Subaru kicked the door open with a force that echoed down the hall, the impact reverberating through the old manor walls. He stood in the doorway, gasping for air, sweat clinging to his brow and streaming down his face in rivulets. His pupils were dilated, his breath ragged, and his heart hammered against his ribs like a war drum. Each beat screamed urgency. A tempest of emotion churned within him—fury, despair, fear—all of it boiling to the surface, barely contained. He felt like a dam ready to burst. For a moment, he said nothing, and then in a low, raspy voice, he forced the words out:
"Roswaal. I need your help."
Inside the richly furnished room, Roswaal sat languidly on a velvet chair, draped in his customary flamboyance, as if he'd been waiting for a cue in a play. His lips curled into an exaggerated smile, the glint in his mismatched eyes exuding that all-too-familiar amusement.
"Ooooh, Subaru-kun~ Such a dramatic entrance, hmmm? And what kind of help does my dear trouble-magnet require this time?"
Subaru clenched his jaw and exhaled through his nose, trying to rein in the tremor that ran through his arms. Every second felt like another thread snapping inside him. He spoke again, this time faster, his voice strained and laced with desperation.
"There's someone in Kararagi. A family member. I just found out. I need to get there. I have to find them before it's too late. I don't have time to explain more."
Roswaal tilted his head with exaggerated grace, fingers intertwining with unsettling calm. His painted smile dimmed slightly into an expression of mock sympathy.
"Ah... how unfortunate. But I'm afraid I can't spare any effort on personal errands. I am, after all, the Royal Court Mage. Duties, obligations... priorities, as you surely understand."
Subaru's eyes darkened, pupils narrowing to slits. His whole body was shaking now—not from fear, but from the effort of keeping his fury in check. His fists curled so tightly that crescent-shaped marks formed in his palms, his nails drawing blood. His voice dropped, coated in venom.
"Listen to me, you clown... obsessed with your dead teacher."
Roswaal's grin vanished. The room fell into a sudden, almost unnatural stillness. It was as if the air itself recoiled. The mask slipped for the briefest second, and something cold and dangerous looked out from behind his painted features. His voice, when he spoke again, was lower, stripped of pretense.
"You tread on dangerous ground, Natsuki Subaru."
But Subaru stood his ground, eyes blazing. "I know about Echidna. I know you want to bring her back."
The impact of the name was immediate. Roswaal flinched, his eyes widening with what might have been shock—or rage. The air thickened, vibrating with mana, as if the world itself had drawn a sharp breath.
"Don't you dare speak that name so casually," he hissed. "You have no idea what you're meddling with."
Subaru smirked, not backing down an inch. His smile was thin, cold, and unwavering—the smile of someone who had stared death in the face and refused to bow.
"What will you do then? Kill me? Go ahead, try it. But let's not pretend. You need me. I'm the only one who can get you to her. Without me, you're just another lunatic with a dream."
The tension snapped. Roswaal rose, his robe swirling with the motion like the cloak of a conjurer mid-spell. His eyes sharpened into slits of barely restrained wrath.
"You think this is a game? You think you're the only one who's suffered, who's sacrificed? How much do you truly know, Natsuki Subaru?"
Subaru stepped forward, inching closer, gaze locked and unrelenting. His voice was steady.
"More than you think... Altair."
(A/N: Roswaal's real name is Altair.)
For a heartbeat, everything stopped. Roswaal's face drained of color. That name—it pierced him like a dagger. The name wasn't just forbidden; it was secret, buried, a fragment of a past meant to be lost.
A heavy silence stretched between them. And then, without a sound, Roswaal vanished.
Subaru was alone in the room, the echo of his breath and heartbeat filling the void. Every muscle in his body tensed, his instincts screaming.
"Be ready," came a whisper in his mind—Flugel's voice, cryptic and cold. "He's coming."
Time warped. The air bent. Subaru barely had a second to brace himself before the world around him shattered.
Pain. Sudden and absolute. He gasped. Something had punctured his chest. When he looked down, all he saw was Roswaal's arm—embedded deep in his torso, fingers wrapped around his heart.
It wasn't just physical pain. It felt like his very soul had been yanked from its anchor.
Roswaal leaned in, whispering words laced with malevolence and finality.
"Everyone who knew that name is dead. And now... it's your turn."
Blood gushed from Subaru's mouth, his vision blurring into darkness. But even as the life drained from him, he grinned—broken, bleeding, defiant.
It wasn't a smile of surrender. It was the smile of a man who had faced the abyss and come back. Again and again.
"You can kill me, Roswaal... but remember this—when I die, I don't stay dead."
His breath came in jagged gasps, each one more shallow than the last. The light within his eyes began to flicker and fade, like a candle burning its final wick. Roswaal, watching closely, assumed it was over. The young man had finally succumbed. With a soft sigh, Roswaal began to pull his hand away from Subaru's chest, ready to pronounce his end.
But in that precise instant, Subaru's arm jerked.
It was a violent, unnatural motion—far too sudden for someone on the verge of death. His fingers shot forward like claws and latched onto Roswaal's wrist with bone-crushing force.
"W-What is happening?!" Roswaal's voice cracked as fear overtook him.
Subaru's eyes had changed.
The warmth, the humanity—they were gone. What remained was a lifeless gray, faded and bleak like ash. His pupils were diluted to near invisibility, and his once dark hair had turned ghostly white. His skin had taken on a pallid tone, and the aura that once surrounded his body—a soft heat of life and mana—had been replaced with an oppressive cold. It was a deathly frost, like the chilling breath that rises from an open grave.
Flugel had arrived.
This time, it was not just his presence—it was his voice, his soul. He spoke through Subaru's lips, but the tone was ancient, layered with the weight of forgotten eras.
"Yes... I suppose I must admit, it has been an eternity since I last inhabited a body. And this one... yes, this one is unusually compatible."
Roswaal's heart pounded. He tried to summon his magic, to will it into his veins—but it was like trying to breathe underwater. The flow was stifled. His circuits choked beneath an invisible pressure.
He yanked at his hand, trying to escape the dead boy's grasp. No response.
"Who—what are you?! Release me this instant!" Roswaal bellowed, but his voice trembled. His command was not one of authority, but of desperation.
The air grew heavier.
Death had taken voice. And it now stood in that room, speaking in the tongue of gods.
Flugel turned Subaru's head slowly toward Roswaal. His expression was serene—but in a way that froze the soul.
"You seek to command me? You—a painted clown playing at wisdom? You should remember your place, insect. A mere student of that deluded witch... you scurry beneath her skirt, clinging to borrowed power."
Roswaal's eyes burned. Fury overtook his fear. Mana surged through his blood like fire through oil.
"YOU DARE SPEAK ILL OF HER?!" he roared.
Flugel smiled. Slowly, mockingly, he raised a finger and dug it into his ear as if clearing out a bothersome sound.
"Very noisy... filled with childish passion. How exhausting. How boring, how disgusting, how stupid."
(A/N: The melancholic wizard imitates Hector.
After all, he is a character who has a great influence on Roswaal.)
Then, without pause, he squeezed Roswaal's wrist.
The crack was sharp and clean. Bone split like dry wood. Roswaal screamed as his muscles spasmed, and before he could even register the full pain, Flugel gave the smallest twist—just a flex of his fingers.
The arm detached from the socket with a wet, horrible sound.
"There. I've let go. You may have your freedom. How does it feel?"
