Chapter 100 - Abnormality and White Lily Academy [1] (1/2)

100. Abnormality and White Lily Academy [1]

I slowly awaken to the warm sunlight hitting my skin.

「……?」

As my head cleared up, the surrounding information rushed in.

The smell of lush grass and leaves.

A bird chirping.

Pleasant breeze

「Where am I…?」

I got up and looked around. Lush trees came into view. It would seem that I was sleeping in the woods.

「E-Eh…?」I was puzzled.「Why am I sleeping in a place like this?」

My body felt fresh, but for some reason my head felt heavy.

(If I remember correctly… The Thousand Blade Festival was held yesterday. I remember going to a haunted house with Ria and Rose. After that, I played poker with the president at the Thousand Blade Shadow Festival. After that, Tessa made a fool of himself at the celebration party, and then… eh?)

I was able to remember well up to that point, but… I couldn’t recall anything else beyond that.

「…Can’t help it. Let’s go for a short walk.」

I must still be half asleep, I thought. So, I brushed off the dirt on my clothes and took a stroll along the forest. As I walked around for a few minutes, I immediately understood where『here』was.

(…It’s been a long time.)

I was in the small forest near Paula-san’s dorm.

Back when I attended the Gran Swordsmanship Academy, I trained here during my spare time, so I remember the geography perfectly.

「Which means… that should also be around here…」

I relied on the memories of the past, and searched around for a bit and – found it.

「Ha-haa… I’m feeling nostalgic for some reason…」

I picked up the『100 million years button』which was just lying out in the open.

This is where everything started.

「Seriously… what was all that…」

As the memories of hellish time spent in the other world vaguely resurfaced, I pressed the button that gleamed a mysterious red – nothing happened. Obviously.

This button was already broken. Looking closely, a large sword wound was engraved on the pedestal part of the button. The mark left behind when I cut asunder the『Prison of Time』.

「Hermit of time, huh. Where and what are you doing right now…?」

According to Leia-sensei, he’s travelling around the world and handing over the 100 million-year button to individuals who hold innate talent. It’s uncertain what he hopes to accomplish through doing so, but there is no doubt he has some sort of objective.

「…Well, we won’t see each other again.」

I placed the 100 million-year button back where it was lying.

「Since I’m already here, let’s drop by Paula-san’s.」

I’m visiting her dorm for the first time in six months.

■

I arrived at Paula-san’s dormitory as I trotted through the familiar forest like it was my own garden.

「…It’s a good smell.」

She seems to be in the middle of making lunch, as the aroma from inside filled my nostrils. This spicy feeling that stimulates my appetite is probably curry rice.

「Man, I’ve missed this place…」

In front of me was a two-story wooden dormitory. It’s only been six months yet I felt very nostalgic for some reason.

I knocked on the huge door which was of Paula-san’s size – there was no answer.

(Well, that’s right…)

She puts her everything in when doing something. I’m sure she didn’t hear the knock, being so concentrated in her cooking.

「Excuse me.」I said just in case, and entered.

I took off my shoes at the front door and went to the kitchen – as I guessed, Paula-san was in the middle of making lunch.

Paula Garedzar.

She’s the dorm mother in this dorm where I used to live.

She has a big frame of more than two meters tall.

A face which vibed with strength.

The white apron over the black shirt was still the same as ever.

And looking at her as usual rolled up sleeves… her upper arms were about 3.5 times bulker than mine.

(That’s funny… I have trained my body quite a bit, but…)

The difference around the arm seems to be wider than six months ago.

Perhaps… Paula-san has also grown a little.

「HmmmHmmHm!」she hummed a unique song with greatness and astringency coexisting, as she stirred the pot in a good mood.

Then I coughed and called out to her.

「-Paula-san, it’s been a long time.」

「…Nn? Oh, it’s Allen! How are you doing… What’s wrong with your head!?」

Just as she turned towards me with a smile which gave off a powerful vibe, her eyes fixated on my head.

「I-Is there something on my head…?」

「You don’t know!? Here! Look at this!」Paula-san said, and held out a nearby hand mirror.

「Oh, thank you… Eh!?」

When I looked into the hand mirror I received, I saw a unique hair that was mixed with black and white.

「W-What is this!?」I cried out involuntarily, and grabbed a fistful of my transformed hair.

「What do you mean『what’s this?』…Didn’t you dye it?」

「N-No!」

I’m sure this kind of hair is called『mesh』in the streets.

Either way, this was not something I wanted.

「Then, did someone play a prank on you?」

「Um… I’m not sure.」

Ria obviously wouldn’t do this, and the same goes for Rose.

(Then, the president…?)

If it’s that mischievous little devil, the chances are not zero.

(But did she have the time to dye my hair?)

After the celebration, I certainly went back to the dormitory of Thousand Blade Academy.

My memory remains clear up until that point.

(…The problem is after that.)

I can’t remember what happened after going to bed and waking up in the forest.

(…So mysterious.)

Paula-san clapped me on the back as I was tilting my head.