GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Vol 2 - Chapter 24.2: Hidden Parameters

"Academic life was supposed to be simple," he muttered, watching a particularly large droplet splash into a puddle. "The challenge should be in the lessons, not from our classmates."

He'd prepared for academic challenges, not navigating noble politics and rivalries.

As Vel watched the rain, he could almost feel a subtle gaze from Celia at his side, but he didn't look.

"You sigh a lot lately, you know," Celia said softly. "Look like an old sage sometimes."

Vel scoffed. "I had the exact same thought last—"

Then suddenly, Celia rested her head on Vel's shoulder.

His body tensed immediately, heartbeat quickening at the unexpected contact. The weight of her head felt impossibly heavy despite its actual lightness.

"W-what are you doing..." he stammered, trying to keep his voice steady.

"I'm still sleepy," Celia murmured, her voice soft. "Yesterday's training was tiresome. This rain isn't helping either."

Her dark hair brushed against his neck, and Vel remained frozen, unsure how to respond. While their relationship was comfortable after years of training together, he never expected Celia to do this. They had sparred, studied, and faced dangers together, but this casual intimacy was new territory.

Vel turned his head slightly, the strangely soothing scent of her hair instantly recognizable. A mixture of lavender soap and something uniquely Celia that he'd come to associate with their training sessions together. His pulse gradually steadied as he rationalized the situation.

Maybe she's just feeling lonely and needs a shoulder to lean on, he thought. The Academy had been challenging for both of them, but Celia bore additional burdens—orphanage life, noble prejudice, and now Lysithea's targeted harassment. She was facing the whole world alone out here with no one to back her up. Unlike him, she didn't have family to visit or write to. He needed to be there for her when she needed him.

Vel turned back to the rain, watching rivulets race down the stone steps before them. The steady drumming created a peaceful backdrop that somehow made their shared silence comfortable rather than awkward.

"I'm sorry that I've been a bit busy with class and my research," he said quietly, feeling a twinge of guilt. He hadn't spent as much time with Celia as before.

Celia didn't lift her head from his shoulder. "It's fine. We both have our own paths now."

Her words carried a hint of resignation that made Vel wonder if she truly felt that way or was simply stating what she thought was inevitable.

"Still, we promised to face the Academy together," he reminded her, finding it easier to speak while watching the rain rather than looking at her. "I shouldn't get so caught up in my research that I forget that."

"You can't expect to do everything for everyone, Vel," Celia murmured, her voice carrying a gentle reproach.

Vel's shoulders tensed, then relaxed as he considered her words. She was right, of course. Between classes, research, training Hileya, and his own magical experiments, he was stretching himself thin. But the thought of Celia facing Lysithea's sabotage alone unsettled him.

"True, but at least I need to do something for someone that I care about," he replied softly.

The words slipped out different than Vel intended—more earnest, more revealing than he'd planned. He felt Celia stiffen slightly against his shoulder.