Not wanting to give her words time to settle deeply in their minds, I scrambled to reply. I need to begin damage control before someone — my gaze inadvertently shot to Kereth — started to feel bad.

He really looked like he was going to cry. This poor man, what did he do to deserve that?

“What would I be able to help with, Heira? Did you lose your mind after getting scolded too much? If we’re discussing a lack of education, I should be at the forefront of your mind, shouldn’t I?” Baffling was the only way I could describe what she had just said. I mean, obviously if I wanted to entirely break any form of logical circumstance and just start giving out all the knowledge I learned in that past, then sure, I could help them with their homework.

But how would that help me? Inviting suspicion on myself would only wind up with me being sent off out of concern for their wellbeing. My intentions seemed innocent right now, like someone who was just trying to fit in after being sent to live with his relatives. But if it was revealed I had knowledge of this world, that I knew about the factions and political rivalries that suffocated the people of the continent?

There would be no hope for me, I was certain. Doubt would be placed on my every move at the very least, and it’s hard to even begin to fathom the damage that would do to my ability to go out and about. I needed to be able to go where I want, when I want, when the time comes. It was the only way I’d have any chance at stopping the deaths of everyone on the planet without involving anyone else.

“Think logically, Heira. A single second will do,” I chastised. While it might not be a good idea to speak down to a saint, what do I care? I don’t think I would get more than a warning for it at the very most. I could put up with that much if it set everyone back on track from the goddamn bomb she just set off for no good reason.

Who the hell just calls someone else uneducated like that? I glanced again at Kereth, gauging his reaction.

Seeing the tears in his eyes, I wish I hadn’t.

“Umm, I guess you’re right? I dunno, you just seem kinda smart to me. Like you’d know the answer to any question I had, that sorta thing!” She giggled at her own words, rubbing the back of her head like she was embarrassed. This brat, did she still not realize what she had just said?

“Heira,” Father Kereth interrupted our little conversation.

“Yes, Father!”

“See me after class.”

“Yes, Father! Umm, did I do something wrong?”

…

No one bothered replying. Sometimes it’s better that way.

Ignoring Milet as she stood in the back dry heaving, while simultaneously trying to keep quiet enough that no one else heard, I tried to get things back on track.

“I don’t mind if anyone comes to me with a question that you think I’d actually know the answer to, but don’t expect much out of me. Try to keep it simple. I’m a simple guy, after all.” Hoping that would set things back on track, I cleared my throat before continuing. “Is there anything else? I’ve already eaten up enough of your classes time I think, Father Korrinn. I don’t want to impose much more.”

“You’re not imposing, Rain. It was the saints’ that wanted to host this little event, and I myself thought it was a good idea. I’d like it if everyone in our humble Church could get along without issues.” I don’t think he’ll like the mess I make while they’re gone in that case, but I’ll figure some way out to smooth it over. Nothing a little gaslighting and manipulation can’t solve, right?

As I had such thoughts, another hand in the middle of the room shot up.The last saint I had yet to talk to, and also the quietest of the bunch. Her chestnut brown hair flowed smoothly down her back to her waist, a shy expression plastered on her face as I looked at her. Her green eyes quivered, almost like she would cry in fear if I kept looking at her. She was a girl of few words. So few, in fact, that she started whispering to Cleo, who sat right in front of her, instead of telling me her question herself.

“Excuse me sir, but would it be appropriate for me to tell you in Anise’s stead? She’s not good at talking to new faces,” Cleo requested. I replied with a brief ‘sure’ as she started detailing her question.

“Anise wants to know what your favorite hobby is. She also wanted to let you know that she really enjoys drawing, and that if you ever want a picture you can let her know.”

I knew a little about Anise, but not much. I wasn’t even aware that she enjoyed drawing until today. Looking at the childish painting in the back, it felt fair to assume that it was something that was drawn by her as well. It was cute, a simple drawing of a starry sky with many people, surrounded by buildings, looking up at it. While not particularly detailed, it evoked a fluffy feeling in my chest while also eliciting curiosity as to who the subjects of the drawing were. It didn’t seem like it was the inhabitants of the Church of Prayer and Hope, at least.

“I’m not particularly savvy when it comes to art, but it’s something I enjoy looking at from time to time. I assume that you’re the one who did the pieces hung up around the halls, right?” At my words she shyly bobbed her head up and down. I couldn’t help but be reminded of a lure cast out to sea with the way she moved.

