I Became The Academy Necromancer
Chapter 351: Side Story - Decision

Early morning.

Stepping out of the bedroom after spending time with Stella, I found the living room empty.

I assumed Findenai would be sleeping somewhere close with a blanket thrown over her, but she was nowhere to be found.

Although the possibility that she may have slept outside crossed my mind, I wasn’t worried.

Would Findenai even catch something as trivial as a cold now?

Having absorbed the power of the Mountain Lord, she had already gone beyond human limitations.

So then, where did she go off to now?

Even the Dark Spiritualist was nowhere to be found. I thought she might be hiding somewhere, grumbling to herself, but that didn’t seem to be the case either.

[Is something wrong?]

Stella asked as she emerged from under the blanket, covering her body. She wasn’t wearing any clothes, only partially covering herself.

Although it made quite an impression, that was actually her way of protesting against me.

“Stella, no matter what, you should at least put on some clothes…”

[Should the one who undressed me in the first really be saying that?]

“Well… That’s true, but still…”

I had no defence against that.

The reason Stella was acting like this was because she hadn’t been satisfied earlier.

[You got me all worked up and then left me hanging.]

“My artificial body nearly broke.”

Yes, we had no choice but to stop in the middle of our late-night conversation.

After using it just for a day, my artificial body had almost broken apart.

An act filled with emotions rather than focused on research was far too stimulating for someone like me, who was practically inexperienced.

And just like when I was with the Dark Spiritualist, my artificial body almost broke again, and I barely managed to stop myself through sheer self-control.

I thought we were only able to stop because I was a Soul Whisperer, and she was once a Saintess.

However, no matter what, it was only natural for Stella to feel dissatisfied, which was why she was sulking like this.

Seeing her pout reminded me that she was no longer a Saintess, just a woman named Stella. While her little tantrum was cute, it also made me feel sorry at the same time.

Even if the cause was my artificial body, stopping midway was still a blow to my pride as a man.

[Hm? What was that?]

Stella, who had been following me from behind while holding onto my clothes, suddenly started talking to herself.

It wasn’t surprising.

Is she talking to Velica?

Although it didn’t happen often, Velica did speak up sometimes.

And this was probably one of those times.

[Ah, okay.]

After hearing Velica’s words, Stella pouted slightly and let go of my clothes.

Curious about what was going on, I asked. However, she simply scratched her cheek awkwardly.

[Should I put it nicely or just give it to you straight?]

“Nicely?”

[She says not to provoke you. It’s exhausting.]

Now that she said it, I got a little curious.

“And what did she actually say?”

[If you wag your tail at a beast in heat, it’s you who’s gonna die…]

Pretending not to hear that, I turned away and began scanning the surroundings again. The sun was already up, and birds were chirping, but there was still no sign of anyone.

[Hmm.]

Stella, who had reconstructed her clothes, made her way to the dining table in silence.

Seeing the lone apple left from yesterday, she reached out for it with a strange expression.

Crunch.

She took a bite.

[…!]

Startled, Stella began chewing the apple she had put in her mouth.

As I stared at her in surprise, she swallowed and opened her mouth wide.

[It’s… it’s delicious?!]

“What in the world….”

I knew that a mental body could function like a physical one, but I never imagined it would even allow her to consume food.

I approached her carefully and stretched out my hand. Stella closed her eyes without resisting.

I touched her neck gently.

Her thin neck was slender and smooth, and I could clearly feel her swallowing the apple.

Then.

Clatter.

The door connecting Erica’s room to the general store opened, and three women stepped out.

Findenai, the Dark Spiritualist, and Erica.

So that’s why I wasn’t able to find them for a while now. It seemed they had spent the day in Erica’s room.

All three of them looked tired, which made me feel a little sorry for them.

I was still touching Stella’s neck at that moment, so I ended up greeting them while in a somewhat awkward position.

“See… See… The floodgates have opened. Now they’re even doing it at the dining table.”

[Wow, I can’t believe this… the quiet cat climbs into the heat first! I never thought Stella would act like that!]

“So what you two told me was true.”

I hesitated for a moment at their simultaneous remarks, but this wasn’t a situation to be misunderstood.

I explained that Stella was now able to eat an apple and maintain her mental body, which shocked all three of them.

“I was just inspecting her neck to see if the food was going down properly.”

Honestly, since she could even taste it, I was planning to check her tongue if they hadn’t shown up. But that would remain a secret.

If I mentioned that, they’d definitely go wild again.

“The focus was on researching the mental body. Don’t get any weird ideas.”

After I explained this much, the looks they were giving me, as if I were some beast, softened a bit.

[That’s right, don’t be so harsh on him.]

