Three days after returning to the cabin.
“Another strong and powerful morning!”
I woke up, squinting my eyes at the sound of my Master’s voice outside.
“…Is it morning?”
Recently, my Master seems to want to bring back the old vibe of the cabin. She starts the day with the rather peculiar phrase “strong and powerful morning,” which she hadn’t said in ages.
Of course, I’m quite used to this side of her. Ever since her early childhood, right up until just before she descended the mountain, she would wake up with that phrase. I even felt a bit neglected, as she hadn’t shown such enthusiasm since she came down.
“Nameless! Are you still sleeping?!”
“I’m up!”
I grinned and stepped out of my room.
“Hmmm! Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, I slept soundly.”
I replied with my head bowed, not just for formality—it’s true. Since coming to the cabin, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my sleep quality. I’m not entirely sure why, but perhaps it’s because I’ve returned to a place like home? Or maybe it’s related to the feng shui that my Master often talks about.
Well, it doesn’t really matter; as my Master always says, as long as I feel good, right?
“Good! Then I’ll start the energy cultivation soon, so get ready and come!”
“Yes, Master.”
After cleaning myself up, I followed her up to the cliff.
It was the start of another day at the cabin.
*
After experiencing various events at the Academy and the Imperial Palace, today marks three days since Nameless and I returned to the cabin.
“Nameless, how’s the food coming along?”
I patted my soft belly and shouted, and I heard Nameless’s voice from a distance.
“I’ll have it ready shortly.”
“Okay.”
I replied briefly and plopped back down on the floor.
“Hmmm.”
On this third day of returning, or rather, the third day of being stuck in the cabin without taking a single step.
What have I been doing during that time?
Surprisingly, other than checking on Nameless’s condition every night, I hadn’t done anything else.
That’s right; I literally did nothing.
… I didn’t know my adaptability would be this quick either.
Contrary to my thoughts that I might get bored, I successfully adjusted to life cramped in my room.
It seems that humans really are creatures of adaptation.
… I think my image might be getting a little weird though.
Well, if I were to muster a defense, I could say that I don’t have any urgent tasks.
I may have boasted about managing the Cheonma Church, but the ones who attacked the Imperial Palace also need some time to regroup.
I’ll deal with the Cheonma Church once they’ve had enough rest.
And what else can I do?
Hmm… the Academy?
Nah, definitely not that.
Being a professor was fun, but once was enough, and having just one disciple, Nameless, is plenty for me.
So the Academy is out.
The Imperial Palace…?
“Ugh, that doesn’t sound right either.”
What kind of face would I make while visiting the Imperial Palace after the Cheonma Church attacked it? I’m not that thick-skinned.
So, a place where I really wouldn’t have to leave my cozy room.
Thinking of my narrow human relationships, I found myself humming softly.
Hmm, right now the only person I can think of is Ellen.
No, not just right now; even after days of pondering, I have no one to consider a friend aside from Camilla.
“Hmmm… Camilla…”
Well, Camilla is at least worth visiting to see her face.
We have a strong friendship, and when we spar, there’s something we both gain, right?
That’s what you call a mutually beneficial relationship.
I enjoy sparring with Camilla, while she gains insights from fighting me.
Truly a splendid symbiotic relationship.
“Maybe I should visit Ellen…?”
Gradually, the thought of visiting Ellen is appealing to me.
However.
“That’s not a good idea right now.”
Camilla is currently undergoing secluded training.
Given that situation, with my aura being relatively dense, if I go there, I’d only be a distraction to Camilla, who needs to focus.
So, visiting Camilla is off the table.
Of course, besides Camilla, Lucius and Elia are up north too, but…
I don’t really feel close to them.
I’m not sure how the Hero and the Saint perceive me, but it might just be a one-sided awkwardness on my part.
Well, anyway.
There’s really no value in visiting them just to exchange greetings.
I finished piecing my short thoughts together and grinned widely.
“Ah, it’s decided then.”
