I Became a Demon Who Can Never Be Headpatted in the Academy?!

In "Legend of the Academy," summer and winter vacations hold significant meaning.

They are the only moments when I, Murmur, can freely roam outside the Academy.

Even within the game, you have to plan a schedule that's entirely different from the school term.

Especially for me, Murmur, a demon, the activities available during the first summer vacation are astonishingly limited.

All I can do is study on my own, play around, or wander through every nook and cranny of the Academy.

Of course, it's not that I'll be stuck with this pitiful schedule forever.

Depending on the favorability levels with heroines, I can visit places other than the Academy, or even spend the vacation in certain specific areas.

For example, if Nikea's favorability increases, I can spend my vacation at the Imperial Palace; in Sitri's case, at the 'Duchy of Colonia'; and if I get close to Esme, at the 'County of Bloodberry.'

Though I've elaborated, the important point is this:

In "Legend of the Academy," vacation is a golden opportunity for Murmur to meet new people!

"Murmur, you can manage well, right? If someone bullies you, please make sure to tell us."

"I'll finish my work as quickly as possible and come back! Are you getting along with Sitri?"

Nikea stroked my head with a worried expression, and Esme shook my right hand up and down for no reason.

I defeated Colette, and even fought Leviathan and won, so why are you so worried?

"Ohohoho! Don't worry. I will make sure Murmur-nim has a fun, beneficial, and fulfilling summer vacation!"

"Please take care of her, Sitri. Do you remember what I told you last time?"

"Of course, I remember. It pains my heart to imagine how lonely and desolate Murmur-nim must have been during her summer vacations."

Isn't that a bit too much?

I, Murmur, have enjoyed my summer vacations so far in my own way.

I don't have to attend classes, so no one will bother me, and I don't have to worry about being disliked by the professors.

"Murmur is fine even alone."

"Absolutely not! It doesn't make sense that you've been alone until now! I'm going to protest to the elementary school vice-headmaster later!"

"That's right!! How old do you think Murmur is?!"

"Don't say such nonsense! This summer vacation, you're going to have fun with me!"

I only said one word, but everyone rushed at me, grabbed my hands tightly, and shouted.

What kind of eyes are you looking at me with? You don't think I'm a fool who can't do anything on my own, do you?

If my favorability is at level 1, you should at least clap for me because I'm doing well, right?

"Princess Nikea~!"

We chatted in front of the carriage until I thought the sun above my head was getting unbearable.

It was natural for Liora, Nikea's maid, to appear with a bright smile.

"Ah, yes, Liora. It's time to leave, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is. If you would like to talk more with your friends, how about talking inside since it's hot?"

Nikea glanced at the sky for a moment and then shook her head.

Behind her were one ornate and huge princess's carriage and one moderately sized carriage for Esme to ride in.

"They've waited for over an hour, so we can't do that."

"Everyone else left more than half a day ago."

Indeed, there were only two carriages in the empty lot where there had been shouting back and forth because the carriages couldn't enter until this morning.

"Murmur, have a good summer vacation. I'm so, so, so sorry that I can't be with you."

Nikea slightly bent her knees and spoke while holding my two hands.

I felt a strange tenderness in the way she gently caressed the back of my hands with her thumb, but it must be my imagination.

"Murmur is okay. I'm not a child. I've been doing well so far, and Sitri is here too."

"Hehe, I was worrying for nothing. Then..."

Nikea leaned her face slightly toward me, then suddenly blushed and pulled her face back.

The moment my eyes widened, Nikea quickly continued,

"Have a good, good summer vacation! I'll be back soon!"

"Eat well and take care of yourself! Murmur! If anyone bothers you, be sure to write it in your diary!"

Nikea and Esme then got into their carriages, and Sitri and I waved goodbye with regretful gestures.

"It's a moment where the word 'receded like the tide' really fits."

"Murmur thinks so too. It feels like there's really no one in the Academy."

Most of the students attending Cosmos Academy go home during the vacation.

"Even commoners can get support for carriages to go back and forth if they talk to the professors."

Sitri said, holding my hand.

Looking around, the streets, which were usually crowded with countless students, were completely empty.

"Yeah, the saying that it's a nest of learning for selecting heroes is definitely not a lie."

I don't know what the other professors or vice-headmasters are thinking, but at least the Cosmos headmaster is sincere.

"A hero..."

Sitri, who muttered softly, held my hands and made eye contact.

"Murmur-nim, do you remember the story we talked about last time?"

"You mean when you asked if Murmur talked with a demon?"

