Since ancient times, alcohol has been called the drink of truth.
It was a sentiment I could somewhat agree with.
I don’t particularly like taking the phrase “truth in drunkenness” too seriously, but I do agree with the fact that nothing beats alcohol when it comes to fostering a sense of closeness.
What she ordered wasn’t actually alcohol but a calming drink that helps with sleep.
In that sense, I suppose it would have a similar effect. I didn’t drink any of it.
Now that I knew Camilla and Awen were friends, I wanted to avoid getting close to Awen. Sure, she was talking badly about Camilla now, but no friendship changes that easily.
So the real issue was Awen, who had ended up drinking alone.
“…I can’ttt anymore… ugh…”
…Is this considered a strong tolerance?
Since it wasn’t alcohol, it was hard to predict. If I’d drunk with her, I could’ve had a better idea. A bit of a shame.
“……”
I left the collapsed Awen be and slowly started pouring for myself.
Despite not being alcohol, it was a high-quality drink that was enjoyable just from the taste. But it definitely didn’t give off the same buzz you get from being tipsy.
“Wow. What’s this? I thought you’d be out cold, Sir Adel.”
“…Sally. Weren’t you busy?”
“It’s starting to slow down. Everyone’s quietly drinking now.”
“I see. Want a drink?”
“Ooh!”
Sally took my glass and downed it in one go. Then she licked her lips and eyed the food. It was roasted chicken from a wood-fired oven.
“Sir Adel. But you didn’t drink this, did you?”
“How did you know?”
“I’ve got a good nose. Whether it’s alcohol or drinks like this, if you have enough, your body gives off a distinct scent. But you don’t have any scent at all!”
“I see. Guess I’ll have to watch out for that next time.”
“Huh? Sir Adel, you seem a bit down today… I got it! I know! The person you were hoping to make a move on passed out!”
For some reason, even Sally’s lively tone didn’t lift my spirits.
“…What kind of quiz is that?”
“Huh? It’s not that? Then maybe the person who was planning to make a move on you passed out? Are you the type who enjoys being on the receiving end?”
“Focusing on that part is already the wrong approach.”
“Ehh? But you totally seem like the type that would be popular with, like, busty older women. You’ve got that kind of face, you know?”
“Stop sexually harassing me…”
“Eh? How is that…?”
Sally’s gaze shifted to Awen, who was slumped over next to her. More specifically, to her chest.
Then she covered her mouth and began smacking her chair with her face turning red.
Her reaction was kind of irritating.
“S-See?! I was right!! About the big… you know, that kind of demand! That you’re the type who likes being on the receiving end! I got it all right! At this point, shouldn’t I be called Detective Sally?!”
“Every single thing you said is wrong, so be quiet.”
“E-Even if you try to switch targets to me, I’m not gonna play along, okay?! I’m the same age as you…17! There’s no market for that! I’m not older!”
“…I skipped a grade. I’m actually 16.”
“Hiiieeek?! S-Suddenly Sir Adel is starting to look really attractive!”
I paused for a moment, thinking of how to respond, then let out a quiet chuckle. The fact that she was being this dramatic probably meant she was trying to cheer me up in her own way.
“Thanks.”
“…Hmph.”
Still resting her chin on the table, she drained her glass and then reached out and held my hand.
“But what happened to your right hand? This isn’t just a normal injury.”
“Something happened.”
“Did you suddenly feel weird and punch a wall or something?”
“There’s a barb in your words.”
“……”
“……”
We looked at each other for a moment, then burst into laughter at the same time. It was a silly conversation.
“I should get going soon.”
“Ehh? Already?”
“If the person I came with is like this, it’s basically just me drinking alone. Could you handle the check?”
“If you mean the bill, the lady over here took care of it when you went to the restroom earlier.”
“I see.”
I helped Awen to her feet. Thanks to having raised my stats, she wasn’t too heavy.
“See you tomorrow.”
“Yeees~ Huh? The stairs are that way, you know? Weren’t you going to stay the night?”
…What does she take me for?
If I stuck around any longer, she might actually try to force a room key on me. I hurried out of there.
It was a bit far to walk all the way back to the academy while supporting someone, but I’d manage somehow.
If it got too hard, I could rent a carriage. There weren’t any that went from the outskirts to the city center, but going the other way should be fine.
“……”
I looked up at the sky. The moon was nearly full.
If it’s around this time… maybe the black market is open?
After thinking it through, it was indeed the right time for it to be in operation.
But right now, I was supporting Awen.
I’d have to save that for another time.
***
The road from the city center back to the academy was long. Walking it while supporting someone made it feel almost like a forced march.
