I had a dream.
　I was standing in an empty space.
　How many times had I done that?
　It's a familiar sight by now.

　But this time, it was different.

"...this time it's a little different.
　The goddess, who usually greets me with a smile, puts her hands on her hips and glares at me.
　Um, are you angry?

Hey.
　Master Noah's voice was cold.

'Do you remember the first time I asked you to do this?'
Well,
　You know what I mean?

"Be strong," right?
Yeah.
　A beautiful goddess with half an eye is kind of nice.
"Ahoy.
　A murmur of the mind was pecked out.

'Do you remember what I said next?'
'Oh, yes, yes, I remember that.'
　Goodluck, right?
　Oh, you told me you were expecting me before that.

'You don't remember!'
　Squeak, the goddess flaps her hands.

'I am!　You're the only believer and I said I wouldn't forgive you if you died easily!
"Ah.
　That's right, that's right, that's right, what?
No way.
　I felt the blood rush out of my body.

'Am I........dead?
Ha, you're really being too reckless.
　With a snap, Master Noah snapped his fingers and a monitor appeared in the air.

'Here, look.'
　That magic is cool.
　I can see everyone on the monitor.
'My fellow monk-chan is working hard to recover right now.


'True!　Hey!　Is the truth safe?
Lucy!　Relax, sweetie. He's unconscious, but he's still breathing. We're going to give him some first aid first and then we'll go to the hospital as soon as we get back to town.
Don't die!　We're almost in town!

　Jean is carrying me on his back and Emily is casting a recovery spell.
　Lucy looks quite distraught.
　Hey, guys, I'm sorry.
　Sorry to hear that.

"It was your magic that allowed us to defeat the Gryphon, and we're all desperate to save our lives.
　Well, I'm glad we're all okay.

I'm sorry, Master Noah. I'm sorry I was so reckless today. I almost died.
'Really, silly boy. Your injuries today should have killed you!
What?
　What does that mean?

Look at this.
　Master Noah showed me a copy of the Book of Souls.

''That's mine, isn't it? Please don't take it without permission.
That's all you need to know. You and I are good friends. I mean, look at this.
　He grabs me by the shoulders and holds me close.
　A little too close.

'Oh, well, it's okay, it's okay.'
　The Goddess is getting more and more attached to me.
　While activating the Meikyōzoku skill, she looks into the Book of Souls.

--Goddess Noah's Blessing

　These words were added.
'This is...'
'Humph, you did it!　True. Your daily prayers have helped me get my blessings!　That seems to have helped you to withstand the attacks and fire magic of the gryphon.
　It is said that with the blessing of the goddess, the believer gains strong strength and physical sturdiness.
　Apparently, that's what saved me today.

''I see........''
　It's been a long time.
　It's been a year and a few months since I arrived in another world.
　Finally, I feel like I've caught up with my classmates a bit.

You look happy. But that's not the only thing I'm interested in.
Is there anything else?
Look here!
　Noah-sama pointed to the end of the line, where the words 'Spirit Messenger' were lined up.

''Spirit messenger?''
　I'm pretty sure it's a skill that elves and dwarves have, right?
　Lucy must have had it too.

'Yes!　We Titans are very close to the spirits, you know!　This is a 'gift' skill from a goddess.
A genie.... a genie...
　In the Water Temple, there were no users in the Water Temple.
　I've heard that there are currently no users in the 'human race'.
　It's a minor magic used by the elven race in a small way.

''Oh, you're not happy?''
No, no, no, not at all!
　No, no, no.
　I'm not complaining, but I'm not sure if I'm strong enough, and that feeling seems to have leaked out.

'I will use it gratefully, Goddess.
Hmm. Keep up the good work.
　He stroked my head.
　Softly, a light wrapped around my body.

It looks like you're about to wake up.
　Lady Noah smiles gently.

'Thank you, Goddess. By the way, can I recruit Lucy to become a follower of Lady Noah?
Hmm, he's recruiting.
　Huh?　I'm not that happy about it.

''Actually, I can only gain one more follower every ten years as a punishment for going against the god world!
Yeah.
　You can't ask anybody out then.

Well, I have to have a real one.
　Master Noah gives a thumbs up and a wink.
　Isn't that a little too easy?

No, I'm fine, I'm fine. Okay, then don't be so rash.
Yes, take care of yourself, Mr. Noah.
Bye.
　I was surrounded by light.

　◇

What's up, Makoto?

　The place I woke up was the guild's healing room.
　Emily is next to me.
'Good morning. How long have I been out?
Half a day. It's night.
Okay.
　Slowly, I picked myself up.

　I asked Emily what happened after we defeated the Gryphon.
　When I told the guild that I had defeated the gryphon, I heard that the guild was in an uproar because it was a defeat of a high-level demon by four bronze ranked adventurers.
　Especially Lucy, who weakened the Gryphon with fire magic, and Jean, who put a stop to it, became heroes in one fell swoop.
　Currently, there's a lot of excitement in front of the entrance.

　Just like the last time we defeated an ogre, adventurers love to get rowdy, don't they?
　Meanwhile, I'm currently being treated for burns from Emily.
　I'm a mummy man in full bandages.

"My whole body itches.
That's a sign that you're on the mend, so bear with me.
　That being said, I have to be patient.

Can I move?
I really should be resting. Makoto-kun, you're sleeping over at the guild, right?
'Oh, I don't think I'll be able to sleep with all this commotion. Hey, I'm going to go visit the guys.
'Well, I'll go with you. I've got to go pick up Jan and get her.

Makochet!
　When I went to the entrance, Lucy flew in.
　Her face is red.
　She's been drinking a lot.

"Hey!　Is your body okay?　Are you okay with not sleeping?
I'm having trouble sleeping.
　Inside the entrance is a big party.
　Jean is surrounded by adventurers who are buzzing around him.
　Among them, there are a few female adventurers who are rubbing elbows with Jean.
　That's pretty cool.

Jean's!
　Emily plunged into the circle.
　She's pulling away from the female adventurer who's attached to Jean.
　It's tough to be someone else.

'Hey, Makoto?'
　Lucy's eyes welled up and she grabbed my right hand.
'Are you sure you're okay?　You've been out of it the whole time, haven't you?
Yeah, I just woke up. More importantly, you're a hero today. Go over there and make some noise.

It's okay!　I really wanted to be by Makoto's side, but Emily told me I was useless, and Mr. Lucas had everyone drinking me out of the house because it wouldn't be as exciting without the star of the show, and it was a mess!
　He's pissed off, but he seems to be enjoying himself in his own way.
　I don't think he's ever attracted so much attention from people around him before.

'Hey, hey. Makoto?
　Lucy asks timidly.
'Are you mad about today?'
What did you mean today?
"My magic hurt you badly....
'Yeah, that's my fault. I was taught in the temple that you can't 'tune in' to magic that you're not suited for.
''Nah, it certainly shouldn't work if you synchronize unsuitable magic with it, but it's not really supposed to burn your entire body with fire magic like this one...''

　Lucy's face is dark and somber.
　What is it?
　I don't think he's simply referring to the fact that I injured him.

'Lucy?'

　Lucy looked up and muttered as she looked up.

''Maybe it's the demon blood in me...''