Chapter 204: Black Tea

Chapter 204: Black Tea

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.

“...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 /genesisforsaken