40. Undead can read encyclopedias too

« Straw Head? What do you call me that late for? »

“Erma! You didn’t tell me you were going to the training too!”

« … I didn’t? »

“No, you didn’t. I’m surprised they accepted fourteen-year-old candidates.”

« You…! do it on purpose, don’t you? I told you I’m almost sixteen. Well? Did you call me just to wake me up, Straw Head? »

“I want to ask you a favor.”

« … A favor, huh? That’s to be expected. Since you didn’t know I was a Sunclaw until recently, but now that you know… What is it? A debt? A grudge? »

“…? I don’t know why you say that, but it has nothing to do with you being a Sunclaw, Erma. Oh. Did you think I would take advantage of your position?”

« N-No, well… It just makes sense. »

“Is that so? Ah, but should I, then? Listen, in the name of our friendship, I want one million Corns in my account for tomorrow morning. Just wanna eat a good breakfast.”

« What kind of breakfast costs one million Corns?! If you’re gonna keep talking nonsense, I’m gonna hang up, I’m sleepy— »

“Wait! I heard pupils chosen by the Nyomin will get on a water train tomorrow morning to go to the training grounds. I won’t be there until two days later so… please protect Ray until I come.”

« … Ray, huh? Why should I? »

“He’s my friend.”

« Mm. I keep wondering. How did you meet the Doctor Styxer’s son? »

“We were in the same class in middle school.”

« Yeah, you said that, but how is it you two became friends? He’s nothing like you, after all. He’s a nerd, right? A shy and introverted one… The other day, when we ate ramen, he couldn’t look me in the eye at all. I even thought I had something weird on my face. »

“Well… Ray’s no good at handling looking people in the eyes.”

« For sure. He probably would have ended up without any friends if you weren’t there. »

“… Well, that’s not true. Anyway, he’s my friend. I just want you to look after him so your brothers don’t bother him too much.”

« Lei and Axel, you mean? I may be able to do something with Lei, but I can’t handle Axel. That guy… he’s scary. »

“I know.”

« … How do you know? Did he talk to you? »

“I just know.”

« … Well. I’ll need some kind of reward when you get to the island. »

“Anything you want.”

« … Are you serious? Anything? »

“Anything.”

« … What if I ask you to climb the Kilimanjaro? »

“I’d go, but I’d take you with me, of course. They say living through hardships together draws people closer.”

« …! You’re hopeless. What if I were to ask you to be my slave for two months? »

“Your slave?! … Oh, well, fine, I could try.”

« Holy Witches, Straw Head, to what lengths are you ready to go to protect your friend? »

“…”

« Humph. Okay then, I’ll keep an eye on him, since you like him so much. »

“Don’t tell me you’re jealous?”

« Hwara-hwara! … Can I punch you when I see you? »

“Heh… How rare of you to ask for permission. Anyway, thank you, Erma. I owe you one. Sorry for waking you up.”

« Nah, it’s okay. Oh, about that examination for the Independent trainees… It’s tomorrow, right? »

“Ah… Yes. Tomorrow morning.”

« … Heh, heh, heh. »

“What is it?”

« You’re feeling nervous, don’t you? »

“Ah, d-do I? Nah, really, it’s not like I’m always nervous before an exam or anything. I’ve been training my telekinetic powers, you know, and I’ve read an encyclopedia. I’m qu-quite confident.”

« … Glad to hear that. Wait, you’ve read an encyclopedia?! »

“Yep. Not had the time to finish it yet, but I’ve learned some incredible things, like, did you know people before the Big Blend had other means of communication, like ‘TVs’ and ‘man-made satellites’?”

« Eeeh? Satellite existence is only a theory, though. »

“What? Is that so?”

« Yeah. Some began spreading lies about what humanity was like before the Big Blend, and nowadays, we can’t take anything for granted. History is as tricky as mind-opening, that’s what my brother Daniel says. He’s a historian. »

“Eeeh? I didn’t know. So cool.”

« So, Straw Head, you learn about ancient theories and you think that will help you pass the test? »

“Sorry—”

« Don’t apologize to me, hwara-hwara-hwara! You better pass. The training will be funnier if you come. »

Something leaped inside me. That meant she would miss me if I didn’t, right? I grinned.

“Then I’ll do my best.”

« That’s the spirit. You can do it. »

“I can! Of course I can! Now I’m fired up.”

« Hwara-hwara, well, but you better go to sleep now, Straw Head, it’s late. I wish you good luck~ »

“Thanks. Sweat dreams, Lil Witch.”

She hung up.

Standing in the park in front of Ray’s house, I gazed at the stars.

“Sleep, you say. How can I sleep, oh muse,” I murmured, “after you inspired me so much?”

I smiled, laughing at my own dramatic words. The main problem there wasn’t Linah. Undead people just couldn’t sleep.