Nnngh... Haaah...
I rubbed my eyes groggily. The exhaustion I felt yesterday truly hit my body with full force.
'I didn't expect that using only a quarter of its power would place such a heavy burden on my body.'
'It really is better if I use it while Absolute Overdrive is active so that the backlash isn't as severe.'
I stood up and drew back the curtains of my dormitory window.
"..."
In contrast to the usual clear weather, today it looked as though rain would soon fall.
...
"Hey, is it true?"
"Lord Cassius... is dead?"
As I stepped into the academy corridors heading toward class, it seemed the rumors about Cassius's death had already begun to spread widely. Fortunately, not a single rumor pointed toward me. I clenched my fist as I recalled yesterday's events. I never expected a worshiper of the Evil God would dare to show themselves.
Back when I was still an adventurer, I always prioritized missions related to them. My name was likely very famous among their circles, which was probably why they hadn't appeared again for nearly a year. But...
"Perhaps because news about me hasn't been heard for a long time, they've finally launched their actions openly again."
Even so, there is still the Holy Kingdom who will deal with them, so the situation should be under control.
'But still, one victim has already fallen because of their actions.'
Even though Cassius would become a mini-boss in the future, he wasn't supposed to meet a death sentence that tragic.
Haaah...
'From now on, I must be more vigilant.'
...
"Today's class is finished."
I stretched my body to shake off the remaining drowsiness. Just then, Instructor Selene spoke up.
"And before you leave, I have some somber news for you all."
"..."
The class fell silent instantly, waiting for Selene to continue her words.
"Yesterday, a member of the Student Council, Cassius Halvorn, passed away during a scheduled duel."
The moment Selene mentioned the word "Duel," every student simultaneously looked toward me before finally turning back to look at Selene.
"It appears that during the duel, Student Cassius violated regulations by using a high-tier artifact which caused him to lose control until the weapon went berserk."
"At that moment, Student Cassius, who was almost entirely controlled by the weapon, chose to end his own life rather than having to harm others."
"..."
"Alright, that is all. I hope this news can be a valuable lesson for all of you."
With that, Selene walked out of the classroom.
"Shion, can we talk for a moment?"
After Selene left, Elle approached me. It seemed this had something to do with yesterday's events.
"Alright."
The two of us left the classroom and headed toward the academy grounds. Because it was currently break time, the courtyard was quite empty as most people usually went to the cafeteria. We reached the central fountain of the academy and sat side-by-side on a garden bench.
"..."
'Awkward.'
Elle hadn't spoken a single word since leaving the classroom, which was very unlike her. Just as I was about to speak—
"What—"
"The one dueling yesterday.... it was you, wasn't it?"
With her head bowed, Elle immediately cut off my words. Although I couldn't see her expression, I could tell from her trembling voice that she was very worried about me.
"...Yes, it was me."
"....So it really was true."
"..."
Silence returned, until finally, Elle gripped the edge of the fabric on my sleeve.
"...Are you alright?"
"...Yes, I'm fine."
"I see... Thank goodness."
Elle's grip loosened, and she stood up slowly.
"Thank goodness if you're alright. In that case, I'll be going—"
"Wait, Elle."
I grabbed her hand before she could turn to leave. Elle didn't turn back, but she remained frozen in place with her head still bowed. I didn't know if this choice was right or not, but honestly, seeing her like this really hurt my heart.
Perhaps she had already heard from Nyx as well that I couldn't accept her feelings right now, but leaving someone's feelings hanging wasn't good for her either. I knew very well how much it hurt to have a feeling left hanging.
Huuuu... Haah...
"I know that you actually already know my true identity..."
"And also... I know about your feelings for me."
!!
Her shoulders trembled violently as I said that. She finally turned around, though her gaze was still cast downward.
"...Why..."
A single tear fell to the ground. I reached out my hand to her cheek and lifted her face gently. There, I saw her beautiful face contorted from holding back the sobs that had already filled her eyes.
