The Gloomy and Timid Princess Heads to the Academy

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“Stars have come…! The end!! has… come…”

Suddenly, as if struck by an electric shock, the elf jumped up with a loud, senseless scream and then collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut.

…Um. So, what I just did was just touch it, right? In that case…

What is happening? For some reason, there was magic power inside the elf, and it suddenly absorbed it, causing it to jump up and then fall back down.

Anyway, it doesn’t seem to be my fault. Something happened when I touched it, but I’m not to blame, right? As I justified myself, I heard multiple footsteps running toward me from a distance.

The light footsteps of the nearly absent elf caretakers, the heavy sound of boots belonging to Ethan, and the cheerful yet somewhat anxious sound of a girl who smelled like grass…

A weighty yet comforting rhythm was emanating from him.

“Is something going on?! Why is the word ‘end’ being said?!”

“What happened?! Is it an invasion?!”

“Ho-yeon! Are you okay?!”

It seems like Dokan is the only one really concerned about me. Seeing other elves rushing over in various ridiculous states asking what happened, it really makes me think that Dokan is the best.

“I’m fine, but I don’t know what’s going on. I swear on Mother’s name that I only touched it, and this is what happened.”

I replied in advance before the church folks started bothering me. This way, they can’t say anything.

By saying something that automatically turns me into trash if touched, the church folks seemed to be cautiously observing the situation without recklessly saying a word to me.

“Uh… The pulse is normal, and they’re out of deep unconsciousness… What on earth happened…? And why on earth is the word ‘end’ being mentioned…”

“Maybe they were having a nightmare or something. So, is it over now?”

Cecilia hurriedly used some mana to check the condition of the one who had just had a fit. Fortunately, both the elf and I had awakened from that unconscious state and were sleeping normally, so I felt somewhat relieved.

Thank goodness, this time I didn’t mess it up.

“I’m glad it’s not a big deal. When someone suddenly yelled about the end, I was worried something might have happened. But you mean to say that just touching it caused all that?”

Dokan, while worried about me, seemed to also be curious about how it turned out that way. I told him directly… but, after all, seeing is believing.

“Yes. If you really don’t believe it, should I do it again?”

“Huh? No, that’s not necessary—”

Ah, he didn’t hear. Since Dokan was a bit suspicious, I guess I have to demonstrate it myself. He was startled and waved his hands, insisting it wasn’t necessary, but I had already made up my mind.

Just then, I saw a girl elf nearby, so I reached out toward her. Ethan and Cecilia also looked pale as they summoned spirits and prepared for what might happen next.

You see, believers lack faith. Look, like this…

“…Ah, Ugh. Oh dear… The task is!! Not finished yet!!! Please give me… a bit more time!!!”

As expected, they freaked out while shouting about stars and then collapsed from exhaustion. All the magic power that had been stuck inside her was gathered back in.

“Did you see that? I really just touched her. What on earth did you think I was doing?”

I gently pushed the elf, who was about to collapse into my arms, back to her original spot. Ethan and Cecilia, who finally regained their senses, checked her state and confirmed she was fine.

“…It’s true. Just touching her caused her to wake up from unconsciousness… What on earth happened…?”

“I don’t know. But there’s one thing I do know. Ho-yeon, could you please pat each of the elves here at least once?”

Cecilia still seemed to be in a daze, but Ethan seemed a bit more alert. He politely asked if I could wake up everyone present.

“…I wouldn’t mind, but I wonder if the child next to you will allow that.”

Having been stalked until now, I decided to act a bit arrogantly to release some of the built-up tension. Dokan seemed to be reproaching me with his gaze, but he didn’t say anything.

“Um, uh…? Ah, yes. I too, would like to ask for your help! Please save our compatriots from this slumber…”

Cecilia knelt down a bit more earnestly and begged me. Well, that much effort would make me want to help a bit. Since they were sincerely asking for the church’s help, I decided to show a little more sincerity.

One by one. Initially, I had thought to simply tap their foreheads with both hands, but that seemed too lacking in effort.

“Hmmm, yes. If that’s the level of sincerity, then fine. Dokan? It might take a while… Are you okay with that?”

Though not exactly what I said, it was a similar enough sentiment.

“Since Ho-yeon-nim is doing it, how could I dare to object? Just don’t overdo it. We need to ensure no one gets hurt.”