"Yes, it's a really important issue, so I would appreciate it if you could answer."

I knew she would ask as soon as we were alone.

It can't be helped.

I need Sitri's help to meet Monica, so I'll have to set some sneaky conditions.

"Murmur will answer you. But promise me. I'm telling you a huge secret. You have to grant Murmur's wish later."

"I, if it's Murmur-nim's wish! I can even grant a wish to give you my heart!"

I felt a bit of self-loathing knowing what she would use that heart for.

"Murmur doesn't need that."

"Anyway! That means you promise!"

I stood on tiptoe, covered my mouth with both hands, and started to whisper.

"Murmur can actually use black magic."

"... Oh, my!"

Sitri covered her mouth with both hands and looked around.

"To think you can use black magic! As expected, Murmur-nim is a great person!"

The truth is completely different, but it's a magical story that can make Sitri understand at once.

"As expected, I was definitely born to become Murmur-nim's bride!"

Sometimes, a pure white lie is better than the truth.

What good would it do to talk about my true identity?

I don't want to see Sitri, who is smiling brightly and rubbing her cheek against mine, suffer or be sad.

* * *

《Exploring the Academy with Sitri》

《Time: Afternoon》

The summer vacation that started with just Sitri and me wasn't so bad, contrary to my worries.

It's a shame that I didn't have the chance to test 【Gabriel's Jealousy】, but it's something I have to do in front of the Demon God, so there's nothing I can do about it.

Actually, objectively speaking, it was amazing. The only thing was that I couldn't go meet the Saintess right away, but other than that, it couldn't be better.

How could the time spent with a child who is determined to do anything for me be bad?

... Come to think of it, it's a bit embarrassing that she follows me to the bathroom all the time.

"Murmur-nim! Come this way!"

"Aren't you hot, Sitri...?"

Sitri's energy didn't stop even under the scorching sunlight.

Rather, it felt like she was eager to introduce and show me every corner of the Cosmos Academy, now that the students were gone.

Actually, I know why Sitri is dragging me around so enthusiastically.

It was a request from Nikea and Esme, who had left the Academy for a while during the vacation.

"I heard that Murmur-nim doesn't know the Starlight Alley very well."

"It's not like I don't know it at all."

"Hehehe! But I think this is your first time coming to this place!"

Behind Sitri's bright smile was a large fountain shining in silver.

I should have guessed that Sitri's "business matter" was this.

"Balkan!!"

Sitri clapped her hands twice, and the silent fountain began to spout water.

The droplets of water that flew up sparkled like jewels.

"Ohoho! The long-dormant Milky Way has begun to show its light again!"

Sitri covered her mouth with her hand and enjoyed herself.

It's natural that she feels a little proud.

This fountain had been broken for a long time.

Sitri's company had bought the surrounding area and repaired it, so she must think this is my first time seeing this sight.

Too bad for her. I've seen this event many times.

"Come on, come on! Murmur-nim! Come this way!"

"Murmur is okay..."

I knew it would end up like this!

Sitri grabbed my hand and started playing in front of the fountain, where cool water was gushing out.

The cool spray of water naturally soaked our uniforms, and Sitri playfully splashed some cold water on me.

"Murmur-nim! When it gets a little hotter, let's enjoy swimming in Lake Hedone!"

"Murmur doesn't have a swimsuit?"

"I can buy you as many as you want!"

Sitri splashed me with water again.

I had no intention of just being a victim, so I immediately summoned a 'water spirit' and threw it at Sitri's chest.

"M, Murmur-nim?! That's cheating...!"

"Sitri started it first."

"I didn't make you this wet?!"

"Murmur is already all wet too!"

Sitri covered her mouth with her left hand and burst out laughing.

We were quickly enjoying the cool spray of water and ended up looking like drowned rats.

"I was planning on leisurely looking at the fountain..."

"Are you saying that when you were the one who splashed water first?"

I playfully splashed some cold water on Sitri's face again.

Sitri giggled and gently pushed my body so that the gushing water hit my butt.

Is this okay? Sitri and I both got our underwear completely wet in an instant.

"He, hehe...!!"

Well, I guess it doesn't matter.

Sitri, wet with water droplets and sweat, was really pretty.

There must be a reason why she's the bride of the Demon King route. She's still young, but she's already so beautiful that I'm looking forward to her future.

"My, my... You couldn't wait and started playing in the water, did you?"

Sitri's butler, Balkan, shook his head from side to side as he approached us, watching us happily throw water bombs at each other.

