The Goddess Is Obsessed With Me

"Oo...."

With the lingering headache, I groaned in pain and slowly began to sit up.

The unfamiliar ceiling and the stiffness of my body created an unpleasant awakening.

"Where am I..."

Though my current condition was indescribably disheveled, the serene and gentle sunlight filtering into the room slightly lifted my spirits.

"Finally awake, are you?"

As I was trying to collect my scattered thoughts and rubbing my head, a leisurely male voice reached my ears.

"This is the infirmary. You suddenly screamed in pain and collapsed, so we moved you here."

He looked young, but he carried an air of wisdom as if he had experienced life's fullness.

"Ah..."

The man, unmistakably knowledgeable in medicine given his white coat, prompted the last memory I had. I was seeing Marika's happy smile after defeating Avram's corrupt proposal on her behalf.

I couldn't recall the specifics, but we were having a pleasant conversation when Marika's words were suddenly interrupted by a crippling headache. I probably screamed and writhed on the floor, feeling an all too familiar jolt in my head.

"But, thankfully, you seem fine now."

What had caused me such distress? I couldn't find a reason, but at least I felt okay for now.

"Yes, I think I'm okay."

Even though I was certain the problem originated from my head, I instinctively checked other parts of my body.

"Are you in pain anywhere else right now?"

To his question, I respectfully bowed, and he, seeing my reaction, gave a relieved smile and gestured for me to leave.

"No, I'm not. My body feels much better now, so I think I should leave."

"Alright, go on. Princess Marika and student Aris must be worried about you."

His words made me tilt my head in confusion.

"Princess Marika and Aris are worried about me? Did they come to see me while I was unconscious?"

At that, the health teacher chuckled mysteriously, then with a languid voice, he told me,

"Actually, Princess Marika, accompanied by Aris, personally carried you here. She was shedding tears like a downpour. Can you imagine?"

Marika and Aris cried as they brought me here?

It was hard to believe that they were so distraught over my condition.

While I didn't witness it myself, it felt unlikely, and I was skeptical.

Seeing my doubtful expression, the health teacher's smile faded, and he suddenly looked perplexed.

"Aren't you close with the princess?"

He was now seemingly glaring at me with a disapproving gaze.

"Technically, we're just regular classmates. Nothing more, nothing less."

Upon my response, something seemed to have disappointed him. He appeared momentarily shocked before letting out a resigned sigh.

"Do people often tell you that you're oblivious?"

"Why would they?"

Genuinely puzzled by his comment, I asked. He gave a helpless expression and took a deep breath.

"Never mind. Just by listening to what the princess said... No, it's nothing. Forget I mentioned it."

What could Marika possibly have said when she brought me here crying?

"Though our age difference isn't much, let me give you a piece of advice. It would be good to be more aware of how those around you see you."

From start to finish, I couldn't quite grasp the meaning behind his words. His distinct languid tone somehow made his words seem even more credible.

"Yes... Anyway, I should be going now."

I bowed once more and exited the infirmary, but the health teacher's pitying gaze lingered in my mind for a while.

How those around me see me...? I couldn't understand what he was trying to convey. If there was a paradise on earth, it would look like this.

A bright, white space made of pristine marble.

The vast sunlight streaming in illuminated the room, presenting a truly breathtaking sight.

However...

"You're trying to recall the past again..."

Contrary to the ambiance of the room, Morione, the owner of the place, darkened his complexion and spoke gravely.

"The situation isn't good... If it continues like this..."

He tried to say something but stopped, only gesturing vaguely.

"He mustn't find out..."

He then retrieved an abstract crystal from thin air and stared intently at it.

"He mustn't be connected to the past... If he is, the whole truth will inevitably be revealed..."

It seemed as if he was hiding something and genuinely feared the revelation of that truth.

The crystal he held was a memory of Harold, the only reason for the present Harold to stay by his side.

"If he recalls everything... I'm finished."

In truth, Morione's reason for taking Harold's memories was filled with deceit.

It was all a fabricated story; there was no reason to give him a new life.

While it was true that Harold had made a pact with Morione, it was only temporary. Once he recovered, he would be able to live his original life.

Still, Morione manipulated Harold's memories and banished him from his past connections to keep him close and eliminate competition.

"O...

