Meanwhile, Yujin who had vanished from Reina’s sight was now standing in the girls’ dormitory. This was an area considered strictly off-limits to men at the academy.
It wasn’t because he had any particular hobby of sneaking into the girls’ dorms; rather, he was there for a single purpose.
That purpose was none other than treating Elicia von Arcedium, the second princess of the Arcedium Empire.
Though calling it “treatment” wasn’t entirely accurate, the ultimate goal was to resolve the princess’s current predicament, so it wasn’t entirely incorrect either.
This was something for which Yujin had already received prior approval from the Headmistress. Well, to be precise, it wasn’t so much “approval” as it was a request.
– Princess Elicia is in a situation where she cannot freely walk about outside. So, if I may impose, could you personally visit her, Yujin?
The flower blooming in Elicia’s right eye was the mark of a demon. Even if she covered her eye with something like an eyepatch, rumors about a defect in the princess’s body would spread, which would not be good for her.
The imperial family was regarded as a sacred existence. If word spread that a member of this revered lineage was one-eyed, it would deal a huge blow to the divine image of imperial blood.
Of course, to Yujin who had lived in the modern world, the notion that even personal imperfections had to be hidden because of a class-based society seemed utterly absurd.
Well, I can at least understand the desire to keep a disability hidden. Besides, this isn’t the kind of place where I can just force a modern way of thinking.
In any case, Yujin was someone who now lived in this world, and as such, he had come to accept that he needed to respect its culture and ideologies to some extent.
Even if he didn’t fully connect with notions like the dignity of the imperial family on an emotional level, he could understand it intellectually. For that reason, he agreed to handle this matter discreetly.
And so, here he was now, standing in front of the princess’s room.
He thought to himself:
Wow, I hate to say this, but this really does feel like some kind of secret rendezvous. A professor sneaking into the girls’ dormitory just to meet a student? Normally, I’d have no excuse if someone decided to lop my head off.
[…You’re not here for a secret rendezvous. You’re here to solve that princess’s problem, aren’t you?]
Tiamat’s voice stressed the word “problem” and Yujin shrugged his shoulders in response.
I’m just saying it feels that way. I did sneak into the dorms without anyone noticing, didn’t I?
[…Do you perhaps have feelings for the girl? Why do your thoughts keep leaning in that direction?]
Huh?
Yujin tilted his head. He was puzzled by Tiamat’s unusually sullen tone and voice.
…Tia, are you perhaps jealous?
[Wh-What…]
Tiamat flinched at his question, almost as if he had hit a nerve.
[Wh-What are you suddenly talking about? Jealous? Me? Why would I ever be jealous…]
You’re not?
[Wh-What would I even be jealous of? What could that girl possibly have that I don’t? Sure, I’m in this state right now, but I was once the queen of dragons. Compared to mortals, and even to other transcendent beings, I’m second to none.]
That’s true, I suppose. But you seem particularly sensitive to the idea of secret rendezvous and the like… If I’m wrong, I apologize.
Yujin, not having much experience with women’s jealousy, let it go with an awkward shrug. It wasn’t that he fully accepted Tiamat’s denial; he just decided to take her at her word and move on.
[J-Jealous? Me? What nonsense are you talking about…]
On the other hand, Tiamat herself was feeling confused. Though she wasn’t fully aware of it, Yujin’s words had struck a nerve.
Tiamat, who had never experienced being close to a man, didn’t understand how the emotional exchanges she had experienced since bonding her soul with Yujin had affected her.
Unlike her time as the leader of transcendent beings, where she lived as a solitary and exalted being, the time she had spent as just “Tiamat” with Yujin ….the time they spent laughing together, sharing deep conversations, and exchanging heartfelt moments had become precious and blissful to her.
Was that why? When Yujin jokingly mentioned secret rendezvous and such, she found herself reacting more sensitively than she intended. It felt like someone else might steal away the time she spent with him, giving rise to a faint, unpleasant feeling she couldn’t quite place.
Of course, Tiamat herself wasn’t consciously aware of this.
But Yujin wasn’t thinking along those lines at all.
Tia.
[M-Mhmm?]
As I’ve said before, I truly treasure the time I spend with you. To me, Tia, you’re incredibly important. If I had to put it into words, I’d say you’re like family to me.
[!]
So don’t worry too much. In my heart, you’ll always be my top priority.
[Oh, I… uh… ah…]
At Yujin’s sudden words, spoken with a smile, Tiamat felt her mind go completely blank for a moment. It was as if her ability to form coherent speech had broken down, and she began stammering incoherently. Despite being in a state similar to that of a spirit, her face had turned red, making it clear how flustered she was.
[Wh-What are you saying all of a sudden…? Y-You really…]
Haha, just think of it as my honest feelings. It’s a bit embarrassing to say, but it’s better than not expressing my true emotions at all, isn’t it?
Though Yujin himself wasn’t aware of it, this trait of his resembled that of his parents. His tendency to avoid deflection and speak his mind directly and honestly when it mattered.
Well then, shall we get to work?
