When he opened his eyes that he’d briefly closed, in front of Nigel was a water glass and familiar medicine bottle that Eden had brought on a silver tray.
“…I thought you might need it, so I brought it.”
“Yeah. I was just needing it.”
Nigel stared at the medicine bottle in front of him for a very brief moment. It was medicine he’d habitually sought out whenever headaches came during the past two years at the Academy.
Perhaps because he’d felt so refreshed after taking Professor Vera’s medicine yesterday, Eden Lake’s medicine bottle looked strangely unfamiliar today. It might be because he hadn’t thought about that medicine at all while not being in pain for several days.
Was the reduced efficacy of the medicine over time because he’d been taking it too frequently?
“…Thanks as always, Eden.”
After muttering that, Nigel poured a very small amount of medicine into the water glass. Then he brought it to his lips and downed it in one gulp.
Gulp.
He could feel the medicine going down his esophagus.
Nigel set down the empty glass and let out a deep breath. It would settle down soon. As it always did.
Suddenly, a terrible burning sensation surged up as if his stomach was twisting. Nigel groaned “Ugh” and gripped the desk. His fingertips trembled.
“…E…Lord Nigel! Lord Nigel!”
He heard Eden Lake calling him urgently. Nigel raised his hand slightly to stop Eden. Cold sweat was flowing, but it was bearable.
“Are you alright?”
“…It’s just my body reacting because I haven’t taken it in a while. Professor Vera said yesterday that if you stop for a few days and then take it, it can feel stronger.”
Nigel straightened his back while dry-washing his face.
Perhaps it was his imagination, but the back of his hand felt strangely itchy, though after taking a few breaths, that sensation disappeared.
It’s just that my condition isn’t good. Nigel consoled himself. Due to the tolerance built up until now, the medicine inevitably had to become stronger. The tolerance coincidentally disappeared when he turned into a frog, and now that he’d returned and taken the medicine again, it could feel strong.
Soon after, Student Council members began entering the council room one by one. They all congratulated Nigel on his safe return, then talked about their anticipation for the upcoming festival.
“Sira, how did the Academic Department preliminary inspection go?”
“They brought all the magical beasts from the northern forest, right? I think we can look forward to it this time.”
“Really? That much? The Academic Department’s work is always lacking, so I didn’t even have expectations. I guess the Prince of Brion really prepared something amazing as rumored.”
Lios Cesare nodded continuously with an excited face. He looked like he wanted to run over right now and check what the Academic Department had prepared. He turned his head toward Nigel and asked.
“What about the Swordsmanship Department?”
“…Pardon?”
“You went to the Swordsmanship Department preliminary inspection today, Nigel. How was it?”
Ah, Nigel organized his dazed mind as best as he could and gave an answer.
“The martial arts competition was well-prepared, but… all the Mardinia festival decorations were a complete mess, so I told them to prepare again by today.”
“Really? How much of a mess was it? Just now they borrowed all the flags from the Academy.”
“You just need to know it was a serious level.”
“…Got it.”
After a few exchanges, Lios figured out that Nigel’s mood was very low today. Quick-witted as he was, he roughly lost interest there and began focusing on other Student Council matters.
Nigel also held onto his mental state as much as possible and continued what he needed to do. After a long while, only after perfectly handling the remaining work could Nigel leave the Student Council room.
***
Nigel left the Student Council room, rotating his stiff neck. The sun was already high in the sky. It was extremely fortunate that all regular classes were canceled during the festival preparation period. If he’d had to attend classes immediately, he wouldn’t have been able to endure in this current state.
Perfect. So far.
Nigel praised himself. The Swordsmanship Department’s commotion in the morning, the increased Student Council work from being absent for several days, and even the temporary pain he felt after taking the medicine Eden gave him. He’d overcome all obstacles and safely finished the day.
His body still felt a bit chilly and his stomach was queasy, but that was just due to overwork. He’d get better if he went to the dormitory in the evening and rested.
“Nigel!”
Then, a shadow that had been leaning against a corridor pillar raised itself. It was Rowen.
“Shouldn’t you be at the training grounds?”
“We agreed to discuss how to find the culprit at lunch. Besides, I figured you’d skip meals and work, so I waited. Aren’t you hungry?”
Rowen made a deliberately stern expression and pulled out a paper bag from his chest. A savory smell wafted out. It was a club sandwich sold at the student cafeteria.
