Published: August 15, 2025
I found myself in a soft, fluffy world of pale pink.
Though the ground beneath me was soft and springy, whenever I tried to go somewhere, there were countless hard mountains blocking my way—paths I wanted to pass through but simply couldn’t.
...What am I supposed to do now?
As I pondered this with a humph, a white watering can suddenly appeared in my hand. When I tilted it, a trickle of liquid came out. Looking closely, I saw that the liquid from the watering can was slowly dissolving the hard mountains.
Holding the watering can in one hand, I diligently poured water bit by bit, melting the hard mountains as if they were lumps of rock candy.
The really hard parts were rock solid and wouldn’t melt at all, but if I patiently kept pouring water, they gradually softened. Then, when I gave them a few good kicks with my feet, they cracked and crumbled.
...Hmm. Now I can get through.
There were still some parts that hadn’t completely melted, but since I could pass, I thought, well, that’s good enough and moved on to the next mountain.
That’s how I went on, breaking down one hard mountain after another.
Sometimes the watering can ran out of liquid, but it was quickly refilled. All I thought about was breaking down the mountains as I relentlessly let the liquid flow from the can.
...With just one watering can, I really gave it my all. Someone please praise me.
Filled with a tremendous sense of accomplishment, I slowly lifted my eyelids.
In my wavering vision, I saw a human figure.
Then, suddenly, a large palm plunged in with force.
My head was lifted by that hand, and my upper body was half-forcibly raised to a sitting position.
“Uehk! Cough, cough, cough!”
The moment my body was raised into a seated position, air rushed in through my nose and mouth. I was so surprised by the unexpected situation that my eyes darted about as I coughed.
...I’m drowning in air!
While my mouth flapped open and shut, my back was suddenly smacked hard.
“Gehf!” A liquid that seemed stuck deep in my chest shot out of my mouth, and breathing became easier, but my back was tingling with pain.
Tearful, I glared up at the person who had hit my back.
“It hurts, Head Priest.”
The first figure in my view was the Head Priest.
Inside the secret room of the head priest’s office, I was sitting in a white box filled with Yureve. In front of me was the Head Priest, frowning deeply. It was almost the same scene as just before I went to sleep.
“You’ve finally woken up. You’ve been asleep far too long.”
The Head Priest, after saying this, checked my forehead and neck pulse, and after a few examinations, he slowly exhaled, “There doesn’t appear to be any serious problem.”
I blinked a few times and tentatively moved my fingers. I couldn’t apply much strength.
“Have I really become healthy?”
Unlike before I fell asleep, I could now control my mana freely, but I didn’t feel physically healthier. Maybe I’d lost muscle strength from sleeping so long.
As I fidgeted with my hand still immersed in Yureve, the Head Priest opened his mouth with a painfully reluctant expression.
“Ah, Rosemine. I have some very unfortunate news.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about your mana…”
“Yes?”
“It’s not completely dissolved.”
Time seemed to stop for me. After nearly a year and a half of gathering materials and making Yureve, all the hardships came rushing back, and I looked up at the Head Priest in disbelief.
“Ehhhh!? Wait, why? Why hasn’t it dissolved? Could it be that because I slacked off a bit when using the watering can, it’s my fault!?”
“I did not slack off.”
The Head Priest said, sounding a bit annoyed, and I tried to shake my head in denial—but I couldn’t, and my head tilted forward. If he hadn’t reached out and held my forehead, I would have plunged back into the Yureve again.
“I’m talking about my dream, not you, Head Priest... Ah, my head feels dizzy.”
The Head Priest pressed his temple and sighed deeply. “You get headaches whether you’re awake or asleep,” he murmured, glaring at me, and I was left speechless.