Chapter 7: Another Version 4

Another Version 4

I'm currently watching the "finals" of the martial arts tournament from the stands at the Colosseum.

Of the two fighters on the stage, one is a familiar face.

Just a few months ago, Mizell was a weakling who would have been kicked out of an adventurer's party, but now he has been defeating the powerful warriors one after another in this arena, and has finally made it this far.

It was a very interesting tournament. Mizell seemed to have the constitution of a protagonist, and he got stronger with each match. It's a common thing, but maybe he has a skill that gives him 100 times the experience points. He is clearly stronger now than he was just three days ago.

It was a good decision to let him participate. Even if he doesn't win the prize money, it's safe to say that he got something rare this time.

Of course, having come this far I want him to win.

But....

"...!"　

Now, Mizell has been knocked down for the umpteenth time, right in front of us in the crowd.

The man he was fighting was a gloomy wizard named Imitess. He was extremely strong.

Being a fellow wizard, I knew his skill was off the charts. He fired powerful explosive magic spells in rapid succession, meticulously setting the point of origin and without any significant "cooldown time".

Leading up to this final, Mizell had repeatedly gotten back up with tenacity and toughness, winning victories and gaining popularity among the crowd... but this time, it seemed the opponent is a wrong match.

He hasn't even been able to get close. The people around me have begun to express concern rather than cheer.

"That is..."

The man holds his hand over Mizell, who is about to stand up, and mutters something. At the same time, I sense a huge flow of magical power and a tremendous acceleration. He probably intends to make his final move here. He probably won't last long.

If it stays like that.

……….

"...Whoa, it's hot!"

"It's hot! Did someone set something on fire? It's dangerous..."

"It's hot around this girl! Let's move away."　

For some reason, the other customers around me were keeping their distance, so I stopped being polite and got up from my seat.

I looked at Mizell, who was still on his knees.

I felt that if he got hit like that, he would be seriously injured and I wanted him to escape. I was reluctant to lose the prize money that was right in front of me. I was anxious and annoyed that the player I was betting on would lose. There were many things on my mind.

And one more thing.

The protagonist - he can't become that creature called the protagonist. Don't lose to some out-of-nowhere guy like that.

We're here to read the strongest works. We don't want to see an episode where you're in top form right up until the last minute and then lose in the finals. That's the kind of readership that's watching you.　

--With Mizell, who was standing quite a distance away. I felt like our eyes met.　

"Woooooooooooooh!!"　

It was a boy who shouted in a loud voice that echoed throughout the Colosseum.

And then, an enormous explosion. It wasn't the kind of magic used against humans. It hit with aplomb.

The thought that Mizell - my precious possession - might have been shattered into pieces went cold through my heart.

But...

Something leapt out of the flames towards the wizard.

A sword. A thrown sword. The man dodged it, but for the first time in the match today, his balance was thrown off.

And then... Right behind the sword, a larger shadow emerged from the flames.

Mizell, who appeared to have sustained damage all over his body, approached the man with incredible speed and kicked him away.

He pursued him further. As the man violently swung his fists and feet, he created a magical barrier to withstand the attacks. Mizell rampaged like a beast, slamming his fists into the barrier. He was no longer a swordsman or anything else. ... I squinted my eyes to see just how strong he was, and eventually I saw a crack appear in it.

and then ...

"This is... Contestant Imitess has shown the sign of surrender! The match is decided! The winner is――!"

The narration echoes through the magic of loudspeaker.

...Oh my goodness.

Mizell really did win.

"...Let's buy...a house..."

"Eh?"

"No, it's nothing. Look, I'm finished cutting it."

As Mizell lay in bed, I forced the slices of fruit I had brought as a gift into his mouth.

The tournament was over. Now I was waiting for Mizell to recover in the medical room inside the arena.

But to think he actually won. I won't take it lightly and think it's only natural for the strongest protagonist... today. Honestly, I think he's amazing. For now, he's only capable of fighting in gritty, mundane battles, but his single-mindedness and tenacity shine through to me. It's almost dazzling.

Plus, the prize money is dazzling.　

