Proofreader: (Me when I get home tomorrow!)
“Seriously!” My back battered with bruises, I groaned, “First thing that happens when I arrive, is this?”
In the morning it was Fen, and now Erin.
“I had to miss out on the expedition as I had been called back unexpectedly,” Her black hair danced as she struck my arm.
“But, why?”
“I have a few pent-up frustrations.”
An upward swing of the sword met my face.
“You’re slower than usual,” She clicked her tongue. “Pick up the pace please.”
“What do you expect? I’m still recovering.”
My body wouldn’t fully recover even with enhanced regeneration, and the nurse said something about the overuse of mana.
“Deal with it.”
She dismissed my pain, once again pointing her sword at me. I raised my sword arm in an attempt to defend my head.
Jolts of pain rushed through my veins, as my guard had crumbled with a single strike.
“Get up,” She stared at me with indifference.
After a few more matches she finally let me go.
Erin sighed regretfully, “This’ll do for today.”
“Hah, it better be,” My lungs clasped for air.
“Same time tomorrow, be there.”
She left the sparring area with a sadistic smile. First day back and I’m barraged with her desire to ‘teach,’ fricking psychopath.
Regardless, due to the unexpected crisis from yesterday, the school has let us have two free days to prepare for awards and deal with these children's families. After all, with a prince, princess, and countless big shots, they wouldn’t let something like this proceed so smoothly.
Despite such a holiday, I felt even more disturbed than usual.
I woke up, checked my status board, and there it was. Underneath all my other tabs was a small window.
[Category: Protagonist - Uriel.]
[Route: Bad Ending #13 - An Eternity Between Us.]
[M - 1] [D - 7]
This infamous window, was a plague amongst all players if they dared to activate tips. The one which would warn the player of a bad ending.
Well, if anything this was a saving grace, but it may simply also be a countdown toward my death.
“Luke! How are you feeling?” Uriel’s hands clasped my bruised arm. “I saw Erin walk from here, did she hurt you?”
“No, I asked her to train me in swordsmanship — although it was only supposed to be until that duel from last week.”
“Training?” Her eyes dimmed for a moment.
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“Yeah, is something up?”
“Luke, let me supervise while it happens!”
“Uhh… no thanks.” I refused politely, I could heal myself after all.
“No, I can’t trust someone like her being with you alone!” She glared toward where Erin had left. “You need protection, don’t you remember how hurt you were when we fought Requiem?”
“But.”
“No buts!”
“Yes… ma’am…”
This aversion, could it be due to the inherent repulsion of the demonic and divine within them. I wasn't sure, but eventually, the answer would come.
“Good boy,” Uriel’s saint-like smile rejuvenated my body. “Now, get up already.”
She tried to lift me, but her arms just squished together those… Focus! I lifted myself up to the floor, looking away from her.
I let out a frown, as I once again glanced at the warning. The senior from Friday, Krulia, is making a move. Unfortunately, I have no idea what this route entails. Just that it was… a noobie check of sorts.
The number of complaints about this ending made its way to the top of the week during the first month of release. However, once my favourite EA-tuber made his guide video, such a thing quickly died out.
If only I could remember it…
“Hey, you’ve just been staring at the wall, are you sure you’re all right?” Uriel closed in from below, her chest almost sticking to me.
“Yes, I’m fine now please take a step away from me.” I placed my hands on her shoulders pushing her ever so slightly. “Personal space, please.”
“A- am- am I really… that ugly?”
“No no no!” I reassured her gently, “You’re one of the prettiest girls in the school!”
“R- really?”
Internally I panicked, “Of course! When have I lied to you?”
She pouted, “Never…”
“Exactly.”
I let out an internal groan as I forgot how low her self confidence was ever since she softened up to me and Julia.
“I- I’m sorry Luke, I’m such a bother sometimes.”
The time from when she yelled at me outside of class flashed across my mind.
“That’s not true, you’re a saint. You’ll be the best Saintess humanity’ll ever have.”
Not a single ounce of a lie was in that statement, and it seemed she understood my sincerity. (Sarcasm)
“Thank you, I’ll do my best to live up to your expectations!”
Dammit, she was so cute. The Julia fanboy inside of me was lost to her at this moment.
I had to protect her from this bad end, no matter what.
“Definitely!” I clasped my hands in solid determination.
“Hmmm?” A question mark floated above her head.
“Sorry, it’s kind of a tradition from our household.”
“What for?”
“A… gesture to show our thanks and spirits to our ancestors…” I trailed on.
I was simply pumping my hands in celebration, but I couldn’t risk being seen as a weirdo by her.
“Ooo! What an interesting family, maybe you could introduce me sometime?” She innocently smiled.
…
I’d consider it, but I don’t know about this body’s background at all. Perhaps, once winter break starts, I’ll receive a notice of sorts.
“I’ll think about it, but let’s return to our dorms… getting a bit late isn’t it?” The splendid shine of the sunset had already passed, and dark had fallen upon us.
“Th- then, can you guide me back?” Her voice was brisk, with a light cloud of steam exiting her mouth.
She shivered in her uniform, wrapping her arms around her body. Now that I think about it, today was unusually cold. We were still in Autumn…
“Sure, it’s a man’s duty to escort the lady.”
In response, she let out a clumsy, but joyful expression, “Thank you.”
On the way to her dorm, what preoccupied my mind was how to deal with this route. Considering that the day after tomorrow, we would officially begin the questing system for the entire week, there would be no time to work on this on the sidelines.
The week after we would resume a normal schedule, however… the annoying princess’ face popped into mind. She would undoubtedly try to make trouble. I’d have to dodge her interruptions, collect a few hidden items, and dig into how to stop this bad route at the same time.
I didn’t like it but, this meant I would have to rely on ‘her’ later on. The potted plant flashed within my mind.
“Goodbye, Luke! Thanks once again!”The saint’s voice erupted in front of me
Uriel waved her hand, humming with a cheerful tone as she entered the building.
“What was I thinking about again?” The thought slipped my mind.
I’ll just sleep, and do some exercise tomorrow. Ah… wait… the award ceremony was the day after tomorrow as well.
I grasped my head, feeling an oncoming headache.
I sighed, “Such is life.”
There would be a lot more intertwining stories coming up soon. The unesealing of the Enigmatic Chance will probably overlap with Uriel’s route too…
And, before I drifted off, I picked up the book of fun facts.
[This book has been upgraded!]
[More advanced, amazing, and new information has been added. Thank you for your work!]
I flicked to the next page, and words began to write themselves.
Did you know, that within Uriel’s route, she can potentially fall in love with Luna? It is very rare, but also very possible!
“The fuck?”
Another problem sprang out on my face, but I doubted its existence. There was no possible way Uriel would be able to, since there’s no interaction between the two.
’Phew.’