episode_0037

Chloe Pisti is a student who was not originally required to attend Grandis Academy.

She belongs to the Imperial Magic Tower, and her teacher is the 8th-grade magician and the Magic Tower Master. She can learn at the Magic Tower without having to come to the academy, and even if she were to go, it would be common sense to go to the Imperial Academy.

So then why did Chloe come to a foreign academy?

If you ask Dean Billend, who was probably from the same Imperial Tower, he will answer with a bitter smile.

It’s because of the intense power struggle within the tower.

“6th grade? What are you thinking?”

“… … Nothing. So, you want to know about Adam?”

“Adam, I guess we’re pretty close friends?”

“I can’t say I don’t know.”

Originally, Chloe wasn’t that neurotic at this time. Rather, Beatrice was like that.

Hanging out with Adam, Chloe gradually lost her toxicity and her personality became less toxic… … but not anymore.

So Ruth’s intention was clear.

‘You shouldn’t mix Adam and Chloe up.’

It seems that Chloe doesn’t like Adam because of the things he did to help Beatrice.

Even so, if I meet Adam properly, I’ll probably get close to him quickly like we did before. Adam and Chloe are a perfect match in many ways.

But if that happens, Beatrice and Chloe’s relationship will be in trouble.

Those two are arch-rivals who will never get close.

‘In a situation where Beatrice and Adam are already close, if Chloe becomes close with Adam… … .’

It’s obvious what will happen between Beatrice and Chloe.

As a regressor, and as someone who must prevent Adam’s fall, such a thing cannot be allowed. After all, Ruth’s goal is not everyone’s happiness, but to avoid the worst possible future.

‘I feel a little sorry for Chloe…’

It would be a lie to say that there was no selfishness in that decision. Ruth did not see the future Beatrice, but she only remembers the future Chloe who followed Adam and committed countless massacres.

If Adam falls, he is the one who will definitely follow him. And he is the one who seems the happiest when he is with Adam.

Especially when I think about Chloe’s will, I feel like I’m freezing with guilt. But if I couldn’t stop Adam’s downfall, I should at least avoid Chloe joining Adam.

I have to ignore her even though I know the way to her happiness. I feel guilty, but no matter how many times I think about it, I still think it’s right to separate from Adam.

“Maybe it has something to do with Beatrice?”

“… … You still have sense? Judging from the way you acted at the entrance ceremony, I thought you were living a life full of self-importance.”

“You came here to get information from me, didn’t you? You didn’t come here to pick a fight, did you?”

“What’s with your speech? You’re the same age as me, but you’re trying to talk like an old man. But judging from your actions, it doesn’t seem like that.”

“… … … … … .”

“Whew… …Anyway, I just came here to ask a few questions. If you answer correctly, I’ll give you a reward.”

“Conservative?”

“You got into a fight with that armored lunatic during your midterms, right? I’ll show you his weakness. Is that enough? ”

This is Caerne d’Este’s weakness.

Ruth didn’t know this information. She had never been deeply involved with Kaerne d’Este in the first place. She only heard that he died in some territory when the kingdom was in chaos after the Academy collapsed.

When Ruth nodded, judging that there was nothing to lose, Chloe smirked as if she had expected that.

“I’ll tell you first. Surely, Rank 6 won’t run away after hearing this, right?”

“… … Keep your promise.”

“Okay. Just remember that even if you run away, there’s a way. Anyway, that madman’s weak point is his armor.”

“Armor?”

“I’ll tell you, that doesn’t mean it’s a weakness in battle. It’s a personal weakness. Anyway, there’s a reason why the madman treasures his armor. It’s his parents’ heirloom.”

Parents’ heirlooms.

Is that why he didn’t take off his armor during the midterm exam on the deserted island?

“Well, I heard that your parents went out to buy the armor and got attacked by thieves and died. They say that he was originally a rascal who just bragged about becoming a knight without any plans, but he changed after that. It’s just a rumor, so I don’t know if it’s true.”

“… … … Okay.”

“I get it. Just say it casually. What the… … Oh, okay. Anyway, I spoke first, so it’s your turn to answer now? ”

“Yeah.”

Actually, it’s obvious what Chloe is going to ask.

Questions like what did you talk about with Adam then, did you see Beatrice and Adam meet, and what kind of person is Adam?

Ruth was ready for all those questions.

‘To make Chloe lose interest as much as possible.’

As you can see, Chloe is the type of person who rushes at others when they don’t give in to her or go against her expectations.

I lose interest in people who are that mean or substandard. To be exact, I would say I don’t give them any interest at all.

‘It breaks my heart that I seem to be slandering Adam.’

Adam is said to be taking personal bribes even though he is the finance director, or is the chairman’s secret lover, or is a vulgar person who only cares about money.

