100. Abnormality and White Lily Academy [1]

I slowly awaken to the warm sunlight hitting my skin.

「……?」

As my head cleared up, the surrounding information rushed in.

The smell of lush grass and leaves.

A bird chirping.

Pleasant breeze

「Where am I…?」

I got up and looked around. Lush trees came into view. It would seem that I was sleeping in the woods.

「E-Eh…?」I was puzzled.「Why am I sleeping in a place like this?」

My body felt fresh, but for some reason my head felt heavy.

(If I remember correctly… The Thousand Blade Festival was held yesterday. I remember going to a haunted house with Ria and Rose. After that, I played poker with the president at the Thousand Blade Shadow Festival. After that, Tessa made a fool of himself at the celebration party, and then… eh?)

I was able to remember well up to that point, but… I couldn’t recall anything else beyond that.

「…Can’t help it. Let’s go for a short walk.」

I must still be half asleep, I thought. So, I brushed off the dirt on my clothes and took a stroll along the forest. As I walked around for a few minutes, I immediately understood where『here』was.

(…It’s been a long time.)

I was in the small forest near Paula-san’s dorm.

Back when I attended the Gran Swordsmanship Academy, I trained here during my spare time, so I remember the geography perfectly.

「Which means… that should also be around here…」

I relied on the memories of the past, and searched around for a bit and – found it.

「Ha-haa… I’m feeling nostalgic for some reason…」

I picked up the『100 million years button』which was just lying out in the open.

This is where everything started.

「Seriously… what was all that…」

As the memories of hellish time spent in the other world vaguely resurfaced, I pressed the button that gleamed a mysterious red – nothing happened. Obviously.

This button was already broken. Looking closely, a large sword wound was engraved on the pedestal part of the button. The mark left behind when I cut asunder the『Prison of Time』.

「Hermit of time, huh. Where and what are you doing right now…?」

According to Leia-sensei, he’s travelling around the world and handing over the 100 million-year button to individuals who hold innate talent. It’s uncertain what he hopes to accomplish through doing so, but there is no doubt he has some sort of objective.

「…Well, we won’t see each other again.」

I placed the 100 million-year button back where it was lying.

「Since I’m already here, let’s drop by Paula-san’s.」

I’m visiting her dorm for the first time in six months.

■

I arrived at Paula-san’s dormitory as I trotted through the familiar forest like it was my own garden.

「…It’s a good smell.」

She seems to be in the middle of making lunch, as the aroma from inside filled my nostrils. This spicy feeling that stimulates my appetite is probably curry rice.

「Man, I’ve missed this place…」

In front of me was a two-story wooden dormitory. It’s only been six months yet I felt very nostalgic for some reason.

I knocked on the huge door which was of Paula-san’s size – there was no answer.

(Well, that’s right…)

She puts her everything in when doing something. I’m sure she didn’t hear the knock, being so concentrated in her cooking.

「Excuse me.」I said just in case, and entered.

I took off my shoes at the front door and went to the kitchen – as I guessed, Paula-san was in the middle of making lunch.

Paula Garedzar.

She’s the dorm mother in this dorm where I used to live.

She has a big frame of more than two meters tall.

A face which vibed with strength.

The white apron over the black shirt was still the same as ever.

And looking at her as usual rolled up sleeves… her upper arms were about 3.5 times bulker than mine.

(That’s funny… I have trained my body quite a bit, but…)

The difference around the arm seems to be wider than six months ago.

Perhaps… Paula-san has also grown a little.

「HmmmHmmHm!」she hummed a unique song with greatness and astringency coexisting, as she stirred the pot in a good mood.

Then I coughed and called out to her.

「-Paula-san, it’s been a long time.」

「…Nn? Oh, it’s Allen! How are you doing… What’s wrong with your head!?」

Just as she turned towards me with a smile which gave off a powerful vibe, her eyes fixated on my head.

「I-Is there something on my head…?」

「You don’t know!? Here! Look at this!」Paula-san said, and held out a nearby hand mirror.

「Oh, thank you… Eh!?」

When I looked into the hand mirror I received, I saw a unique hair that was mixed with black and white.

「W-What is this!?」I cried out involuntarily, and grabbed a fistful of my transformed hair.

「What do you mean『what’s this?』…Didn’t you dye it?」

「N-No!」

I’m sure this kind of hair is called『mesh』in the streets.

Either way, this was not something I wanted.

「Then, did someone play a prank on you?」

「Um… I’m not sure.」

Ria obviously wouldn’t do this, and the same goes for Rose.

(Then, the president…?)

If it’s that mischievous little devil, the chances are not zero.

(But did she have the time to dye my hair?)

After the celebration, I certainly went back to the dormitory of Thousand Blade Academy.

My memory remains clear up until that point.

(…The problem is after that.)

I can’t remember what happened after going to bed and waking up in the forest.

(…So mysterious.)

