Published: September 2, 2025
The magic I activated wrapped around my body.
Even though it was the usual familiar sensation, now it felt frustrating.
I took a step forward as if to confirm the effect.
It was okay, it was definitely working.
I ran together with the wind.
â—‡
I met that person just yesterday. It feels like it was longer ago, yet not even a full day has passed.
I thought I had deflected the shockwave from the high-rank demon with magic, but my body was shattered. My limbs throbbed with heat and pain, and I couldn’t move, as if I had turned into a doll.
I barely moved my neck to look around.
Fortunately, before I was slammed onto the ground, I seemed to have gotten caught on a branch of a street tree somewhere.
…Fortunate? Is it really?
Before someone from the territorial army finds me after defeating that overwhelmingly strong demon, my life’s flame will surely be extinguished.
Even now, blood slowly trickles down.
I had lost consciousness, but I came to with someone’s footsteps. Summoning my scant remaining strength, I moved my gaze.
That someone was wearing a flashy robe so bright it hurt my eyes.
From the perspective of someone wandering between life and death, it felt completely out of place yet strangely ordinary.
I thought, I’ll return to that ordinary life too!
Though I felt a little deflated because of the flashy robe, I called out before he left. I think my voice sounded somewhat carefree.
â—‡
I ran.
Avoiding people, avoiding carts, I ran.
One step forward.
One moment sooner.
I ran.
â—‡
I must have been unconscious because right after I called out, he was standing beside me.
He was a calm-looking boy who you wouldn’t expect to wear such a flashy robe.
He wasn’t handsome by any means but carried a pleasant aura.
He checked my injuries and lifted me up gently—not like handling fragile objects, but very tenderly.
His seemingly brand-new robe got stained with my blood and dust.
But he didn’t seem to care about that at all.
Despite his slender appearance, he seemed surprisingly strong and didn’t falter when lifting me.
How would he get me down from the tree?
Magic?
Contrary to my expectations, he didn’t use magic but jumped down from the branch.
â—‡
I ran through alleyways.
Kicking off walls to keep my momentum around corners.
Dancing past surprised onlookers.
No time to worry about my skirt fluttering.
I ran with all my might.
â—‡
I closed my eyes tightly, bracing for the impact I knew was coming.
I detested the scream near my ear—but it was my own voice.
Yet, the impact never came.
Cautiously opening my eyes, I saw him, looking worried, gently speaking to me.
He had jumped onto a roof adjacent to the branch, not down below.
How nimble!
From now on, I’ll call him Nimble.
He crossed several rooftops holding me, searching for a place to descend.
He bounced lightly like a feather, barely feeling his weight. It was as if wings had sprouted.
Would flying feel like this?
â—‡
My breath was getting short.
But I couldn’t stop now.
I had to survive for him, who trusted me and sent for help.
Ignoring my body’s cries.
I would rest as much as I needed later.
Now, one step sooner.
â—‡
Even when passing through cramped houses, he carefully avoided letting my broken limbs touch any furniture.
Being treated so tenderly made me feel like a princess.
Just moments ago, I had been prepared to die, but how fickle the heart is.
With each dodge of furniture, I enjoyed the feeling of being pressed close to him.
Though I trained with male colleagues, none of them had the beast-like body odor he lacked. On the contrary, he even carried a faint elegant scent.
His hair was silky smooth. I wanted to touch it a little…
The battle in the square was already over. It seemed we had won.
He took me for treatment.
After the treatment, he left me at the aid station and went to help others.
As he left, he turned once and waved.
I wasn’t sure if it was for me, but it made me a little happy.
â—‡
We were almost at Central Street.
A child suddenly dashed out from a side alley.
I couldn’t avoid them at this speed. I flipped forward through the air, landing beyond the child.