*
In the male dormitory of Grand Hertz Academy, right in front of me is Pina’s clone.
[Licht, can you hear me?]
[Yes, I can hear you.]
I’m communicating with the real one through Transmission Magic. The clone didn’t move a muscle.
‘Didn’t I say not to just wander into the guys’ room before…’
This time, I’m the one who got dragged into the dormitory. Once words are spoken, you can’t take them back, so I have to be careful.
“….”
I had no choice but to follow Pina’s insistence that it meant nothing unless we did it in my room.
‘If I handle this well, I can use it as a backup Life.’
In the game, the Magic Hat usually employs this trick. Last time we fought, unless you landed a hit on the main body, the Demon King kept rising again.
When Pina was the Nameless Saintess, she died due to a forced event.
But now, it’s like I have a means to break that. If I use the opponent’s trick, it could be a breakthrough.
‘I thought I had killed the real one, but ta-da! It was just a clone! I can do it!’
It’s common for a character you thought was dead to reappear perfectly fine later. If Pina’s death flag is an issue, I need to create a survival flag.
Kainel said he would take Ariel around the Empire for a bit, so it should be fine.
Just a moment ago, he sent me a signal with a cheesy wink, asking to take care of things.
The Hero with a shining face and personality. Thanks, buddy.
[I’ve set up Soundproof and Detection Magic.]
[Oh, right… Is this really necessary?]
A voice echoed in my head. It seemed like the Empire’s Royal Guard was also waiting outside. Isn’t that a bit of overkill? I gulped nervously.
[..We’ll need it.]
Pina’s clone took off her helmet. Her white hair cascaded down to her waist, looking just like the original. Nothing seems off, though.
[What do you think of the Clone Magic?]
If she hadn’t told me it was a clone, I wouldn’t have known. Pina, releasing her Masterpiece, spun around.
[It’s perfect. Just like the ‘real’ thing.]
A shiver ran through the clone’s body. I heard the real Pina was moving her body like a puppet connected to the clone. If the real one is surprised, that’s the reaction.
Mirror Mirage. A spell that creates a phantom that mimics the target’s actions.
But why did she ask for my help?
[My, my clone works well, but when I try to clone someone else, I can’t implement the sense of touch well…]
Ah, so that’s it. Trying to make the opponent’s clone? That would be very helpful when fighting the Demon King.
Contrary to my thoughts of breaking the death flag, she seemed to have a different goal.
[For instance, if I wanted to create a Licht clone…]
With a swoosh, a glass wall formed, and a clone resembling me popped out. The mask lifted to reveal the face.
[The sense of touch is different.]
This one looks a bit too handsome. Pina.
I gave a knock-like tap on my chest, and it made a thunk sound. It’s weird since it’s my own clone.
[Licht certainly feels a bit more solid and better-looking than this…]
How embarrassing. To be precise, the detail in the upper body was impressive. The muscles were stuck on like mine, and even the helmet and academy outfit were similar enough.
But if I infiltrate the Demon King’s Castle with this, I’d definitely get discovered. It’s not sufficient as a decoy for drawing out the Magic Hat.
[I saw it in the hot springs… I, don’t really know Licht well enough…]
Pina’s glass magic cracked and my clone vanished.
[What exactly can I help with?]
[One time, could you hug my clone over there? Licht…?]
Her clone spread its arms, striking a pose asking for a hug. Even though she wouldn’t feel it herself, why is she insisting on this?
[I think it would allow me to check how Licht’s magic circuits are laid out.]
Oh, so she’s trying to implement the sense of touch through magic circuits.
The source of mana is the heart.
With its grand presence, a shadow looms. If I hug that tightly, Pina would surely be surprised. Or maybe it’d be fine since it’s a clone?
“I’m taking that as permission, Your Highness.”
Speaking to calm my anxious heart, I approached. It was Pina asking for a hug, not my fault.
I formed a large circle with my arms, wrapping around her without fully engulfing her. Even so, the overwhelming sense of presence was on display.
‘Calm down. Just keep calm. I’m just helping with the magic.’
Pina’s clone felt soft. It really seems she could implement the sense of touch. Staying still while hugging her gave me a comforting feeling.
Like a small teddy bear.
This was my first time experiencing a hug. Last time, I was soothing what I thought was the Crown Prince.
[Hug me tighter… I still can’t feel it.]
[..Understood.]
As I minimized our body contact, Pina started to act cute. Her white wolf tail flapped as if it had a motor.
[Is this enough for you, Pina?]
As I pulled her slightly closer, Pina got startled and bounced upwards in response. Why is she getting surprised so often? It’s just a clone.
[A- A bit more…]
Still not enough? When the Hero couple performs a Combination Move, closeness is essential.
Squish. I had no choice but to fully embrace Pina. Her white hair tickled the ventilation hole of the helmet.
The warmth and fragrance made me lose my mind. I have to endure it. Lee Soo-hyun.
“…Pina? Are you okay?”
As I held Pina tightly for a few minutes, an awkward silence fell.
No reply came back through Transmission Magic, and the clone’s arms hung limply like flimsy strings. Alarmed by the abnormality, I called out to Pina several times.
“….”
The clone, smelling of roses, remained still in my arms.
Did she disable the link? It’s always like Pina runs away when I get close.
‘…Wait, does the clone have a scent?’
