A Shura Field Explodes

In this season when even a gentle breeze can feel unbearably hot, and the sun is scorching and dazzling.

Having walked for more than half an hour from the quaint streets of the Royal Capital to reach this building, it was no exception.

It was an afternoon in July.

Mie brought Alice to the entrance of the Happy Group.

"Alice, this isn't a party place, this is the company, you'd better stick close to me!"

Mie placed his hand on the door, then turned back to give Alice a word of advice.

"Okay, Mie!"

Alice seems to be bored at the palace.

So much so that when Mie wanted to come to Happy Group to make some potions, Alice insisted on coming along.

Mie pushed open the heavy, solid mahogany door.

However.

She saw the scene in the hall.

The door slammed shut the next second.

Mie gripped the doorknob with both hands, seemingly still processing complex information.

"What's wrong, Mie?"

Alice asked, puzzled.

"I just realized that I've actually completed my task. Let's go back today."

Cold sweat began to break out on Mie's forehead.

"Since we're already here..."

"Alice, listen to me, I'll take you to other fun places."

"All right."

Hearing Alice's honest reply.

Mie finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The moment she pushed open the door, she saw such a bizarre scene that she immediately concluded it was a forbidden area that she must never enter.

"What the hell is that...?"

Mie muttered in a barely audible voice as he walked along, pinching the bridge of his nose.

She only remembered that there were six prominent figures in the hall just now.

The staircase leading from the second floor to the first floor.

Cornelia was holding Dekan with great affection.

Dekan was trembling with fear.

In the lobby on the first floor.

Croix was sweating profusely and desperately pleading for help with Dekan eyes.

Beside Croix, his childhood sweetheart Claire stood with her head tilted back, sobbing uncontrollably, heartbroken.

Ice Princess is singing on the second floor. No one knows what she's thinking or why someone is singing at this time.

Meanwhile, Judith, the former Saint Knight Captain, stood in the eye of the storm, looking completely bewildered.

The scene was extremely chaotic.

Everyone was acting like they'd gone mad.

But.

Mie deduced with certainty from the state of the group that this was not the effect of [Three-Corpse Berserk].

But she just couldn't understand what had happened to make things turn out this way.

She only knew that leaving was the best option.

Curiosity killed the cat...

Let's ask Tata again...

To understand why this happened, we need to go back to the afternoon of the previous day.

Let's rewind to 24 hours ago.

The college library was much emptier than usual during the holiday.

It was just another ordinary day.

Dekan and Cornelia sat at the small round table.

Occasionally, Croix and Mie will also appear.

However, none of them came today.

Having finally graduated successfully, Croix is now fully focused on his company affairs.

After all, the Kingdom Association Hero Festival, which was agreed upon earlier, was about to take place.

The girl group under Happy Group will also be participating, so Croix has a lot of work waiting for her.

Mie was almost inseparable from Princess Alice.

Alice seemed extremely bored during her vacation.

She needs Mie to be with her every day.

In a few more days.

Everyone will set off together for the southern Philoven Kingdom, the venue for the [Kingdom Association Hero Festival].

However, Dekan and Cornelia still have one more thing to prepare.

After Dekan finished the report, they faced the final exams they had missed because of the Shadow World.

In cases of absence from the exam, the school will arrange a special exam time for the student.

After tomorrow's exams, Dekan and Cornelia will finally be on vacation.

Cornelia had studied diligently before joining the Shadow World.

Now, let's take a second look.

Dekan observed that Cornelia had almost finished turning the pages of her notebook, waited a few seconds, and then asked:

Cornelia, are you free after your exams tomorrow?

Cornelia looked up at him:

"Um."

"Can you come with me?"

"Good."

The two did not linger in the library for long before leaving together.

The next day at noon.

The hill behind the school.

Under the sunlight, the flowers and plants shone with their usual bright colors.

Dekan and Cornelia sat on the grass, leaning against that familiar big tree.

Dekan originally wanted to ask Cornelia how her exam went first.

But after thinking about it...

