Chapter 81

### Chapter 81: Conclusion (9)

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#16

"Senior, I listened carefully to what you said. Honestly, I couldn't understand everything, but... perhaps I can interpret it as the will of the gods that I ended up in this body. If that contract is real, that is."

"Well, something like that. I can't tell you exactly what's written in the contract, but it's not something you need to worry about now. Just know that it exists. No one knows when the time will come. That's why I'm telling you this in advance."

She spoke in broad, vague terms. It seemed too early for me to understand, and she didn't give a clear explanation. Or rather, it felt like she didn't have the choice to tell me or not. There seemed to be some kind of limit. She often took on a tone as if she would tell me more when I was older, but it felt somewhat out of place.

Looking at Elena with a calm gaze, she gave me a mysterious smile.

"…One more thing, since you're such an odd one, the demons are taking an interest in you. Of course, there will be measures in place if you end up in a crisis like last time. I'll take care of the demons around you for a while, so you can relax."

Come to think of it, she had mentioned overconfidence. Was Nadia targeting me from the start? Thinking about it, the image of Nadia's enigmatic smile when she first saw me flashed in my mind.

Was it the same as a predator savoring the taste of a delicious prey? Goosebumps ran down my spine. However, hearing Elena's confident words, I felt a small sense of relief. I bowed deeply.

"…Thank you, Senior."

"Yeah, sure. I need some satisfaction. It's unpaid work, and getting paid in passion is too much."

Elena laughed heartily.

"Someone said I was holed up somewhere for the past three years, playing around. I felt a bit wronged. If I had been lounging on a beach bench, sipping coconuts, there wouldn't even be a mouth to spread such nonsense…"

Muttering, she looked into the distance. Through the thick smoke, Elena's golden eyes scattered a desolate light. After a while, she turned her head toward me indifferently.

"Try it now."

"…What?"

"The words you were about to say. Try them."

I nodded, having already made up my mind.

She had said not to do something I would regret.

In fact, no matter which path I took, I might end up regretting it. Whether I continued to live, forgetting everything as I am now, or whether I regained my memory and lived with the broken personality Elena described, I would inevitably end up regretting it.

I should have never found it.

I should have found it.

Since it would end up that way, I would choose the lesser evil. And I would turn that choice into the best one, no matter what.

I opened my tightly closed mouth in one go.

"I will regain my memory."

I bowed.

"Please cooperate, Senior."

Elena was silent for a while.

Then she gave a very brief response.

"Sure."

#17

Swoosh. The grave of cigarette butts was pushed aside. The piles of documents around it were all shoved away. The momentum was impressive.

The table, which had been covered in dust, became quite clean after sweeping it all away.

I lowered my crossed legs and cracked my neck, letting out a refreshing sigh.

Elena suddenly raised her hand. Her outstretched palm suddenly curled. A massive pressure, like a whirlwind, sucked in the gray smoke that had filled the dimly lit room.

I couldn't tell what she had done. My blurry vision became clear. After removing all the smoke, Elena lightly flicked her hand, looking at me as if to ask if it was more comfortable now.

"Could you have done this earlier…"

"It's tiring. It's annoying. And it's fun to see your reaction."

She chuckled like a troublemaker. Then, rummaging through her pockets, she pulled out a new pack of cigarettes. Squeak. She lit it and exhaled smoke again.

...Seriously, how many packs are you going to smoke? The smell of cigarettes never went away. I don't know if I can go back like this. I might get noticed for a different reason on the tram.

"Wait a moment. I have something to give you."

She reached out and rummaged through the pile of documents she had just cleared. Finding something useful, she tore it and cut it to an appropriate size.

Picking up a pen that had been rolling around, she started writing on the paper. Scratch, scratch.

Her eyes were blurry from staying up all night, and she kept rubbing them. Suddenly, she glanced at me and muttered, "…It's not because I'm old," before continuing to write.

Thud. Elena put down the pen. After a brief moment of contemplation, she bit her thumb. A small, dark red droplet of blood formed.

Just before it was about to drip onto the paper, a blue light appeared. It seemed like some kind of magical treatment. A spell using blood as a medium. What exactly was it?

Elena folded the completed note a few times and, with a somewhat weary face, handed it to me.

"Take it."

"…What is this?"

"A threat letter."

"Excuse me?"

