Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/822139844414118669/episodes/822139844876976361
After passing through the gates of the Royal Arcadia Academy of Magic, we were led straight to the dormitory by a senior student acting as our guide.
“This is the dormitory. Your room assignments have already been made, so please check them at the front desk. Make sure to ask any questions you have today.”
Though he was brusque, the senior—who seemed like he’d look out for us—said that and walked away.
We weren’t the only transfer students, after all. He was probably planning to volunteer to guide the other students who were still to arrive. …Somehow, he seemed like the type who comes across as unfriendly just because of the way he talks.
Thinking that, I shifted my gaze to the dormitory.
A five-story stone building with white exterior walls and a spacious courtyard, complete with a small fountain. This student dormitory, with its absurd design capable of housing around 1,000 people, is apparently just one of five such facilities, according to the upperclassman.
After all, they’re gathering boys and girls from all over the country.
It’s only natural to provide student dorms that match that scale, but the sheer size is staggering. I don’t even want to think about how much money and time went into building this.
“…It’s a dorm, right?”
“…Or rather, isn’t this a fortress too?”
Yu and Ciel muttered this as they stared up at the dorm in a daze.
(Come to think of it, I feel like there was a scene like this in the original story too…)
If I recall correctly, a fellow transfer student would come charging at the two of them as they stood there dumbfounded. He’d spouted some insult like, “Get out of the way, you commoner!” and then deliberately bumped into Yu’s shoulder.
A chubby boy with black hair and black eyes—a spoiled rich kid through and through. The kind of guy whose snide attitude really gets on your nerves… —Wait…?
“Oh, it’s me…”
Come to think of it, this was supposed to be where Rai and Yu first met.
It was a terrible way to meet, but since he’s the villain, it’s only natural that he’d make a terrible first impression.
“Is something wrong, Lord Rai?”
“…No, nothing.”
He replied with a wry smile to Line’s question and headed toward the dormitory.
Not only the exterior, but the interior was also quite elaborately designed. Red carpets were a given, and there was a large chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Several paintings adorned the walls, and the banisters of the staircase leading to the second floor, along with some of the decorations, were all finished in gold.
“The Royal Academy is amazing…”
“I-I’m starting to feel a little nervous…”
Glancing sideways at the two of them, who still looked dumbfounded, I headed to the front desk.
“We’re Rai Arkberg and Liene. Could you tell us our room numbers?”
“Certainly.”
The woman at the front desk took out a notebook and began flipping through the pages.
When she found our names, she stated matter-of-factly, “Yes, I see you’re registered,” and handed us a key.
“Rai Arkberg. You’ll be sharing a room with Liene.”
“Got it.”
I took the key, grabbed my luggage, and stepped away from the front desk.
As I did, I made sure to tell Yu and Ciel, “You two, stop spacing out and go check your room assignments already.” Then, along with the two of them—who had just finished checking in in a fluster—we headed to our respective rooms, guided by the dorm’s caretaker maid.
Unfortunately, it seems I’m on a different floor from Yu and the others.
“Well then, see you later, Rai.”
“Yeah. …Don’t just stand there in front of your room, okay?”
“C-come on, I’m not going to do something like that… —Probably.”
Leaving behind Yu’s rather unreliable words, I head to my own room.
The room I was shown was so spacious it was hard to believe it was a double room. Two beds, two desks. Ample storage, large windows, and plenty of natural light.
It was one of those grand rooms for nobles that appeared in the original story.
“Um, well then, I’ll start unpacking.”
No sooner had she said it than Liene began moving efficiently.
Uniforms went into the closet. Papers went on the desk. She began sorting daily necessities by category.
“You’re as efficient as ever.”
“I’ve been taking care of Lord Rai for so long now.”
“Thanks as always.”
“Hehe, I am Lord Rai’s personal maid, after all.”
Liene gave a bright smile. “My body just moves on its own by now,” she said with a smile. She was undeniably cute, and her charm was so captivating that I honestly felt it was a waste for her to be in the position of a villain’s personal maid.
With that, the unpacking was finished, so I moved over to the window to take a short break.
I’d been thinking of opening the window to let some fresh air in, but just as I approached it, I saw “it” with my own eyes.
Far beyond the courtyard, on the horizon at the edge of the capital, there was a gaping black void.
