Proofreader: Me!
I circled back to the Quest Room hoping the others would be there. Thankfully, Lisana and Uriel were chatting alone on a bench in the facility.
…
I wanted to address ‘that,’ with Uriel before they left.
“Did the seniors leave already?” I asked.
“You’re back!” Uriel smiled widely, melting my heart. “ And yes, they said classes were early tomorrow.”
“That’s sad to hear, how are you feeling now?”
“I—I’m feeling better, but still... I want to repay you in some way, if that’s possible,” she said with a downcast face.
“Hmmm,” I thought for a moment until a bob of blue hair entered in and out of my vision
Lisana nudged, whispering, “Luke, your question?”
“Right, Uriel, remember how I asked for a favour?”
“Yes! Anything is fine!” Enthusiastically, she nodded.
Immediately, less than-savoury thoughts appeared, which I shooed away.
“Can you join my party?” I nervously asked as Uriel may have already agreed to permanently party with the seniors.
“Of course! That’ll be very easy, the seniors will be happy.”
“They would?”
“They only lent me a hand, promising to take care of me until I found a good party. They’ll be happy I already found someone!” She smiled angelically, “I’m even more glad that it’s with you, Luke.”
Blush.
An embarrassing heat rose to my face, which I couldn’t help.
Lisana poked me, “Why is it red?”
I turned toward her, immediately cooled by her stone-like face. “I have no idea what you mean.”
“…?” She tilted her head in response, not believing my words.
“Ahem. Uriel, I appreciate it.” I faked a cough into my hands to detach myself from Lisana’s piercing gaze.
“I feel it’s not enough, so I’ll work even harder from now on!” Uriel clasped my hands, “Thank you, once again!”
She giggled, dragging Lisana with her to what seemed to be the girl dormitories. I felt guilty, seeing her happy and all… but I had to lay it out.
Even if she did end up retracting her statement to join the party.
“Uhm…” I awkwardly scratched my shoulder, “Uriel, can we have a talk one-on-one for a bit?”
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
“Y- yesss?” Her eyes widen, accompanied by a blush similar to mine previously.
“I will see you two tomorrow.” Lisana bowed and quickly disappeared into the shadows of the hallways.
I watched, waiting for her to vanish from sight.
“Hah.” I slouched onto the bench the both of us sat on. “I can’t catch a break at all.”
Uriel tilted her head, “What do you mean?”
“I want to be upfront now, so no troubles are caused later,” I steeled my resolve. “I’ve been ignoring the signs until now subconsciously, but I can’t anymore.” I put my hand on her shoulder, “I can see that you’re probably developing feelings for me and all.”
“Eh?” Her eyes turned blank.
I continued my speech regardless, “Honestly, I appreciate it, but that’s impossible. Absolutely not, relationships are a no-go."
“Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh?” Her mouth hung open unable to make words.
"You see, I'm basically unable to dedicate myself to anyone, as put simply, I have an obligation that must be fulfilled under any costs necessary," I tried to explain myself in this sudden situation.
I bowed on the spot, to show my sincerity. “I’m sorry if I used you in a way to bring myself benefits!”
“I-I…” Her face instantly heated up. “I… want to disappear.”
“I’ll take any form of punishment,” I continued to face the floor.
“N- no,” Her words refuted my statement.
I flicked my head back up, “What?”
She shied away into her priesthood hidden in her academy uniform, “D-don’t move suddenly!”
“Yes!” I remained still, awaiting her response.
After a few moments, she recollected herself. “Luke, I n- need you to listen to me.”
“Anything at all!”
“I… wanted to hide away from such feelings, especially as a potential saint.”
“...”
“Yet… you pried it open, just like that!” Her voice became slightly frustrated. “But… it’s not your fault.”
“Huh?”
“It’s my own for falling first, just as Ron said once before,” Uriel’s voice dropped. “When he met his fiancee, he was exactly like me.”
‘He has a what?’ Are we doomed? No, focus.
“Luke, it may have only been two weeks, but that was all the time it took for you to…” She twirled her shiny blonde hair. “To make me… like this.”
My heart was struck with an arrow, but also with guilt. “I’m sorry, I can easily have you leave-”
She smacked my arm, “I said listen, I’m not done yet.”
I nodded, not speaking anymore.
“Despite all of this, you are the reason I’m starting to get over my shyness, while also being the person who has saved me twice now,” She took off her hood to stare at me with her crystal blue eyes. “Even if you can’t reciprocate, I… I can’t help it.”
“What should I do then?” I cautiously asked.
Uriel clasped my sleeve, “Nothing, just stay the way you are, except be more aware of your actions!”
She smacked my chest this time, with drops of tears falling from her eyes. “J- just know! I believe you are the hero described in prophecy, so I will… will continue to be with you until you cut me off yourself!”
Uriel’s declaration left me stunned. Not just from her confession, but also the knowledge of a prophecy I had never heard of before.
“All… alright then,” I spoke slowly, “Let’s continue to be ‘friends.’”
She let out a happy, but somewhat sad smile, “Yes!”
We waved each other goodbye, while I reflected on that conversation.
Tomorrow I planned on finding the next item to increase my mana proficiency. Originally, I was going to go find the other hidden piece, the Fragment of Hope. It was a rank S item, but it was considered worse than even most rank A’s, its purpose laid somewhere else.
In truth, my knowledge of this bad end was limited. I could remember a recipe for an item in this scenario, of which I had no inkling of what it could do.
However, I did know that it was strongly recommended by my favourite EA-tuber no matter the circumstance. It would surely be helpful, probably.
Yes…
I will survive! And save the world!
“You don’t scare me! I’ll win no matter what!” I laughed like an idiot.
Little did I realise, a presence was watching me through my performance.
“What would scare you?” A familiar voice asked.
‘Shit.’