After passing through the gates of the Royal Arcadia Academy of Magic, we followed an upperclassman guide straight to the student dormitory.
“This is the dorm. Your room assignments are already set, so check the list at the reception. If you have any questions, get them sorted out before the day is over.”
The upperclassman was blunt, but he seemed like the type who looked out for people. He left as soon as he finished speaking. Since we weren't the only transfer students, he was likely volunteering to guide the others who had yet to arrive. He struck me as the kind of person whose gruff tone did him no favors.
I turned my attention toward the dormitory itself.
It was a five-story stone structure with chalk-white exterior walls and a sprawling courtyard, complete with a small fountain. According to the guide, this dormitory—a massive building capable of housing nearly a thousand people—was just one of five such facilities provided by the academy.
Considering they gathered students from across the entire country, I suppose it made sense to provide housing on this scale, but the sheer size of it was staggering. I didn't even want to think about the amount of money and time required to build such a place.
“…This is a dorm, right?”
“…Or rather, isn’t this basically another fortress?”
Yuu and Ciel both murmured in a daze, looking up at the building.
I had a feeling a scene like this had occurred in the original game. If I recalled correctly, this was where another transfer student was supposed to pick a fight with the two of them as they stood there stunned. A spoiled noble brat was meant to shout something like, “Out of the way, commoners!” while intentionally slamming his shoulder into Yuu.
He was supposed to be a short, pudgy boy with black hair and eyes—the quintessential arrogant noble. A truly unpleasant type whose condescending attitude would immediately grate on the player... Wait.
“Oh, that was supposed to be me.”
Now that I thought about it, this was originally intended to be the first encounter between Rai and Yuu. It was the worst possible way to meet, but as a villain’s debut, an awful first impression was par for the course.
“Is something the matter, Rai-sama?”
“…No, it’s nothing.”
I gave a wry smile at Lene’s question and headed inside.
The interior was just as elaborate as the facade. Plush red carpets lined the floors, and a massive chandelier hung from the ceiling. Paintings adorned the walls, and the gold-accented handrails of the staircase leading to the second floor added to the opulence.
“A royal academy is incredible…”
“I—I’m starting to get a little nervous…”
With the two of them still looking shell-shocked beside me, I approached the reception desk.
“Rai Arkberg and Lene. We’d like to confirm our room number.”
“Understood.”
The female receptionist opened a ledger and began flipping through the pages. Once she found our names, she stated flatly, “Yes, we were expecting you,” and produced a single key.
“Lord Rai Arkberg. You will be sharing a room with Lene.”
“I see. Thank you.”
I took the key and stepped away from the desk. I made sure to tell Yuu and Ciel not to stand there dazed and to check their own assignments quickly. After they finished their check-in, a dormitory caretaker led us to our respective rooms.
Unfortunately, it seemed Yuu and Ciel were on a different floor.
“Well, see you later, Rai.”
“Yeah. And try not to just stand there frozen in front of your door, alright?”
“I-I wouldn’t do that… Probably.”
Leaving Yuu with his unreliable answer, I headed to our room.
The space we were shown was so large it was hard to believe it was meant for only two people. There were two beds, two desks, ample storage, and large windows that let in a generous amount of sunlight. This was the Noble Suite that had appeared in the game.
“Well then, I’ll get started on the unpacking.”
Lene immediately began to move with practiced efficiency. She hung uniforms in the closet, organized documents on the desks, and sorted daily necessities by their intended use.
“You’re as efficient as ever.”
“I’ve been taking care of you for a long time now, Rai-sama.”
“Thank you, as always.”
“Fufu, I am your personal maid, after all.”
Lene gave me a bright smile. “My body just knows what to do by now,” she added with a grin. She was truly charming—so much so that I honestly felt it was a waste for her to be relegated to the role of a villain’s personal maid.
Once the unpacking was finished, I moved to the window to take a short break, thinking I would air out the room. But as I reached the glass, I saw it.
