episode_0041

It’s the usual early morning.

However, there is one difference.

– Pitter-patter, pitter-patter

The rain falling outside the open window?

The sky was cloudy, with thick clouds hanging overhead.

It was raining heavily, almost unexpectedly for spring.

No birds chirped; only the sound of rain quietly filled the air.

Before coming here, I didn’t pay much attention to the rain.

But after inhabiting Bern’s body, I found rainy days unwelcoming.

With a body that burns, rainy days feel somewhat depressing.

It’s a day where energy seems to drain away.

If today were a weekend, I would have just sat in my chair and rested.

But it’s Tuesday. Since it’s a weekday, I need to get ready for school soon.

So, I sat by the window, sipping cool water.

However… Shadi kept pacing anxiously around the living room.

Was it the dorm room that intrigued her, or was she troubled by her situation?

She paced restlessly.

“Stay still for a moment, you’re making me anxious.”

“Oh, okay…”

“Shadi, I’ll say it again. When Elisha wakes up, make sure to apologize.”

“…I will.”

Perhaps it was due to the recent incident where she almost got killed by Naidus, the brain of Shadi’s team.

She continued pacing, unable to settle down.

‘Well, it’s understandable.’

Having taken on all sorts of dirty tasks in the organization for revenge, she had finally come to the academy to assist with revenge.

While personal emotions played a role, she absorbed too many shadows to ensure the job was done properly, leading to a meltdown.

And not only did she meltdown, but she also ended up incapacitated after being attacked.

Failing to fulfill her mission and being defeated by a mere student, she must have felt worthless to Requiem.

Her actions almost got her killed as a result.

Facing the situation where the leader of her own team came to kill her…

Anyway, despite enduring injuries, I barely managed to save her by blocking the dagger.

However, Shadi’s abandonment remained unchanged.

She must have vaguely understood.

Although she wasn’t killed by the attack, the message was delivered.

She was merely a disposable piece, and her revenge held no significance.

Retrieve the item from the academy, or kill if unable to retrieve.

Life can be cruel… indeed.

While her actions were clearly wrong, if she hadn’t strayed off the path.

Or if her family hadn’t been killed during the war.

Wouldn’t she be living happily with her family by now, I wonder.

But nothing changes by dwelling on such thoughts.

The die is cast, and she chose her path.

So, she must take responsibility for it.

Yet, that doesn’t mean she deserves to die for it.

Death would be the end of it.

Without atonement or reflection, it would just end there.

Therefore, she must not die. She must live and find a way to atone.

Yes, she must live and make amends.

To avoid repeating past mistakes.

Anyway, Act 1 has been cleared.

It feels like the protagonist’s growth opportunity has been snatched away.

The protagonist isn’t just a protagonist for show.

Even without my concern, they are becoming stronger one way or another.

In the end, the victory always belongs to the protagonist.

Well, I could give hints about Hidden Piece.

Of course, building rapport comes first…

Anyway, it’s currently 5 AM.

Most people would be asleep at this hour.

We are the odd ones awake right now.

When the situation had settled and I had finally made it back to the dormitory, it was a little past midnight.

Upon entering the room, it was around 1 a.m. after roughly treating my face and hands with the prepared medicine.

Then, utilizing the power of the oath, I cleaned Elisha with Shadi.

Wiping away the blood and dust with a damp towel, I dressed her in the clothes that were in the room.

It was an unavoidable choice since the clothes she was wearing had turned into rags.

However, I wonder if Shadi, abandoned by Requiem, was shocked.

Lost in thought and unable to focus, it was already past 3 a.m. when I laid Elisha on the bed.

Well, being rejected by Requiem also means that one cannot achieve their revenge, so…

Anyway, I spent the night feeling that way.

After helping Elisha, Shadi remained in that state.

I can’t help but wonder if that’s really the boss I knew.

…I need to understand, I suppose.

Even if I call her Shadi, she’s just a kid who recently turned 19.

So, for now, I’ll just leave her be.

Unable to sleep, I sat on a chair trying to rest.

