13

I gathered my courage and turned the doorknob.

"I... I'm dressed now!"

To cover up the sound of unlocking the door, I spoke loudly, albeit nervously.

How could I not be nervous? This is the first time I'm wearing something so revealing. Even though it's Agelia sister, I can't help but feel embarrassed. On the other hand, I'm scared of my true identity as a boy being exposed.

In any case, feeling both ashamed and frightened, I blushed and walked out of the bathroom. I wonder if Agelia thinks I'm too awkward.

She looked at me for a while, and my face was burning. My breath was hot and heavy.

"Fir, you look so cute in that!"

"Really...?"

Even though my tone was uncertain, deep down, I felt a little excited...! Despite being a boy, being praised by girls for looking cute while wearing women's swimwear, my subtle vanity was satisfied.

"This is the first time I've seen you in a swimsuit, your skin looks so fair and tender." She approached me, took my hand, and said.

"Maybe... that's my only advantage." My face turned to the side, feeling shy.

"Are you kidding? Fir, you're really beautiful, worthy of being the Saintess."

Even if I'm beautiful, I'm still a boy... I thought to myself.

Now, Agelia sister has also changed into her swimsuit. I felt embarrassed not only for myself but also for looking at her mature feminine body highlighted by the swimsuit.

"Let's go, I'll introduce you to a few people." She said, dragging me by my hand towards the door.

"Huh? Meet... people? I thought we were going to soak in the hot springs?" I walked along in confusion, feeling a wave of coolness as soon as we stepped outside. This is the first time I've worn so little, and I'm suddenly meeting other people. I'm completely unprepared!

She led me through the corridor to an outdoor hot spring pool made of rocks. Even though the pool was not big, it had a good sense of privacy with bamboo fences around.

Three girls who were already soaking in the hot springs looked towards us. When their gaze focused on me, I maintained a calm appearance on the surface, but on the inside, I was sweating nervously. It's my first time wearing a swimsuit, and now I have to face the gaze of so many people. It's really testing me!

Agelia pointed at the girl with blue short hair and introduced her to me, "She is Luna, the dean of the Magic Academy's Elemental department."

"Hello, Luna sister." I greeted shyly.

Then she pointed at the girl with red hair in the middle, "This is Merlin, the great magician who invented the improved magic crystals."

"Hello, Merlin sister."

Speaking of Great Magician Merlin, she is not an ordinary person. The improved flame magic crystal she invented has replaced the stove and genuinely improved our lives.

Following that, Agelia pointed to the girl with brown hair, who was farthest away from me, "This is Faschino, the president of the Magic Association."

"Hello, Faschino sister."

After greeting everyone, Agelia introduced me to them, "This is my sister, Fir."

"Fir?? Your sister is the Saintess? Agelia, you must have a lot of face." The president of the Magic Association was surprised.

"It's so cold outside, come and sit here." Merlin, the redhead magician, waved at me.

"Um, okay..."

Instead of standing in front of everyone's gaze, it's better to hide my true gender by getting in the water as soon as possible. So, I stood on tiptoe and touched the water lightly. It was slightly hot, and I cautiously stepped into the hot spring pool. The calm water surface rippled.

As soon as I sat down, "Let's eat some fruits." Luna, the blue-haired magician, handed me a plate of fruits to choose from.

"Thank you..."

I wasn't blushing because of the water temperature, it was just too embarrassing! Fortunately, Agelia sister quickly sat down next to me, so I didn't feel as awkward.

"How does it feel?" Agelia sister asked me.

"Huh...? What do you mean how does it feel?"

"Of course, I'm asking you how it feels to soak in the hot spring. Hot springs have magical effects, frequent soaking can make you more beautiful."

"I feel like I'm melting." I laughed and replied. But no matter how magical it is, it's impossible for me to really turn into a girl."Sister Saint, have this." At that moment, Merlin handed me a bunch of grapes.

I said thank you as I took the grapes, and just then, Faschino, the president of the Magician Association, came over with two glasses of red wine.

"This glass of wine is a toast to the Saint--"

"Go away, my sister doesn't drink." Before I could say anything, Agelia snatched the wine glass away.

"I'll drink it for her." She picked up the wine glass. "Coincidentally, I have something important to announce."

"But we agreed not to talk about work today," Luna whispered, still holding the grapes.

"It's not about work, it's a matter of life and death for us. The one who can defeat that person from the other dimension-- the traveler -- has appeared."

Agelia finished the red wine in her cup in one gulp.

I saw the other three people present all had expressions of shock on their faces.

"What did you say? The traveler from the other dimension has appeared? Didn't that evil overlord destroy all 99 Summoning Gates?"

"Agelia, what kind of person is this traveler? Have you seen them?"

"A young boy," Agelia answered.

"Since they're a traveler, they must have some kind of extraordinary power hidden," Luna said.

"But is it really true that there is someone who can defeat that evil overlord? Remember what happened four years ago when she slaughtered the city like no one was there? None of the thousands of magicians in our Magic Tower could stop her, and in the end, she got tired and went back on her own."

"At that time, General 'Scarlet Fire' Phares was not in the capital, otherwise--"

"I think it wouldn't have mattered who was there at the time. Even our teacher, the great Archmage Lanerthitis of Starry Brilliance, sacrificed himself..."

I silently listened to their heated arguments, word by word, until they brought back my unpleasant memories.

"Enough of this talk."

Agelia interrupted them with a stern look. Clearly, they had touched on her teacher, which affected her.

"I believe in the prophecy of the Holy Light. It has never been wrong over the past thousands of years," she said firmly.

So, does Agelia believe that Lienchi is the one destined to defeat the Demon King?

...

I know that's not the case. It's not that she believes in Lienchi, but rather in the Holy Light.

But.

I couldn't even explain to myself why the chosen one in the prophecy of the Holy Light is a boy...