"Hiks... Why... why are you only admitting it now?"
Elle's voice broke. The tears she had been holding back since earlier now flowed past my fingers. Her wounded gaze seemed to demand an answer for all the searching she had done for the past three years. I could no longer avoid her.
"I'm sorry, Elle. There was a reason why I had to do this."
I exhaled a long breath, staring straight into her shimmering violet eyes filled with tears. My fingers remained on her cheek, wiping away the damp trails with utter gentleness.
"I know you've realized it from the start. And I also know you were very worried about yesterday's duel. Thank you for caring about me."
"Of course I was worried!" Elle exclaimed with a voice that rose yet still sounded hoarse. "I know you're much stronger now than you were three years ago. But seeing your opponent use a dangerous artifact like that... my heart felt like it was going to stop, Shion."
I chuckled softly seeing her puff out her cheeks with the remnants of tears on her face. Seeing her a bit more calm, I tried to lighten the atmosphere.
"Well, it seems I lost the bet. You really did find me even before I had the chance to officially introduce myself."
Hearing that, Elle was stunned for a moment before a thin smile was carved on her lips. She wiped her eyes and looked at me with a playful tone I knew so well.
"That's right. Wasn't the promise three years ago that if I could find you at this academy, you would tell me your name? So, Mr. Masked Hero, I think it's time you paid your debt of promise."
"My name is Shion. But I think you already knew that since seeing the S-Class list," I replied with a small smile.
"Of course. But hearing it directly from your mouth feels much different," she whispered in a soft tone.
A comfortable silence enveloped us for a moment, accompanied by the sound of gurgling water from the fountain in front of us.
"Elle."
"What is it?"
"...About your feelings before—"
"Shion."
Elle cut off my words before I could finish them.
"Do you like me?"
I looked into Elle's eyes which were now staring at me very deeply. Honestly, do I like her or not?
'Yes, I like her very much.'
But I could only remain silent as an answer. Elle averted her gaze and stood with her back to me.
"You know, Shion..."
"That time was a period I could call the living hell of my life."
Elle spoke with a sad face as she recalled her tragic past.
"I was always jealous of others who could freely use their powers. Unlike me, every time I tried to use magic, intense pain always hit me. Fortunately, I still had Nyx who always helped me and made me feel a bit better. But, deep in my heart, I had actually resigned myself to my life."
"Various ways were tried by my parents, but instead of being cured, the curse only grew stronger. My parents also almost gave up and accepted that bitter reality, but..."
"That was when you came."
Finally, a smile appeared on her face.
"You know, Shion? It was after your arrival that my life, which was previously only colored gray, started to be painted with various colors."
"You who came gave a light of hope to me who had been trapped in darkness. You who held my hand when I almost let everything go..."
"...It was all thanks to you, Shion."
At that moment, Elle turned around. With a warm atmosphere, her hair shining from the reflection of the sunlight and the blush on her cheeks, added with a beautiful smile, for a moment it made me mesmerized.
Unknowingly, a soft smile appeared on my face.
"And at that moment too, I felt a feeling of happiness in my chest. It didn't take long for me to realize what that feeling was."
"I love you, Shion."
The sudden revelation made it difficult for me to react. Whether in my old world or the current one, this was the first time someone had confessed love to me.
But before I could answer, Elle had already spoken first.
"And also..."
"I've heard before from Nyx that you cannot accept my feelings at this time."
"..."
"...I won't ask if you really don't want to answer, Shion. Because this is you, I am sure that it isn't something simple."
"Elle..."
"But promise me, if all your business is finished later... then give me your answer, okay?"
I didn't expect her to consider my situation so much. Truly...
' ...I really wasn't wrong to like you.'
A short silence occurred, but it wasn't something bad.
"Thank you for considering my situation, but you're telling me to promise to tell you in the future, as if you will continue to love me until that time arrives, huh?"
