I Became the Narrow-Eyed Character in the Little Prince Game

Three weeks since the attack.

Life at the academy had returned to normal.
Perhaps thanks to the swift response, the once-chaotic atmosphere had faded into nothing more than a minor disturbance in the memories of the students.
Even the faculty, who had been on high alert, had begun to lower their guard.

"Do not worry."
"The traitor has already been identified, and the purge is complete."
"Since this is a classified matter, I expect everyone to remain silent."
The headmaster’s vague assurances seemed to be enough.
After all, he had been leading Galimar for forty years.

It was a bond of trust, in a way.
Of course.
A faint tension still lingered.

The fundamental problem remained unresolved.
The traitor within had been dealt with, but the fact that the academy was being targeted from the outside had not changed.
Professors were keeping sharper eyes on their surroundings than usual.

That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
In fact, it was ideal.
It’s better if they remain on guard.

The story had changed.
By this point, the academy should have already been in ruins.
Yet, because of certain interventions, it still stood.

However, with the story’s trajectory significantly altered, predicting the future had become increasingly difficult.
That was why the faculty needed to contribute to the academy’s defenses.
They were more than capable.
Besides, they’re all quite fond of me now.

Since the attack,
I had received a great deal of gratitude from the faculty.
Uncovering the hidden passage in the academy’s underground and taking down the cultists had earned me recognition.

Apparently, the sight of me—pale-faced and in a wheelchair—had left quite the impression.
As a result, their evaluation of me had skyrocketed.
"If not for Yuda, this could have been disastrous."

"He prevented what could have been a major incident."
"He truly is a star-worthy talent."
"I used to underestimate him, but this time, I have to acknowledge it. Facing cultists directly to protect the academy—such courage is commendable."

"Tsk, tsk… A shame, really. We should have brought him in as a disciple."
"But isn’t he under Professor Selena now? At his age, it’s natural to be drawn to a mature woman. Hmph, I wouldn’t want a student who makes decisions based on appearances anyway."
"Professor Lucy, just admit you’re jealous."

"Ugh…! Fine! I’m jealous! Why her of all people?! I could teach him so much better!"
"How disgraceful."
It was… strangely awkward.

I was used to standing out, but this time, it felt like I had maxed out their favorability as well.
Even those known for their arrogance were now treating me warmly. It was an odd feeling.
Anyway.

Everything’s back to normal.
The academy’s atmosphere had returned to how it once was.
A winter without tragedy.

Of course, given the bumpy road we had taken to get here, there were still noticeable differences.
And the one who had changed the most—
Without a doubt, was Selena.

My teacher.
"Yuda."
The drunkard.

Even that nickname no longer suited her.
Ever since that day, she had been avoiding alcohol.
The fading scent of liquor was accompanied by a lighter mood.

The gloom that once clung to her like a broken doll had lifted, and now, a faint smile adorned her lips.
She whispered.
"It’s all thanks to you, Yuda."

Overcoming addiction required long-term treatment.
It would take a long time for her to fully recover.
However.

She was no longer standing still in sorrow.
Even if she stumbled, she was walking toward the light.
As long as that resolve did not break, she would reach tomorrow.

I had decided to watch over her.
"I… I want to start living properly from now on."
A promise to her sister.

Selena had begun approaching the faculty members she had once kept at arm’s length.
Breaking the icy silence, she was now the first to greet them.
It must have been confusing for them.

For the past seven years, she had treated them as if they were nothing more than air.
Some even worried she might be suffering from a terminal illness.
It seemed forming bonds with her colleagues would take some time.

Still, it was a refreshing sight.
She looks good.
Watching someone make an effort to change,

It gave me a foolish sense of satisfaction—
Like I had actually managed to change something.
I guess you could call it pride.

Naturally,
My relationship with Selena had also progressed.
The strange distance that had lingered between us had collapsed, bringing us much closer.

