◆◇◆
――I recognize this feeling.
When I, as “Beck,” died, I was summoned to the place between the present world and the divine realm—what was referred to as the mezzanine floor.
Am I now, as “Tsukasa Fujiwara,” heading to that same place?
“Honestly… I’ll say this in response to your request. Aren’t you a fool? No, you are a fool. It’s definitively clear.”
Even though she says that, I can’t reply.
I can hear the voice, but I can’t get closer to its owner—in fact, it’s fading away.
“Since you became aware that you’re a reincarnated being, I wonder what would have happened if you’d acted even slightly differently… Well, fate is a bit more flexible. But it’s still dangerously precarious.”
That might be true. Without the skills I was given, I could have easily been done for much sooner. I might have been defeated if I hadn’t captured Neko Rin. If I hadn’t “compressed” the boulder, or if I hadn’t fought the Purple Balloon, or brought along the mana recovery orb, I wouldn’t have been able to strike back at that reaper-like jester.
“Even saying ‘even if it means stabbing each other’ isn’t admirable. Even if you say it’s not self-sacrifice, people around you won’t see it that way.”
Taking advantage of the fact that I can’t argue back, the voice—probably the goddess who reincarnated me—continues to say whatever she wants.
However, even in this situation, I was thinking about something that could easily get me scolded by her.
“Are you really asking if I’ve been watching you? Why would I lie about something like that? All I can do is watch, though I haven’t helped you directly.”
Divine interference with the mortal world—it was said to be possible in Beck’s world, but in this current world, it seems fundamentally impossible.
“Well… time’s up, so I’ll give you my honest opinion. There aren’t many opportunities to speak, you know?”
The goddess, who had seemed angry all along, suddenly shows herself. Just as she appeared the last time—an elf in white, with a very dissatisfied expression, says something contradictory.
“At the moment, you’re living up to expectations. Just don’t get too wrapped up in girls… But that’s probably impossible. After all, in your world, that’s what you call youth.”
Though I wanted to retort about how un-godlike that was, I couldn’t respond.
The goddess’s presence fades even further. She returns—now, my soul goes back to where it belongs.
◆◇◆
My body is shaking. Something soft touches my lips—repeated several times—then, my heart suddenly leaps.
“Gah…!”
“Fujiwara-kun… Thank goodness, you’re alive… You’re breathing…”
My blurry vision clears. Someone is looking down at me—I’m lying in a cave, flat on my back.
“That jester… where is it…?”
“It tried to do something to you again… but with that child and me…”
“We launched a simultaneous attack. However, the enemy was already neutralized by Master’s own attack.”
Nanami-san and Cipher had interfered with the jester’s attack—turning my head to the right, I see the jester kneeling, frozen, as if looking up at the sky.
“Did we… beat it? Good… Nanami-san, you’re okay…”
“…!”
Before I can finish speaking, Nanami-san throws herself on top of me. Something incredibly soft is pressed against my face—but more than that, I realize I made her cry.
“Your heart had stopped… I thought you were gone… I’m so glad…”
“I’m sorry for worrying you… I’m only alive because of you, Nanami-san.”
“No… I’m the one… it’s because you were there…”
Feeling begins to return to my body, which had been paralyzed by the lack of blood flow. Using only my right hand, the first part of me to regain motion, I gently touch Nanami-san’s trembling shoulder.
Her delicate shoulder is shaking slightly. The warmth I feel now slowly turns into a sense of relief.
“Master, I’ll administer the healing potion.”
I’m given a capsule-type medicine, extracted from medicinal herbs—thankfully, it’s easy to swallow, unlike the potions from my previous life, which were bitter and sour.
Once I swallow it, warmth spreads throughout my body—I can feel my vitality returning.
“Cipher… Let me check my student card…”
“Understood.”
I only meant to check how much vitality I had left—but the display on my student card left me in disbelief.
Level: 18 Vitality: 30/180 Mana: 27/135 Strength: 106 (D) Mental: 68 (E) Intelligence: 63 (E) Agility: 108 (D) Luck: 52 (E)
Skills: Weightlifting 2, Good Legs, Rope Technique!
I should’ve had my strength drained by the Energy Drain—yet my level had increased beyond what I regained. The significant increase in Strength and Agility must be the result of my weightlifting skill growing, and gaining the “Good Legs” skill as well.
Does this mean I gained a lot of experience from defeating the jester? It was a tough enemy to beat… The Void Blast worked, but it disappeared after its effect activated. I’ll need to think about converting powerful attacks into chips and storing them for later use.
“Na… Nanami-san…”
“Huh… S-sorry…”
It was my fault for trying to talk while buried in her chest—Nanami-san flinched and got up quickly.
“I’ve never cried in front of anyone before… It’s embarrassing.”
Though she says that, I think she’s a person with a big heart, despite her cool exterior. Maybe she’s not aware of it herself.
“Ahem… The teachers will be arriving shortly.”
“Ah, right… what about your team, Nanami-san…?”
“They’re unconscious. That was a strong monster… so it can’t be helped.”
Nanami-san adjusts the skirts of the two unconscious girls in her team—seeing that, I decide it’s best to check on the immobile jester instead.
《Capture condition fulfilled.》
(!?)
The jester, still kneeling, dissolves into the ground—leaving behind several small gem-like objects.
“These seem different from any magic stones I’ve seen before. What are they?”
“According to the databank, these are ‘Skill Crystals.’ They are used to acquire skills.”
“Something like that exists…?”
As curious as I am about the crystals, what does it mean that I “fulfilled the capture condition”? The jester disappeared… If it’s related to a monster I fought recently, it can only be that jester.
(…I can’t imagine capturing such a creature… and even if I did, it’s meaningless if I don’t know where it went.)
“The teachers are coming.”
“Na-Nanami-san… are you okay standing alone…?”
I meant to ask if she could stand on her own, but Nanami-san moves to support me—at this distance, her chest is once again right there.
“I’m fine, don’t worry. You’re the injured one.”
Though I took the recovery potion, my body is still sluggish. Even if I got my strength back, it’s no surprise after taking the Energy Drain.
“Nanami-sama, your body temperature is rapidly rising…”
“…It’s just your imagination. This little automaton is cute, but it talks too much.”
“Nanami-sama is indeed quiet… despite having a large bust.”
“Wha…!”
Nanami-san is left speechless. I want to tell Cipher to stop making comments like that, but it’s hard to find the right words.
In any case, we managed to escape certain death. For now, we should be grateful that we’re both safe—even though Nanami-san, blushing and embarrassed, seems annoyed by her automaton’s remarks, she smiles at me knowingly, as if to say it can’t be helped.
