As I lay on my own bed, Clementine was right beside me.
She sang a comforting song that reminded me of my childhood.
But more importantly, with every note that rang out, my injuries healed slightly.
After a few hours of doing this, I was now fully healed.
I had already told her about everything that happened, and she reprimanded me.
In a way, I could understand.
Had I not confronted Trivet and gone on my way, I could've avoided fighting him.
But if I had done it, then another problem would arise.
Kevin and the others wouldn't be able to handle all the assassins, since even in the game, I was only able to deal with this quest after knowing where they would all come from.
They needed me.
But if I tried to help, Trivet would've trailed me, and likely tried to kill me while my guard was down.
In the end, I had to make a choice with my knowledge of the future in mind, and I made it.
I had no regrets.
Not a single one.
A few minutes passed in silence until finally, I spoke up.
"Clementine, remember when I mentioned moving out?"
"Yeah...?"
"I think it's time."
Puzzled, she met my gaze.
"What do you mean?"
I took out a small bag, and then I also took out 15 bars of platinum.
Putting the platinum inside, I passed the bag to Clementine.
"I'll be leaving tomorrow, and I won't be back for at least a week. I want you to find us a house."
"Y-You want me to find a house? And that platinum... isn't that like a lot of money? Do you want me to buy a mansion?"
"Anything you want. Whether it's a small cabin in the corner of the continent, or a spacious villa in the most expensive city. With that much money, you can buy anything," I said.
She seemed excited for a moment, but just as quickly, she turned moody.
"It almost sounds like you're trying to send me away."
I immediately shook my head and put my hand over hers.
"Clementine, when I said I wanted you to live with me, I meant it. I just don't think Aldraazan is the safest place for both of us to be in. That's why I want you to go on ahead. Get us something nice, and when I come back, we'll live there together."
"..."
These were my honest thoughts and intentions.
But she didn't seem to believe me.
Honestly, I wouldn't believe me either.
Regardless of what I thought though, I didn't want her being around while the project was going on.
"Amon, can you remember these three words for me?"
What?
"Fire. Butterfly. Mermaid. Can you remember those for me?"
"Sure. I'll remember them."
Her expression eased up a little.
"Then I'll trust you too."
I finally let go of her hand and stared up at the ceiling.
My energy had regenerated already.
Though I was still very tired.
I closed my eyes, and then reopened them.
I still couldn't sleep properly.
So with a single thought, I turned on my music player.
The moment I did, I closed my eyes again.
Just then, I felt Clementine lie down beside me.
To my surprise, she placed her hand on my chest, and when I reopened my eyes, I saw her intently staring at me.
Her obsidian eyes enchanted me for a moment.
Seeing how hard I was staring, she pouted slightly and pinched my chest, causing me to let out a suppressed chuckle.
The atmosphere was cozy.
But amidst the music and Clementine's warm breaths was her curiosity.
"I've noticed it since I first moved in, but why do you sleep with music?"
A faint smile appeared on my face.
"Are you sure you want to know?"
She nodded enthusiastically.
I was a little hesitant to tell her about me.
My past... my knowledge, and everything else.
She must've been so curious all this time, seeing all that I could do, and everything that I could predict.
Yet she held back until now.
I guess...
I could answer at least this question.
"I stumbled upon an artifact a few months ago. When I used it, it trapped me in complete darkness for... a very long time. Every time I close my eyes now, I'm reminded of that darkness. Noise and music are the only things that let me sleep."
Although I couldn't see her expression, her hand which was on my chest was no longer moving.
"..."
"That sounds painful."
It was.
Though I feel like I dropped a bombshell on her.
"I know you're curious, and I'm not that sensitive, so ask me any questions you have. Even if you think they're stupid, ask me anyway."
After a brief pause, she scooted closer to me.
"What did you think about when you were in that darkness?"
Her voice trembled a little.
I pondered over it for a moment, but I came up blank.
What did I think about?
"I guess I might've thought about my family at first? After that, I only remember counting up until I snapped out of it."
"I'm sorry..." she mumbled. "I shouldn't have brought it up."
Confused, I glanced at her.
Just then, I realized a single tear had trickled down my cheek.
Clementine reached for the tear and wiped it off.
Not only that, she scooted even closer to me and hugged me.
"It's late, Amon. Let's sleep."
Seeing how close she was, I felt my cheeks turning red.
"...You're sleeping here?"
"Mhm. Why not?"
Her grip around me tightened slightly.
"It's our last day together in this house, isn't it? But if you don't want me here—"
"You can stay," I immediately cut her off.
Before she could say anything, I slid my hand under her side and pulled her closer by the waist.
A surprised yelp escaped her lips, but since she didn't pull away, and instead hugged me even tighter, a soft smile appeared on my face.
As I stared at her charming lips, I felt like I could barely contain myself.
But we just barely knew each other.
If I were to make a move on her now... I would feel I'm taking advantage of her.
So instead, I snuggled her in my arms and finally closed my eyes.
I hadn't even realized it, but the music had stopped playing some time ago.
But just like that, two soft snores resounded as the two of us drifted to sleep.
***
My eyes shot open as I abruptly sat upright.
I was covered in sweat from head to toe.
I must've had a bad dream...
Still, as I turned to the side, half expecting Clementine to be lying there, what I found instead was a letter.
I immediately reached for it.
The handwriting was really bad.
It was like a toddler wrote it.
But regardless of that, I read her letter.
—
You snore really loudly. You also move a lot in your sleep. Even so, I liked sleeping beside you.
I'm about to leave since the sun just came up. I took the money you gave me too, so I'll look for something nice for us far away from this place.
You don't have to worry about me leaving this city safely. I can turn myself into a Soul Weapon, and I can phase through the earth. Not sure where I'll end up, but at least no one will catch me, hehe.
Anyways... I don't know how you humans end these letters, so all I'll say is that I will miss you, and I hope you'll be safe, Amon.
Bye.
—
"..."
It's not even been a few minutes, and I already missed her.
I thought it would be easier, since while I was in the academy, it wasn't as bad.
But that's only because I knew when I returned home... Clementine would be there to greet me.
Lowering my head, I neatly folded her letter and placed it inside my dimensional ring.
I stared at the dimensional ring for a few moments.
And then, I tossed it inside my mouth before swallowing.
As it traveled down my throat, I stopped it with Telekinesis.
I braced myself, then forced the dimensional ring into a safe part inside my chest.
When I was done, I finally rose from my bed, got dressed, and then approached the kitchen.
But before I could even have breakfast, someone knocked on my door.
It looks like it's time.
I kind of wished I could spend more time before heading out.
But remembering how warm it felt to sleep with Clementine in my arms... I felt energized again.
So I quickly put on my coat and wrapped the blue scarf that Clementine had given me around my neck.
I approached the door and finally opened it.
As expected, the headmaster was the one who knocked.
"Hello Amon Everness. Do you know why I have come here today?"
No shit.
"You have two choices."
"One. You may go to trial and likely receive the death penalty, or have the king of Aldraazan turn you into his mind-controlled soldier."
"Now, the second option is simple. Proceed with me to the project. As I mentioned, it will only take a week, and if you survive, I can assure you that not only will all your charges be dropped, you will also become immeasurably stronger compared to before."
Is he trying to imply I had a choice?
Haha.
How stupid does he think I am.
"You already know my answer, headmaster..."
"So lead the way."