"...Mizell. Congratulations on your victory."

"Uh, yeah. Thank you. But..."

Mizell is staring at the ceiling, seemingly reminiscing about something.　

"...Maybe the other man still had some strength left. I wonder why he gave up."

"That guy...?"

Hearing this come from none other than his opponent, I couldn't help but frown.

To tell the truth, I had been thinking about that man myself. That magician who had beaten up Mizell...

...I feel like I've seen him before. Somewhere, sometime.

In other words, it was someone sleeping in Asurika's memory...or, it was someone "I" had seen in the manga.

The latter is unlikely. They're both fire wizards, so maybe they've crossed paths somewhere? Hmm. I don't know. I've searched my memory, but I can't find anything.

...I'd like to think it was just my imagination. It's rare to have a sense of déjà vu with a person.

"He's a wizard, so he didn't want to get hit."

"I guess so. I didn't really get much response though."

"...More importantly!"　

As I sat in a chair next to Mizell's bedside, I tried to speak in a cheerful voice.

I want to stay in this euphoric mood for a while. It's a shame for a champion to be like that. Let's enjoy the moment.

I got off my chair, folded my arms and rested my head on the bed, just like when you doze off at a desk, so I could get my face closer to Mizell.

I gave him a smile, but the Champion, who couldn't escape from here, just blushed. His blood circulation seemed good, which was a relief.

And then I said it.

"More importantly, you won, so...as I promised."

"...A promise?"

Mizell asks, pretending not to know.

Again. This creature is so cute and easy to read.

So as not to be heard by the tournament staff bustling around nearby, I hushed my voice and aimed it gently at Mizell's ear.　

"Whatever you say, I'll listen to you"

"...!!"

"Hey, Mizell, tell me?"　

Seeing Mizell's obvious reaction, the corners of my mouth quirked up.

You worked hard for this reward, right? Hard work deserves a reward. With this body, I will grant you any wish you have.

I wonder what kind of desires he will reveal to me. Just thinking about it made my blood boil, just as hot as Mizell's.

Asurika's body is now controlled by this blood I sent her. There is no need to resist. Feel free to say anything you want to her.

As I thought this, I stared intently into Mizell's blue eyes.

The boy swallowed and slowly opened his mouth.

"It's... it's hard to ask in front of other people... so can you come to my room tomorrow night? I'll tell you then."

"Eh! That's..."　

---It came!

Night, and room. Easy to understand. I never thought the lead would work so well. After all, the main character pretending to be an insensitive gentleman in the middle of a harem is all a lie.

Tomorrow. From tomorrow onwards, Mizell will surely never be able to leave Asurika Feriana. I have made the protagonist of the story my own.

Besides, Asurika's life is already a mess. If she survives tomorrow night, there may be no turning back. I wonder what kind of look she'll have if I give her back her body then. I don't have the slightest intention of giving it back though.

I feel a sense of accomplishment, as if I have accomplished something great. Being wanted satisfies my need for recognition.

Slowly, sweat began to come out.

Ah, there's a gap in the conversation. I need to reply.　

"Okay, I get it..."　

That's when the most passionate voices came out. We both looked away from each other.

Then one day passed.

Mizell had his body treated by skilled healers and doctors, and returned to his normal life.

No, it wasn't business as usual. Wherever he went, the people of Barima were calling out to him, and he was receiving requests for adventurer jobs. Perhaps now was the peak of his career.

The way people around him looked at him changed. What kind of thoughts did this have on the young boy, Mizell? When you think about it, it may be quite moving.

...Well, that doesn't matter right now.　

"..."

Asurika seemed to be a fashionable person, and from the many loungewear she owned, I picked out something that looked appealing. Including some to wear underneath.

I pressed my hands against my chest and took a deep breath.

Then, I knocked on Mizell's door.

After receiving the reply, I stepped forward to find Mizell standing in the middle of the room.

I walk up to him quietly, my eyes dropping to the floor.

"...Asurika. About that ...."

My ears, receiving the voice, felt somehow warm. I raised my head and looked at Mizell.　

"Um. Really? Anything is fine?"

