Volume 2 Chapter 37: Longings

“Fufu… Truly, Noil is indeed my own,” Milis Albama murmured to herself as she gazed into a small mirror while sitting on the edge of her bed in her room at White Road.

It was a small, oval-shaped mirror adorned with gold embellishments around its edges. However, this seemingly ordinary mirror floated gently in the air, and as Milis moved to her desk, it followed her, hovering obediently by her side.

The mirror always floated within Milis’s line of sight, but the reflection on its surface was neither of Milis nor of her room.

What it displayed was an overhead view of Noil Arlens, who had just finished a battle with Carat-san.

This mirror was one of the divine tools Milis possessed, called the Desire Mirror, a mirror that reflects the thing its owner desires most.

Milis had a magic thread—marking—constantly attached to Noil, enjoying the sensation from its vibrations, but her main means of tracking his actions was this Desire Mirror. Naturally, Noil knew nothing of the magic thread nor the Desire Mirror.

Milis’s heart danced as she watched the recent battle through the divine tool. She moved quickly to her desk and began drawing feverishly.

Milis’s room, with its bed, desk, and some storage furniture, might seem like a plain, unadorned space if one only looked at those things. The countless divine tools she possessed were also not visible in the room, as she stored them all in another divine tool known as the Storage Box. This small, square box that fits in her palm is something she always carries with her, leaving her room devoid of unnecessary items. Calling it sparse would be an understatement.

If not for the wall covered with drawings of Noil.

“Fufu…”

With practiced but clumsy hands, Milis finished her drawing, spreading it with both hands and letting a dreamy smile play on her lips.

The battle earlier had been splendid. The half-beast girl from earlier likely had abilities on par with Fiona, as far as Milis estimated.

If they fought in an open space without barriers, Fiona would likely emerge victorious due to compatibility; however, in situations like the one just now, Milis believed the half-beast girl would hold the advantage. It wasn’t as simple as one being stronger than the other.

Against such a skilled opponent, Noil had claimed victory. He had even utilized techniques she had taught him, demonstrating movements that exceeded Milis’s expectations.

“My masterpiece!”

In an exceedingly good mood, Milis couldn’t help but declare this as she gazed at her own drawing.

The figure depicted, naturally, was Noil, but even someone who knew him wouldn’t recognize who was in the picture due to the poor quality of the drawing.

This drawing didn’t differ much from the other pictures plastered all over her walls.

In fact, Noil himself had entered Milis’s room before, but he hadn’t recognized what the drawings were supposed to be. With a strained expression, all he could say was, “This is… creepy.”

And yet, to Milis, it was her masterpiece.

“Hmm…”

Standing up to display her work, Milis surveyed her room, placing a hand on her chin as she realized there was no space left on the walls.

Resigned, Milis began sticking her drawing onto the room’s window.

“Milis, may I come in?”

Just as she finished hanging the drawing, there was a knock on her door, and she heard Noel’s voice.

“The door is open,” she replied, folding her arms and gazing at her drawings with satisfaction.

“Whoa… What is with this room…” Noel’s first reaction upon stepping into Milis’s room was astonishment.

Yet, after glancing around the room and seeming to understand, she clapped her hands with a grin.

“A whole room of Noil’s drawings? That’s impressive!”

“Indeed.”

Milis’s good mood soared further at Noel’s admiration, and she looked graciously in her direction.

“So, what is it you need?”

“Could you teach me how to handle mana?”

Noel looked Milis straight in the eye, a gaze filled with determination.

“Why?”

Though she understood, Milis asked with a playful tone, craving the words directly from Noel’s mouth.

“For Noil.”

“Very well.”

The unhesitating reply was precisely what Milis wanted to hear. If she was willing to grow for her Noil, Milis had no reason to refuse.

This would be quite amusing, Milis thought, lifting the corner of her mouth in a sly grin.

“Thank you… By the way, what is that?” Noel pointed to the Desire Mirror, still floating gently beside Milis, her head tilted in curiosity.

“The Desire Mirror, a mirror that reflects what you desire,” Milis replied.

“A divine tool?”

“Yes.”

Noel approached the mirror cautiously and peered into it. Seeing the slack face of a man reflected, her eyes widened.

“Noil! Wait, what’s going on here?”

“I told you, it reflects what you desire.”

“W-wait… Does that mean…?”

“What?”

As Noel gazed intently into the Desire Mirror, she suddenly whirled around to face Milis with a serious expression.

“…Could you spy on him even while he’s bathing?”

“Yes!” Milis nodded with a broad smile in response to Noel’s question.

◇

“Uwahh…”

I suddenly felt a chill run down my spine, prompting me to shiver. I looked around, scanning my surroundings, but nothing seemed out of place. Could I be coming down with a cold?

My body felt fine otherwise, so maybe it was just my imagination. Strange things do happen.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah, well… I just felt a chill…”

Elle leaned in, peering at my face with a curious expression, which startled me and made me pull back a bit.

But she didn’t seem to mind. Instead, she held my hand tighter and began rubbing it with her other hand, trying to warm me up.

“Really… Are you okay?”

“Y-yeah… I think it was just my imagination…”

Elle and I were standing in front of the innermost room on the second floor of the mansion. After my fight with Carat-san—Mina—she grudgingly accepted me, allowing me to stay here, then promptly left the training grounds.

Sophie went to check on Fiona, who was resting, while Tiarule-san—or rather, Kreis-san—embraced me, saying, “That was a wonderful fight, my friend. From now on, call me Kreis.” He patted my back affectionately, then spun on his heels and exited the training grounds. I had no idea where he went after that.

I wanted to check on Fiona too, but Elle assured me Sophie would handle it, so instead, she guided me to the room I would be staying in.

