Chapter 71

〈 Chapter 71 〉 Star (3)

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#5

Alphen was an orphan without parents. It wasn't due to war, but rather he seemed to have been abandoned by his parents from birth. He must have grown up until he was about six years old in an orphanage that no longer exists.

I was curious about where and how Alphen spent his time while we were apart. It was quite surprising that he ended up as a foster daughter of a duke. I had asked him about it before, but he said he would tell me later, so I let it go.

However, the words that just came out of Stella's mouth gave me a rough idea of what had happened to her.

She said she was dragged to the front lines.

Considering her age, she must have been too young to even enter elementary school, yet she was conscripted into the war that took place ten years ago? My mind was filled with countless confusions. That's just absurd...

North, East, West, South.

The great expedition, or the great war, to conquer the completely different world of the Demon Realm beyond the 'border' of the Altima continent, which includes the central continent. The days of bloodshed where the bodies of humans and demons formed a sea of blood.

After a long and fierce struggle, the war ended with the bitter victory of humanity, and the empire, which was the main force of the allied army, became even stronger.

I suddenly imagined the young Alphen standing on that horrific ground. I immediately felt a wave of nausea. No good images came to mind.

"Don't look so serious. It's all in the past."

I was trying to decide whether to say something or remain silent out of respect. While I was pondering, Stella smiled at me.

Even without knowing the details, it was clear that she had gone through something terrible. Yet, her radiant smile showed no trace of faded light.

During the height of the war, I was probably with my parents in a remote countryside.

Although the world was tumultuous, the war was happening far away on another continent. When the news of victory came a few months later, even the small bits of anxiety and worry were swept away. After all, we were too young to fully understand the harsh reality of war.

Our positions were so different. I couldn't say anything. I couldn't even ask or hear about what she had experienced. I just nodded silently.

Ironically, I had shared some of my childhood stories in Stella's room the other day. The peaceful times I spent with Rubia. I even smiled, pretending to be happy. Suddenly, a sense of guilt washed over me. While she was enduring unspeakable hardships, I was...

"Don't look so serious, I said."

Stella poked my stiff cheek with her finger.

Turning to look at her, I saw a slightly pouting face.

She seemed to be asking why I was so serious when she was fine. Indeed, it was all in the past, and Stella had grown into such a wonderful lady. I smiled awkwardly, and she smiled back.

"You must have gone through a lot."

My short words were met with a short response.

"Yeah, I did."

Despite her words, she was smiling brightly, which made me feel a bit deflated.

"Did I bring it up for nothing? Anyway... that was the first time I heard the voice of the star."

At that moment, I asked.

"Speaking of voices, it just came to mind."

"Uh-huh."

"Do the stars tell you your future directly?"

"Huh? Well, sometimes they do, and sometimes they don't?"

"I'm curious."

"About what?"

"What the voice of the star sounds like. I can't really imagine it. Are the stars you talk about maybe the same as the gods up there? Since they can determine a person's fate."

"I don't know... I've never thought of them as gods. It could be, but the feeling I get from the stars is very special and familiar. It's like an old friend I've known for a long time. I don't think they are gods. Most importantly..."

"Most importantly?"

"If I say this, you might think I'm strange, but I don't believe in gods."

"Really? Why?"

An atheist. When I asked, surprised by this unexpected fact, Stella tilted her head slightly towards the night sky and said.

"I only believe in what I believe in."

"..."

"When I was in trouble, it wasn't a god but a star that came to me. When I was in trouble, I believed in the stars, not in gods. So I don't believe in gods. Even if I know they exist, I won't believe in them. That's what I've decided."

Her tone was firm and full of conviction, so I nodded. It wasn't my place to care much about someone else's beliefs, and I understood Stella's point of view.

Stella, who had lowered her head like a falling star, looked at me.

"Right, Edgio. You said you were curious, didn't you?"

"Uh?"

"About the voice of the star."