As if the ground had been gouged out, as if a hole had opened in the world itself, a massive abyss was gaping wide.
“――!! R-Rai Sama…”
Before I knew it, Liene had come up beside me and was clutching my sleeve.
“That…”
“Ah. …It’s the Primordial Labyrinth.”
My voice dropped involuntarily.
A thousand years ago, there was a small nation that sought to exploit the labyrinth for its resources. They tried to artificially cultivate it, enslave it, and dominate it—but in the end, the labyrinth spiraled out of control and swallowed the entire nation whole. The castle, the land, the people—everything.
All that remained on the site was the labyrinth. That is the massive hole—the Primordial Labyrinth.
“……It’s… unsettling, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
Liene’s fingers tightened around my sleeve.
Taking her hand to dispel her anxiety, I realized her fingers were trembling, as if to express her fear.
“It’s okay. No matter what happens, I’ll protect you.”
“………………Yes.”
After a long silence, Liene smiled and replied.
Although her trembling had subsided, she didn’t let go of my hand for a while.
■
Night. I finish getting ready and turn off the lights.
“Good night, Liene.”
“…Yes. Good night, Lord Rai.”
We lie down in our respective beds and fall asleep.
A moment of silence follows, but a few minutes later, faint footsteps catch my ear.
“Lord Rai…”
“Hm?”
When I opened my eyes, Liene was standing beside my bed.
Naturally, she was in her nightgown, and the sight of her standing there clutching her pillow made her look younger than her actual age.
“…Um, I’m just a little scared…”
It was as if she had just arrived at the Duke’s household as a maid-in-training.
Back when she had just arrived at the mansion after losing her family in the Labyrinth Disaster. She was a crybaby who couldn’t sleep alone at night, and she’d come to me like this time and time again.
Just as she would cling to her older brother or rely on her father. Liene coming to me like that was utterly adorable, and it wasn’t just once or twice that I set aside our master-servant relationship to spend the night with her in bed.
“…Well then, shall we sleep together for the first time in a while?”
I spread out the futon and got ready to welcome her.
“……Is that okay?”
“Yeah. Come here.”
“……Excuse me.”
She slipped in gently.
Her delicate features were very close. We were so close I could hear each other’s breathing, and perhaps because we’d both grown up so much, it was a little embarrassing.
But Liene herself didn’t seem to mind at all.
She wraps her arms around me from the front, pressing her soft, sweet-smelling body against me.
“Hehe. Lord Rai, your heart is beating fast.”
“Of course it is… We’re not kids anymore, after all.”
If there’s anyone who can stay calm while being hugged by a beauty like Liene, I’d love to meet them. Well, I’m not giving up my position as Line’s master to anyone, though.
“……………………Um, if it were Lord Rai…”
In the dim light, I could just make out Line’s face.
Her face was bright red, and her eyes looked moist.
“…If it were me?”
“…………No, it’s nothing.”
Saying that, Liene buried her face in my chest.
She held on tightly, as if to hide her true feelings. So tightly, as if she wouldn’t let me go.
“……Liene?”
“……Please, let me stay like this.”
A small voice. But the strength in her fingertips was surprisingly strong.
The way she clung to my clothes, refusing to let go, made her seem incredibly fragile—so delicate that I felt she might vanish if I were to disappear.
“It’s okay.”
Before I knew it, I was stroking Line’s head.
“I’ll protect you, Liene, and I’ll never leave you.”
“……Yes.”
Her grip loosened as if she’d been relieved.
Instead, she snuggled up to me, as if seeking comfort.
“Lord Rai’s scent… it calms me.”
“I’m glad to hear that. I like your scent, too.”
“…………Lord Rai… You’re such a…”
Though she said this shyly, she didn’t let go of the fabric of my shirt.
As we talked for a while, I heard her small, steady snores coming from her chest.
It seemed she had fallen asleep without me noticing.
(She has absolutely no intention of letting go, does she…)
I gave a wry smile at Line, who was still clutching my clothes as usual.
But I didn’t mind.
I gently rested my forehead against Line’s head and closed my eyes.
“…Good night, Liene.”
There was no reply.
Only her fingers gripping my clothes tightened just a little.
–
–
If you enjoy our content, feel free to donate, Thank you in advance !