Stella subtly chimed in and grabbed my collar again. Though she was only a step closer than usual, it gave off a strangely different vibe.

“…Why does this feel so gross?”

[I feel the same way.]

“It feels like everyone but me is growing up.”

Though their words differed, their reactions were similar. I also felt that Stella seemed closer than before, even though I didn’t feel particularly uncomfortable with her holding onto me like this.

It was clear that last night had strengthened the bond between us.

“Ahem, let’s not make any weird comments. Keep an eye on Stella today, especially you, Dark Spiritualist.”

“Aren’t you subtly taking her side?”

[I was the first!]

Stella showed a relaxed smile while approaching the grumbling Findenai and Dark Spiritualist.

[Don’t be like that. It’s for all of us.]

“Wow.”

[How annoying.]

[Fufu, why are you all so angry?]

Stella covered her mouth and giggled. If it was ambiguous before, now it was crystal clear.

She was subtly trying to flaunt the time she spent with me.

This wasn’t about feeling superior. In the first place, Stella wasn’t the type to indulge in self-satisfaction like that.

This was just a pure act because she genuinely wanted to flaunt the time she spent with me.

Of course, the others couldn’t help but feel irritated by it.

“You were weeping like you were about to die yesterday, but you seem to be enjoying life now, huh?”

[Y-yeah! You were crying and apologizing like crazy, and look at you now!]

[Ugh…]

Pushed back by the combined attack of Findenai and the Dark Spiritualist, Stella blushed deeply as she glanced at me, seemingly recalling last night.

I was about to step in to help when she signaled for assistance. However…

“I dare you to try.”

[I’m really going to get mad!]

Their sharp gazes pierced right through me, so I had no choice but to back off this time.

[Kim Shinwooooo.]

Stella called out to me, but the two were already dragging her away. And even in that state, her mental body remained intact, making me wonder if it had stabilized.

I’ll need to observe a bit more.

Regardless, there was some success in the research on mental bodies.

It was just like how excessive emotions in a soul could turn it into an evil spirit instead of allowing it to find rest.

Conversely, lingering attachments to life through positive emotions might naturally sustain a physical form through mana.

However, this was obviously just a hypothesis, and it was still too early to draw conclusions.

[Kim Shinwooooo!]

[Tsk! Be quiet!]

As I watched Stella being dragged away while thinking about mental bodies, a finger poked my side.

With her hair slightly messy in the morning and wearing yellow pajamas, Erica puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction.

“Don’t you have work?”

“I have a lecture in the afternoon, so it’s fine. I’ve decreased my lectures because of my preparations to become an Archmage.”

I tried to divert the conversation, but Erica wasn’t swayed easily.

With her cheeks puffed out, Erica kept glaring at me as she spoke.

“Weren’t you supposed to be the cold professor to your students?”

I pressed my finger against her cheeks to let the air out, and Erica replied shyly, seemingly pleased by the brief contact.

“C-can’t I relax a little at home?”

Home.

Hearing Erica call this place home gave me some odd sensation, but it wasn’t a bad feeling.

I thought about telling her what I had discussed with the other three yesterday, but she spoke first.

“I heard from Findenai and the Dark Spiritualist yesterday. You’ve decided not to choose anyone, right?”

“Yeah…”

Erica waited for my response, as if she wanted to hear it directly from me.

The reason Findenai and the Dark Spiritualist had forcibly dragged Stella away was probably to give Erica and me some private time to finish our conversation.

“Honestly, I’m still not completely sure. And I’ll probably keep agonizing over this decision over and over again.”

However, I couldn’t go back on it.

After all, it was their victory for managing to break my convictions.

“When it comes to ending relationships, I plan to stay passive. If they wish to leave, I won’t stop them.”

It was something I had said many times before.

And suddenly, I remembered saying this to Erica as well.

If they grew tired or weary of me and left, I wouldn’t stop them. I would simply wave and wish them well.

“However, as long as they stay by my side.”

I offered this respect.

To the victors who defeated me.

To those who shattered what I thought were unshakable beliefs.

“I will love them wholly and forever.”

It might sound ridiculous. The word “forever” might even seem like empty bravado.

However, this was my sincere heart at the moment.

Seeing Erica’s slightly teary eyes in the morning, I reached out to wipe her tears.

“Tell me.”

Erica gently took my hand and pressed it against her cheek.

“Confess your feelings to me.”

Now that I thought about it, this might be the first time I said it out loud and I would have to say the same words to multiple women.

It might feel awkward, but it didn’t diminish the weight of the words.

So, I confessed to her.

“I love you, Erica Bright.”

With utmost sincerity.

“Yeah, me too.”

As she replied, Erica kissed me gently.

The faint scent of lemons filled the morning air.

***

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