Chapter 79

That uninhabited island was, without a doubt, magnificent.

Behind us rose a rugged mountain of crags. Tucked at its rear was a small stand of palm trees. Before us stretched a spotless strip of white sand.

Further out, several rocks broke the waves—a truly superb sight. Those reefs kept most people from getting close, but once you reached shore everything looked like a painting.

“Not bad, right? When I need a break, I come here and just sprawl out,” Sanson-sou-senpai said. What a luxurious place—most people would be lucky to visit somewhere like this even once on a long vacation.

“Hey, Sanson-sou-senpai, is this place completely deserted?” Farphistanya-senpai asked.

“Yep. If you’re curious, why not take a lap around? It’s small—you can explore the whole thing in no time, and it’s actually pretty fun.”

“No, that’s fine. In that case, I can take this off too.” As she spoke, Farphistanya-senpai reached for the chest piece of her dancer’s outfit. Ah—true, the metal bits do get hot in the sun. Wait, is she serious?!

“Senpai, what are you doing!?”

“If there’s no one else here, it’s fine. This was starting to get annoying.”

“I’m here! Me!”

“Oh, right. Well then, sorry, but could you go to the other side of those rocks blocking the beach? If you’re over there, you shouldn’t be able to see us in the shadow.”

She said it so casually it sounded harsh, but I could understand the urge to be free when there were no other eyes around.

“Farphistanya-san, you can’t do that. In times like this, we should be the ones to go to the beach on the other side of those rocks.”

“Oh, I see, President. As expected of you.”

Senpai seemed satisfied.

“I’m sorry, Franz-san, but we’re going to head over there and do some swimming. Is that alright with you? This outfit is surprisingly cramped for me as well…”

I couldn’t exactly refuse, so I agreed.

“Well then, Farphistanya-san, let’s practice swimming over there. Leave the doggy-paddle to me!”

“I prefer the butterfly stroke.”

“No, the doggy-paddle is much cooler!”

President Kelkel led Farphistanya-senpai away while making a somewhat desperate pitch for the doggy-paddle.

“Maybe I’ll swim over there too. Being naked isn’t bad once in a while.”

“I’m starting to get tired of these clothes too. I wouldn’t… m-mind if Franz saw me, but…”

“Ah, everyone is going to swim over there, I see. It certainly is better to be naked for swimming. But leaving Master all alone…”

Cerulia glanced my way, so I decided to act like a proper master.

“I’m sure you girls will have more fun by yourselves. Go ahead. I want to enjoy this uninhabited island I’ve been curious about for years in my own way.”

“I understand. Thank you. But we’ll be back, so let’s swim together then!”

They probably realized I was just being considerate, but oh well.

Everyone except me went behind the rocks.

“Well, time to enjoy the island solo. I guess this is more like the ‘uninhabited island’ experience anyway.”

The girls definitely wanted to get out of those clothes. Dancers’ outfits aren’t made for swimming, so if swimming is the goal, taking them off is the only option… and I couldn’t be there for that.

Carried by the wind, only their voices reached me.

“Cerulia-san, you’re huge.” “You have a lovely shape yourself, President.” “I’m jealous, Cerulia.” “Hmph, it doesn’t matter; men will look this way even if you’re small, so it’s not a problem.” “Everyone, please do your warm-up exercises. Match my movements. Okay, first, jump!” “Jiggling. I’m so jealous.” “Farphistanya-san, jump higher!” “I’m a little scared Cerulia’s might tear off…” “Mary-san, that’s not possible.” “I’m a male, but is it okay if I’m here, wan? I’m a familiar, so it’s okay, wan?”

I’m going to make Kelkel explode later.

This is really fueling my imagination…

In a way, something incredibly blasphemous was happening on the other side of those rocks, making this a very “Black Magic” summer vacation. In fact, old legends said that Black Mages danced naked through the night.

“Well, it’s a private beach, I should swim—actually, I’m not in the mood.”

I was too curious about the conversation over there. Listening to those voices was far more entertaining.

Dammit! If only I had a spell that let me see over there!

No, even if I had one, I wouldn’t use it. My reputation in the company would hit rock bottom.

The world isn’t that easy. If everyone gave form to their desires like that, chaos would follow. This is where White Magic-style order is needed. Patience, patience…

“Sanson-sou-san’s thighs have a very nice amount of flesh on them.” “Well, I have been exercising. But I hear some men prefer thighs to be a bit soft and plump.” “I’ve never really put on meat like that.” “In my case, it goes to my stomach.” “I run with Kelkel every morning, so I’m quite toned! I’m happy when people mistake me for a student—!” “I have a nosebleed, wan.”

Kelkel, just bleed out and die.

No, this patience thing is brutal. It’s torture in itself… Maybe I should go somewhere I can’t hear them…

At that moment, a thrumming vibration ran through my body.

—Surrender yourself to your desires, and in doing so, master them.

What was that? It felt like a voice deep in my mind—no, deep in my soul…

—Now, open the door to that power. You should be able to handle it without being consumed.

It didn’t seem like a person nearby was speaking. The sensation was closer to words flowing into me as text rather than sound.

Then, at the end of the list of spells I could use, a new one had appeared—one I had no memory of learning.

[Mind’s Eye]

What is this…? People often say, “Don’t think, feel—see with the eye of the mind,” so is it that sort of thing?

Almost unconsciously, I began using the magic.

I drew a magic circle in the sand with my foot and muttered an incantation.

The words were unfamiliar, and yet oddly nostalgic, as if I weren’t hearing them for the first time.

Then something impossible appeared in my vision.

I could see everyone—swimming naked, sunbathing behind the rocks that divided the beach!

“Cerulia, I want to absorb some of that size with Black Magic.” “Farphistanya-san, that’s impossible. Shall I teach you a massage to make them bigger instead?” “Phew… doing the doggy-paddle and then just lying down is pure bliss.” “I feel so good too~”

Is this a delusion…? No… I’m really seeing reality…

So the “Mind’s Eye” is actually my “Eye of Desire”! Well, desire is part of the mind, so I guess it’s not technically wrong.