During the period when summer was about to come to an end.

A refreshing breeze blew as if to reward the students' efforts for attending the lecture under the scorching sun, amidst which the students bustled around.

Today was the day of the annual summer festival. Students set their pens aside, professors stowed their lecture notes away, and everyone took a breather to enjoy the day.

Normally, I would have taken Aria and visited various places.

While it was evident that in games like [Retry], bonuses such as stats, skills, or items were often distributed instead of merely passing by during events like this.

It was a kind of festival for the users as well.

But there is no need to do that now.

Because Aria was no longer a hero.

There was no need to take her around here and there, following a predetermined strategy guide robotically.

That child just needed to enjoy herself and do what she wanted to the fullest.

However, there was nothing I could get from this festival either. As a professor, most of the things I could obtain were things that were of no use to me.

In the end, for me, this festival would just pass by like a flowing stream. So, it was time to take a little break.

Was it because of that?

I stepped away from the hustle and bustle outside for a while and closed my eyes alone in the cool air of the laboratory.

There was neither Findenai, who would babble noisily, nor the Dark Spiritualist, who appeared to shrink strangely only my presence, Owen, or Illuania, nor anyone else.

Everyone had gone out to enjoy the festival, so I was taking a short break all by myself.

Of course, it wasn't completely quiet.

The voices coming through the window were quite lively. However, having time like this to be all by myself was quite precious.

I was always troubled by those ghosts I couldn't exorcise in my past life and I was busier than ever in this life.

Yes, it was just a brief moment of rest.

This would be enough.

Creak.

However, someone opened the door to the laboratory after a short while, and the person stepped in cautiously, with light footsteps.

When I opened my eyes slowly, standing before me was Eleanor Luden Griffin, with her big eyes blinking at me.

I already knew it was Eleanor before I opened my eyes. I could tell by her graceful footsteps and her boldness to enter my lab without knocking; she was the only one who dared to do that.

"Deus."

"I am sure I have asked you to call me Professor."

Normally, she would address me properly. However, she would occasionally call me using only my name. Whenever that happened, I would give her a demerit.

Every time that happened, she would wear a long face and apologize. Although I wondered if such an intelligent person like her had her learning ability lessened, today was different.

Eleanor giggled and whispered.

"Currently, I'm not here as a student but rather as a princess."

"..."

I wondered what she meant by that, but the answer immediately presented itself in my laboratory. Despite him covering his face with a bizarre mask sold at the festival, a certain aura emanating from his body had already revealed his identity.

His elegant yet confident steps and the dignity he possessed were not something that would belong to an ordinary noble.

Once he swiftly removed the mask, revealing his cascading blonde hair, King Orpheus appeared.

"Haha! Long time no see, Deus!"

He spread his hands exaggeratedly, thinking he would surprise me in his own way.

Upon seeing His Majesty the King, I slowly rose from my seat and bowed. I knew he didn't like excessive formality, so I kept it to the bare minimum.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

"...You're quite a boring person."

Orpheus seemed disappointed. However, I didn't react much, and soon after, the Archmage, Ropelican, also entered, and we exchanged greetings.

"You know, just as I finished all the busy work related to the Marias Tribe, I happened to hear about the festival at my sisters academy, so I came here secretly."

"I will inform the Dean."

I thought we should extend proper courtesy, but Orpheus shook his head.

"No need for that. I don't want the festive atmosphere to be ruined because of me. The spotlight should be on the students, right?"

"Thank you for your consideration."

Indeed, as expected of Orpheus.

It was a small act of consideration on his part because he knew that if it were to become known that the King made a surprise visit, the spotlight of the one-day festival would be on him instead of the students.

"Well, Ropelican and I will enjoy ourselves. But more importantly..."

He cleared his throat and glanced at Eleanor discreetly.

"Aren't men usually interested in approaching ladies during such festivals?"

"That is possible."

Certainly, caught up in the excitement of the festival and they might gather the courage to approach other students they had been eyeing.

"Hmph, then there might be those with ill intentions who could target my sister, Eleanor, right? After all, shes a royal and has an exceptional appearance."

"What are you trying to say?"

As Orpheus continued while feigning ignorance, Eleanor looked utterly dumbfounded.

"So, wouldn't it be good if you watched over my sister, Eleanor? You don't have to stick around her all day, perhaps just in the morning."

Only now did Eleanor understand Orpheus' intention. She let out a faint sigh and then held back her words.

