The World System and the demon that could not be king.

I was already with her, explaining everything—my mother's decision and how I ended up here.

I could still feel how embarrassed she was that I'd seen her naked… though technically, she hadn't been completely exposed. Something had been covering her, but the impact was still there.

Her golden hair was still damp, clinging slightly to her skin as she dried it with a towel. Her eyes never left mine, listening carefully to every word, as if trying to decide whether I was telling the truth.

Now that I think about it, the room wasn't as small as I'd expected. It had everything—a small kitchen, some shelves, and two beds that were spaced a bit farther apart than usual.

The atmosphere felt elegant too, like the kind of place made for someone of high status.

Setting that aside, she now wore a gray skirt and a long-sleeved white blouse with a black ribbon tied around the collar.

"Well… I guess I understand your story a little better now.

But I'm still not sure if I should forgive you.

And besides, you haven't even told me your name yet."

"My name? Oh, right... I'm Garieth Kael. Sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier."

"Where have I heard that name before…?

I can't quite remember, but… ah! That's it!

That was the name of the brave hero who saved me a few days ago!"

Her expression lit up, like a girl who'd just realized she was in love.

Wait—why is she acting like this all of a sudden?

She's even weirder than I thought.

If only she knew I was that guy...

"Hey, could it be you? You have the same name and... it's honestly very possible."

"No no no no! We're not the same person! It's just a coincidence. Yeah, that must be it!"

My nervous tone didn't help at all.

She began closing the distance between us, one step at a time, like she was interrogating me without saying a word.

"Are you sure?"

Too close. Way too close.

She was so close I didn't even know how to react.

For a second, I seriously thought she might kiss me…

But at the same time, I was pretty sure she wouldn't.

So I answered the best I could, trying to stay calm.

"No. We're not the same person."

She seemed to give up as she stepped back… but not without leaving one final warning.

"Alright, I'll let it go. But if I ever find out you're lying to me…"

She smiled.

Not a sweet one, but a threatening smile—the kind a jealous girlfriend wears after catching her boyfriend flirting with someone else.

Yeah… the type who'd beat him up until she got tired.

I could accuse her of violence, but I doubt anyone would take my side.

Anyway, as long as she doesn't find out, I should be fine.

"Alright, then I guess I'll introduce myself, since you're not—"

"You're Withe Marie. Fourteen years old.

You were kidnapped by three men and rescued by a boy your age named Kael, right?"

I said with a teasing grin, just to mess with her.

As expected, she nodded—

and immediately got ready to punch me.

"I told you not to lie to me!"

Yeah… definitely better to take the hit now than when she gets even stronger later.

◇◆◇◆

In the end, those punches were way stronger than I imagined.

Now I actually feel bad for the guys who kidnapped her.

They probably suffered a whole lot more than I thought.

Marie, now visibly calmer, returned to her usual peaceful smile—

the same one she showed the first time we met.

"So? How did you manage to get here so fast if that was only two days ago?" I asked, still rubbing my sore head.

"I have my ways.

My father has contacts all over the world, so it wasn't a big deal for me."

"I see… That makes sense.

I suspected as much, but didn't want to say it."

She stood up from the bed and walked toward the door.

Right before leaving, she turned around with a smile that already made me suspicious.

"Hey, want to go for a walk around the academy? I'm getting kind of bored in here."

Huh.

So all my assumptions were wrong.

I sighed loudly and replied, a little annoyed.

"Go ahead if you want.

I'm so tired I feel like I could sleep for a thousand years."

She paused, like she was trying to understand…

but eventually gave up.

"Alright then. I'll go alone. Just don't try to stop me, okay?"

I let myself fall back onto the bed, waving her off lazily.

"Go ahead. I won't stop you.

Just don't forget to put the door back."

Still had a few things to unequip.

Maybe a hot bath was a good idea.

Once she closed the door, I remembered a skill Mom had taught me—

one that could restore broken objects.

Perfect. I could use it to fix the door.

Didn't want her walking in on me like I had with her… or anything close to that.

I placed my hand on the splintered frame, and a soft green glow began to pull the fragments back together, snapping into place like magnets.

Once it was fixed, I conjured a dark-colored magical wall—

invisible when crossed, but just disorienting enough to throw off anyone who didn't know it was there.

That way, I could shower in peace.

After all, she's a girl and I'm a guy.

We need to respect each other's space.

That's what Mom taught me.

I took a hot bath and changed clothes inside the shower.

But the moment I stepped out… Marie slipped back into the room.

She was being sneaky—

walking like a thief in the night, trying not to make a sound.

She let out an awkward laugh when she saw me.

"Did you forget something?" I asked.

"No, I didn't forget anything.

I just… I'm a little tired too, and I came to tell you that.

Besides, classes start again tomorrow, so…"

"I see. So that's what it was.

Well then, go rest in your room. I'll see you tomorrow."

She straightened her posture and, with her usual smile, gave me a quiet "see you later" before heading off to sleep.

──────────────────────────────────

When I woke up again, it was already dark outside.

Guess I'd slept longer than I expected.

Still a little groggy, I made my way to the table—

and found a warm meal waiting for me: miso soup and rice.

Weird.

No one had ever left food for me like that before.

So traditional… and completely unexpected.

I was hungry, so I ate it anyway.

Even though it was around midnight, I didn't care.

I'll thank her tomorrow, when we head to the academy.