"I did, but... why?"

"If you want, I can let you hear it."

Stella smiled sweetly.

"Actually, I still have one chance left."

"Still have one chance?"

"Yeah. The last time, when you lost consciousness, I wanted to visit you, but someone from my family came looking for me. They asked for my help in leading the family, but I refused. I lied and said I had already used my chance."

"Why did you lie like that...?"

"Well, they came without warning and tried to stop me from visiting you. I got a bit angry. They seem to be relying on me too much lately... Actually, my adoptive father was against me entering Frontier? I pushed hard and finally got in."

I thought she was a well-behaved and obedient lady. It turns out she had her own way of expressing her opinions.

"And, I saw it. My fate."

Stella looked directly into my eyes. Her eyes, like a galaxy melting, sparkled with a gentle silver light. The most beautiful girl I had ever seen finally smiled widely.

"Indeed, coming here was the right choice."

#6

"Edgio. I told you earlier, right? There was something I wanted to show you, but the place and timing weren't right."

"Ah, yeah."

"This is it. I wanted to let you hear the voice of the star."

Then, I voiced the question that came to mind.

"Wait, so you're not showing me something, but letting me hear something?"

"Different, different. It's just a way of saying it. Sometimes it's really heard, but most often it's left as a memory. Like when you faintly recall a dream you had in the early morning after waking up, it passes by in a moment. If you don't concentrate, it won't do any good."

"Then, are you going to show it to me now?"

"Yeah. Today seems to be the best day. The stars are very clear, and I feel great. Maybe the stars will show you more than usual because I'm in a good mood."

It sounded so unreal that I just nodded at Stella's words. Showing fate? What does that even mean? Stella looked around for a moment and then spoke to me quietly.

"This place isn't bad, but we should go to a better spot. Follow me, Edgio."

"Uh... really? It's quite late now..."

"It's fine, it's fine. We're past the age of worrying about such things. Let's go, Edgio. Get up quickly."

It seemed she was genuinely in a good mood, as Stella's movements when she got up from the bench were really light.

Her thin cardigan fluttered with each step. I followed her, humming a soft tune I couldn't recognize, as she walked confidently in front of me.

I was reminded of Alphen, who was so excited to show me a beautiful view he knew and led me up a hill. I felt a nostalgic sense of longing. Back then, I followed Stella quietly, thinking the same.

"That place looks good. Let's go up!"

Under the streetlights, where almost no freshmen or seniors were visible, she stretched out her hand and smiled, looking back at me.

"...Alright. Don't run too much. You might get hurt."

I continued walking, slightly dazed, and chuckled.

I suddenly thought I wanted to take a picture.

...No.

Maybe I don't need to.

This moment will stay in my memory for a long time, even without a clear record.

#7

"Why is there a staircase here..."

"Maybe there were people who thought the same as us. It's a good thing. Still, there was a certain charm in climbing an unpaved mountain path. A bit disappointing."

Stella and I were heading to a hill.

Such a lush green hill in the middle of this huge city. Located behind the 1st dormitory for boys, it was almost like a small mountain. We thought we might have to climb it aimlessly without finding an entrance, but after walking a short distance, we found a stone staircase that looked quite old.

Rustle, rustle...

The sound of insects in the dense undergrowth spread everywhere. The surroundings were completely silent, and the only sounds were our footsteps on the stairs and the occasional rustling of leaves in the wind.

We climbed along the ridge of the hill. Stella's white socks were dirty in places, but she didn't seem to care at all. She was climbing the stairs excitedly. Following her, I looked around just in case and felt lighter myself.

How long did we walk?

"Ah, here it is."

We finally reached a small hilltop, a bit closer to the sky than where we were just now.

"Wow..."

The view was wide open. I thought we hadn't climbed much, but I could see the roof of the 1st dormitory in the distance. Maybe it was because the time felt short. Stella took a deep breath of the fresh, clear air and exhaled. Her face was slightly flushed with sweat. Stella seemed to be genuinely happy.

