The magic club’s horror experience booth was running quite successfully.
“What’s so scary about this…?”
“Ahhh!!”
“…Senpai, you said it wasn’t scary?”
Earlier, there was the harpy and the oni. The horned guy who looked fearless jumped when a yellow Cerberus popped out next to him, screaming as he clung to the female junior.
“Caw! It’s a cat with just a mouth!”
Inside the dark booth where only a little light came in.
Moreover, Mardol’s glass walls and ceiling distorted objects, making the costumes look even scarier.
Grrr…
“Ahhhhh! W-Water Ball!”
Occasionally, students would accidentally fire magic out of surprise. I drew my sword and sliced the water orb heading towards Mardol.
“Don’t use magic.”
“Ah… I’m sorry! I panicked…”
What if the princess got drenched? It would’ve been a disaster. I haven’t witnessed the event where the imperial guard comes out to butcher players firsthand, but…
“Licht, thank you.”
“Anytime.”
Emperor Rock probably loves his child similarly. The fact that Mardol’s identity is not publicly revealed is proof of that.
‘If something goes wrong, my life might be at stake.’
I gulped. To be honest, I was curious why she never took off her helmet.
‘Come to think of it, I’ve never seen Mardol’s face.’
I might be unable to take it off due to the special item, but it’s strange. I shouldn’t be thinking about any girl other than our saintess, so why is this happening?
‘It must be because of the Magic Hat. Let’s not think too much about it, Lee Soo-hyun.’
Is it my first time seeing the princess’s hidden face? It’s obvious that I’m on the Mardol route. I only want our saintess. There’s no way I’m creating a harem.
My feelings are solely for her. I shook my head to stop my thoughts.
“Unfortunately, please exit, student.”
I pointed to the exit with my hand. It’s better to send them out before any more issues arise. After sending one person off, she spoke to me.
“Licht, is something wrong?”
“…It’s nothing. So, your arm doesn’t hurt?”
“Yeah. I’m strong.”
The wooden monster cherished the extra helmet like it was precious. My voice echoed from the blue, fiery equipment.
“Hey, Mardol. I have a quiz in mind. Want to try?”
“I’ll give it a shot. Tell me.”
“…Do you know what metal can create the highest evasion equipment?”
No matter how I think about it, the favorability was too high. With this kind of joke, I could drop her to just the ally route, so let’s try to keep it that way.
She pondered over the answer for a long time and then said,
“I don’t know.”
She looked at me with sparkling eyes, as if asking for a hint.
“What’s the answer…? Licht?”
“Mithril.”
“Ah.”
Mardol covered her mouth in shock. Even she must find it silly. It was a joke our cute saintess adored.
“Ouch, that hurts, Mardol!”
“…”
Did she get mad, or is she lightly hitting me? In reality, it was just a playful tap, so it didn’t hurt. Still, it’s good that she expresses denial like this.
“Hmph, such a joke… No one could guess that.”
“Of course. I’m not asking you to figure it out.”
Failed humor requires explanation. I had already prepared a trap to use if she got it wrong. I glanced at the deep hole nearby.
“So… is this filled with training slimes?”
“Yeah. I thought that’d be better. Licht.”
The gelatinous monsters jiggled. I guessed there’d be no harm. If any issue arose, it would just be getting wet and slippery.
If I just walked out as is, I could return to the booth’s entrance. After all, it’s a haunted house—there should at least be that much.
‘Ariel seems to be doing well…’
I saw a cat giggling, disappearing into flames and then reappearing. The fire beneath her feet wasn’t hot.
‘I shouldn’t be doing this again.’
I felt dizzy again. My hand reflexively reached for the area covered with glass magic. My trauma has been intensifying lately.
“Licht, are you okay…?”
“…I’m fine. I’ll take a short break, so could you let me know if guests arrive?”
Then it happened. Suddenly, Mardol set her helmet on the ground and pulled me closer. Her strength was too much to resist.
“Want to lean on me?”
I was already leaning on someone. The wooden monster at my side matched my height. Like someone dozing on the shoulder of a fellow passenger on a subway or bus.
“No! I’m fine now!”
It felt just like that. I jumped up in surprise. This person really keeps me on my toes.
“Thank goodness. Licht, I feel energized.”
“You startled me! Why did you do that suddenly?”
“…Because Licht is a pervert.”
I only felt a stiff wooden vibe, so why did she call me a pervert? The karma from the year-end exam is deep. When did Mardol become someone who teases me?
‘Is it good or bad that she only does this with me?’
The character who seemed insensitive and sad turned a bit positive; that’s good.
But why did it have to be me, not another male lead, but an extra? There are plenty of better people in this world than me.
A sigh escaped me. What if I really got trapped in the royal palace’s basement and couldn’t escape? Let’s just say I hung out with the saintess—
‘It would be like locking me up saying my only friend hasn’t been seen lately… No, that’s going too far.’
In [Black Heart], if Rufus ended up dating someone from the imperial guard, that would fit.
