I Became The Academy Necromancer
Chapter 354: Side Story - Welcomed Guests

Actually, I could meet Eleanor and Aria anytime I wanted to.

Since the door of the general store was connected to Erica Bright’s room in the staff dormitory, they could always use it to come here.

That was why I wasn’t really expecting to feel any dramatic excitement upon seeing them again.

However, seeing their faces now and feeling happy to meet them again made me realize that they were more precious to me than I imagined.

Still, there were some things that I obviously couldn’t just brush off.

“Big Brother?”

I never imagined that someone would call me “Big Brother,” so I was a bit taken aback.

As I raised an eyebrow and questioned it, Eleanor, who was running toward me with open arms, suddenly froze.

Seizing the opportunity as a competitor was eliminated, Aria immediately lunged at me and hugged me tightly.

Just hearing her cheerful voice was enough to give me a sense of relief. It reassured me that she was living the life I had hoped she would.

If it were in the past, I would have stopped her from getting close without hesitation.

Back then, we were strictly in a professor-student relationship. Even if we saw our interactions as friendly gestures, there were chances others might have misunderstood.

Well, the Aria Rias I knew probably hoped people would misunderstand.

In any case…

Such concerns about societal norms or social positions no longer existed.

As the bright girl hugged me, I found it easy to return the embrace.

Not expecting me to accept her so readily, Aria let out a small gasp at first, but soon, she smiled happily and clung to me even tighter.

“You smell like Findenai, but I still like it.”

“…”

Rubbing her face against my chest, her comment felt oddly ambiguous for someone who was simply expressing happiness. But as long as Aria was happy, that was enough.

Meanwhile, Eleanor, hesitating at a distance, was watching me cautiously as she stepped forward slowly.

“D-Deus! It’s been a while!”

She reverted to the manner she used to address me in the past, probably assuming that I wasn’t too fond of being called “Big Brother.”

“I was a little surprised, but it’s fine.”

Obviously, it wouldn’t have been acceptable back when I was a professor, but now, wasn’t I just like an older brother figure to them?

As soon as I reassured her that I didn’t mind, Eleanor’s face lit up.

“Big Brother Shinwoo!”

And then Aria called out to me.

Just when Eleanor should have been celebrating our bond growing closer, Aria stole the moment smoothly.

“Hey!”

Overwhelmed with various emotions, Eleanor shouted in frustration, but Aria quickly clung to my arm and rubbed her soft cheek against it.

“What? I’m just calling Big Brother Shinwoo, Big Brother Shinwoo! He’s older than me, so isn’t it natural to call him that?”

“You little…!”

“But calling him ‘Big Brother’ makes us feel even closer. Right, Big Brother?”

“…”

Seeing Aria provoking a fight openly, it was clear that neither of them had changed one bit.

Eleanor looked like she wanted to pounce on Aria, but after glancing at me, she chose to embrace me instead.

Faced with the choice of either fighting Aria or greeting me properly, it seemed she decided to pick the latter.

“Big Brother Shinwooo!”

Then, she called out my name at the top of her lungs.

Upon seeing Eleanor’s expression relax, I gently embraced her, as if that alone was enough satisfaction.

Of course, since Aria was holding onto one of my arms tightly and refusing to let go, I could only use one hand.

“So, it was you who took care of the situation with the Bureau outside.”

“Yeah! I’ve spoken with Mr. Nicolay a few times before!”

The Nicolay she mentioned was someone indirectly connected to me as well.

Nicolay Foreman.

The one acting as the proxy ruler of the Clark Republic, following the departure of Magan, the dictator.

Back when I was imprisoned in Graypond, he attended the meeting where the leaders of various nations had gathered.

At the time, the Dark Spiritualist had subdued Coltman, the Dark Mage of the Jerman Kingdom and detained the leaders.

So in reality, I never actually met the man.

“I already asked him to designate this house as my vacation home. It was Professor Erica’s request!”

So Erica had arranged for something like this for my sake.

She must have done it after I informed her about how I was mistaken for a drug dealer in Iceburn Village.

“And no matter what, they wouldn’t dare to recklessly search the villa of a princess from an allied nation unless they’re looking to die.¹”

“…”

“Ugh, that was such a lame joke.”

Aria grumbled from the side, interrupting the flow of the conversation.

Clearly embarrassed, Eleanor avoided eye contact and coughed awkwardly.

“Ahem, I was just so happy to see you again that I got carried away.”

“Seriously, she acts like this because everyone keeps worshipping her just because she’s a princess. No matter what nonsense she utters, they’re all like, ‘Oh yes, our precious princess!’”

“…”

“People probably laugh at her jokes even if she just breathes, so she keeps making them without shame.”

“S-Stop it.”