From the room where Elisha was, her voice began to be heard.

“Um… Where am I…?”

Elisha woke up.

…

“Here, have some warm water.”

“Thank you, Bern… I’ll drink it well.”

First, let’s cool down and organize our thoughts.

“So… what happened yesterday was real, and this woman is affiliated with Requiem. She attacked me due to the side effects of dark magic, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“Uh… I’m sorry.”

As I glared at the demon woman, she began to apologize meekly.

She even seemed quite deflated.

What happened while I was unconscious?

Is she really the same person from yesterday?

But it’s not over yet.

“And this woman was almost killed by a fellow comrade. Bern, you saved her, right? Is that why your hand looks like that?”

“That’s how it happened.”

“Sigh…”

What… kind of situation is this?

I can’t trust this woman no matter what.

“Bern, no matter what. This demon woman tried to kill us. I can’t trust her. Let’s hand her over to the academy.”

I expected him to agree to hand her over, but his response was unexpected.

“I’m sorry, but that’s not possible.”

“What, what? Bern? What do you mean by that?”

“….”

He stumbled over his words in surprise.

No, what on earth is going on?

She tried to kill us..!!

Moreover, she’s affiliated with Requiem, the ones who attacked the academy!

I wanted to say that, but I couldn’t when I saw his expression.

Even his usually stoic face was starting to show emotions lately.

To others, it might seem like his usual stern expression, but not to me.

Of course, it could be my mood affecting my perception.

So, I want to ask him even more.

What are you hiding from me?

“Sigh… Bern, I have one question.”

“Go ahead.”

“What exactly are you hiding from me?”

….

What are you hiding?

A lot. Too much to know where to start.

So, it might be even harder for her to talk about it.

Elisha, she’s a good person.

Kind, beautiful, good at studying, talented in magic.

And she has a good personality, getting along well with many people.

She’s just inherently good.

That’s probably why she was feared.

Because of her connection to me, to our family.

Others may not know, but Jeron Flame is definitely a dangerous person.

I didn’t know much about Jeron, but I have a rough idea of what he’s up to.

Just no concrete evidence.

But after hearing what Naidus said yesterday, I have a better idea.

So, I shouldn’t get involved with her any further.

But it’s troubling.

What I am hiding, why I keep avoiding her.

If I don’t say it here, my relationship with her could come to a complete end.

I dislike the idea of her being in danger.

I felt it from yesterday. I don’t want to see her getting hurt.

However, things have started to change, and she is already exposed to Requiem.

Perhaps, not saying anything might not be good for either her or me?

After concluding my thoughts, I opened my closed mouth.

“Alright, I’ll tell you. Shadi, step outside for a moment.”

“…Okay.”

With that said, Shadi closed the door and went out of the room.

Maybe it’s because of the thought that revenge won’t be fulfilled, Shadi obediently went outside.

In reality, she must have noticed to some extent.

She just didn’t want to admit it.

If even her revenge is denied, there would be no more reason to live.

Vaguely aware, but this incident made it clear.

Revenge cannot be achieved.

So, in the original work, she was very worn out after the assassination event.

Her anger and hatred, having lost her direction, were probably directed towards Requiem.

It’s understandable, considering she was deceived and used.

From my experience, sometimes the truth is harsher than lies.

That’s why people deceive themselves to escape reality.

Different methods, but everyone wants to escape the painful reality.

Shadi’s way was probably to enter Requiem and deny reality.

Even though I wanted to help this time, I can’t.

She has to overcome this on her own.

So, let’s focus on Elisha now.

Turning my gaze back to Elisha, she said,

“Eh? Really…? Oh, no. Wait, wait, don’t say that…!! W-Wait..!”

Ignoring her words, I continued speaking.

“Elisha, I avoided you because of our family.”

“W-What… What are you talking about..?”

“….”

“Just a moment. Bern, Bern..!! Wait..!”

Actually, you probably vaguely noticed from yesterday. Our family, or rather, the head of the family, is related to Requiem.”