Chapter 90

I was watching Kuna sleep peacefully in her room.

She has been bedridden for almost two days now.

After that, with the help of Yuri-senpai and Anne, we managed to return to the surface.

While heading for the surface, I asked Yuri-senpai several questions, but she didn’t answer any of them.

Moreover, the girl who was supposed to be the key to obtaining information was taken away by Yuri-senpai.

Yuri-senpai said that she is not an ally but an enemy.

That means she knows about the people who tried to kidnap Kuna.

I need as much information as possible to protect Kuna. I have to somehow get information from Yuri-senpai.

◇

“Sōji-kun.”

Kuna woke up at dusk.

“Good morning, Kuna. You really slept in.”

“Where am I?”

“This is your room. You’ve been bedridden for two whole days.”

Upon hearing my words, Kuna’s eyes widened in surprise.

“It’s been that long… I’m surprised you managed to carry me back.”

“Yuri-senpai came to help, and Anne did a great job too.”

“Yuri-senpai? I thought she wasn’t an ordinary person, but to come all the way to the ninth underground floor alone…”

“She did it almost without a scratch, not even out of breath. We aimed for the surface together, but she’s amazing. Probably stronger than me.”

I don’t know what kind of magic she’s using, but she’s disguising her true strength with a low rank.

Even in that state, she’s stronger than me. Her true strength is unknown.

“It would be a great help if she were an ally, but I don’t understand her.”

I agree.

She’s the one who provoked Clanel. I can’t let my guard down.

“Kuna, are you feeling any abnormalities in your body?”

“I’m fine. There are no particular problems… just a bit difficult to use magic.”

“That’s good. It seems you’ve been treated properly.”

“Did you heal me?”

“Yeah, your transformation put a lot of strain on your magic circuits. You said you couldn’t use magic for a while before, right? Looking back, you probably turned into a nine-tailed fox then too.”

“That’s true… Brother said my tails turned into nine and I went on a rampage… I did something bad to him.”

I chuckled.

If Kuna, in her nine-tailed fox form, went all out, it makes sense that Cyril was severely injured.

In my case, I was still regularly absorbing and releasing the corrupted magic, so it didn’t get that bad. If I had stored more corrupted magic, Kuna would have shown even more incredible power. …Cyril managed to stop such a Kuna. I’m a bit jealous.

“When you see your brother in Elsie, you should apologize.”

“Yes… but if Brother sees me showing weakness, he’ll definitely take advantage of it. He might even ask to pet my head.”

“That’s fine.”

“No way. Brother will hurt me.”

We laughed together.

“But I’m surprised. You couldn’t use magic for so long back then… to recover so quickly is amazing.”

“There are a few reasons. One is that when I treated you, I thoroughly optimized your magic circuits, making them more resilient. Another is that you were regularly releasing the corrupted magic. It was probably on a smaller scale this time. The fact that your consciousness wasn’t completely taken over might also be due to that.”

“That’s possible. But it’s thanks to Sōji-kun’s treatment. Thank you.”

Kuna tried to sit up in bed to bow, but she wobbled, and I quickly supported her. In the process, my jacket fell off.

“Are you okay, Kuna?”

“I’m fine. Sōji-kun, your body is covered in bandages, and there’s blood seeping through.”

“Yeah, when the protection ran out, I was burned by the miasma, and I got burned trying to save Kuna. It’s not something I want to show people.”

I was burned by the miasma while wearing the emblem armor and further burned by the flames when I embraced Kuna. My body is in a terrible state, but at least my face is unharmed. I put on my jacket to hide my bandaged body.

“It’s all because of me, Sōji-kun. Not only the physical scars, but your magic flow is also off. It’s usually so strong and clean, but now it’s weak and stagnant.”

“…It’s the aftereffect of using the [White Silver Fox] like Kuna. My body couldn’t handle it.”

“If Sōji-kun can heal Kuna’s magic circuits, can’t you heal yours?”

“It’s impossible. Healing magic circuits with magic is extremely dangerous. It will definitely affect the magic. I’m gradually improving my self-healing ability, but it’s difficult. I might not be able to do it.”

I didn’t tell Kuna, but it’s not just difficult.

As a magician, I’m effectively dead.

My instantaneous magic output has drastically decreased. I can use delicate and controlled magic like healing Kuna’s magic circuits, but with significant limitations.

To heal me, I would need a magician more skilled in healing magic circuits than me. Such a person doesn’t exist in this world.

“No, because of me, Sōji-kun… You said you wanted to become the world’s best magician… I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”

Kuna apologized, tears streaming down her face.

I sat on the bed next to her and pulled her into my arms.

“You don’t need to apologize. I knew about the burns and the damage to my magic circuits, but I still did it. If I could save Kuna, it was worth it. It’s all my responsibility. If you didn’t like it, I shouldn’t have saved you. I wanted you to live, no matter what happened to me.”

It’s the truth.

To say I have no worries about the future would be a lie.

I’ll suffer from the aftereffects of the miasma and burns, and I won’t be able to use magic properly.

“…Sōji-kun, let’s go to Elsie. Father might be able to help you. No, he definitely can. There’s nothing Father can’t do.”

I was a bit surprised. I was actually planning to suggest going to Elsie.

“I agree with going to Elsie, but not for my treatment. It’s for Kuna. We don’t know when they’ll come back. Cyril can protect Kuna. No, Kuna, it’s better for you to return to Elsie. You’ll be much safer there.”

Kuna’s shoulders, which I was holding, trembled.

“Does that mean we have to part ways, Sōji-kun?”