The only issue was—
"Yuda, could I ask for your help again today?"
"Help, as in?"

It felt like we were too close now.
In a low voice, she murmured.
"I want you to hold me… like you did that time."

That time.
Perhaps the memory of waking from the dream, wrapped in my arms, had left too deep an impression.
Selena would spread her arms and ask for an embrace.

"Is that… not okay?"
A moment’s hesitation.
As if thirsting for affection, she lifted her head slightly, but her crimson eyes wavered pathetically.

Like someone afraid that the answer might be a rejection.
There was never a trace of confidence in her.
Of course—

"If that is what you wish, Teacher."
I never refused.
"…Thank you. Always."

"No need to thank me. Come here."
Every time, I would hold her for quite a while.
If I spent three hours in her office, two of them were spent with her clinging to me.

Selena would bury her face against my chest, desperately seeking warmth.
Apparently, it helped calm her anxious mind.
I would simply stand there, lightly patting her slender back.

For hours.
"······."
Eventually, it began interfering with work.

After a few days of consideration, Selena reached a conclusion—
She would sit on my lap while working.
And so, I ended up processing documents with her nestled against me, my arms wrapped around her from behind.

Perhaps because of our close proximity, I could feel her warmth and the contours of her body all too clearly.
Now and then, her pen would pause with a faint scratching sound, her violet hair brushing against my shoulder—
And our lips would hover just short of touching.

When our breaths mingled, just a hair’s breadth apart, it left me with a strange feeling.
No matter how much we were teacher and student, wasn’t this a bit too close?
"It’s nice… being together like this."

She murmured in a drowsy voice.
Her faint smile erased the unnecessary thoughts crowding my mind.
And then she spoke.

"Thank you."
"Haven’t you said that a little too often?"
"Even so, it still doesn’t feel like enough."

"Hearing that makes me happy, at least."
"You’ve given me something new, Yuda. A reason to keep living."
A reason to live.

Her fingers seemed to trace toward me.
As they reached closer, the tips brushed against my lips.
"That’s why… I’ll treasure it. Everything you’ve given me."

And then.
The former drunk pressed the very fingers that had touched my lips against her own.
The way her gaze met mine, the way her eyes curved—

It was particularly seductive.
Truly, experience was something else.
There was a bewitching charm to her gestures and her gaze.

She leaned into me once again.
"From now on, I will live for those things."
Selena whispered softly.

I nodded.
As warmth and breath intertwined, another day passed.
Our relationship grew deeper still.

Days spun on.
As time passed, I, too, underwent small changes.
"Hmm."

Most notably, my body had more or less recovered.
With my dwindling life force replenished, I could move about normally again.
Well, I had technically been able to before—

But at least I no longer had to force myself into a wheelchair, which was refreshing.
"What a shame. You looked good in that state."
Elize, sounding somewhat regretful.

She seemed disappointed that our two-person wheelchair duo had come to an end.
"If I were still in a wheelchair, who would push yours, Your Highness?"
"My sister could do it. Or sometimes Tanya does."

"That’s quite cruel of you."
"Says the royal physician who keeps leaving his tail everywhere."
"I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean."

"Seems like you’ve charmed another professor this time. Be ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) careful—you might actually get locked up one day."
"Ha… ha ha…."
A brief moment of peace passed in chatter.

And then, exactly one month after the cult attack—
A letter arrived at my dormitory.
"Here, take this."

"Hmm? What is it, Irene?"
"It came through magical mail earlier today. There’s no sender, so it must be from headquarters."
"A letter from headquarters, huh…."

I had a vague idea of what it might be.
Carefully, I unsealed it.
Rustle.

A thick document slid out.
On the first page, a title was written.
[Report on Mana Stone Depletion Syndrome]
[Author: Medro Andreas]

Just as I had expected.
After skimming through it briefly, I muttered to myself.
"Has the time finally come?"

It seemed.
It was time to cure the Rose’s illness.