The chat with Tiamat had gone on long enough. Yujin realized it was about time to help Elicia.
Knock, knock.
He knocked on Elicia’s door.
From beyond the door, a clear, melodic voice called out.
“…Who is it?”
“It’s Professor Han Yujin, Your Highness. I’ve come to check on your condition. Do you have a moment?”
“…Professor? P-Please wait just a moment!”
With that, the sound of hurried footsteps approaching the door could be heard.
Bang!
And there stood Elicia. Her graceful beauty still seemed at odds with her martial strength.
“P-Please, come in.”
“Alright, then. Excuse me.”
At her invitation, Yujin stepped lightly into her dormitory room.
The room was the same as it had been the day before.
Like before, Yujin took a seat on the sofa in the center of the dormitory’s living room, and Elicia sat down across from him.
Yujin broke the silence.
“It’s been since yesterday morning, hasn’t it? Have you been well in the meantime?”
“…Yes, thanks to you, Professor Yujin, I was able to rest peacefully for the first time in a while.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Your complexion does seem to have improved quite a bit.”
“R-Really? To be honest, I didn’t expect you to come today, so I haven’t even had time to prepare to greet you, let alone do something as basic as washing up…”
“Haha, there’s no need for that. You’re already plenty beautiful as you are, Your Highness.”
“!”
At Yujin’s words, spoken with a smile, Elicia flinched involuntarily and quickly lowered her head. Her face was bright red.
She had heard the word “beautiful” countless times before to the point of exhaustion, but hearing it from the man in front of her somehow made it sound infinitely sweeter.
Thump! Thump!
Even though she knew he wasn’t some prince on a white horse out of a fairy tale, her heart pounded strangely hard, as though it were malfunctioning.
Why was this happening?
“Other than that, are there any issues? Any physical discomfort, or perhaps disturbances from the sealed demonic power?”
“N-No, there’s nothing like that.”
At Yujin’s question, Elicia quickly shook her head, and Yujin nodded his head.
“I see. In that case, we can probably start today.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“I mean the training to control the demonic power residing within you, Your Highness. Of course, we’ll begin with adjusting to the energy and stabilizing it so it doesn’t overwhelm you.”
“…I see.”
At Yujin’s explanation, she opened her mouth as though to say something but closed it again repeatedly. After a moment of hesitation, she asked,
“…So, this is training to truly become a demon, isn’t it?”
“In a way, yes.”
Yujin acknowledged it nonchalantly, then turned to Elicia, whose inner turmoil was evident, and asked her,
“Does it make you uncomfortable?”
“…To be honest… yes, it does.”
Elicia responded with a bitter smile.
“As you know, Professor Yujin… demons are vile transcendents filled with deceit and malice. There’s even a doctrine in Pantheism that says that mortal malice was created by the demonic power of demons during the creation of the world.”
“……”
“I’m scared… scared that I’ll become just as despicable as them. That I’ll end up losing even the love I have for the family who believes in me and turn into a monster.”
“Your Highness.”
Yujin smiled faintly at those words and looked at Elicia.
“Do you remember the contract you made with me?”
“…That…”
“I promised to solve your problem. It was a contract to help you remain entirely yourself.”
Yujin opened his eyes as he said that. Elicia instinctively gasped as she caught sight of them.
Vertical pupils like an abyss ripped open, and devilish red eyes that shone like rubies.
They were the exact same eyes she had seen right after he had sealed her demonic power the last time.
Elicia found herself staring at them, utterly entranced.
“Princess Elicia.”
And then, Yujin spoke again.
“You might not trust me. It’s hard to believe that the only way to survive is to become a demon… Even I wouldn’t blame you for doubting it. Perhaps you even think I’m scheming to turn you into a demon for my own ends.”
“I… I wouldn’t go that far…”
“But, Your Highness, you cannot let yourself fall into despair.”
Yujin firmly cut her off as she fumbled to explain herself.
“Your Highness, you must believe in yourself. And if you can’t, then at least hold on to the faith your family has in you and use it to endure.”
“……”
“As I’ve told you before, your greatest enemy is another version of yourself.”
With those words, Yujin reached out toward her right eye. His fingers brushed against the petal of a flower.
“And if you lose to that self, Your Highness, you will die.”
“…….!”
“The self you are now will vanish, and a new self will be born in its place. A self that is fully demonic. Can you accept that?”
“…I… I…”
“I won’t let that happen.”
“!?”
At Yujin’s resolute declaration, Elicia looked directly at him.
He stared at Elicia with a rare expressionless face.
With those deeply crimson eyes, as if blood were tangled and clinging together.
“Your Highness.”
“……”
“I will do my utmost to help you. I will make sure that your sense of self remains intact and guide you to become a transcendent being more human than anyone else. That is the contract.”
“Professor…”
“This is a contract, but it is also a promise. Even if you fail and fall to the very depths of that abyss… I will find a way to pull you back up.”
As Yujin said this, he smiled once more and asked,
“Does hearing that make you feel even a little better?”
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