A familiar ceiling, and a familiar sight.

After a long sleep, I sat up with my clothes disheveled.

As I expected, it was that memory again.

A year and a few months ago, I learned that I couldn't kill myself through conventional means.

Theoretically, it wasn't impossible, but a failed attempt would only unleash another disaster.

Afraid of that outcome, I stopped trying to end my life after that day. It was something beyond my power.

I ate humans at least once a week. I knew all too well what would happen if I didn’t, the pain that would gnaw at my bones.

Since the incident, the back alleys had been quiet. Rumors of a monster kept people away, and the alley had essentially become my private residence.

The Empire tried to rebuild the ruined alley a few times, but I devoured everyone they sent. After that, they stopped coming.

"...Ah."

This is why I hate memories of the past.

Since falling into this world, I’d had no good memories; every memory was a nightmare.

Of course, even now, it’s still a nightmare.

"...."

I wasn’t sure how far Ariel would grow.

Whether I would die in the end, or he would, only time would tell.

It’s been two days since the incident ended.

Classes were canceled, and with everyone busy rebuilding, Iria decided to visit Ariel at the infirmary.

There wasn’t any particular reason, just something to do since I had nothing else.

Entering the familiar hospital room, I saw Ariel and Sera lying side by side.

Strange. Aren’t men and women supposed to have separate rooms?

I heard the women's ward was full, so they put Sera here since she seemed close to Ariel.

"Oh, Iria!"

As I walked in, Sera waved at me.

After two days, Sera looked...

"Wait, you can’t get up yet, Miss! You’re not supposed to move!"

"Let me go! Look, Iria is here—ow!"

"...."

She still didn’t seem quite normal.

She tried to get up, aggravating her injuries and letting out a gasp. Her delicate voice, unintentionally suggestive, echoed in the room where they shared a space.

Ariel, who had been relatively quiet, sighed as if he was used to Sera's antics.

Again, I had to watch Sera wrestle with the nurse.

At least she was calmer than usual today. Normally, she’d have tried to leave on the first day, but her injuries were severe enough that even her tenacity couldn’t help her.

Which made sense.

It was a miracle she was even alive.

"Are you here for a visit?"

I nodded at Sera’s question.

These two had been the most injured in the academy attack. People said they were the heroes of the event.

They had fought when even the professors had stepped back.

Those who saw Ariel cut down the giant monster were left speechless. People wouldn’t stop praising him for finally unleashing his true power as a hero.

Ariel had already surpassed the level of the academy professors. In terms of pure strength, he might even rival the Empire's generals.

He had an influence surpassing even the generals, particularly against monsters and demons. He was already standing at the pinnacle.

‘No wonder he’s the protagonist.’

What was scarier was that he still had infinite potential for growth.

The bloodline of the Demon King’s slayer was indeed terrifying. Many talented individuals had died in past wars, but the new generation was beginning to bloom.

Though Ariel's accomplishments overshadowed others, he wasn’t the only one who had transcended his limits.

"Iria! Come here for a second. I can’t move, so you’ll have to come to me."

I walked over to Sera.

I had seen Sera fight the giant monster. Surviving that level of miasma wasn’t something anyone could do just by manipulating flames.

And she’d done it twice.

In terms of pure talent, Sera might be the best of us all.

As Ariel grew, Sera blossomed into her own terrifying strength.

"Did you call for me?"

I looked at her, curious as to why she’d called me over.

"No, no, come a little closer."

"...."

Sera smiled and gestured for me to approach.

Feeling a bit uneasy, I stepped forward.

Suddenly, Sera pulled me into a hug. Her ample chest pressed against me, and I felt momentarily suffocated.

"Gah!"

"Gotcha!"

She playfully ruffled my hair, a little rougher than necessary.

For a moment, I thought about pulling away with force, but I restrained myself since she was a patient.

Instead, I asked her, "Why are you doing this?"

"I don’t know, it just feels like it’s been forever since I’ve seen you. Your hair is so fluffy, Iria. You’d be perfect to cuddle up to for a nap..."