Of course, it’s not true, but if you tell a lie like that, Chloe’s interest will soon disappear. She’ll think that someone other than Adam, who’s ‘not really that great of a guy’, helped Beatrice.

‘I’m sorry, Adam.’

But this is also for you.

Make sure to keep your mouth shut so Chloe doesn’t spread these lies───

“Is there a way to make a specific person appear in your dreams, other than through magic?”

“… … … What?”

“I’ve already checked myself with all sorts of magical means? But nothing came out, whether it was a curse or a mind spell. If it’s something other than magical measures, you, a 6th-grade person, would know.”

“Okay, wait. A dream?”

“Oh. That guy Adam Keynes keeps appearing in my dreams.”

What the heck is that… … ?

Adam appears in your dreams?

“Didn’t you say it was related to Beatrice?”

“That’s right. I recently investigated all the people who approached the noble princess. I even found out about the finance minister, and he keeps appearing in my dreams since then. Is this really a curse? What do you think?”

“… … … … .”

So, from the beginning, you didn’t specifically investigate Adam, but rather, you investigated everyone who approached Beatrice.

Actually, that was the right choice. Ruth, being a regressor, knows Adam’s specialness, but to others, Adam is just an ordinary first-class and finance director.

A first-class, non-magician, and even a finance minister whom he had only met briefly, cured Beatrice of her chronic illness? Objectively speaking, it is absurd.

Even if you think about it and suspect it, there is little reason to suspect Adam, as Chloe would suspect the wizard or Beatrice’s associates. It’s just that Chloe investigated it paranoidly and found out about Adam too.

“Then it’s just because of a dream?”

“I’m suddenly having the same dream, but I’m not under a spell. Then I have to go to the martial arts department and ask, but it’s a bit burdensome to go to the professor. But if you know a little about the finance director, and at the same time, you’re a classmate who’s not inferior to the professor, then that’s perfect. Anyway, don’t you have any suspicions about a 6th-grade sensei?”

“Not really… … .”

It’s not a lie, it really doesn’t exist.

Just in case, I woke up and patted Chloe’s body, but there really wasn’t any problem.

“You know the finance minister, right? Is it possible that you were involved with him?”

“The Finance Minister is not a wizard or anything, he’s just a first-class person. As you know, he’s a complete stranger who has never been related to you.”

“Mr. Ha. Then what the heck?”

……wait for a sec.

dream?

“Just in case, what was the content of that dream?”

“What? If you listen, will you get a solution?”

“It’s better than not listening.”

“… … … There’s nothing special about it. The finance minister just walks ahead and I follow him, and that’s it. And then I wake up from the dream. ”

I guess it was a coincidence.

I wondered if Chloe’s past memories were appearing like a dream, but it didn’t seem to be the case.

‘Well, then Adam and the others would have also started to regain their memories little by little.’

But there was no such feeling at all. Of course, Chloe’s dream of chasing after the finance minister who was leading the way was somewhat unsettling.

“It’s just a dream, so don’t worry about it.”

“You don’t have to worry about it?”

“The fact that you weren’t affected by magic and that I saw no problems means that it wasn’t a curse or the influence of magic. Or that a level 7 or higher strong person interfered with your dream, but that can’t be possible, right?”

“That’s… …right.”

Even if it had been the Archmage or Beatrice who appeared in her dream, she might have suspected something was amiss, but for Chloe to have the Finance Minister appear in her dream would have been too sudden.

From what I’ve heard, Chloe and the Finance Minister only met once by chance during a duel. They’re not even acquaintances, they’re just strangers.

When I explained it like that, Chloe also seemed to understand.

Just in case there is one there.

“If your dreams keep bothering you, use a forgetting spell. They’re just meaningless dreams anyway.”

“… … Tsk, I get it.”

Erasing nightmares or disturbing dreams using oblivion magic is a common psychotherapy method.

It’s okay now, but I don’t know when the dream I’m chasing will change, so I should at least say it like this.

After that, Chloe looked as if something was bothering her, but soon clicked her tongue and left first.

‘With this, I changed it.’

Although many things have changed compared to before, it feels strange to think that the future has changed itself.

In the midst of feeling guilt towards Chloe, a sense of accomplishment for having done it, and a sense of relief that everything would be okay.

“Ah.”

Egg discount.

It’s not too late, right…?

*

“… … A dog dream, a dog dream.”

Chloe wandered aimlessly. She walked through streets, back alleys, classroom hallways, and dormitories.

It was simply to give me time to think.

At the same time, she also wanted to meet someone, although she didn’t realize it herself.

… … In fact, Chloe lied.

It is true that the content of the dream is only about chasing Adam. It is also true that he wakes up.

but.

