episode_0079

Through the open window, a slightly warmer breeze drifted in compared to a few days ago.

Now, the season was transitioning from spring to summer.

The trees outside the window were lush with fresh green leaves.

Under the cloudless sky, warm sunlight streamed in through the window.

People were going about their daily lives as usual, enjoying the peaceful routine.

Students were heading home after classes at the academy.

Occasionally, people could be seen strolling with friends or loved ones.

Clothing styles were gradually changing to adapt to the upcoming summer.

Some had already switched to wearing short sleeves and shorts, while others still clung to thicker layers.

As summer approached, people were adjusting their attire accordingly.

Normally, I could have enjoyed a pleasant day like them, but…

Right now, I didn’t feel up to it.

“….”

Silia’s critical condition made it hard for me to rest easy.

Furthermore, my body had not fully recovered yet.

Although I possessed a new regeneration ability, it seemed to require my stamina to activate.

Thus, I found myself walking down the hospital corridor, gazing at the paper handed to me by the principal.

I had planned to be discharged today, but due to Elisha’s strong opposition, I decided to stay in the hospital until tomorrow to recover.

However, lying in bed constantly made my body ache, so I wandered around the hospital alone, trying to loosen up.

Feeling that I couldn’t bear staying still, I kept walking.

While dragging a hanger stand down the corridor, I bumped into Elisha.

She mentioned having something to fetch briefly from the dorm before meeting me.

In any case, Elisha’s expression upon meeting again in the hallway was quite puffy.

With slightly swollen cheeks, she wore an expression akin to ‘I’m angry!’

I knew why she reacted that way.

Before leaving the ward, Elisha had instructed me to stay put and rest without moving.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I told you to lie still and rest.”

“…I felt a bit restless just lying there, so I was moving around a bit.”

“…Fine, it’s better to move than lie still if you can’t help it.”

“By the way, what did you bring?”

Elisha held a large paper bag-like object in one hand.

It seemed quite hefty.

“Oh, this? It’s your clothes.”

“My clothes?”

“Yeah, the outfit you were wearing that day was beyond repair. So, I bought you some clothes to wear when you’re discharged!”

She went all the way to the dorm because of my clothes.

I felt sorry; it seemed like I was always receiving help from Elisha.

One day, I would have to repay all these debts.

And also to Silia.

“….”

If I looked upset, Elisha gazed back at me with a worried expression.

“Bern? What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

“…It’s nothing.”

“Is it because of Luna?”

“Elisha, do you know too?”

“Yeah… I roughly know what happened from hearing it from others.”

“….”

As I remained silent, Elisha, perhaps thinking she had said something wrong, hurriedly began to apologize.

“Sorry, did I bring up something unnecessary?”

“….”

I clenched my right hand, wrapped in bandages, tightly and replied to her.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to feel sorry. It’s just… I’m angry at myself.”

“..Bern.”

“I could have saved him, but I didn’t.”

“….”

“I was close enough to reach, yet I couldn’t protect Luna. Instead, Luna protected me.”

“….”

“So, I’m angry at myself. Elisha, you don’t need to apologize. And… Elisha, I’m always grateful to you.”

“..Huh? Wh-why all of a sudden?!”

“Also, I asked the nurse. She must have had a hard time taking care of him for the past few days. Thank you, Elisha. And for bringing the clothes.”

Upon this, Elisha’s ears seemed to slightly redden.

Stammering, she shouted at me.

“W-well… it’s good that you know now!”

“Anyway, Elisha. I appreciate the clothes. I will definitely repay this debt later.”

“W-what…! Even if you stay by my side your whole life to repay the debt, you won’t be able to pay it off!!”

“….”

“W-what’s with you! You just smiled?! I-I’m not joking at all, you know?!”

With that, Elisha, holding the bag with clothes, glared at me with puffed cheeks for no reason.

Then, she swiftly turned her head back and walked out of the hospital.

“Are you leaving just like that.”

Step by step.

As the distance between us gradually widened.

She looked back again, gazing at me as she spoke.

“And, just one thing… Bern, what happened to Luna… it’s not your fault. So, don’t blame yourself too much.”

“….”

“S-so…!! Don’t make such a gloomy face!! You idiot!!

After saying that, she quickly turned her head back and hurriedly left the hospital.

I continued to watch her until she disappeared.

Not long after, she vanished, and the corridor began to fill with people.

I sat on a chair in the hospital corridor, clenching and unclenching my right hand wrapped in bandages repeatedly.

I still felt a slight tremor in my right hand.

Perhaps it was because of what happened with Abraham that day.

Or maybe it was due to excessive use of fire… my right hand trembled slightly.

But when I recalled what Elisha had said.

That tremor gradually subsided.

“Don’t blame yourself.. huh.”

Indeed, I always receive help from Elisha.

Yes, there’s no point in being like this now.

I ultimately failed to protect Silia.

So, I must strive not to repeat such mistakes again.

It’s enough for someone by my side to suffer once.

Therefore, I must become stronger.

To protect my people, and to survive, I must become even stronger than I am now.

“…Silia.”

I have incurred a debt to Silia that I can never repay in my lifetime.

This is a debt. A debt that must be repaid no matter what.

Thanks to Silia, I was able to save my life.

Not only that, I have accumulated too many debts here.

So, I must repay all those debts.

Even if I can’t return home… I want to survive.

My goal remains unchanged from the beginning.

However, now a clearer goal has emerged.

To show everyone a happy ending here.

To make everyone smile at the end of the story where I arrive.

That is my new goal.

Thus, I stared through the paper handed to me by the principal, which contained the words left by Iseng before Silia collapsed.

“…This time, I was able to help. So… do you owe me?”

I carefully pondered over the characters contained in the short sentences, engraving them bit by bit in my mind.

“…To think that this is what they mean by ‘coming back to their senses.’ Truly unbelievable.”

It must have been very painful and difficult.

It must have been very agonizing.

“….”

…As expected, I should go meet her,

I need to see for myself what state Silia is in.

Even though the principal said it wasn’t allowed, if visiting really wasn’t possible.

She wouldn’t have written down where Silia is on this paper.

“Well then, shall we depart right away.”

….

The seven beings gathered around the round table began to converse.

『Indeed, the chosen one does not crumble easily.』

『However, they must have felt it keenly this time. Without strength, no one can protect anyone. It’s just been luck up until now.』

『For someone like that, they were even sweating while staring.』

『But one thing is certain. The fact that the child changed their predetermined story. I believe that child can walk the right path~.』

『·····.』

『By the way, I feel like I haven’t given nearly enough as compensation for the trials.』

『Haha, are you saying that on purpose? Or do you truly not know. Well, if that child can grow quickly. It wouldn’t be bad to give them that.』

『…..』

And so, the beings at the round table turned their gazes back to observe the world.

『For now, all we can do is watch which path the child takes.』

『However, due to this recent event, the course of the world has changed significantly. So, we should prepare ourselves bit by bit before the end of the world approaches.』

With the statement of one being, everyone at the round table falls silent.

『『·····.』』

But not for long.

The silence that had lingered around the table was broken.

“Still, it’s truly remarkable. A level of mental fortitude that one wouldn’t associate with a human. It’s almost reminiscent of a legendary hero.”

“I agree.”

“The rate of growth is incredibly fast. Furthermore, as their previously unstable power gradually stabilizes, they will soon be able to wield the true power contained within the flames.”

Everyone at the round table once again began discussing the man with black hair.