Chapter 86

Iris, who’s suffering from insomnia due to nightmares.

The next day, I was dragging her along to training with Aisha.

Last night, Iris had been puzzled after hearing my story, but she had become someone who couldn’t sleep without my warmth anymore.

So, even if she couldn’t understand my words, she hugged me and fell asleep.

The next day, I forcibly woke Iris, who was still half-asleep.

I’ve now mastered the art of waking Iris up like a drill sergeant.

Iris has a very sensitive side.

It turns out I accidentally discovered this while pondering ways to escape her grip.

As I glanced back, I saw Iris gently rubbing her side.

“How’s the morning air, Iris?”

Upon hearing my question, Iris took a quick look around.

“Refreshing.”

The autumn air that followed the end of summer felt crisp.

Iris seemed to feel the freshness of the morning air, and her face relaxed a bit.

Thanks to my presence, Iris had gone to bed early yesterday.

Her previously sunken mood looked much better.

“We’re almost there.”

As I led Iris to our destination, Aisha was standing there.

Aisha was now wearing a slightly longer version of her short workout attire, impressively tall compared to my Hanon frame.

If this were the real world, Aisha would be the type of person who could model for runway shows.

Fortunately, Isabel was nowhere to be seen.

After the recent Boycott Incident, Isabel had opted not to participate in our morning training.

“Aisha.”

“Ah, Senpai…”

Aisha paused for a moment when responding to my call.

It was because she noticed Iris standing beside me.

Her eyes went wide.

Of course, it was a natural reaction since I brought along one of the national treasures, the 3rd Princess.

“Aisha, this is Iris. She’ll be training with us starting today.”

“I’m honored to meet the 3rd Princess.”

As Aisha greeted with formality, Iris waved her hand.

“This is Jerion Academy. Treat me as you would with Hanon, who’s your senpai.”

“Yes, understood.”

Aisha isn’t someone who’s inflexible either.

If Iris requests it like that, she’d gladly oblige.

“Today, I’m considering changing up the training methods a bit for Iris. Is that okay?”

“Yes, training methods should be varied so the body doesn’t get used to it and continues to improve. I actually welcome that.”

That’s a typical Aisha response.

“Let’s go, Iris.”

“Uh-huh.”

And thus began our training session with a still puzzled look on Iris’s face.

The training style was simple.

Iris is one of the few people of her age capable of awakening their Aura.

However, since her realization is one level above the rest, she couldn’t blaze her Aura as brilliantly as they could.

But the fact that she could use Aura itself was significant.

I had Iris continuously use her Aura during the training.

At first, Iris was puzzled by this.

However, it seemed I had built up enough rapport that she complied.

Thus, Iris spent the entire morning training expending her Aura.

When her body finally felt too exhausted to emit any more Aura, we wrapped up the session.

“Phew, have you been doing this kind of training every day?”

As Iris caught her breath and asked, I smiled.

“Iris, stamina is power.”

“I think I understand why Hanon never seems to tire.”

Even during the last incident at Magung, I had endured solely through physical stamina.

Iris grasped that point through this training.

“By the way, how’s your body doing?”

“My body?”

As she heard the question, Iris lightly lifted the hem of her workout attire.

For a moment, her pale stomach appeared, nearly taking my breath away.

I felt like I’d be arrested for blasphemy.

“I think I’ve lost some weight.”

“Iris, if Hania were here, she would’ve fainted.”

It would mostly be from joy, of course.

I helped Iris fix her outfit.

“Rather, Iris, focus on your inner self.”

As Iris blinked her large eyes, she began examining her inner self.

She’s someone who handles Aura well.

If it were her, she could certainly delve into her own inner world.

Soon, Iris’s eyes slowly opened.

She looked at me with slightly surprised eyes.

“…All the stagnant energy is gone.”

The power that’s been residing within her was indeed the energy of Evil Zone.

This power is supplied through nightmares.

So, if she blows it all out, it should be fine.

I instructed her to keep expelling Aura during our morning training.

As a result, Iris, reaching her limit on Aura, had naturally consumed the power of the Evil Zone as well.

As a result of removing that bothersome power.

The unusual magical power that comprised Iris began to fade.

Iris’s face morphed into one of clarity.

It was only natural since the pressure that had been weighing on her had vanished.

Iris was indeed equipped with a level of power that set her apart from others, being a true villainess.

People have a tendency to hoard their own power instinctively, so Iris probably hadn’t had many experiences where she fully exhausted herself like today.

“I’ll stay with you tonight. Let’s try getting some sleep.”

Even so, Iris’s insomnia remains a fundamental issue.

She has developed a habit of avoiding sleep due to being tormented by nightmares.

Even if the influence of the Evil Zone has diminished, it won’t mean she can immediately fall asleep due to her habit.

So, I decided to keep watching over her for a while.

“…Okay.”

Iris gazed at me with an unreadable expression.

Though I couldn’t decipher her intention, thus began Iris’s sweet sleep project.

* * *

Time flows by without a hitch.

It’s been a whole week since we initiated Iris’s sweet sleep project.

Iris’s face has noticeably brightened.

“Hanon, good morning.”

She even started waking up earlier than me to prepare for morning training.

