Episode 8: Puffy Augustella von Arcana III
Puffy discreetly took advantage of her work breaks to watch the Holy Knight Boy train. Each time she caught a glimpse of him, she was reminded once again that the maids were right about him. Reaffirmation…? Even so, she couldn’t quite grasp the nature of her own fluttering feelings.
She spent about two hours a day with him in the Library Room. Even when she had no research to conduct, she made excuses to visit, carefully timing her trips to the library. Until then, the only personal time she had dedicated was to her magic research. Yet, it didn’t take long for the time spent with him to become irreplaceable.
Initially, most of Puffy’s questions were about the objects, culture, and customs of his world. However, after a week, her inquiries gradually shifted to focus on the Holy Knight Boy himself.
What kind of life had he lived?
What foods did he like?
Conversely, what foods did he dislike?
Though these were trivial topics, Puffy found herself eagerly anticipating their conversations.
Day by day, she learned more about him.
He had a younger sister.
He had overprotective parents.
He respected his grandparents.
He strived to live in a way that he could face the sun.
This boy was endlessly kind-hearted.
The more she learned, the more she couldn’t help but be captivated by him.
That day, as she watched him bite down on his desk in a sleepy haze, a strange, muddled feeling began to rise within her—something different from mere concern.
Despite the situation allowing for some shortcuts, he never once slacked off. Even though he had received Healing Magic countless times, the fatigue from training must have accumulated, yet he never uttered a word of weakness. No matter how wonderful the Sisters’ Healing Magic was, it couldn’t erase mental exhaustion.
Puffy was beginning to understand him.
She clearly recognized his motivation to strive.
He was always giving his all in training and studying, and as he often said, it was undoubtedly for his family. However, she also understood that it was not just that. Deep within his heart lay a strong determination to return to their original world with the other summoned heroes.
She thought to herself, how strong he was.
And then—she wished to get closer to him.
Puffy was regarded as an expert among scholars in magic research. Among the ongoing studies, two particularly caught her attention. One was the investigation into the unnatural delay in the development of magic, and the other was the development of a Teleportation Device.
Puffy often asked the boy for stories from his world. Each time, he would ponder for a moment before proudly sharing various tales—fables, adventure stories, romance, and mysteries. Each story was a treasure to Puffy, filled with tales she had never heard before.
All of these stories were precious to her, but still, the one that shone the brightest in her heart was the tale of a young man who repaid the kindness of a crane that had saved him.
Moved to tears, Puffy promised that day to call each other “Puffy” and “Ichiro.” On that day, she made a certain resolution.
From that day forward, Puffy showed even more determination to develop the Teleportation Device she had been working on with her own hands.
With her resolve and a certain wish in mind, she named this magical device “Crane’s Guidance.”
If the “Crane’s Guidance” could be completed and improved to teleport instantly over long distances—
“One day, Ichiro, I might be able to visit your world.”
Though it seemed like a far-fetched dream that would earn her laughter now, her determination was as solid as diamond.
“Even if you return to your world, I—”
From that day on, every night as she lay in bed, Puffy dreamed of the two of them visiting his world together and spending joyful times, before drifting off to sleep.
Time passed since then, and all the brilliant wishes and feelings she had harbored became distant memories of the past. And then— the dream she had envisioned that day faded away like a fleeting bubble, ephemeral and bursting into nothingness.
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Today marks the simultaneous release of the first and second volumes of the comic adaptation…
The scene where Sena almost gives Ichiro medicine through Mouth-to-Mouth is one that will bring tears to your eyes!
It’s so intense… I might just become an erotic muse!
If you’re interested, please be sure to check it out!