Chapter 20
“Room 603! If you lose the key, it’s your responsibility, so you’ll need to pay a small fee to have it reissued! Now, enjoy your stay!”
The administrator who guided her spoke cheerfully and closed the door.
Selina looked around, utterly stunned.
“Meow! It’s huge! It’s as big as my house!”
Finally freed from the cage, Luna padded lightly around the room, exploring.
As Luna had said, the assigned Room 603 was as spacious as a house on Therion Street. And all of this space was for just one student.
“Selina! Look at this! We can run around here and it’s still so roomy!”
Luna leapt across the massive bed, which was large enough to easily fit four or more people.
“Whoa! The bathroom’s huge too! I’ve never seen a bathroom like this!”
The bathroom, which Selina followed Luna into, was larger than the one in her family home, even equipped with a bathtub that was almost too big for a single person.
“Let’s try bathing here!”
Luna was clearly thrilled with the luxurious surroundings. Meanwhile, Selina brushed her pale face with a dark expression.
“Ha… this is a disaster.”
The peaceful, quiet school life she had dreamed of was slipping away before her eyes.
There was nothing she could do to change her assigned room. Resigned, Selina set about unpacking her belongings.
Unlike Selina, Luna never stopped exploring, wandering excitedly throughout the room.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Someone knocked on the door. Who would come here now? Selina wondered. Then she remembered the administrator’s words:
“The 6th floor is always staffed. They handle general maintenance and clean each room, so if you need anything, ask them.”
Maybe one of the staff came to clean, she thought.
She opened the door—and immediately shivered.
“Selina. Why did you go ahead without me?”
It was Sylvia, holding Nox with a slightly hurt expression. Selina didn’t know why Sylvia had come to her room, but it wasn’t just that which made her tremble.
Sylvester, standing behind Sylvia like a towering guardian, made her freeze visually.
Earlier, when Selina had seen the seating chart, he had looked at her like a predator sizing up prey. She had no idea what kind of relationship he had with Sylvia, but it felt like even a single wrong word might cost her her life.
“Selina?”
The soft voice brought her back to her senses. She forced her rigid expression into a response.
“Uh… what?”
“I just wanted to come with you, but you went ahead… Did I make you uncomfortable? I want to get to know you…”
Of course it’s uncomfortable! Who knows what will happen if I get tangled up with you!
The words almost escaped her throat, but she couldn’t bring herself to say them.
Sylvia fiddled with her lips and avoided eye contact, but peeked at her with eyes full of expectation—a stark contrast to Sylvester’s intimidating presence.
“Uh… but who’s behind you…?”
Selina tried to redirect the conversation and glanced at Sylvester. His furrowed brow tightened further, his expression growing more fearsome.
“Huh? My older brother?”
Sylvia tilted her head back and looked behind her. The terrifying expression melted into a bright smile in an instant, so quickly Selina wondered if he had always looked like that.
“Oh! I haven’t introduced you yet! This is my older brother, Sylvester Hailrus. We’re the same age, but I just call him my older brother.”
Wait, he’s actually family? Selina thought. They didn’t resemble each other at all; she had assumed he was just someone devoted to Sylvia.
“…Sylvester Hailrus.”
“…Selina.”
A dry, perfunctory greeting. Heavy silence filled the room.
“Oh! Selina! If you have time, do you want to come with us? We can look around the school, have a meal, and I’ll introduce you to my other older brother too!”
“No, I…”
“Huh? Let’s do it.”
Before she could protest further, Sylvia moved right up to her and begged.
Selina, burdened by the closeness of the girl—her protagonist, of all people—didn’t want to get involved. But at the same time…
She’s the protagonist, but she seems nice enough… maybe it won’t be bad to get along.
She decided to test her. Quietly, she activated her Clairvoyance to read Sylvia’s true intentions. No matter how good someone seemed, appearances could be deceiving.
The result made her pale instantly.
“Selina, you don’t look well. Are you okay?”