And for some reason, Elle had been leading me by the hand all the way here.

I didn’t think this was bad—in fact, this seemed like the best room in the mansion in terms of location. But honestly, I would have preferred a more inconspicuous room somewhere near the entrance. Somewhere with an easy escape route.

I hadn’t given up on my escape plan just yet.

“Is there… maybe another room I could use?”

“I’m sorry, but that won’t be possible. Noil, you need to stay in this room.”

“Ah, I see.”

With that, I had no choice but to give up. I had no idea why it had to be this room specifically, but I’d comply for now, pretending to be obedient and waiting for an opportunity. I’ll play the sneaky game, just like always.

“Alright, then, go on in.”

After thoroughly warming my hand, Elle opened the double doors and urged me inside.

I stepped in, glancing around, but since it was already night, the room was dark, and I couldn’t see much.

Just as I was about to enhance my vision with mana, the door closed behind me with a sharp click as the lock engaged.

“Elle…?”

“Yes?”

“Why… why lock the door?”

Forgetting about the mana enhancement, I turned to look at her, and in the dim light, I could just make out her expression, which seemed to bear a faint smile. But she didn’t respond.

Instead, the room’s lights flickered on.

“Wha…?”

Seeing the room in full light, my eyes widened in surprise.

It was a spacious room filled with fine furniture, including a grand canopy bed. A soft, deep green carpet spread across the floor, giving the room an elegant yet earthy feel, as if it was a peaceful haven in a forest.

But despite the sophisticated atmosphere, the room had an undeniable strangeness to it.

Because everywhere I looked, the room was overflowing with dolls of… me.

There were dolls of all sizes, ranging from lifelike, highly detailed ones to chibi-style miniatures, some full-body, others just heads, all arranged densely around the room.

The outfits varied too—some were my usual clothes, and some, for reasons unknown, were undressed. And these figures represented different stages of my life, from my academy days to the present.

But the most striking was the life-sized doll lying on the bed.

The doll looked so realistic it seemed like another me was there. It even wore the same pouches I always kept on my waist for emergencies, down to the smallest detail. I couldn’t tell what it was made of, but it had a strange lifelike quality.

The only difference from the real me was the overly bright, pleasant smile it wore. I’d never made a face like that, and looking at it, I just wanted to punch it.

Wait a minute—

“A Noil figurine collection…? Have they started merchandising me?”

When did this happen? I definitely never gave my permission. Who would even think of something so twisted? This stuff would haunt people’s nightmares.

“I’m not sure what you mean, but all of these are handmade by me,” Elle said, chuckling softly as she approached the bed.

“Oh, that makes sense.”

Of course, there’s no way these would be official merchandise. Obviously, they’re handmade. Naturally. But… handmade?

“What?”

This doesn’t make sense. Why would Elle make dolls of me?

Is doll-making a hobby of hers? Even if it is, why make dolls of me?

Oh, wait. I get it. She made them as punching bags, maybe. I mean, I’d be perfect for relieving stress, if I do say so myself.

So, they’re not “Noil collectibles”; they’re Arlens punching dolls. Although, I don’t love the idea of using my family name for that; it makes it sound like my adorable little sister is getting punched, too. Let’s stick with “Noil Collectible Dolls.”

Punchable! Noil Collectible Dolls!

Yes, that’s it.

“Welcome back, Noil.”

While I was lost in my confused thoughts, Elle whispered softly and kissed the life-sized Noil doll lying on the bed.

I felt my brain glitch.

Wait… it’s not a punching bag?

Then why does it have such a punchable face…?

While I was still bewildered, Elle lit a short, thick candle on a small table beside the bed.

A sweet fragrance began filling the room.

Is that… an aroma candle? Fancy stuff. Though the smell’s a bit overpowering.

Anyway. I don’t get any of this, but… I hate this room.

“Where are you going?”

“Oh, uh, I was thinking… I got a bit sweaty earlier, so… maybe I’ll go take another bath…”

As I tried to back away and leave the room, Elle somehow appeared behind me, grabbing the hem of my clothes.

A shiver of dread ran down my spine.

“If you want a bath, there’s one in this room too. But for now, would you listen to me?”

“Oh… okay.”

Following her lead, I let Elle take my hand and guide me to sit on the bed. Damn, this doll looks even more irritating up close.

“Are you interested in it?”

“Y-yeah.”

Elle sat beside me, smiling with apparent satisfaction as she asked.

Who wouldn’t be? Who on earth could walk into a room like this and not be interested? I’d like to burn it all immediately, though.

“Isn’t it well-made?”

“Y-yeah.”

So well-made that I’d like to hit it until it’s erased from existence.

“This Noil here, I made it so you can even take its clothes off. It’s my masterpiece. When I hold it close, it feels as if I’m embraced by you… It’s simply…”

“……”

Elle’s voice trailed off, her face flushed and her expression dreamy as she shivered with delight. I instinctively put some distance between us. She scared me.

But seeing that, Elle immediately closed the gap again.

With her hand resting on my knee, she leaned close enough that our bodies were practically touching.

“Noil, you must be wondering why I made so many of you.”

“Y-yeah.”

Of course I’m wondering. Why would you create a world this… disturbing? And could you please stop calling the dolls “Noil”? It’s terrifying.

“You’d never understand if I didn’t say it outright. So, let me be direct.”

“O-okay.”

Elle leaned into me, her moist eyes gazing into mine, her cheeks faintly blushing as her beautiful lips moved.

“I love you. I’ve loved you since the day we first met, seven years ago. I want to spend my life with you.”

“Did you hit your head?” I retorted instantly at Elle’s sudden confession.