"If you hold this and threaten someone, even a stranger will do you a favor."

"…"

I took it since she gave it to me.

Elena, with a dubious expression, said:

"Have you heard of the Star of Akasha?"

"…Yes, as an imperial citizen, of course…"

All humans live on the continent. The continent is ruled by the empire. The Star of Akasha is a gathering of the empire's most prestigious magicians and scholars. Therefore, the Star of Akasha is the highest and strongest magic tower in the world.

Those who walk the path of magic, born on the continent, have a reason to make entering the Star of Akasha their primary life goal.

"The head of that magic tower is my friend. He might be able to help you."

"…!"

Elena said this as casually as if she had just mentioned having dinner yesterday, leaving me in shock.

Indeed, the head of a magic tower.

Not just any magic tower, but a giant one.

The one at the top of the Star of Akasha, the highest magic tower in the world. To have such a person as a friend…

Even the emperor of the empire cannot treat him casually. He possesses absolute power and a reputation as a magician and scholar that surpasses the 10th tier—Deca.

"You might not know, but the Star of Akasha is currently divided into three parts. The Ether School has been the most prominent for the past nine years. The third head of the magic tower, Tetra Crowley, who leads the Ether School, is skilled in the field of souls. He might give you a more definite solution than I can. I received a lot of help from him a long time ago. His skills are solid."

Of course, they are solid. As the highest magician on the continent…

"Of course, you can't meet him right away. He's quite free-spirited. I last saw him a year ago… He's probably on his way back now. He should arrive by mid-April."

Mid-April…

It's not far away.

As I thought about my schedule, Elena suddenly said:

"You won't be able to move for a while, so set up a meeting based on your schedule. I don't care about his situation. I didn't draw a seal and write this letter for nothing. If you hold it out, he will meet you. But if you act too cocky, I'll let you get a beating. I'm giving you special permission."

"…Excuse me? That, that's a bit…"

"What, is my senior's word funny?"

"No, it's just…"

"Does it sound like a lie? It's true. Tetra, that woman, actually likes being hit. Given your appearance, it's not impossible. She might secretly enjoy a kick to the butt."

"…"

I didn't know what to say and just kept quiet. I didn't want to know this information. The peculiar quirks of the highest magician on the continent… I wondered how much I could get for this information if I sold it.

Elena, who seemed to be joking but was unexpectedly serious, gave me a peculiar feeling.

Elena, seeing my stiff face, chuckled.

"I'm just telling you not to be too tense. Most of the magicians in the tower have some quirks, but remember, they are just humans like you. As long as you speak the same language, you can communicate. Clearly express what you want. Don't avoid eye contact. If you convey your will clearly like you did just now, Tetra will give you a sincere response."

Elena looked at me with an unusually clear gaze. The hazy atmosphere from before suddenly disappeared. Even though one eye was covered, I felt like I was being sucked into Elena's bright golden pupils.

"…Yeah, that's it. Damn, you're good-looking."

She laughed, deflating the tension.

After finishing her last cigarette, she flicked it into the ashtray. Elena, scratching her head, groaned and bent her back. She looked up at the ceiling and then slightly lowered her gaze to me.

"That's it. I've said everything I needed to say to you."

I nodded heavily.

And I expressed my gratitude.

"…I didn't expect you to take care of me to this extent. Thank you very much, Senior Elena. I don't know how I can repay you…"

I trailed off. I was genuinely grateful to Elena. Despite her reputation for being unpredictable and her sometimes burdensome words and actions, she had done many things for me in this situation. Thanks to Senior Elena, I now had a small hope of regaining my memory, which I might never have been able to do.

Even though she wasn't sure, it was a significant gain for me. The idea that I could find answers by seeking out Elena turned out to be correct.

Elena chuckled. She shrugged and suddenly stood up from her chair. Walking over to me, she placed her hand on my shoulder. The smell of cigarettes, sweat, and an adult woman. Elena, who had been looking down at me, suddenly spoke.

"Unfortunately, there's nothing you can give me. Even if I wanted something from you, you have nothing to give me. So, you don't need to repay me at all."

"…"

"From now on, do what you need to do. Always do your best and live without regrets. That way, when you die, it won't be as bad. Got it, junior?"

Elena wanted a short answer.

And I gave it to her.

"…Yes, Senior."

Elena smiled, seemingly satisfied.

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