It was better to avoid unnecessary combat whenever possible.
Currently, Shirou Emiya hadn't awakened his abilities, and Artoria hadn't been summoned yet.
Even with Ereshkigal by his side, they were far from invincible. For now, it was best to keep a low profile.
"I'm back."
Wayland kicked off his shoes in the entryway. Entering the living room, he saw Asuka Yamagami sitting at the dining table. "Sorry I'm late."
"It's fine. It's your first day, after all; it's only natural."
Asuka waved Ereshkigal over. "How was school today?"
'Wow, she's really popular, isn't she?'
Wayland smiled as he hung up his bag and sat down. Dinner was a lavish spread, and after his earlier skirmish, he was more than ready for it.
"Thanks for the food," he said, digging in.
"We visited the Archery club with Fujimaru-kun and had a brief exchange with one of the seniors," Ereshkigal said.
Wayland stole a surprised glance at her.
'I didn't expect a goddess to be so good at lying through her teeth with such a straight face.'
Then again, Archer was technically a senior from the Archery club.
"Grandmother," Wayland interrupted, "things have been a bit unsettled in Fuyuki lately. It's best if you don't go out unless it's absolutely necessary. If you need to go grocery shopping, let Eresh hide,I mean, accompany you."
As if to punctuate his warning, a news report began to play on the television.
"A murder occurred in Miyama yesterday; a family of four was found dead in their home."
"You two should also make sure to come home straight after school. Don't linger," Asuka urged, her expression clouding with worry.
***
The Bounded Field
The sleeping youth felt the faint vibration of his alarm clock.
In a daze, he reached out, but the bone-chilling winter air made him pull his hand back under the covers instantly.
The warmth of the bed was simply too difficult to leave.
Then, the sound of the alarm ceased.
Confused, Wayland reached out again, but his hand didn't find the clock.
Instead, he touched something even softer than his pillows.
He instinctively opened his eyes.
He saw the smiling face of the goddess.
"Oh, it's just you, Eresh-chan."
Wayland closed his eyes again, his voice thick with sleep. "What time is it? Why do I feel so exhausted?"
["It's only six o'clock. You can sleep a little longer, Master."]
"Mhm."
Wayland finally remembered the events of the previous night. His body was still that of a normal human, yet he had fought in a high-intensity battle while flooded with prana. Exhaustion was unavoidable.
As for the six o'clock alarm, he vaguely recalled wanting to head to the Archery club early.
But he was simply too tired. As the thought crossed his mind, he drifted back into unconsciousness.
Ereshkigal raised her hand, gently resting it against his cheek.
She glanced at the alarm clock and began to hum a soft, hauntingly beautiful melody.
The winter chill seemed to vanish in an instant. Faint golden specks of light, like the first rays of a spring sun, settled over him with a gentle warmth.
The lingering aches and pains deep within his muscles began to dissolve.
Wayland instinctively gripped her hand, as if holding onto a pillow, a look of profound comfort and peace settling on his face.
Half an hour later, he woke up.
It felt as though he had slept for an eternity; all his discomfort had vanished.
"Eresh-chan... I think I heard some kind of song?"
Ereshkigal pulled her hand back a fraction of a second before he could notice, though the warmth still lingered on her skin.
["It was a Sumerian lullaby."]
"Sumer... huh."
Wayland thought back to the scenes he'd seen in his previous life. "I wonder if I'll ever have the chance to see it for myself."
["You will."]
Ereshkigal picked up the alarm clock. ["It's six-thirty. Time to get up, Master."]
"You don't have to keep watch over me while I sleep. I remember that Servants can reduce their mana consumption by sleeping as well."
["Not if they have plenty of prana."]
Ereshkigal shook her head. ["Besides, protecting the Master is a Servant's duty,especially when they're at their most vulnerable."]
"I mean, fair enough... but you don't have to go that far."
Ereshkigal stared at him for several seconds before finally replying, ["If that is what you wish, then I shall obey."]
There was a faint, inexplicable trace of disappointment in her voice.
Wayland pushed the strange feeling aside and sat up, beginning to change into his school uniform.
He was indeed quite early today.
Heading into the living room, he turned on the television to the morning news.
"A minor accident occurred at a fireworks factory in Miyama last night, resulting in the accidental discharge of several fireworks. Many residents reported seeing the display around six o'clock, but fortunately, no injuries were reported."
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika_Kagura]