The moment I saw Cornelia's expression after leaving the exam room, I knew she had done quite well.

Asking these questions only makes it seem like he's hiding something.

After a long silence, Dekan finally spoke:

"Although..."

"Um?"

Dekan's whispered words caused Cornelia to tilt her head involuntarily.

"Although, I haven't reached a conclusion yet..."

"Um."

"But I've gradually figured it out."

She waited quietly for him to continue.

He thought and thought for a while, and then said haltingly:

"I think, I probably want to stay with you forever, only you."

Dekan knew.

That's just how some things are.

When facing the people who are truly important to you.

Things that seem easy in your mind may become incredibly difficult when you get to the throat, like something stuck in your throat.

Whenever he watched Croix's love life with a detached, God-like perspective, he always found it incredibly simple.

Thinking about it now, Croix seems to be much braver than him.

In truth, Dekan hadn't really figured out what changes he hoped would occur in his relationship with Cornelia after he said something.

Perhaps he doesn't actually expect any change at all.

He simply didn't want every day he spent with Cornelia to be ruined.

That's all.

The Resurrection Church or any other church.

Whether it's the Northern Nations or the empire.

Even a tenth-tier Shadow World.

Dealing with them is all about protecting the peace and tranquility of myself and my friends every day.

And, the most important part of my daily life—the woman in front of me.

"I see."

To Cornelia, Dekan now looked like a dazed, clueless boy.

She couldn't help but laugh.

Because she finally understood how Dekan felt when he first met her.

So that's how Dekan saw himself back then.

Despite speaking haltingly.

Yet, surprisingly, they were able to understand what the other person meant.

But she is no longer the same as when she first arrived at the Havenlit Academy; she is now able to clearly express her thoughts.

"Sure, I'll stay by your side until you reach a final conclusion."

Cornelia felt relaxed, lightheaded, and overjoyed.

Although Dekan's expression was vague.

But she had fully received Dekan's signal.

She would wait for Dekan to figure everything out, resolve all the troubles, and make all the preparations before giving her the answer firmly and frankly.

Dekan nodded quietly.

"... I'm asking you, Dekan."

Cornelia's pulse was pounding rapidly.

"... What's up."

Is there anything else you want to tell me today?

When she asked this, Dekan immediately fell silent.

Cornelia: "Ah, of course, if you don't want to say, then never mind..."

"... Actually, I did do something to deceive you."

Dekan slowly shook his head at Cornelia had added a sentence, and said,

But I didn't really mean to deceive you.

"My initial motivation was simply that I didn't want you to be in a bad state before entering the Shadow World, and then get injured..."

"Later, I gradually lost the opportunity to be honest with you. The more I looked at you, the less I knew what to say."

That's all the reason.

Dekan whispered.

Dekan remained silent, seemingly waiting for Cornelia's reaction.

Cornelia sighed.

"--I'm very angry."

"What nonsense are you talking about? I wouldn't blame you," she complained.

Despite her inner thoughts, she didn't act as gently as she would with Dekan; instead, she spoke in a somewhat stern tone:

"But next time, and the time after that, as long as you tell me, I will understand."

His words still conveyed his heartfelt sentiments.

"--So, I won't hate you because of this."

She couldn't help but reveal a shy smile, like a flower bud blooming.

"That's good..."

Dekan breathed a sigh of relief.

Despite being in the wrong, Dekan was exceptionally gentle.

If Cat Teacher saw Dekan like this, she would definitely yell, "Where did you hide the real Dekan, meow?!"

Unfortunately, Dekan sent Cat Teacher away early today.

But—I haven't forgiven you.

Cornelia continued, feigning anger.

"You've deceived a girl's feelings."

"That..."

Like a harmless punch, Dekan couldn't dodge it.

Cornelia made Dekan feel even more guilty.

He looked at Cornelia.

Although no words were spoken.

But the expression on his face was one of resignation, as if to say, "Do whatever you want."

Cornelia, seeing that Dekan had turned out the way Cat Teacher had expected, couldn't help but reveal a sly smile. She took a deep breath and said:

"I want you to turn into Little Gray and stay with me all day."