"Y-yes. That's what we were talking about."

"Like, you won't get mad later."

"I won't. I won't despise you, change my mind, or insult you. Just for today, you can decide everything about me."

Mizell held his breath. I too was overcome with an indescribable excitement. I couldn't believe that such words were coming out of my mouth so easily. Such sweet words that the real Asurika would never say to Mizell.　

"...Well then..."

So, what would you like to suggest?

A hug? A sleeping together? A date? Maybe a kiss?

...No. I don't think it's like that. From Mizell's behavior, I sense something like animal lust.

When I think that this is what suits me, my brain feels like it's melting from the heat.

"Hmm..."

He grabbed my shoulder forcefully. The area where he was touching felt extremely hot, and the warmth turned into a sweet numbness that gradually spread across my body.

Could it really happen right here, right now?

I, now, Asurika...

Now I'm going to be pinned down by this former coward, desired, and have his genes...?

Is that okay? Even if I planned for this to happen eventually, isn't it still too early? Once you've dropped it, tried all the fun, and finally can't think of anything to do... that's when you'll finally see if it's possible, right?

...But I said he is free to ask anything.

...Well, there's no other way.

There's no other way--

I find my mouth curling up in a smile of anticipation.

I watched with heated eyes as Mizell's mouth slowly opened.　

"Can you please get on your knees and hands on the floor, bow your head and say sorry?"

"…………Huh?"

Huh?

……….

Now, what?

Is that, perhaps, .... a dogeza?

"...Right, now?"

"Right now. On that floor."

Mizell coldly dismisses it.

You've got to be kidding me? This guy.

When did he become such a pervert...?

"..."

Slowly, kneel down.

...You want me to apologize? For what? For all the bullying Asurika has done? There's absolutely no reason for me to apologize for what she's done. It's really, really unacceptable.

My self-esteem is higher than most people's. There's no way I could show my true colors to Mizell, who I've been toying with until now.　

"...Ha, ha..."

Heavy breathing could be heard coming from my own mouth.

My gaze shifts upwards from the wood grain pattern on the floor, now that it is closer.

...From above me. Mizell is staring down at me.

Mizell. Me. Asrika.

"…………Go……"　

I put my hands on the floor, trying to look as neat as possible.

I desperately move my eyes upwards and look up at the other person's face.　

"Sorry……"　

As I said this, I bowed my head deeply and my whole body was overcome by a strange numbness and began to tremble.

……amazing.

I feel so good right now. Why is that?

I stared at the floor and thought hard, and eventually I came up with a way to improve.

"...I'm so sorry. I've bullied and teased you up until now..."　

I could feel my breath getting extremely hot as it bounced off the floor.　

"...Mizell-sama.... D-don't banish me. I'll do anything..."

"I didn't ask you to say that!"

"Y-Yes. I'm sorry..."

...That Asurika was bowing her head and humiliating herself in front of Mizell, doing something that would never have been possible for her to do.

A shiver of pleasure was born in the lower part of my body and ran up to the top of my head. My heart was pumping blood. It was pounding so hard I could hear it.

I had no idea there was another way to make Mizell's heart flutter like this, other than toying with him from a superior position. I found it.　

"...Yes, thank you very much. I'm sorry Asurika, it's fine as usual now."

"..."

I slowly stood up, feeling a little unsteady.

Mizell's face seems to be flushed, but his expression remains calm. Depending on how you look at it, this may be the revenge of the banished hero, a so-called "serves you right" turn of events.　

"...I'm really sorry for making you do something weird. I won't say things like this again. I want to treat you normally from tomorrow onwards, but...hmm, that seems impossible, huh?"

It seems this is the end. What a shame.

If I stayed here any longer, I would end up doing something to him. That wouldn't do.

Wanting to cool down, I walked steadily and put my hand on the door.

As I was leaving, I caught Mizell's eye.

"I'll never forget this humiliation, Mizell. I'm going to bully you..."

I managed to say it in a trembling voice and ran back to my room.

I immediately crawled into bed, but my body was so hot that I couldn't fall asleep right away.