“No, I didn’t say that. We’ll just be apart for a while. I’ll come back for you when I’m strong enough to protect you.”

Kuna, who was in my arms, lightly punched my chest.

“I don’t want that. I don’t want to be separated from Sōji-kun. Why don’t you come to Elsie too? Let’s live in Elsie forever!”

Kuna continued to punch my chest like a child throwing a tantrum.

“That’s not possible. I want to get stronger. Strong enough not to make Kuna cry. There’s no underground labyrinth in Elsie, so I can’t do that. After I send Kuna to Elsie, I’ll return to Erin.”

With my limited magic and the aftereffects of the miasma and burns, the chances of me becoming that strong are low.

But I want to achieve it for Kuna.

“No, no, Sōji-kun.”

Kuna covered her face with her hands.

“I’m here to visit! Kuna-chan, and actually, Sōji-kun, who’s in worse shape than Kuna-chan!”

Yuri-senpai appeared in front of us, breaking the heavy atmosphere. She was holding a bouquet of flowers.

“Here, this is a get-well gift. And you two are making a big mistake! First, Sōji, there is an underground labyrinth in Elsie. Cyril keeps it secret, but it’s where the first seal broke and monsters poured out. The ‘Beginning Labyrinth.’ Didn’t you find it strange? That all members of Elsie’s strongest team, ‘Irrusa,’ are Rank 5? It’s impossible without an underground labyrinth they can use anytime.”

“Is that true?”

“It’s true. I know it well. After all, it’s… never mind. So, Sōji can get stronger in Elsie. Next, Kuna-chan’s misunderstanding.”

Yuri-senpai pointed at Kuna.

“Kuna-chan said Father might be able to heal you. That’s not true. He can definitely heal you. He has another self who can do it. So, go back to Elsie with peace of mind.”

I was relieved, though I didn’t understand what she meant by “another self.”

I thought Cyril might be able to help, but to heal burns, miasma burns, and magic circuits is great news.

This means I can still fight, protect Kuna, and aim for the strongest.

“So, I propose this: Let’s all go to Elsie, heal Sōji quickly, and under Cyril’s protection, increase our ranks to gain the power to fight them! And, Sōji and Anne, who isn’t here, you should also gain strength beyond just your ranks. Elsie, or rather, Cyril, can guide you. He’s a monster with a different level of life experience.”

Everything is perfect. The best possible outlook.

Yet, for some reason, I felt a nagging doubt.

“Why do you know all this? And why are you telling me?”

“Hm? I know because I’m related to Elsie. And I’m telling you because I want you to get stronger. Well, I’m off! By the way, everything’s fine at school. I’ve arranged for Anne’s sword ceremony to be counted as excused absence, and since it’s almost summer break, you can take a month off without any problems! Get stronger in that month and come back to the academy. Kuna-chan, when you return to Elsie, say hello to Cyril!”

And with that, she disappeared.

We were left in a daze.

◇

“Who is that person, really?”

“I don’t know either.”

“But we have no choice but to follow what Yuri-senpai said.”

“You’re right.”

Honestly, there’s no other option. I had already made a promise to go to Elsie with Cyril and Kuna, and to learn blacksmithing to make a sword for Kuna, so it’s convenient.

“But I’m relieved. I thought I had ruined Sōji-kun’s life.”

“I told you, even if my life is ruined, I’m glad you’re alive.”

Kuna’s face turned red.

“You’re serious, aren’t you?”

“I am. I’ve always been serious about liking Kuna.”

“…Then, I forgive you for the fox thing. I said it in the heat of the moment, but I like Sōji-kun. I thought I’d like someone who only looked at me, but I ended up liking Sōji-kun, who would definitely cheat. I knew I’d cry over women later, but I couldn’t help thinking I wanted it to be Sōji-kun.”

“That’s a pretty harsh evaluation!”

I couldn’t help but point out how harsh Kuna’s confession was.

“Since you did the fox thing, you have to take responsibility. You can’t pretend it never happened… The women thing is a weakness of love. I might forgive you if it’s just one person.”

Kuna looked up at me with her eyes, rubbing her tail against my waist.

“I won’t pretend it never happened. If you like me, I won’t let you go.”

I said firmly.

“Thank you, Sōji-kun. I love you.”

Kuna smiled, her sun-like smile that I love so much.

“To commemorate our hearts connecting, would you like to do a proper fox thing?”

“Of course, I’d like that.”

“Please show me your palm.”

“Like this?”

“Yes, that’s it. A proper fox thing is when a girl, of her own will, places her tail in the hand of the man she likes.”

As she said, Kuna placed her fluffy, adorable tail gently in my palm.

It was smooth, soft, and very comfortable.

“What do I do now?”

“If you like the girl, you gently hold her tail. Gradually apply more pressure and squeeze.”

I nodded, holding Kuna’s tail and gradually feeling the fur sink in.

Then, I felt the soft, firm resistance of Kuna’s tail, and as I applied more pressure, my hand sank into her tail.

“This is the proper fox thing. Now, I belong to Sōji-kun.”

Kuna blushed.

She was so cute that I kissed her.

Kuna was surprised, but she firmly returned the kiss.

I rubbed Kuna’s tail, and her face turned red. When she looked up, she let out a hot breath.

“Sōji-kun, you’re being rough with my tail.”

“I love Kuna.”

Then, I pushed Kuna down.

Chapter 3! The first part ends here!! From Chapter 4, the stage changes, and the story begins to move significantly. And there will be a lot of intense developments!

Thank you for reading this far.