Staying holed up in my room is surely the best option.
Hmm, yes.
Just as I was contentedly nodding my head.
“Master.”
Nameless entered the room, holding a small table laden with various foods, and spoke up.
“I’ve finished preparing the meal.”
“Oooh….”
I felt excited even without seeing the food yet.
It smells good!
And, not to brag, but our Nameless is really a fantastic cook.
The girl who marries him will be extremely lucky.
…Hmm, maybe I shouldn’t think like that.
I was eagerly waiting for Nameless to set the table when I suddenly noticed Nameless avoiding my gaze.
…No way.
I sprang up from my seat to see the food on the table.
It was all green, green, and more green!
Wait… purple? What is this?
I looked up at Nameless with a bewildered expression.
“Uh, the stored food is running low, so for a while….”
“W-What….”
I collapsed onto the floor, my legs giving way.
No meat-side dishes….
Even though I need to eat minimal amounts for myself, I still share meals with Nameless to support him.
What am I supposed to enjoy about eating if there’s no meat….
Yet at my age, I can’t just turn my nose up at the food either.
I sighed deeply and pounded the floor.
“Let’s eat….”
“…Yes, Master.”
The purple dish turned out to be stir-fried eggplant.
*
In the stillness of the early dawn, I could hear insects chirping faintly.
I slowly opened my eyes and stepped outside the cabin.
Using my aura, I began to weave thin strands, gradually expanding my control over the area.
The goal is the entire mountain, no, the entire mountain range.
“Sigh.”
Why am I undertaking such absurd tasks?
Simply because I’m a coward.
The Cheonma Church’s children beneath me attacked the Imperial Palace, and Nameless sided with them.
Of course… the intention was noble; in the end, it was an act meant to help, but…
The Empire and the Academy may think differently.
After all, we are outsiders to each other.
It’s only natural to have differing opinions.
It might be a bit extreme, but who knows when the Empire will lead its army, or when the Academy’s headmaster would personally come to seek us out?
And if my friend Camilla comes out of her seclusion and sees this situation, what would she think?
What about Lucius and Elia?
Would they consider Nameless and me enemies and plan a hunt against us?
As I said, I understand that it’s a leap.
I also know it stems from my persistent paranoia.
But… I’m anxious.
I’m a coward, a nobody.
I used annoyance as an excuse to dodge responsibility.
I need to change now.
…But how? I’m unsure.
“Ha…”
I opened my eyes and exhaled.
… I’m still okay, it seems.
No one’s coming to the mountain range just yet.
That said, I didn’t retract the threads I had just deployed.
An attack could come at any moment.
I lifted my head briefly to gaze at the high-hanging moon before making my way to Nameless’s room.
I still have more tasks to accomplish.
-Creak
I wondered if Nameless was awake, hesitating before opening the door.
After all, I’ve memorized the rhythm of her breath and how often she stirs in her sleep, so I wouldn’t mistake it.
Softly, I exhaled into the stillness of the room.
I gently placed my hand over her chest as she breathed evenly.
Thump, thump—the steady beat of her heart.
Her external state appears normal.
Next, just as I flooded the mountain range with my aura, I directly infused it into Nameless’s heart.
-…
Perhaps because I’ve fed her so much in the past few days, I didn’t see any indication that Nameless was trying to consume my aura.
However, it’s best to be thorough.
I sent my aura flowing from her heart through the veins and danjeon, enriching her own aura.
“… Ugh.”
She stirred slightly because of that, but it’s not enough to wake her up.
Well… to be precise, Nameless does tend to react to small sounds, but she’s insensible to anything related to me.
It’s probably an instinctual level of trust that transcends rational judgment.
For some reason, that thought made me smile and raise the corners of my mouth, but then…
“Actually, I think I….”
Hearing Nameless mumble in her sleep made my grin turn into a straight line.
…I didn’t hear anything.
Quietly, I stood up from my seat and left the room.
And that was the end of my work at the cabin.
