Chapter 133: A Promise with Seron

Vulcan Zebra, the Boss of Act 5 and the Leader of the Mystics

Act 5 focuses on defeating Vulcan together with the reincarnates.
And this is where the Veil Bandages come in handy.
They are used to infiltrate the Mystics led by Vulcan.

After hearing stories about the Mystics from Vinesha, Lucas realizes their danger.
Thus, during the winter break, he uses the Veil Bandages he received from her to infiltrate the Mystics.
That’s the typical scenario.

When Musica mentioned Vulcan, she gave a bitter smile.
Because she knew, at least a little, why Vulcan had ended up that way.

“I’m sorry that the so-called heroes of the past have dragged their problems into the present.”

Before becoming Vulcan, Rosli was undoubtedly a revered hero.
But even heroes have personal lives.
Rosli was broken through a series of events, and eventually, his despair intertwined with Vulcan’s unfortunate life, leading him to lose control.

Thus, the Mystics were born anew.

Vinesha, who Musica was possessing, was a member of the Mystics.
So she knew the stories tied to Vulcan.

“But still, I think I have to stop him.”

Musica wanted to stop Vulcan.
His leadership of the Mystics brought him no happiness — only a means to unleash his resentment upon the world.
Musica didn’t want that to be Vulcan’s end.

“Is that why you’re asking me for this favor?”

“Yeah. You knew I was Aquiline’s reincarnation from the start, right? And probably much more beyond that.”

To Musica, I was an extraordinarily strange existence.
I held knowledge of countless secrets of this world, knowledge that should never be common.

“To be honest, I don’t know your true identity.”

She knew I was Vikarmern.
Yet, she claimed she didn’t fully understand who I was.

“I, too, was once called the Keeper of Souls. I see the structure of souls as clearly as anything. But your soul’s connection to your body is incredibly faint — almost as if you were possessed.”

My shoulders tensed.
She could see that much.
But I couldn’t speak carelessly about it.
I didn’t know the truth myself.
And it wasn’t like I could proudly declare that I had stolen Vikarmern’s body.

This was a story that, if exposed, would only lead to trouble.

“Even I can’t see through you completely. But despite the frail connection between your soul and body, you’re stable.”
It is as stable as if the original owner of the body had accepted a new soul.

“And I can clearly see the resolve and purpose within your soul.”

Musica stepped closer and tapped my chest with her index finger.

“You want to protect this world, don’t you? That feeling is as clear to me now as ever. I once knew someone with a heart just like yours.”

She could see even that.
No wonder she was called the greatest Soulmancer.

“And who might that be?”

If possible, I’d like some help protecting the world.

“Wolfram.”

The Great Hero.
The leader of the five heroes.

“Musica, do you happen to know who Wolfram’s reincarnation is?”

I knew the reincarnations of the other five heroes.
But Wolfram’s remained a complete mystery.

If anyone could know, it would be her — the Keeper of Souls.
As I placed my hopes on her, Musica let out a short laugh.

“Unfortunately, I don’t know either. That person often said incomprehensible things, even back then. He was an unpredictable man.”

Nostalgia seeped into her voice as she recalled the past.

“Because of that, he often did things beyond reason, making things especially difficult for others.”

With a shrug of her shoulders, Musica took a step away.

“Still, I believe he’s reincarnated somewhere. He’s just that kind of person.”

Her eyes carried the reflection of a distant past.
A time when the heroes stood beneath the dazzling sun, protecting the world.
She had once stood proudly by their side.

“Ah, I was really something back in those days!”

Lost in her memories, she let out a nostalgic chuckle like an old man reliving his glory days.
Even heroes, it seems, can’t resist bragging about their finest moments.

“Anyway, that’s why I’m shamelessly asking you for this favor. Although, I have a feeling you’d step in regardless.”

She could read people far too well.

“That’s right.”

I answered without a hint of hesitation.

“I have to keep pushing until this world gets back on track.”

I know my fate better than anyone.
Lately, I’ve started to think that someone brought me here to save this world from its bad ending.
If so, then it was a good decision.
Because I fully intend to steer this world away from a bad ending and toward a happy one.

“But that’s only until I graduate from the academy.”

The world I know only extends until Lucas safely graduates from Zeryon Academy.
What happens after that is unknown even to me.

That’s why I wanted to say this to her.

“After that, I hope you — and everyone else — will lead the world forward.”

I will give my all for my role, no matter what it costs me.
Even if I break apart, I will see it through.

And to those who will live in the world that follows, I want to say this.
Please protect the world we’ve saved and lead it well.

“That sounded like someone who’s preparing to leave.”

Musica tilted her head, her gaze fixed on me.

“It’s strange. That man I mentioned often spoke in the same way.”

She must be talking about Wolfram.
My eyes widened slightly.

Could it be that Wolfram, like me, was also a soul that had possessed another body?
The thought crossed my mind for a brief moment.

But I had no way of knowing where Wolfram was.
It was a truth I couldn’t confirm.

“But unfortunately, that’s no longer my role. I’ve already ended up like this.”

Musica extended her hand and placed it on Grantoni’s shoulder.

“That’s a task for the children of this era.”

She was right.
The countless students studying at Zeryon Academy and other academies were the stars of this era.

