After the fog that obscured my surroundings disappeared, what greeted me was the Allen Family mansion.
I have no idea why this place showed up.
There’s nothing here that I want.
The trial in Saitil Forest involves escaping the trap of that Sloppy Fox.
When the trial starts, the Sloppy Fox uses its power to show participants what they desperately crave. If you escape from that illusion, you overcome the trial; if you get swallowed up in the illusion, you fail.
Since it’s hard to describe this as a game, I remember it feeling more like a maze escape than focusing on the character’s mental strength during play.
Now that this world is beyond the monitor’s reality, something I desire should appear, but the mansion showing up means this fantasy is what Lucy wants.
Just like last time when Lucy’s nightmare unfolded before me during Grandpa’s trial.
Wah wah wah, this is disappointing. If things I really wanted popped up, I would’ve thought about enjoying myself and going back.
But there’s nothing to enjoy here.
As I was about to strap on the shield, I realized my hands were empty.
Ah, this is Lucy’s illusion, so there’s no way to have weapons or armor.
Then the clothes I’m wearing must be that damn outfit with excessive frills and gems all over it.
Frowning, I glanced down and was surprised to see I was wearing something surprisingly normal.
What the. This is pretty decent for something Lucy would wear.
It’s still a dress, but it’s not extravagant and looks calm.
This is acceptable enough to wear.
Lately, I’ve been used to wearing a skirt in school uniforms.
Feeling a bit better, I quickly opened the door and stepped inside, thinking about finishing the trial.
I wonder what Lucy desperately wishes for. Considering what I saw during Grandpa’s trial, I have a hunch.
“Oh my! Lucy. Are you going out to play?”
As soon as I entered the mansion, a woman in a white dress welcomed me.
I knew her face. It wasn’t because she appeared in the game. I remembered her because she was the one who said harsh words to Lucy while lying on the bed during Grandpa’s trial.
Lucy’s mother. Unlike before, she now wore a vibrant smile.
“Yes, Mother… huh?!”
What? Why did what I was thinking just spill out of my mouth?!
I thought it was just Lucy’s wish being granted, but did it also grant mine?!
“Lucy?”
It’s Lucy’s desire and all, but I wanted to escape the illusion as quickly as possible, but this changes things.
“No, it’s nothing.”
I should try talking normally for once!
*
“Joy! Let’s go check out that bakery! I’ve heard it’s super delicious!”
Joy let out a sigh as she looked at the girl pulling her hand.
Lady Allen explained the trial set by the forest’s owner as soon as the field trip began.
Once you enter there, you’ll see the scenery you desperately desire, but you just have to realize it’s an illusion and escape from it to pass.
After hearing this, Joy, who had prepared herself mentally, quickly realized it was an illusion shortly after the trial began.
“Wow! Just smelling it makes my mouth water! What do I do? I want to eat everything there! Can I?!”
Of course, it was impossible for such a lively, kind, and pure Lucy Allen to actually exist.
Sigh, my utmost wish is to go to a delicious bakery with the honest and kind Lady Allen? Seriously?
Hey, Lina, is this right?
You’re just teasing me, right? There’s no way a person’s heartfelt wish would be something like this.
“Ooh, is that the great great wizard Joy Partlan?!”
As Lucy pulled her in, dragging her into the bakery, the employee inside gasped in awe. Then Lucy raised her voice in response.
“That’s right! She’s an incredible friend, even more than I deserve!”
…So, if this illusion is all real, then I want Lady Allen to recognize me and be an unreserved friend while being praised as a great wizard by others?
Joy thought this to herself and wiped her face with both hands.
This is so embarrassing and humiliating.
It’s unbearable to even lift my head, as I still can’t shout that this illusion is framing me.
After all, this is something everyone would’ve dreamed of at least once.
But what can I do! Every time Lady Allen smiles sweetly at me, I can’t help but think it wouldn’t be too bad to enjoy it a bit longer!
If I escape this illusion, I’ll probably be teased as the Sloppy Young Lady by Lady Allen, but for now, it’s different!
Lady Allen takes my hand, calls my name, and sees me as a friend!
And there’s delicious bread!
Anyway, according to Lady Allen, I just need to escape the illusion at the end, right? Until then, I can enjoy it!
“Welcome, Lady Partlan. I’ve prepared your seat.”
“Eek!”
While Joy was struggling against the pure Lucy and other elements, she reached her limit the moment a prince on a white horse appeared as she had dreamed of as a child.
Unable to stand the humiliation of seeing her black history come to life in real-time, Joy hurriedly escaped the illusion, and as soon as she opened her eyes to reality, she pressed her palms against her eyes while taking ragged breaths.