Paula-san clapped me on the back as I was tilting my head.

「Well, I was a little surprised, but the colour of your hair doesn’t really matter! I’m just so happy to see your cheerful face for the first time in a long time!」

「…Paula-san.」

I’m truly relieved to see this person who hasn’t changed at all since I first met her.

「Oh right, Allen. I’m sure you still haven’t had lunch, right? I’m going to have you eat my cooking after a long time!」

「Ahaha. I’ll accept your offer.」

Then I washed my hands in the washroom and went to the dining table.

「Go ahead, make sure to eat plenty!」Paula-san said and poured the curry onto the plate packed with rice.

「Ahaha… It’s the same amount as ever.」

No matter how you look at it, this is enough servings for five people.

「What are you talking about? If you don’t eat well, you won’t grow up, will you?」

「I-I’ll do my best…!」

Growing as big as Paula-san is probably a little… no, absolutely impossible I’ve never seen a human bigger than her in the first place.

「Then- Itadakimasu.」

「Chew the food properly!」

「Yes!」

I scooped the white rice and curry on a big spoon – and threw it into my mouth. A soft big potato. Chewy beef, cut into bite-size pieces. Curry mixed with hot, salty spices.

(This is it…! It’s Paula-san’s exquisite taste!)

The curry rice I had eaten every day for the past three years was so delicious that it soaked into my flesh and bones.

「How is it? You’re gushing with power, aren’t you?」

「Yes! It’s insanely delicious!」

「Hahaha! That’s good! Bring your friends next time!」

「Yes, I’d love to bring them on my next holiday!」

Leaving aside the light-eater Rose, the glutton Ria is sure to be very excited.

As I was bolting down the curry rice – suddenly the radio sounded an eerie siren that made me feel uneasy.

「Allen, it’s an emergency bulletin! That’s quite rare, what the hell happened…?」

As we listened carefully, a tensioned voice of a woman sounded.

「Emergency bulletin. Yesterday, Thousand Blade Academy in the heart of Orest was attacked by a large-scale raid by the Black Organization. No casualties. Many seriously injured. One missing person is reported. Allen Rodore, a 15-year-old male student. The Holy Knights Association is currently conducting a large-scale search operation, but we have not yet been able to find out his location. If you have any eyewitness information, please contact us–」

「……!? *Cough* *Cough*…!? 」

When I heard the news report, I choked on the white rice sliding down my throat.

「Calm down, Allen. Here, drink this water!」

「Phew… T-Thank you.」

「Ah… Still, it sounds ridiculous. You’re being treated as a missing person, aren’t you? Are you all right?」

「Ha, yes… I think it’s probably okay.」

Fortunately, there are zero deaths.

And myself being the only missing person means – Ria is safe.

Currently, there is no big problem.

(However, I’m missing…? What the hell does this mean !?)

At that moment, a violent『storm of information』swept up from the depths of my brain.

「I’ve… remembered!」

I got it…….

That day, I fought against the Black Organization. I tore the solid barrier with World Judgement and defeated Dodriel. And then, I challenged one of the Thirteen Knights of the Oracle – Fu Rudras – and lost. After that, I was stabbed through the heart by Dodriel, who recovered by consuming a spirit pill… Eh?

At that time, his sword certainly pierced my heart.

「……」

I flipped up my clothes in a hurry and checked my chest – there was no scar or the like there.

(…What even?)

There was a big gap between memory and reality.

(Maybe it was a dream that I was stabbed…?)

No, it’s not!

I clearly remember the terrible burning pain of my chest being pierced.

I don’t think it’s a dream at all.

In fact, Thousand Blade Academy has been attacked by the Black Organization.

(Then – why don’t I have a scar on my chest?)

And why did I collapse so far away from Thousand Blade Academy?

(…No good, I can’t remember.)

I have no choice but to go to Thousand Blade and check with someone who knows the situation.

「…Paula-san, I」

「Aa, return quickly and reassure everyone.」

Before I told her everything, she nodded powerfully.

「Yes, thank you!」

And then, I gulped down the rest of the curry and rice immediately,

「I’ll take my leave!」

「Be careful!」

I ran out of Paula-san’s dormitory and headed to Thousand Blade Academy.

During the trip, something felt very strange.

(My body feels super light…)

My body was terrifyingly light to the point where it felt like I had grown a pair of wings.

Just by kicking the ground once, I went forward by leaps and bounds.

The landscape changed with every step I took.

And by the time I noticed – I had arrived in Orest.

(That’s odd… was it really this close?)

As I went through the city thinking about that – I arrived at Thousand Blade Academy.

My eyes widened in shock.

「What, the… hell!?」

Thousand Blade Academy was in『ruins』.

For some reason, the main academy building was turned black.

A huge bottomless pit existed in the schoolyard.

There was a terrible『trace of destruction』that looked as though a literal monster had gone on a rampage.

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