Published: March 21, 2026
This time it’s a bit longer.
"...hn."
When I woke up, I had no idea how many days had passed since then, but outside was pitch dark.
The room looked familiar — it was the same room in Crow's house where I had been made to sleep after I had exhausted my magical power with Shadow Magic.
From the next room I could hear Amelia and Yoru's voices.
Hearing Amelia's lively voice made me ease up a little.
After we left the labyrinth, we dragged our battered bodies to Crow's house.
I hadn't confirmed whether Mahiro or Aurum had left the labyrinth or not.
But they probably weren't around anymore.
"Alright, first eat and sleep. We'll talk after that."
The moment we arrived home Crow told us that and handed us fruit and bread.
I had no idea how many hours the fight with the two Demon Clan members had taken, but I was hungry, so I gratefully accepted the food.
After that, I don't remember anything.
I don't remember getting into the futon either, so someone must've carried me.
I must've been that exhausted — falling asleep in the middle of a meal.
It's always like this when I use Shadow Magic.
"...seems your master has woken up."
Crow said that from the next room.
There were sounds of bustling, and Amelia and Yoru entered the room.
I squinted against the bright light from the next room.
"Akira!!"
"Master!!!"
They lunged at me while my eyes hadn't adjusted to the light, and I tumbled back into the futon without much resistance.
Guess I'm still not fully recovered.
"Akira, I... I—"
I stroked Amelia's head as she pressed her face against my chest, her voice shaking.
Unfortunately, I couldn't find the words to say.
I know it wasn't intentional, but I almost died.
If Shadow Magic hadn't healed me, I'd probably be in the ground by now.
No matter what I say, Amelia seems ready to blame herself.
This one I'll just have to let time heal.
"Yoru, how long did I sleep?"
Yoru immediately jumped onto my shoulder like it was his usual spot. I asked him, and he gave a weary shrug.
His manner bugs me for some reason.
"It was only one day this time. You didn't expend magical power like last time, so it's probably just fatigue. Still, pathetic—Amelia and I woke up after only a few hours."
I could tell he was deliberately saying that to dispel Amelia's gloomy mood, but it still annoyed me.
God, it annoyed me.
I forced the feeling down and managed to lower my fist.
"So, anything happen?"
There was no way nothing had occurred in a whole day.
When I asked, Amelia and Yoru's faces tightened in surprise.
"Talk about that over here. You have visitors."
Crow's voice made me turn my head, and I saw an unexpected person standing at the door.
Startled, I flung off the futon covering.
The sudden movement made Yoru fall off my shoulder.
Normally I'd pick him up, but right now that wasn't a priority.
"Vice Captain Zeal!?"
"Ah, it's been a while."
He greeted me with a wry smile as I rushed over. He still had that world-weary expression. He was in light travel clothes rather than the knight armor I last saw him in, but it was definitely Zeal, the vice knight commander of the Kingdom of Reytis.
He looked over at Amelia and Yoru perched on my shoulder.
Yoru grumbled about being dropped and Amelia was soothing him.
Zeal smiled gently.
"Looks like you've found good companions."
I scratched my cheek, embarrassed.
Somehow I couldn't hide things from Zeal. He was more psychic than Commander Saran.
"Well, yeah."
My vague answer made him laugh more.
Yoru hopped back onto my shoulder and peered at my face with a sly grin.
"Why not just admit they're good companions, Master?"
That irritated me even more.
I grabbed Yoru by the scruff of the neck and tossed him onto the futon.
Let the squawking cat be.
I held out my hand to Amelia.
"Amelia, we're leaving."
"Y-yeah."
She took my hand tentatively. It felt warm as always, though a little awkward.
I stepped into the next room and was even more surprised.
Zeal wasn't the only visitor.
I saw someone sitting in a chair and my eyes widened.
"Akira."
"Kyousuke..."
Seven of the classmates we had left behind at Reytis Castle were there.