Far beyond the courtyard, on the horizon at the very edge of the Royal Capital, there was a void of pure black. As if the ground had been gouged out, as if a hole had been torn into the fabric of the world, a massive abyss lay open.
“—! R-Rai-sama…”
Before I realized it, Lene had come to my side and was clutching my sleeve.
“That’s…”
“Yeah. The Primal Labyrinth.”
My voice naturally grew heavy.
One thousand years ago, there was a small nation that tried to exploit a labyrinth for its resources. They attempted to grow it artificially, to command it, and to dominate it. In the end, the labyrinth grew beyond their control and swallowed the entire country whole. The castle, the land, the people—everything.
All that remained in its wake was that giant hole: the Primal Labyrinth.
“…It’s… unsettling, isn't it?”
“Yeah.”
Lene’s grip on my sleeve tightened. I took her hand to ease her anxiety, and I could feel her fingers trembling.
“It’s alright. No matter what happens, I’ll protect you.”
“………………Yes.”
After a long silence, Lene smiled and gave her answer. Her trembling eventually stopped, but she didn't let go of my hand for a long time.
Night fell. I finished getting ready for bed and turned out the lights.
“Goodnight, Lene.”
“…Yes. Goodnight, Rai-sama.”
We each lay down in our respective beds. Silence filled the room for a few minutes, but then the faint sound of footsteps reached my ears.
“Rai-sama…”
“Hmm?”
I opened my eyes to find Lene standing beside my bed. Clutching her pillow in her nightwear, she looked much younger than her years.
“…Um, it’s just… I’m a little scared…”
She looked exactly like she did when she first arrived at the Duke’s mansion as an apprentice maid. Back then, after losing her family to the labyrinth disaster, she had been a total crybaby. Unable to sleep alone at night, she would come to me just like this.
Seeking comfort like a sister relying on an older brother, she was heart-wrenchingly dear to me. There had been more than a few nights where we tossed protocol aside and spent the night in the same bed.
“…Well then, do you want to sleep here tonight?”
I pulled back the covers, inviting her in.
“…Are you sure?”
“Of course. Come here.”
“…Thank you.”
She slipped in beside me. Her face was very close—close enough that I could hear her breathing. Since we had both grown up, I felt a twinge of embarrassment at the proximity.
Lene, however, didn't seem to mind at all. She hugged me and pressed her soft, sweet-smelling body against mine.
“Fufu. Rai-sama, your heart is racing.”
“Obviously. Neither of us are children anymore.”
If there was a man who could remain perfectly calm while being embraced by a girl as beautiful as Lene, I’d certainly like to meet him. Not that I’d ever let anyone else have the position of being her master.
“……………………Um, if it’s you, Rai-sama, then I…”
In the darkness, I could just barely see her face. She was flushed, and her eyes looked misty.
“…If it’s me?”
“…………No, it’s nothing.”
Lene buried her face in my chest, as if to hide her words. She squeezed me tight, holding on as if she refused to let go.
“…Lene?”
“…Please just let me stay like this.”
Her voice was barely a whisper, but the strength in her fingers was startling. The way she clung to my clothes made her seem so fragile, as if she might vanish the moment I disappeared.
“It’s okay.”
I found myself stroking her hair.
“I’ll protect you, Lene. And I’m never going to disappear.”
“…Yes.”
The tension left her body as she relaxed against me. She snuggled closer, seeking more warmth.
“Your scent, Rai-sama… it’s so calming.”
“I’m glad. I like your scent too, Lene.”
“…………Y-You always say things like that… Honestly…”
Lene spoke shyly, but her grip on my shirt never wavered. As we talked, her breathing eventually became slow and rhythmic. She had fallen asleep.
(She really isn't letting go, is she?)
I gave a wry smile at her stubborn hold on my clothes. But I didn't mind. I rested my forehead lightly against hers and closed my eyes.
“…Goodnight, Lene.”
There was no verbal answer, but the small hand clutching my shirt only tightened its hold.