Dekan: "Huh???"

"Is that not allowed...?"

Seeing that Dekan had crashed, Cornelia shook her head in disappointment.

"If Dekan isn't willing, then let's just forget about it..."

"If I agree to this request, will you forgive me?"

Dekan asked through gritted teeth.

He never expected Cornelia to make this request.

After confessing, his nature changed when he became Little Gray.

Without a doubt, this was a form of execution against him.

Cornelia would never come up with such a wicked idea.

There must be one, no, even several, strategists giving her advice!

"Okay, then let's call it even."

Cornelia nodded firmly.

"All right."

With no other choice, Dekan transformed into a gray Sprite Cat in front of Cornelia, under her gaze.

This feeling of lowered vision and lightness of body now felt like torture.

Cornelia quickly and happily picked up Little Gray.

"It's a promise, you're my Little Gray all day long, and you're not allowed to run away."

Cornelia's last four words seemed to reflect her lingering resentment over Little Gray's repeated escapes.

"Mmm..."

Dekan replied helplessly.

It's just a cat.

Should...

I hope nothing goes wrong...

Dekan tried to comfort himself.

And so that afternoon...

Cornelia happily carried Little Gray away from the school and walked along the streets of the Royal Capital.

It was much better than Dekan had imagined.

All I need to do is play the role of a gentle cat.

Yeah, it felt more like a date.

However, even when they went out together with Cornelia before, they weren't this close.

As Cornelia strolled around, she felt that this was the time when the sun was at its strongest, and decided to wait until the sunset before continuing to wander the streets of the Royal Capital. So Cornelia arrived at the Happy Group's mansion.

In summer, there is a global cooling device created by the Ice Princess.

It is a rare and refreshing place.

Upon entering the mansion, the oppressive heat of the Royal Capital seemed to be stripped away from the body, so comfortable that Little Gray couldn't help but roll over.

However, it immediately became alert.

Now it's a cat!

It has absolutely nothing to do with Dekan!

Cornelia, carrying Little Gray, had just arrived in the lobby on the first floor.

Her best friend, Morion's sister, the Genius Idol Girl Flora, skipped and hopped over.

Behind them followed little Tata, who was quite shy.

"Cornelia, is this the Little Gray you were talking about?"

As soon as Flora reached Cornelia, she eagerly reached out to touch Little Gray.

"!"

Cornelia suddenly turned to the side, hugging Little Gray like a protective mother, preventing Flora from touching it.

"Waaaaah... Cornelia, you've changed."

Flora was a little sad.

Although she didn't actually cry, she was already making the gesture of wiping away tears.

"I'm sorry, Little Gray doesn't like being touched by other people. It only doesn't flinch when I touch it..."

Cornelia quickly reached out a hand to check if Flora was really crying.

Cornelia's words sounded like an excuse.

But it is indeed the truth.

Apart from Cornelia, any girl who tries to touch Dekan will cause Dekan to flinch and become highly wary.

"Oh, I see... I'm sorry, I scared Little Gray."

Flora immediately understood after hearing Cornelia's explanation and seeing the slightly agitated Little Gray.

Flora and Cornelia chatted as they walked up the stairs to the second floor.

"Little Gray is truly amazing..."

Flora exclaimed.

Aside from the Cat Teacher, she had never seen Sprite Cat willing to be so close to Cornelia.

The other cats aren't afraid of ordinary people, but they are afraid of Cornelia.

This Little Gray one was the only one who wasn't afraid of Cornelia, but was afraid of everyone else.

Uh, look closely at Little Gray's expression, it doesn't seem like it's scared, but rather disgusted...

Even though Little Gray doesn't let me touch it.

But it's still okay to take a look.

So, Little Gray, somewhat resigned to his fate, was watched by Flora and Tata Cornelia asserted her dominance over him.

What a public execution!

Dekan closed his eyes, thinking painfully.

Fortunately, no one knew that Little Gray was actually transformed by himself.

