Monsters—creatures sworn to the Demon King that prey on humans—lurked in the shadows. Under a moonless sky, Eleanor gazed up at an ink-spilled night scattered with stars. A view she'd never seen in Japan, yet tonight, even the constellations felt clouded by her mood.
"Of all places… Nilrod Hills ?"
"Perfect, don't you think?" Louis replied smoothly. When Eleanor turned, he was seated on a rocky outcrop, silhouetted against the stars. The scene reminded her of a game CG—Starlit Sorcerer—though she'd never admit it.
"What? "
"Nothing. Let's finish this quickly."
---
Nilrod Hills, northeast of the royal capital Grenoire, was a notorious hotspot in the game. Merchants braved its monster-infested paths for the shortest route to the port town Seera. The creatures here—level 45 on average—had slaughtered Eleanor countless times in her past life.
"Today, water magic only," Louis declared.
"Yay, " Eleanor drawled.
Louis raised a hand, conjuring a glowing orb. Monsters flocked to artificial light.
Minutes later, twin serpentine shapes slithered into view—Pythons. Green-scaled, limbless, with jaws capable of crushing bone. Their HP floated above them: 1500.
In this world, combat triggered a mystical awareness—a survival instinct evolved over centuries. HP bars, elemental weaknesses, all part of the "game" woven into reality.
"Teacher, question!"
"Yes, Miss Eleanor?"
"Aren't Pythons… water-aligned? "
"Correct. Five points."
"Using water magic on them… halves the damage, right? "
"Indeed. Hence, double the practice."
"Bullying fairies isn't nice, you know! "
"Education requires rigor. "
Eleanor gritted her teeth. Louis' logic was airtight: weaker spells meant precise aim. As the Pythons lunged, she unleashed torrents, each blast meticulously controlled.
"Humans suck! Humans suck! "
"Lower the output. You're wasting magic. "
By the twelfth monster, exhaustion clawed at her. Maintaining human size drained energy, and her reserves were spent. With a poof, she shrank back to fairy form.
"Back to normal…"
"Session over. Well done. "
As Eleanor fluttered toward him, the ground trembled.
A Troll emerged—hulking, olive-skinned, dragging a club. Its beady eyes locked onto the tiny fairy.
"Louis! "
He caught her mid-air, cradling her protectively. A snap of his fingers, and the Troll burst into roaring flames. No incantation, no fanfare—just ash and silence.
"Something wrong?" Louis asked, serene.
"…No."
---
Later, in Louis' chambers, Eleanor confronted him. "The townsfolk are catching on. I haven't aged in ten years. "
"Expected," Louis said, toweling his hair. Water dripped down his collarbone."But as Chief Court Magician, I can shield you. Mostly."
He sliced his finger, offering blood. Eleanor hesitated, then latched on, drinking greedily. Louis watched, a faint smile playing on his lips as she trembled with euphoria.
"You… enjoy this," she mumbled between sips.
"Does it show?"
"Always. "
He tightened his grip, keeping her close. "Never make that face around other men."
"Let go! "
"No."
Eleanor squirmed. "You're Japanese ! Where's your shame?! "
"Hmm. Perhaps reincarnation eroded it. "
In this world, Eleanor's fairy body clashed with her human soul. Louis, meanwhile, wore his new life like a tailored robe—powerful, inscrutable, and endlessly amused by her struggles.