Chapter 40

Various thoughts intersected.

Lavie held hands with Fehr, and with eyes wide open, they climbed into the carriage. The time they could talk was very limited. Listening to Fehr's words, which came out in a trickle, Lavie felt ashamed of her own immaturity. In her memory, her daughter lamented to her mother, who was possessed by a demon, while her father consoled her, saying, "We have Fehr, don't we?"

In her young heart, she felt that she was unnecessary and had been cast aside by the Heathfen family. She was so sad that she didn't know how to express it, curling up in bed and crying. Gradually, she stopped seeing them, hiding in a tattered state, and from the window, she watched Nella and the others laugh and enjoy themselves with resentment.

Lavie felt betrayed by her family. But perhaps Fehr was also suffering. Then, perhaps her parents were too. But maybe not. They might have wished that Lavie would just disappear.

She didn't know. She hadn't even tried to understand. It might sound good to say she was focused on her own affairs, but she had always been somewhat resigned, hoping that Nella would forgive her one day, and living life as it came.

(How frustrating...)

Her resentment towards Nella never faded. But she also felt sorry for herself. She hastily wiped her teary eyes. Fehr, as always, sat opposite her, his eyes red, his hands clenched tightly on his knees.

"If you are acting like you used to, there must be a reason."

He himself had said he hoped so. She couldn't respond.

She wanted to tell him everything. But she couldn't. Nella, who was perceptive, might have already known about Fehr's shadowy days. She didn't want to involve her brother. Besides, Lavie was going to disappear from in front of him. No matter how many excuses she made now, it would be meaningless.

"I am glad that you are still the same as before. But I am a Heathfen. As the eldest son of the Heathfen family, I must not be ashamed."

In other words, he couldn't openly support Lavie.

"Of course. I am proud that Fehr is my brother."

The boy must have faced various adversities. Fehr himself had been fighting alone. He bit his lip and, this time, desperately held back his tears. Yes, the one who should be blamed is Lavie. Lavie was about to abandon everyone and run away.

Sai, Fehr, her parents. Even though she wasn't particularly interested in or hated Baldo, he might fall victim to Nella's next attack. In fact, it would happen. She was prepared for it. Lavie had only continued to live to survive. The time had come.

--- I will absolutely not lose. I will survive, even if it's just me.

She had sworn this while the carriage was swaying. But did she still have that strength from back then? Could she really abandon everyone and run away?

She didn't know.

If she could survive on her own, that would be enough. She had thought so. The feeling of not wanting to involve Fehr was just ego. If she thought so, she should tell him about Nella's terror. She should reduce his danger after she disappeared. She knew this, but she couldn't take any action.

(I must not lose)

Occasionally, a voice would echo in Lavie's mind. Not losing meant not fighting, running away. That's how she had thought until now. But she knew it was different. Not losing meant winning. Lavie had to defeat Nella. But was it even possible? All Lavie had was sheer determination, and her mind was no different from any other girl's, even with memories of the past. Nella was undoubtedly more skilled.

"Miss, you are setting your hair properly today, aren't you?"

Lost in thought, Mari was enthusiastically touching Lavie's hair, humming a tune.

"Yes, occasionally..."

Her hair wasn't a mess, but her mind was. She sighed. Looking at the mirror in front of her, she noticed Mari's round eyes and brown hair. Nella also had brown hair, but Mari's was darker. Moreover, she was small like Lavie, always moving busily.

"Mary, your name is Mary Squanor, right?"

"Yes, that's right..."

"So, a squirrel..."

"Huh?"

No, it wasn't anything in particular, but she thought there were always so many animals. Was everyone involved with Lavie like this? Lavie and Mary, together, were a small animal duo. They looked very weak.

She couldn't make any decisions. There were still a few events before Nella became the saint. On one hand, she thought it was still okay, but on the other, a voice whispered that she should run away quickly since everything was ready. She got on the carriage and headed to the academy, and at that time, they secretly talked, and she was happy to be called "sister" by Fehr.

So, outside, they could only avoid each other's gazes, but there was no loneliness. When they arrived at the academy, they noticed Sai standing at the entrance as usual. Fehr bared his teeth, but he was just a sheep. Sai calmly brushed it off and disappeared. During this time, Lavie kept her eyes on her feet. Her thoughts were all over the place.

"Lavie?"

She looked up at the voice. Unusually, he was right next to her. Normally, he would keep a distance out of consideration for the surroundings. "Huh, um..." "You don't look well." Realizing he was worried, she hurriedly moved her feet.

"I'm fine, just a bit sleep-deprived."

I'm fine, I'm energetic! She tried to assert this as she walked into the school building, but Lavie's desperate pace was quickly caught up by Sai. She resented the unfairness of his longer legs. "But," Sai hesitated, frowning. "I'm fine!" She repeated, looking up at him, smiling.

Lavie's short silver hair swayed. Suddenly, Sai blinked. He noticed that Lavie looked a bit different from usual. This morning, she had been dazed, and she had forgotten to mess up her hair, which Mari had neatly arranged. The fine silver threads covered Sai's vision. Then, his chest felt hot, and he wanted to clench his fist. "Lavie," he called her name without saying anything. "I am..." A scream echoed.

Lavie and Sai turned around at the same time. A loud noise was heard, and the cries of several students for help could be heard. Inside the closed classroom, something was happening. Immediately, Sai hid Lavie behind him. After hesitating, he grabbed her shoulder.

"I'll go check. Don't move."

Lavie nodded. She clenched her hands, watching Sai disappear. That was all she could do, and it made her feel frustrated. Then,

"Nice to meet you, Lavie Heathfen."

--- She hadn't sensed his presence at all.

A boy stood there. A red-haired boy, nothing special. Dressed in the school uniform, he seemed forgettable if you looked away. But in stark contrast to Lavie, who took a step back due to the strangeness, the boy smiled and extended his hand to her.

"Hello, Miss Heathfen. I am Yuman Luprenon. I am also an enemy of Nella Harry."

Yuman Luprenon, with his narrow eyes curved, stood there almost unrealistically.

"I would like to work with you. Could you consider it?"