Chapter 13
As expected of the most luxurious inn in town.
There were even separate baths for men and women.
And to my surprise, they were filled with actual hot water.
Maybe it's because I usually rely on purification magic, or maybe it's just my ingrained frugality, but soaking in the bath made me anxious that I might dirty the water.
...That was a lie.
I wasn't anxious at all—in fact, my mind was completely occupied with the reality that I'd be spending the night sharing a room with Erika Solnzari.
What should I do?
Maybe I should try making conversation so she doesn't get bored?
Not to brag, but I've got absolutely zero topics in stock that women might enjoy.
I've heard that talking about flowers and plants can be a hit—maybe I should go with medicinal herbs?
No, that's not going to work. I'm not confident I can stretch herb talk for an entire night. Maybe I should mix in something about tree shapes that can be used for traps?
No, that's definitely a bad idea, I tell myself.
Not to brag, but ever since I entered the academy at twelve, I've never been popular with girls—not even a single "normal" female friend. It's hopeless from the start.
I was aware that I was thinking about all this nonsense just to avoid facing reality.
But I also knew that if I didn't, I wouldn't even be able to look her in the face.
That must be why—why the moment I opened the door, still clinging to the idea that maybe if I spiced it up with seasonal herbs it'd be okay, I was so stunned by the sight that hit me like a sneak attack, I forgot not just words but how to think.
She was simply beautiful.
Dressed in the inn's provided sleepwear, her damp post-bath hair catching the night air on the balcony—she was simply beautiful.
I couldn't see her face from behind, but I could tell she was relaxed, wrapped in that golden mana of hers.
As if drawn in, I stepped up beside her.
Back at the academy, I couldn't look at her head-on, so I always tried to be at her side just to catch a glimpse of her profile.
Compared to those days, we were standing much closer now.
And that's how I realized—she wasn't relaxed at all.
She was staring out at the dimly lit town, deep in thought.
Suddenly, I wanted to know what Erika Solnzari was thinking about.
Was it about the academy?
Her estranged family?
The ones who exiled her?
Or maybe her best friend, the Priestess of Light?
Whatever it was, I wanted to listen and respond to her.
Whether it was worries, complaints, anxiety about the future, or hopes and dreams—
I wanted to hear her out and give her an answer.
I wanted to tell her, "You've got me."
"Shin Longdagger."
She suddenly called my name, and I remembered how to breathe.
You could say I came back to my senses.
My heart was pounding out of control, and I could barely breathe.
This is bad, I thought, and forced myself to look away from her profile and back toward the town.
I tried to calm down by watching the cobbled streets lit by scattered streetlamps.
Since our room was on the fourth floor, we had a clear view of the quiet town.
Count the cobblestones—counting helps people calm down, or so an older adventurer once told me.
Just as I desperately tried to calm myself, a hesitant voice and a faint gaze came from beside me.
"Is it your first time too?"
First time what?!