I Became The Academy Necromancer
Chapter 344: Side Story - Hotel

Deia was staying at a place called the Centrant Hotel.

It was a place that held some significance to me as well, since it was the same hotel I had arranged for Iluania to rest at when I was dragged to Graypond after confessing that I was a dark mage.

“I booked the most expensive suite because I should at least be able to rest at a decent place. Otherwise, I’d probably get really annoyed.”

Deia mumbled something like an excuse under her breath as I followed her down the hotel hallway.

She seemed to want to make it clear that she wasn’t living a lavish life.

“Good job.”

If I were in her shoes, I wouldn’t have let her stay in a shabby hotel either.

And given the reason and duration of the stay, it made sense to book the best hotel possible.

She then glanced at me briefly before adding.

“Illuania recommended this place. She said it was the hotel you had arranged for her to stay at.”

“Right, I remember that time.”

It hadn’t even been two years, but thinking back on the past always made it feel like it had been a long time ago.

It was probably because so many things happened in such a short span of time. And the current situation, where I was not Deus but Kim Shinwoo, probably played a part in it as well.

“You didn’t go there together, right?”

Erica Bright, who followed me, poked me in the side and asked.

I didn’t understand why she was trying to appear cute with such small gestures today.

Just look at her expression; even now, she couldn’t hide her concern.

“Illuania was pregnant back then, so I sent her here to rest.”

“Really?”

Seeing Erica sigh in relief made my heart feel strangely uncertain.

It felt different from when I was with Findenia or Stella.

While those two also made subtle efforts to appeal to me, with Erica, it felt more like she was gently making me worry through small actions and gestures.

Had I been an impulsive person, I might have booked a separate room and taken Erica with me.

Maybe her trauma has yet to disappear completely.

Ever since I was kicked out of the academy, Erica always displayed utmost caution when approaching me.

A few scenes flashed in my mind.

What she had done for me was a plea close to begging, a determination to bear the heavy burden all by herself, and a wish for my happiness.

Meanwhile, I also remembered how she once complained about girls like Findenia, Aria, and Eleanor, who were actively making advances towards me.

She probably felt that she wasn’t in a position to do the same.

Her duty as a professor wasn’t the issue here.

I wasn’t sure what to say, but my emotions were in turmoil, so I had no choice but to leave it at that.

Click.

Deia smiled at us as she opened the suite room door on the top floor.

“Thank you for escorting us. Goodbye now.”

As she said that, she reached out, pulled me in and gestured for Erica to leave. Deia was clearly not pleased that Erica had followed us this far.

“I’m also part of the family.”

Was this really the same woman who was hesitating just moments ago?

Erica’s cold and intimidating tone toward Deia was quite impressive.

“Sigh.”

Deia responded by crossing her arms.

“You’re a Bright. Certainly, not part of our family.”

“We are family. Didn’t you call me ‘Sister’ at the family meeting, back when we sent Deus off to the Clark Republic?”

“He isn’t Deus.”

“Then he’s not part of the Verdi Household.”

Why did it seem they were fighting with each other since earlier?

Without any hesitation, I sighed and stepped in between the two, who were glaring at each other.

“Come in, Erica. It should be fine if we just talk for a moment and leave.”

“…I thought you would be staying the night.”

Erica muttered something meaningful as she entered. Deia glared at me while closing the door, causing a painful stir in my chest.

“Order room service. Let’s drink something.”

Deia snapped irritably.

She seemed pretty sensitive, even though she was no longer at the age of adolescence.

And since I couldn’t taste any drink at all, I told them to order whatever they liked, but Deia insisted that I choose.

After recalling my past memories, I ordered some wine and a light snack, then quickly glanced around the room.

It wasn’t anything new to me since I had already seen this room before when I was looking for a place for Illuania.

The night view of Loberne outside wasn’t particularly impressive. Only the street lamps, lit by magic, illuminated the streets, and they seemed rather crude.

Expecting a city view like that of Seoul would be a bit much.

