Demon God. It was a term used to describe transcendent beings who had existed since the beginning of time, or those who had redefined themselves to elevate their status.
One couldn't become a Demon God by simply being strong. Those who became Demon Gods were beings who ignored the rules set by the world and established their own.
A common example was a being who escaped the rule that humans die when their lifespan ends.
By breaking just one rule, they alone achieved what those who dreamed of immortality desired. With an absurdly long lifespan as their weapon, they reached heights unattainable even with a human's lifespan, or even an Elf's—how could one not call them dangerous?
Urr was the same.
The more Urr kills, the younger her physical age becomes. It was truly a form difficult to call that of an ordinary person. She had already distorted one of the world's rules.
People age as time passes. Thinking back to Yuria and Urr's first meeting, the trigger was indeed death. If suicide worked for that purpose, she thought she could aim for immortality by stopping at her desired age.
Though she was rather weak for an immortal being.
"—Ack!"
Today too, Urr tripped over her skirt and fell forward. Even with a belt, it seemed her thin hips couldn't keep it up.
Urr got up clumsily, fumbling with her hands to grab her skirt. The sight of her rising while inhaling sharply and pulling up her skirt could truly be called cute.
If only she didn't insist on wearing oversized clothes, claiming she might grow bigger anytime, she wouldn't fall like this. I thought with a smile.
"Ugh..."
The sensation of falling had become familiar now. The feeling of planting my body on the floor with no way to avoid it felt like something I didn't need to explain anymore.
The shock that followed never became familiar. Still, at least my palms didn't get scraped. The loose clothes somehow protected my palms. It was a bit sad that even folded, they were still this way.
I dusted off my knees along with my skirt.
Glancing at the Professor, I saw she was busy writing something. Perhaps she pretended not to see. I felt grateful that she didn't come close to help me up like before.
Groaning, I settled back into my chair.
Perhaps because some time had passed, the weather had warmed considerably. I wanted to surrender myself to the warm feeling, but this body couldn't feel fatigue or drowsiness.
I could only feel the warm sensation.
As I let my body bask in the sunlight coming through the window, the Professor, who had been writing something beside me, spoke to me.
"Urr, would you like to attend the Academy, even as supplies?"
"...As supplies?"
"You seem so bored. You don't even need to sleep, so you must be spending your time tediously."
She must have found it pitiful that I was living such an idle life without doing anything. Maybe it was because I was just staring out the window boringly right now.
The Professor seemed to be waiting for my answer. She looked curious about what choice I would make. I quietly gazed at her sparkling blue eyes that seemed intrigued.
What would be good about attending the Academy? Would it be a good place to go just to alleviate boredom? What if people feared me as a Demon God? If I was called "supplies," would that reduce such aversion even a little?
Many thoughts crossed my mind. Having never been there before, my worries were mountainous.
As I pouted and tilted my head back and forth repeatedly, the Professor, perhaps feeling impatient, casually suggested to me.
"I teach a Demon God course, how about coming along as supplies for that?"
Even as "supplies," I was curious about what exactly I would be doing.
"But I don't really seem like a Demon God...?"
"Still, a Demon God is a Demon God. Just a bit young."
"Young is..."
"N-no, I mean overall. Originally, Demon Gods live for a long time and such."
When I tried to object, the Professor panicked and quickly changed the subject.
Asking about my original age—how would I know that? My mouth automatically closed when she talked about an age I didn't know. I wanted to say this was cheating, but I had no intention of arguing with the Professor, so I remained silent.
"But what do I do as supplies?"
"You just have to be there! Attend classes together and such. ...Hmm, there's a third-year, and a second-year Institute Student, so coming once a weekday should be fine?"
From what I heard, there seemed to be no reason to just wait for the Professor here like last year. There wasn't much I could do in the laboratory anyway.
I couldn't read, so I couldn't pass time looking at things, and I couldn't touch things randomly because I didn't know what they were, so I didn't like just sitting still in a chair. Not wanting to spend my days like that, I nodded.
"O-okay, I'll do it... I just follow you around and listen to lectures, right?"
"So you've decided?"
"Yes."
