𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧
When I woke up, I was on the bed.
Albero sat up on his bed in his room. . . . . .Outside, it was completely dark, and the stars were twinkling.
He gently pressed his right eye with his right hand. There was no pain, and he could see normally.
ㅤ
“. . . . . .What just happened?”
“That’s my line.”
“Whoa.”
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It was a murmur that slipped out.
Then, from the corner of the room, a voice. . . . . .It was Garnet.
She looked at Albero with a stern face, as if she was glaring at him.
ㅤ
“What did you do to that child?”
“Huh?”
“It’s Lapis. After you fainted, I noticed. . . . . .It’s no problem to manifest the Summoned beast for more than two hours. On the contrary, there’s no change in her condition. . . . . .Previously, if she manifested the Summoned beast for just ten minutes, she’d have seizures or faint from exhaustion. Now, she seems perfectly healthy.”
“I see. . . . . .Then, that must be it.”
ㅤ
Then, Garnet’s staff was pointed at Albero’s throat.
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“Ah. . . . . .um.”
“Tell me everything. What did you do at that time?”
“Um. . . . . .well. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Albero told everything.
How his right arm moved as if it had its own will, how his right eye saw the sepia-colored world, how he saw thread-like 『meridian threads』 extending from the bodies of Lapis and Garnet, and how he followed Marcosias’ instructions and cut the 『meridian thread』 that was outside Lapis’ body.
After hearing the story, Garnet was simply astonished.
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“. . . . . .You must be joking.”
“It’s true! I’m just as confused. . . . . .”
“. . . . . .”
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At this point, Garnet finally lowered her staff.
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“The 『meridian thread』 is a pathway for the 『life force』 inside a summoner’s body. From what you’re saying, Lapis was born with some 『meridian threads』 extending outside, drawing in excess 『life force』. You tore the extended thread with your right hand, cutting off the path of the external 『life force』 being absorbed into Lapis.”
“Yes. . . . . .that seems right.”
“If you don’t understand, it’s okay. But normally, that’s not possible. Life force isn’t visible, and neither are meridian threads. And you heard the voice of the Summoned beast?”
“Yes, I definitely did.”
“. . . . . .I see.”
ㅤ
Garnet sat on a chair beside the bed and placed her staff down.
ㅤ
“What you probably saw was the world of the Summoned beasts.”
“. . . . . .Pardon?”
“It’s just a hypothesis. But I think I’m right.”
“I don’t quite follow. . . . . .”
“Where do you think Summoned beasts reside?”
“. . . . . .In human souls, right?”
ㅤ
Garnet continued talking, ignoring Albero’s answer.
Albero just went along with Garnet.
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“That’s the general belief. But there’s another theory that 『Summoned beasts live in their own world and appear in this reality using human souls as a ‘window’』. Probably, what your right eye saw was the world of the Summoned beasts.”
“Really?”
“I don’t intend to debate with you, it’s just speculation. But don’t overuse that right eye. If you’re lucky, you’ll just go blind. At worst, you might become incapacitated. . . . . .Seeing things that aren’t visible goes against human logic. There will be a price to pay.”
“. . . . . .Understood.”
ㅤ
Albero didn’t particularly want to see that far into it either.
He nodded several times, looking a bit pale.
But. . . . . .questions remain.
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“. . . . . .But why did Mog show me that world?”
“This is just speculation, but. . . . . .Maybe your Summoned beast wanted you to make friends.”
“. . . . . .Friends.”
“Seeing you, who lost classmates and lived alone in the dormitory, eating and studying to the point of exhaustion, might have pained its 『heart』.”
“. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Albero gently touched his right arm.
Mog. True name Jabberwock. . . . . .Mog said just before disappearing, 『My heart is always with Albero』. Even if the appearance changes, Mog lives within Albero.
If Mog were alive, he would probably tell Albero to make friends.
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“. . . . . .”
“Well, rest well today. Lapis wants to thank you.”
“. . . . . .”
“Then, good night. . . . . .Don’t stay up too late.”
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Garnet casually left the room.
Albero stared at his right arm for a while, lost in thought.
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◇◇◇◇◇◇
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When Albero woke up, it was almost noon.
After changing clothes and having bread with milk, he went to the school building. In the classroom, there were Garnet, Damocles, and Lapis.
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“Good morning. Sorry I’m late!”
“Hmm, sit down.”
“Albero!! Are you feeling okay? Can you attend the afternoon classes?!”
“I’m fine. In fact, after resting, I feel even more energetic.”
“Ha! Ha! Ha! Lapis will join the afternoon classes too!”
ㅤ
He felt Lapis’s gaze and saw that she seemed to want to say something.
Then, Garnet cleared his throat.
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“Ah. . . . . .Damocles, come here. I need to talk to you about the afternoon class.”
“Huh? What’s up?”
“Just come.”
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Maybe sensing the mood, Garnet pulled Damocles out of the classroom.
They were left alone and silence ensued.
Then, with determination, Lapis stood up and bowed.
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“Thank you so much!”
“Eh, ah, yes.”
“I heard from my grandmother. You cured my illness. . . . . .”
“Well, I sort of did. But I had my reasons, so it’s fine.”
“Reasons?”
ㅤ
Lapis tilted her head in confusion.
Her movement was so cute, like a small animal, it made Albero smile.
Albero said to Lapis,
ㅤ
“How about joining the S-class? . . . . . .I mean, becoming my classmate.”
“Eh. . . . . .?”
“I’m officially inviting you. I’m not yet told to do anything specific, but it might get pretty busy. If you’re okay with that. . . . . .join us.”
“. . . . . .Is it really okay with me?”
“Yeah. Your Summoned beast seems strong. Well, I’m still getting stronger too.”
“Hehe. . . . . .I understand.”
ㅤ
Lapis lifted her skirt and addressed Albero.
Albero straightened his posture.
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“Eldest daughter of the Fragment Duke family, Lapis Lazuli・Kirara・Fragment. I accept the invitation of S-class summoner Albero・Rushout.”
“Third son of the Baron Rushout family, Albero・Rushout. I appreciate your acceptance.”
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They bowed to each other, locked eyes, and smiled slightly.
Then, they firmly shook hands.
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“It’s decided then. I’ll let Meteore know. Lapis has been chosen as the first S-class Summoner.”
“Yes! This is youth!”
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Garnet and Damocles have entered the classroom before they knew it.
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“Alright, let’s start the lesson. Now that we have two S-class members, you both will attend the lessons together. Of course, that includes Damocles’ classes.”
“Hahaha! I’ll be strict in guiding you!”
ㅤ
There are currently two S-class Summoners.
Albero・Rushout’s first comrade has joined.
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