Roswaal dropped like a stone, clutching the bloody stump. Pain consumed him, but instinct drove him. He summoned a fire spell, searing the wound closed with agonizing heat. The smell of burning flesh filled the room as blood soaked into the fine carpet. With a snarl, he began forming an offensive incantation with his other hand.
"UL GO—"
"Too slow."
Flugel appeared before him, his eyes scanning Roswaal's spell matrix in real time. He unraveled it mentally, dismantling it like a craftsman breaking down a flawed tool.
"Ah. No. That simply won't do."
With two fingers, he jabbed Roswaal's elbow. A second crack sounded, and before Roswaal could react, Flugel spun and drove his knee directly into the man's sternum. Roswaal was hurled backward, smashing into the wall with a sickening crunch. Blood spurted from his mouth, and a lone tooth bounced across the floor like a fallen coin.
Still, Roswaal rose.
His knees trembled. His body screamed in protest. But his spirit, cracked as it was, had not yet shattered. He summoned a sphere of blazing red fire, channeling everything he had into it.
"AL GOA!"
The orb hovered in the air—then froze.
Flugel had raised his right hand. "Vanish."
The spell imploded. Its structure folded inward on itself, like a dying star collapsing into a void. What was left was silence—a vacuum that sucked away even the ambient mana in the room.
"That's all? Truly? Roswaal... You are not just weak. You are embarrassing."
With a snarl, Roswaal threw himself forward, no longer a mage but a wounded animal. Magic exploded around him in ragged waves. Lightning crawled along the floor, and the chandelier overhead burst into shards. The entire room dimmed.
Flugel tilted his head. "Still you persist. Stubbornness is not strength."
He took one step.
The ground buckled beneath him.
A pulse of invisible energy shot forward and slammed into Roswaal, driving him into the wall as if nailed by a divine hammer. The stone fractured behind him, bones cracking in chorus. Blood trickled from his lips. Yet his body refused to fall.
Roswaal's final reserves ignited. Mana surged outward from every cell, his veins glowing beneath the skin. His complexion darkened, turning an unnatural violet.
"I... won't let you... win..."
He began forming a catastrophic spell, one capable of incinerating the entire mansion. It was madness. It was desperation. But it was power.
Flugel narrowed his eyes.
"You would destroy the home of that precious little Beatrice? How noble. How tragic. How utterly... pathetic."
He didn't let Roswaal finish.
Flugel reappeared before him, his presence slicing through space like a blade.
With surgical precision, he reached forward and tore away Roswaal's remaining arm.
The scream that followed was no longer human. It echoed through the halls like the wail of a cursed soul.
Blood sprayed across the wall. Roswaal collapsed.
And in the suffocating silence that followed, Flugel stood over him—unchanged, unmoved, eternal.
Roswaal froze in shock after the second blow. His pupils contracted into pinpricks. His breathing turned erratic, his chest heaving in shallow gasps. His whole body trembled, fingers twitching uncontrollably.
"P-please... don't kill me... I beg you!"
Flugel let out a devilish chuckle, his voice rich with disdain. He pointed to the deep, gaping wound in his chest. His once-immaculate robes were torn asunder, revealing a hollow chasm nestled between his exposed ribs. The emptiness seemed to pulse with an unnatural stillness.
"You see the void in my chest, Roswaal? You see this curse of absence? What do you suppose it is?"
Roswaal stammered, his voice barely holding together. "But... you're alive! You shouldn't be walking, talking! You didn't die!"
Flugel exhaled deeply, his breath like a cold wind brushing across a tomb. The weight of his words seemed to thicken the air itself. "No. Subaru is dead. That soul has moved beyond reach. And not long from now... I will follow. This body... I claimed it only because my hatred for you demanded it, Roswaal."
Roswaal crumpled to the floor like a marionette with its strings cut. His body quaked, his lips drained of color, and his vision blurred to a watery haze. "Then... who... who are you really?"
Flugel turned toward the door. Each step echoed through the silence like a drumbeat of finality. The air trembled around him.
"My name is Flugel," he said, his voice a low rumble. "The Great Sage."
As Roswaal lay trembling, caught in the jaws of dread, a memory surfaced—Echidna's voice, calm and precise, whispering through the corridors of his mind:
"I once traveled with a sage named Flugel. Myself, Satella, Flugel, and Reid Astrea... Satella absorbed the Witch of Envy's factor, but it overwhelmed her. She lost control. It took both the Great Sage and the First Sword Saint to stop her. And the one who sealed her... was Flugel."
The memory stabbed into Roswaal's heart like a burning spike. The blood oozing from his arm was nothing next to the weight of that revelation. He could only lie there—helpless, bleeding, waiting for the end to come.
The door creaked open.
Ram.
Flugel stepped out just as Ram appeared, blocking his path. Her eyes narrowed, her stance fierce despite the confusion and fear brimming beneath the surface.
"Barusu? No... you're not him. Who are you? Answer me!"
Flugel simply smiled, the expression inscrutable, and opened the door fully. Through the gap, Roswaal's broken form was now in plain view.
"I think you have someone more urgent to tend to."
Without another word, Ram rushed past him, her breath caught in her throat. When she saw Roswaal's state, her hands clenched into fists. Fury sparked in her eyes.
Flugel continued down the hall, unconcerned. At the corridor's end, he paused, drew in a long breath, and called out:
"BETTY! WHERE AAAARE YOU?!"
He already knew where the forbidden library was hidden. But shouting like that... it gave him a kind of wicked satisfaction. He had helped create Beatrice. In many ways, he was her father. There was a strange pride in the name.
Even after he departed, the room he left behind held only the cold, the blood, and the ruin.
Flugel arrived at the door to the forbidden library. A heavy, suffocating silence blanketed the air like dust in a crypt. He reached for the ancient doorknob. His hand hovered, then gripped it—its chill seeped through his bones. The door creaked open.
Inside, surrounded by the soft glow of countless tomes, Beatrice looked up. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"Master Flugel? Is that... truly you?" Her voice trembled, equal parts hope and dread.
Flugel stepped forward, arms opening, a radiant smile on his face. "Yes, dear Betty. It's me. Your old master. I've come to see you. It has been far too long. I've missed you deeply."
He walked gently across the room and embraced her. Beatrice froze for a moment, then melted into the hug. Time seemed suspended.
Tears welled in her eyes. Her voice broke. "Y-you sealed yourself away... Master Flugel! How can you be here? What happened?!"
His voice came soft, gentle like snowfall, but heavy with longing. "Still the same curious child, aren't you? Is this how you greet your teacher after four hundred years? Enough questions for now. Just hold me. Let yourself feel this moment."
Beatrice clung to him. His warmth was unlike anything she had known for centuries—it reminded her of her mother's embrace, of forgotten comfort. She felt like a child finding her way home again.
Time passed. Words fell away, leaving only silence and memory. But then, Flugel's body began to shimmer and splinter. His skin cracked like old bark, and flakes of light drifted from him, dissipating into the air.
Beatrice recoiled in panic, eyes wide. "Master Flugel! The seal—it's still active, isn't it?! You're... you're only here because of mana, right?!"
Flugel nodded, smiling faintly. He placed a hand on her head, gently stroking her hair as if to calm her one last time.
"Clever girl... Yes. I'm only here for a limited time. I borrowed Subaru's body—synchronized my soul with his, briefly. I came to finish one final task. To settle an old score... and to see you again, my dearest creation."