Only Cat Teacher, Mie, Croix, and Ice Princess know.

Cat Teacher, as the culprit, already had an absolute confidentiality agreement with him.

Mie had seen Dekan the gray cat and the Cat Teacher directly in Dekan's dormitory and quickly guessed that this was Dekan in disguise.

Croix witnessed Dekan turning into Little Gray while Dekan was fighting Isabel on the outskirts of Tristin.

Mie and Croix are close friends and would not betray him.

He had saved Ice Princess's life, so she probably wouldn't either.

Etc!

There seems to be one more person.

Dekan suddenly remembered a serious problem.

After defeating Evans in Tristin, Dekan demonstrated [Transformation: Sprite Cat] and [Blood Purification] to Judith at the Lord's Mansion to prove his innocence.

At the time, Dekan didn't think too much about it.

He believed that Judith would never see him turn into Little Gray.

But.

At this moment, this loophole that was unintentionally left behind years ago has become the biggest threat to Dekan's social career!

If Judith saw Cornelia holding a blue-eyed gray Sprite Cat...

Even if she's slow to react, she'll immediately realize that the cat is Dekan!

Then everything would truly be over!!

Little Gray started to shrink its head in fear.

Disguising itself as a gray, fluffy ball of fur whose head cannot be seen.

You absolutely must not run into Judith...

Dekan prayed silently.

However, Cornelia seemed to sense the kitten's reaction in her arms.

"Little Gray, are you cold?"

Cornelia leaned down and whispered in Little Gray's ear.

She assumed the cat was uncomfortable because the temperature in the mansion was too low.

However, Little Gray did not respond.

Little Gray didn't dare to speak in front of the younger sisters.

Just pretend I'm cold.

Dekan thought to himself.

"Flora, how can I turn the temperature up a bit?"

Cornelia, seeing that Little Gray didn't respond, looked at Flora.

"Hmm, just look for Ice Princess, she should be in that room."

Flora pointed to the room at the top of the stairs on the second floor.

This room appears to be a soundproofed room used for karaoke practice.

Due to the presence of a soundproof barrier.

Even if you knock on the door from the outside, the person inside won't hear you.

So Flora immediately shut down the room's soundproof barrier as soon as she arrived at the door.

Suddenly, the Ice Princess's singing could be clearly heard from outside the room.

"Ice Princess! Could you please turn the temperature up a bit?"

Flora shouted.

However, Ice Princess seemed to be practicing the song with complete concentration.

Even after the soundproof barrier was closed, the room was still filled with the accompaniment from the speakers and the voice of the Ice Princess herself.

Ice Princess didn't hear what Flora was saying outside.

"Let's wait until she finishes singing this song."

Cornelia listened to the Ice Princess's singing coming from inside the room and said...

Ice Princess seems to be singing a somewhat melancholic love song.

She was completely absorbed and poured her emotions into it.

It was hard to interrupt her.

So the three of them and the cat stood outside the door, enjoying the beautiful singing of the Ice Princess.

Cornelia: "She's really amazing; she can sing so well in such a short time."

Flora: "Yes, Ice Princess is very serious about everything she does, and Flora likes her very much."

Tata: "Me too!"

Just as the three were chatting idly...

After singing a verse, Ice Princess sighed to herself and raised her head.

However, the next second...

Her gaze was drawn to the three people outside the glass window.

It seems someone is waiting for me.

Just as Ice Princess was about to stop her singing practice and leave the room.

He hadn't even stood up yet.

Her gaze was fixed on the gray fur ball in Cornelia's arms.

This wisp of gray sparked her imagination.

However, she immediately realized that she was overthinking things.

But thinking about it carefully, why did Cornelia come, but Dekan didn't?

Cornelia had a gray Sprite Cat in her arms.

She used a little Magic Power to probe.

With just a simple Magic Power analysis, she discovered...

This was the elven magic she was familiar with—[Transformation: Sprite Cat]

In other words...

This gray cat is not a real Sprite Cat.

"Hiss..."

