It was an ordinary date.

We walked through the Hydrangea Garden, ate bread, roasted meat at a shop, laughed, and talked about silly things.

Had it not been for our hostile relationship, there would've been nothing unusual about this date.

This afternoon, I read the psychology of a Paladin. It seemed they already had a plan set for tomorrow.

This meant that Alice had already obtained the Phantasmal Clock, an item that could hasten the resurrection of the Evil God. By now, that clock would be in the hands of her minion in another world.

However, the fact that I was an enemy had not yet been finalized among the Paladins.

Looking back on the day of the closing ceremony, it was highly likely that Alice was convinced I was an enemy. With that being said, she hadn’t yet informed her subordinates that I was a definitive enemy.

I wanted to talk to her. I wanted to know what Alice was really thinking. I thought that today might be my last chance...

We reached the seashore outside the academy grounds. Alice had said that she wanted to go there with me.

The sky was inked in darkness. Thick clouds covered it so densely that not even the stars were visible. When the sky darkened, the rays of light, which breached the fortress of clouds, on the ground appeared even more beautiful. Our eyes were naturally drawn to such beauty.

As the waves swept across the sandy beach, the bioluminescent creatures flickered their magical light. It was as if multiple auroras were rippling through the sea. This place was abundant with invisible luminescent creatures, similar to plankton, in the summer.

Alice took off her shoes and walked along the fine sandy beach. I followed her, barefoot.

“The night sea here is so beautiful in the summer. That’s why I come every year. Have you been here before, Baby?”

“No, it’s my first time. It’s beautiful.”

“If only the weather were nicer, it would’ve been perfect.”

The sky threatened to release its downpour at any moment. Alice's expression was full of regret.

We walked along the shore, facing the sea breeze.

“…Senior Alice.”

“Yes.”

“Why did you come to Märchen Academy?”

“What a boring question. It’s just that life becomes easier after graduating here. That’s all… What about you?”

“I came for the same reason. Though, I’m not as strong as you, Senior Alice.”

“Hmm, I believe you underestimate your value. So, what do you want to do, Baby?”

“I’m a wizard, but I haven’t decided on a specific path yet. What about you? What do you want to do?”

“I want to be revered like a Queen and I wish to live happily ever after with the person I love.”

“That’s… not really a career, is it?”

“I never asked about career, I simply asked what you want to do.”

“If that’s the case, I want something similar. To be revered like a King and live happily ever after with the people I love. Who wouldn’t want that?”

“People, huh…? You’re quite greedy, Baby.”

Plop.

A raindrop fell at the tip of my nose.

My eyes naturally drew upward. The darkened clouds were ready to fulfill their threat.

Alice performed a similar action as the raindrops gradually intensified.

“It’s starting to rain. Should we head back?”

Alice stopped and turned towards me, extending her hand.

“Give me your hand, Baby.”

“…?”

It wasn’t a trap. She simply offered her hand.

Curious, I took Alice’s hand, and she immediately led me straight into the sea.

“Ah!”

Splash!

We stepped into the water. The water glowed green and blue from our steps.

The raindrops grew heavier. The shower turned into a downpour.

The bioluminescent creatures were stimulated every time the rain hit the ocean, glowing brighter before slowly fading away. The scene was utterly breathtaking.

“It’s pretty, right?”

Soon, Alice’s gold hair was drenched. Waves of beautiful colors overlapped at our ankles yet my eyes remained fixed on her.

“Yes… very much so.”

“Do you hate the rain?”

“I like it right now.”

Alice grinned.

Her soaked shirt revealed her underwear, so I draped a thin coat over her shoulders. Alice thanked me and closely embraced herself with the coat I had given her.

“Look at this.”

Alice chattered while repeatedly stomping in the water. Clear light surged from her every step.

I followed suit and light shimmered around me too.

Soon, we were both soaking wet, our clothes heavy and damp. Yet, there was a strange sense of freedom from being completely soaked, as if I had nothing to hide. My heart subtly trembled.

Alice playfully splashed water at me. I let out a surprised yelp, which made her burst into laughter.

A laugh escaped my mouth as well, simply because of the fun I was having.

We continued frolicking in the water, playfully splashing each other.

“Woah!”

I lost my balance and fell backward. My already-soaked body was submerged in seawater.

Alice burst out laughing. Shimmers stuck to my body.

Alice approached me. At first, I thought she would offer her hand, but she flopped down beside me, soaking herself completely in the water.

Shimmers covered our bodies. The sight was so amusing that I burst into laughter.

“Hehe, help me up, Baby.”

“Come on.”

I took Alice’s hand and helped her up.

Her hand appeared so small compared to my callused one.

We gazed into each other's eyes and chuckled for a while.

After frolicking in the sea for a while, we entered a coastal cave. I took out a pile of firewood from my magic pouch, activated a fire spell scroll, and started a bonfire. We needed to warm up unless we wanted to catch a cold.

Outside the cave, thunder rumbled occasionally in the never-ending rain.

“That was fun~.”

Sitting by the bonfire, Alice spoke with a smile, genuinely enjoying the moment.

I sat opposite her, basking in the warmth of the fire.

I pulled a blanket out of my magic pouch and handed it to Alice. She smiled softly, accepting it and draping it over her shoulders.

I boiled water and brewed some black tea with the leaves I had prepared beforehand. I handed her a cup, and she took it happily.

“When did you pack these?”

“I always carry them around. I like black tea just like you do.”

Alice sipped her black tea with a satisfied expression.

For a while after, we both remained silent, quietly watching the crackling bonfire.

“Senior Alice.”

I poked the kindling of the bonfire, glancing at Alice. Her pinkish eyes reflected the bonfire and my tiny figure.

“What is it, Baby?”