Beatrice sobbed quietly, her fingers curling around the edge of his robe, as if trying to hold him together for just a few moments longer.
"Please... don't go... not yet..."
Flugel's voice was now almost a whisper, fading with every word. "Be strong, Betty. There are still people who need you. Subaru... will need you."
Just then, a furious voice roared from behind the door. "Whoever you are, get out of my sister's room! You demon!"
It was Puck. His usually soft voice cracked with rage, trembling with emotion.
Flugel strode toward the door with an amused grin tugging at his lips. He extended a hand, pushing the door open with only the faintest pressure, and peered through the gap.
"Demon? Oh, kitty... that's a little harsh. I'm wounded," he said playfully.
The moment Puck saw who stood before him, his entire demeanor shifted. His pupils dilated in disbelief.
Behind him, Emilia cautiously leaned forward, peeking past Puck's shoulder. Her amethyst eyes widened as her lips trembled. "You...? Subaru? Is that you?"
Rem's instincts kicked in. She stepped in front of Emilia with lightning speed, gripping her morningstar tightly. Her eyes locked on Flugel, scrutinizing every movement.
"Stay back, Emilia-sama! That's not Subaru-kun. The scent... it's wrong. The aura's distorted. That soul doesn't belong to him."
The corridor grew tense. Heavy, deliberate footsteps echoed toward the gathering. Each step hit like a war drum. Then Ram entered the scene.
Her expression was taut, her jaw clenched. Her narrowed eyes burned with restrained fury. For once, the calm facade of a servant was gone. What stood before them now was not just a maid, but a sister grieving, a warrior seeking justice.
"You…" Her voice cracked, but she forced it steady. "You killed Roswaal-sama."
Despite the tremor in her tone, her words were laced with ice. Her crimson eyes, glowing with inner fire, refused to waver. Ram had carried complicated feelings for Roswaal—loyalty, bitterness, even love—but in this moment, they had all been scorched away, leaving only vengeance.
A heavy silence fell. Beatrice inhaled sharply, holding her breath. Emilia covered her mouth with her hands in disbelief. Rem glanced sideways, uncomfortable, perhaps even a little afraid. This was a side of Ram she had never seen before.
Ram didn't look at them. Her entire focus was on Flugel, her gaze piercing. It was a stare laden with sorrow, history, and unresolved pain.
Slowly, she raised her staff. Winds circled her feet, whirling upward as she began to chant. But the incantation failed. In an instant, the mana flow vanished. The air, once charged with energy, turned still.
"W-What… what's going on?!" Ram gasped.
Flugel tilted his head with a soft, condescending smile. "I severed your connection to mana. You're not casting anything in my presence."
Ram stumbled a step backward. Her breathing quickened. No one else dared to move, frozen by the sheer presence emanating from the entity before them.
Flugel's form had begun to flicker now, light breaking from the edges of his silhouette. His time was nearly up.
"Hmm... looks like my time's run out," he murmured, almost to himself.
He turned his gaze toward Puck, and for once, there was no sarcasm, no mockery—just sincerity. "Take care of her, kitty. Be by her side. She needs you more than ever."
Puck lowered his head solemnly. Words failed him.
Then Flugel shifted to Emilia. He offered her a gentle, fleeting smile—haunted yet strangely warm.
Finally, he turned to Beatrice. His expression softened even further.
"We'll meet again soon, Betty. Be ready. This time, there won't be any goodbyes."
Beatrice's tiny fists trembled as tears streamed down her cheeks. Despite that, she smiled, voice barely a whisper. "I'll wait… I promise."
A final shimmer passed through Flugel's form. Then, in a burst of light, his body disintegrated. Glittering fragments of mana floated into the air like fireflies, vanishing into silence.
[DING!!]
[Return by Death – ACTIVE]
A whisper came from the void. It was her voice—Satella's—speaking from the depths of his soul.
"I love you..."
As Flugel was swallowed by the darkness, he gave a low, echoing chuckle.
"I know~"
With a sharp gasp, Subaru snapped awake.
He was back—kneeling at the front gates of the mansion. His hands trembled. His breaths came shallow, rapid.
"Just now... Roswaal killed me... But it didn't feel like dying. What the hell just happened to me?"
Flugel's voice echoed within his thoughts.
"I used a portion of your mana to reanimate your body temporarily. I needed to settle a debt with Roswaal."
Subaru closed his eyes for a moment, exhaling slowly. "So... you're inside my soul. That means you can move my body when I die. I guess... I can live with that. But that also means Roswaal is off the table. He won't help us anymore. What do we do now?"
Flugel's tone shifted—cool, composed, calculating.
"For now, step away from the Emilia camp. Politics demand cold hearts. You've already received an offer from Anastasia. Treat it as a blessing. Speak to Emilia calmly, without burning bridges. Try to convince Beatrice to come with you. Her presence will be essential."
Subaru nodded slowly. His eyes hardened, fire flickering behind them. "Right... I'll try. I won't waste this chance."
Above him, the sky began to pale with the first light of dawn. With newfound resolve, Subaru stood tall.
This wasn't the end. It was only the beginning.
[Ding!!]
[Authority: Resonance by Death has copied a new ability from Roswaal L. Mathers]
Name: Air Step
Type: Active Skill
Features:
-The user creates a layer of wind beneath their feet using wind and earth mana.
-Enables high-speed movement.
-Requires precise control over both wind and earth mana for activation.
A transparent screen shimmered into view before Subaru, suspended in the air with a gentle, wavering glow. The letters it bore were elegant, traced with mana as though inscribed by a calligrapher's hand. Subaru squinted at the screen, a crease forming between his brows. His expression gradually darkened with disapproval. He sighed deeply, frustration clinging to the breath, then gave his head a slow shake.
"Flugel... This won't work. I have no alignment with either earth or wind mana. Even if I push my reserves like you said, I won't be able to maintain it. It's a waste."
Flugel's voice responded with a long-suffering groan, the kind that sounded far too practiced. "Haah~ You really are hopeless. Still stuck in that old mindset where you underestimate yourself and overestimate limitations. But... fine. Just this once, I'll make an exception."
The screen flickered with renewed light. The glowing characters warped, shifting like fluid until they settled into a new configuration.
[Ding!!]
[Essence of the skill "Air Step" forcibly modified]
[Air Step --> Yin Step]
Name: Yin Step
Type: Active Skill
Synchronization Rate: 10%
Features:
-Allows the user to phase through and travel within shadows using yin mana.
-Due to the user's natural affinity, mana consumption is significantly reduced.
-Activation still requires refined control over yin mana.
"Now then," Flugel said with renewed curiosity, "how does this one look to you?"
Subaru's lips curled into a faint smirk. There was a gleam in his eyes—not just interest, but something darker, deeper. "Looks promising. Let's give it a test."
He exhaled slowly, centering himself. From the space beneath his feet, a tide of black shadow slithered upward. The darkness clung to his legs, liquid and alive, creeping up to his knees with eerie grace. His body began to descend, as though the ground had become water and he a stone slipping below the surface.
[Yin Step - Activated]
When Subaru opened his eyes again, he found himself floating in a world of darkness. Yet it wasn't suffocating—there was clarity, like peering through smoked glass at the world beyond. Time felt slower here. His limbs were weightless. He could neither see nor feel his body, yet every fiber of his consciousness was in contact with his surroundings. It was more than just a technique—it was a different state of existence.
Flugel's voice echoed through the void, amused. "Not bad. Ideal for sneaking around, perhaps even peeking under skirts, hm?"