In an instant, Ice Princess understood everything.

The cat in Cornelia's arms is indeed Dekan...

They are indeed inseparable...

Ice Princess's eyes reddened slightly.

Although she wanted to quickly look away from the Little Gray, knowing that every extra glance was torture, she couldn't help but look again.

It's a mixture of envy and helplessness.

"I can only watch your life as a passerby, feeling heartbroken that your joys and sorrows are none of my concern...♫"

Ice Princess picked up the microphone again, held back her tears, tried her best not to feel the stinging in her nose, and continued singing.

For her, the best option was to pretend she didn't see it.

Otherwise, what if Dekan realizes that he has discovered his true identity?

He'll be embarrassed.

And looking like this, he wasn't sure if he would cry when he actually saw Cornelia.

Ice Princess chose to dodge.

Even liking you can only be done secretly...♫

As they sang...

The already heartbreaking love song, when tinged with the helpless sobs of the Ice Princess, became even more tear-jerking.

"Ice Princess, why did she change her tune?"

"Completely driven by emotion, abandoning all technique, has the Ice Princess finally reached this level?"

Flora and the other two admired the beautiful singing of the Ice Princess from outside the door.

For a moment, she closed her eyes and became even more unwilling to leave.

Dekan didn't know why Ice Princess's singing had suddenly improved.

But he felt that every minute and every second was torture.

The longer I stay here...

The higher the probability of encountering Judith.

If I hadn't run into Judith today, I would have been completely doomed.

Moreover, the Ice Princess's singing voice is truly heartbreaking.

I really don't know what she's been through to be able to perform a song like this.

This made Dekan's already painful situation even more agonizing.

Just when time seemed to stretch endlessly in Dekan's hands.

The door to the lobby on the first floor was pushed open.

Croix and Judith are back.

They appeared to have just gone out together.

They were chatting and laughing as soon as they walked in.

Sent...

Dekan felt his body grow cold.

In the end, did they still not escape this calamity?

Karma...

However, when Croix walked to the center of the hall...

He looked up at Cornelia and the others at the top of the stairs on the second floor.

He frowned.

They seemed to have noticed the Little Gray in Cornelia's hand.

And there was the way it huddled up tightly, trembling.

Croix instantly understood the whole situation.

Dekan needs rescue!

"Judith, let's go for another walk outside!"

Croix quickly said to Judith.

Judith must not be allowed to see the Little Gray up close!

Dekan, on the second floor, heard Croix's words from the lobby on the first floor and immediately felt a renewed sense of hope.

Good brother!

I need you to save my life!

"Don't you think it's a bit hot? And listen to Ice Princess's singing, it's so beautiful."

However.

Judith was already captivated by the Ice Princess's singing and had no desire to go out into the scorching sun. She wanted to stay in the cool mansion and quickly headed towards the stairs.

Croix sensed his brother was doomed and, in a moment of desperation, came up with a brilliant idea.

"Etc!"

I don't know if Croix has always been this brave.

It was all to save his brother.

He suddenly reached out and grabbed Judith's hand, pulling her closer to him.

Until he held her in his arms.

Judith took about a second to react.

"You! What are you doing!"

Her face immediately turned bright red.

She clearly hadn't anticipated Croix's tough stance.

Croix had always been very polite to her.

He is an absolutely perfect gentleman.

Although they had been chatting happily for a long time, they had never even held hands.

What's more, by the time Judith realized the problem, she found herself already in Croix's arms.

The two remained close together.

I could even feel the atmosphere.

Even if Croix kisses him.

It was simply going with the flow.

Judith's heart was pounding.

Although reason told her she should push away this seventh-tier mage whose power was far less than hers.

But she ultimately closed her eyes as if possessed.

This presents a difficult problem for Croix.

He hadn't expected things to develop this way.

Just as Croix hesitated whether or not to kiss him.

A sound caught his attention.

"Thump."

That's the sound of something falling at the doorway.

At the doorway, Claire, who had just entered, stood with her hands raised empty.

