Episode 18: Equinox Girl

I woke up in a room I didn’t recognize.

There was a shelf stocked with various medicines, and a quick look around revealed an interior that resembled a makeshift clinic.

Did I pass out?

I was lying on something soft, and there was a ceiling overhead. I concluded that I must have collapsed. Digging through my memories, I recalled the sensation of Mind Down hitting me like a physical blow.

"[Analyze]... Great, I have a fever."

It wasn't quite a status ailment, but the skill told me my temperature was significantly elevated. I didn't have a thermometer to check the specifics, but I figured I should probably stay put for a while.

"Huh? Wait... it’s not because I’m out of mana?"

According to my Analysis Magic, my mana capacity was still mostly full. I had enough left to fight at full strength for at least thirty minutes. I felt a nagging sense of incongruity, but I didn't have the energy to dwell on it. I stopped thinking and scanned the room again.

"Lycoris... you there?"

I hadn't been able to unsummon her before I went under. As soon as I called her name, her presence manifested from the void.

She was a girl with purplish-black hair and amber eyes that left a hollow impression. She was somewhat tall, dressed in the black dress I had given her, her face a mask of expressionlessness. However, I could see a slight tremor in her eyes. She was worried.

This was the first time I had met her in this world. Her name was Lycoris Hydros. According to her, her race was Arche Hydra—a somewhat unique variation of a Hydra.

"I’m here... Are you alright?"

"Probably. You already looked me over anyway, didn't you?"

"Yes... I did. Your symptoms are a wisdom fever caused by your Magic Circuit opening. It’s the kind that usually happens to children."

"...Ah. That thing I went through right after I got to the other world."

I remembered it well. It was one of the very first things that happened after I was summoned. It was like a severe flu that triggered when your mana first awakened. I recalled it being incredibly painful.

"But isn't that weird? I could use magic the moment I woke up in this world."

"I think it’s because your soul has finally acclimated to this body... probably."

"I don't quite get it."

"Just think of it as your magic becoming a little easier to handle."

"Right. Got it."

After that, I fell silent. To be honest, I just didn't know what to say. It was the first time we’d actually spoken since my time in the other world. As expected, it was awkward.

"Hold my hand."

As I sat there in silence, she sat on the edge of the bed and made her request.

"Where is this coming from?"

"Please."

There was a certain pressure behind her words that made it impossible to refuse. I reached out and took her hand. Her skin felt cool against mine. It was a nostalgic sensation, and Lycoris looked satisfied by the contact.

"It really is warm."

"I always wonder, but what’s so great about this?"

"It’s a secret."

"...Fine. But hide yourself if someone comes in."

"I know. Of course."

Lycoris offered a small smile. I was caught off guard; it was rare for her expression to shift like that. A few moments passed in silence. I opened my mouth to say something, but she beat me to it.

"Hey... you won't die again, will you?"

"...Yeah. I won't."

"Then it’s fine. I hated not being able to see you. It was lonely when I couldn't hold your hand."

"............Sorry."

The guilt hit me hard. I didn't know what Lycoris had gone through the moment I was executed, but seeing her face and hearing the sadness in her voice, an apology was all I could offer.

"Then promise me. Hold my hand again. Let me feel your warmth."

"...I promise."

"Good. That’s enough for now."

We spent a little more time together, but the awkwardness was gone. Eventually, a knock sounded at the door, followed by a familiar male voice.

"Hey, best friend! You awake in there?"

"I'm up! ...See you later, Lycoris."

"I'll stay hidden until you get home."

"Right. Understood."

Lycoris erased her presence using a technique distinct from Stealth just as Shiki and Ayane walked in. Ayane was clutching a convenience store bag that seemed to hold drinks.

"Here, a sports drink," she said, handing it to me. "Are you okay, Reima? Should you even be sitting up?"

"Yeah. I’ve got a bit of a fever, but my head is clear."

"Thank goodness... I was so shocked when I heard you collapsed on the roof."

"My bad. I just sort of went down before I realized what was happening."

"And you seemed so fine this morning, too..."

I took a sip of the drink and thanked her. Then I turned my gaze toward Shiki, who was uncharacteristically quiet.

"...Hey, Shiki. You okay?"

I wondered if he’d been hurt. I peered at his face, but he just looked sheepish.

"No, I’m fine. It’s just..."

"Just what?"

"Well... I feel responsible."

"For what? Did you do something?"

I genuinely had no idea what he was talking about. Responsibility? If anything, I was the one who had ditched them on the roof. I should have been the one feeling guilty.

"Sigh. That’s so like you... I mean, I felt bad for leaving everything to you when you were clearly coming down with something."

"That’s it? Don't sweat it. I didn't even know I was sick, let alone that I’d pass out. Besides, they say idiots don't catch colds, right? It’s rare for me to get hit like this."

"You probably just didn't notice it... Man, I wasted my time worrying about you."

"As if a little cold could take me out."

"True. You really are a monster."

"More importantly, can I go home today? No one’s come by to check on me."

That was my main concern. I’d spent quite a while with Lycoris, but there was no sign of a teacher. I wanted to know if I was cleared to leave.

"Oh, it’s fine. I got a message saying you can leave once your fever drops. Looking at you now, we can probably just walk you home."

"...You sure?"

"Of course. Come on, best friend. Let’s get out of here."

---

I watched him as he interacted with the humans of this world.

He was the only human who had ever found me. He was my precious master, the one who poured affection into me when no one else could even touch me. He was the beloved person who brought warmth to my perpetually cold world.

The moment he died in the original world, I thought everything was lost. I had intended to destroy that world. But we were able to meet again, like this.

Reima was the one who gave me the joy of conversation and the warmth of a physical bond—me, who was capable of nothing but slaughter. I never want to lose him again. Never.

I will kill his enemies so that I never have to see that sight again. I will devote everything—my soul, my life, even the Authority of Poison I once loathed—to protect him. Even if I must drown the world in venom, even if the soul that makes him a hero becomes clouded, I will give everything to keep him safe.

"Reima is too kind. I’ll be the one to handle the rest."

I am the Primordial Slayer of all living things.

I am nothing more than a hopelessly rotten piece of trash... but I want to be the one who takes on all the defilement for the person I love.