehead.

Oh.

Good, her fever has gone down.

Whether it was thanks to my care or just the natural course of recovery, it was a huge relief.

I shook Dorothy's shoulder.

"Dorothy, wake up. It's morning."

"Hmm, Presideeent."

Half-asleep, Dorothy mumbled and wrapped her arms around my waist.

It was a lovely sight, and for a moment, I felt a surge of happiness. But I snapped back to reality, knowing I had to wake her up.

I shook her shoulder a little harder.

"You need to go to the Disciplinary Committee this morning. If you don't go now, you won't be able to sneak out in time before the students go to the academy."

"...Ah!"

Dorothy's eyes shot open, and she quickly sat up.

"The committee…! It smells delicious…!"

Dorothy mumbled her stream of thoughts, then she looked at me. Her light purple hair was tousled. She giggled.

"Nihihi, Isaac, your hair is a mess. It looks like a bird's nest!"

"So is yours."

"Ah, this is not the time…!"

Just as I was about to ask if she slept well, Dorothy hurried off the bed and went to the closet to change into her uniform.

The Disciplinary Committee was in the morning. She needed to return to her room and prepare before the other students arrived.

"Isaac, I'm sorry! I'll leave the bathrobe here! I slept well thanks to you!"

"Ah, sure. Be careful, Dorothy."

Dorothy pulled her witch's hat down and wrapped herself in starlight mana, then flew out the window.

I didn't know how many days of probation she'd receive. I'd check on her after the punishment was decided.

And Alice…

Even though she must have heard us waking up, she hadn't said anything.

I got off the bed and headed to the kitchen.

I saw the back of a girl with light gold hair wearing nothing but my shirt. It was loose on Alice Carroll.

Alice was making stew. The red apron she wore wasn't from my room, so she must have brought it herself.

As I approached, Alice noticed me and turned around.

"Pfft, look at your hair."

A bright smile spread across her face, illuminated by the morning sunlight streaming through the window.

Alice came closer and gently patted my messy, wavy hair.

"Did you sleep well, my baby?"

[Meow, Isaac! Good morning!]

The fat purple cat familiar, Phantom Cat Cheshire, with a small bowler hat, floated in the air and greeted me. I returned the greeting calmly with a, "Good morning."

"I think I slept well for once."

"Sorry, I couldn't greet you right away. Dorothy doesn't like me, so I stayed out of the way."

"I see."

I was well aware of how much Dorothy despised Alice.

I didn't know how Alice felt about it, but I doubted she had any positive feelings toward someone who disliked her.

"So, what were you doing?"

"I'm making stew. I wanted to make breakfast for you, Baby."

"It smells great."

I usually had a light breakfast or skipped it altogether. Having stew as a meal sounded perfect.

I sat at the table. Soon, Alice placed a bowl of stew with a spoon in front of me.

The stew was filled with large chunks of meat and mushrooms, and plenty of vegetables. Despite it being breakfast, the aroma was quite appetizing.

Alice sat down across from me with her own bowl of stew. She then scooped some up, blew on it gently, and held the spoon out to my mouth.

"Baby, say aah."

Her voice had a sweet tone.

I stared at Alice for a moment, a bit dazed. Compared to Luce's "open your mouth,' this was an incredibly gentle gesture. It felt like we were a newlywed couple.

When I opened my mouth, Alice carefully fed me the stew.

"Wow, it's really good."

I was surprised. It was exactly to my liking.

"Right?"

I looked at Alice in surprise and then eagerly started eating the stew. Only then did Alice begin to eat her own stew.

Ah, right.

"You said you'd stay here, right?"

"Yeah, I don't really have anywhere else to go right now."

It would take at least a week to reintegrate Alice back into her academic life with the help of the Imperial Knights.

In the meantime, Alice intended to stay hidden in my room.

"You'll have to stay quiet and not go outside. Why not stay in the hideout instead? You'd have more freedom there."

"I want to be with you."

Alice's smiling face was resolute. She seemed determined to stay here regardless of the existence of the hideout.

"You care about managing your time well, don't you? And you don't have a personal maid, so I thought I could at least help you with your meals for a while."

It wasn't a bad proposal.

Most of my minions were combatants, and I didn't have a personal maid yet.

Moreover, this place was the safest.

Having Alice close by where I could keep an eye on her was also good.

"...Alright, let's try that for now then."

However, having Alice in my personal space would be an adjustment.

For the time being, I'd have to stop humming in the shower since that would be embarrassing.

Also, there was a risk I wouldn't be able to fully concentrate on studying before I go to bed.

I decided to give it a try for a day or two and see how it went. If it became too much of a distraction, I could send her to the hideout then.

"By the way, don't you have any clothes? That's my shirt."

"Hehe, I thought it was a rare chance, so I tried it on. When else would I get to wear your clothes? Ah… it probably smells a bit like me now. Sorry about that."

"No… I don't really mind."

The academy maids could take care of the laundry.

Alice then propped her chin on her hand and gave me her usual kind smile.

"Baby."

"Yeah."

"Don't we look like newlyweds?"

I almost choked on my stew, coughing repeatedly.

It felt like she had read my thoughts.

***

"What were you thinking, revealing your true identity?"

During break time, in front of Orphin Hall.

On my way to buy a drink, I ran into Lisetta Lionheart.

Second-year, Class A, ranked 4th in the Magic Department. She still had her orange hair in a ponytail and left her uniform unbuttoned to reveal her chest.

