Chapter 54
Training in Hollow Garden progressed smoothly.
At first, I struggled against the lower-tier demonic beasts, barely managing to defeat them. But after a few days, I could take them down effortlessly. By the time a month passed, I was even holding my own against mid- and high-tier beasts.
According to Lumière and Lil, my mana reserves had already quintupled, and my magical proficiency had improved dramatically. I couldn’t afford to let my guard down yet, but apparently, I’d surpassed what an ordinary Archdemon could achieve. The training was going well. Too well.
(I wonder how Lord Albert is doing right now…?)
Lately, whenever I wasn’t training, my thoughts drifted to him. His face would flicker through my mind at the slightest provocation.
The old me—a thirty-something corporate drone—would’ve laughed at this sentimental nonsense. But I couldn’t help it. If I were being honest…
(What’s he doing now? I miss him. Couldn’t the familiar bond let us talk?)
I’d wondered that more than once. I’d even tried reaching out, but there was no response. Seems it doesn’t work in this space.
Once I noticed it, the longing only grew. I must’ve been more dependent on him than I realized. No—that’s not it. I was aware of him. Without realizing, being by his side had become my default. The proposal probably tipped the scales. Distance made it obvious. At this point, even I couldn’t deny how oblivious I’d been.
So I trained harder. To grow stronger, to return to him. To crush his enemies. To walk forward—with him.
Over two months passed like that. Even if no time flowed outside, I felt every second of it. My efforts paid off: I could now defeat multiple high-tier beasts without a scratch.
My feelings for Lord Albert hadn’t faded. If anything, they’d deepened. Pathetically so. Enough to fuel my determination.
(Stronger. I need to get stronger! To protect him! So he’ll never have to suffer again!)
God, I sounded like some lovesick high schooler. I’d mock myself, but I knew better than to deflect. My first “crush” was probably that pretty teacher in elementary school—more admiration than love. Later, there were girls I admired in middle and high school.
Looking back, maybe I’d even had feelings for Miyu at my old job. Why else would I have risked my life to save her? It was selfish. I was selfish. Oblivious. I’d refused to see—her heart, my heart. That’s why Luca, my familiar, bore the sin of Sloth.
I’d assumed he was lazy because he hated work. But no. I was the slothful one. I’d neglected to look inward. Only now did I understand. Only after losing so much did I finally see my own heart.
Ah—I love him. I love Lord Albert with all my heart!
No more denial. No more hesitation. I’ll charge ahead, even if the road is thorny. As long as he’s beside me, that’s enough.
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