So, with that extraordinary mind of hers, she quickly concluded that staying silent would be more advantageous to hercaught in the cunning scheme of the siblings, I responded calmly.

"Princess Eleanor, do you intend to enjoy the festival from the perspective of a princess?"

"...Ah, um."

"If that is what you want to do, I will comply. However, there will be many restrictions."

If it were Princess Eleanor instead of Student Eleanor, naturally, I would have to change the manner I treated her.

Eleanor seemed hesitant, not desiring this change in treatment.

"Well, wouldnt it suffice if you accompany her and treat her as a student?"

"That is not feasible. Merely accompanying her in my capacity as a professor could give rise to unfavorable rumors about Princess Eleanor."

If she wanted to behave like a princess, of course, I had to act like an escort.

However, if she wanted to behave like a student, there was no need for me to accompany her since it would only give rise to strange rumors.

This was the minimal resistance I could put up towards the scheme of the siblings.

"Just do it."

"..."

"It's an order from the King."

Unable to refute my point, the King immediately pulled out the ultimate move only the Royal Family could use. I briefly glanced at Orpheus before finally bowing my head.

"I will comply.

* * *

"I-I'm sorry."

"It does not matter. Also, feel free to speak comfortably. I am here to escort you, the Princess, after all."

Eventually, the situation unfolded according to King Orpheus' wishes. However, I wasn't a fool that I would not notice that there might be some hidden intent behind Orpheus' decision to have Eleanor and I accompany each other.

Regardless, I couldn't act according to his intentions because, for one, I already had a fiance.

While I did my best to suppress any personal emotions before answering her, Eleanor unexpectedly smiled at my response.

"R-really? Deus!"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Hehe! I still prefer to call you by name, just like before. Calling you 'Professor' feels like there's a barrier, you know?"

I wasn't sure what that was about, but anyway, if Princess Eleanor liked it, then it was fine.

"So, is there any place you would like to visit?"

"Hmm, it'd be better if the place is not too conspicuous, don't you think so?"

After a moment of consideration, Eleanor grabbed my hand with excitement as she thought of a good place.

I was slightly taken aback as it was a bit sudden. Then Eleanor started running eagerly for an unknown reason, as if in an urgent situation.

At first, it felt like I was being dragged around by a mischievous princess, but when I saw her ears turn red from behind, I realized that she must have mustered a lot of courage to do this.

So, I pretended not to notice anything and decided to play along.

The place Eleanor dragged me to was the rooftop of the academy. With a cool breeze blowing, it was completely secluded, with no one else around.

"Just wait here for a moment."

With her face flushed, Eleanor turned away and left the rooftop, before quickly returning with a canvas and pen.

"..."

Considering that she had been punished previously for her actions, I furrowed my brows right away, but Eleanor immediately shouted.

"N-no! I'm not going to draw anything strange! I just wanted to draw you with you right in front of me, Deus! It's such a good opportunity..."

Her voice faltered as she spoke.

"Is that not allowed?"

As I looked at Eleanor, who was glancing up at me, I replied with a soft sigh.

"Do you want me to pose in a certain way?"

"No! No, just be comfortable!"

She immediately brightened up, took out her pen, and put on the white beret she had brought along.

Since there was no need for me to pose in a particular manner, I simply sat on the bench on the rooftop, and watched her without saying a word.

She seems to have the posture.

As she was drawing, Eleanor glanced at me occasionally. The look in her eyes was quite serious.

I was worried that she might draw something strange and I would have to ruin it, but I felt relieved seeing her serious expression.

It didn't take too long.

After doodling diligently for about 30 minutes, Eleanor smiled brightly and handed the drawing to me.

She drew it quite well.

I remembered that even when I saw her before, she was quite skilled at drawing figures, but now, her skill had improved to the point where she wouldn't fall behind when compared to the artists of Claren.

She was a girl with talents in various fields, so it was no surprise that she had progressed quickly in drawing once she became engrossed with it.

"It is incredible."

"Hehe, really?"

Feeling good, Eleanor plopped down next to me. Then she suddenly turned her head towards me and asked.

"Deus, is this reality?"

Her eyes were brimming with anticipation.

Normally, I would have ignored her, but at least for today...

"Do you remember the magical girls I told you about last time?"

"Oh! Oh! Yeah! Yeah!"

As I responded and spoke about magical girls, Eleanor's eyes sparkled with excitement.