Subaru rolled his eyes so hard it felt like they might fall out. "Really? We're doing this now? You do realize I'm not twelve, right?"
"Still worth checking. You never know," Flugel teased.
Choosing to ignore him, Subaru focused on the way the shadows pulsed and breathed around him. They weren't just empty spaces—they responded to him, followed his will. When he thought of moving forward, the shadows carried him like a current. His speed increased slightly, though sharp turns or sudden stops still eluded him. He lacked finesse, but the raw potential was unmistakable. He wasn't walking—he was gliding, becoming one with the gloom.
As he ventured deeper, orientation grew harder. There were no points of reference, no up or down. Yet through intuition and sheer willpower, Subaru surged upward. As if breaching the surface of a still lake, his body rose back into the material world. The shadows receded from his form like mist caught in the wind, leaving only a faint chill across his skin.
The physical distance he covered was small, but his mind was racing. He'd glimpsed what was possible.
Flugel's tone turned didactic, even reverent. "This skill... it's more than stealth. It's perfect for infiltration, escape, and surprise assaults. You're intangible to most conventional attacks while submerged. Rugged terrain, narrow passages, vertical climbs—none of them matter. In battle, you become a phantom. A shadow that strikes before being seen."
Subaru knelt, grounding himself after the experience. His breathing had steadied, but his heart still beat with excited tension. He stretched his arms out, rotating his shoulders slowly.
"This is going to take time. The learning curve is steep. Is there any way I can shorten it?"
There was a moment of silence from Flugel. Then came the inevitable sigh. "You always want shortcuts. But fine. Tonight, I'll help you awaken your mana heart. It's a process you were meant to undergo alone—through hardship, repetition, and pain. That's how it should be. But our dear little sister may be in danger... and you need to be strong if we're going to save her. For that, I'll bend the rules—just this once."
Subaru stood, eyes narrowing with newfound resolve. The path ahead was uncertain, but for the first time, he had a way to walk it unseen.
Subaru lowered his head, shadows flickering in his eyes. Yet, amid that darkness, a sharper, blazing resolve burned bright. He drew a deep breath. This wasn't just about a new power—this was a turning point, the moment when doubt needed to give way to determination.
He pushed open the mansion's heavy front door and stepped inside. The shadows crept behind him, trailing his every footstep like memories refusing to be left behind. Every creak of the wooden floor, every flicker of candlelight felt like a reminder: he had a mission. And this time, he couldn't afford to fail.
"Power can wait," he whispered to the empty hallway. "First... I need to gather allies. I can't face what's coming alone. The time has come... to prepare."
His boots echoed across the marble floor as he walked deeper into the corridor, each step ringing out like a war drum. Thoughts twisted and churned in his mind, a storm of doubts and hopes. His heart thudded painfully, caught between fear and resolve. The silence of the mansion wrapped around him like a shroud, and his voice came out barely louder than a whisper:
"Who do you think would follow us?"
Flugel paused for a moment, his voice calm and thoughtful. "Elsa and Meili, certainly. Their loyalty to you isn't just born of duty—they feel connected to you. They're the kind of people who don't follow easily... but they chose you. That counts for something. But Rem and Ram? They remain tied to Roswaal. Their hearts and minds are... complicated. And unfortunately, Emilia and Puck... I doubt they'd be able to join us. Roswaal would stop them, directly or otherwise. He has his claws deep in that camp. As for Beatrice... she's the wild card. If we can bring her with us, she'll be a huge asset. More than that, she deserves to be free. That lonely girl has waited long enough. Her fate shouldn't be chained to that library for eternity."
Subaru smiled softly, a mix of warmth and sorrow coloring his expression. "You're still soft, Flugel. I can tell. But that's not a bad thing. Joking aside... it hurts to be apart from Emilia and Rem. They're important to me. But Hikari's more important now. I'd risk everything to save her."
Flugel gave a low hum, not quite agreeing, but not protesting either. Subaru reached his first destination: Meili's room.
He pushed the door open gently. Inside, Elsa sat calmly brushing Meili's hair. Meili still had the dazed look of someone just waking up, her eyes misty with sleep. But the warmth between them, quiet and unspoken, was unmistakable. Elsa's motions were patient, even affectionate—a quiet bond forged in shared silence.
When they turned and saw Subaru, Meili's face lit up instantly. Her eyes sparkled as she dashed across the room.
"Subaru-nii!!"
With a joyful cry, she leapt into his arms. Subaru caught her and held her tight. "I missed you too, Meili."
As he stroked her hair, she snuggled into his chest with a soft murmur. Elsa rose slowly, her gaze cool but alert. Her eyes narrowed just a bit, not out of hostility, but curiosity. She didn't understand why he was here at this hour.
"This is unusual... What brings you here so early? Something happened?"
Subaru sat down, still holding Meili in his lap as she basked in the attention. His expression shifted; the weight of his thoughts crept into his posture. He took a moment to gather his words before he spoke.
"Yeah. Something big."
Elsa arched an eyebrow and leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Go on."
He didn't waste time. "I spoke with Anastasia-sama this morning."
Elsa rolled her eyes, her voice laced with a dangerous kind of sarcasm. "Another girl? Really, Subaru? You never change."
Subaru ignored the jab with a wry smile. "Anastasia is actually from Kararagi. When I showed her my plans, she said she'd seen something similar before. A girl with my surname and my eyes. Natsuki Hikari. My sister."
Meili's expression changed immediately. She frowned and pouted. "Subaru-nii! I'm your sister too!"
Subaru chuckled warmly and hugged her tighter. "You'll always have a special place, Meili. That won't ever change."
Elsa's teasing smirk faded. She spoke up again, this time more serious. "But... shouldn't she be in your world?"
Subaru let out a quiet sigh, lowering his gaze to the floor. His fingers tightened slightly at his sides, as though the weight of his next words physically pressed down on him. "Yeah... it has to be this way. But I heard she was there. I still don't really understand everything that's going on. The only thing I know for sure is that Hikari is there right now—alone. And who knows what she's up against. That's why I have to go to Kararagi."
He paused for a moment, raising his eyes to meet theirs with quiet intensity. "And... I want both of you to come with me."
Elsa tilted her head, then gave a short nod, a glint of steel-sharp determination flashing in her eyes. "We never intended to leave you to face this on your own. Besides... this mansion's gotten boring. The silence here is starting to feel like a coffin. A little chaos sounds refreshing."
Meili, who had been quietly listening, lit up like a child given candy. Her eyes sparkled with eager delight. "Wherever you go, I'm coming too, Subaru-nii! Who cares where it is? If it's with you, that's enough! And anyway... I need to have a talk with Hikari. We'll finally see who the better little sister is!"
Subaru chuckled softly, a small but genuine smile breaking through the cloud of anxiety clinging to him. The tightness in his chest eased, just a bit. Having them beside him—these two strange, dangerous, and loyal people—made the looming storm feel just a little more bearable. "Thank you—really. Both of you. Alright... I'll lay out the plan."
He took a deep breath, then began explaining all he had learned from Anastasia in meticulous detail. He outlined the strategic significance of Kararagi, the unpredictable threats they might run into, and the critical importance of each person's role in the mission. Every crossing point, every delay they might face, and every contingency he had considered spilled from his lips like carefully placed stones forming a path through unknown terrain.
Time was already slipping through their fingers. Preparations had to begin immediately if they were to act before conditions turned against them. Subaru asked the two to gather their supplies and prepare for departure.