‘What the heck is that… … .’

As you follow Adam, you hear a voice. Chloe didn’t say anything about it.

It was Chloe’s own voice.

However, unlike now, her voice was a bit more mature and much deeper. The person in her dream was different from the current Chloe.

What should I say… … I feel like I’ve gotten a few years older and more mature.

──Why.

That voice.

It really came from the depths of my heart, as if it was coming from my mind.

As if that was his true intention.

──Why aren’t you looking at me?

The voice was thick. And more than that, it was filled with dark jealousy and regret.

At first, I didn’t even realize that it was my own voice.

──Adam, look back. I’m right behind you.

The voice called Adam. Only when the name Adam was called did the voice brighten.

In her dream, Chloe only saw Adam’s back, but for some reason she was able to naturally recall his front as well. Likewise, Adam’s appearance was a little different from the one she had seen when she dueled with Beatrice last time.

The eyes are hidden by the hair and cannot be seen. There is a blood-red string hanging from the neck for some reason. The steps are weak and unsteady, but the person never falls.

Not only saying his name, but just thinking about Adam’s appearance makes me smile and feel joy.

The more I feel that sweet joy.

The subsequent drops only get bigger.

──I’m always following you, always looking at you.

In the dream, your hands are in your pockets.

But right now, I want to reach out and grab Adam. I want to get down on my knees and beg him. That is my true feeling, an endless urge.

But, as if those hands were my last source of pride, as if time was on my side anyway, I never took my hands out of my pockets until the very end.

And the last word of the voice is always.

It ended with the same words.

──Are you saying that the dead woman is more important than me who is here right now… …?

String.

Especially the last words, because they contain the darkest and most sticky emotions.

Because it seemed like the distance between me and Adam would never be shortened.

Just thinking about it gives me a headache. Dreams always end there.

It’s been over two weeks since I had this dream. Because of that, I quickly gave up on the midterm exam on the deserted island and just got some rest, but the dream keeps repeating every day.

I need to get good grades to flatten the noses of those guys at the rooftop.

No matter what, I couldn’t give up on the huge test called the midterm.

Why is that?

I was more concerned about the content of the dream than the midterm exam itself.

‘What should I do?’

Should I really use forgetting magic like that 6th-grade guy said?

It was a method I had been considering from the beginning, but I hesitated because I had a vague feeling that it would be irreversible.

But wouldn’t it be better than continuing to worry and drag on because of your dream? Shouldn’t you just forget about that little dream and focus on your grades and efforts again?

As is often the case with worries that one faces alone, there are no easy answers.

Chloe suddenly came to her senses and looked ahead.

There was a crowd of students.

“It’s the CEO!”

“Is that guy in armor the captain of the guard? He’s the famous guy at the gate. Who’s the guy next to him? I think he’s a faculty member… … .”

“Did you hear about the Kraken? He tied the Kraken’s legs together with one pinky finger and made a ribbon!”

“You gave that to your secret lover?”

“… … Think about the chairman’s age. He was born before our great-grandfather, Bunkheup!?”

“Huh? Quick, move this little bastard to the infirmary! He suddenly fainted from difficulty breathing… … !!”

Someone is carried away in a hurry by another student, and other students fill the gap.

Chloe watched the students for a moment before quietly teleporting to a nearby building.

A transfer magic that can only be used by wizards of at least level 5 or higher.

This is the result of Chloe, who was only a gifted child, putting in a lot of time and effort to master it.

‘why?’

The rooftop of the building that was transferred like that.

From above, you can clearly see the gathered crowd as well as the chairman and his party walking in the center.

“You’re going to see Sir Julius… …!! Shouldn’t you tell the General Examiner too!? He’ll be so happy!”

“Captain of the First Guard, this time we are going on official business. Please do not act rashly.”

“Adam, how have you been so consistent since you started attending the academy───”

“Captain of the 1st Guard.”

“Yes, Chairman!”

“Is there anything wrong with what the Minister of Finance said?”

“… … … That.”

“If you want to ruin public affairs with your personal feelings, I will take the chief examiner instead of you as you wish. If you don’t like it, keep quiet.”

“Yes… … .”

The captain of the first guard wearing thick armor and a helmet, and the finance minister, who appeared in the dream.

The chairman who stands at the forefront between the two comes into view.

“… … … … .”

Why is that?

The First Guard Captain was not in his sights from the beginning, but he kept smiling benevolently at the Finance Minister who happened to catch his eye.

It’s different when I see the chairman. I feel emotions I never intended to feel.

‘Why?’

Before I knew it, Chloe.

He was glaring at the chairman with a gaze that seemed to be filled with extreme jealousy.

The darkest, deepest, heaviest thing she had ever felt in her life.

It was a feeling like the abyss.