Leon led Shaka to the dormitory in the living area.
With the "Monster Manifestation Device" complete, part of their agreement was fulfilled, Astraea Familia was now officially part of the school district. Corresponding uniforms and dormitories were allocated as a result.
Shaka now had his own room. He pushed open the door and looked around.
"Not bad, thanks," he nodded in satisfaction.
"You'll have plenty to arrange, so I'll leave you to it," Leon said before taking his leave.
Shaka immediately set to work laying out magic circles. He wouldn't be staying here permanently, but to ensure the young players could move freely, he needed to install the finished "Spiritual Particle Transfer Device."
The technology had been nearly complete when he developed the Flying Thunder God Kunai: anchor coordinates with a magic circle, spend 100 attribute points to create a spatial portal, then bind it to his summoning location using sacred texts linked to his descent magic.
As dusk fell, Shaka stretched: "Now players can choose where to log in and out it's basically a teleport array."
He felt a pang of envy unfortunately, the portal was too small for him to use personally.
After finishing all preparations, Shaka activated the summoning circle and contacted Yui through the group. The circle glowed bright.
The moment she was resurrected, Yui dropped to her knees in one smooth motion: "I'm so sorry!"
Shaka's expression was serious: "Do you know what you did wrong?"
Yui spoke timidly: "I shouldn't have died so carelessly. Punish me however you want but please don't ban my account!"
She was terrified. Even knowing there was a resurrection cooldown, she'd been unable to log back in with her helmet, and the feeling of helplessness after tasting freedom was unbearable. The withdrawal was like severe internet addiction but she didn't regret her choice.
Shaka sighed deeply: "Resurrection costs 1000 exclusive contribution points. Please replenish them as soon as possible."
"Contribution points..."
Yui's ears drooped. She knew everyone who'd fought the fairy had gained attribute boosts and points, but her death had left her stats unchanged.
Shaka was firm on this rule. Character deaths required consuming ability points to revive only one-tenth of the corresponding level's cost, so just 10 points total. While not much, every point had been earned with his life, and he wouldn't let players waste them.
More importantly...
"There's someone else you need to apologize to," Shaka said, pulling two potato balls from behind his back and handing them to her. "She's waiting at Training Ground No. 7."
Though confused, Yui took the "mission item" and headed there.
Training Ground No. 7
Dinnertime had passed, and trainees had left in groups to eat. The empty arena held only one figure a fairy with dark brown hair, chanting spells over and over, launching them at a target.
Magic leaked out repeatedly, then she'd gather her strength and try again. Eventually, she knelt on the ground, drained of all power.
Lefiya was lost in thought. She'd joined the school district for knowledge, but now her future felt uncertain. As a top student, she'd always been praised especially for her exceptional magic.
"You'd be perfect as an adventurer."
That comment had first opened her eyes to the profession. But now...
The memory of her companion who'd high-fived her moments before being engulfed in flames left her questioning everything:
What is an adventurer? A mercenary risking their life for money? Or a hero saving the world? Only one thing is certain adventurers face danger, and death can come at any time.
The reality hit hard after Yui's disappearance.
Do I really want to be an adventurer?
Lefiya pulled out a battle axe from her bag Yui's guitar tomahawk, which she'd had a classmate repair. Even fixed, it felt different, like the girl's bright smile could never be brought back...
"Eek my guitar tomahawk!"
A familiar, high-pitched voice rang out: "You fixed it for me! Thank you so much!"
The pink-pigtailed girl in a miniskirt bounced over, full of energy.
"Yu-Yui?!"
"It's Yui-nyan!"
Yui made scissor hands, then curled a fist beside her head like a cat.
"You—you—you—"
Lefiya stared in shock, then her eyes widened with terror before melting into joy and relief.
"Me?" Yui tilted her head, pointing at herself. Then she remembered, snatched the guitar, and strummed the strings with fierce passion:
"I know you must miss my hopeful singing!"
Under the moonlight, she began to play. The barely repaired guitar let out shrill, off-key sounds but her voice was clear and steady, cutting through the noise to reach Lefiya's ears.
I've never truly known sadness, yet I've already felt pain. Even the feelings I hold for you now turn into a thousand words...
The calm, encouraging tone made Lefiya forget everything, listening intently.
Wake from the dream of an unknown world, spread your wings to the vast sky. Fly forward, never looking back toward the pure white clouds drifting ahead...
Yui clumsily sang "Bluebird," speaking to herself as much as she was encouraging Lefiya. She'd wanted to form a band because music had given her courage during her hopeless hospital days and now she wanted to share that hope with her grieving friend.
As the song ended, moonlight glinted off Yui's sweat-drenched forehead.
Lefiya threw herself into Yui's arms, clinging tightly and feeling every inch of her:
"Hey stop touching me, it tickles!"
"You're alive! It's really you! This is amazing!"
"What?!"
Yui swatted at Lefiya's rear with her claws in mock anger.
"Eee-woo—haha! Woo-woo!" Lefiya cried and laughed at once, feeling the warm pulse of life in Yui's embrace.
Later, they ate the potato balls Yui had brought, walking side by side as night fell.
"So were you moved by Yui-nyan's guitar skills?"
Lefiya lightly kicked Yui's butt and muttered: "You play terribly, idiot."
"What?! Say that again! I'll get you!" Yui retaliated with a playful sweep of her leg.
"Hehe, ha."
The little elf listened to Yui's energetic voice and smiled: "It is terrible but I like it."