The Professor smiled brightly, seemingly delighted that I had agreed to attend the Academy. Not knowing how to react, I stretched my arms and rested my cheek on the desk.
The cold sensation of the desk transferred to my cheek. My body shivered. I spent time quietly feeling that sensation.
As I spent time watching the Professor work, she must have felt my gaze as she looked my way and smiled. Not knowing what that smile meant, I glanced away.
Today too, she seemed to be done with work as she began organizing the documents on her office desk. The books that had been stacked neatly soon returned to the bookshelf.
"Should I help you?"
"Yes, could you? I'm just organizing my desk."
When I got up and asked, the Professor pointed to her desk. I looked at her desk once, then at the rectangular desk where I had been sitting.
This side had become a complete storage area—did she have no intention of cleaning it? Well, it's the Professor's work, so she must have her reasons.
I got up and went to where the Professor's desk was. It was full of books with indecipherable characters densely written on them.
I hugged as many as I could carry and went to the Professor who was organizing the bookshelf. She placed her hand on my head once and then took the books one by one.
Books finding their places. The bookshelf that had been empty in places was now being filled.
"With Urr's help, we'll finish quickly."
As she said, the Professor really finished organizing the books quickly. The desk was now clean, with only the computer and a few necessary documents remaining.
As I stared at it quietly, the Professor gently lifted my sleeve. Startled by my arm rising along with it, I turned my head.
"Should we get you a school uniform too?"
"The clothes I have now are fine."
The Professor was lost in thought about my attire while looking at my body. She had provided me with a uniform similar to my hair color, but it seemed she thought I needed new attire if she was going to take me to lectures as "supplies."
But if I wasn't a student, did I really need a uniform? It didn't seem right to be treated like a student when I wasn't even an enrolled student.
Everyone must have worked hard to get in there, and I didn't want rumors about someone who wasn't even a student wearing a uniform with the Professor's backing.
"Really...? Then let's think about it slowly?"
"Umm, okay..."
When I reluctantly nodded, the Professor smiled at me and patted my head. I don't understand why she keeps touching my head.
My hair isn't neat anyway, so it doesn't matter if it gets messy.
"Then shall we go shopping today?"
"What are you buying?"
"Just some food... and research materials?"
"Are we going to the mart today then?"
"We should. Shall we go now?"
The Professor looked at her watch once, and thinking we should leave now, she quickly changed into her coat. The white coat always seemed to make her look beautiful.
It had been a while since we came to the mart. The first place we went was the Magic Stone corner. The store from the refinery was selling various refined magic stones.
I followed behind the Professor, looking around the mart.
Somewhere between modern and contemporary. The mart in this world with its unique atmosphere was always fascinating. It made even non-existent curiosity emerge.
Who would think they'd sell such things at a mart?
Magic Stones used to extract Mana, and Refined Magic Stones further processed to be embedded in magical tools. It had an atmosphere similar to a jewelry store but different from handling gems.
The Professor looked at them quietly and then pointed.
"Are these quality guaranteed?"
In a box about the size of a dictionary, there were Magic Stones emitting a red color. There seemed to be quite a lot in there, making it look heavy.
"Yes, everything there is quality guaranteed! Take your time to check. But if you extract Mana, you'll have to compensate accordingly!"
"Hmm... I'll take all of these."
The Professor seemed to be examining each gem inside, then nodded and opened her wallet. The shop owner's surprised expression was something rarely seen.
How often would one see such a big man so surprised?
"Shall I carry it?"
"...No, if you trip while carrying this, it would be a disaster."
When I slightly tilted my head and asked, the Professor shook her head. The thick wad of bills that changed hands suggested these were quite expensive.
I cast my gaze downward.
Hesitating, I checked my loosely fastened belt once more. Confident it wouldn't slip down for a while, I followed the Professor with my short legs.
The Professor glanced at me and placed her hand on my back. It seemed like she was telling me to walk together, so I walked beside her instead of behind.
"Shall we go buy food now?"
I don't really need to eat, but the Professor insists on making my portion too. Even when I refuse, she asks me to join her because eating alone is lonely, so now it's awkward to refuse.
"Okay."
So I just walked along, accommodating the Professor's mood.