If not, he wouldn't have a reason to follow me. Before class started, during a brief period of free time, the classroom was buzzing with chatter.

"Harold?! Are you okay now?!"

As I entered the classroom, Aris and Marika spotted me and greeted me with smiles.

As the health teacher mentioned, they seemed genuinely worried about me, appearing downcast until they saw me.

"I was quite worried... but it's a relief to see you're fine now."

Marika, with a response that made it seem like she wasn't that concerned, was a stark contrast to the tale of her crying while carrying me.

"Yeah... I'm fine now. Sorry for collapsing all of a sudden."

Her reaction wasn't as intense as I'd expected based on the health teacher's words, which left me feeling a bit empty.

"I was genuinely scared, you know?! Why did you suddenly seem in so much pain, clutching your head?"

Aris, seemingly much more concerned than Marika, showed genuine care.

"I don't know why I felt that headache... but I'm fine now, so don't worry."

On the other hand, Marika...

Was she feeling embarrassed or frustrated? Her expression was hard to read.

"Harold..."

She softly uttered my name, locking eyes with me.

"Why...?"

Feeling an inexplicable seriousness, I replied, lacking confidence.

"Do you remember the proposal I mentioned before you collapsed?"

Our conversation before I passed out?

Was that what had been bothering her?

If I were to answer honestly... I didn't remember.

What did she say? We definitely talked, but it was as if that memory had been cleanly erased.

"Sorry, but I don't remember... Can you remind me?"

I asked apologetically, but she brushed it off.

"It's nothing. Maybe it's better this way."

Before we could continue, the professor entered the classroom.

"Everyone, take your seats."

All the students obeyed, settling into a silent expectation.

"Under normal circumstances, we would proceed with the lesson... But today, we have a special event."

The unexpected announcement filled the room with surprise, and puzzled faces filled the classroom, including mine. "It's an event where various deities gather here for the students of the Royal Road Academy. A venue is arranged for the students in attendance to receive guidance about their future paths."

In simpler terms, it's like a job fair...

Promoting their own divine domains while offering assistance to potential future followers.

Thus, the academy's outdoor plaza was transformed, reminiscent of a festival with luxurious and vast tents set up. Numerous students set out, each with a clear purpose in mind.

"Who would've thought the academy would prepare something like this? It's quite surprising, isn't it?"

"The tents we see hold deities, so it's both exciting and nerve-wracking, right?"

Standing next to me were the two girls. At some point, the three of us had become an inseparable trio in the academy.

"By the way, which deity do you two serve?"

In this context, I was curious and posed the question to the two beside me.

Come to think of it, I didn't know which deity they followed...

Almost simultaneously, they both answered, naming the same deity.

"Abne, the goddess."

They serve Goddess Abne?

She's one of the most renowned in the Royal Road. It's common to find followers of her, probably half the students in this place follow the Abne sect.

"Speaking of which, Harold, who do you serve?"

Having answered my question, Marika now posed the same one to me.

"I serve Morione, the goddess of fate."

Upon hearing my answer, they looked at me with a mixture of surprise and intrigue.

"I've heard those who serve Goddess Morione are all enigmatic... "

"Considering the magic that Harold possesses, it might be fitting."

As they continued discussing, something caught my eye...

...?

A modest tent stood out to me.

Compared to the tents prepared for other deities, this one was significantly smaller. It looked as if it belonged to a forgotten deity.

"Harold?"

"Where are you going?"

Ignoring their questions, I felt drawn to the tent.

Why was my intuition compelling me to see the deity inside?

"Just wait a moment, I'll be back soon."

I continued to walk, each step amplifying a mysterious sensation, sending chills through my body.

"Excuse me..."

Upon entering the tent, the sight that met my eyes was...

"Welcome. They gave me a small tent to indicate my lowly status, but I'm surprised you showed interest. Quite unusual."

The deity in front of me had golden hair that seemed to shine like the sun, and skin as white as porcelain. She wore a plain yet captivating dress.

"I am Eleona, the goddess of sorrowful lament..."

As she introduced herself, she stared at me. Strangely, upon seeing my face, she wore a shocked expression.

I had only met her for the first time today, so naturally, she should not recognize me or know anything about me.

Yet, why...

"Harold...?"

She murmured my name.