Chapter 83 : Who am I?

About 8 years ago from now.

In other words, during the baby phase when it had only been 1 or 2 years since I had possessed this body, a problem arose.

The soul of Trea, who was believed to be dead or gone, gradually began to regain consciousness.

It was a shocking event for me.

“Wasn’t everything over once I possessed her?”

I have no idea how she came back to life.

Actually, was she ever really dead to begin with?

I had no knowledge about that, so the fact that she was regaining consciousness was no trivial matter.

Because that meant my identity was being threatened.

If she woke up and claimed ownership of the body, how was I supposed to accept that?

It was a headache.

Even if we came to an agreement and lived sharing consciousness, I didn’t like the idea.

Saying “It’s nice to have a secret friend” is such a childish thought.

People would definitely see it as strange, and there’s no way I could get along with someone like her—the prime example of a villainess.

Privacy would be nonexistent.

Even when I do things I can’t proudly tell others about, she would be watching.

More than anything, I was greedy and selfish.

I didn’t even know where my original body had disappeared to, and now I was being told to share this new body I had finally gotten used to?

I’m not Buddha or Jesus.

No. Absolutely not.

Living under someone’s constant surveillance?

It was worse than being a prisoner under 24-hour watch.

That couldn’t be called living, and I wasn’t confident I could endure that future.

So, I fought back. To break free from the leash.

Solving it was surprisingly easy.

It’s hard to argue about human rights, but stabbing a piece of meat is simple.

A mental prison.

If I locked her there forever, I could live without any problems.

As soon as my magical ability rose, I did it.

Trea’s soul was imprisoned in the mental world without a chance to resist, and she began to sleep again.

Because there was no resistance, my heart ached even more.

What I did to her was horrifying and cruel.

Like shooting a child in war—killing someone helpless just because they opposed me.

It was not a good method at all.

Criticize me if you want.

Call me a coward.

But at the time, it was the best I could do.

Because I wanted to live.

Looking back now, she must have felt the same.

“You’re Trea?”

“Ah, of course. That’s been my name from the start.”

“That’s troubling. I think you’re not the person I’m looking for.”

After saying that, Amiterre realized it was quite an embarrassing thing to say.

Who she wanted—though she had come to find her, now that line…

Trea chuckled after hearing it.

“Charming. Just like a prince from a fairy tale. Or maybe a princess?

This girl is secretly a playboy, you know. So dull-witted, yet.”

“…Yeah, she’s definitely a bit dumb.”

That, at least, was undeniable.

For someone raised as a duke’s daughter, there were occasional careless sides.

Meanwhile, the person now standing in front of her seemed far more natural and composed in comparison.

But that had nothing to do with her.

As Amiterre muttered, she raised her arm and pointed her claws toward her.

“But like I said before, you’re not the one I want.

I don’t know what’s going on, but I’d like that body returned.”

While she still spoke politely, the icy blue claws sparkled menacingly toward Trea—clear hostility.

“Then, go ahead.”

Trea didn’t pull out any magical tools or raise a shield.

She simply opened her arms wide and shrugged.

A clear sign of complete disarmament, showing no will to fight.

But Amiterre frowned, and seeing that, Trea smirked.

“Can you handle it?”

“…Different person, but still the same annoying behavior.

So, it’s the same girl in the same body, huh?”

Even as she said that, she hesitated.

She knew better than anyone how fragile that body was.

If she attacked and pushed her claws in, Trea would die bleeding on the spot.

Even priests wouldn’t be able to save her.

When Trea slowly approached, Amiterre backed away.

“…I don’t know what you’re relying on.

What if I actually stab you?”

“All I have is guts, after all.”

It was like a game of chicken—pure psychological warfare, much like politics.

If one side struck, they’d both be shattered.

Unfortunately for Amiterre, Trea was better at this game.

The two walked backward as if dancing, maintaining their standoff.

For a moment, memories of a ball came back to Amiterre.

They had moved like this before.

Thud. Soon, Amiterre’s back touched a tree.

They were now so close they could hear each other’s breathing.

Trea came no closer.

She only watched with an amused expression.

“Who are you?”

“I told you—Trea Ludbeck.”

“Then let me change the question.

Who is that girl?”

Trea gently took her own hand, so the sharp claws had already retracted.

Though her opponent hadn’t attacked even once, the unease and unreadability didn’t go away.

Seeming unsure of the answer herself, Trea finally spoke after a deep pause.

“She’s also Trea Ludbeck.”

“What?”

Amiterre asked again, but Trea gave no further answer, her face unreadable.

Amiterre was not enjoying this tedious standoff.

‘Disgusting.’

More than anything, she was annoyed.

Same face, same body, but a different person?

If it weren’t for a few habits, she would have thought it was an act.

She wondered—if I hit her once, she probably wouldn’t die, right?

Just as that thought passed, Trea brought her hands together.

Crackling magic stirred in the air.

Though it was a mere fraction of her usual power, magical strength didn’t always mean killing power.

Of course, it wouldn’t work on Amiterre, but she was still surprised Trea could use magic at all.

“Magic?”

“Honestly, I didn’t think it would work either.

When I was younger, I was told I had zero magical talent.”

“Sounds like you met a quack.”

“…Guess I did.”

Amiterre mocked her, but Trea made a strange face, unbothered.

Amiterre, tired of waiting, asked what she really wanted to know.

“So, what now? You planning to live in that body forever?”

“I wish I could. But unfortunately, that’s not possible.

I didn’t come out through normal means.

Instead—”

Trea suddenly moved in closer.
Their bodies, once near, were now completely pressed together.

Even with physical contact, Trea smiled mischievously, like a devil plotting mischief.

“I could at least get revenge.

Like, ruining a girl’s first experience, maybe?”

“Go ahead and try.”

“…Huh?”

For the first time, Trea looked flustered.

Unlike earlier when she used magic, this was clearly unexpected.

She even pulled back slightly.

But Amiterre didn’t miss her chance—

Instead, she pulled her in closer.

Trea tried to resist, but her strength was too weak.

“W-Wait. I was just saying… not actually…”

“First experience? Even a stray dog wouldn’t laugh at that.

You clearly have no clue.”

“What are you… Hey! Stop—!”

“Ami?”

“You’re finally back?”

She thought more time had passed.

But it seemed not even a full day had gone by.

Though the sky was dark, it was still today.

Thanks to that, her body and mind were far from fine.

Her breath wasn’t as labored as before,

but the flood of returning memories rapidly sank her mood.

“Don’t say anything.”

“Okay.”

“I said, don’t say anything.”

I want to live.

I desperately want to live.

But is moving this body and breathing really considered living?

Who am I?

Who is Trea?

If I asked my family to choose, who would they pick?

I must prove my worth.

I have to.

But Teferi stomped my worth into the ground like trash,

with that clueless expression.

Amiterre sat beside me.

I remembered when she once hugged me tightly, almost suffocating me.

Too bad she never listened well.
I told her to stay quiet, and yet—Mara.”

“…What?”

“Hmm… anything.”

Even she knew it was a poor response,
so she added more.

“If you want, I’ll always be on your side.”

I tried to say something, but failed.

Not a snarky remark, not even a thank-you.
I couldn’t