“I’m going to wash up.”

Deia said as she headed toward the bathroom. I glanced at her briefly before slumping onto the sofa in the room.

Erica sat down next to me quietly.

She didn’t say anything.

I assumed she just wanted to be close to me rather than talk.

Tap tap.

Erica then began tapping my hand resting on the sofa with her nails.

“How does it feel? Can you feel any sensations?”

Was she curious about my artificial body?

“I do. Since I use my mana to create my appearance, I can adjust the level of pain as well.”

Well, come to think of it, it seemed like I had already shown her several times before that I could feel things.

Even when she had poked me in the side earlier.

I had some questions but didn’t have time to ask as Erica slipped her hand under mine, resting on the sofa.

Then, she intertwined our fingers.

“C-can you feel it?”

Realizing she knew I could feel it but was still doing this, I felt the strange sensation from earlier rise again.

“I feel it.”

And so, I decided to go along with her.

When she noticed I was following her lead, Erica’s cheeks flushed red, and the corners of her mouth curled upward subtly.

“Ahem.”

Trying to hold back, Erica carefully placed her head on my shoulder, leaning against me.

“How about this?”

“Yeah, I feel it.”

“I see.”

Had it been Findenai, she would have been upfront, or if it were Stella, she would have subtly pushed a little further.

If it were the Dark Spiritualist… She would act pompously in the past, but after having shared such an intimate encounter, I was not sure how she would react now.

Anyway, unlike the others, Erica would stop exactly here—holding hands, leaning against my shoulder.

That alone made her feel great satisfaction, and a soft smile appeared on her face.

“I like you.”

A single sentence, but the confession echoed with a deep resonance.

The way she gently rubbed her body against my arm like a cat, the sweet lemon scent that always lingered around her, her fresh yet cautious actions—Everything about the woman called Erica Bright was gradually becoming something special to me.

She was living out what she said earlier that she wasn’t meeting me for physical pleasure.

That she wouldn’t ask for anything of me; that she was simply happy just being by my side.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Room service.”

At the sound from outside the door, Erica sighed, clearly disappointed.

Maybe because it was a suite, the room service Arrived rather quickly. And since Erica could potentially rise to the position of an archmage in the future, I wasn’t sure if I should let her open the door. So I went and brought it over, placing it on the table.

“Huh? That was fast.”

Having just finished her shower, Deia came out, drying her hair with a towel.

She had showered much faster than she usually did at the mansion.

Wrapped in the robe provided by the hotel, Deia glanced at Erica before squinting her eyes slightly.

“What were you doing?”

“N-nothing!”

“…You should go shower. You must have felt uncomfortable.”

Hesitating for a moment, Erica glanced at me before she hurried into the bathroom as if she understood.

Deia, who had been glaring at Erica with her hand on her waist, checked the wine I had ordered.

“Estie, 15 years old? Do you like this?”

It was a relatively mild white wine with a clean aftertaste. I received many gifts from all over during my time as the Soul Whisperer, so I knew a bit about wines.

“It’s moderately sweet. It will be hard on you tomorrow if it is too strong or bitter.”

For snacks, I ordered some smoked cheese and fruits. If it were Findenai, she would have called me stingy and immediately ordered meat.

“Hmm, at times like this, don’t they usually order something strong to get you drunk in one shot?”

“…”

“No, I mean that’s what my suitors used to say. You know, the one I met today even suggested we have a drink before lunch.”

Deia flopped down onto the sofa as she continued to dry her hair. I knew she was laid-back, but this felt a bit too defenseless.

Especially since I could catch glimpses of bare skin beneath her gown, it looked like she wasn’t wearing anything else beneath her robe.

“You should change into your pajamas before you leave the bathroom.”

“It’s my room, so I want to stay comfortable.”

“…”

Even though I gave her a subtle hint, Deia simply shrugged and filled her glass with wine.