Currently, I’ve saved the empress captured by the Magic Hat, so it shouldn’t be the case. The problem is this side. I know practically nothing about her.
“Licht.”
The imperial princess. The heroine of [Grand Hertz Academy]. Mardol Grancia. It’s tough to predict what her actions might be.
During the year-end exam, she displayed her quirkiness by greeting a sword, and just now, she told me to lean on her.
I wish I could at least understand the patterns like Kainel or Ariel, who have an easier ally route.
“Hey, could you tell me more about that earlier thing?”
For a moment, I was surprised that she spoke more. Did she mean dad jokes? Isn’t that boring? I got goosebumps from her unexpected reaction.
“What’s a mineral the horned duck likes the most?”
“…Orichalcum.”
Mardol displayed a V sign with her hand, flaunting her victory.
“…”
“I got it right.”
I got read like a book. It’s the same as last time—how the heck does she know? This content is from humor magazines that today’s kids likely don’t know about.
“Ah, there you are, my precious grad student.”
Just as I was trying to change the subject as I felt uneasy around Mardol.
“…Professor Dennis?”
“Hello, Professor.”
A blue-haired man reeking of alcohol approached me and Mardol.
*
Dennis walked in with a swaying gait, sporting a friendly smile as he exhaled a strong whiff of booze.
“You’re doing well, kids.”
“Did you come to check on the club booth?”
“Yeah, just in case something happens.”
He nodded in agreement with my opinion and took out a small bottle from his breast pocket, immediately taking a swig.
“Do you need anything?”
“Ah, please prevent magic use inside the booth.”
“Sure, any reason?”
He looked around the glass maze, waving his hand as it changed size, inspecting the booth.
“Some folks seem to be attacking with magic out of fear…”
“Is there anything else?”
I heard a buzzing voice next to me. Mardol, dressed as Kuer, spoke up.
“…We need a recovery magic circle.”
“Sure, I can manage that. Here you go.”
Once he finished speaking, he drew a magic circle with droplets. Just standing on it felt like a wave of revitalization covered my body.
“Licht, how is it?”
“…It’s good. Thank you.”
“Glad to hear.”
Something feels strange, hearing him talk like this. It seems he’s been paying attention to me, so I’ll let it slide.
“With that, countermeasures against magic are complete.”
With a whoosh, the 3D magic circle he was holding grew large and spun around the booth. A ring was formed, separating the inside from the outside like Saturn.
Droplets splattered inside the booth with a pitter-patter, and a refreshing sensation pierced through the mask.
“…Thank you.”
“Oh, right. Licht-kun.”
“What is it?”
Just as he was about to leave after finishing everything, he turned to talk to me again. What is it? Is there another event?
“Do you know that there’s a night market opening up around dinner time? There’ll be plenty of food, and even plays.”
“That sounds good. Are you going too, Professor?”
“I’ll be at a nearby tavern. I’ll go wherever there’s a booth selling alcohol.”
As expected, a drunkard is still a drunkard. Hearing his classic lines from the original made me think,
‘Luckily, this guy is just as I remember him.’
I couldn’t help but smile. Thank goodness my helmet hides my expression.
‘It’s perfect for increasing Kainel and Ariel’s favorability.’
A night market date has its charm. As I shifted my gaze, I saw Cerberus and the Cheshire Cat playing in the distance.
“Grrr…! Ariel, how is it!? Scary, right?”
“Not at all!! Silly Kai..!!”
“Uh, look! A cockroach!”
“Eek!!!”
They seemed to boast about being childhood friends, knowing each other very well. Telling tales of bugs, while Ariel looked like she was about to cry—someone should comfort her quickly.
“…Licht, that.”
At that moment, Mardol pointed at the hero couple with her finger, asking me. So you’re finally catching on?
“…Why aren’t they dating?”
“Well, the answer is simple.”
Loving someone is all about mutual respect. That’s natural. They probably just weren’t ready. Reality can be harsh.
What is pure and white like fresh snow can easily be tainted. Without determination, pure love can be easily crushed.
They’re characters who fled for love before the battle against the Magic Hat in the sequel, so maybe that’s just how they are.
“I don’t get it…”
Mardol tilted her head, looking confused, blocking my view with a branch.
*
Just as Dennis was about to exit the magic club booth,
“Oh, sorry about that.”
“I wasn’t paying attention either.”
He slightly bumped into a passerby trying to enter the booth. The shoulders of the two men brushed against each other.
“Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine. And you?”
“I’m okay too. My apologies.”
“No problem. I’m more sorry about it, young man.”
And just like that, their short encounter ended. Both had been careless, after all. It was an encounter that passed without any unpleasantness or ill will.
“..It’s Dennis. It’s been a while.”
Watching the blue-haired man distance himself, the Head muttered briefly. Staring blankly at the small booklet that read ‘Horror Experience Booth’,
“If it wasn’t the Magic Hat, it could’ve been really dangerous.”
He carefully put back on the mask that had almost fallen during the collision.
