Chapter 74

The sparring match had ended, and the training yard buzzed with chatter and excitement. I turned to Teacher Ganth, raising a hand casually. "Teacher, I'm going to the washroom."

Ganth barely looked up, his focus shifting to Emily and Bell as he nodded.

Without wasting a moment, I darted away, clutching my chest with both hands as if shielding something precious. Gale, standing nearby, narrowed his eyes, suspicion flickering across his face as he watched me leave.

"Did she... really?" he murmured to himself. But with a shake of his head, he dismissed the thought and joined Ganth.

I sprinted down the corridor, my heart racing—not from exertion but from the strange sense of anticipation that swirled inside me. Reaching the washroom, I pushed the door open, stepped in, and slammed it shut behind me.

Leaning against the door, I panted heavily, my breaths uneven. Slowly, I unfurled my hands, revealing a faintly glowing orb of light nestled in my palms.

The memory of the humming sound from earlier rushed back. That moment, while chasing Emily and Bell, something had resonated with me, something that was now here, resting in my hands.

"What else could it be..." I whispered, my lips curving into a soft smile as the light shimmered and began to take shape. The glow intensified, forming a small, delicate being with translucent wings.

"...than a fairy," I finished, staring in awe.

The tiny creature stretched and blinked her eyes open. She gazed up at me, startled at first but then curious. Her shimmering wings fluttered slightly as she took in my appearance.

"Wait..." she muttered, her voice as soft as a bell. "You are not human..."

Her words hung in the air, and I stiffened, unsure how to respond. My mind raced, realizing that she was already beginning to see through me.

But before I could think of an explanation, her expression shifted to one of pure astonishment. A wide smile broke across her face as she suddenly giggled and zoomed around the washroom, her voice echoing like a melody.

"A Goddesh! A Goddesh!" she sang, spinning in circles.

I sighed, rubbing my temples. So much for keeping my identity under wraps.

Resigned, I raised my hand, summoning a small portal. Without hesitation, the fairy darted straight into it, unaware of what lay on the other side.

Moments later, a startled yelp echoed through the connection.

---

In Tartarus's Realm

The fairy collided face-first with Tartarus, who had been reviewing scrolls in his study.

"Huh?" Tartarus muttered, pulling the tiny being away from his face.

The fairy, equally confused, blinked at Tartarus.

For a second, silence hung between them. Then—

"Aaaaahhh!"

Their simultaneous screams reverberated through the infernal halls, causing lesser demons to peek in curiously.

After what felt like an eternity, the commotion subsided, and I established contact through a glowing orb in my hand. My face appeared in a similar orb now resting on Tartarus's desk.

"Ahem! Tartarus," I began, attempting to sound composed. "Take care of her until I figure out what's going on."

Tartarus frowned, side-eyeing the fairy, who was now perched on his shoulder, tugging at his hair. "My liege! You're dumping this... thing on me?"

"She's not a thing; she's unique," I replied, glancing at the fairy. "And you!" I pointed through the orb. "Whatever your name is, don't trouble Tartarus too much. If you need anything, ask him."

The fairy nodded obediently, her eyes wide and innocent. But then, tilting her head, she pointed at me and Tartarus in turn.

"Goddesh. Demon. Love?"

I froze, my face instantly flushing red.

"The demons of that realm are my people," I said, choosing my words carefully. "They follow my beliefs, so yes, you could say I love them—"

"Mingle?" the fairy asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

"No! Not that kind of love, you pervert!" I shouted.

"She's like my mother, idiot!" Tartarus snapped, crossing his arms.

The fairy flinched, giggling nervously as she fluttered away from Tartarus.

Unable to handle the embarrassment, I cut the connection. The orb disappeared from my hand, leaving me alone in the washroom.

---

Back at the Academy

As I stepped out of the washroom, still trying to regain my composure, I froze in my tracks. Gale stood there, leaning casually against the wall, his arms crossed.

No, let me rephrase that—he was staring directly at the door.

"Why'd you pause?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh! Uh... nothing!" I stammered, trying to keep my voice steady. "Why are you standing outside the girls' washroom, anyway?"

"I was waiting for you," he replied nonchalantly. "Your bus is about to leave."

"Crap!" I exclaimed, dashing toward the training yard.

"That's the wrong direction," Gale called after me.

"I know! My stuff's there!" I shouted back. "You go on ahead—I'll catch up!"

Gale sighed, shaking his head as he adjusted his backpack. Just as he turned to leave, he glanced back at the washroom, a faint glow of divine energy still lingering around the door.

He smiled to himself, choosing to leave it alone.