“Hmm? This is good. This really loosens me up after drinking only strong stuff in Norseweden.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

Sighing as I tried to take a seat across from her, Deia gestured with her hand.

“Come over and help me dry my hair.”

“You can do it yourself.”

“You can use magic. Use that to dry it.”

Deia was very good at using the fact that she was my younger sister and she knew that I couldn’t refuse her when she asked it like that.

“Sigh.”

In the end, I walked over reluctantly and carefully removed the towel from her hair. My artificial body was too fragile and I couldn’t use much mana, but producing a warm breeze from my hand was simple enough.

Becoming a human hairdryer, I carefully dried Deia’s hair.

Was it the scent of the hotel shampoo?

A refreshing scent that tickled my nose.

It suited Deia perfectly.

“I used to hate when men touched me back in the day.”

Pleased, she mumbled as she comfortably rested her head in my hands.

The trauma created by Deus must have been hard to overcome, but Deia managed to get through it after various experiences.

“Actually, I still don’t like it.”

She added with a faint chuckle, even though I didn’t ask.

“You don’t have to go on blind dates if it’s too much.”

Since she hated men so much, there was no need to force herself. I had suggested it back then because Deia had openly shown her feelings toward me.

However, if that caused her so much stress, there was no need for a blind date.

“…”

Deia responded after taking another sip.

“I’ll still go. You never know, maybe the perfect guy for me might show up.”

“That would be nice.”

Additionally, Deia chuckled and shook her head.

“Geez… you never change.”

She seemed to have a lot more to say.

Several times, Deia opened her mouth and then closed it again, eventually maintaining silence.

Having her hair all dried, she gently patted the spot next to her.

Without much hesitation, I sat beside her, and Deia let out a sigh as she placed her glass down.

“What if I meet a weird guy on my blind date tomorrow?”

“You’ll handle it just fine.”

Didn’t she already say she’d t pulled out a gun and aimed it at the guy right away?

Clearly dissatisfied with my response, Deia punched my arm lightly, then asked again, adding more details.

“The guy I’m meeting tomorrow is a skilled knight. He’d easily deflect a magic-powered bullet with just a physical enhancement through mana.”

“It’s still in Loberne city. He won’t be able to act recklessly.”

He might whisper subtly or make secret suggestions, but surely, Deia wouldn’t be swayed by that.

She was such a determined girl.

However, maybe that was the wrong assumption.

Deia turned her body completely and kicked my arm with her foot, her face flushed with irritation.

“But what if he Can also use something like magic? What if I faint suddenly and get dragged away? What if he does what that crazy guy did today and tries to check if I’m a virgin?”

“You just said he’s a knight. How would he use magic…”

Thud!

Now, Deia had her legs stretched out, leaning against the sofa, and her feet were practically in my face.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

“Use words! Speak more nicely!”

I wanted to indulge my little sister’s complaints, but I was worried my artificial body would break.

Twisting my body carefully, I tried to catch her foot, but since she was only wearing a robe, I could clearly see her bare skin between her legs.

“Wear proper clothes—”

I quickly averted my gaze, trying not to look, but Deia only became bolder.

“So what?! What should I do? I’ll just break your artificial body! Get away! Get away!”

“I said that because I trust you.”

“Shut up! You trust me and let me go on blind dates with perverted men? Look at you! You play with your fiancée, kissing the maid. What’s the difference between you and Deus, you bastard!”

I knew she was half-joking, but Deia’s anger was intense.

Fearing that my artificial body might actually break from all her kicking, I quickly made a drastic move, twisting my head and grabbing both of her ankles.

“Let go!”

As Deia struggled, the knot around her waist came undone, and her robe started slipping off.

“Huh?!”

Her previously annoyed expression changed to one of shock, and she crossed her hands over her chest to cover herself.

I quickly turned my head away once more.

“I didn’t see anything.”

I tried to maintain composure and spoke calmly.

“But I saw it.”

From behind, the chilling voice of Erica, who had just finished her shower, sent a shiver down my spine.

***

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