The state where your brain is awake but your body is asleep is called sleep paralysis. If so, this could also be considered a type of sleep paralysis too.
The experience of staying up all night, being hugged by Pink-Haired Lesbian.
Due to personal reasons, I couldn't fall asleep. My heart was beating so fast that all my sleepiness vanished. So, the problem was how to pass the next around 8 hours of wasted time.
I could have easily spent half a day staring at Pink-Haired Lesbian’s figure, but if I did that, there was a high chance that I’d lose my sanity, so I held back. So I started to try and plan the next session, but failed because every time Pink-Haired Lesbian moved, my thoughts scattered.
Fortunately, I had a mindless pastime to occupy myself with
The Succubus race seemed to have an innate trait to absorb Mana through physical contact. As such, I could feel my Mana slowly being absorbed while I was directly in contact with her.
It was unlikely that Pink-Haired Lesbian was intentionally absorbing Mana. It was such a small amount that it was insignificant and it would hurt her pride to suck up Mana like a mosquito while calling us friends and everything. There was no way that Pink-Haired Lesbian, with her high self-esteem, would ever make such a choice.
It could be an interaction caused by an unconscious thing⋯⋯ due to the characteristics of her race.
Have you ever become so focused on something that you don’t even notice time passing by, like trying to pop the bubble wrap in deliveries? Likewise, I enjoyed the minigame of defending against Pink-Haired Lesbian’s Mana absorption. It was perfect for concentrating without thinking.
After enduring the painful test of patience, Pink-Haired Lesbian slowly opened her eyes around dawn. Seeing her eyes clearly in focus, it didn't seem like she was still asleep. When I finally decided that she had fully woken up, I made an emergency escape from the blanket. Rollrollroll.
I fell out of bed, rolled three times on the floor, and stood up. I was free.
Pink-Haired Lesbian rubbed her eyes, took her glasses from the nightstand, put them on, looked at her body, and then spoke to me calmly, before saying something ridiculous.
“You didn’t use it, I see?”
“What kind of crazy shit are you saying first thing in the morning⋯⋯!!"
I was momentarily agitated.
No, I couldn’t lose my composure. Both I and Pink-Haired Lesbian were extremely offensive types. We were the ones who would go with the flow and attack relentlessly until the other died, the moment one side was cornered.
I needed to parry. If I didn’t parry⋯⋯.
“Hm.”
Pink-Haired Lesbian smiled mischievously and lifted the blanket with one arm to make room for me to come in. Her dress shirt was soaked with moisture, slightly showing her skin, with warm air hovering inside the blanket.
In contrast to the interior of the bedroom, which was bright with sunlight streaming in from the window, the shaded insides of the blanket subtly highlighted the curves of Pink-Haired Lesbian’s body.
Then, she calmly said this.
“If you want, you can come back in again.”
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
“I won’t play with you this time.”
It was a critical hit.
⋯⋯It is my defeat!
I immediately escaped. I opened the door, ran out, and rolled down the hallway. I tried to erase the scene from my mind by spinning myself life a centrifuge, but no matter how much I rolled⋯⋯ it remained clear like a stigma.
You’ll pay for this, Pink-Haired Lesbian. Although I have suffered such a humiliating defeat now⋯⋯ the sun will also rise tomorrow. And next time I shall never be so defenseless. I made such an oath to myself. But then.
The Tower Master who ran into me while passing by screamed loudly.
"⋯⋯W, why are you walking around in just your underwear?!”
“Ah.”
Only then did I realize that I had run out of the room completely naked and destitute, and I had to return to the bedroom I had just escaped from⋯⋯.
===============================================================
It was so irksome.
She seemed expressionless, but the slightly raised corners of her mouth were very obnoxious. If I could just travel back in time, I would’ve just quietly hugged Tower Master and peacefully slept.
Of course, I probably wouldn’t be able to sleep either way, but at least the Tower Master wouldn’t have teased me all day. If anything, I would’ve teased her instead.
“Mr… Ahem. Mr. Crazy Wizard?”