Musica, as Aquiline, had once been the brightest star, leading many people.
But now, she hoped that others would continue that light.

“And that includes you, Hanon.”

She pointed directly at me.

“Don’t exclude yourself. You are also living in this era.”

She smiled, though her eyes carried a trace of sadness.

“You know the effect of the Veil Bandages, right? They make you lose love, anger, and sorrow.”

Thanks to glimpses of Vinesha’s memories, Musica was also aware of this fact.
That’s why she reminded me of it.

Love, anger, sorrow.
I had already lost most of my love.
My anger had faded too, leaving barely a trace.
The only thing remaining was sorrow.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure how I felt about sorrow.
Wasn’t it a good thing not to feel sad?

But I once heard something from a doctor when I was receiving treatment for facial paralysis.
It was in response to my question about whether it was necessary to practice making a sad face.

「Sorrow is the most human of emotions. It allows us to empathize with the pain and suffering of others, not just our own. That’s why it’s so important.」

If anger is an explosion, then sorrow is a stillness.
Those who know sorrow understand how to comfort and empathize with others.
But those who don’t understand sorrow lose that ability.

Human emotions are complex and ambiguous.
Losing even one can disrupt that delicate balance, causing everything to crumble.

‘Perhaps the Veil Bandages…’

I wondered if they were gradually dulling my senses like this.

Unlike before, I didn’t hesitate to use the Veil Bandages.
That change might be because my anger was dying.

After all, anger is the emotion that flares when your rights and interests are violated, when you’re forced to suffer a loss.

But as the Veil Bandages stripped away my emotions, I didn’t feel any particular anger about it.
I didn’t react.

“Protecting the world is undoubtedly a good thing.”

Musica gave me a pointed look, urging me to promise something.

“But you’re also a part of this world. Take care of yourself, Hanon. You’re an important person to me, Vinesha, and Grantoni.”

“I promise.”

I decided to take Musica’s words to heart.

“Well, that’s it for our conversation. Grantoni should be able to head to the Demonic Palace without any trouble.”

From behind Musica, Grantoni flashed a V-sign with his fingers.

“See you tomorrow, soul-bonded friend!”

“Yeah, I’ll be counting on both of you tomorrow.”

The conversation had ended without issue.
Now, it was time to find the last person.

Just as I grabbed my chair and slid the door open —

“Ah!”

A startled cry came from outside, and someone fell to the floor.
My eyes widened as I took in the scene.

It was the familiar sight of vibrant red hair.
The light spilling through the window made the person’s forehead gleam.

“Seron?”

When I called her name, Seron quickly scrambled to her feet, her face flustered.

“W-Well, you see, I heard Prince Sweet Potato did something on the first-year floor, so I followed you…”

Had she tracked me down out of curiosity?

“And I thought it’d be funny to scare you when you opened the door, so I was just waiting…”

Even in a moment like this, Seron’s playful side had taken over, leaving her lurking outside my door for a prank.

But the real problem was something else.
During all that waiting, Seron had overheard something she shouldn’t have.

“…Prince Sweet Potato, what did you mean by losing love, anger, and sorrow?”

After speaking, Seron bit her lip and looked up at me.
Her eyes were full of questions.

She wanted to know — was what she heard really true?

I remained silent, gazing at Seron for a moment.
Then, without warning, Seron stepped closer to me.

“Take it off. Right now.”

She reached out, trying to remove my bandages.

“Take that thing off immediately!”

I quickly grabbed her wrist.

“Seron, calm down for a second.”

“How am I supposed to calm down?”

She shouted, her voice sharp with frustration.

“The person who taught me what love is — losing their love? How could I stay calm!”

It was the kind of thing that would normally make my face burn with embarrassment.
But seeing the tears streaming down her face, I knew she was completely sincere.

“I don’t want this.”

Seron clenched her wrist tightly in my grip.

“I don’t know what you’re trying to do, Prince Sweet Potato. But I hate the thought of you doing it at the cost of yourself.”

Her tears fell, one by one.
Watching her cry like that, I slowly loosened my grip on her wrist.

She could be fierce, yet so delicate.
And she genuinely cared about me.

“Seron.”

She lifted her gaze to meet mine.
I reached out and gently wiped away her tears.

“If you cry twice in one day, your eyes will swell.”

“And whose fault is that?”

“You’re right. So, make sure you return the favor and make me cry someday too.”

I couldn’t promise Seron that I’d stop using the Veil Bandages.

Next year, Vikarmern would come of age.
As Vikarmern, I wouldn’t be allowed to enter the Demonic Palace once I became an adult.
Until then, the Veil Bandages were essential to me.

There was no way I could tell her I would remove them.
So instead, I made a different request to the stubborn, teary-eyed girl who worried so much about me.

“Make me cry. Cry my heart out.”

Let me awaken the sorrow I haven’t yet lost.

“And make me angry too.”

Help me reignite the anger that’s slowly fading.

“Lastly, help me remember what love is — the same love you’ve come to know.”

Help me reclaim the love I’ve lost.

That was my plea to Seron.

Upon hearing it, she reached out, wrapping her arms around my back.
She pulled me close, burying her face in my chest.

“Fine. A hundred times, a thousand times — I’ll do it.”

Perhaps this was the first promise I made for the sake of my future self.
And I made that promise with Seron.