Meili squealed with excitement, bolting down the hallway like a shot, already listing aloud what she would pack—most of which sounded unnecessary and chaotic. Elsa, by contrast, moved in her usual quiet, fluid way. She ran her fingers along the edge of her blades, checking each one with a careful eye. A faint, knowing smirk crossed her lips as if anticipating the bloodshed ahead.
Subaru lingered by the doorway. For a heartbeat, he remained still, casting a final look back into the room. It wasn't grand or symbolic—just a simple space that had, for a short time, held a fragile peace. In that space stood two individuals who had chosen to walk with him into uncertainty.
He stepped outside. The morning sun, gentle and golden, kissed his face with its soft warmth. The breeze that drifted through the air felt like a breath from the world itself, urging him onward. He closed his eyes and drew a slow breath, trying to clear the weight nesting in his mind. "Now... I need to tell Emilia what's happening," he murmured.
He stopped briefly, a knot forming between his brows. "How do you think she'll take it, Flugel?"
"Emilia will want to go with you. That much is certain. Her heart is unclouded, and her determination, unwavering. But it is exactly because of that purity that she's vulnerable."
His voice dropping into a more solemn cadence. "And this isn't just about emotional fragility. Her choices ripple far beyond herself. If she leaves the capital, people will notice. Roswaal will notice. And for someone like him—an opportunist at his core—that attachment to you becomes a lever. One he can use to bend her will. If he senses her bond with you is strong enough, he may manipulate the situation to send her back to the Sanctuary. Once there, she could be forced to endure the Witch of Greed's trial again."
Subaru's breath caught in his throat. The mere thought of Emilia being subjected to that test once more was unbearable.
Flugel, sensing his reaction, continued. "That's why I need to talk to Puck and Beatrice. If I can bring them in on this, get them to understand the scope of what's at stake, then maybe they can help hold Emilia back. If I know she's being protected, I can let you go forward without needing to look over your shoulder."
Subaru gave a small nod, exhaling with quiet resolve. "I know she'll want to come. That's who she is. And that's why... I can't let her. To protect her, I need to carry this weight alone. I'll tell her everything myself—even if it breaks his heart."
Each step toward Emilia's room felt heavier than the last. He could already hear her voice in his memory—kind, earnest, always believing in him. Telling her they had to part, even if only for a while, felt like breaking something delicate.
He stood outside her door, heart pounding. His hands curled into fists, then slowly relaxed as he drew in a steadying breath. Gathering what little strength he could, he raised his hand and pushed the door open with deliberate care.
"Mili," he said softly. "I'm here."
And with that, the next difficult moment began.
Emilia sat by the window, bathed in the soft morning light, a book resting in her lap untouched. Her long silver hair cascaded over her shoulders like strands of moonlight, swaying slightly as the breeze danced through the open pane. The gentle quiet of the early hour cloaked the room in a serene hush, broken only by the distant chirping of birds. Sleep still clung stubbornly to her violet eyes, a faint haze that hadn't yet lifted, but the moment she heard Subaru's voice, her whole expression transformed—brighter, alert, alive.
"Subaru! You're back. I'm sorry I missed your conversation with Reinhard yesterday. I completely passed out from exhaustion. I didn't even make it to my bed properly."
Subaru let out a soft chuckle as he approached, his steps slow and deliberate, carrying warmth with each stride. "No worries at all. Actually, I had the noble honor of carrying you to your bed. Pretty sure that qualifies as a secret romantic moment—just between us, of course."
A voice floated lazily from the side. Flugel, "How utterly cliché. That's the kind of shallow romance you'd find in a third-rate novel."
Emilia laughed, covering her mouth with one hand as her cheeks flushed ever so slightly. "Anyway, did you get to meet with Anastasia?"
Subaru's playful demeanor faded as a more serious air settled around him. He nodded slowly. "Yeah. I just got back. There's a lot we need to talk about—important stuff. Things you need to know."
Emilia tilted her head slightly, her expression softening with concern. "What happened? What did she say?"
Subaru sank into a chair nearby, clasping his hands together for a moment as he gathered his thoughts. Then, in a voice marked with resolve, he recounted his discussion with Anastasia in detail—her cryptic warnings, the revelations about Hikari, and the troubling urgency behind his need to travel to Kararagi. His voice was calm, steady, but his eyes searched Emilia's face constantly, watching every flicker of emotion.
He concluded with a quiet weight: "That's why I need to leave for Kararagi as soon as possible, Mili. I hate this, but I won't be able to stay here with you for a while."
For a brief moment, silence reigned. Then Emilia stood up, her chair scraping softly against the wooden floor. Her voice, though not loud, rang with unwavering determination. "Then I'm coming with you. You know I can help, and I won't just stand by and do nothing."
A small swirl of light shimmered beside her, and Puck emerged, his fur standing on end with tension. "She's right. If saving your sister is our goal, then going as a group makes far more sense. I've got your back too, as always."
Subaru opened his mouth, torn between gratitude and apprehension—but the moment shattered as the door slammed open with a sudden, thunderous noise. The peaceful air in the room was instantly replaced by tension.
Roswaal entered, flanked by Ram and Rem, his signature unsettling grin already plastered across his face like a mask. His eyes glittered with a mischievous gleam as his gaze swept across the room.
"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation, Subaru-kuuun~ Forgive the intrusion, but I come bearing some most unfortunate news. Emilia-sama, I'm afraid you cannot leave the kingdom of Lugunica."
Emilia blinked, visibly taken aback. "What are you talking about, Roswaal? Subaru needs help! I have to go with him."
Roswaal's arms extended outward in an exaggerated flourish. "Emilia-sama, as a royal candidate and the future leader of this nation, your presence is not just symbolic—it is essential. There's no legal precedent or justification that would allow you to travel abroad. Even with my endorsement, the kingdom's laws simply won't permit such a thing."
Emilia's fists trembled at her sides, her expression a storm of frustration and defiance. "Then I'll withdraw from the royal selection! If I can't help the one who's always helped me, then none of this—being a candidate, being a symbol—matters at all!"
Before she could continue, Subaru closed the distance between them with surprising speed and gently flicked her forehead with the tip of his finger.
"Subaru?!" she gasped, instinctively reaching up to rub the spot.
His expression had sharpened, but his tone was kind, almost pleading. "Mili… don't talk like that. What you're doing, what you represent—it's so much bigger than just me. I know you want to help. But throwing everything away isn't the answer. You have the strength to make a difference here too, even if we're apart. And I believe in that strength. I believe in you."
Emilia's eyes filled with tears. She bit her lip, her voice trembling. "But Subaru... I'm not thinking about politics or the throne. I'm thinking about you. I want to be by your side, not just spiritually, but physically as well. I can't leave you."
Subaru stepped forward again, eyes filled with gratitude and tenderness, and wrapped her in a gentle embrace. It was a silent promise, spoken through warmth alone.
"You're not being left behind. I'm taking Elsa and Meili with me—don't give me that look, I know it sounds insane. But they can help. And I swear, I'll come back to you. Sooner than you think."
Emilia rested her head against his chest, her fingers gently curling into his shirt. Their hearts beat different rhythms, but the melody between them remained in sync—unwavering, resilient.
Just outside the doorway, Rem stood quietly, her eyes locked on the two. A heaviness settled deep in her chest, difficult to define. This closeness, this fierce bond—nothing was simple anymore.