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
I was clearly able to hear that indiscernible ‘Kek’ between those coughs. Considering Pink-Haired Lesbian’s unique bluntness, that line she said just before was no different from ‘Mr. LMAOOOOOOO Crazy Wizard LOLLLLLLL.’
It was obnoxious. No matter how defeated a general was, was it ethical to humiliate me this much? The world was truly a cold and heartless place.
I covered my face with both hands before surrendering a second time this match.
“Pink-Haired Lesbian, don’t speak to me today⋯⋯."
“I’m sorry, but imperial orders precede over a friend’s request. The Second Prince sent a message.”
“Then let’s hear it. What is it?”
“Since you have achieved success in the Academy, you will be greatly rewarded. He asks you to come up to the Imperial Capital, Crownhall, for a moment and meet him.”
The Imperial wanted to reward me for achieving 120% work efficiency! I wished for a substantial research grant. I was already thinking about creating a vaccine to combat the virus.
If I had enough money, I would consider outsourcing or hiring a researcher. Since I had to do TRPG while performing my duties as a professor, the time I had to research was inevitably less as compared to before.
However, if you could recruit⋯⋯ graduate students. I thought it was possible to make up for the reduced research time if I utilized these unpaid slaves with the authority of a 『Professor』.
"But, as a special note... they are asking us to wear protective gear made of quilted cotton."
"?"
I couldn't understand the Second Prince's deep intentions. Why would he want me to wear protective gear? Was he planning to take me somewhere? Was he suggesting a cozy visit to an BDSM cafe or a trip to the front lines?
There was no way our glorious Imperial was planning to beat me up, right? I’ve done my job exceptionally well, you know?
“Anyways, okay.”
“I’ll be able to look around Crownhall for the first time in a while.”
“Yeah, are you coming too?”
“Isn’t it obvious? My job is to assist Mr. Crazy Wizard and⋯⋯of course, I need to accompany my precious friend.”
Wink. Pink-Haired Lesbian’s emotionless wink critically struck me.
My heart pounded as I took a direct hit. What is this, this⋯⋯ feeling? My entire body felt feverish, my hands and feet trembled, and the muscles tensed.
This, was an emotion that I hadn’t felt in a long time⋯⋯ anger!
I put my hand on the transformation switch. It was war now. We’ll be able to see who was stronger in bed tomorrow, you or my TS mode. I'm not afraid of anything anymo──
Perhaps sensing my rising anger, Pink-Haired Lesbian turned the steering wheel just in time. It was a topic too interesting to ignore.
“Ah, Mr. Crazy Wizard. Did you know that? There’s a very nice place in Crownhall.”
“What place?”
“It’s a bar where the beer tastes like shit and the owner is unfriendly, though.”
How is that a nice place, then?
"The owner's daughter serves the beer. She's a lively beauty with freckles, but the waiter's skirt is very short so⋯⋯."
"⋯⋯How short?”
“About this much.”
“Let’s go right away.”
As expected, friends were the best. Isn’t a relationship where you share information and find enjoyment together truly beautiful? I promised to share some beer at the bar and walked shoulder to shoulder with Pink-Haired Lesbian.
===============================================================
I sat the small, precious Purple Tower Master on my lap, combed her hair, and talked to her. This was what I missed.Her small size that fit comfortably in my arms and her warm presence. It was cute to see her being surprised, saying "Euhyat!" when I hugged her.
Of course, I was prepared to let go at any time if she seemed uncomfortable. I just needed to observe the floating effects around the Tower Master. If there were things like skulls, restraints, or knives floating around, then it meant that she didn’t like it.
Don't worry about the silly or awkward parts that would spoil the mood. The first layer of Self Sexual Desire Suppression Magic could drive away all the naughty thoughts.
“So, I was planning to go have a drink with Pink-Haired Lesbian. After all, Tower Master, you don’t really like doing this kind of stuff, right?”
“N, no. I want to go too! I’m good at drinking too.”
“Not that, I was talking about the waitress’s skirt⋯⋯ but seeing as you’re boasting like that, I guess you can’t drink.”
"⋯⋯To be honest, I’ve never actually drank before.”
