I Became a Time-stopping Narrow-eyed Character

Chapter 18

Suddenly, a wind blew.

The heavily subdued air responded to the mage's anger, surging and shaking the hem of her clothes.

Golden hair, rare to see in the world, fluttered wildly as a prelude to the storm.

Eris Betelgeuse.

The main heroine of 'Apocalypse Love Comedy' and an early overpowered character with the alias of Star Mage.

She was already resolute, as if prepared for a fight with me.

'What should I do about this?'

Should I stop time and gently console her?

Or should I create a separate space to leisurely redefine our positions?

Either way is fine, but first, there was something I had to say as an adult.

With a kind smile, I bent down and looked down at Eris, whose head was far below mine.

"Fighting is fine, but shouldn't you get your parents' permission first?"

"......What?"

"Your parents are already unwell. If they hear that their daughter caused trouble among ordinary people, won't their condition worsen?"

"......."

A point where you can raise Eris Betelgeuse's affection in the story is by giving her a special elixir obtained during Episode 4.

Her parents are in a dire situation, cursed with a top-tier hex due to battles with evil mages.

Their exceptional skills may have offset the curse to some extent, but even so, their vitality must have greatly diminished.

They aren't on the verge of death, but as their daughter, it would be impossible not to worry about them.

Meanwhile, I already know the location of a mysterious elixir that revitalizes energy and clears magical power.

Originally, I planned to have Kenichi deliver the elixir to build his relationship, but since it came up, giving it directly myself doesn't seem like a bad idea.

Thinking about the future plans, I kindly gave her advice, but Eris's gaze changed, as if I had touched a nerve.

"......What did you just say?"

It felt like she was looking at a mortal enemy instead of a target for reform.

Her pupils glinted with murderous intent, as if she was about to kill me at any moment.

Her magical power and the surrounding air began to rampage in sympathy with her intense emotions.

......What is this?

I tried to offer a conciliatory message to avoid a fight, but it seems I've only made her angrier.

As a former adult, I calmly analyzed the situation and informed her with a kind smile.

Thinking this was quite troublesome, I awkwardly scratched the back of my head.

"Hmm, are you perhaps sensitive about your parents? I was just worried in my way, but seeing you get so angry makes it really awkward for me. Can we reconcile?"

"......I'll kill you."

Hmm, it seems reconciliation is not possible.

Eris Betelgeuse raised her magical power with a look of utter fury.

Was she confident she could crush me before anyone else noticed?

Well, considering her skill and talent, which had already reached a high level, it wasn't entirely a reckless judgment.

"But you're still inexperienced."

It seemed that when her focus was entirely on one thing, she couldn't concentrate on anything else.

"You two! What are you doing there!"

"......!"

Eris, who had been gathering magical power, flinched and turned her head.

Following the voice, we turned our gazes to see a middle-aged male teacher holding a pointer. Judging by his unfamiliar face, he seemed to be in charge of upperclassmen.

Did he see us as a pair of passionate youth, enjoying a secret tryst in the secluded alley behind the school?

"You two, seriously!"

With a furious expression, he approached us.

He threateningly slapped the pointer against his palm as he spoke.

'Should I run?'

That thought crossed my mind briefly, but I gave up since the two of us were too conspicuous.

With a golden-haired popular girl and a guy with slit eyes, the whole class already knew about us.

"Haha, it seems like there's a misunderstanding."

I did my best to assert my innocence.

***

Thankfully, perhaps due to my kind impression and calm tone, the misunderstanding was quickly resolved.

In reality, nothing had happened yet, and we were in a completely innocent state.

However, the original conversation with Eris Betelgeuse was left unresolved.

The teacher's interruption scattered the murderous atmosphere, and Eris, the instigator of the fight, suddenly seemed lost in thought.

As if she were pondering something.

After that, we returned to the classroom without much conflict and attended the lesson.

For a moment, I was worried we might be rumored as a perverted couple, but I thought it turned out well enough.

"Peaceful resolutions are always the best."

