woke up chapter 14

Ariel, having a suspicion, nodded slowly. It might be related to coming to the past. I never experienced this before. Could I have come to the past using my own power?

After a moment of contemplation, Ariel quietly asked, “What happened to those mages? The ones who suffered from magical depletion?”

“Well, the occurrence itself is extremely rare. Most mages use magic within their own capacity or utilize magic stones. However, mages who use magic beyond their limits in emergency situations…” Anastasia’s voice turned grave, and Ariel swallowed nervously. “They die.”

Ariel’s face paled instantly.

“So, you too, might die if you’re separated from the young master.” Anastasia stared at Ariel with an indifferent expression, then shrugged. “Just kidding.”

“…?!”

Oh, you… Ariel swallowed the curse that nearly escaped her lips.

Be patient, she’s an adult. But I really want to hit her. No, even if she’s an adult, doesn’t this warrant a beating? What kind of person is she?

Anastasia burst into laughter. “Your face is so expressive…” She continued to laugh, then, seeing Ariel’s annoyed expression, cleared her throat. “Ahem. Prolonged depletion can be dangerous. I don’t know if this will happen again, but…”

“….”

“Oh, come to think of it, I’ve heard of a mage recovering from magical depletion using a magic stone. It seems you can withstand magical depletion for about a day, so keep that in mind.”

A magic stone? I can’t get my hands on one of those… Magic stones were managed by mages, making them rarely seen by ordinary people. The only ones accessible were rune stones, created by inscribing runes onto magic stones. Unlike single-use scrolls, rune stones were multi-use and incredibly expensive due to their complex creation process. They cost at least several hundred gold pieces.

Ugh, I couldn’t buy one even if I sold my house. Ariel sighed.

So, the only way to survive is Etheldred. Ariel clenched her fists, making a firm resolution.

From today onwards, I’m officially Etheldred’s stalker!

But before that…

“Um, can you keep this a secret from my mother?” Ariel asked, fiddling with her fingers. She worried her mother might overexert herself if she found out. Since Anastasia was her mother’s friend, word could slip out, so she needed to prevent it.

Anastasia chuckled at Ariel’s earnest expression. “I had no intention of telling her. One should handle their own affairs.”

Ariel was taken aback by the somewhat cold response. I didn’t want her to tell, but… isn’t that a bit harsh to a child? Well, it’s true that one should handle their own affairs…

Seeing Ariel’s reaction, Anastasia added with a small smile, “I’ll give Marquis Steffen a suitable diagnosis, so don’t mention anything about magical energy. Oh, and the young master too.”

With that, she left the room. Through the open doorway, Ariel could hear Anastasia explaining something, with Marquis Steffen, Rodbrill, and Etheldred listening intently. Ariel stared at Etheldred, and as if sensing her gaze, he turned his head. Ariel beckoned him inside with a finger to her lips. Etheldred quietly entered the room.

“…Are you feeling better?”

“I hurt, a lot. I’m so sick I could throw up.” Ariel replied listlessly. Etheldred looked at her with suspicion but then reached out and patted her head. “…You’re such a child.”

“I am a child. And not there, pat my back.” Ariel quickly turned so Etheldred could reach her back. He looked at her as if she were a puzzle, then sighed. “…Strange girl.” He glanced at the door before moving closer to Ariel. As she felt his patting hand, Ariel closed her eyes.

“Put some more force into it, why are you so weak?”

“….”

Etheldred, a pout forming on his lips, applied more pressure, and Ariel finally relaxed, burying her face in the pillow.

Seriously, what’s wrong with this child’s body? Isn’t endless energy supposed to be a hallmark of childhood? Is it because my mind isn’t that of a child? And what’s with this magical depletion? This never happened in my original timeline.

Wait, is it a curse? Is someone jealous because I’m too pretty? Ariel looked around suspiciously. Even I think that’s ridiculous.

Anyway, as long as I stay close to Etheldred…

Wait, what about when I sleep? She said I’d be okay for a day, but it still hurts! The thought of being crushed by an unseen force all night made Ariel’s face pale.

What if I have to live like this forever? What if Etheldred gets married and I can’t see him anymore?

I wish this were all a dream. Just tell me it’s a dream. Oh, right! I pinched Rodbrill earlier, so maybe the accuracy was off?

Okay, let me hit myself! Ariel abruptly sat up and slapped her own cheek.

“Ariel Fay!”

“Ow!”

“You idiot? Of course, it hurts.” Etheldred stared at her in bewilderment.

Ariel tilted her head, wondering if she had gone mad. Concerned, Etheldred reached out a hand.

“Huh?”

A light emanated from Etheldred’s fingertips, and the stinging pain vanished instantly.

“Whoa, is that magic…?”

“Shh!” Etheldred clamped a hand over her mouth, and Ariel nodded. She fell into thought. Now that she was thinking clearly, she didn’t want to return to her original time, no matter how much pain she was in. She didn’t want to be anywhere without her mother and grandfather.

Then, I have no choice but to stick with Etheldred.

With a determined look, Ariel spoke. “Hey, what are you doing tonight?”

“What?”

“Want to sleep with me?”

“W-what?”

“Let’s sleep together tonight.”

“…” Etheldred silently put his hand to his forehead.