He was holding an ice cream with three scoops stacked on top of each other that suited his white hair.

"Thank you for your hard work, Balkan. Murmur-nim? It's snack time."

Sitri smiled and handed me the ice cream.

If someone who didn't know the situation saw this, they would just think it was heartwarming, but there was a bit of Sitri's meticulous calculation hidden here.

First of all, this ice cream is a product that is being prepared at the 'dessert shop' that Sitri's company, which bought the land near the fountain, will be opening soon.

Helping the Piglet House event was also part of this calculation.

"I'll eat well. Thank you, Sitri."

But I don't dislike that calculation.

"Gulp..."

Sitri silently watched the moment I took a big bite of the ice cream.

If she's staring at me so blatantly, I have no choice but to give her a review.

"Yum yum... ... It's delicious. Sitri. It's strawberry flavor, right? It's more delicious because I can taste the strawberries, unlike other stores' ice cream."

"A, as expected! Murmur-nim recognized it!"

"Yum... And this, the tiny chips embedded in the chocolate are also really delicious."

"Ehehe..."

Sitri wiggled her fingers and showed a happy smile.

Of course. This is the moment when the business idea she proposed to her mother for the first time since entering the Academy is about to shine.

"But Sitri, hold still for a moment."

Ice cream is ice cream, and even though she's in the 5th grade of elementary school, this is a bit much.

I took out the handkerchief that Nikea had given me and wiped Sitri's face and forehead.

"Murmur-nim?"

"Sitri is pretty, unlike Murmur. You shouldn't be seen when you're wet."

Even now, the men working hardaround the fountain are all people from Sitri's company.

She shouldn't be seen looking like a drowned rat.

"And your underwear is showing."

It's natural since she's wet.

I quickly used wind magic to dry Sitri's chest.

"... ... Thank you. Murmur-nim."

Sitri's cheeks were a little flushed, maybe because of the heat, and she muttered while looking at me.

Her skirt is dark, so it's okay if it's a little wet.

"B, but Murmur-nim? My underwear is showing, but Murmur-nim's..."

Sitri came closer to me and frantically covered my chest with her hands, looking flustered.

Why is she doing this? It's like she feels incredibly sorry for some reason.

"Huh? Murmur isn't showing anything?"

"W, what are you talking about! Murmur-nim's situation is more serious?"

"Why is Murmur?"

I pointed to my chest with my hand.

"Murmur isn't wearing a bra—"

"That's why it's more of a problem! B, Balkan! Please bring a towel!"

"?"

Sitri's face turned red at a point I couldn't understand, and she shouted.

Isn't it embarrassing only if the bra is showing?

* * *

It was already a few hours since the date at the fountain, which I already knew but was still enjoyable.

Sitri didn't get tired and showed me every corner of Starlight Alley.

"... Let's play until today, and how about having more fun tomorrow?"

"Yeah, Murmur thinks it's okay to just rest."

"Huhu, I can't do that, Murmur-nim! Tomorrow, I'll show you even more fun."

As expected, she has no intention of giving up.

— Clang!

Sitri, who was smiling brightly, was startled and clung to me when a group of people wearing silver armor passed by us.

"... ... The Edelina family that we saw last time is in a terrible state."

"That's right. And they said they never used black magic, but it turned out they were colluding with demons. Good riddance."

"Edelina? Are you talking about that countess from last time? I knew it. If a human associates with demons, they'll be punished by God..."

There's a reason why Sitri was surprised.

The group of people who passed by us were 'Inquisitors.'

They were even walking along the road towards Capella, the silver tower that was visible in the distance.

"... ... Fools who don't know the situation."

Sitri said in a very small voice, with even a hint of hatred.

"Do you hate the people of the Holy Kingdom, Sitri?"

"Yes, I think I hate them the most in the world."

Sitri shook her head from side to side, as if she didn't want to see Capella, the place where Monica was, and pulled my body tightly.

"Because they always say bad things about us?"

"Of course. I really, really hate them. I don't want to be associated with them at all."

Sitri pulled me strongly, to the point where her chest touched my arm, as if she wanted to return to the dormitory quickly.

"That's a problem."

"H, perhaps... do you have any problems with those guys?"

"It's not that. Murmur is planning to become friends with the Saintess."

"... ... Huh?"

"So, that means Sitri will have to become friends with the Saintess soon."

Sitri dropped the arm she was holding and opened her mouth wide.

"Y, you're planning to become friends with the Saintess of the Holy Kingdom?!?!?!?"

Is that such a surprising thing?