"Fufufu, isn't that obvious?"
The two of us laughed together. Elle sat back down beside me and leaned her head on my shoulder. A comfortable quiet atmosphere occurred again; the two of us said nothing and just enjoyed the moment.
However, Elle's facial expression gradually turned serious again. She remembered something that was still bothering her heart.
"Shion... about that black mass that covered a quarter of the sun... and the magical pressure that was so heavy it made everyone breathless... that was your doing, wasn't it?"
I was momentarily stunned. I didn't expect her to ask so quickly. After being silent for a few seconds, I finally nodded slowly.
"Yes. That is my power."
Elle seemed to hold her breath. "That power... felt very terrifying, Shion. Not that I'm afraid of you, but the energy felt so dark and heavy. Actually... where did you get power like that?"
The question hit me like a sledgehammer.
'From where...?'
Instantly, my vision blurred. The world around me seemed to vanish, replaced by the sight of raging flames and the pungent smell of blood. In the midst of the burning ruins, I saw a small child sobbing, reaching out a trembling hand toward me, begging for help that never came in time.
A bone-chilling cold crawled up my spine. A memory buried deep within my soul almost overflowed.
"Shion? Shion!"
Elle's call forced me back to reality. I flinched, the breath I had been holding now coming out sharply. When I turned, I saw Elle's face filled with fear.
"Sorry... did I mention something wrong? Your face... you looked so sad," Elle asked in a very soft voice, as if afraid to hurt me deeper.
I was silent for a moment, realizing the melancholic expression I had just shown. I immediately shook my head and forced a thin smile to calm her down.
"No, it's nothing. Just remembered something from a long time ago. Don't worry about it."
Elle opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to ask further about what she had just seen in my eyes. However, before a single word could come out—
Teng... Teng... Teng...
"Let's go in, Elle. We can't be late for Professor Orin's class," I said while standing up, trying to divert the conversation from that dark past.
Elle stared at me for a moment, there was still doubt in her eyes, but she finally stood up and nodded. We then walked side-by-side toward the classroom building, leaving the secret of the origin of that darkness buried back beneath the central fountain of the academy.
...
"Alright everyone, we'll end today's lesson here."
"Oh, and for the Combat Exam to be held by Instructor Ragna, there might be a delay in the schedule because the destroyed duel arena hasn't been repaired yet, so we will replace it with another schedule."
"Alright, class dismissed."
Professor Vale walked out of the room, and at that moment, a touch was felt on my side. I turned and saw Elle staring at me.
"...What are you doing?"
"Do you have any plans after this?"
"Ah sorry, I have some business to attend to today, so..."
"I see."
A sad tone was heard. After we settled our issue earlier, Elle became much closer to me, even in terms of physical touch.
"Elle."
"Yes?"
"Let's go for a walk on the holiday later."
!!
Elle's eyes sparkled hearing my invitation.
"Really!? Where to!?"
Wow, I didn't expect her to be this enthusiastic.
"Well, maybe grab some food?"
"Alright, promise, okay!"
"Y-yeah."
And so we parted ways. I went out and at the crossroads, I took a different path.
'Honestly, I don't want to go, but....'
After walking for a while—
I arrived at a room with a closed door. I knocked on that door twice.
Tok... Tok...
"Excuse me."
"Who is it?"
A voice was heard from inside.
"First-year student, Shion."
"Please come in."
I opened the door after receiving permission. Inside the room were two women; the Vice President of the Student Council, Ravena, and the President of the Student Council, Lysandra.
"You've arrived."
"Yes."
"Ravena, could you step out for a moment? There's something I want to discuss with him."
"Alright, in that case, I'll take my leave."
With the sound of the door closing, Lysandra stood up and walked toward me. Suddenly, she bowed very respectfully to me.
"I offer my greetings to the benefactor, Lord The Masked One."
"..."
Haaah...
'Ah... I just want to go back to the dorm...'