Chapter 86

### Chapter 86: Fragment (5)

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#8

"Are you okay?"

"Ouch..."

Before she could catch herself, Rubia fell dramatically.

In contrast, Iris didn't flinch at all. Her surprise was limited to slightly widening her eyes. Feeling a small sense of guilt for not being able to lend a hand, Iris extended her hand to Rubia.

"Thank you..."

What a spectacle. It felt like Ezzio was still watching from somewhere. Though she couldn't tell what he was thinking, the idea that she had been caught spying made her want to leave as quickly as possible. She was mortified. On the other hand, Iris remained calm, which only added to her confusion.

Rubia took Iris's hand and stood up, brushing off the dirt from her skirt. Of course, it didn't become completely clean. She used a simple magic manipulation to remove the dirt and then, with a finger to her lips, gestured to Iris, who was staring at her blankly.

"So, what are you doing here..."

"Let's, um, go over there. I'll explain there."

"Is it that important?"

"No, not really, but let's go... just go..."

Rubia grabbed Iris's shoulder, turned her around, and pushed her forward. If Iris had planted her feet firmly on the ground, Rubia's slight strength wouldn't have moved her, but Iris went along willingly. It seemed like the right thing to do.

#9

Squish, squish, squish.

Ezzio, who had been watching them as they left, making long lines on the ground, let out a sigh and turned his gaze away.

The odd position they had taken behind the structure, the startled look on their faces when their eyes met—everything made him feel like they had been secretly spying on him.

'Well, it's a bit hard to pretend it didn't happen.'

Maybe it was still awkward to approach them first.

That was just his thought.

He could have easily greeted them lightly, or maybe he was in the middle of talking to Mu. Unlike Rubia, who was imagining all sorts of embarrassing futures, Ezzio wasn't really thinking much.

More importantly.

He had to finish his conversation with Mu first.

"Anyway, that's what I wanted to say. I think I can find my memories soon. A great mage is helping me, so at the very least, I should be able to find some clues."

Ezzio twirled the straw in the lid of his cup, stirring aimlessly for a while before continuing.

"And I know your condition... isn't very good. I think it's better to find it quickly for your sake too."

At this, Mu's shoulders twitched slightly. Was it so bad that she shrank at the mention of it? What had made Mu like this? The taste in his mouth was bitter. Ezzio, with an indescribable expression, added a few words to Mu, who had bowed her head.

"I know we can't just treat each other casually, but I don't want to keep living like this. ...You said before, didn't you? That I shouldn't be nice to you."

A bitter smile formed on his face without him realizing it.

"Given what you've done for me, that's impossible. I don't think I can keep that promise. I'm sorry."

"..."

The feelings Ezzio had for Mu were mostly gratitude. Without Mu, he wouldn't be who he was now. He might have dropped out earlier.

However, he knew nothing about why he ended up dropping out despite Mu being by his side. He was sure he would find the answer soon. When that happened, even if things didn't go smoothly, he thought he could at least bring closure.

But whether regaining his memories would truly be for Mu's benefit, Ezzio couldn't clearly say.

If he recalled everything from the moment he collapsed, Mu wouldn't need to tell him the truth. Most importantly, it would be very difficult and dangerous, but a restored Ezzo could give genuine forgiveness.

He didn't know. He had no idea what Mu wanted now.

...It felt like the calm before the storm, and he felt quite anxious. Cold sweat formed on his palms.

Thinking about how the person who had smiled at him softly yesterday might ignore him completely the next day, his facial muscles trembled slightly. He felt like his mind would turn blank, not knowing what to do.

He had resolved to endure such a future, but the crisis came in a completely different form, striking from an unexpected place. During the month before Ezzio met Tetracrowl, Mu might have had to live each day in a state of anxiety.

Ultimately, no matter what Ezzio promised now.

It was—definitely not going to last forever.

Squish. The side of the cup crumpled slightly.

"Sorry, I should be the one to say..."

"Are you going to say it to me?"

"..."

"I told you, it's okay. Nothing's wrong."

As Mu's state gradually worsened with the mention of lost memories, Ezzio tried to comfort and reassure her. He gently held her hand, which had started to clench the hem of her skirt and bite her lip.

We shouldn't be this close, but... when he did this, Mu's trembling stopped as if by magic.

"It's okay. You did nothing wrong, Mu."

Though he knew nothing, he spoke as if it were the only right answer.

"..."

"You can stop blaming yourself now. Honestly, I don't understand why you have to carry such a trauma. Isn't it enough? Look, I'm fine now. I'm holding your hand right here. I don't know what you're worried about, but it's okay now. If something happens later, I'll do my best to handle it."

"…It's not that easy. I..."

"What can we do if it's not easy? We have to try. Even if we know it won't work, there are times when we must. I've lived that way, and you know it too."

Elena had said that regaining painful memories might not be a pleasant thing. From her words, it seemed she knew something about her condition.

It might not be a good thing. Especially since it meant the return of a broken personality. Despite the thought that he needed to find his memories, Ezzio felt a small fear about the changes to come.

Overcoming that small fear.

For Ezzio, who had faced despair countless times, it was a difficult but doable task.

'...You haven't changed at all.'

As much as Mu had liked that Ezzio.

Definitely, somehow. After regaining all his memories and resolving the broken relationship with himself.

Suddenly, she felt a strong desire to completely trust and rely on Ezzio, which filled her with deep disgust.

Most of all.

Ezzio's hand was so warm.

If, by some miracle, Ezzio could make his words come true and they could talk and laugh together again.

Whether she could be satisfied with that or not.

She didn't know.

If they lived like strangers.

If they became close friends, occasionally reminiscing about the past they could never return to.

—Ultimately, she couldn't be chosen.

If another precious relationship, which had been close to Ezzio, replaced her place from long ago. If she was left to watch from afar as he showed affection to someone else.

That would be the hardest future.

'...I can never go back to the way it was.'

Mu quietly, secretly, regretted.

#10

Flip, flip.

She had said everything she needed to say to Mu. On the last night of the week, Ezzio was in his dorm room, reviewing something in a book.

'First, I need to find my own...'

He thought, twirling his pen.

Flipping through the pages of "Sephiroth and the Ten Thousand," he stopped at the section "What is Unique Magic?"

"...Just looking at it makes me dizzy."

Maybe he was a bit tired. The densely packed text made him feel dizzy. It was history he had already learned in a general education class, so he just skimmed over it.

The important part was coming up. Ezzio focused his gaze on the book.

The color of unique magic. His was white. He needed to find information about it.

Flip, flip.

As he gradually flipped through the pages.

"Brown (Brown) Series"

There was Alphris's color.

"Yellow (Yellow) Series"

Including Reni's.

"Indigo (Indigo) Series"

Passing by a color that looked like Hector's.

"White (White) Series"

"…Why is it at the end?"

Finally, on the very last page, he found a single page with a brief description of white magic.

And.

"…Huh."

Ezzio couldn't help but tilt his head.

"White (White) Series"

- It originated from the white magic released when Sia Kether, one of the Ten Thousand who led the human victory in the First Human-Demon War, split the northern demon continent with the 'Heavenly Sword.'

- It shows compatibility with all elements and attributes.

- Other recorded information is extremely limited.

- As of the year 872 of the Continental Calendar, the most well-known owner of white magic is the Great Mage Tetracrowl (may not be accurate).

No matter how hard he looked.

There was very little information about white magic.

"..."

Ezzio tilted his head slightly.

...What should I submit for the assignment?

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