It was a menu Nigel usually enjoyed eating.
“I bought it in advance. Let’s go eat.”
Rowen naturally took Nigel’s bag and moved his steps toward the dormitory. Nigel smiled and followed him. While thinking he was being bothersome, he couldn’t ignore the hunger felt in his empty stomach.
The two sat on a bench in the garden in front of the dormitory for a moment.
“Here, eat. I picked one with as much ham as possible.”
Rowen held out the sandwich.
Nigel gave a thankful look and took a big bite. The taste of crisp lettuce and salty ham should have spread throughout his mouth.
But.
Crunch.
“……?”
Nigel’s movement stopped. The taste felt in his mouth was strange. The salty ham taste was nowhere to be found, and only a dry and rough texture was felt, as if chewing dry firewood or sawdust.
‘Did it go bad?’
That couldn’t be. Rowen wouldn’t bring spoiled food, and the cafeteria wouldn’t handle such things. The smell was fine.
Nigel tried to force himself to chew and swallow. But his throat refused as if completely blocked. Nausea surged up.
Urgh, Nigel hastily covered his mouth.
“What’s wrong? Doesn’t it taste good?”
Rowen approached with a worried face. Nigel shook his head and put down the sandwich.
“No…. Just… I have no appetite.”
“Really?”
Rowen immediately snatched the sandwich from Nigel’s hand.
“Then don’t force yourself to eat. You can put it away and eat it later.”
Then he put it in the bag. But, he was hungry.
Nigel stared at the sandwich disappearing into the bag with a strange expression. But he didn’t feel like taking it out and eating it again.
That’s when it happened.
Flutter flutter—
A pair of butterflies flying around the Academy’s large flower blossoms caught his eye. Small insects flapping their wings and circling around flowers and fruit. Normally they were insignificant creatures he wouldn’t even glance at.
But.
Gulp.
Nigel’s Adam’s apple moved greatly without him realizing it.
Nigel’s purple eyes tenaciously chased the butterflies’ irregular movements. The intense appetite that wasn’t felt when eating the sandwich stimulated his stomach as soon as he saw those fluttering wings.
The butterflies’ wings would probably be crispy at the tips and have a soft taste toward the center.
Instantly, saliva pooled in his mouth. And his tongue tingled. The urge to open his mouth right now and swallow the butterflies—
“……!”
Nigel was startled and covered his face with both palms. Goosebumps rose on his spine. What did I just think? I smacked my lips looking at those butterflies?
His stomach churned. Even though he hadn’t eaten anything, he felt like he needed to throw up.
That’s when it happened.
Swoooosh—
From somewhere, the sound of cool water burrowed into his ears.
It was the marble fountain in the center of the Academy garden. The fountain that he would normally just pass by indifferently kept capturing Nigel’s gaze now.
‘When did my throat get this dry? Or is the sunlight hot?’
His mouth was parched dry as if all the moisture in his body had evaporated. Nigel stood up from his seat as if entranced and walked toward the fountain.
“Where are you going?”
Rowen called out questioningly from behind, but he couldn’t hear. Standing in front of the fountain, Nigel looked down intently at the clear rippling water. Water spouting from the fountain was falling finely onto the surface, creating small rainbows.
Nigel didn’t hesitate to dip his fingers into that water. Not caring that his uniform sleeve was getting wet, he pushed in up to his wrist.
“…Haah.”
When the cold water touched his skin, a thrilling pleasure surged up his spine. But this wasn’t enough. More, he needed more water.
It was the moment when Nigel unknowingly bent down and tried to push his body further into the fountain water.
“Nigel! You’re breaking out in cold sweat… Why have you been like this?!”
Rowen was shocked and grabbed Nigel’s shoulder.
With that strong grip, Nigel came to his senses.
‘Am I going crazy?’
Nigel’s face turned ashen in an instant as he realized what he had just tried to do. Trying to put his body into the fountain when he wasn’t even a child.
“…Rowen, I think I need to rest today.”
“Huh? Hey.”
Nigel shook off Rowen’s touch and moved away from the fountain. His body was going beyond his control. He didn’t want Rowen to catch onto these terrible thoughts.
“Don’t follow me! I’ll go alone!”
Nigel hurried his steps toward the dormitory building as if fleeing.