Eleanor’s face turned bright red.

Enjoying herself, Aria seemed ready to continue teasing her.

“That’s enough now.”

Erica entered the study with her arms crossed.

Unlike earlier when she was wearing her yellow pajamas inside the study, she was now dressed in formal attire, as if preparing to give a lecture.

The Erica standing before us wasn’t her usual self around me—at this moment, she had returned to her cold and rational professor mode.

“It’s time to go. The afternoon lectures will be starting soon.”

“Already? But we just got here!”

“Ahem, Erica, I’m a princess. So, as my loyal subject, I hope you’ll overlook this just for today.”

Despite the complaints from Aria and Eleanor, Erica remained unwavering.

“Aria Rias, Eleanor Luden Griffin. While I appreciate your help today, you still have responsibilities you need to uphold as students.”

Erica shrugged and met my gaze. It felt like we were secretly exchanging signals.

“Remember what someone used to say all the time?”

If you’re a student, act like one.

It was what I always told the two of them, and something I especially hoped these two, who were different from the rest, would adhere to.

They must have remembered my old words as they glanced up at me.

I shrugged, signaling that they obviously had to go.

However, at the same time, I was no longer Deus Verdi, just someone they knew as an older brother.

“You can come visit after your classes are over. I’ll even have some snacks ready for you.”

My unexpectedly kind words made the two of them look at each other in shock.

“D-Did I hear that correctly?”

“I was just about to ask you the same thing!?”

Now I understood what kind of image I had as Deus Verdi. Well, I did have a lot of responsibilities back then, so I couldn’t help but be a bit cold.

“You heard me right. If there’s a specific snack you like, I’ll buy it for you.”

“W-What’s this? Is this a dream? C-Can we really come over to hang out sometime?”

“There’s a door in Erica’s room, so as long as she allows it.”

It wouldn’t be a burden.

And it was not like they’d bring a whole group of students with them.

If it was just Aria and Eleanor, I could always make time for them.

“Then! Then can I bring my older brother next time?”

Orpheus Luden Griffin?

“He’s my close friend too, so of course.”

That wouldn’t be a problem at all.

He probably went through a lot of stress because of me, so it’d be nice to share a drink with him.

By then, I hoped I would have finished my research on mental bodies so I could drink and get drunk with him.

“I-Is today our birthday or something? You’re granting every wish! Then, Big Brother Shinwoo! Give me a k-kiss too!”

“…”

Aria gasped a little as she looked up at me with her mouth open.

Of course, I was about to say something, but unwilling to lose, Eleanor jumped in.

“I-I want to try wrapping tongues! Like, I want to feel them get all tangled up!”

“Whoa, damn. Wrapping tongues with Big Brother Shinwoo? I think he’d have to save the continent all over again before that could happen.”

“…”

Now, I was just silently spectating, curious to see how far they’d take this. They were really getting excited on their own.

“But if a deep kiss with the tongue is possible, would going all the way also be possible?”

“Whoa, crazy! If you do that, doesn’t that mean you’re married? So should we just get married?”

“Kissing leads to that, and if you’ve done that, then you’re basically married!”

“…Maybe I should reconsider letting you two come over.”

I never expected them to go that far with their wild talk. I understood that they were young and excited to see me again, but they had clearly crossed the line.

“Both of you, go back now.”

Even as they left, they continued chattering endlessly.

“I’ll come right after class, Big Brother Shinwoo!”

“Teeheehee~ I’ll come running over right away!”

The two of them hopped into the general store excitedly. Meanwhile, Erica, who also had afternoon lectures, followed after them.

She shut the door halfway, then turned around to look at me as I saw her off.

The cold, professor-like demeanor she displayed earlier was gone. Pouting, she suddenly hooked her arms around my neck and kissed me.

“Mmph!”

Thankfully, the other women, complaining about the noise Aria and Eleanor were making, had gone to the vegetable garden.

I let out an involuntary gasp, and because of that, my lips parted slightly—allowing Erica’s tongue to slip in with ease.

Unlike her usual self, she was exploring my tongue aggressively.

Tuk.

When she pulled away, Erica pouted and said,

“Since we kissed, we’re married now. You got that, right?”

“…You’re not a kid.”

“Just answer me already.”

She grumbled.

“What are you doing?”

“Aren’t you coming?”

Aria and Eleanor whined about when Erica was coming from inside the room.

Since the door was only halfway shut, it seemed they hadn’t seen what we just did.

So this time, I leaned in and kissed her first.

Erica closed her eyes and melted into the kiss happily.

Tuk.

Then, she nudged the door shut with her foot, completely blocking out the students’ voices.

Footnotes

1. 1. Eleanor is using a pun here as search and die use the same word in Korean.

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