Iris has been increasing the intensity of her training each day.

She was putting in all her effort to shake off even the tiniest bit of nightmares.

Thanks to that effort, Iris has recently begun to anticipate the nights more.

It had been far too long since she experienced peaceful sleep, so it made sense she ended up looking forward to it.

“Hanon, come here.”

Iris once again called for me and hugged me as she slept.

Now, I was used to sleeping like this as well.

But still, the root issue of her nightmares has not been resolved.

‘It’s about time to get ready.’

The moment has come to prepare something that could actually reduce Iris’s nightmares.

Thus, I spent my time focusing on caring for Iris’s nightmares day by day.

Meanwhile, unfamiliar faces began to appear at the academy.

They were all new instructors and professors, brought in to replace those expelled after the recent boycott incident.

Many of them, shortly after arriving at Jerion Academy, exchanged greetings with Iris.

It was proof they belonged to the 3rd Princess faction.

The newly arrived instructors and professors were quite diligent.

Having been thoroughly trained by the Duke of Robliju, they guided the students while showcasing their skills.

Thanks to that, the atmosphere at Jerion Academy began to change significantly.

The former instructors and professors who had committed misdeeds were mostly unpleasant individuals.

With these new individuals taking their place and conducting classes sincerely, the students were influenced as well.

“This isn’t a wasted effort.”

As I observed the changed atmosphere of the academy, Seron gave me a light tap on the arm.

Today, I was having lunch with Seron, as Iris and Hania happened to be away.

Card seemed busier than ever lately, rushing around everywhere.

That might explain why our lunch meetings have decreased.

So, I ended up having a meal with just Seron.

Indeed, Seron was right.

Rosamin, the head of the boycott, would surely feel a sense of accomplishment after her month-long suspension ended.

“By the way, Prince Sweet Potato.”

She lowered her posture while calling me.

I lowered myself in response.

“What is it?”

“…Why do you keep coming to the girls’ dorm in Hania’s guise?”

Did this guy finally catch on to me?

“Seron, have you been stalking me?”

“After what you said last time, why wouldn’t I keep an eye out? Of course, I have to be vigilant about a creep coming into the girls’ dorm.”

Why does the stalker sound so confident? This is ridiculous.

“You keep slipping in and out of Iris’s room. What on earth are you doing? What if you get caught?”

Iris thinks I’m Hanon.

If she finds out I’m Bickamon, I’ll be executed just for sneaking into a princess’s chamber.

“I’m just helping Iris sleep better.”

But honestly, I’m just playing the role of a comfort doll.

I swear I haven’t done anything shameful.

To be precise, stripped of feelings of love, I’ve been forced to suppress my primal desires, so such situations just don’t occur.

“As long as you keep your mouth shut, you won’t get caught.”

“Fine, I don’t want to see you getting executed, so I will keep my mouth shut.”

Seron muttered with slight annoyance while casting glances at me.

“…It sounds pretty sneaky from my perspective.”

“What’s so sneaky about it?”

“I can’t sleep either.”

I blinked in surprise.

What’s this guy on about? He was dozing off during the morning hours earlier.

“Yeah, I’m sure you thought of me.”

Oh man, seriously?

Seron’s face flushed bright red as she fidgeted.

She transformed into a tomato after saying that.

Who would’ve thought she would come at me with a direct line like that?

“…Aren’t you embarrassed saying that?”

“I-I am! But what can I do? It’s the truth!”

It was indeed the truth.

Seron pressed her lips together tightly and covered her face with her hands.

“Don’t look at my face.”

Even I felt embarrassed just by observing her.

“No, look at me properly. Remember how serious I am!”

I stared at Seron and then looked around.

Fortunately, no one was around.

It was only natural as we were strolling through a rarely populated area.

It appeared Seron had brought me to this secluded spot to say such a thing without being seen.

She’s quite crafty.

So, I subtly loosened my cloak and transformed into Bickamon.

“W-Wait, oh.”

As soon as I became Bickamon, Seron froze up.

“Seron, say that again.”

Seron’s eyes nearly popped out of her head.

She had somehow transformed into a timid little girl and was wiggling her feet.

“Hiee!”

And then she let out a strange sound and bolted away.

I discovered a solid method to deter Seron recently.

When I’m Hanon, she’ll act normally, but upon turning into Bickamon, she’s unable to cope and runs off.

It seems she’s never gotten used to my Bickamon face.

‘Well, that makes sense. She’s had feelings bottled up for most of her life.’

Seron still needs time to prepare herself emotionally.

I successfully dealt with Seron and wrapped the cloak back around me.

Seron is getting bolder by the day, and I worry about what lies ahead.

‘More importantly, it’s about time.’

I gazed at the ripe autumn leaves, feeling that Act 4, Chapter 2 had begun.

Act 4, Chapter 2.

The International Individual Championship.

A sort of friendly event where academy students from each kingdom and empire compete every three years.

And I absolutely must transfer one specific individual to Jerion Academy here.

‘That’s why I eagerly burned through this summer break.’

I clenched my fists tightly.

This person is needed for Iris’s nightmares and her future.

Someone with a spirit akin to the flames of determination.

She must be transferred to Jerion Academy.