As Roswaal began to speak again, Rem slowly stepped from behind him, as if drawn forward by a force she couldn't fight. Her eyes never left Subaru's face.
Her voice, when it came, was quiet, but every word shimmered with a hesitant resolve.
"Subaru-kun, I… I want to come with y—"
However, before she could finish her sentence, Ram swiftly stepped beside her sister and covered her mouth with a firm hand. Her eyes were sharp and filled with a mix of urgency and disapproval, and the motion was so quick, so practiced, it was as if she had anticipated this exact moment. Roswaal narrowed his own gaze at the two sisters, a faint smirk playing on his lips that didn't reach his cold, calculating eyes. The words that had been silenced now hung in the air like smoke from a dying flame, curling into nothingness. The tension in the room was stifling, pressing in from every direction like invisible walls tightening around them.
Flugel's voice exploded in Subaru's mind, harsher than usual, like a crack of thunder in a dark sky. "Oi. I want to kill that clown again. But for now... at least do something to piss him off."
Subaru clenched his jaw slightly, a pulse throbbing at his temple. He shared Flugel's sentiments entirely. There was a slow-burning fury buried in his chest, coiled and waiting like a predator in the dark, but none of it reached his face. His voice was cool and deliberate when he finally spoke. "Rem, I want you to come with me."
Roswaal's expression darkened visibly. His reply was clipped, each word frosted with disdain. "Natsuki Subaru. Rem works for me. She cannot go with you."
Subaru tilted his head, smile thin and defiant like a blade held at the throat. "Then let's make this simple. Let her decide."
Roswaal blinked, caught off guard for a fraction of a second. Then he chuckled lowly, with performative theatrics as if he were on stage, draped in illusions. "Oh my~ how... democratic."
Rem took a step forward. Her stride was measured but steady, determination shining in her eyes. Roswaal's stare burned into her like a branding iron, a silent threat carried in every inch of his gaze. But Rem, unfazed, lifted her head and spoke clearly, each syllable a defiance.
"I will go with Subaru-kun."
The words were more than a choice—they were a declaration of will. Rem wasn't just choosing a path; she was reclaiming the right to shape her own fate, guided by both her heart and her loyalty. In that single moment, she severed herself from the silent chains that had long bound her to Roswaal's command.
Subaru clapped his hands together, the sound echoing like punctuation to her declaration. "Then it's settled! Rem's with me now." There was a weight to his words, almost possessive—not in dominance, but in deep, protective belonging. His voice carried an edge of finality, as though daring anyone to challenge it.
Roswaal's face twitched. A vein throbbed visibly at his temple. Subaru could sense it clearly: Roswaal wanted to strike him down then and there. But beneath Subaru's composed exterior was a chilling stillness—an aura that told Roswaal: come closer, and suffer.
Roswaal took a slow breath, forcing calm back into his limbs. His smile faded, replaced by a calculating quiet. The boy before him was no ordinary fool. He never had been. There was something more lurking in him now—an unknown variable.
Ram remained silent. She didn't like the idea of her sister leaving with him, but she couldn't argue with what she saw. In Rem's eyes burned a light too strong to deny—trust, affection, and something far deeper. Every moment she spent with Subaru made her heartbeat race. Every glance, every word, every breath he shared with her etched itself into her world like scripture.
Ram turned slightly away, her voice low but firm. "Don't let harm come to her. And don't you dare break her heart, Barusu."
Subaru bowed his head in quiet gratitude, his voice soft. "I won't. You have my word."
Then he stepped closer to Rem and wrapped his arms gently around her. His embrace spoke not just of comfort, but of promise. A sacred vow not bound by words but by intention.
"I swear. I'll protect her."
Rem didn't answer aloud, but the blush on her cheeks betrayed the storm of emotions inside her. Her silence was heavy with meaning. She found peace in his presence, even as her heart stirred with fire. The promise he gave her wasn't just protection—it was belief, in her and in their bond.
Roswaal and Ram left the room without another word. The air shifted as they departed, the pressure lifting just slightly. Rem quietly slipped away to gather her belongings. But just before leaving, she turned and looked back at Subaru one last time. That gaze—it was silent gratitude, unwavering loyalty, and something more. Something that hinted at hope.
Now only Subaru, Emilia, and Puck remained in the quiet room. The silence lasted only a moment before Subaru stepped forward.
"I have to go soon, Mili," Subaru said softly, his tone filled with regret and determination in equal measure. "I'll be back... and I'll bring Hikari with me."
Emilia looked at him with worried eyes. There was hesitation there—a vulnerable glimmer, like a child staring into a storm. "Do you think... she'll like me, Subaru?"
Subaru gave a small, warm laugh. It was gentle, full of belief. "Of course she will. How could she not? You've got such a kind heart, Mili. She'll see that. I'm sure of it."
There was little more to say. The moment passed quietly between them, like the calm before a wave crashed ashore.
Then Subaru turned toward Puck. "I need to speak with you... and Beatrice."
Puck nodded once, his expression turning serious. Without another word, he began to float toward the Forbidden Library. Subaru followed closely behind, the sound of their steps soft against the ancient floors.
At the door, Puck crossed his arms, his tiny form brimming with unusual gravitas. His icy aura shimmered faintly. "Alright, boy. What do you need from me and my sister?"
Subaru's expression shifted—his smile took on an edge of mystery. "Actually... I want to introduce you to someone. Someone who's been part of this journey from the shadows."
In his mind, he called out to Flugel. "Take over my body with mana. Speak to Beatrice and Puck. That's the plan, right?"
Flugel's voice echoed back, sharp and ready. "Yes. But before you summon me, absorb the mana from the daggers. Your body still can't handle my strength."
Subaru nodded slightly, already reaching within his coat for the enchanted blades. They pulsed with latent power, humming like a heartbeat. This was just the beginning. The true confrontation—both with enemies outside and the shadows within—was drawing closer.
And Subaru intended to face it head-on.
Subaru let out a long, weary sigh. With a pounding heart and a weight heavier than before pressing down on his shoulders, he stepped through the ancient, creaking door into the dimly lit library. Each footfall seemed to echo through his entire being, vibrating with the uncertainty of what lay ahead. His breath caught slightly in his chest, and for every step he took, the beating of his heart intensified—a visceral response to the flood of emotions within him. Fear, anticipation, and the haunting knowledge that there was no turning back anymore.
Beatrice sat in the center of the library, surrounded by endless shelves of forgotten tomes, her small form barely illuminated by the golden light of a single enchanted lamp overhead. She looked at Subaru with hollow, empty eyes. The shadows beneath her eyes were darker than usual, etched deep into her delicate face. Tracks of recently shed tears still lingered on her cheeks, glistening faintly. The light cast her in an almost spectral pallor, as if the library itself was leeching the life from her.
"What do you want, I suppose?" she said, voice barely above a whisper. It was tired, fatigued beyond her years, and carried with it a weight of detachment. There was no warmth, no surprise—just resignation.
Subaru moved silently to the chair opposite her and sat down. Puck, resting on his shoulder, didn't stir. His fur stood on end just slightly, a sign of discomfort. Subaru had already told his story to others, revealing the darkness that haunted him. But Beatrice—this was different. This was personal. And now, the time had come for her to hear the truth. Still, the words didn't come easily. They caught in his throat, trapped by guilt and fear. The silence between them stretched, long and thick. Finally, he spoke, each word carefully measured.
