Chapter 1: Counting Prime Numbers
After confessing my feelings to Sena and confirming our mutual affection, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me, as if the fatigue from days of relentless fighting had finally caught up. I lost consciousness.
“This ceiling looks unfamiliar…”
When I opened my eyes, I found myself lying in an unknown bed. My first words were a predictable reaction. In my line of sight was the back of Sensei, who was wearing a disheveled purple kimono and was busy with something.
“S-Sensei…”
It was difficult to utter even that one word.
Noticing my voice, Sensei turned to me, relief evident on her face.
“Have you awakened, Son-in-law? I’m glad.”
I felt a familiar heaviness in my body, reminiscent of when I first arrived at Hidden Mountain and caused trouble for Sena. Gathering my strength, I managed to sit up.
“S-Sensei, where’s Sena?”
At my question, her expression softened.
“Son-in-law, the Master has been sleeping like the dead for three days… and yet, you ask about Sena first… what can I say about you both…”
Her words and expression made it clear that Sena was safe.
“I sent Sena back to the mountain. She insisted on taking care of you until the very end, but…”
A fleeting thought crossed my mind about why she was sent back, but I kept it to myself. I recalled how worn out Sena looked when she came to rescue me. Leaving the mountain must have been a severe poison for her.
“You were right, Son-in-law. Sena was pushing herself too hard. Even if she had stayed here, it wouldn’t have been good for either her or the people living here… So, for now, Sena is keeping watch alone.”
Sensei was hesitant to speak about Sena. I could vaguely imagine the reasons behind it. To change the subject, I asked Sensei a question.
“Where is this place?”
I needed to know what had happened since I lost consciousness.
“This is a room in the Bordaf Guild.”
My memory faded after facing the Three-Headed Dragon on that plain. When I asked what had transpired since then, Sensei explained.
“At that time, it was a miracle you didn’t die.”
I had a feeling that was the case.
“When you lost consciousness, the Light Magic was forcibly released. Just imagine what happened next. You can guess, right? I let out a scream that was unbecoming of my age.”
At the very least, I had lost my limbs, and my torso had been sliced in half. Just thinking about it sent chills down my spine. I silently offered my gratitude to Sensei, who had saved me from such a dire situation.
“Moreover, the Light Magic created in place of your blood and cells began to invade and assimilate with your physical body.”
“Uh, does that mean—”
“Yes, it was a rather serious situation. If the symptoms had progressed, your body would have become like that of a spirit or a shikigami, freeing you from the shackles of the material world. In other words, you were on the verge of ceasing to be human. Just thinking about what would have happened if the battle had continued for a longer time… both Sena and I were terrified.”
However, in front of Ainika, the One Who Loathes All Life, I had few options available. No matter how many times I replayed that scene, sooner or later, I would choose the same option of compensating for my body’s deficiencies with Light Magic.
“I’m sorry.”
“What?”
“I put you in danger, Sensei.”
Sensei lowered her brows.
“Even though I was there, this situation unfolded. It was my lack of power… No, that’s not it. I had the means to turn the situation around. If I had acted without concern for appearances, you wouldn’t have had to go through this—”
“Please stop.”
I grabbed Sensei’s hand, which felt cool and delicate.
“I chose this path myself. I have nothing to apologize for to you, Sensei. If you insist on apologizing, that would be an insult to me.”
“Son-in-law…”
Neither Sena nor Sensei had told me everything. But there had to be a reason for that. There was undoubtedly a reason why Sensei had held back her power this time.
“Sensei, instead of apologizing, please praise me. Just like you always do, saying ‘Well done.’ That would make me happier.”
Suddenly, Sensei embraced me tightly, and my head ended up buried in her ample bosom.
“Yes, that’s right.”
The strength of Sensei’s embrace intensified, and I felt the softness and warmth of her chest even more. But what did that matter? After all, Sensei was family, our guardian, like a stepmother to me. I could swear I had no impure thoughts whatsoever. I wasn’t lying. It was the truth. I wanted her to believe me.
“Son-in-law, well done. Thanks to you, no one has been sacrificed. What else could we call this a miracle? Huh? Son-in-law, why are you counting?”
“Counting? Hmm, eighty-nine, what are you talking about, Sensei? One hundred one.”
“That’s it! Why are you pretending, Son-in-law…?”
At that moment, Sensei seemed to understand, muttering, “Aha.” She must have realized why my behavior was strange, and her expression turned playful, like a mischievous cat.
“What’s this, Son-in-law? Are you perhaps blushing from touching me?”
She leaned in closer, teasing, “Hmm? Were you embarrassed? No need to be shy, my dear, my dear. Hehe, it was just a little bump against my chest.”
As a pure-hearted adult, I was acutely aware of how red I had turned, like a rival mech from a national robot anime. I had become a mere existence that could only repeat, “I’m not embarrassed,” “I’m not embarrassed at all,” “It’s not embarrassing,” “It’s not embarrassing at all.”
But what could I do?!!
It was soft!! It was warm!! It had a nice scent!!
Surely everyone would understand?! So please, just let it go!
“You’re such a dear. No need to be shy. To me, you’re still just a boy at that age, not much different from a child.”
“Ugh… Stop… it…”
As I hid my face in my hands, Sensei gently patted my head.
“Thank you for coming back, Son-in-law. I was truly happy that you returned.”
Her touch was endlessly gentle.
“Now, let’s set aside my praise for a moment—”
Sensei wore a somewhat troubled expression.
“I have a small consultation to discuss…”
“What is it, out of the blue?”
“It’s about Sena…”
Sensei looked a bit downcast, which was fresh and cute, but that was best left unsaid.
“What about Sena?”
“She is quite angry with me. Very much so.”
I had never seen Sena angry at Sensei. Even when she was used as a pillow, had her hair styled into dreadlocks, or was tossed into the air during a game of ‘tall-tall,’ she always seemed happy… So why?
“What on earth did you do?”
I asked Sensei.
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This marks the beginning of a new chapter.
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Additionally, I have corrected the garbled text of the Chancellor in the limited notes, so please check that out as well.