“I can at least say I like those that I’ve seen here. Your fantastical art evokes a healthy fascination in those viewing it, while also serving to cheer them up. Well, to put it simply, they’re very cute. I’d be happy to request a piece from you in the future, Anise. Thank you.” Someone fix my goddamn facial muscles already, please? Do you know how many times I’ve tried to smile only to fail? A gaunt-looking idiot like me just seems like a weirdo if he says all that stuff with a straight face.

While I was busy lampooning, a bright smile bloomed on Anise’s face. Had I stoked her curiosity because I was staring at the painting in the back the entire time? It wasn’t important, but my mind loved to wander.

Having answered a question from everyone, I figured it was best to give my closing regards and let them continue class. However, as I began formulating it in my mind, another hand shot up.

“Umm…” I looked Kereth in his eyes. His wriggling smile, reminiscent of a worm, made him look like he would burst into a fit of sobbing at any moment, but he still called attention to himself.

“Y-yeah, Kereth…?”

“R-rain… How, umm, how do you not get bothered by things people say…?”

“...”

“...”

“...”

“Rain…?”

With his whimper, uproarious laughter erupted from the back of the class. I wanted to glare at the culprit, but—

Honestly, I’m just surprised she held it in for this long.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

***

Deigning not to answer Kereth’s question, hoping to let him keep some twisted form of his leftover dignity, I solemnly bid farewell to the saints and headed downstairs to the kitchen. I grabbed the last two apples out of the basket still sitting in the common room to snack on, and poured myself some water in a glass from the magical cooling device. Satisfied with my haul, I started heading upstairs to my room.

“Hey, droopy-eyes. You did pretty well, surprisingly. I thought you’d flop around like a fish outta water, but you handled yourself just fine!” As I was walking down the first floor hall, I passed by Milet. I wasn’t sure if she was trying to encourage or demean me.

“No thanks to you, of course. Did you really have to ask about my dating preference, of all things?” I turned back to face her as we passed each other.

“What? I can’t be a little curious? What if I wanted to ask you out on a date? Wouldn’t it be helpful to know how you’d prefer I act?” She brushed her bangs to the side, giving me a better look at her eyes. My breath caught for a moment, seeing her blue eyes stare into mine from this close. How embarrassing.

“I’d prefer you didn’t, it’s a waste of time. You don’t actually expect me to believe that, do you?” I sighed as I spoke, feeling bad at how callous I was. While what I said was the truth, I didn’t enjoy this sort of reprimanding, even if she was just joking around.

“Aww, how can you call it a waste of time when we haven’t even tried? What do you think? We can visit Tuluva in the future together, and go eating at a bunch of places! I know a few high-end restaurants we could visit if I dipped into my savings a bit. We could watch some famous opera, get drunk and… You get it?”

As if. No logical human would act like this to someone they’d met just a few hours earlier. It was pointless for me to try to understand what she was thinking about, but I couldn’t help but try.

“Not particularly, no. Anyways, I’m not interested, sorry.” A quick dismissal was the best way to get out of this situation, I thought.

“A shame, that!” As she turned away to continue down the hall, opening the door to the library, a thought suddenly appeared in my head. Something far too important to not address quickly.

“Wait!” My voice was louder than I expected. Was that from the urgency I felt?

“Oh? Something the matter? Do you maybe, perhaps, possibly regret declining me? Did my walking away stir you into action?” She laughed at her own inane words.

“Nice delusion.” I derided her before getting to what I was curious about. “Did I do anything that seemed odd?” I shot a quick question at her before I went upstairs.

“Hmm? Well, your entire demeanor was the very definition of odd, but I think it suits you in a way.”

“My demeanor? What do you mean?”

“Well, like this?” She stood ramrod straight, unblinking, staring down the hall I had just come down. “You looked like a soldier that just got into bootcamp and was getting chewed out by his superior. You know what I mean?”

“Huh?” No way. That was how I looked? I wanted to appear, I dunno, unperturbed or something. Like I was overly serious, with my words delving more into an understanding interior or something.

“You’re kidding, right? That looks like I’m on the set of a horror movie. I seriously looked like that the entire time?”

“No idea what that is, but yep. It was pretty hilarious, in a way. Though more concerning than anything. I was starting to get worried that you were holding something in, you know?”

“Thankfully I know where the bathroom is. Ahh, shit. I really thought I did well, too.” My shoulders drooped, dejected from seeing how my posture actually looked that entire time. “I need to become more conscious of my appearance I guess.”