The Tower Master muttered. I was shocked. To think she had never even touched alcohol before. Was she actually living a very healthy life, surprisingly paying close attention to what she consumed? No, but still. Don’t most people drink at least once in their lives?
“Not even once?”
"⋯⋯Eung.”
“Interesting. Normally, people try it at least once if they live long enough.”
"Eung⋯⋯?"
The Tower Master’s body suddenly stiffened. Oops, that was a mistake. Age was a sensitive topic after all.
“Ah, I’m sorry. It’s rude to ask a lady her age⋯⋯."
“W, wait. Wa, wa-wait⋯⋯?! How old do you think I am⋯⋯?"
The Tower Master flapped violently. That was a tricky question. 'How old do I look?' Of course, at face value, she looked sixteen or seventeen, but her actual age was a mystery.
She was the Tower Master who led a Magic Tower, wasn’t she? Moreover, being a Master of Illusion Magic, she could easily alter her own appearance. Therefore, it was foolish to estimate her age solely based on her appearance. I supposed I’d have to guess it based on her physical age.
And considering the Tower Master’s physical capabilities⋯⋯.
“40s?”
"⋯⋯HEY!!”
The Tower Master spun around and sat on my lap facing me. She threw merciless barrages of Yuna Punches with both hands. Was I wrong? Since she got angry, maybe she’s a bit younger?
“I-I’m almost the same age as you⋯⋯?!"
"⋯⋯Then 50s?"
“EXCLUDING YOUR PAST LIFE-!!”
She even began to whimper and sob. I hugged the Tower Master and patted her continuously, thinking hard. Wait a minute, so I⋯⋯ have been at the tower for 10 years, which makes me around twenty-two. Then it doesn't make sense that she’s around my age.
Even when I first joined the tower, the Tower Master’s appearance wasn’t very different from now. So naturally, I thought that she was a wizard in her 40s, maintaining her youthful appearance through some arcane power.
But what if… it was the other way around.
What if she used Illusion Magic to pretend to be older than her actual age, to hide how young she actually was?
What if Tower Master was actually not an age-reversing woman appearing as a girl, but an actual young girl?
If that were the case, it would explain the Tower Master's suspiciously poor social skills, extreme feelings of loneliness, and somewhat awkward and loser-like demeanor in front of others. While it is true that she is naturally introverted, it turns out she also had little social experience and was quite young from the start.
Then, that meant⋯⋯?
My sins of the past passed by in my head.
The time when I skimmed all her grants and pulled the ‘Tower Master, Just Bring Me Food’ stunt.
The time when I talked about panties for 3 hours in front of a kid.
And that time when I said ‘I trust you, Tower Master,’ before leaving everything to her and falling asleep peacefully.
"⋯⋯⋯⋯."
“Uh, uhm? Why is your expression like that all of a sudden⋯⋯? D, do you actually like older women? W-Well, then, I’m actually in my 40s⋯⋯."
The Tower Master, with tears welling up in her eyes, gently stroked my cheek. Even in this situation, wasn't she thinking of me first?
Thinking about how such a kind girl had suffered until now made my conscience ache as if it were being torn apart. I, I was the scumbag all along...
It was a critical hit.
I quietly hugged Tower Master and spoke with all the sincerity I could muster.
“⋯⋯I will make you happy from now on.”
“Euuuueheh⋯⋯?!"
“I’ll make sure you can live without ever having to lifting a finger again⋯⋯!!”
“W, what, what do you-, what do you mean by that?!”
I nadenade’d Yuna, the Purple Magic Tower Master. At this moment, this was the only thought in my mind. I had to show her all sorts of fun things so she could enjoy her youth. If I didn’t…
I made plans to tour the imperial capital with the Tower Master. We walk to different parks together and dine at fancy restaurants. The Magic Tower Master, who was dazed for a moment, soon started to enthusiastically make plans.
She suggested things like riding horses together or walking along a path famous for couples, so I agreed. It sounded like it would be fun.
“T-This date⋯⋯."
“What?”
“I-It’s nothing⋯⋯!"
The plans for our journey to Crownhall were smoothly coming together.
***
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