"...."

"Ahh!"

It wasn’t until I jabbed a finger into her wound that she finally released me.

I took a breath of relief.

Then I asked, "It hasn’t really been that long, has it?"

After all, we’d been together on the day of the incident. We may have gone in different directions, but it hadn’t been more than two days.

"It just feels that way. It’s so boring in the hospital. Time seems to pass so slowly. And Ariel is so dull, he’s no fun. He’s getting discharged today, too! Leaving me behind here—isn’t that so mean?"

"There are a lot of injured people, so they’re short on hospital beds. If he’s better, he needs to make room for others."

Ariel, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. It was a reasonable explanation, but Sera’s face contorted with a playful pout.

"I could get discharged too..."

"Stay and heal this time. You almost died."

"Ugh...."

Unable to argue with Ariel's blunt statement, Sera fell silent, sulking.

Lying on the bed, her injuries were severe. Even for her, full recovery would take some time.

It was a harsh punishment for someone as active as she was. This was the price she paid for pushing herself in the Demon Seed hunt.

"Iria, could you at least stay with me? If I’m left alone here, I might die of loneliness."

"No."

"You’re as cold as Ariel."

"Deal with it."

"...."

After a curt reply, I turned my attention to Ariel.

Unlike the critically injured Sera, Ariel, who had only minor wounds, was actively controlling the power of the stars flowing within him.

Even if he’d sustained significant injuries, he would’ve healed with star power.

Having broken through his limits in the fight against the giant monster, he was still adjusting to his newfound strength.

He had stepped into the realm of the superhuman. Everything must have felt unfamiliar; his senses were far sharper than before.

Ariel stood up and called for the nurse to formally process his discharge.

Afterward, he turned to me.

"Iria."

"Yes?"

"Mind taking a walk?"

He looked like he had something on his mind.

I was intrigued by what he might say. He was the only person whose thoughts I couldn’t read. Besides, he was the protagonist of this world.

The more I knew about him, the better.

"Yes."

I nodded and followed him out.

Leaving Sera behind felt a bit pitiful, but she’d manage. The air outside the hospital was fresh.

It wasn’t the first time Ariel and I had been alone. We’d sparred together with wooden swords on the hill behind the academy.

But this felt different. His demeanor had changed.

He was sharper, carrying a heavier presence. He had reached a level that I could recognize as strong. If we fought now, I might even lose an arm.

And he seemed more relaxed than before. He wasn’t swinging his sword just to get stronger as quickly as possible.

I followed him as he walked, his black hair flowing with his movements.

We left the hospital and strolled down a forested path. But Ariel remained silent, never once opening his mouth to speak.

I kept following, wondering how far we’d go before he said anything.

Who knows.

We walked until the surrounding scenery transformed into a dense forest. We had reached the hill behind the academy where we’d once sparred.

"Iria."

As if we’d reached his desired destination, Ariel called my name. I didn’t reply verbally but nodded in acknowledgment.

His blue eyes, calm and composed, turned to me. Then, he spoke.

"Are you hiding something from us?"

"...?"

In the silence of the forest, I paused.

I hesitated to answer, not understanding his question, and he didn’t immediately elaborate.

Ariel found a spot to sit and slowly continued.

"Sorry if the question came out of nowhere. You may not know, but I recently awakened the power of the stars. My senses feel sharper than usual."

"...."

"I don’t know for sure, but I feel like you’re extremely strong. Maybe even stronger than I am. I’m not certain, but there’s one thing I can say with confidence."

Ariel paused briefly, as if carefully considering whether to voice his thoughts.

Of course, I was anxious to hear him out. Unlike other humans, I couldn’t read Ariel's memories. Unless he spoke, I had no way of knowing what he was thinking.

After a moment, he spoke.

"The stars are wary of you."

It was a statement heavy with meaning.

I couldn’t read his mind, but I could guess from his expression.

Ariel was wary of me.