Polymorph.
In some fantasy novels, it’s a magic with an ancient history that allows a dragon to take on a human form.
However, it wasn’t in-game.
There was never a case where a mythical creature used transformation magic to assume human form.
Strictly speaking, it wasn’t that there was a [Polymorph] magic; rather, there was an [Avatar].
An avatar, that is, an incarnation.
A non-human entity acting in human form.
This body’s foundation is, of course, mana, based on a single core where its consciousness is imbued.
I could say that my current body is also an avatar.
Unlike a typical avatar, my mana-based body is not merely a clone but can be considered fully mine.
If this body dies, my mind does not return to the original but reverts to the core state instead.
“Who would’ve thought the unicorn could change form like this.”
“I only recently found out too.”
Esta replied, shrugging as she petted the unicorn’s head.
“She’s hidden the fact that she’s female for a long time, but she recently mentioned a ‘forgotten ability’ resurfaced.”
“What?”
“After the Academy’s opening and the first angel attack, she remembered this transformation ability.”
Esta was explaining, but it was as if the unicorn were speaking herself.
“She’s still clumsy and awkward about interacting with humans, but I thought it would be good to tell you in advance.”
“That’s….”
“The unicorn could transform only after the appearance of an angel. It feels as if some change might be starting in the world.”
Esta spoke with a serious expression.
“It’s uncertain if the summoner’s [forgotten memory] resurfaced due to the appearance of angels, or if something was unlocked when the angels were defeated and sealed.”
As expected, the White Sword Saint.
“I can’t be certain, but I have a bad feeling.”
With her intuition alone, she had already sensed the world’s changes.
“The angels are already unsettling the world… but I feel it may only get worse.”
“Well, change is inevitable, but isn’t it better to be optimistic?”
I said, gesturing toward the unicorn.
“She was stunning in her white mare form, but as a young girl, she’s even prettier. It wouldn’t be strange to consider her like a younger sister.”
“You….”
“Aren’t you too young to be considered a mother and daughter?”
“… Hmph.”
Esta laughed slightly, stroking the unicorn’s head, while the unicorn shyly hid behind her.
“She seems more frightened than expected.”
“It appears so.”
Perhaps the unicorn couldn’t see it.
‘To a summoned beast on the surface, seeing my true form might be terrifying in many ways.’
Just as Ederson Lionheart had subtly observed, within me resided the essence of the [Demon King].
My core carried fragments of the seven Dukes of Hell, each infused with the energy of seven monstrous beasts from the Demon World.
An entity capable of eliminating or devouring her on a whim was concealing not only its true identity but also its power and even its true form.
‘My true form resembles a raid boss over 100 meters tall, but to the main character, I look more like a cute summoned pet that sticks around.’
Though I looked like a blond, tanned delinquent, the summon was still a beast.
“There’s no need to fear. I’m not going to devour you.”
“H-Heeek…”
“Seriously. But if you keep getting tense or scared like that, I might end up eating you.”
“I-I’m sorry…!”
The unicorn whimpered in terror.
“Phoenix.”
“I apologize. She reminds me of a young Instructor Esta crying… Ahem.”
I raised my hands in surrender as Esta gave me a sharp look.
“Thank you for informing me. The idea that a summoned beast regained memories due to the angel’s appearance or exit might imply that there are many things sealed in this world because of angels.”
“Yes.”
Esta approached me.
“Is there any part of this you find familiar?”
“Are you interrogating me?”
“I’m just asking for your opinion. It’s not like I’m questioning you out of suspicion or anything….”
Esta came close, almost touching her face to mine, inspecting my eyes intently.
“Others seem to think there’s a resemblance, but I can’t tell, no matter how much I look.”
“…”
“Is there someone you might suspect?”
“I’m not sure what you’re implying.”
She’s testing me.
Testing me about Regif Habsderk, the person I possessed.
“Who are these people who said I resemble him?”
“That’s a secret.”
Could it be Yurha?
Or maybe Seia.
Or perhaps even Ludvecia.
Considering that Ludvecia once suggested she’d take me in as her son, it’s possible Esta spoke with her afterward.
“… I can’t say for sure if you resemble him or not.”
Most likely, Esta is uncertain because I wasn’t close to her at the time.
“If it really is the person in question… well, I don’t mind letting it slide.”
Esta muttered softly, scratching her cheek with her hand.