At that moment,疑惑 struck me. Objects made of glass shouldn’t have a smell.
“Pina.”
The scent of roses. A sweet and soft floral fragrance.
No matter how I think about it, it seems suspicious, so I loosened the hug and scrutinized Pina’s face.
“…This isn’t a clone.”
Her blushing cheeks and large golden eyes said it all—that it was all a lie.
[No, it’s a clone….]
Shaking head. Now, even when she isn’t using magic, Pina understands what I say. She was really pretending to be a clone.
From the very beginning, the one who came into my dorm was Pina herself. Seeing my suspicious gaze, she steadied her expression. Sorry, but you’ve been found out. You’re even blinking!
“So it’s okay to keep going like this?”
“Ugh… Ugh! Licht…”
I grabbed her wolf ears and started giving them a gentle squeeze. The soft, jelly-like texture was enticing.
“Don’t… stop… I messed up…”
While I petted her with my other hand, responses were coming back. Why is she acting like this when she’ll get caught soon enough?
“…Did you want a hug on purpose?”
I stopped my fidgeting hands and slowly asked her. She’s the type to be shy, after all.
“A- No… I really wanted to create a Licht clone.”
Pina admitted she was acting. But judging by the way her tail didn’t stop moving, it seems she didn’t dislike it.
“If I make a clone of someone… I only want to make Licht’s.”
An honest, pure response.
This is why I liked Pina. She doesn’t run away from her feelings like I do. Transparent and pure like the first snow that falls in midwinter.
When she was the Saintess, she was the one who brainwashed me with the theory that unrequited love is invincible.
Such a person is the easiest to corrupt, so I should be careful.
‘If this was for another guy…’
Just imagining it is terrifying. Pina hugging a blond, tanned jerk? I might prepare for Demon King kills while holding back tears.
“So, please help me make it more like the real thing… Licht.”
Pina pleaded with a voice crawling into the ground, gathering all her courage to speak the truth.
Sure, that’s better than telling lies to make my clone. If she’s honest, there’s nothing I can’t help with.
“Shall I give you more hugs?”
“Th- That’s enough. Can I see your back…?”
Pina’s magic is mirrors.
It reflects whatever is facing it. If I think of applied Mirror Mirages, there’s only the front view of the opponent.
“If that’s what you want, I’ll do anything for you, Pina.”
With a tap, I started to take off a layer of clothing.
I haven’t shown her my back in the hot springs either. If it’s possible to draw out the Magic Hat with my clone later, that could be useful.
Now that I’m even reincarnated into the game, what wouldn’t I do to protect Pina?
“Wait, this is… too stimulating…”
Pina covered her face with both hands. Through the gaps of her fingers, her wolf eyes stared at me. Acting like she wouldn’t look, but she’s watching everything.
When we were in the hot spring, she said I was too cocky when she even touched my arms. But since that kiss on the cheek, her reactions have been strangely different.
‘…Maybe she’s slowly waking up to love.’
Even when she was the Nameless Saintess, Pina had never experienced love. She was just a puppet played by the producers, holding onto vague yearning.
A Saintess admiring a character from a romance novel.
Even if I took her on a date, there wouldn’t be any special events or even romantic actions possible with a heroine.
For example, the Valentine’s Day chocolate is an item I cannot give her.
“Licht… you had wounds on your back too.”
“Ah, I’ve lived a bit roughly.”
When I showed Pina my bare back after taking off my shirt, something warm touched me. It was Pina’s hand.
“…That must have hurt.”
I flinched. To protect Pina, I had to become stronger than anyone else.
Having been unable to use magic, spirit magic, or anything, all my remaining time was poured into swordsmanship.
Bitten by wolves, hit by orcs, I practiced Void Slash targeting flying wyverns. In retrospect, what a tumultuous journey it was.
It would be too much to lament my lack of talent since I had no idea what would come next. Each time I felt impatient, I pushed my body to the limit.
Knowing the future of the game, I was the only one who could save Pina.
“This is a badge of honor. Pina.”
I forced a smile. Have you realized that five years have passed since we first met?
While I was lost in my thoughts, Pina patted my back with her palm.
“It’s not a badge of honor…”
Just by showing her my wounds, Pina started to tear up. Her hands moved to comfort me, not with pain.
“I didn’t know Licht lived like this… struggling…”
“I just did my best.”
It was then. A heavy sensation emerged from my back, and Pina’s arms wrapped around my waist. She hugged me from behind.
“Never do this again… it’s because of that Saintess…”
Gulp, this is feeling nice. She hasn’t mentioned the Nameless Saintess at all, yet she figured it out.
“….”
Instead of mumbling, I chose silence. Kainel said my lies are evident.
“Licht. Stay like this for a moment…”
Her breath tickled my back. She pressed her face close to me. This was too much for me to handle. What if someone walks in?
As I was unable to deal with this reversed situation.
They say when you mention a tiger, it appears. Kainel burst through the dormitory door.
“Licht! Did you and the Princess have a good magic training…?”
The blond-haired hero alternately glanced at me, who was shirtless, and at Pina, who was hugging me.
“Ah, I… came too early, huh?”
With an awkward smile, he tried to close the door. That’s not what you think! Stop!
Shocked, he grasped the doorknob. Then he slightly opened the door to say something.
“I’ll keep watch out front… so take your time..!”
It took me and Pina thirty minutes to explain the situation to Kainel.