She stared blankly at Croix Judith, who seemed to have either already finished kissing or hadn't even started yet.

The small tin box that was in his hand had fallen to the ground.

Dekan secretly raised his head and glanced at the first floor.

This scene.

This is my second playthrough.

It was even more exciting than the first playthrough.

Croix truly lived up to his reputation as a close friend.

It's like he shielded someone from an atomic bomb.

Dekan felt very guilty towards Croix and his childhood sweetheart Claire.

However, once the first floor of the mansion becomes a battlefield, the perilous situation on the second floor Dekan, is naturally overlooked.

Claire will probably run away crying in a minute.

Then Croix continued to attract Judith's attention.

Judith had no interest in this matter.

Let's reenact the classic act from last time.

The Dekan crisis is now completely resolved!

However.

First floor.

Claire bit her lip, seemingly holding back tears, and bent down to pick up the small tin box.

Then.

And so, step by step, he walked to Croix and Judith's side.

She remained silent with her head down for a while.

Seeing Claire so close, Croix couldn't bear to hold Judith any longer.

Or perhaps Judith was too embarrassed and pushed him away first.

The two finally separated.

"This, this is from your father, your Uncle Border Guard. He heard you reached the seventh rank and wasn't going home for the holidays, so he asked me to bring this to you..."

Claire's tears streamed down her face, but she still managed to finish the sentence, albeit haltingly, like a wronged child.

Croix's father seemed to have favored the marriage between Croix and Claire from a very early stage.

So after learning about Claire's situation...

I still want to help Claire a little.

"Claire... what's wrong...?"

Croix, flustered and bewildered, asked.

He had never seen Claire like this before.

She, who always seemed to have a hard shell, was surprisingly soft and vulnerable.

Croix's gentle question only made Claire feel more heartbroken.

She knew it wasn't Croix's fault.

She felt mostly regret.

She wanted to say something, but felt overwhelmed by an ocean of guilt, and didn't know where to begin.

Moreover, it felt as if there was no air left in my lungs, and I couldn't utter a complete sentence.

"Call--"

Claire took a deep breath.

At least, she didn't want Croix and Judith to see her in this embarrassing state again.

"I'm actually really okay...♫"

Claire had originally wanted to compose herself to recover from her outburst.

I heard the Ice Princess singing coming from the second floor.

That heart-wrenching sound, like a biting wind amidst ice and snow, chilled and resonated in her heart.

It was as if this song was sung for her.

The singer's voice is full of stories.

Just hearing that voice made Claire feel an overwhelming surge of emotions welling up inside her, which she could no longer control.

Suddenly, Claire couldn't hold back her tears and burst into tears like a child.

"This..."

This completely stumped Croix.

He finally realized it.

He originally intended to save Dekan.

I didn't realize I was also a clay idol crossing the river!

This is really bad.

These two best buddies are going to die together!

Then.

In this mansion.

It's trapped in a nightmarish cycle.

Croix frantically signaled to Dekan for help, as Dekan was now the only one who could save him.

Dekan, increasingly afraid of Judith's attention, began to bury his head in the sand, curling up in Cornelia's arms and trembling.

Cornelia mistakenly thought Little Gray was cold, so she hugged it even tighter.

Through the window, Ice Princess saw Cornelia lovingly embracing Little Gray. Tears welled up in her eyes and finally fell as she cried and sang.

As Claire listened to the Ice Princess's heartbreaking singing, she completely broke down and cried harder and harder.

Judith stood in the middle, looking at everyone with a puzzled expression, and finally could only stare at Croix for an answer.

To Croix's left was his childhood friend, crying like a child, seemingly fragile at the slightest touch; to his right was Judith, staring intently at him. His composure crumbled, and he could only anxiously look to Dekan for help...

"..."

Flora and Tata exchanged a glance.

Although they didn't quite understand the origin of this hellish scroll.

But Flora knew.

When two chaotic situations meet, it's generally not a scary thing.

However, when two chaotic battlefields collide, they also produce interconnected chemical reactions.

Unpredictable.

It exploded immediately.