Sylvia gave nothing away. Had she failed to use her ability? Glancing at Sylvester…
Huh… this is supposed to be a witch? Doesn’t match the rumors at all.
Sylvester’s inner thoughts flowed into Selina. He held slight animosity toward her. Seeing his thoughts so clearly, her Clairvoyance wasn’t malfunctioning. This was something else entirely.
Should I see a doctor? I’m sweating…
Sylvia’s fate could not be read. Her past, present, future—everything seemed blank. Not even an aura, something all living things possess, could be detected. It was as if she didn’t exist in this world.
For Selina, this was the first time she had ever encountered such a phenomenon. Fear naturally surged.
Haaargh!
Startled by the fierce hiss, Selina instinctively pushed Sylvia. Reflexively, she panicked afterward. Fortunately, Sylvester supported her from behind, so she wasn’t hurt.
“You! What do you think you’re doing?!” Sylvester growled, likely angered that she had pushed Sylvia.
But an even bigger problem arose.
“Luna!”
“Nox!”
Haaargh!
Luna, peeking through the doorway, hissed at Nox. Nox, held in Sylvia’s arms, responded in kind.
“Meowwww!”
Luna, showing her first-ever anger, threatened Nox. Nox no longer stayed passive; he left Sylvia’s arms and advanced toward Luna, baring his teeth.
The two familiars, rather than looking cute, now engaged in a power struggle, claws extended.
“No!”
Selina reflexively grabbed Luna before they could attack each other.
“Ugh!”
“Meow?!”
The two paused, startled. Crimson blood dripped from the threshold.
“Wha—hey!”
“Selina!”
Scratches marred the backs of her hands and wrists, drawing blood. Luna and Nox stared, bewildered at the damage they caused.
“Blood…!”
“Wait! Stop the bleeding first!”
The wound was worse than expected, shocking even Sylvia and Sylvester. Selina gritted her teeth, enduring the sharp pain.
“Ugh.”
Meow!
“Are you okay?” Luna hovered anxiously, tears glistening in her eyes.
Selina pressed down on her groans, stroking Luna with her uninjured hand. Luna, seeing her, burst into tears.
“Meow! Worry about yourself first, you fool! That probably hurt a lot because of the magic…”
As Selina sank to the floor, Luna hurried to lick her blood.
“Sorry meow~”
Her apology was earnest and cute.
“It’s fine… hmph!”
Selina, stopping Luna, noticed her hand had begun to glow white.
Sylvia and Sylvester, likewise, dropped the handkerchiefs they had brought to stop the bleeding.
“This… this is…”
The deep, gruesome wounds gradually healed with bright light, leaving no trace.
“Divine power?” Sylvester muttered, staring at Luna in disbelief.
Meow~
[It won’t hurt anymore! Sorry about earlier… eh?]
Luna wriggled as the glow lifted her.
Are you crazy? Using Divine Power in front of everyone?! Selina warned silently. Luna blinked innocently.
“Wow…”
Selina flinched at the voice. Sylvia’s eyes sparkled, almost overwhelming.
“Your familiar is amazing! Its power surpasses even high-ranking priests!”
Sylvia’s admiration didn’t stop: “Wow! Amazing! As expected of you, Selina!”
Sylvester, having snapped out of his daze, tilted his head.
“Even for a familiar, to heal wounds like that…?”
His heart sank. If he questioned Luna, there would be no excuse for her abilities.
“It’s fine, I’m okay now! But it seems Luna and Nox don’t get along, so I’m going back inside. We can explore together later. Bye!”
Selina said her piece, stormed into her room, slammed the door, and pressed herself against it, panting.
After a brief silence, Sylvia’s voice called out:
“Ah… I’m sorry about Nox, Selina. Rest well today, see you tomorrow!”
Their footsteps faded. With no one near the door, Selina relaxed, sliding down against it.
“…You okay?”
Luna peeked at her hesitantly. Selina exhaled deeply.
“You… talk to me for a bit.”
Meow…
Luna lowered her tail and followed Selina toward the bed.
