“……”
“Hey there, Ray-chan!”
“……”
“What’s wrong? You seem down today! ☆”
“……”
“By the way, you’ve become quite handsome! Caro-Caro’s eyes never lie! ☆”
“……”
“If you don’t talk to me, I’m going to play some pranks! ☆”
“…… I haven’t forgotten what you did in the past.”
“Aww! Why do you have to say that? Let’s just forget about the past, okay? ☆”
In the central district of the kingdom.
We were supposed to meet in front of the fountain, but I had never felt as gloomy as I did today.
Even though it was for a stall at the Magic Swordsman Tournament, I had made a deal with the devil. However, it would be unreasonable not to keep my promise here. So, reluctantly, I came here with a heavy heart.
Carol was dressed flamboyantly as usual, wearing a frilly dress that completely exposed her shoulders. The dress was primarily red, accented with floral embroidery.
Her hairstyle seemed more elaborate than usual, beautifully curled and slightly shiny. She probably applied a bit of oil.
Perhaps because of the sunlight, she was wearing sunglasses, which suited her quite well.
Additionally, a faint citrus scent wafted through the air.
I could clearly tell how much time Carol had spent getting ready before coming here. That’s why, even though I was reluctant, I felt I should say what needed to be said.
“Um…”
“Huh? What’s wrong, Ray-chan?”
“Well… I think it really suits you.”
“Ray-chan…”
With tears welling up in her eyes, Carol suddenly jumped into my arms!
“Whoa!!?”
“I love you so much! ☆ Ray-chan, I’m so happy! Thank you! I’m glad I put in the effort to dress up…!!”
“Get off me!”
“Geez! Both of you, master and disciple, are such tsundere types!”
I managed to pry Carol off of me, but she was genuinely smiling, looking so happy.
Well… in reality, it had been a while since it was just the two of us talking like this. We used to talk a lot when we were younger, but after the Far East War, we hardly met. Therefore, I understood Carol’s reaction, but what exactly does she like about me…?
“Alright, let’s go! Ray-chan! Here!”
“What do you mean by ‘here’? And what’s with that outstretched hand?”
“You promised you’d do whatever I say today, right? That’s the deal, isn’t it? ☆ Ray-chan is someone who keeps promises, right?”
“Ugh… ugh…”
I hold Carol’s left hand.
It was delicate, a very feminine hand. And, unbelievably, this silly pink-haired girl intertwined her fingers with mine. But I had no way to resist. I had made that promise myself.
“Hehehe! We look like a couple!”
“Hey! That’s going too far!”
“Anything goes, right? ☆”
“Ugh, ugh…”
This is what dealing with a devil is like. I knew this future, of course. Carol also understood that I knew. That’s why she was acting this way. She knew I would complain but ultimately accept it.
Carol may act crazy, but she’s actually quite sharp. She possesses one of the best minds among sorcerers. Even my master acknowledges her as a researcher.
Knowing all of this, she was still acting this way toward me.
“Well then, shall we go?”
“Yeah…”
“It reminds me of the old days! ☆”
“Yeah…”
And so, we disappeared into the hustle and bustle of the town.
Ah… I can only hope that today ends safely…
◇
“We’re a couple, so we’ll have the couple’s menu, please! ☆”
“Oh my! You two are a beautiful couple! You look great together!”
“Ehehe~ ☆ See, Ray-chan? They said we look good together!”
“…… Just do whatever you want.”
The café we entered surprisingly had a couple’s menu. We ordered it, and even the staff commented on how well we suited each other.
Ah… I’ve really given up on a lot of things. But I told myself that if I could endure this day, everything would be fine, and I somehow kept my sanity intact.
Carol, who had been entwining her arms with mine, was still doing so next to me instead of across the table for some reason.
I gazed into the void, half resigned, thinking whatever will be, will be.
“Here you go, it’s the couple parfait~!”
“Wow☆ It looks delicious~☆”
“Ah…”
Then, Carol scooped some parfait with a spoon and brought it towards me. Although she was smiling, there was no room for refusal. Her eyes were filled with a determination that demanded I eat it.
“Ah~n☆”
“…”
“Ray-chan, ah~n☆”
“…Ah~n”
I opened my mouth and swallowed what Carol had brought to me.
At this moment, I had no right to refuse…
“It’s delicious, isn’t it~☆”
“Ah…”
It didn’t taste like anything. It was completely flavorless. The mental strain I was under had caused me to lose my sense of taste.
As we continued to eat what Carol brought while chatting, she suddenly detached her arms from mine and began to sit across from me.
The atmosphere was different from before, filled with tension.
“Hey, Ray-chan.”
“What’s wrong, all of a sudden?”
“Um, well. After that, were you okay?”
“…After the Far East War?”
“Yeah. To be honest, I wanted to see Ray-chan sooner. But, you see… I was the one who planned the final operation… so, um… you know.”
“Carol. No, that’s not—”
The final operation during the Far East War was truly hellish. Carol was an excellent commander, but at that time, we were completely surrounded because the enemy outsmarted us. It wasn’t Carol’s fault. The situation was unpredictable for anyone, regardless of how skilled a commander they were.
Then, my master and I, along with other sorcerers, fought through that hellish battlefield. There were many sacrifices. Numbers are overwhelming in war. And finally, at the moment my master was shot in the lower body, I triggered a magical domain rampage… and that brings us to now.
Carol was saying that she couldn’t meet me because of that burden.
“Of course. I apologized to Lydia-chan first… but I didn’t have the courage to meet you, Ray-chan… I’m sorry. It’s my fault that it turned out this way… I’ve wanted to apologize for so long. That’s why I wanted you to come today. I’m sorry it took so long. I’m really, really sorry…”
“Carol…”
When I looked at her, Carol had started to cry.