Beatrice listened without interruption, her gaze fixed and unreadable. Her usual sharp wit and knowing glances were gone. What stared back at him was something quieter, more broken. Disappointment ran deep in her expression. "Be careful in Karagiri. That's all. Now, please leave Betty's library," she said at last, her voice cold and firm, yet trembling faintly—as if echoing a wound long buried but never healed.
Subaru inhaled slowly, forcing air into his lungs before meeting her eyes again. They were red-rimmed, but fierce, and still so young in their grief. He couldn't bear seeing her like this. "Beako... That's not actually why I came here," he said gently. His voice trembled at first, but then it steadied with determination.
Beatrice tilted her head, her lips compressed into a thin line. "Then what is it? You came to ask for Betty's help again? To use me again? Or is this another situation where you want me to pull you out of the fire one more time?"
Her words stung, and Subaru winced. His eyes fluttered closed for a second, as if shielding himself from the truth in her voice. "I know I hurt you yesterday, and I'm sorry, Beako. I really am. I didn't think about what mattered to you. I was so wrapped up in my own fear, my own desperation. But today, I wanted you to meet someone. Someone you might remember. I hoped... maybe he could help you find the answers you've been searching for."
Beatrice's brows furrowed, a flicker of surprise flashing through her eyes. "Someone I know? Is this another one of your ridiculous ideas, Subaru? This better not be a trick."
Subaru didn't respond with words. Instead, he raised his hands and summoned Etherfang. Twin daggers appeared instantly in his grasp, gleaming faintly with arcane energy. A glimmer sparked behind Subaru's eyes for a fleeting second—an echo of familiarity and... comfort. He closed his eyes, placing his full concentration on the weapons. Mana swirled inside the blades, thick and potent. He inhaled deeply and began drawing that mana into himself. The change was almost immediate—intense, physical, and overwhelming.
Moments later, Subaru collapsed without a word, crumpling silently to the library floor like a fragile leaf in the wind.
Beatrice and Puck stood frozen, their gazes locked on the fallen boy. The quiet in the room was suffocating.
"Betty... what just happened?" Puck asked quietly, his voice low and cautious.
"He fainted... I think," Beatrice answered, though her voice lacked conviction. Her eyes were glued to Subaru's body, which was now enveloped in a thick, shadowy aura that pulsed ominously. The temperature in the room had dropped noticeably, like the breath of winter sneaking through the stone walls.
Subaru's hair began to lose its color, turning bone-white from the roots down. The transformation spread over his shoulders, devouring the black and leaving only spectral white in its wake. The aura continued to build, growing denser and heavier, pressing down on the spirits like a suffocating fog.
Then, his fingers twitched. His body stirred, shifting slowly.
When his eyes opened again, they were no longer Subaru's.
A new presence had taken hold.
Flugel now stood in Subaru's place. He rose to his feet, slowly and deliberately, as if adjusting to the limits of the borrowed body. His movements were familiar, even graceful, but distinctly not Subaru's. Beatrice and Puck both stared, the silence between them thick with recognition and dread.
Beatrice instinctively took a step back, her hands trembling. "Y-You...?"
Puck, always the calmer of the two, could barely whisper. "Sensei...?"
Flugel gave them a soft smile, faint and tinged with amusement. "It warms my heart that you still remember me, little ones."
Beatrice's expression twisted, emotions warring behind her eyes—anger, sadness, disbelief. "Master... why are you inside Subaru? What could possibly justify this? Why now, of all times? Why like this?!"
Stretching, Flugel rolled his shoulders, adjusting to the body's unfamiliar dimensions. He let out a slow, exaggerated yawn. "Well, turns out this foolish boy and I share a soul now. Isn't that interesting? So I figured, why not share the body too? Though I must say... he burns through mana like a dying star. It's exhausting."
Puck moved cautiously, circling around Flugel with narrowed eyes, reading the aura around him like a seasoned predator. "Master... what are you really here for? What do you want?"
Flugel's smile deepened, and for a moment, the air seemed to hum with unspoken tension.
"Purpose... now that's a weighty word, isn't it?"
Flugel spoke while making a few stretches with Subaru's body. Though his usual sarcastic grin lingered on his face, his tone had shifted into something far more serious and grounded.
"I came to warn you two. This body consumes mana at an alarming rate. If I stay in control too long, the kid could really die. So I'll get straight to the point. Listen carefully—what I'm about to say could change everything about his future."
The mood in the room shifted instantly. A stillness crept in, not of calm, but the kind that comes right before a storm breaks the horizon. Puck's ears twitched, his expression tightening.
Puck blinked in surprise, processing the weight behind Flugel's words. "There's still so much we need to ask, Master... but I guess this can't wait," he finally said. His voice trembled with unease, his fur bristling faintly as his eyes stared off into some long-past memory, one that clearly hadn't lost its bite.
Flugel gave a short nod, his expression hardening. "Listen closely, little neko-chan. While Subaru and I are away, you need to keep your guard up. Roswaal isn't going to sit idly by. That lunatic of a mage will try to render you powerless again, sealing you back into your dormant state. Start gathering mana now—today—and create a new, reinforced mana crystal. Stronger than the last. Because when Subaru isn't here to stand between her and danger, that little silver-haired girl will become his next target."
His gaze darkened. "He plans to mentally pressure little Lia—to push her through one of Echidna's 'mental endurance trials.'"
The temperature seemed to drop. Puck and Beatrice exchanged a glance, the tension coiling tighter between them. Beatrice clutched the hem of her dress.
"My mother's trial?" she whispered. Her voice was small, as if the memory alone was enough to unravel her composure.
Flugel exhaled slowly, the sound heavy with burden. "Yes. A savage form of illusion—one that drags you into your own memories and forces you to relive them. She'll face the echoes of her past, the weight of her regrets, and the cruel what-ifs she tried to forget. It's not just a test of strength, but identity. And Echidna, that arrogant witch—she sees it as some grand experiment. She can't even tell the difference between wisdom and pride anymore."
Silence fell like snowfall—quiet but suffocating.
Then Flugel turned toward Beatrice. His tone shifted again, softer now, but resolute. "Second thing, Betty. Your time in this library, the role you've clung to for so long—it's finished. As the Great Sage Flugel, I'm telling you: I don't want you imprisoned by these books any longer. For four hundred years, you've served as Echidna's specimen, a living test subject inside her giant, magical petri dish."
Beatrice's eyes widened. Then, tears welled up without warning, spilling over as her lips began to tremble. "Betty... was just a subject? Subaru was right...? All this time... I waited... for someone who never even existed...?"
Flugel stepped forward, reaching out slowly. Puck moved with him, both spirits encircling the weeping girl with quiet understanding. They pulled her into a soft embrace.
"That person never existed, Betty. There was no 'chosen one' written in the stars for you. The only person who gets to decide who's worthy... is you. It's okay to honor your mother, but what she did—leaving you in endless solitude—is not something any child should accept. Not even you."
Puck remained silent, looking away. His memories of Echidna didn't carry any warmth.
Flugel gently stroked Beatrice's hair. "You've done enough. You've endured more than anyone should. So now—choose for yourself. This empty contract, this waiting game? It's meaningless. Let it go. Set yourself free."
Beatrice's sobs began to quiet, her breathing steadying little by little. Her voice came out as a whisper, barely more than a broken breath. "But... I don't know what to do next, Master Flugel. If I'm free... then where do I go?"