◆ Stamina+1
Just this much to raise a stat… still a long way to go.
I walked along, occasionally dismissing the system messages that popped up in my vision.
Before I knew it, the buildings had disappeared, and we were walking across an open plain.
A night with darkness spread low across the land. Thanks to the occasional streetlamp and the moonlight, visibility wasn’t much of an issue.
Let’s just carry her a bit further and drop her off somewhere appropriate. As long as it’s within the academy grounds, it should be safe.
At that moment, I suddenly felt her weight lighten on my shoulder.
“You’re awake?”
“…Ah, yeah… So we’re heading back now. Sorry. I was the one who dragged you out, and then I fell asleep…”
“It’s fine. I didn’t get to exercise today anyway. Let’s just say I worked out.”
“…Hehe. Really…? You’re so diligent…”
“My stamina has increased exactly 2.5 times compared to back then.”
“Wow. That’s amazing…”
There was something faintly lonely about her laugh. Even though she was awake, she leaned into me and whispered,
“Then, since we’re already moving… mind if I stay like this a bit longer?”
“Whatever makes you comfortable.”
“Great…”
A long silence passed.
From the way she was trying to set the mood, she was probably building up to say something. I quietly waited for her to speak.
“Ah. It’s a full moon.”
“It’s not quite yet. It’s not completely full.”
“…I see. You know, there’s a story in the Empire: if you make a wish the day before the full moon, it’ll come true.”
“I didn’t know that.”
But I did. It was part of the lore in the game.
“The moon represents the goals we strive to achieve. Starting from the new moon… when no one even realizes the moon is there, it slowly waxes…until it finally becomes full…”
“Interesting.”
“Want to make a wish? I’ll make one too.”
Technically speaking, tonight was two days before the full moon.
Of course, I didn’t believe in superstitions like that. But in the end, it’s the feeling that matters.
“…Did you finish your wish?”
“Yeah. More or less.”
“…Alright. My wish is… don’t laugh, okay? World peace.”
“That’s a bit… grand.”
Awen whispered right next to my ear. Her breath carried a faint scent of alcohol.
“Remember that maid at the front gate who let us sneak out? She’s actually my older sister.”
“So that’s why she let you through.”
“Yeah. It’s a bit embarrassing, but… there are a lot of people like Alice in the Damir family. Half-siblings.”
“I’m listening.”
“Haha. No need to be that formal…”
“Then I’ll listen casually.”
“…When we were younger, we fought a lot. She’d throw nasty words like, ‘You’re just a concubine’s child’ or ‘illegitimate brat’… It got really bad. Then one time, I got seriously hurt.”
I didn’t respond. I stopped walking.
“But you know what? The people I used to hate and who hated me, too… when I actually got hurt, they didn’t know what to do. The younger siblings were so shocked they even cried… It’s kind of funny, right? Even though we hated each other, deep down, we still cared.”
“……”
“That’s why earlier, I got really mad. That the Adel I know…your own sister could pretend not to know you. I was so mad, I couldn’t see straight…”
“…Senior.”
“Hmm? Eek.”
I pulled Awen close. I whispered into her ear.
Crackle—
◆ Trait activation: [Shape Transformation]
◆ [Total Magical Structure Analysis] activated.
◆ Available mana: [1,290]
“Stop pretending you’re relaxed and start circulating your mana. Right now.”
“Wh-What, huh?”
“I won’t say anything since I enjoyed the mood too. But hurry.”
“W-Wha? H-Hey, what are you saying! Y-You knew?”
This is no time for sweet whispers.
I turned my eyes toward the academy’s front gate. We had arrived before I realized it.
“…Looks like something happened while we were gone.”
The front gate, which should’ve been brightly lit, was shrouded in quiet darkness.
There wasn’t even a single person guarding the entrance.
And that wasn’t all.
I reached out slowly into the air.
And there….though it should’ve been empty, I felt something.
A sensation, like touching a fluid.
“…What is this?”
“A barrier… a veil… Something of that sort.”
I closed my eyes.
My trait, [Total Magical Structure Analysis].
At first, I thought it was just an ordinary ability. But now, it’s different.
With around 20,000 hours of playtime, you start to notice things.
The scope of this trait is far broader than I first imagined.
If that’s the case—
If “Magical Structure” means the ability to analyze all magical phenomena and constructs—
Then this too should be analyzable.
Crackle—
◆ Analysis complete.
◆ Mana Interference Barrier — [Blackout Curtain]
So this is it.
And then, I finally saw it.
A faint, dome-shaped field covering the entire Tane Academy.
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