In that war, we lost so much. But there were also things we managed to keep.
I don’t intend to blame anyone for the magical domain rampage.
This was all brought on by my own immaturity.
It was my responsibility for letting my emotions explode and being consumed by the intent to kill everything.
Come to think of it, Carol never came to visit. During the time I was recovering, I only spent time with my current family and mentor. Occasionally, I would meet with Abby, but I never got to see Carol.
But, so that’s what it was… I finally understood.
Carol always acted strangely, but that didn’t mean she didn’t have feelings.
She too was left with old scars from that war.
“Carol. That was my responsibility. I caused the magical domain rampage because I was immature. So please, don’t cry anymore. I don’t think it’s your fault.”
“Uu… Ray-chan is kind. You’ve always been like that…”
“Carol. Both you and I lost so much. But we are alive like this now. That’s enough for me.”
“Yeah… yeah… you’re right. Thank you, Ray-chan.”
Wiping away her overflowing tears and smiling brightly, Carol looked a little more attractive than usual.
◇
“Um… huh? Where am I?”
When I woke up, I was on the bed.
Why…?
Why am I here? After leaving that café, Carol and I went shopping and then had dinner. We were supposed to return to our respective homes afterward, but…
Wait a minute, as I recall… Carol started suggesting we go to a hotel.
She said since it was already late at night, we should take a little break.
I thought that was a bad idea, so I should have run away… But now I remember.
At that moment, my incredibly cute and mysterious world{Carol in Wonderland} activated.[TN: DOMAIN EXPANSION]
With Amelia and Carol, I want to tell them not to use their unique magic(origin sorcery) so casually… but Carol is not here.
Besides, I’m still experiencing a headache and can’t move my body properly.
“…What is that sound?”
I hear the sound of water. It must be the sound of someone taking a shower. Then there’s a soft sound, and as the water noise disappears, someone approaches me through the door.
Carrying the scent of roses, that overwhelming presence comes closer to me.
“Ray-chan…”
“Ah… Huh?! Are you serious!? Is this for real?!”
“Back then it was forced, but today… is it okay? You will accept me, right, Ray-chan? Anything, right?”
“Hey, hey, hey, hey?! I did say anything, but this is definitely bad, right?! We’re teacher and student!!”
“Geez, you’re such a tsundere☆ And the forbidden relationship is tempting, isn’t it?”
With that, Carol plants her feet on the bed and leans her body against my chest. She is only wearing a bath towel, and her ample chest is almost overflowing.
The scent unique to women fills my nostrils, and her damp skin touches mine. We’re completely pressed against each other, but I can’t muster any strength. Perhaps the effects of my incredibly cute and mysterious world {Carol in Wonderland} are still lingering.
If I had released the time freeze, it might have been different, but right now I have no way to resist Carol’s origin magic. It seems she hasn’t completely guided my thoughts, but my body is not responding at all.
This is extremely, extremely bad!!
Unlike her usual playful demeanor, Carol is now fully embodying the allure of an adult. Indeed, she is a beautiful woman, but for the first time, I am acutely aware of her femininity.
No, given the situation, it would be strange not to be aware of it.
Then, with a seductive smile, she brings her red lips close to my ear and whispers.
“Ray-chan, okay? Shall we graduate? I’ll be gentle with you, okay…?”
“Ugh, uuuuh, moveeeeeeeeeeeee!!”
“Ray-chan…”
“Uwaaaaaaaaah!!”
I… can’t move!!
I can’t reject Carol’s advancing lips! Plus, completely shedding her bath towel, Carol pushes me down. Her voluptuous body presses against me, and her beautiful face is gradually closing in.
—It’s over… Ah. I’m surely going to end everything here today…
Just as I was preparing myself for that, the door burst open with tremendous force. It slammed into the window, and shards of glass scattered around the room.
“It seems I made it just in time! Are you okay, Ray!”
“M-Master!!”
What appeared was my master. However, today, Cara-san wasn’t with her; she seemed to have come alone, pushing a wheelchair… but I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with joy and tears streamed down my face.
Usually, my master looks like a gorilla, but today, she seemed nothing less than a hero.
“…Lydia-chan. You were just about to have a good time. Ray-chan was ready to accept it too, you know? It’s legal!”
“You’re lying! He’s clearly reluctant! Ray, wait! This idiot pink-haired girl is going to die!”
“Hmph! I’m definitely taking Ray-chan’s virginity!”
“Ha ha! I’ll turn the tables on you!”
And with that, Carol and my master began a serious magical battle.
It was at a level where the room wouldn’t just collapse; it felt like the entire hotel might be destroyed.
I could only watch, trembling, from the bed where I couldn’t move, as that brutal duel unfolded.
Afterward, perhaps due to a report, the people from the Magic Association responsible for maintaining order arrived, along with Abby.
I was thoroughly protected, and Abby subdued the situation. No matter how powerful Carol and my master were, they had no means to resist Abby’s magic, and the two of them became docile.
“Ah, Abby-san…”
“Okay, okay, it must have been scary, Ray.”
As I clung to Abby-san, she gently patted my head.
Meanwhile, Carol was face-down on the bed, completely naked, while my master was lying on the ground, face down as well. Both of them seemed to have lost consciousness, completely out cold.
“Well then, Ray. You should head home. I’m going to wake these two idiots up and give them a lecture.”
“Yes. Thank you for helping me.”
“Don’t mention it. Now, what should I do with these two…?”
What happened to Carol and My master after that? I don’t know.
Today’s lesson.
Never make easy promises.
Ma boi is traumatized
Here is the —>discord<—- to get update notifications and release schedules(if there is any).
I’ll be trying to catch up to the chapters backlogs. {Sponsored chapters – 7 remains}