[Novel] Waking Up Inside a Dream, Chapter 37: Awakening

Awakening

Strong sunlight is streaming in through the window.
Sleeping on a hard floor is, as expected, painful for the body.
After getting up, I fold the cloth I had been lying on and toss it onto the desk.
I stand by the side of the bed and peer inside.

Two girls with platinum blonde hair are sleeping side by side.
When I bring my hand close to each of their faces, the girl in the front is not breathing. The girl in the back is breathing with a regular, rhythmic sound.
The girl in the front is the original body of Telastine, and the girl in the back is the doll that Camusyana newly created. Judging by the current state of her breathing, the transfer seems to be proceeding smoothly.
Ever since starting the work of transferring Amelia's consciousness, Camusyana has been living and sleeping in the workshop.
This is because it would be problematic if Amelia were to wake up while Camusyana was away and leave the barrier on her own.
Thanks to that, I haven't been able to sleep in a bed, and my lack of sleep is only getting worse.
I can only meet Telastine in my dreams about once every seven to ten days.
Since there is no one to talk to about future plans, I spend my time in the workshop making recovery potions and charms to pass the time.
Perhaps I will be able to meet Telastine in my dreams again tomorrow.
I hope the transfer is complete by then.

Just as Camusyana was thinking this, there was movement on the bed.
“Umm...”
As the girl in the back turned over, she slowly opened her eyes.
When her red eyes caught sight of Camusyana, the owner of those eyes sprang up on the bed.
“Camusyana-sama!”
“Wait, wait! Put on some clothes.”
The moment she sat up, she had kicked away the cloth that was covering her. I hurriedly stop her as she tries to come toward me without any clothes on.
“Oh, I apologize. Could you please get my clothes?”
Amelia points to the clothes on the desk.
Camusyana throws the clothes to Amelia and covers Telastine's body, which is still lying on the bed, with the cloth again.
Amelia quickly puts on her clothes in the meantime.

“The transfer is perfect. My vision is also clear.”
Stepping over Telastine's body, Amelia stands up beside the bed.
“Still, it took quite a long time.”
“Is that so? Since it was through the palms, I thought it would take time.”
“Or would it have been better to do it all at once with a kiss?” Amelia asks, tilting her head.
“No, I had the time, so it's fine.”
Camusyana answers Amelia's question like that.

The method of transferring consciousness to another can be done through the palms, but it takes time. A kiss is faster and can be done all at once. It means that going through mucous membranes closer to the inside of the body is more efficient.
This time, since I was transferring consciousness into a blank doll, there was no resistance, and the transfer was possible more quickly.
Even so, it took six days. Transferring Telastine's consciousness back into her original body will likely take longer than this, partly because Amelia's consciousness was inside it for a time.

It took a little less than a month to create Amelia's new body. Then, it took a week for Telastine to modify the body. It took six days for Amelia's consciousness to transfer.
Considering what comes after, I cannot spend that much time on the transfer of Telastine's consciousness.
“Camusyana-sama. I will return to my mission. Please call for me when the preparations on your end are finished.”
Amelia kneels beside Camusyana.
Camusyana places his right hand on Amelia's head and casts a suggestion. He watches as Amelia's figure disappears.

Camusyana places his hand on the cheek of Telastine, who is lying on the bed. There was a cold sensation in his hand.
Leaving a body unattended for a long time without consciousness is not a good thing.
Camusyana finds Telastine's left hand under the cloth and grips it with his right hand. Through his palm, he sends a little magic power into her. To protect her body with his magic.

Her hand is also cool, with no warmth. Of course, her body does not twitch or move at all.
It is as if she has died.
Telastine's consciousness is sleeping inside Camusyana's dream.
Even though I know that, I feel a chill run down my spine.

Camusyana once swore that he would make her happy.
She said in the dream that she was happy.
Isn't that enough?
Just as I try to convince myself of that, other words shake Camusyana's heart.

Camusyana is a Majin. A foreign element among humans. If we are together, at worst, Telastine might end up losing the warmth of her body and dying, just as she is before my eyes now. And that, too, by Camusyana's own hand.
But Camusyana does not want to let her go. He wants to be by her side. He wants all of her.
If he loses her, he might not be able to live anymore.

I felt dizzy.
Whether it was because of the lack of sleep or because I was drowning in a sea of thoughts, I didn't have time to think about such things for long, and I was suddenly overcome by sleepiness.
I can no longer stand, so I kneel beside the bed. I grab the edge of the bed to support my body. I cannot keep my eyelids open.
I feel a soft, warm sensation on my cheek.
With fading eyes, what Camusyana saw was the figure of Telastine, smiling with her blue eyes narrowed.