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Melua’s healing magic was precise and swift, and Hom was soon fully restored. Even her tattered clothes, shredded by the wind blades, had been completely mended.

“I went ahead and fixed her outfit too—big service, just for you!”
“…Thank… you…”

This never would have happened if Estea hadn’t challenged her to a duel in the first place, leaving me with mixed feelings. Melua wasn’t to blame, so I thanked her, but my voice trembled.

“If you wanna hold a grudge, take it out on Ignis. That guy’s been up to some nasty stuff when it comes to demi-human discrimination.”

Melua whispered it in a lighthearted tone, almost as if she were sharing a secret. I had been wary of her because she was Estea’s roommate, but she seemed surprisingly easy to talk to.

“I cast a strong REM spell on her, so she probably won’t wake up tonight, but don’t worry—she’s fine.”

Melua was reading my concerns before I could voice them. She really seemed to understand how I felt.

“Actually, with this girl, sleeping boosts her self-repair ability, so it’s better for her to stay asleep, right?”

The way she phrased it—self-repair ability—made it clear that Melua knew Hom was a homunculus. That caught me off guard. I had never told her that.

“…How do you know that…?”
“Come on, it’s famous. A homunculus passed the entrance exam—it’s a first in the academy’s history. Everyone’s talking about it¹.”

As she spoke, Melua gently ran her fingers through Hom’s hair. A soft glow radiated from her palm, restoring the strands that had been slightly shortened during the battle.

“You’re her Master, right? Looking forward to working with you.”

Melua smiled brightly at me. I gave her a vague nod in response.

Waving cheerfully, she walked away. But looking forward to working with me? I couldn’t imagine many situations where I’d need to interact with an upperclassman from the noble dorms.

Unless… Melua had something specific in mind.

I had heard she held a Special-Class Alchemist’s qualification, but—

“…Leafa.”

Vannabelle’s voice echoed clearly in the now-empty training hall, long past lights-out.

“We should probably head back soon.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”

The guards had given me special permission to stay and tend to Hom’s recovery, but that grace period was over.

“I’ll carry her.”
“Thanks, Farah.”

Still fast asleep, Hom was gently lifted onto Farah’s back and carried to our dorm room. She carefully laid Hom down on the bed.

“Good night, Hom.”

I pulled a thin blanket over her and dimmed the lights so she could rest peacefully.

Now alone in the silent room with Hom, the moment of her defeat replayed vividly in my mind.

Hom and I were family. I couldn’t let her remain just a shield to protect me. If someone were to threaten us in the future, how should we fight back?

Lost in thought, I unlocked my desk drawer and pulled out Ars Magna, holding it in my hands.

“…!”

From the direction of the bed, I sensed movement—Hom was waking up. I turned quickly.

“Hom? Are you in pain?”

Through the dim light, I could see her stirring, struggling to sit up.

“…No.”
“Just stay lying down. I’ll come to you.”

Still holding Ars Magna, I sat down on the edge of Hom’s bed.

“…I am sorry, Master.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for.”

I placed the book on my lap and gently brushed aside the strands of hair that had fallen over Hom’s forehead. A faint sheen of sweat clung to her skin—perhaps she had a bad dream.

“My duty is to fight for you, Master… and yet, I lost completely to Lady Estea without even putting up a fight.”
“Estea is strong, yes, but you’re not the kind of person who can go all out against someone without real hostility. Maybe, without realizing it, you held back—”
“I had no such luxury.”

Hom cut me off, shaking her head weakly.

“I fought with everything I had, and I was still defeated.”
“But that was right after you fought Ignis, wasn’t it?”

At my words, Hom cast me a sorrowful look. The moment our eyes met, I understood—she was far more deeply wounded than I had imagined.

“…Master. If I can’t fight for you… if I can’t win… then why am I by your side at all²?”

Ah… this was my fault. If I had treated her as family from the very beginning, she never would have been burdened with these doubts.

“You don’t need to think about that. Even if you couldn’t fight, we’re still family. Isn’t that enough?”

But Hom didn’t nod. Instead, she gazed at me with eyes brimming with unshed tears.

“Just rest for now and get some sleep.”

I gently stroked Hom’s head. She closed her eyes, but quiet sobs of frustration still escaped her lips.

I didn’t know what to say to comfort her. Instead, my gaze fell on Ars Magna resting on my lap.

The pages had opened on their own—to a simplified formula for REM.

1. Robinxen: Everyone except the people in class with it? Her? I still don’t get how they treat these things!!!!
2. Robinxen: Ah, the crisis of purpose. Cute.

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