Book 4: Chapter 17: Academy Festival #2 Hot Spring Crisis!
“Huh? Where did Lilith and Brea go?”
Thea finally realized that unbeknownst to her, she was left all alone with various snacks in her hands.
“Sheesh! How dare they go off to have fun all by themselves without me! Such horrible friends!” Thea huffed angrily, then quickly finished up the snacks she was holding.
She looked around only to discover that she was in an unfamiliar area.
“Where am I?”
She was lost and confused but in the next second, a huge sign nearby attracted her attention.
Outdoor hot spring.
“Wow! There’s actually an outdoor hot spring here!”
A look of surprise came onto Thea’s face as she instantly pushed the thought of searching for her friends to the back of her head, and skipped happily into the bathhouse.
There was no one looking after the bathhouse, only a huge sign hanging on the wooden door that read ‘Female Bath’.
“One silver coin per entry, unlimited time. Free bath supplies, self-service.”
“One silver coin, that’s pretty cheap.”
Thea took out a silver coin and pushed it into the coin slot on the wooden door. The wooden door glowed faintly as though some mechanism was activated, then the door opened automatically with a creak.
Thea happily walked in, and the wooden door closed behind her.
After a while, the manager of this place came over for a routine inspection.
“Huh? Strange, how did the notice sign fall? Is this a prank?”
The manager sighed and picked up the notice sign before hanging it on the wooden door again.
“Due to limited space, this bath will be restricted to men after eight. Female students, kindly take note of the time.”
The manager looked at the sky and said gleefully, “Only half an hour to go. I should get ready for the shift change.”
.........
“Whoaaaa... That feels so great~!”
Thea lied down in the outdoor hot spring and felt fatigue instantly leaving her body.
Apart from Thea, there were many other people in the hot spring. Hence, she had to find an empty corner so that she could lie down comfortably.
However, for some reason, most of them were preparing to leave. The water in this deep and quiet hot spring was thick. Water rippled as the beautiful ladies got out of the spring, making a spectacular sight.
“It’s kinda boring without Lilith and Brea here.”
Thea pressed the wooden tub that she got for free from the bathhouse, watching it sink and float in the spring water. She soon lost interest in it and turned around to admire the starry sky.
“I wonder... how everyone in the church is.”
Thea leaned against a huge rock that was far away from the crowd. Watching the sky full of stars, she couldn’t help but grow drowsy.
“Haaa~ I need a nap.” Thea yawned. Since she was bored, she might as well sleep leaning against the rock.
No one knew how long her nap lasted.
“As expected of Boss Durango, you not only fished yourself a chick, but also the prettiest in the fifth class! I bet those uncouth fellas in the fifth class are jealous!”
“Don’t say that, we’re both truly in love with each other. ‘Fishing myself a chick’ is such a crude expression.”
“Right, our Boss Durango is a loving man. Calling it fishing a chick cheapens him!”
“Right, right, right. My bad. My apologies, sorry!”
“Hey, no worries. We’re bros.”Neew updates at novel/bin(.)com
“As expected of Boss Durango, what a forgiving man!”
As well as...
She couldn’t take it anymore!
SPLASH!!
Thea covered her nose and quickly hid behind the rock again. However, her movements attracted some attention.
“Who’s there?!”
“What’s wrong, Boss Durango?”
“I feel someone peeping on us.”
“Impossible. There’s actually a perverted woman around here?”
“Anyhow, I’ll take a look first.”
The sound of footsteps in water drew closer.
Thea could feel her heart jumping up to her throat.
What should I do, what should I do?
Am I really going to end up being treated as a perverted woman now?
No! As the former saintess, I must not bring shame to the goddess!
Determination slowly grew in Thea’s eyes.
Then...
“Oh light, shine on me...!”
A beam of light fell from the sky.
White wings slowly spread open in the beam of light and a holy aura enveloped the entire outdoor hot spring.
The beam of light didn’t immediately disappear. Everyone trembled and could only faintly see the outline of an enchanting woman amidst the light.
“Y-Y...You are...”
“I am... the goddess of hot springs.”
Thea opened her arms in the light and exuded her brilliance without hesitation.
“Well, men. Bid me thy wishes.”
“W...W-Wishes?”
Everyone looked at each other.
Then finally, someone tried their luck, “I want to find a girlfriend?”
“Thy wish hath been heard.”
“I want a sacred artifact!”
“I want to be the best in my grade!”
“I want...”
More people were convinced and they knelt at the feet of the goddess of hot springs.
Thea nodded, with an unquestionable divinity in her voice.
“Thy wishes hath been heard. Soaketh here for forty-nine hours and thy wish shalt cometh true.”
With a gentle flap of her wings, Thea flew out of the bath and the beam of light vanished along with her figure.
“Remember, only those who soaketh here for forty-nine hours and retained consciousness without using magic or battle Qi... shalt their wishes granted.”
“I bid thy all... the best of luck.”