Then, Sento, sitting next to me, looked at me with a strange expression as if asking what nonsense I was spouting.

Kenichi, sitting in front, also suddenly turned his head to glance at me.

These people, why do they look like they don't believe me?

I'm such a peaceful and dedicated person to humanity, yet they seem so skeptical.

"So, what happened?"

Only Hotaru Ichinose asked curiously with an interested expression.

"Was it a real confession? Did you agree to date?"

"Huh? No? The teacher's arrival interrupted the conversation, so-"

"Kyaa! But you did get a confession, right? If you start dating later, you have to tell me!"

I didn't think we'd end up dating, but I smiled and replied.

"Yes, I'll let you know."

I felt a murderous gaze from the other side of the classroom, but I ignored it.

Afterward, I prepared to head to the Shihei Residence after finishing all the school lessons.

There wasn't much to prepare, so I was just waiting for Kenichi, who had been delayed due to cleaning duty from his earlier early leave.

Hotaru Ichinose had left first, saying she had something to do, and I waited by the shoe rack with Sento, who wore her usual expressionless face.

After a while of silence, she suddenly asked.

"......So, what happened?"

"Huh?"

"That girl earlier, she seemed like a mage. When we returned to the classroom, I could feel a faint trace of magical power."

"Oh, you sensed that? Impressive, impressive. Both the master and the disciple are excellent, growing stronger by the day."

Although she wasn't a student I personally taught, it was rewarding to have arranged the connection.

Nodding with satisfaction, Sento asked again.

In a seemingly indifferent voice.

"So, what did you talk about?"

"Hmm, it wasn't anything significant, but if you're really curious, I can tell you!"

"......Forget it."

Sento snorted and answered, and after that, we waited for Kenichi without any further conversation.

"Ugh."

As soon as Kenichi saw me waiting, he flinched, and I grabbed him and headed straight to the train station.

He seemed happy when I told him to go ahead earlier because of cleaning duty.

But now, seeing him walking dejectedly, I couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for him.

"Hmm."

Walking down the empty street, I briefly pondered and then spoke.

"Kenichi, do you want to rest today?"

"What? Of course, I want to res... I mean, I should tidy up at home a bit, haha."

Seeing him awkwardly laugh after almost revealing his true feelings, I made a decision.

"Well, then, take a rest today."

"Really?"

"Yes, of course. I'm a very honest person who has never told a lie."

"......."

Kitagawa Kenichi paused for a moment but soon smiled brightly.

"Well, very honest indeed!"

It was quite an impressive mask.

Listening to our conversation, I also conveyed a message to Sento, who was looking at Kenichi with a sympathetic gaze.

"Ah, Miss Sento, you can go ahead first."

"......What?"

"Something suddenly came up, and I think I need to take care of it before heading out."

At the sudden notice, Sento frowned and seemed to be deep in thought before soon replying.

"Alright."

She is a very clever student.

On the other hand, there are always foolish students who need to experience things firsthand to understand.

After seeing them off, I gradually drifted toward a less populated path.

At the end of the winding road, I saw an equally deserted alley and construction site.

It seemed the workers had left in the middle of construction, as the cement hadn't even fully set.

"Hmm, it's unusually hard to find people today."

I muttered awkwardly, scratching my cheek with a faint smile.

I thought I had avoided the poisoned chalice, but it seemed like an even bigger problem had arisen.

"This is really troubling."

Once again, it seemed I would have to deviate from the orthodox route to goodwill.

The moment I rotated my wrist with a crack, a shadow leaped at me from a blind spot.

It was Eris Betelgeuse, the Star Mage, who ambushed me while deploying a Barrier to Keep People Away.

"──Die!!!"

Crackle-! Watching her charge at me while emitting electricity, I only felt sadness.

Why does the world always assign me such harsh roles?

I drew the dagger from my sleeve to counter her.

"It seems some education is in order."

I had no intention of stopping time.

What was needed now was education.

All I had to do was help the arrogant Eris recognize the cold reality.

Crackle─!

Blue lightning and the dagger clashed fiercely.