Her reaction was so innocent that I couldn't help but smile involuntarily and continued speaking.

"They come from something called anime. It is a format that involves drawing multiple pictures to make it look like it is moving."

"Ah! Is it like when kids doodle on the corners of a book?"

Eleanor pretended that she understood what I hinted at and nodded vigorously.

"In that field, there is also a job called voice actor, whose role is to give voices to those drawings.

"Voice actor?"

"It is a manner of acting by speaking as if you have become a magical girl."

"Oh! Voice actor! A voice actor! I want to try doing something like that as well."

Eleanor seemed shy about dressing up as a magical girl, so I wondered if she would enjoy something like this. However, her excitement was evident as she stomped her feet with enthusiasm.

So, I thought I had said something correct. Yet, Eleanor looked at me all of a sudden.

"Oops, it shouldnt be like this."

Eleanor, who quickly covered her mouth, said playfully with a small laugh.

"What are you talking about? Of course, it's reality!"

"...Did you want to do that?"

It was the phrase she uttered once she realized that it wasn't just a dream.

I wondered why she wanted to do it again, but then Eleanor provided an answer to my doubts, albeit a little shyly.

"It's the only experience in my life where I felt something called destiny, so I wanted to try it again and again."

Then, Eleanor cautiously placed her hand on top of mine.

"Princess..."

It was fine when she did it earlier, as she did it for the sake of moving around, but now, it was not appropriate for her to do this.

When I tried to draw the line and call her out, Eleanor interrupted me firmly.

"Deus, it's an order from the Royal Family."

Her voice itself carried quite a bit of strength. It was overbearing and dignified yet so straightforward that it seemed it would break easily.

"Just stay like this for a moment."

"...As you wish."

Eleanor's hand, which was holding mine gently, trembled slightly. She no longer looked like the girl who was chattering loudly with a big smile just moments ago.

"You know, Deus. I mean me. I've enjoyed dreaming since that day."

"Glad to hear that."

It was a somewhat out-of-place confession, but it wasn't that bad.

Naturally, it was good news that she, who was once afraid of falling asleep, had come to love it once again.

"Actually, there are times when I have nightmares or dreams about chilling or scary situations.

"..."

"If I could be more honest, those cases happen more often. It seems like I still haven't escaped properly from several traumas."

The emotion I felt from her trembling hand was definitely fear.

I remembered the time when I entered her dream back in the Royal Palace. Her mother, Hylan Luden Griffin, appeared as a grotesque figure.

Of course, that was because Evil Ghost Griffin had taken over her body.

Regardless of the reason, for Eleanor, her mother still remained as a source of fear within her.

"Yet, you still enjoy dreaming?"

When I asked her cautiously, Eleanor gently leaned her head against my shoulder.

"Yes, regardless, I still do."

She gently closed her eyes and poured out her fuzzy emotions as if she were dreaming.

"Because I can see you there."

"..."

"No matter what nightmare I have, no matter what monster chases after me, you always come to my rescue. Deus... No, Kim Shinwoo."

As if behaving childishly, Eleanor lightly rubbed her face against my shoulder. Nevertheless, with her eyes closed, she smiled and lowered her head.

"I want to see you again. Not as Deus, but the real you, Kim Shinwoo."

"..."

"I love dreaming because I can see you when Im dreaming; because I can meet you again."

Eleanor added.

"Perhaps thats the reason I must have drawn you like that because waking up means parting with you and it's just too sad for me."

Eleanor clung on to me, as if pleading.

I knew well about the emotions she held towards me. But if she were to ask me if I could accept them, the answer would be a resounding no.

"I cannot accept your feelings."

It was a firm rejection.

Even if it hurt her, I believed that I had to firmly reject those feelings.

"Fufu."

Eleanor bumped her forehead against my shoulder with a look of amusement.

Seeing her unexpected relaxed reaction, I momentarily froze.

Eleanor slowly opened her eyes and looked up at me with those transparent golden eyes.

"Havent I already told you? I always meet you in my dreams, and part with you when I wake up."

"..."

"I meet you every day, and lose you every day."

In [Retry], Eleanor Luden Griffin was the fallen princess who had plotted to overthrow her older brother, the current king, Orpheus, and ascend to the throne herself.

"And once again, I lost you today."

I had become so accustomed to her innocent appearance that I had overlooked one crucial fact.

"Tomorrow, I'll try harder."

About how strong of a person she was.