Chapter 97

“Please… take Aliénor…”

My heart skipped a beat. It was a sentence that sounded almost like a confession. But I immediately reminded myself that this was only because an evil spirit had entered her.

“Most likely, because the evil spirit is inside her, words from Miss Aliénor’s subconscious are leaking out. She’s in a dreamlike state…”

Cerulia offered an explanation. Does that mean Aliénor actually likes me? Well, considering everything that happened in the past, it wouldn’t be strange for her to have those feelings deep down.

“Now that I think about it, I’ve heard that hypnosis can’t make a person do something they truly don’t want to do…”

Even if an evil spirit had possessed her, Aliénor’s heart was still inside her, so it couldn’t be ignored entirely.

Aliénor moved even closer to me—

She shoved me down firmly and climbed on top of me.

Even so, I didn’t resist. If I resisted, the examination would end right then and there. One of Aliénor’s possibilities would be lost. But if Aliénor could drive the spirit out herself, she still had a chance at victory.

Aliénor slowly began unbuttoning her clothes while sitting on top of me.

“Franz, let’s have a baby together…”

She was saying some truly outrageous things. This was the next stage beyond a confession…

However, the process itself was slow, awkward, and fumbling as Aliénor undid her garments. Despite being possessed, her face looked genuinely embarrassed; I felt like a fierce struggle was taking place inside her.

Needless to say, regardless of what her subconscious felt, this wasn’t a consensual situation. I decided I would stop it the moment it went too far. I had already reviewed the spells for exorcising evil spirits beforehand, and Cerulia could use them too.

“This isn’t because of the evil spirit… These are my actual feelings… Have a baby with me…”

Aliénor spoke as if she had seen right through my thoughts.

She stripped down to her underwear. Then, she leaned her body against mine.

“Undress me… And then, take off yours…”

“I won’t. I’m strictly a witness.”

It was hard to endure being so blatantly seduced, but if I let myself be swept away here, it would be the worst possible outcome.

For a moment, Aliénor seemed frozen, dazed like time had stopped.

“It’s true, I’m not lying… I’m not lying…”

This time, she started trying to pull my clothes off. Her words sounded like a desperate plea for me to understand.

But tears were beginning to well up in Aliénor’s eyes. She was still fighting the spirit.

Win, Aliénor!

“I want Franz’s baby… If I have one, then… then…”

Aliénor’s face drew close to mine. All I could do was stare back into her eyes as calmly as possible.

“Then… I can use that as an excuse to give up on everything…”

A tear fell onto my cheek.

Those were definitely the words of her subconscious. Because if Aliénor were in her right mind, she would never say something like this. She has a personality that acts tough and refuses to show weakness.

That’s why her words were so heart-wrenching.

“Ugh… hngh… I’d marry Franz, open my own restaurant once the child-rearing settled down, and be happy that my dream came true… I’m sure I’d think of myself as a lucky person…”

Between sobs, Aliénor choked out her final words.

“…………And that way, I could finally give up on being a Dark Mage.”

What should you do when your dreams are far beyond your abilities?

Continuing to strive single-mindedly is one right answer, but it’s an incredibly painful path. There are people who feel it would be easier if unavoidable circumstances prevented them from trying in the first place.

Aliénor felt that way. Deep in the depths of her heart.

But the moment she voiced it, the answer came out too.

“It might have been nice if you could give up like that, but there’s no way you actually can!”

I know painfully well how much fun Aliénor had during this mini-study abroad. Even if she lacks raw talent, Aliénor loves dark magic.

“This is just a general observation, so it’s not ‘advice.’ It’s strictly a general remark.”

After making that disclaimer, I said the most obvious thing.

“You’re a Dark Mage, so shouldn’t you just act according to your own desires?”

A Dark Mage isn’t a creature that gives up on its dreams. That goes against the very way of life of a Dark Mage!

“Well, Aliénor? You are a Dark Mage, aren’t you!?”

Whether those words resonated or whether she had already reached her own conclusion, I don’t know, but—

“Ah, you’re right! You are absolutely right!”

Aliénor suddenly stood up, gripped her staff, and puffed out her chest.

“Aliénor is Aliénor! The great Dark Mage of the Morco Forest! I won’t lose to a puny little evil spirit!”

The spirit was ejected from Aliénor’s body as if it had been popped out. It seemed surprised by the unexpected turn of events.

『What is this girl…? I thought she was inexperienced, but now that I’ve been inside, she’s more stubborn than I thought… I couldn’t move her an inch…』

“Of course! The Carlyle family is the most prestigious of the prestigious! There is no one in the southern part of the Morco Forest who does not know my name!”

『That’s a tiny area! It got even smaller than before!』

The spirit’s retort was valid, but regardless, Aliénor had grown.

“Shut up! I will live my life through dark magic! I won’t buckle my knees in a place like this!”

Swiftly, she chanted a binding spell, tying the spirit up tightly with magical ropes.

『Wha… this girl has this much actual skill…?』

“Now, admit your defeat, evil spirit,” Aliénor said, wearing the dignified expression of a mage. “Otherwise, there’s no telling what might happen to you.”

『I-I’m sorry…』

The evil spirit promised to stop its mischief and vanished.

“Yes! I passed the exam! As expected of me!”

Suddenly switching back to a childishly high-strung energy, Aliénor wore a smug look. Cerulia was praising her, saying, “You did it! I’m so moved!” which only seemed to inflate her ego further.

“No, but seriously, I think you did a great job, Aliénor. So, speaking as a witness…”

“Mmm, what is it? Hmph!”

“You’re in your underwear, so put your clothes back on…”

I was flustered because she looked more grown-up than I expected… Seen in the sunlight, Aliénor actually has a great figure.

“A-ah! I’ll put them on! Right away!”