“… I don’t know what you went through, but… welcome back. That’s what I would like to say.”
“…”
She just shrugged her shoulders with an awkward smile.
“If there’s anyone you’re looking for, I hope you get a good result.”
“Hmm. … No, if you’re the person involved, it’s even more difficult?”
“Why is that?”
” Well, it’s not the best news, so it’s hard to say…, but if we’re talking about ‘that guy’.”
Esta held up three fingers, shaking her head.
“There are no less than three people waiting to devour you, so all I can offer is my deepest condolences.”
“…”
My heart sank for a moment, but as ‘Red Sol Phoenix’, I couldn’t help but joke.
“Being devoured by three women? That sounds… almost enviable.”
“…”
Esta tilted her head, half-closed eyes giving me a knowing look.
What she thought of me wasn’t something I’d pry into unnecessarily, but—
“Well, I guess it’s better for me.”
Esta said, her gaze carrying a sly smile.
“Since you’re here, could you do something for me?”
Before I knew it, the unicorn had vanished with a soft “Poof”, and Esta lay sprawled on the bed, arms wide open.
“We still have time until nightfall, right?”
“Understood. …But are you planning on staying like that?”
Noticing my gesture toward her clothing, Esta grinned, lifting her shirt slightly.
“Too lazy to take it off.”
“Wait…”
“Think of it as practice for when you’re married. How about trying it once?”
She gave a small nod toward her buttons.
“Consider it a practical lesson.”
“…Then, with pleasure.”
Esta.
She was indeed a true mentor.
* * *
[Second week of March, Saturday night.]
“Did I call you out in the middle of some fun?”
“Fun, you say? I’ve been enjoying myself since last night, but it is starting to get late.”
“Haha, my apologies. I knew you didn’t have time on Sunday.”
Instructor Kadisha had called me to her office—in the infirmary of the old school building, to be precise.
“It’ll be Sunday in just a few hours.”
It was nearly 10:30 PM. Though Esta had fallen into a deep sleep, allowing me to slip out early, it was time to wind down for the day.
“Don’t you usually stay up until 2?”
“Not that late, actually.”
“Oh, really? I thought you’d be up to something late.”
“And what is it you wanted to do so late, Instructor Kadisha?”
“Well, I wanted to chat a bit—”
She handed me a rectangular box.
“Ta-da.”
“…A roll cake?”
“I wasn’t sure if it’d suit your taste, but it’s too much for me to eat alone.”
“Did you call me just to share it?”
“Yes. Considering there’s only one, it wouldn’t be enough for six people.”
She turned toward the coffee pot in the infirmary with a hum.
“Oh, and it’s not from Silverstar, so feel free to eat it without worry.”
“Even if it were from Silverstar, I’d enjoy it.”
“Oh, really?”
“It’ll be helpful if I ever open a bakery.”
I pulled out a bread knife and sliced the roll cake.
“Baking is precise; if you stray even a little from the recipe, it fails. Having standardized recipes like this serves as a great reference.”
“Hahaha, it does sound a lot like alchemy.”
“…”
“Hey.”
Instructor Kadisha pulled something from the magic fridge in the infirmary.
“This.”
“So, this is why you called me here.”
“More accurately, I wanted us to create something together.”
She handed me a freshly chilled cheese tart from the fridge.
“Want to try it?”
“You’re sure there’s nothing weird in it, right?”
“Nothing strange, no. Just… a product of personal experimentation.”
“Hmm.”
I took a cautious bite of the cheese tart.
Though I could have eaten it in one go, I was mindful of the unknown contents within.
“Hmm.”
I realized something.
“This is… a mana tart.”
“Exactly.”
What I had just tasted was essentially a mana-infused pastry that Instructor Kadisha had prepared.
But there was a twist.
“…Care to teach me? I haven’t figured out how to reduce the calories in this.”
“You substituted mana for cheese?”
“Just to give it a similar texture. It’s all about tricking the taste buds.”
“And the calories?”
“They… stick.”
Kadisha nonchalantly pulled her gown aside, lifting her chest slightly with her hand.
“Unless you’re overthinking it, it just goes to the chest, not the stomach.”
“I refuse.”
“What?”
“I’m rejecting this experiment.”
I made my stance clear.
“Just to the chest, not the stomach—what’s so wrong with that?”