Always so worried, Dokan is. It’s a wise attitude, but sometimes I feel like it would be nice if he could simply enjoy the moment as it is.

“Alright… Very well. You elves standing around dazed, what are you doing? Get ready to help.”

As I commanded the elves, who had remained stunned until then, they finally seemed to snap back to reality and hurriedly prepared to assist.

Then, shall we begin? I wonder how long this will take.

– – –

“Haha, Sir, are you still afraid? The one who dealt with that person and led the people beyond the wall?”

No, I’m not teasing you. I was just surprised. When I heard stories about you, you sounded like another star. As a human, you wish to find a path that belongs solely to humans.

I never expected someone with such grand intentions to be so ‘human’! This junior’s eyes are wide open in amazement.

I certainly didn’t know you were pushed to the brink to the extent of connecting your consciousness with your creations to gather information. And this task not being finished yet…

You said the end has come. You asked to prolong the submission deadline… I didn’t even know your mind was still in the academy. It seems you didn’t think things through too deeply when you escaped?

Ah, of course, I’m just joking. How many chances would a mediocre junior like me have to tease a talented senior? Haha, please don’t get too angry.

…Oops, the surrounding noise is distracting me while I’m trying to focus. Is that entity outside your control?

By coincidence… quite a ‘human’ comment. By coincidence, it was created. Does it mean it can break through its limits without control?

No. Just thinking aloud. Anyway, back to joking. I thought you had created an entirely new kind of power, but you merely ignited what was already there.

Mana… is what you called it? It’s not much different from mixing water into fuel. No, it is indeed a power too burdensome for humans.

Then why not just fix humans? Why cling so desperately to a primitive body? Ah, right. You mentioned that you wanted to remain human. I almost forgot.

And that divine power… You’re mixing sawdust with watered-down fuel? You’re clearly trying to kill us on purpose. But seeing that it’s not harmful to humans, you truly are the great one.

If you had remained, you might have already been traversing the universe. Ah, but that’s merely a hypothetical story.

Goodness. No matter how outstanding you are, you lack manners. Though elder, isn’t it polite to attach an honorific?

…Cough. My concentration is slipping again. Oh, what exactly did you do to the child of stars?

It’s nothing much. I was a bit uneasy about that person relying solely on the guards to traverse this barren and cruel land.

It seems Byeolbi lady has locked her away, but that doesn’t mean she said not to release it. So I released just a tiny bit. After all, what’s inside seems somewhat unstable.

No. It wasn’t intentional. I didn’t expect that child to show any interest in your creations. Who would have thought that I would be chasing the bottom of a foreign boy’s behind?

That she would absorb what was used to put her to sleep.

What do you mean by that boy? It seems there’s now a commonality between you and me, Sir. I don’t know. What is it exactly? Since you asked, it seems it’s not one of your works.

…Whatever it is, since you are leaving it as is, it must not be dangerous, right?

Seeing how you’re leaving it alone, at least.

– – –

I heard a variety of nonsensical chatter. They said they might fail or might have to retake classes. It sounded strangely familiar but was so random that I couldn’t get a grasp of it.

The sun was high in the sky, but by the time darkness began to cover the forest, I could finally break free.

It was merely retrieving from unconsciousness, yet the elves still seemed unable to regain their senses and would need to lie down for a while. Just as Dokan worried, no one was harmed.

“…I never knew serving others could be this hard. I should apologize to the chambermaids and my brother back home…”

“It seems you made some impressive achievements as a child. But thankfully, it all ended well.”

I was fortunate that I didn’t have to share embarrassing stories about how I jumped off a desk or sprinted to the river with Dokan.

However, it wasn’t without incident. There was magic power filling my body. I didn’t know what I could do with it, but I felt strangely energized.

With this, I could indeed go on without tiring.

But first, I need to eat. My stomach clock was hitting just the right time for dinner.

“Then let’s go have dinner. While the church folks are busy cleaning up, it’ll surely be delicious to enjoy a feast.”

The snacks I had alone in the corner while others worked hard were the tastiest. With a twisted smile, as I reminisced about that delight, Dokan tossed out a remark.

“…Ho-yeon, do you realize you sometimes say scary things so casually?”

“Is this scary? What a joke! Hurry up and follow me. Even you should know that if you’re late, I’ll leave you behind without a second thought, right?”

There was no need to think or search for where to go. People were already lining up and heading somewhere.

Arriving at the dining hall with excited steps, there was only grass.

This is hell.