Unexpectedly, Lisetta spoke to me first. Maybe she had developed some attachment to me. I felt good about it so I bought her a drink.

We sat on a nearby bench. I sat at the opposite end of the bench, respecting Lisetta's space.

She sat cross-legged with the drink I had bought her in her hand.

I took a sip and answered Lisetta's question.

"There are many reasons. I thought it was the right time to reveal my identity."

"Well… someone like me wouldn't understand the intentions of the Ice Sovereign. Haha, my classmate is an Elemental King… If I told anyone this, they'd think I'm crazy. It's so absurd, I couldn't help but laugh, pfft, shi…"

"If you're not going to drink that, give it to me. It's good."

"You gave it and you're taking it back, you bastard."

Lisetta scowled and grumbled, and handed the drink back to me. I drank it too.

"...What's going to happen to the Student Council President?"

"She's going to keep attending the academy."

"What?"

Lisetta scoffed.

"Are you serious? She was the insider, the main perpetrator behind this terror attack. She almost brought down the academy, didn't she?"

"It wasn't her will. She was forced. I've also figured out a way for her to atone. It's all for everyone's benefit."

After taking another sip from the drink I took from Lisetta, I continued in a calm tone.

"The academy will make an announcement soon. The Imperial Court also agreed to help."

"Oh, even the Imperial Court is doing whatever you want."

"I'm just accepting their help… it's not what you think."

"What about the people who are unhappy about this?"

"They can complain to me. If they're weaker than me, they should just keep their mouths shut."

"Pfft! I like that about you, you bastard."

Lisetta and I laughed together, but then her expression suddenly turned stiff.

"Don't laugh. It's annoying."

"Yeah, you too."

Lisetta chuckled again.

Today, Lisetta was being unusually friendly with me, probably because of the gap between me and the people around me.

From now on, people at the academy wouldn't be able to treat me as just Isaac.

I appreciated her thoughtfulness.

* * *

The sky had grown dark.

Isaac arrived at the Church located on the hill within the academy grounds and opened the door.

The view of the chapel immediately greeted him. The Church had a barrier to ensure soundproofing.

Isaac adjusted his glasses and walked forward.

A girl with light pink hair stood quietly, looking up at the symbol of the Helize Church. It was the Saintess, Bianca Anturaze.

In the shadowed pillar, her escort, Sylon, had his hands together and bowed to Isaac.

Bianca turned towards Isaac and with her hands clasped together, she bowed to Isaac.

Her eyes were closed, for she was blind. However, with the aid of divine power, she could see without relying on her eyes.

"Nice to meet you, Ice Sovereign. This is the first time we've met face-to-face."

They were both from the Magic Department of Märchen Academy. And they were both in their uniforms.

However, Bianca was addressing Isaac as a Saintess to an Elemental King. Her use of "Ice Sovereign" instead of "Senior Isaac" indicated that this was a formal interaction.

Bianca was a figure called to represent the Lord in both the Empire and the Holy Kingdom, so Isaac also bowed his head to show respect.

"Nice to meet you too, Saintess."

"I apologize for making you come all the way here. But this is a conversation that should be held in secret."

"It's alright. What is this about anyway?"

Isaac still didn't know exactly why Bianca had called him here.

Reading her psychology, Isaac realized that Bianca had something very important to tell him.

"I have something to give you. Sylon."

At Bianca's command, her escort, Sylon, stepped out of the shadows and handed Isaac a book.

The book was incredibly old, showing the marks of time. There were no markings on the cover, and it was relatively thin.

"Do you recognize this book?"

"No… what is it?"

"Sylon, could you open it?"

She instructed Sylon.

Sylon opened the book.

"…!"

At that moment, Isaac's eyes widened.

He felt like he had been struck heavily at the back of his head. He had a hard time using his usual acting skills.

It was the first time since coming to this world that he doubted his own eyes.

"This is…?"

Bianca smiled silently, her lips curling upwards. Isaac's reaction confirmed the value of the book.

Inside the book was an illustration that looked like a rainy, icy lake.

And… Korean characters.

What? Seriously, what is this…?

It felt as if only he and the book existed in the entire world.

Isaac turned back to the first page.

The writing was more chaotic than on any other page. It seemed like whoever wrote it did so last.

The first page was like a letter.

Isaac read through it.

To my dear benefactor,

To Isaac,

I hope you have found this book.

I ask for your understanding that circumstances prevent me from assisting you as much as I would like.

I have filled this book with all the truths I have come to know, in a language that only you can read.

Isaac understood.

The author had discovered some truths and wanted to convey them to him.

The writer did not seem to be affiliated with the game company "Higgs" that created ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱.

Before I lose my sanity, I hope you will come to know every truth in this world.

"Even" my sanity.

It suggested that the writer had lost many things. Mentioning "sanity" implied the losses were mostly mental.

For example, "memories" would fall into that category.

After reading this book, immediately seek out the Tower Master of the Hegel Magic Tower, please.

She will surely become your ally.

Aria Lilias?

Certainly, Aria had been supportive of Isaac, but…

However, if someone were to ask Isaac if she had provided enough help to be specifically mentioned in such a letter, he would have shaken his head.

In other words, this meant that there was something about Aria that Isaac did not know.

And upon seeing the name of the author in the last line.

Isaac's mind had to stop for a while.

Sincerely, Dorothy Gale.