Flugel gave a soft, almost nostalgic chuckle. "That's the most human thing you've ever said, Betty. Not knowing what comes next is scary, but it's also beautiful. You finally have a future you get to shape. So take your time. Explore. Eat every sweet in the capital. Talk to whoever makes you smile. Walk where your feet take you. You don't need a grand purpose today. You just need to live."
He paused and smiled wryly. "And as for your mother—if she comes looking for you, I'll handle it. Personally. If it comes down to it, I'll knock some sense into her. I swear it."
In that moment, the air trembled faintly, like a ripple passing through a dream. Subaru's voice echoed into their shared consciousness, quiet but firm.
"Before I met you, I did everything I could to free Beako from that library. I wanted her to see she wasn't alone, that she had worth beyond what Echidna told her. But now I get it... Sometimes, the words that matter most aren't from a stranger trying to help—they're from someone you already carry in your heart."
A brief pause, then a quieter question:
"By the way... if you really are the Great Sage from four hundred years ago, Flugel... why did you tell me that we were the same when we first met? What did you mean by that?"
No one had the answer yet—but the weight of that question lingered like a thread pulling tight, ready to unravel something far greater.
Flugel's voice echoed in Subaru's mind. "One day, I will tell you everything, Natsuki Subaru. I promise. But know this: we are the same. The burdens we carry in the folds of our hearts, the solitude we chose for ourselves—they make us alike. That truth has never changed."
Subaru let out a deep sigh. "Always with the 'time' talk... No matter where I go, I can't escape it."
Flugel's voice chuckled gently. "Time is not a curse; it's a key, if used correctly. But only you can decide which door it opens."
Silence fell once again. Beatrice slowly raised her head, her tear-stained face showing the faintest glimmer of hope. For the first time, there was a sense that maybe—just maybe—something could change.
Flugel shuddered slightly, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the room. "Ah... I must have overexerted myself," he said, his voice faint and drained. Sparks of residual mana still flickered around his body, but they were fading.
Beatrice quickly moved to his side, her eyes filled with concern. "Master... Are you leaving?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
With a tired but gentle smile, Flugel ruffled Beatrice's hair and softly caressed Puck's cheeks. "Yes, this body is almost out of mana. My soul can't linger here much longer. But don't worry, Betty. I'm not truly leaving. Even if my body fades, our minds are still connected in some way. One day, I'll answer all of your questions—every single one. Just wait for the right moment."
Puck floated slowly in front of him, suspended mid-air, sorrow reflected in his eyes. "Promise? Will you really come back?"
Flugel chuckled. "Promise~" he said, his tone light but sincere. The glow of Etherfang in his hands began to dim. The shimmering lights on the blade flickered out one by one. With that, Flugel's body slowly slumped to the ground. Control returned to Subaru, whose hair gradually returned to its original dark hue. As the mana fluctuations subsided, a soft tranquility settled over the room.
Subaru blinked as he regained consciousness. He looked around, then at his hands. The mana within him was nearly depleted; every movement felt like a challenge. He clenched his knees, trying to stay upright, but even standing required great effort. When he saw the two spirits still hovering before him, he smiled faintly. "I'm glad you got to catch up a little. I'm leaving tomorrow morning. I hope we can meet again," he said, his voice quiet but heartfelt.
Puck and Beatrice stared at him in surprise. Before either could respond, Subaru gave a small bow of his head and turned toward the door. His steps were slow and heavy, each one deliberate and thoughtful. He used the walls to support himself as he moved down the corridor. With every step, he could feel how drained his body truly was.
As he approached the door to his room, Rem appeared before him. The blue-haired girl blinked in surprise. "Subaru-kun? You look exhausted... Are you going to sleep?" she asked gently.
Subaru forced a tired smile. "Yeah, I need a little rest. But first, I have a favor to ask," he said, drawing in a breath. "Please deliver a message to Anastasia Hoshin for me. Tell her we'll be leaving tomorrow, and that she should wait for us at the kingdom's border."
Rem tilted her head slightly, puzzled. "Subaru-kun... You never told me about this part?" she asked, her curiosity evident.
Subaru paused, then nodded slowly. "Yes, I had to keep it secret. It could've caused trouble. To put it simply—Anastasia will help us find Hikari. This is the beginning of an alliance. I'll explain the details later. Right now, I really need to sleep."
Rem considered this for a moment before nodding gently. "Okay, Subaru-kun. I'll prepare the message just as you asked. We'll be ready to depart first thing in the morning."
As Subaru made his way toward his room, a sudden and overwhelming wave of dizziness crashed over him. His vision blurred, and his legs began to tremble violently under the strain of mana exhaustion. Each step he tried to take felt heavier than the last, as though the ground beneath him had turned to mist. His knees buckled, his balance faltered, and in an instant, he was teetering on the edge of collapse—his body no longer responding to his will.
But before he could hit the floor, a blur of blue moved like the wind. Rem was at his side in the blink of an eye, faster than thought, catching him with the practiced grace of someone who had saved him more times than either of them could count. Her arms wrapped around him gently but firmly, holding him as though he were the most fragile thing in the world.
Subaru's head rested against her chest. The contact wasn't just comforting—it was transcendent. Her embrace was like stepping into a place untouched by pain or fear. Her chest, warm and steady, felt like soft air pillows cradling his aching head. Every breath she took, every beat of her heart echoed in his ears, grounding him, soothing him. For one fleeting, precious moment, the storm of emotions raging inside him—grief, exhaustion, fear—quieted. He was held, and in being held, he felt whole again.
He could feel her warmth seep into his bones. Her scent, light and familiar, filled his senses like a lullaby. He wasn't just physically tired—his spirit was battered, stretched thin across every trial he'd endured. Yet in her arms, that weariness began to lift, if only slightly. It was more than just a rest—it was sanctuary.
"Ah... I'm sorry," Subaru murmured, shame creeping into his voice. His face flushed slightly, eyes blinking slowly as he struggled to keep them open.
Rem looked down at him, her smile as soft as moonlight. She gently shook her head, brushing a hand over his hair with infinite care. "There's nothing to apologize for, Subaru-kun. I'm here. You don't have to carry this alone."
Without another word, she slipped her arm around his, supporting him with delicate but unwavering strength, and began leading him the rest of the way to the bed. Each step he took was more a stumble than a stride, but Rem never let him falter. Her presence alone was enough to keep him upright, enough to guide him through his dazed haze.
When they finally reached the edge of the mattress, Subaru's body nearly gave out. Rem was already prepared—she eased him down, pulling back the covers and helping him sit, then guiding his head onto the pillow with slow, deliberate care. He let out a small sigh as he sank into the mattress, the tension bleeding out of his muscles. His eyes fluttered shut, lashes brushing against pale cheeks.
His voice was a whisper, barely more than breath: "Thank you... for everything."
And then, just like that, he was gone. Not from the room, not from her side—but from the weight of the world that had clung to his shoulders for so long. The pain, the fear, the relentless pressure—all of it faded as he slipped into deep, peaceful sleep. The kind of sleep that only comes when you know someone is watching over you, keeping you safe.
Rem sat beside him in silence, eyes never leaving his face, her hand still resting in his. And in that quiet, with only the sound of his breathing and the soft thrum of her heartbeat, the night passed in gentle stillness.
(A/N: What do you think about the direction the story is going?
How long are the sections? This section is 11,457 words. I think it's quite long.
Also, please comment a little.
Oh, and finally, let me take the power stones. ALL OF THEM.)