Her voice was still excited as if the joy was still lingering. It was a lovely voice.

I turned my gaze back to the bonfire.

There was something I wanted to ask.

“What type of man do you like?”

Alice chuckled softly.

“Why are you asking me that all of a sudden?”

“I thought it might be me.”

Alice wanted to bring ruin to this world.

However, even someone like her had a preference in men. The Phantom Cat Cheshire had said I was her type.

I wanted to ask because I couldn’t understand how Alice, a human with genuine emotions, could become such an extreme villain.

Alice smiled playfully.

“...And what if it’s you? Would you date me?”

“Why not?”

She did not anticipate my calm response, and the smirk on her face gradually faded.

I tried to probe into Alice’s inner feelings with that answer. I wanted, no, needed to confirm her humanity.

Although I felt a bit guilty for exploiting someone’s feelings…

…Tomorrow, we’d become adversaries destined to kill each other. I judged that probing into her true feelings was of utmost importance.

Alice seemed to ponder for a moment before asking an unexpected question.

“Baby.”

“Yes?”

“Do you have more blankets?”

“I have two extra.”

“Then, shall we sleep here?”

“...Huh?”

…What?

I looked at Alice. I thought she was joking to avoid an embarrassing conversation, but her face was serious.

Suddenly, Alice placed the cup of tea, the blankets, and the coat on the ground, and then stood up.

She stood next to me, her underwear still damp.

Then, placing her hands on the ground, she leaned in close to me.

“Senior…?”

I reflexively pulled back, and she leaned in even closer.

Thinking that she might be seizing the opportunity to catch me off guard, I covered her hands on the ground with mine.

Alice glanced at my hand, then looked back into my eyes.

An odd tension filled the air as Alice was poised like she was about to pounce on me, but I had no choice but to keep her in check.

And so, our eyes locked into each other mere inches apart.

“Isaac.”

Alice whispered.

“Would it be okay if you stayed the night with me?”

Time seemed to come to a halt.

Only the crackling of the bonfire continued to prove that time was still moving.

“...Why?”

“Nothing… I just want you to.”

I couldn’t fully grasp Alice’s intention. What was she thinking, and with what feelings did she say that?

What was clear was that I couldn’t show any vulnerability. Even her seduction was ultimately for the sole purpose of killing me.

To Alice, my appearance represented an archwizard capable of destroying the world.

A formidable enemy and the highest obstacle she would have to overcome.

Therefore, it was an offer I couldn’t accept.

I lowered my gaze.

Ultimately… I concluded that it would be difficult to know Alice’s true feelings.

Blinking softly and smiling kindly, I looked back at her.

“...Alice, save such proposals for when you truly fall in love with someone.”

It was just an excuse.

But considering Alice’s rash behavior in suggesting we spend the night together, it was also the most appropriate response.

At that, Alice’s eyes narrowed. Her seductive expression faded.

“You’re quite firm. How boring.”

“I get that a lot.”

Mostly from the girl with a witch hat.

“Let’s dry off our clothes and head back. The rain seems to have stopped.”

“...Sure.”

Alice pulled away from me and got up.

We looked at the cave entrance. The sound of the rain had indeed stopped.

Soon after, we gathered our things and exited the cave. For a while, Alice didn’t say anything. So, we returned to the academy without uttering a single word.

Only the streetlights quietly illuminated the academy grounds. No students were roaming around at such a late hour.

Alice stopped outside Bartos Hall.

“I had fun today, Baby. Get home safe.”

“Huh? Senior, aren’t you going inside?”

“I still have things to do.”

“Ah, that must be tough…”

I waved my hand goodbye. Smiling one last time.

“Then, I’ll see you tomorrow, Senior.”

“Yeah, see you tomorrow.”

After parting with Alice, I headed to my dorm. She entered Bartos Hall.

As I walked, I looked back at Bartos Hall.

The light inside the student council room never lit up.

* * *

[Meow. Why didn’t you try to kill Isaac?]

As soon as Alice Carroll entered the student council room, her fat purple cat familiar, Phantom Cat Cheshire, revealed itself.

In the darkness, the magic beast’s body remained unseen.

[Even if Isaac is strong, shouldn’t you have found a way to kill him? Why, oh why, didn’t you kill Isaac?]

“…”

Alice quietly made herself a cup of black tea and sat down in the presidential seat with her steaming cup.

She sipped her black tea.

“Our goal is to resurrect the Evil God. Everything will end tomorrow anyway.”

[Meow! That’s right, tomorrow is going to be reeeally fun, so it doesn’t matter! Hehe!]

The Phantom Cat became visible again and sat on the President’s desk, its mouth tearing into a long, grotesque smile.

[But, why did you do that?]

“Do what?”

[Did you want some comfort from Isaac before the fight? Since he’ll become an enemy tomorrow and today’s relationship will end completely? It doesn’t seem like something someone who’s about to end this world should be thinking, right?]

“...You’re being ridiculous.”

Alice responded calmly.

“It was just for fun, one last bit of amusement.”

The Phantom Cat chuckled and began to fade away like smoke.

[I see. So that’s it. I’m looking forward to it. I can’t wait to see the expression on Isaac’s face when our dear Alice resurrects the Evil God tomorrow. I’m really excited. Please, don’t disappoint me, Alice.]

The Phantom Cat vanished.

Alice watched the place where it disappeared, then she gently fiddled with the choker around her neck.

There were numerous scratches. She could feel the rough texture.

She turned her chair to look out the window. Between the clouds, a moon the size of a palm peeked out. She slowly sipped her tea while gazing at that scene.

After finishing her black tea, she got up to brew another cup.

Her eyes, now accustomed to the darkness, peered into the tea leaf container. It was empty.

So that was the last one.

Alice muttered to herself as she put down the empty cup.