“Good luck with that. If that bothers you, you really don’t want me to say what you look like when you’re brooding to yourself.”

“What?!” I surprised even myself with how loud I shouted.

Here I thought my emotions were dead, when it just needed a little kickstart from a third-party to get going. Exhaustion overwhelmed me, so I decided to go back to my room. Engaging Milet any more today would just continue to damage my self-esteem

Not that there was much left to hurt, of course.

Back in my room, I placed the apples and glass of water on my desk as I sat in the chair. I pulled ‘Lotte’s Magical Refinement Scenario’ out of the stack of three books on my desk, and began reading.

No matter how fun the day may be, even to a cold-hearted creature like myself, in the end it all returned to nothing. It was fun to play around when I could, maybe even necessary, but playing around wouldn’t stop the future tragedy from arriving in six years.

For the rest of the day, I read, peering into the pages of the book until I grew drowsy. While I had heard a knock on my door as evening arrived, I decided to simply ignore it. I had a small snack and enough water, so there was no point going downstairs for a meal tonight.

I could eat with them any other night. Just not tonight. Undisturbed focus was tantamount to growth when it came to studying magic and mana, according to those well-versed in its application.

Like this, my second day came to a quiet end.

***

Cough, cough, cough

Upstairs.

If someone listened close enough, they might have been able to make out the sound of someone coughing.

A room covered in dust and dirt, uncleaned for far too long at this point. Boxes stacked up to the ceiling, covering almost the entirety of the floorspace with their mass. A dirty window, marred by dust to the point that it was hard to even see through.

In the middle of it all sat a woman, coughing to herself. She had accidentally disturbed some of the dust resting in the room, causing it to fly around the air. She didn’t want to inhale it, unsure of how sanitary it was, but it was impossible to avoid. Only a single corner of the dilapidated attic, closest to the door, was kept completely clean of dust by the woman.

She didn’t usually move much from that spot, but today something caught her attention. From below, she could hear the ongoing classroom activities that happened most days. Today, however, was noticeably different from the other days.

A new voice was mixed in with those she was familiar with. At times she heard the ones she knew: Father Korrinn, Cleo, Heira, Yhan. Even Milet and Kereth appeared to be in the room. A rarity, as most of the other priests were usually busy with other work, and Milet wasn’t even a priest of Verus.

“...My name is Rain…” Muffled by the floorboards, she could barely make out his voice. It sounded fairly deep, but not particularly manly. Tinged with youth, yet mired by hardship. Belatedly, she noticed that this was the same voice she had heard from outside the attic’s door in the middle of the night. What reason did he have to come to the attic though? It sounded like he was just curious, judging from what he had said outside the door, but she still didn’t really understand.

Rain. When she went downstairs last night, hoping to grab one of the apples Korrinn liked to leave out at night for those who wake early in the morning, she ended up seeing someone sitting at the couch chatting with Heira. A lethargic-looking man, with deep dark circles under his eyes. She couldn’t make out much of his face from afar, but he seemed absolutely exhausted.

And, through no fault of her own, Heira had caught a glimpse of her as she was peeping. She couldn’t help it though, she was so hungry that day. It had been two days since she last had something to eat or drink, so it was only natural that her movements weren’t as sharp as usual. She hadn’t even started running upstairs when that man began to approach her from down the hall.

She almost wanted to give in and just reveal herself at that moment, asking for food and drink. She was practically starving from how little she was eating.

But she had to wait. Patiently, without revealing herself. One wrong move would lead to the end of her life anyways. If it really became unbearable, she’d be forced to reveal herself, so why not wait until that time came at least?

How much longer would she have to live in fear of the outside world?

If only those soldiers would stop hunting her down, it wouldn’t be an issue. She wanted to cry, just a tiny bit, just to let out the emotion that was burdening her chest right now.

In the end, she didn’t. If anyone heard her, they might come trying to figure out why they heard sobbing coming from the attic. There was already some rumor about a ghost being in the Church of Prayer and Hope. If anyone got an inkling that there might actually be something hiding up here, it was impossible to know what would happen to her.

Sat alone in the cold of winter’s night, she curled herself up into a ball. Her robe was stained with dirt and dust. Her hair was lifeless, tangly and mangy. She didn’t even want to think about how terribly she smelled. It was a godsend that the High Father had given her a way to do her personal business without demeaning herself even further.

All she wanted was for this to end.

It was just too lonely now.