Turning to the left, you could see the 3rd building and the scenery behind it, but it wasn't enough to cover the vast night sky. Countless sources of light twinkled. Stella's eyes sparkled as she looked up at them.

"The stars are really clear tonight... I feel moved."

"Sure, they're really beautiful."

If we had used magic, we could have climbed up more easily, but Stella didn't bother.

Well, if it were Alphen, he would have done it. He loved nature and enjoyed running around in the mountains and fields more than anyone.

"Come here, Edgio. Let's sit down."

Stella beckoned to me from ahead.

"It might get dirty... Is it okay?"

"It's fine today. And, I have magic."

"Ah, right."

I hesitated to take off my cardigan.

It should be fine as long as I clean it before we go down. The daughter of a powerful duke in the continent's strongest empire sat down on the dirt ground with a smile, her knees drawn up and hugging them. She looked at me and urged me to sit next to her.

"Ah, it's cold."

The dirt ground was very cool. Given the material of my pants, it must have been even colder for Stella. But she seemed to enjoy it, so I didn't worry about it.

"I'm glad we came out tonight. I haven't felt this excited in a long time."

Stella swayed her body rhythmically like a pendulum and muttered.

"...I feel good too. It's refreshing."

The suffocating feeling I had just a while ago seemed to wash away instantly.

Of course, it won't completely disappear, but it was nice to have a moment to forget all my worries.

I could stare at the stars and the sky without a care. If I just sit here and daydream, a couple of hours will pass quickly.

"I'm glad you like it too, Edgio. Today, or rather, right now, forget all your worries."

"Did you know?"

"Anyone would think so if they saw you sitting there with a serious face."

"..."

She was right, so I scratched my cheek, feeling embarrassed. Maybe Gabriel was right, and I should have just gone to sleep.

But if I had, I wouldn't have come up here with Stella. In the end, it was a good experience. Old memories came flooding back.

"Hey, Edgio."

"Uh?"

While I was looking up at the night sky, I turned to Stella when she called me.

I was surprised to find her so close, but I calmly blinked and asked.

Then,

Stella tilted her head slightly and held out her hand.

"Can you give me your hand for a moment?"

What are you trying to do? I asked.

"Why do you need my hand..."

"Well, I said earlier."

"Oh..."

The voice of the star. I still couldn't quite grasp it. How does it show the future?

Will I see something if I hold her hand? I obediently held her hand as she instructed. It was very small and soft, making me shiver slightly. When I looked at Stella to ask about something that came to mind, her face seemed a bit redder than before.

"Hey, Stella."

"Uh?"

"You said you can hear it once at a set interval, right?"

"Yeah."

"I don't know how long it is, but it doesn't seem short... Is it okay to use such an important opportunity for me? If your family came all the way here to ask for your help, it must be important..."

Stella stared at me blankly.

Then she laughed, covering her mouth with her other hand.

"What are you talking about, Edgio?"

And she continued.

"I want to use it for you."

"..."

"I always wanted to be helpful to you. Edgio, you were my first friend, no matter what anyone says. Even though it was a short time, I've never had more fun than I did then. So I don't feel any regret at all. I wanted to use it for you from the beginning."

"..."

Hearing those words, the warmth of Stella's hand felt even more comforting. I finally smiled back at her, moved by her words.

"Thanks, Stella."

"I should be the one to thank you. For making such good memories."

After that,

Stella muttered in a small voice.

"And if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have..."

"..."

"No, it's nothing."

Stella shook her head slightly and turned her head towards the night sky.

The constellations were shining brightly. Alkaid, Mizar, Arcturus, Spica, Denebola... The stars of spring, which I saw earlier, were twinkling in the distant sky.

Stella, who seemed to be thinking about something with her eyes closed, opened them and smiled faintly.

"Shall we start now?"

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