I was still hoping for that? Really? Seriously? No way. I thought I had left it as a childhood dream!
“Ooh, you woke up quickly. I thought you would enjoy it a bit longer.”
At the sound of the voice entering her ears, Joy slowly lifted her head. There stood the owner of the forest, resting her chin on her hand, observing her.
“Lina?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know what scenery I just saw?”
“I see a charming and lovely little girl with twin tails matching my physique, showing a pure side. Being rebellious is nice, but a cheerful child is good too. It’s not just a standard for nothing. And…”
“That’s enough! Please…”
Hehe.
As she was embarrassed to learn that her black history was being broadcasted live, laughter escaped Lina’s lips.
It was a chilling laugh, one that an uncle in a tavern might let out while rambling about lewd topics.
I understand that this person is amazing, but it’s a bit, no, a lot awkward.
It’s like watching a rotten nobleman trying to charm women while sticking his nose into social circles.
Joy tried to ignore Lina’s laughter and looked around.
Just a moment ago, they were in the middle of the forest for a field trip, but where are they now?
“This is my residence. I couldn’t let you lie on the dirt floor, so I brought you here myself.”
Just as Joy turned her head, Lina continued to answer.
“And to anticipate your question about where everyone else is, they’ll be in another room. We can’t interfere with the trial.”
“Am I the first to wake up?”
“Not quite. From what I’ve experienced, the more charming someone is, the more greed there is.”
Joy hadn’t exchanged many words with Lina yet.
Still, she knew a bit about Lina because she showed no intention of hiding herself.
The person who openly treated her coldest for lacking charm was Young Lady Kent, so she must still be awake.
Since she had shown the most favor to Lady Allen, she would likely still be undergoing the trial.
Interesting. If it’s Lady Allen, I thought she would be the first to wake up and say something like, “You’re so slow, Sloppy Young Lady. Didn’t I tell you? Sloppy and foolish.”
“Now, if we keep talking here, won’t it get dull? As your host, I’ll treat you as a guest. Follow me.”
“Yes.”
“Do you have a favorite drink? I’ll cater to your taste as much as I can.”
Suddenly, Lina, who had been gushing since the first time they met, stopped talking.
“What’s wrong?”
“It seems there may be an exception to the theory I just mentioned.”
Joy tilted her head, not understanding the reply, but Lina didn’t explain further.
*
“How’s life at the Academy? Is it fun?”
“It’s great. Very much so.”
Lucy’s mother was a very bright and cheerful person. It was hard to believe she was the parent of Lucy, who had even gotten the nickname “the shame of the Allen Family.”
Even considering that this is the fantasy Lucy wishes for, it’s still far too idealistic.
No matter what, Lucy’s a bratty Mesugaki. Considering Benedikt doesn’t seem Mesugaki-like, that means there must be something wrong with this person.
But from everything I’ve seen so far, there doesn’t appear to be any problem. She’s just a genuinely kind mother, nothing more or less.
I even tried provoking her deliberately to see if she was suppressing her personality, but she just smiled.
How could a child born to a fussy Benedikt and this kind, nice woman end up being such a bratty Mesugaki? Did her personality change while growing up?
This makes me a bit curious. I should check once more when I return to the Allen Family during vacation.
Anyway, that’s that, and it’s about time to get moving.
Even though I was happy that I could chat without the influence of Mesugaki Skill, I can’t linger any longer.
If I stay asleep any longer, who knows what that Sloppy Fox will do?
“Oh my. Are you leaving now?”
As I rose from my seat, Lucy’s mother openly showed her disappointment. If the real Lucy were here, she would have hesitated, but I’m not her.
From my perspective, the woman in front of me is just a pretty lady I have no connection with.
“Yes, I’ll be on my way.”
“It’s a pity, but it can’t be helped. Take care.”
Having escaped the illusion, I stared at the wooden ceiling and slowly lifted my body.
Hello.
“Hello, Sloppy.”
Just in case, I tried talking to myself, but the Mesugaki Skill was strict with me.
sigh I should’ve seen this coming. The masochistic Lord Jushin wouldn’t let this slide. I was foolish to hold a little hope.
With a long sigh, just as I was about to get up from bed to announce that I had overcome the trial, the door flew open, and in walked Joy, Frey, and the Sloppy Fox.
What? What? Did they come to congratulate me? But they all look serious? It’s been a while since I’ve seen Joy’s face cracking like that.
“Lady Allen, there’s been a major incident. Phoebe…”
Huh? What about Phoebe?
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